The Adams case: Trump and MAGA are the post-modern Right

[BradStevens]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that there is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

 

[mcmurtry66]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that their is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

Trump and crew are just the opposite side of the same rotten coin. One closes the border the other opens it. I prefer the former iubballiscursed the latter. But the messengers are equally shite

 

[Bowlmania]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that their is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

Your last paragraph is great. Much of the rest, I think, exemplifies the same logical fallacy (false equivalence) you’re decrying.

One other thought. We’re not merely a post-modern society; we’re a post-literate one. Consider your audience. You’re not writing an appellate brief for a panel of judges.

 

[snarlcakes]

Your last paragraph is great. Much of the rest, I think, exemplifies the same logical fallacy (false equivalence) you’re decrying.

One other thought. We’re not merely a post-modern society; we’re a post-literate one. Consider your audience. You’re not writing an appellate brief for a panel of judges.

You know Bowl, I have to disagree. I think his 1st paragraph is great. And the rest is a logical fallacy.

Spoiler

Sorry, Brad I couldn’t help myself 🤣

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that their is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

Absolutely.

 

[mcmurtry66]

You know Bowl, I have to disagree. I think his 1st paragraph is great. And the rest is a logical fallacy.

Spoiler

Sorry, Brad I couldn’t help myself 🤣

I do like how trump talks tho. A lot. Ive started incorporating it into my own speech whenever I threaten my daughter with shit. Phone taken away. Grounding. I’ll end with. And it can happen. Very quickly.

 

[snarlcakes]

I do like how trump talks tho. A lot. Ive started incorporating it into my own speech whenever I threaten my daughter with shit. Phone taken away. Grounding. I’ll end with. And it can happen. Very quickly.

He really is a fascinating character. His entire approach is basically, don’t be a p#%%y and tell your own narrative…aka walk in the room and act like you own the place. It works at Nicks, but I didn’t think it would work as President.

 

[mcmurtry66]

He really is a fascinating character. His entire approach is basically, don’t be a p#%%y and tell your own narrative…aka walk in the room and act like you own the place (it works at Nicks, but I didn’t think it would work as President). It’s extremely effective.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

but I didn’t think it would work as President.

It didn't work in his first term.
We still have a loooooooong way to go in his second. I wouldn't start slapping high fives just yet.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

All of this is why I blame the political establishment for us getting to this point. And, thus far, they’ve spent virtually all of their time and energy trying to beat back populism using traditional political rhetoric, tactics, etc. And they’re befuddled that these haven’t worked.

Take Brexit as an example. On its merits, I think it’s a bad idea. But how did the UK go from a 75-25 vote in the mid-70s to join what became the European Union to a 52-48 vote to leave it in 2016?

How much effort has been made to truly understand this? What did governments in London and Brussels do to address this erosion in support? They had to see it coming. But, best I can tell, they just made things worse by ridiculing and condescending to those who favored leaving.

Western governments seem to be increasingly at odds with the people in their nations. UK just went from a deeply unpopular Conservative government to a deeply unpopular Labour government. Well…guess who’s sitting there offering a third option?

Faith in our institutions has crumbled. You can argue that the populists have been fomenting that. But I’d argue that the institutions were ripe for the fomenting - and the populists have just been opportunistic.

IMO, if the political establishment in the US wants to get this turned around, they need to do at least two things.

First, they need to get our border secured. Illegal immigration was the biggest wind in Trump’s sails. This can be done. The only thing stopping it is the political will to do it. Don’t put forward a “border security” bill that allows 5k encounters per day. That just reinforces the idea that they don’t want it secured.

Second (this is much harder), they need to get the fiscal mess cleaned up. The average person doesn’t give a crap about the debt and deficits. But they can sure as hell feel the effects of central banks trying to manage them. And these are set to get worse in the near future.

They also need to get government out of the way of development and growth. Reform NEPA so that major projects can happen quicker - instead of dragging on for years.

Have better transparency and accountability with 3 letter agencies. Narrow their scopes by delegating more to states. Create programs to regularly review regulations - set them to automatically sunset unless they’re actively renewed every 5 years or so.

It’ll probably never happen. But I’d also love to see an Article 5 Constitutional Convention. First thing on the docket? Term limits in the House and Senate. The pressure on state reps to ratify that would be tremendous. Congress will never do it to themselves.

 

[mcmurtry66]

All of this is why I blame the political establishment for us getting to this point. And, thus far, they’ve spent virtually all of their time and energy trying to beat back populism using traditional political rhetoric, tactics, etc. And they’re befuddled that these haven’t worked.

Take Brexit as an example. On its merits, I think it’s a bad idea. But how did the UK go from a 75-25 vote in the mid-70s to join what became the European Union to a 52-48 vote to leave it in 2016?

How much effort has been made to truly understand this? What did governments in London and Brussels do to address this erosion in support? They had to see it coming. But, best I can tell, they just made things worse by ridiculing and condescending to those who favored leaving.

Western governments seem to be increasingly at odds with the people in their nations. UK just went from a deeply unpopular Conservative government to a deeply unpopular Labour government. Well…guess who’s sitting there offering a third option?

Faith in our institutions has crumbled. You can argue that the populists have been fomenting that. But I’d argue that the institutions were ripe for the fomenting - and the populists have just been opportunistic.

IMO, if the political establishment in the US wants to get this turned around, they need to do at least two things.

First, they need to get our border secured. Illegal immigration was the biggest wind in Trump’s sails. This can be done. The only thing stopping it is the political will to do it. Don’t put forward a “border security” bill that allows 5k encounters per day. That just reinforces the idea that they don’t want it secured.

Second (this is much harder), they need to get the fiscal mess cleaned up. The average person doesn’t give a crap about the debt and deficits. But they can sure as hell feel the effects of central banks trying to manage them. And these are set to get worse in the near future.

They also need to get government out of the way of development and growth. Reform NEPA so that major projects can happen quicker - instead of dragging on for years.

Have better transparency and accountability with 3 letter agencies. Narrow their scopes by delegating more to states. Create programs to regularly review regulations - set them to automatically sunset unless they’re actively renewed every 5 years or so.

It’ll probably never happen. But I’d also love to see an Article 5 Constitutional Convention. First thing on the docket? Term limits in the House and Senate. The pressure on state reps to ratify that would be tremendous. Congress will never do it to themselves.

🙏🙌🥰💥🧠

 

[CO. Hoosier]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that there is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

There is slime all over the place. Despite a history of shady deals, Adams was a Biden Butt Boy and Biden used Adams like an old shoe. Then the migrant crisis hit NYC, Adams went public with ant-Biden immigration policy and then whammo! Adams is indicted by the Biden DOJ for helping the Turks get approval for a government project.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/26/white-house-eric-adams-indictment-00181241

 

[mcmurtry66]

There is slime all over the place. Despite a history of shady deals, Adams was a Biden Butt Boy and Biden used Adams like an old shoe. Then the migrant crisis hit NYC, Adams went public with ant-Biden immigration policy and then whammo! Adams is indicted by the Biden DOJ for helping the Turks get approval for a government project.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/26/white-house-eric-adams-indictment-00181241

🤣🤣. You’re the coolest 80 yr old I know coh

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

The issue I have with the post-modern left is that they believe that everything is power politics, all the way down. That is one of the underlying premises of CRT and anti-racism. As a result, they believe language is just a tool to wield power, that there is no objective truth, and so most means are just as legitimate as any other, if you achieve your goal (ending oppression).

Trump and MAGA display the same underlying assumptions. Truth matters less than what the other guy did, or what levers are available to achieve one's goals. When someone objects about the importance of the process, the rule of law, some type of independence or objectivity, the response is typically that such things are fig leafs as proven by whatever the Dems have done recently. That is the same assumption as the post-modernist left, and it leads to similar results that corrode our institutions and civic organizations.

Psychologically and argumentatively, because both sides don't believe objectivity and non-biased action is meaningfully possible, they both resort to blinded loyalty to their side and believe that yabbuts are logically sufficient responses to criticism of their preferred politician's overreach or bad acts. This abject tribalism also usually results in very heated, hateful rhetoric and name calling towards the opposite political tribe.

Case in point for Trump here:

Seventh DOJ official resigns, warns Trump could use charges as leverage over NYC mayor Eric Adams

A letter from one federal prosecutor explains why the new administration is facing one of the largest Justice Department mass resignations since Watergate.

www.nbcnews.com

This is just a naked perversion of the criminal justice system and DOJ. It is the worst offense Trump has committed so far this term to the constitutional order and rule of law. For those who care about the justice system and it being used in a fair and objective way--as devoid of politics as possible--this is a bad development and should be condemned. For some conservative discussion and condemnation of this,

The Adams Case

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss the resignation of the interim U.S. attorney in New York and her argument that she could not in good conscience carry out the

www.commentary.org

Admit it, that eff'n McMurtry sent you some gummies, didn't he. You threw a pebble into the ocean, watched the first two ripples and then your mind began to think of tsunami's.
I suspect by this time, you are almost awake and ready for some warm snack cakes.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

🤣🤣. You’re the coolest 80 yr old I know coh

 

[snarlcakes]

🙏🙌🥰💥🧠

lol….nice touch on the brain emoji

 

[snarlcakes]

All of this is why I blame the political establishment for us getting to this point. And, thus far, they’ve spent virtually all of their time and energy trying to beat back populism using traditional political rhetoric, tactics, etc. And they’re befuddled that these haven’t worked.

Take Brexit as an example. On its merits, I think it’s a bad idea. But how did the UK go from a 75-25 vote in the mid-70s to join what became the European Union to a 52-48 vote to leave it in 2016?

How much effort has been made to truly understand this? What did governments in London and Brussels do to address this erosion in support? They had to see it coming. But, best I can tell, they just made things worse by ridiculing and condescending to those who favored leaving.

Western governments seem to be increasingly at odds with the people in their nations. UK just went from a deeply unpopular Conservative government to a deeply unpopular Labour government. Well…guess who’s sitting there offering a third option?

Faith in our institutions has crumbled. You can argue that the populists have been fomenting that. But I’d argue that the institutions were ripe for the fomenting - and the populists have just been opportunistic.

IMO, if the political establishment in the US wants to get this turned around, they need to do at least two things.

First, they need to get our border secured. Illegal immigration was the biggest wind in Trump’s sails. This can be done. The only thing stopping it is the political will to do it. Don’t put forward a “border security” bill that allows 5k encounters per day. That just reinforces the idea that they don’t want it secured.

Second (this is much harder), they need to get the fiscal mess cleaned up. The average person doesn’t give a crap about the debt and deficits. But they can sure as hell feel the effects of central banks trying to manage them. And these are set to get worse in the near future.

They also need to get government out of the way of development and growth. Reform NEPA so that major projects can happen quicker - instead of dragging on for years.

Have better transparency and accountability with 3 letter agencies. Narrow their scopes by delegating more to states. Create programs to regularly review regulations - set them to automatically sunset unless they’re actively renewed every 5 years or so.

It’ll probably never happen. But I’d also love to see an Article 5 Constitutional Convention. First thing on the docket? Term limits in the House and Senate. The pressure on state reps to ratify that would be tremendous. Congress will never do it to themselves.

 

[Mas-sa-suta]

There is slime all over the place. Despite a history of shady deals, Adams was a Biden Butt Boy and Biden used Adams like an old shoe. Then the migrant crisis hit NYC, Adams went public with ant-Biden immigration policy and then whammo! Adams is indicted by the Biden DOJ for helping the Turks get approval for a government project.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/26/white-house-eric-adams-indictment-00181241

White House dumps Adams
No communication for two months with the Mayor of the largest city in the US..
Lawfare used to leverage an important elected official IN THE SAME PARTY.
Why are anonymous 'sources' given that anonymity when thy are 'not authorized' to talk to media?
****ing clown show.

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

There is slime all over the place. Despite a history of shady deals, Adams was a Biden Butt Boy and Biden used Adams like an old shoe. Then the migrant crisis hit NYC, Adams went public with ant-Biden immigration policy and then whammo! Adams is indicted by the Biden DOJ for helping the Turks get approval for a government project.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/26/white-house-eric-adams-indictment-00181241

He was indicted by the SDNY with no input at all from the President. You know this is how it works.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

He was indicted by the SDNY with no input at all from the President. You know this is how it works.

C'mon, it took him all day to figure out how to turn this thread into a Dem bash. Don't take it away from him

 

[mcmurtry66]

Admit it, that eff'n McMurtry sent you some gummies, didn't he. You threw a pebble into the ocean, watched the first two ripples and then your mind began to think of tsunami's.
I suspect by this time, you are almost awake and ready for some warm snack cakes.

Dude. Cleaned out the vault. I have an absurd amount

 

[UncleMark]

Dude. Cleaned out the vault. I have an absurd amount

Don't forget your friends.

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

C'mon, it took him all day to figure out how to turn this thread into a Dem bash. Don't take it away from him

As you know, I’m good with bashing Dems, but I like to do it with honesty.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

He was indicted by the SDNY with no input at all from the President. You know this is how it works.

I know how it’s supposed to work.

The Temporal relationship is interesting.

September 2021, Turkey gets a certificate of occupancy for its consulate, supposedly with Adams help.

April 2023, Adams goes public with his Biden immigration criticism. The dispute festered behind the scenes for four months prior.

3 months later, July 2023, Adams gets a grand jury subpoena about the Turkish counselate.

September 2924, indictment.

Maybe Adams going public and shortly thereafter he is hauled before a grand jury, is coincidence, but I don’t think so.

 

[BradStevens]

I know how it’s supposed to work.

The Temporal relationship is interesting.

September 2021, Turkey gets a certificate of occupancy for its consulate, supposedly with Adams help.

April 2023, Adams goes public with his Biden immigration criticism. The dispute festered behind the scenes for four months prior.

3 months later, July 2023, Adams gets a grand jury subpoena about the Turkish counselate.

September 2924, indictment.

Maybe Adams going public and shortly thereafter he is hauled before a grand jury, is coincidence, but I don’t think so.

I guess you didn't read the article I linked.

Even if your narrative was correct (it's doubtful, given this particular prosecutor that these are trumped up charges based on some novel, bullshit interpretation of or extension of a law), it's entirely irrelevant to what's going on here and why the prosecutor in the article resigned.

If you think what she is complaining about is how it's supposed to work, you are wrong.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I guess you didn't read the article I linked.

Even if your narrative was correct (it's doubtful, given this particular prosecutor that these are trumped up charges based on some novel, bullshit interpretation of or extension of a law), it's entirely irrelevant to what's going on here and why the prosecutor in the article resigned.

If you think what she is complaining about is how it's supposed to work, you are wrong.

I don’t think the charges against Adams were trumped up. But I do think it was selective prosecution. A politician trading official favors for campaign cash and trips isn’t exactly unique to Adams.

 

[BradStevens]

I don’t think the charges against Adams were trumped up. But I do think it was selective prosecution. A politician trading official favors for campaign cash and trips isn’t exactly unique to Adams.

Cool. Still irrelevant.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

I don’t think the charges against Adams were trumped up. But I do think it was selective prosecution. A politician trading official favors for campaign cash and trips isn’t exactly unique to Adams.

LOL. You're a small decrease in writing ability away from being dbm.