In terms of Bernie I was thrilled when he ran in 2016, and unlike myself contributed to his campaign some 400 dollars, or more. I use to watch MSNBC, on, and off, and they would continually refer to him as an old curmudgeon which made me realize the democrats wanted a Clinton win and used Bernie to tell people that the democrats are going back to their roots when they supported unions and the working class. I think Bernie was sincere, but not the democrats, and I must say I was really disturbed by the kind of speech and support he gave war monger Clinton when she became the democratic nominee. That speech made him lose much of his base. In no way am I buying the image the democrats are an ultra caring lot. Image, image image, and I'm so glad Finkelstein had the courage to call out Obama for what he is! A phony liberal. Lots of wars and death during this "liberal's" two terms in office, which is definitely a clue, not to mention lives didn't change for the better, especially black lives. I didn't vote for Clinton in 2016 even though I am a woman. The now deceased Madeleine Albright threatened me with a place in hell if I didn't vote for her, like God wants me to vote for a war monger. I voted for Trump in 2020. Christian Parenti in an interview with Mate referenced Trump as a narcissist that didn't know what the hell he was doing, and lavished the rich with tax cuts and implemented deregulation, but did threaten through his actions American global hegemony, but according to Parenti he didn't even know what he was doing there. I think he did, since he was very clear with a bunch of reporters when he called our wars stupid, and ridiculed them for killing millions and sucking millions out of our economy. No he's not perfect, but I think at the very least reporters shouldn't treat him like a piece of crap, because when they do they send the same message to his base.
I followed a path not hugely different than yours (except no US MSM).
I think what Parenti meant by Trump "didn't know what he was doing" was more in the mechanics and follow-through, not his intent. Trump (IMO) has some real talents in political positioning and marketing. In dogged determination and follow-through, not so much. Without the latter his good ideas in many cases went nowhere, and all were vastly watered down versions.
Trump did himself no favors by being so obviously corrupt, but that was balanced out by him pissing off our oligarchic overlords by telling the truth now and then about our empire and NOT constantly pushing for more war.
I definitely agree with your last sentences. I didn't vote for him, but he should be treated with respect.
I think many presidents are corrupt on some level, or a whole lot. They walk into the White House, serve 4 or 8 years, and during their time in office service the corporate world, the 1 percent and the war machine, and all wind up multi-millionaires. I'm not that knowledgeable about what Trump did to further enrich the rich, the establishment, himself, above and beyond the others. I should follow through on that. Like so many who reference Trump, talk about him, have this air of contempt that I pick up which I thought was true for Parenti as well. I really like Jeffery Sachs and he was talking about the neocon agenda implemented by the Biden administration that is pushing us toward a possible nuclear war, but stops mid sentence to tell us he didn't have a good nights sleep the whole time Trump was in office. What he is telling his audience is, that although he's critical of Biden don't think I liked Trump, supported Trump, and not glad Biden didn't kick his ass out of office. NO! NO! NO! I did feel Parenti had some of that elitist contempt, that was unwilling to give Trump credit in this regard, and considered his successes as more or less clueless.
I also wanted to add that I know Trump did a lot of stupid things when it came to Russia, and escalated tensions, and I feel he was being self serving in that regard. He should have stood his ground, but even so this mess, this horror, belongs to them.
In terms of Bernie I was thrilled when he ran in 2016, and unlike myself contributed to his campaign some 400 dollars, or more. I use to watch MSNBC, on, and off, and they would continually refer to him as an old curmudgeon which made me realize the democrats wanted a Clinton win and used Bernie to tell people that the democrats are going back to their roots when they supported unions and the working class. I think Bernie was sincere, but not the democrats, and I must say I was really disturbed by the kind of speech and support he gave war monger Clinton when she became the democratic nominee. That speech made him lose much of his base. In no way am I buying the image the democrats are an ultra caring lot. Image, image image, and I'm so glad Finkelstein had the courage to call out Obama for what he is! A phony liberal. Lots of wars and death during this "liberal's" two terms in office, which is definitely a clue, not to mention lives didn't change for the better, especially black lives. I didn't vote for Clinton in 2016 even though I am a woman. The now deceased Madeleine Albright threatened me with a place in hell if I didn't vote for her, like God wants me to vote for a war monger. I voted for Trump in 2020. Christian Parenti in an interview with Mate referenced Trump as a narcissist that didn't know what the hell he was doing, and lavished the rich with tax cuts and implemented deregulation, but did threaten through his actions American global hegemony, but according to Parenti he didn't even know what he was doing there. I think he did, since he was very clear with a bunch of reporters when he called our wars stupid, and ridiculed them for killing millions and sucking millions out of our economy. No he's not perfect, but I think at the very least reporters shouldn't treat him like a piece of crap, because when they do they send the same message to his base.
I followed a path not hugely different than yours (except no US MSM).
I think what Parenti meant by Trump "didn't know what he was doing" was more in the mechanics and follow-through, not his intent. Trump (IMO) has some real talents in political positioning and marketing. In dogged determination and follow-through, not so much. Without the latter his good ideas in many cases went nowhere, and all were vastly watered down versions.
Trump did himself no favors by being so obviously corrupt, but that was balanced out by him pissing off our oligarchic overlords by telling the truth now and then about our empire and NOT constantly pushing for more war.
I definitely agree with your last sentences. I didn't vote for him, but he should be treated with respect.
I think many presidents are corrupt on some level, or a whole lot. They walk into the White House, serve 4 or 8 years, and during their time in office service the corporate world, the 1 percent and the war machine, and all wind up multi-millionaires. I'm not that knowledgeable about what Trump did to further enrich the rich, the establishment, himself, above and beyond the others. I should follow through on that. Like so many who reference Trump, talk about him, have this air of contempt that I pick up which I thought was true for Parenti as well. I really like Jeffery Sachs and he was talking about the neocon agenda implemented by the Biden administration that is pushing us toward a possible nuclear war, but stops mid sentence to tell us he didn't have a good nights sleep the whole time Trump was in office. What he is telling his audience is, that although he's critical of Biden don't think I liked Trump, supported Trump, and not glad Biden didn't kick his ass out of office. NO! NO! NO! I did feel Parenti had some of that elitist contempt, that was unwilling to give Trump credit in this regard, and considered his successes as more or less clueless.
I also wanted to add that I know Trump did a lot of stupid things when it came to Russia, and escalated tensions, and I feel he was being self serving in that regard. He should have stood his ground, but even so this mess, this horror, belongs to them.
Just watched it on GZ YT and loved it. NF should be a national treasure, but alas…
What a great title!
https://heininger.substack.com/p/the-end-of-the-democratic-party
excellent.
9:35 EXACTLY!!!
I would be thrilled beyond measure if the Left (i.e. Marxists) cancelled itself out of existence.