Tuesday 1 May 2018

bone of contention or true facts stated

We had wanted to avoid wading into this subject because as with everything else one ought to pause to ask how one’s opinion, pontification, punting or contribution enriches the world a little and were rather baffled in contemplating this wildfire and how the political roasting (via Miss Cellania) at an event that (albeit it does have a rather conflicted identity and is bolstered up by genteel fictions) invited guests come to expecting to be lampooned was having its moment—ephemerally, of course, and to be superseded by the next tantrum—but I suppose that there’s something in that bafflement that indicates that we need to work through this—not at pace—and try to come to terms with how media and entertainment has turned reportage and personality into their own parody.
How could anyone in this political landscape expect any mercy or reverence for the complicit sell-outs of the Trump regime? Worse and more pointed criticism is readily available from any number of outlets at any time. Indeed—rather than airing the comedic stylings of Michelle Wolf—Trump had already excoriated journalism at some fundraising event timed to coincide with the broadcast of the White House press corps dinner to illustrate the culture schism that he thrives on, and though less funny (downright depressing, actually), putting that on stage would have been an equally appropriate act and would elicit titters and cringes alike. Rushed onto these bandwagons allows us to defang the finer points of messaging, including walking out on an act whose closing statements were the most powerful and provocative parts of the monologue: uncomfortably casting her attack back at the Third Estate, “You pretend like you hate him, but I think you love him,” Wolf said. “I think what no one in this room wants to admit is that Trump has helped all of you. He couldn’t sell steaks or vodka or water or college or ties or Eric. But he has helped you… You helped create this monster, and now you’re profiting off of him.” And Flint still doesn’t have clean water.