Gogol’s “Dead Souls” shows us two conmen, one who is a lot like our president, the other like various politicians (including Ryan, McConnell and Hillary Clinton). The boisterous and ineffective conman comes off better that the carefully calculating one.
Tag Archives: politics
Trump as Miss Havisham
Frank Bruni compares Donald Trump to Miss Havisham, forever fixated on November 8 before the rose lost its bloom. The GOP would do well to break free as Pip does.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Charles Dickens, Donald Trump, GOP, Great Expectations, Hillary Clinton Comments closed
GOP “Moderates,” the Hollow Men
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, Congress, GOP, Healthcare debate, T. E. Eliot Comments closed
Sly Marc Antony Resembles McConnell
The Shakespeare-in-the-Park production of “Julius Caesar” has the Right up in arms about the image of Donald Trump being assassinated. The timeliest lesson of the play, however, is the way that Marc Antony slyly slides in to take power. Think of him as Mitch McConnell quietly preparing to repeal Obamacare and deprive millions of healthcare while the nation focuses on Senate hearings.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged ACA, AHCA, health care, Julius Caesar, Mitch McConnell, Russia investigation, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Will Trump, Like Lear, Take Us All Down?
“The Washington Post” recently found numerous parallels between Lear and our own president, with “his zigzagging proclamations, his grandiose promises, his spasmodic attachments.”
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Donald Trump, GOP, James Comey, King Lear, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Maybe Ryan Sees Trump as John Galt
If Paul Ryan refuses to stand up to Donald Trump, it may be because he worships him as a John Galt figure.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, Donald Trump, Libertarianism, Paul Ryan Comments closed
Using Doublethink To Sell Trumpcare
House Republicans appear to be using Doublethink to sell their healthcare plan. If it works, there will be no stopping them.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged 1984, AHCA, Donald Trump, George Orwell, GOP, GOP healthcare plan, healthcare Comments closed
Swift’s Popularity with Today’s Students
Students crowded into the gym to listen to the publisher of “The Onion.” It is therefore not surprising that they are also responding enthusiastically to Jonathan Swift. I share some of their thoughts on the satirist in today’s post.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Donald Trump, Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift Comments closed
Milton’s Jesus vs. Trump’s Bombs
Unfortunately centrists and liberals have been endorsing Trump’s bellicosity abroad. Milton’s Jesus in “Paradise Regained” would not approve.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Afghanistan, bombing, Donald Trump, John Milton, North Korea, Paradise Regained, Syria bombing, war fever Comments closed
