[kj] Killing Joke in the Age of Trump

[Jim Harper]

Well, clearly it was a mistake, but what remains to be seen is what kind of mistake it is. Trump is not highly intelligent, and doesn't seem to have noticed that the world of politics (especially international affairs and diplomacy) do not function like the world of business, where Trump's will is immediately obeyed. So it's possible that his tenure may be characterized by a series of failed attempts to get big things done. It wouldn't be the first time a leader talked big but failed to deliver very much.

On the other hand, Trump is confrontational and aggressive, and combined with his lack of political experience and general naivete, that could lead him to offend everyone and materially damage the country he claims to put first.

Who knows? I suspect he will colossally fail to deliver the great things he's promised, largely because they're impossible to deliver. Those who voted for him will never acknowledge either of those statements.

But events have a habit of rarely turning out as bad as they could be, and the world might not be too badly off. Other countries may simply ignore Trump and the USA, leaving him to rant on Twitter while "the grown-ups are talking", so to speak.

I remain optimistic.

Jim.

On Fri, 27/1/17, Alexander Smith <vassifer at earthlink.net> wrote:

 Subject: [kj] Killing Joke in the Age of Trump
 To: "A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)" <gathering at misera.net>
 Date: Friday, 27 January, 2017, 1:25
 
 At the risk of possibly re-igniting
 the surreally hostile thread I participated in back in
 November (wherein certain member of our estimable collective
 got a bit combative on the subject of the election to the
 point where I actually left the fold for a bit), I’m
 wondering how everyone’s feeling only six days into the
 era of Trump as President.
 
 My feelings haven’t changed. I still believe it was an
 incalculable mistake.
 
 But what about you?
 
 More relevant to this list … where are Messrs. Coleman,
 Walker, Glover and Ferguson? I know Youth has weighed in
 periodically on FB about Trump (he, unsurprisingly, does not
 appear to be a acolyte), but I’m positively gagging to
 hear what Jaz and BPF have to say about him.
 
 Anyway, let’s hear your thoughts. I promise not to swan
 off like jilted prom queen. I’m just wondering what this
 largely Euro-centric (right?) group of folks have to say at
 this point.
 
 The mood here in NYC, suffice to say, is not positive.
 
 Cheers, you fuckers.
 
 Alex in NYC.
 
 
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