Thursday One of the interchanges in Trump fixer Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Investigation Committee yesterday jumped out at me because it had such an 18th century flavor to it. Kentucky Republican James Comer, seeking to undermine Cohen, challenged him with the following: Comer: “You called Trump a cheat. What would you call yourself?” […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Satyr against Reason and Mankind", Congressional hearings, Donald Trump, GOP, Ireland, John Wilmot, Jonathan Swift, Michael Cohen | Comments closed

GOP “Moderates,” the Hollow Men

By Robin Bates | Published: July 28, 2017

Despite brave talk from a number of so-called Republican moderates, only Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins stood up to their party in an attempt to save healthcare. Time to read “The Hollow Men” again.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Hollow Men", ACA, GOP, Healthcare debate, politics, T. E. Eliot | Comments closed

Trollope & Trump’s Congressional Enablers

By Robin Bates | Published: August 9, 2016

By continuing their support for Donald Trump, GOP leaders Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are choosing their party and their careers over country. In doing so, they resemble Anthony Trollope’s Sir Timothy Beeswax, Conservative leader in the Palliser novels..

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Anthony Trollope, Donald Trump, Duke's Children, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan | Comments closed

Ryan as John Galt–Elect Him or He Shrugs

By Robin Bates | Published: October 21, 2015

Paul Ryan sees himself as Ayn Rand’s John Galt as he puts forth the conditions on which he will accept the Speakership of the House. The problem is that he is dealing with people who also see themselves as John Galt.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, GOP, Paul Ryan, politics | Comments closed

Satanic Fury from the Freedom Caucus

By Robin Bates | Published: October 13, 2015

The Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives has been behaving like Satan in “Paradise Lost.” They would be advised to see what happens to Milton’s anti-hero.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Freedom Caucus, GOP, House of Representatives, John Milton, Paradise Lost, politics | Comments closed

Hillary before Judges Like Tolstoy’s Pierre

By Robin Bates | Published: October 7, 2015

The Congressional Committee to Investigate Benghazi is like the military tribunal in “War and Peace” that questions Pierre. It is interested only in answers to lead to conviction.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Benghazi, Benghazi investigation, GOP, Leo Tolstoy, politics, War and Peace | Comments closed