#528 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Monday February 13)
Good morning,
DECORUM IN THE CONGRESS
I have gotten responses supportive of my comments regarding the decorum (or lack thereof) displayed by many of the Republicans during President Biden’s State of the Union address last week. A few people pointed out that Democrats also occasionally were unruly and disrespectful during Trump’s State of the Union addresses. Some thoughts on this:
First, my admonishment of the childish and nasty behaviors of the Republicans certainly should not be read as condoning prior behaviors of Democrats. Rude and disrespectful knows no party. That said, last week’s display, particularly by the likes of the peanut gallery of Greene, Bohbert and Gosar, was appalling.
Second, the history of outbursts during the State of the Union is fairly well documented. The first one in recent memory was when Representative Joe Wilson shouted out “you lie” during Obama’s 2009 State of the Union. Rarely before had anyone had the temerity to interrupt a President’s address to Congress, other than to applaud. By the way, the matter that Wilson shouted over turned out to be the truth. Thereafter, there were some boos during the 2018 Trump State of the Union when he referred to “chain immigrants.” There was a single person who apparently also shouted something I cannot recall. The booing was not inconsistent with occasional boos in the past. Shouting at any President is a different matter entirely and is uncalled for.
This was a bridge too far. The shouts were not few and they were prolonged. Bill Maher likened it to a bachelorette party at a comedy club. Marjorie Taylor Greene couldn’t should loud enough or often enough. The shouts of “liar” proved to be unfounded (the matters that exercised Ms. Greene were actually not lies at all). True, that not all Republicans want to sunset Medicare or Social Security or reduce their benefits, as Mr. Biden conceded. But at least the Scott proposal and the public statements of several other Republican Senators do, indeed, support such actions. That Biden—purportedly by his critics to be elderly and infirm—held his own in the face of these outbursts and managed to twist the confrontation into a public concession putting the Republicans on record (standing, no less) that they would not reduce benefits was a stroke of political mastery.
The Republicans in the House have become quite the laughingstock. By not censoring their own most absurd members, they place themselves in common cause with these nutjobs. MTG, from her back row seat, hands cupped to amplify her screams, has become the most public image of the party and is an image one can hardly forget.
In addition to “whataboutism,” we seem plagued by a case of the playground responses of of “he started it” and “he did it too.” In this case, the Republicans started it and then ramped it up. That said, Republicans note that Democrats have been unkind to them in the past. While true, it is no excuse for the display they put on last week. It cheapens us, our democracy, and our civility. Children were watching.
THE COMMITTEE INQUIRIES ARE GETTING GOING
The kangaroo courts are now in session. The “House Oversight and Accountability Committee” failed to establish administration interference with Twitter (despite Republican attempts to force this narrative); although the Twitter employee disclosed that Donald Trump in fact attempted to do what the Republicans were most concerned about. The ever-cerebral Lauren Boebert shouted at the Twitter executives “who the hell do you think you are?” That begs the question of why they didn’t respond with the same words. The Republicans also fail to understand that Twitter has certain first amendment rights. Meanwhile, this committee disbanded the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which, as The Hill reports “focused on issues including voting rights, freedom of assembly and criminal justice reform policies.” I suppose Hunter Biden’s laptop—and unproven allegations they assert the laptop discloses—is more important to the American people than civil rights, at least according to the Republican leadership.
Meanwhile, there is the “Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.” First, that committee name certainly is a mouthful. Second, it isn’t even subtle in its objectives, starting with its name. In any event, this QAnon of a committee has gotten started. They’re going after the “maltreatment” of the January 6th rioters, the “engineered” Trump impeachment, and the “sabotage of public revelation of Hunter Biden’s laptop.” Meanwhile, Ron Johnson has described a conspiracy of “most members of the mainstream media, big tech, social media giants, global institutions and foundations, Democrat Party operatives and elected officials,” together with “corrupt individuals within federal agencies.” From the sounds of it, we’re living in Castro’s Cuba or Putin’s Russia.
Then there is Representative Gosar, who says that Biden has “a plan…to deliberately open our borders and cede power to the cartels.” Where do they get this stuff?
Oy…
THIS IS THE PRICE…
The Republicans are not without issues and many can be partners in fiscally responsible governance for the people. But they have acquiesced to the more extreme segments of their party, giving them committees (several with absurd names) and seats on those and other important committees. The conspiracy theorists, QAnon supporters and those who traffic with white supremacists have a giant megaphone (even stronger than MTG’s cupped hands), which they will use to fire up the base and divert Congress from more important work. I believe this will backfire on the Republicans, as Americans want to see Congress act. Again, only when the more moderate, traditionally conservative, Republicans take control over their own party will we have two parties with common ideals but differing visions who debate the finer points and can lead us forward.
IN THE MEANTIME, A PRETTY GOOD REPORT CARD
From Andrew Tobias:
“So much to applaud in tonight’s State of the Union.
> The basket case economy Biden inherited is roaring ahead.
> The crumbling infrastructure he inherited is being revitalized.
> The demoralized Free World alliances are now stronger than ever, with respect for our leadership restored.
> The lurch toward strongman-style government and “alternative facts” has been halted — at least for now.
These are huge things.”
Add to this job creation (lowest unemployment in 50 years), the emergence of small businesses, declining inflation, expectation of only a weak recession, standing up to China, and arming Ukraine while standing up to Putin, among other accomplishments. Not to shabby.
Some will say that Trump was tough on China. Let’s think about that. Certainly he was rhetorically tough, but what did he actually do? He engaged in a trade war that exacerbated inflation and harmed our own workers. He pulled us out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, emboldening and strengthening China’s position in the Far East. He was silent on the “balloon spying” during his administration. I’ll take Biden’s toughness every day of the week.
Have a great day,
Glenn
From the archives: