“Any system of prolonged political paralysis and failed liberalism vomits up monsters. And the longer we remain in a state of political paralysis – especially as we stumble toward another financial collapse – the more certain it becomes that these monsters will take power.”
So warned commentator Christopher Hedges at NationOfChange.org on Oct. 17.
He was not kind to current candidates, parties or process. Indeed, he made the late great Tribune columnist and radio legend Travus T. Hipp seem all the more prescient over a quarter-century ago when Hipp decried “softshoe fascism loose in the land.” (Barbwire Oct. 18)
Alas, as Lily Tomlin once so memorably noted, “no matter how cynical you become, it’s hard to keep up.”
Nothing better exemplifies all of the above than today’s daily digital infestation of child porn masquerading as political speech.
Donald Trump’s speech speaks for itself. Others are more subtle, kinda like contracting a bad cold from thin air.
Hillary Clinton is currently airing a particularly egregious piece of kidvid with Mr. Trump providing the audio track. Interlarded between typical Trumpestuous troglodytery, we see the faces of small children watching him on TV. The intended message is apparently that by saying these things on television, Trump is damaging kids. But it’s Hillary who’s paying to propagate the hate in the worst possible way.
Much of what Trump says would go right over a typical first-grader’s head. But borrowing from the worst of Madison Avenue cereal and toy marketers, Clinton sells directly to kids by placing their peers in the commercials, thus drawing their attention to rantings of a narcissistic psychopath.
I’m sure Mrs. Clinton’s kiddy ads tested as very effective among focus groups and media consultants. Where was the adult supervision? Was there no one possessed of common decency to dare say “just don’t do this”? Apparently not if that person wanted a career.
Speaking of shameless careerism, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Heck is running a spot featuring the daughter of former Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki. She accuses former Atty. Gen. Catherine Cortez-Masto of ruining her dad’s career by indicting him on charges of misusing state funds. He was later acquitted.
As state treasurer, Krolicki supervised a college tuition program where parents could contribute years ahead in exchange for guaranteed low rates at enrollment. Krolicki budgeted a million or so for television featuring himself and two adorable kids. Free political promotion. A man providing for his children. What’s not to like?
How about Krolicki creating the impression that the cuddly cuties were his own? In fact, he paid expensive professional models rather than the now-grown young lady bashing Heck’s current opponent.
Her father didn’t consider her TV material, but Joe Heck certainly does. Don’t know about Donald Trump.
If you haven’t seen the latest presidential political sinkage, I won’t repeat it. Suffice it to say that some swine live by the divine right of kings, both to rule and do whatever they please, intercourse without recourse.
Much more at BallotBoxing.US/
Don’t vote early.
Be well. Raise hell. / Esté bien. Haga infierno.
Andrew Barbano is a 48-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com/ E-mail <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us> Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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