I am so VERY VERY grateful that all of you have created this newsletter. I promise to urge EVERYONE I know to subscribe. I cancelled my subscription to the WP months ago. Since then, I have missed Jennifer Rubin.
Read the Post (and delivered it) as a kid in D.C., and have maintained an online subscription since it was offered. It is no longer the paper that it was. Jeff Bezos tappers with editorial freedoms, William Lewis is a Murdoch-trained British addition publisher. Matt Murray is no gem either. When columnists and political cartoonists start getting censored and leave, there is a definite problem; journalism is tilting. Having The Contrarian to counter this trend is enlightening.
This is the best description yet of tRump's playbook. Using language that accurately portrays him as a bully, rather than military metaphors, is the best way to position him in people's minds. Most people remember the bully in their grade school and did NOT like him. We need to put tRump in that position in people's minds. No one likes a bully. Poke him back and he often runs off. Thanks for this excellent column.
One would expect that no one would like a bully, and yet some human proclivity has elevated shameless malignant sociopaths to positions of absolute power and deification many times around the world, some much worse than others. It seems to be humanity's most tragic flaw; and arguably the historical and present source of of most of humanity's avoidable suffering. There is more to the story, of course, and I also acknowledge human resilience, compassion, and occasions of wisdom, but demagoguery is a powerful influence which, in the end, might kill us all if we fail to get a better handle on it. I think it helps to learn from history. We are running out of room to ignore it.
"That is the issue that will continue in this country when these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent. It is the eternal struggle between these two principles -- right and wrong -- throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity and the other the divine right of kings." -- Lincoln
I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!
I hope you know I was kidding. See above (I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!)
I hope you know I was kidding. See above (I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!)
People will go to great lengths to not have to think for themselves, including letting bullies tell them what to think and do, even if it isn't in their own best interests.
Disagree. Many people who voted for Trump did so *because* he is a bully. I am convinced that these people care less about making their own lives better than making the lives *worse* for people they hate. Trump hates the same people and, therefore, they love him.
"Donald Trump follows in a long line of aspirational autocrats who blame others for what they have done themselves. He is showing us that he’s the master of the playground taunt." YES! I have been thinking the ideas articulated in this article for years - but much better stated by Scheppele! In my past, tough teachers and loving parents did not allow this type ugly behavior, bullying, and lying on the playground or anywhere else. How did 77 million Americans vote for it?
Because the 77 million people are in a news silo filled with disinformation. Sensible Americans need to talk to their neighbors and support media that reaches beyond tribal political boundaries.
Talking is fine if the ideas from both (or all) participants come from a basis in truth and facts. That's one of the current stumbling blocks to the process -- one side has little connect with either fact or truth and wants none of it.
Because 77 million people get their ‘information’ in the rightwing propaganda bubble. They have bought into Faux Snooze hypnotic assertions that Faux is the only source of the ‘Real Truth’. Pravda for the American serfs.
It is also a misunderstanding of what 'Democracy' is in this country. Look particularly at the Muslim and anti Israeli organizations in Michigan ( thinking of the Dearborn group for example). They naively thought withholding their votes from Biden and then Harris would give them the support of Trump -didnt they notice he previously banned Muslim immigration ( among others) during his first term? I suppose having only known the despots that prevail in middle eastern polities and the traditional disregard for women would stand in the way of recognizing the kind of nuanced roles that we have here. They probably can only recognize a "ruler". They also showed their fecklessness in willing to focus primarily on the outcome of their original country's problems and not focus on those in the US. Further: we need more and better education here.
What we need though is not just response, but offense.
We need to continue (with massive repetition) to frame what Trump is and what Elon and other billionaires are. Trump is a weak tool of the billionaires who are running him, to privatize functions of government for their own advantage.
Then we need to (with massive repetition) describe our values: empathy, strength, and empowerment. We need to then frame the issues with the basic values of the Democratic Party in view (across issues too, so there is a consistent framing across different issues), and then begin to form policy. In that order. Not policy first.
I am hoping the Contrarian focuses attention on what the pro-Democracy side is and should be doing, and it should not just be responding to Trump's latest absurdities, or unintentionally amplifying his messages.
We need people to show the way as to how our side, everyone, including our leaders, goes on OFFENSE.
It may take a significant shock to the MAGAts before they start to come around. And then it may be too late. But, you are right. We have to keep pointing out what the advantages of real democracy are.
Hitting the working class MAGA voter in the wallet may be a start. When all of the horrible socialist /s government programs that they depend upon start losing funding and their benefits get reduced or cut entirely, there may be an epiphany. We can hope.
What we need is a media-savvy spokesperson who is everywhere in the media, reporting on every word they say, like the rally-king DT. If the media had quit talking about him incessantly, I believe he would have disappeared, or gone back to hosting golf tournaments and beauty parents. I am so sick of hos fave and voice . . .
The problem isn't only the media. It's that our representatives do not understand messaging. They say the wrong things and they don't understand repeat repeat repeat.
They need to get on a few messages, altogether, and repeat repeat repeat. The media has no choice but to report the messages they pound.
We have to stop wondering why people don't understand the right facts, or why they don't vote their self interests. We have to understand that they don't and won't. Then we pound incessantly the messages we want.
It takes coordination across multiple people. Trump has everyone so scared they just echo him out of fear.
You're right about amplifying his messages. They need to stop but we need to stop too. We need to stop responding to each absurdity and keep pounding the same messages.
He's a weak tool owned by Elon Musk and the tech bros. They are going to screw the voters over to enrich themselves. Elon will hire foreign workers even to displace US citizens.
We need everyone to get media savvy and pound simple messages over and over again. It's what Trump does and it works. His aren't even true but he knows that doesn't matter.
Thoreau wrote that a thought is the ancestor of every human action. So is a value. I think, therefore I am, but no less importantly, I experience; I hear, taste, see, smell, and feel, therefore I am. We need to challenge MAGA value systems. Present compelling alternatives.
Thank you all for starting this letter espousing decency and truth, particularly you, Jen. I would say we'll miss you at WaPo, but I quit WaPo over the transgressions by lord and master Bezos. Blah! I'm grateful for your efforts, but there's no question that you won't be able to match the resources of a WaPo or NYT, but both of them are goners in the search for decency and truth. WSJ? Fuhgedaboudid. They sold out years ago. Who's left? Maybe The Guardian? Sad times for journalism.
WaPo's new AI-summary handling of the Comments is enough to make one rush for the Unsubscribe button. I'm out as from 23 Feb, but from the look of yesterday's edition I don't think I'll even be visiting casually until then.
My thoughts exactly! The new AI-summary is terrible. Even though I unsubscribed a couple months back, I'm not out until April. The only other journalist that I follow is Eugene Robinson, and the rest I left behind when I unsubscribed. So happy Jen Rubin is here!
Not a word about Glenn Kessler. Maybe he's found a safe haven somewhere with his box of Pinocchios where he can deploy them without taking so much flak.
I foolishly renewed in October, to support the opinion writers and national coverage. Now Ann and Jennifer have left, ( likely more will follow) and the Comment format is an abomination. It will get much less attention until my subscription runs out next year.
Can you explain how should the schoolyard taunt should be dealt with in a cunning and efficient manner? Give us a practical and insightful solution please!
The key is always and faithfully being independent and never, ever becoming beholding! Which is one of the reasons I subscribed and support your ability to always remain independent voices! Thanks for all you are doing!
So true. I bring the taunting description to the social media age, and describe it as Power by Trolling. Trump is one of the most overwhelming trolls in history, and social media platforms seem designed to be the ideal playgrounds for such a shameless, vulgar troll. It's interesting that none of the wannabe trolls, like Musk, can quite pull it off with the same effect.
Interesting how much the talking points of Trump and the GOP now mirror autocrats and Putin.
Have you ever read part of a Putin speech transcribed?
Same language, same culture wars against LGBTQ, and apparently in the case of Orban, the same "Soros."
Now, is it simply a small world or preplanned and coordinated and packaged like a right-wing reality TV show with the same cast of characters?
I remember either hearing someone Bannon-esque or someone discussing his ilk (rather vague) that it is all now actually coordinated. The expert on PBS NewsHour said that globally, they are actually in cahoots.
Is it any wonder an Orban might be so closely associated with Trump and speaking at GOP party events?
I just envisioned a right-wing taking point cooking show on YouTube stirring up a nice big pot of propaganda.
Serving size - world.
Someone needs to show how parts of all of their speeches are nearly identical, show them back to back. Does the GOP really want to be shown in the same choreographed dance as Putin and the rest?
You certainly lay out a key problem. But is there no effective solution? As you say, merely pointing out whose claims are justified and whose are just playground tactics has proven woefully inadequate. If the teachers (voters) don't have the time or energy to pay attention, how does the playground bully get taken down? Future column on this?
With playground bullies, the bystanders are often the key ingredient to disarming them. The silent watchers allow the bully to maintain power - everyone needs to call out the bad behavior and identify it as unacceptable.
How can we get this kind of news coverage to Trump Supporters? To folks that don't vote? Is there a way to make it wider spread and of interest to the masses of Americans, even those in Trump's thrall?
I am so VERY VERY grateful that all of you have created this newsletter. I promise to urge EVERYONE I know to subscribe. I cancelled my subscription to the WP months ago. Since then, I have missed Jennifer Rubin.
Great column and so accurate!
Being a WaPo refugee it’s bolstering to discover others also seeking harbour here.
Quite grateful to Ms. Rubin and Mr. Eisen for starting this very needed voice. Hoping to find some of my favorite former commenters from The Post.
So sad such a fine institution was desecrated so one tiny little man could acquire a third yacht.
Read the Post (and delivered it) as a kid in D.C., and have maintained an online subscription since it was offered. It is no longer the paper that it was. Jeff Bezos tappers with editorial freedoms, William Lewis is a Murdoch-trained British addition publisher. Matt Murray is no gem either. When columnists and political cartoonists start getting censored and leave, there is a definite problem; journalism is tilting. Having The Contrarian to counter this trend is enlightening.
This is the best description yet of tRump's playbook. Using language that accurately portrays him as a bully, rather than military metaphors, is the best way to position him in people's minds. Most people remember the bully in their grade school and did NOT like him. We need to put tRump in that position in people's minds. No one likes a bully. Poke him back and he often runs off. Thanks for this excellent column.
Just as reprehensible are the bully's toadies!
One would expect that no one would like a bully, and yet some human proclivity has elevated shameless malignant sociopaths to positions of absolute power and deification many times around the world, some much worse than others. It seems to be humanity's most tragic flaw; and arguably the historical and present source of of most of humanity's avoidable suffering. There is more to the story, of course, and I also acknowledge human resilience, compassion, and occasions of wisdom, but demagoguery is a powerful influence which, in the end, might kill us all if we fail to get a better handle on it. I think it helps to learn from history. We are running out of room to ignore it.
"That is the issue that will continue in this country when these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent. It is the eternal struggle between these two principles -- right and wrong -- throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity and the other the divine right of kings." -- Lincoln
He may be a bully, but he’s my bully!
You are about to get the chaos you requested. You will not be spared even if you are not targeted. Remember which way it flows....downhill.
I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!
AKA He may be a narcissist but he validates, even cultivates, my narcissism.
I hope you know I was kidding. See above (I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!)
Oh my God
I hope you know I was kidding. See above (I shoulda put a /s after that funny comment. It just reminded me of when the Democrats said something to the effect in Louisiana: Vote for the crook, it’s important!)
People will go to great lengths to not have to think for themselves, including letting bullies tell them what to think and do, even if it isn't in their own best interests.
Disagree. Many people who voted for Trump did so *because* he is a bully. I am convinced that these people care less about making their own lives better than making the lives *worse* for people they hate. Trump hates the same people and, therefore, they love him.
Something that Federal Trial Judges have known for a very long time: An accusation is many times a confession.
You guys are a breath of fresh air in the miasma of current politics. Thank you.
"Donald Trump follows in a long line of aspirational autocrats who blame others for what they have done themselves. He is showing us that he’s the master of the playground taunt." YES! I have been thinking the ideas articulated in this article for years - but much better stated by Scheppele! In my past, tough teachers and loving parents did not allow this type ugly behavior, bullying, and lying on the playground or anywhere else. How did 77 million Americans vote for it?
Because the 77 million people are in a news silo filled with disinformation. Sensible Americans need to talk to their neighbors and support media that reaches beyond tribal political boundaries.
3 datys left for Biden to step up. Trump is a clear and present danger.
Talking is fine if the ideas from both (or all) participants come from a basis in truth and facts. That's one of the current stumbling blocks to the process -- one side has little connect with either fact or truth and wants none of it.
Because 77 million people get their ‘information’ in the rightwing propaganda bubble. They have bought into Faux Snooze hypnotic assertions that Faux is the only source of the ‘Real Truth’. Pravda for the American serfs.
The Ministry of Truth.
It is also a misunderstanding of what 'Democracy' is in this country. Look particularly at the Muslim and anti Israeli organizations in Michigan ( thinking of the Dearborn group for example). They naively thought withholding their votes from Biden and then Harris would give them the support of Trump -didnt they notice he previously banned Muslim immigration ( among others) during his first term? I suppose having only known the despots that prevail in middle eastern polities and the traditional disregard for women would stand in the way of recognizing the kind of nuanced roles that we have here. They probably can only recognize a "ruler". They also showed their fecklessness in willing to focus primarily on the outcome of their original country's problems and not focus on those in the US. Further: we need more and better education here.
A well financed confusion campaign?
What we need though is not just response, but offense.
We need to continue (with massive repetition) to frame what Trump is and what Elon and other billionaires are. Trump is a weak tool of the billionaires who are running him, to privatize functions of government for their own advantage.
Then we need to (with massive repetition) describe our values: empathy, strength, and empowerment. We need to then frame the issues with the basic values of the Democratic Party in view (across issues too, so there is a consistent framing across different issues), and then begin to form policy. In that order. Not policy first.
I am hoping the Contrarian focuses attention on what the pro-Democracy side is and should be doing, and it should not just be responding to Trump's latest absurdities, or unintentionally amplifying his messages.
We need people to show the way as to how our side, everyone, including our leaders, goes on OFFENSE.
It may take a significant shock to the MAGAts before they start to come around. And then it may be too late. But, you are right. We have to keep pointing out what the advantages of real democracy are.
But it isn't just the hardcore. They are lost.
There are voters who vote for Trump who are persuadable, or at least might not vote for it anymore (even if they don't vote for us).
Then there are the voters who would/might be on our side who are not voting. We need to give them a reason to support us. Starting with values.
Hitting the working class MAGA voter in the wallet may be a start. When all of the horrible socialist /s government programs that they depend upon start losing funding and their benefits get reduced or cut entirely, there may be an epiphany. We can hope.
What we need is a media-savvy spokesperson who is everywhere in the media, reporting on every word they say, like the rally-king DT. If the media had quit talking about him incessantly, I believe he would have disappeared, or gone back to hosting golf tournaments and beauty parents. I am so sick of hos fave and voice . . .
The problem isn't only the media. It's that our representatives do not understand messaging. They say the wrong things and they don't understand repeat repeat repeat.
They need to get on a few messages, altogether, and repeat repeat repeat. The media has no choice but to report the messages they pound.
We have to stop wondering why people don't understand the right facts, or why they don't vote their self interests. We have to understand that they don't and won't. Then we pound incessantly the messages we want.
It takes coordination across multiple people. Trump has everyone so scared they just echo him out of fear.
You're right about amplifying his messages. They need to stop but we need to stop too. We need to stop responding to each absurdity and keep pounding the same messages.
He's a weak tool owned by Elon Musk and the tech bros. They are going to screw the voters over to enrich themselves. Elon will hire foreign workers even to displace US citizens.
Then repeat.
We need everyone to get media savvy and pound simple messages over and over again. It's what Trump does and it works. His aren't even true but he knows that doesn't matter.
Repeat repeat repeat.
Thoreau wrote that a thought is the ancestor of every human action. So is a value. I think, therefore I am, but no less importantly, I experience; I hear, taste, see, smell, and feel, therefore I am. We need to challenge MAGA value systems. Present compelling alternatives.
Thank you all for starting this letter espousing decency and truth, particularly you, Jen. I would say we'll miss you at WaPo, but I quit WaPo over the transgressions by lord and master Bezos. Blah! I'm grateful for your efforts, but there's no question that you won't be able to match the resources of a WaPo or NYT, but both of them are goners in the search for decency and truth. WSJ? Fuhgedaboudid. They sold out years ago. Who's left? Maybe The Guardian? Sad times for journalism.
WaPo's new AI-summary handling of the Comments is enough to make one rush for the Unsubscribe button. I'm out as from 23 Feb, but from the look of yesterday's edition I don't think I'll even be visiting casually until then.
My thoughts exactly! The new AI-summary is terrible. Even though I unsubscribed a couple months back, I'm not out until April. The only other journalist that I follow is Eugene Robinson, and the rest I left behind when I unsubscribed. So happy Jen Rubin is here!
Not a word about Glenn Kessler. Maybe he's found a safe haven somewhere with his box of Pinocchios where he can deploy them without taking so much flak.
The paper stopped doing the fact checking, so he's gone.
Like most of the WaPo we used to enjoy.
It would be great if Mr. Robinson and Mr. Milbank would join us here.
Agree wholeheartedly!!!
I foolishly renewed in October, to support the opinion writers and national coverage. Now Ann and Jennifer have left, ( likely more will follow) and the Comment format is an abomination. It will get much less attention until my subscription runs out next year.
Can you explain how should the schoolyard taunt should be dealt with in a cunning and efficient manner? Give us a practical and insightful solution please!
The key is always and faithfully being independent and never, ever becoming beholding! Which is one of the reasons I subscribed and support your ability to always remain independent voices! Thanks for all you are doing!
Just canceled my Washington Post today.
Breathe deeply!
So true. I bring the taunting description to the social media age, and describe it as Power by Trolling. Trump is one of the most overwhelming trolls in history, and social media platforms seem designed to be the ideal playgrounds for such a shameless, vulgar troll. It's interesting that none of the wannabe trolls, like Musk, can quite pull it off with the same effect.
Interesting how much the talking points of Trump and the GOP now mirror autocrats and Putin.
Have you ever read part of a Putin speech transcribed?
Same language, same culture wars against LGBTQ, and apparently in the case of Orban, the same "Soros."
Now, is it simply a small world or preplanned and coordinated and packaged like a right-wing reality TV show with the same cast of characters?
I remember either hearing someone Bannon-esque or someone discussing his ilk (rather vague) that it is all now actually coordinated. The expert on PBS NewsHour said that globally, they are actually in cahoots.
Is it any wonder an Orban might be so closely associated with Trump and speaking at GOP party events?
I just envisioned a right-wing taking point cooking show on YouTube stirring up a nice big pot of propaganda.
Serving size - world.
Someone needs to show how parts of all of their speeches are nearly identical, show them back to back. Does the GOP really want to be shown in the same choreographed dance as Putin and the rest?
The republikkkan party doesn't care.
These are all great comments…none of which reach Trump voters. Please reach out beyond this echo chamber. Thank you.
Trump voters are unreachable.
If you've had a contrary experience, let us know.
As Green Lantern refreshed his powers daily, so do Trump voters bathe around the clock in Fox and its ilk.
Empirically derived facts are at the heart of the rule of law.
No evidence?
No charges.
No indictment.
No prosecution.
That's how FF LOST all of his fabulist "election rigging" cases. He had no evidence to back his claims.
Hopefully the judiciary can stand up to the trumped-up charges that we can expect from this criminal dissembler.
You certainly lay out a key problem. But is there no effective solution? As you say, merely pointing out whose claims are justified and whose are just playground tactics has proven woefully inadequate. If the teachers (voters) don't have the time or energy to pay attention, how does the playground bully get taken down? Future column on this?
I don't think anyone has an answer. That's the issue.
With playground bullies, the bystanders are often the key ingredient to disarming them. The silent watchers allow the bully to maintain power - everyone needs to call out the bad behavior and identify it as unacceptable.
How can we get this kind of news coverage to Trump Supporters? To folks that don't vote? Is there a way to make it wider spread and of interest to the masses of Americans, even those in Trump's thrall?