I chose that it worked very well, but I no longer think it does, because, as the post concludes, "we're in deep shit," whereas, in Erfurt, the noblemen were in deep shit. Today, if the equivalent of the noblemen (and that includes every Republic member of Congress and the Supreme Court) would fall into the cesspool, then the rest of us wouldn't be in deep shit anymore.
I pondered that same line of thinking and chose fairly well, or whatever the middle selection was. My real choice would have been “I certainly hope so.”
When the noblemen died, there places were taken by their sons, who had been raised in the same toxic culture. This salutary event caused no change in the political situation.
Those "noblemen" were really just us, those in the middle. The serfs and such may be more like us than we'd like to think, but the social structure was, as GW said, shit.
I know what you're saying because I often feel it too, but it's a building process. We have to start somewhere and if 100 million people spent the 4th protesting instead of picnicking that would scare the hell out of the powers that be.
Depends on how you define"doing any good." Do they have an immediate effect? History tells us probably not. But history also tells us that the value of regular large opposition rallies is putting the government on notice with downstream impact --- whether as early indicators of durable political realignment, rather than simply isolated venting, signaling to elected officials (especially in competitive districts) that there is an energized opposition with real numbers, and even shifting the political cost calculus for legislators considering whether to act as a check on executive power.
And Kaka-istocracy brings to mind Kakania, which is the nickname for the Austro-Hungarian empire in the novel "The Man Without Qualities." Go the Wikipedia article of that name and scroll down to the section, "Style and structure."
I think where the metaphor falls down (hehe), is that the supports were not rotten in the US. Those supports were methodically hollowed out, termites were encouraged to infest them, some of the supports were burned, by the people who would gain from the collapse, and now everything is falling into the shit. The only thing that is good about the collapse is that those who hollowed out the supports, encouraged the termites, and set the fires, will, to their surprise, also fall in and drown. They thought they would win. They will lose, too. Even the big Oligarchs will suffer.
It's amusing that the corruption too far for (some) Congressional Republicans is the $1.8 billion slush fund Trump wants to use to pay the people he told to kill those reps and senators and presumably a source to arm and pay them if Trump gives another kill order. To the extent they allow it is more rot in the floor and a step close for them to the poop pit. I wonder if J.D. Vance wakes up sweating at night reflecting that he's working for a man and seeking support of people who think it's fine to kill a vice president.
The first time I heard about this dolorous & malodorous event was in a Defector article describing what it felt like watching the NY Football Giants 2024 season.
I chose that it worked very well, but I no longer think it does, because, as the post concludes, "we're in deep shit," whereas, in Erfurt, the noblemen were in deep shit. Today, if the equivalent of the noblemen (and that includes every Republic member of Congress and the Supreme Court) would fall into the cesspool, then the rest of us wouldn't be in deep shit anymore.
I pondered that same line of thinking and chose fairly well, or whatever the middle selection was. My real choice would have been “I certainly hope so.”
When the noblemen died, there places were taken by their sons, who had been raised in the same toxic culture. This salutary event caused no change in the political situation.
"... their places" [how do I edit?]
Tap or click on the three little dots on the right of your name.
Nah, we're in a similar position to the peasantry of the time. They're in the shit, the just don't know it.
Those "noblemen" were really just us, those in the middle. The serfs and such may be more like us than we'd like to think, but the social structure was, as GW said, shit.
Yeah, verily, the trump regime is a toxic shithole.
Saw a Robert Reich suggestion of black armbands on 04 July. Thoughts?
I keep proposing instead a national No Kings protest that massively dwarfs the ones we've had so far. Just bring your BBQ with you.
Would be the appropriate day....
Do you think they've done any good, apart from the participants having a good time?
I know what you're saying because I often feel it too, but it's a building process. We have to start somewhere and if 100 million people spent the 4th protesting instead of picnicking that would scare the hell out of the powers that be.
Depends on how you define"doing any good." Do they have an immediate effect? History tells us probably not. But history also tells us that the value of regular large opposition rallies is putting the government on notice with downstream impact --- whether as early indicators of durable political realignment, rather than simply isolated venting, signaling to elected officials (especially in competitive districts) that there is an energized opposition with real numbers, and even shifting the political cost calculus for legislators considering whether to act as a check on executive power.
Feckless. Empty symbolism will not save us.
Kaka-istocracy comes to mind.
And Kaka-istocracy brings to mind Kakania, which is the nickname for the Austro-Hungarian empire in the novel "The Man Without Qualities." Go the Wikipedia article of that name and scroll down to the section, "Style and structure."
Wondering about now if "doo doo onto others as they doo doo onto us", means I'm losing interest in the Golden Rule ? Linda Spiegler
In the case of the rump Regime, the Golden Rule has been superseded by the Brown Skidmark.
Only on the golden throne.
No they've been practicing THAT golden rule on us forever. Why do you think they called it trickle down economics?
Tracks. Whenever I heard the phrase “trickle-down” I always thought to myself “you know what *else* always flows downhill?”
The thought of this literally happening to Trump brought a grin to my face!
Would it qualify as a shit-eating grin?
touche'!
I think where the metaphor falls down (hehe), is that the supports were not rotten in the US. Those supports were methodically hollowed out, termites were encouraged to infest them, some of the supports were burned, by the people who would gain from the collapse, and now everything is falling into the shit. The only thing that is good about the collapse is that those who hollowed out the supports, encouraged the termites, and set the fires, will, to their surprise, also fall in and drown. They thought they would win. They will lose, too. Even the big Oligarchs will suffer.
Not rotten per se, but nevertheless comparatively weak (as we see) for never having been stress-tested to this extent and consequently made stronger.
What a coincidence! Smithsonian's daily newsletter today published the article below. I wonder if it was the same latrine.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/from-a-medieval-latrine-in-germany-archaeologists-extracted-a-pristine-leather-notebook-that-preserved-latin-cursive-for-centuries-180988771/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&lctg=92713564
It's amusing that the corruption too far for (some) Congressional Republicans is the $1.8 billion slush fund Trump wants to use to pay the people he told to kill those reps and senators and presumably a source to arm and pay them if Trump gives another kill order. To the extent they allow it is more rot in the floor and a step close for them to the poop pit. I wonder if J.D. Vance wakes up sweating at night reflecting that he's working for a man and seeking support of people who think it's fine to kill a vice president.
Perhaps this is the source of the phrase “it’s a real shit show”?
Could not imagine a better or more apt metaphor! When do you think the whole MAGA crew will meet the same fate -- a fate that can't be more fitting!
They've been so full of shit for so long, they're bound to explode eventually.
I simply hope for the day when I can watch his enablers fall into the morass.
You can’t spell “aristocracy” without r-a-c-i-s-t
I wonder 1) Having been a teenage boy, how is it possible that I have never heard of it before? and
2) Is it really a metaphor?
i believe it is a metaphor, yes. Just as the first paragraph of the column is a metaphor!
Never heard of this and my great grandpa Krohn immigrated from Erfert.
I'm with all the desires to witness such a reenactment, but i haven't experienced such fun drama in my life just yet.
But, boy, that would be cool.
The first time I heard about this dolorous & malodorous event was in a Defector article describing what it felt like watching the NY Football Giants 2024 season.