Good morning,
STRANGE DAYS INDEED
We live in strange times.
Lots of demonstrations on college campuses against the Israeli response to the murder spree in Southern Israel. Not any of these students who allege dedication to peace and humanity has protested, to my knowledge, against the brutal murders and kidnappings, nor have they demanded the return of kidnapped infants and children, much less the innocent adults who were abducted.
Mitt Romney tells all and confirms what we all know—the Republican leadership fears its base and supports a man they know is a danger to America.
Matt Goetz may be the most powerful man in the House. He disposed of Kevin McCarthy, after having him dangling on a string. Before that, like a puppeteer with a marionette, he got McCarthy to launch an impeachment inquiry McCarthy didn’t support, in order to determine whether there are any facts that might support an impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, he is staring down claims of sex with underage minors.
The Republicans can’t choose a Speaker. Poor Kevin McCarthy may yet ride to the rescue. He was ousted by the far right, which then torpedoed Steve Scalise, who was nominated by the Republican caucus. Now, will the “moderates” say no to the caucus’s current nominee, the firebrand election-denying investigator-in-chief, Jim Johnson (whose rise to this level, given his extremism, would have seemed unthinkable, even by modern standards, a few years ago)? Others are emerging to jump in if Johnson falters. Can anyone win this job? Does anyone credible really want this job? How many options remain? Kevin, stop the movers—you just might be moving back in!
Tucker Carlson claims opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (presumablly while avoiding opposing other violence in the world) is because Russia is a Christian country. Has he stopped to note that we are a Christian country and that Russia has put down Christianity for nearly a century?
Donald Trump not only is in the lead for the Republican nomination—notwithstanding the finding of business fraud in New York and his multiple indictments. Of note, the grass-roots supporters of the former president in several states are changing the party rules for assigning delegates,, in order to shift the rules more in his direction. California is now winner-take-all, favoring a winner of a simple plurality, and Nevada is poised to be a sure bet for Trump. It is the radical base that will see him through to the nomination.
Republicans, the party of a strong military and a robust foreign policy, increasingly are returning to the isolationism that plagued the party in the interwar period of the last century. Putin is patient and is hoping that a Trump or DiSantis victory in 2024 will begin the end of U.S. support of Ukraine. This sadly looks a lot like the abandonment of our allies in Afghanistan. We do not seem the best ally to have…
WHAT ABOUT WHATABOUTISM?
I have received some responses about the whataboutism I’ve alleged in connection with the whole Hunter Biden affair. I maintain that the Republicans’ preoccupation with Mr. Biden’s tribulations is a classic case of “whataboutism.” Whenever anyone points out anything about Donald Trump’s many bad behaviors, the whataboutism crew is out in force. The various inquiries by the justice-minded Representative Jim Johnson and his committee may lead to very little of merit, they serve to draw attention away from the well-documented actions of former president Trump. It goes like this: “Sure Trump is awful, but look over here…so is Hunter.” The inquiries suggest that “With enough time I’m sure I’ll figure out a way of drawing President Biden in.”
A good friend takes me to task, believing I’m giving short shrift to the indiscretions from the left. Further, he argues against the concept of whataboutism. Here are some of his thoughts about when people claim whataboutism:
“Frankly, the whataboutism argument turns upside down the discussion. Here are the problems with the accusation of whataboutism, generally (not pointing necessarily, or only, at you):
It’s generally used by the accuser inappropriately or insincerely.
It’s generally used to avoid addressing valid points raised by the accused.
It’s often used to avoid addressing the shortcomings in, or to evade responsibility for, the argument proffered by the accuser.
It stifles dialogue or dismisses the other person’s perspective without addressing the issue at hand. Thus, it undermines genuine conversation.
It creates a defensive atmosphere, creating the need for each party to prove the other wrong rather than engaging in a constructive dialogue.
It serves to avoid accountability for the accuser’s underlying argument.
It’s often nothing more than an unnecessary ad hominem.”
All valid points and all consistent with my concern about whataboutism in the first place. It’s a diversionary tactic. That said, it could be said that claims of whataboutism suffer from the same insincere place as the whataboutism itself.
THE PRESENT CASE
At the risk of beating a dead horse or going over issues ad nauseum, I claim that the focus on Hunter Biden focus the various impeachment inquiries with scant evidence to justify an impeachment inquiry are simply diversionary tactics to detract from the very real dangers posed by Mr. Trump. I believe my friend’s attack on my claim this is all “whataboutism” writ large:
I’m not using it insincerely. Biden’s detractors may not agree with his positions but no evidence has been proffered to justify a comparison with Mr. Trump’s criminality (yes, I know it hasn’t been proven in a court of law but the evidence is overwhelming).
I’m not diminishing the validity of claims from the other side. Hunter Biden should be prosecuted (and he is). For that matter, Senator Menendez should be expelled. Other acts of corruption, from either side, when backed-up by evidence, should be investigated and, if appropriate, prosecuted.
In talking about “whataboutism” ending the conversation, what does my friend think about the lack of the Republicans engaging in meaningful conversation their likely nominee for president engaging in criminal behaviors and attacks on American democracy?
Building a false equivalency of unfitness and criminal behavior is at the core of the Trump 2024 game plan. It just might work.
Have a great day,
Glenn
Didn’t you mean Jim Jordan? (You’d written Johnson).
Just protecting my family’s good name 😁