The Times They Are a’ Changin’
The other day I read Big Tech Algorithms – by feeding us what we crave to see, hear, believe – are warping our character. There’s probably some truth in that but tale spinning goes all the way back to the Serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden – it’s an old bone-deep sin.
Parents used to tell their children ‘don’t lie’ – to make tale spinning taboo. But we now live in a different age – we elect tale spinners.
One tale that’s taken on a life of its own is ‘the election was stolen.’ And with Trump back in the White House it’s leading to strange places.
Back in 2020, out to overturn the election, Heather Honey claimed 205,000 more ballots had been cast in Pennsylvania than there were voters in Pennsylvania. Trump repeated her claim. And all he had to do to overturn the election was prove she was right. But he couldn’t. Because it was a tale.
Since the days of George Washington states have controlled elections. But, now, back in power Trump wants to control elections. Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Pam Blondi, and Kristie Noem agree with Trump – and they now have a lot of power in their hands. And Heather Honey’s back too – leading the Homeland Security Departments elections integrity unit. That sure looks like an old-fashioned political power grab.
The Separation of Powers is a doctrine as old as our country. It limits politicians power. Years ago, Congress set up the Federal Reserve as an independent agency to keep the power to set interest rates out of politician’s hands. But, now, Trump wants to set interest rates. And says he has the power to fire Fed Board members. Another power grab.
When Congress passes a budget a president can veto it. But Trump says even after the budget is passed he can block spending he doesn’t like. Another power grab.
Up in Washington there’s a three-story tall picture of Trump on the Labor Department. Trump’s also taken control of the local Union Station train center. And he doesn’t like John Bolton, so the FBI raided Bolton’s home. And when Chris Christie, on TV, disagreed, Trump threatened to investigate Christie. More power grabs.
The times they are a’ changin.’ And our nations character is changin’ too.
The other day, rolling along one of my old friends praised Trump’s stands on immigration, Ukraine, tariffs. I asked: What about his tale spinning? He shrugged, That doesn’t matter. Character didn’t matter to him.
But ebbing character is what opens the door to power grabs and tale spinning.
Does that matter?
*******
Telling stories, in his memoir Carter Wrenn follows The Trail of the Serpent twisting and turning through politics from Reagan to Trump. Order his book from Amazon.
The Times They Are a’ Changin’
The other day I read Big Tech Algorithms – by feeding us what we crave to see, hear, believe – are warping our character. There’s probably some truth in that but tale spinning goes all the way back to the Serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden – it’s an old bone-deep sin.
Parents used to tell their children ‘don’t lie’ – to make tale spinning taboo. But we now live in a different age – we elect tale spinners.
One tale that’s taken on a life of its own is ‘the election was stolen.’ And with Trump back in the White House it’s leading to strange places.
Back in 2020, out to overturn the election, Heather Honey claimed 205,000 more ballots had been cast in Pennsylvania than there were voters in Pennsylvania. Trump repeated her claim. And all he had to do to overturn the election was prove she was right. But he couldn’t. Because it was a tale.
Since the days of George Washington states have controlled elections. But, now, back in power Trump wants to control elections. Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Pam Blondi, and Kristie Noem agree with Trump – and they now have a lot of power in their hands. And Heather Honey’s back too – leading the Homeland Security Departments elections integrity unit. That sure looks like an old-fashioned political power grab.
The Separation of Powers is a doctrine as old as our country. It limits politicians power. Years ago, Congress set up the Federal Reserve as an independent agency to keep the power to set interest rates out of politician’s hands. But, now, Trump wants to set interest rates. And says he has the power to fire Fed Board members. Another power grab.
When Congress passes a budget a president can veto it. But Trump says even after the budget is passed he can block spending he doesn’t like. Another power grab.
Up in Washington there’s a three-story tall picture of Trump on the Labor Department. Trump’s also taken control of the local Union Station train center. And he doesn’t like John Bolton, so the FBI raided Bolton’s home. And when Chris Christie, on TV, disagreed, Trump threatened to investigate Christie. More power grabs.
The times they are a’ changin.’ And our nations character is changin’ too.
The other day, rolling along one of my old friends praised Trump’s stands on immigration, Ukraine, tariffs. I asked: What about his tale spinning? He shrugged, That doesn’t matter. Character didn’t matter to him.
But ebbing character is what opens the door to power grabs and tale spinning.
Does that matter?
*******
Telling stories, in his memoir Carter Wrenn follows The Trail of the Serpent twisting and turning through politics from Reagan to Trump. Order his book from Amazon.