Rabbi Ari Berman of Yeshiva University had the opportunity to use the bible as historical perspective on the Trump presidency. Unfortunately it was a missed opportunity. Berman could have said something like:
"Inspire them to succeed at following the words of the bible. The book of Lamentations (chapter 5, verse 21) has the exhortation “Khadesh yameinu kikedem”, words that are familiar to many because they are a key part of the Jewish liturgy. These words mean literally "Renew our days as of old”, but you will recognize them as a call from 2,600 years ago to “Make things great again”. This biblical vision will be your mission."
Some of the attendees at the inauguration had kippot with these words.
Given Biden's literally last-minute pardon of his family and his ridiculous comments justifying it as necessary to protect them from Trump's retributive wrath, I believe Trump's substance and demeanor in his address were perfect. Biden's entire rule has been a fraud, and his corruption has been beyond audacious and atrocious. I am all for comity and bipartisan respect for the constitutional order, but given how little such respect has been shown Trump by the opposition, I thought Trump's speech struck exactly the right balance between firm indignation and an even-tempered tone and focus on what needs to be done now. Its focus was entirely on the future and on policy, not on score setlling, despite the Democrats projected fear about that. I do not expect Trump will bother much with that. He's laid out a very full and incredibly challenging agenda of what to fix and improve. I hope and pray he sticks to it all the way.
Everyone at that level is part on an establishment. Maybe different establishments but everyone is in one club or another Akin to the intersection of sets. There was an old axiom about the cult you don't recognize as a cult is the one you are in. You are part of the establishment. People who are antiestablishment are part of the antiestablishment establishment Every time someone says that Trump is Narcissistic or egotistical (which is true) it's said in such away that implies he is the exception. No, it makes him like all the rest. Just doesn't hide it as well as others. Obama was Narcissistic. No actor wants to get on a stage and not get a standing O. Some just hide it better than others. Exceptions are few and far between and maybe there are none.
It's not the question of belonging to an establishment or group or "our gang". It's what they do. Rule #1. Look out for yourself and try to help the next fellow coming up the road.. To many people put an exclamation mark after yourself.
Trump's narcissism is distinct from most others. His matches the textbook definitions where he sees aspect of life itself as reflecting back to him (positive or negative). The others are more plain old arrogant which you find in most electeds and CEOs. It is his narcissism that creates the bigger issue - he is transactional. Which all the other rich guys see more clearly today and why they all are in attendance on bended knee.
“this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal ..."~~Barack Obama upon winning the Democratic nomination for presidency conveys his thinking of what that means ....for the world, Tuesday, JUNE 03, 2008”
Or Michelle: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback,"
In a contest on Narcissism between Obama and Trump it would be a close call. A lot (most? all?) of this is political theater. Every Pol is an actor. JFK was not JFK. Ditto RFK. Ditto FDR. HST. some were closer to the real them DDE or RR but basically they are all performance artists. Some are better at it than others. And they all know who their audience and critics are. Some reveled in it TR, most hid it.
Trump is just the same only more obvious and even that may be an act. Just sit back and enjoy the show. Bring popcorn
That kind of arrogance is narcissist dialed up to 11. Not sure what Putin has to do with it. He's basically another in a long line of bad Russian leaders. The Roman Empire had a period of 7 Good Emperors. Russian never had two, or maybe even one. I would worry more about Xi then Putin. Putin wants to put the old band back together again so does Xi. Putin is looking back a century. Xi more like to the Middle Kingdom
I definitely don’t think wealth is evidence of corruption. Whether any of those people are or are not part of the “establishment”…definitely worth a follow up.
Amy Klobuchar is such a class act.
https://jonathanturley.org/2025/01/08/police-officers-were-injured-and-killed-klobuchar-repeats-common-false-claim-about-january-6th/
Rabbi Ari Berman of Yeshiva University had the opportunity to use the bible as historical perspective on the Trump presidency. Unfortunately it was a missed opportunity. Berman could have said something like:
"Inspire them to succeed at following the words of the bible. The book of Lamentations (chapter 5, verse 21) has the exhortation “Khadesh yameinu kikedem”, words that are familiar to many because they are a key part of the Jewish liturgy. These words mean literally "Renew our days as of old”, but you will recognize them as a call from 2,600 years ago to “Make things great again”. This biblical vision will be your mission."
Some of the attendees at the inauguration had kippot with these words.
Given Biden's literally last-minute pardon of his family and his ridiculous comments justifying it as necessary to protect them from Trump's retributive wrath, I believe Trump's substance and demeanor in his address were perfect. Biden's entire rule has been a fraud, and his corruption has been beyond audacious and atrocious. I am all for comity and bipartisan respect for the constitutional order, but given how little such respect has been shown Trump by the opposition, I thought Trump's speech struck exactly the right balance between firm indignation and an even-tempered tone and focus on what needs to be done now. Its focus was entirely on the future and on policy, not on score setlling, despite the Democrats projected fear about that. I do not expect Trump will bother much with that. He's laid out a very full and incredibly challenging agenda of what to fix and improve. I hope and pray he sticks to it all the way.
Enough of “President as Savior.” He is a civil servant, head of one branch of government.
Everyone at that level is part on an establishment. Maybe different establishments but everyone is in one club or another Akin to the intersection of sets. There was an old axiom about the cult you don't recognize as a cult is the one you are in. You are part of the establishment. People who are antiestablishment are part of the antiestablishment establishment Every time someone says that Trump is Narcissistic or egotistical (which is true) it's said in such away that implies he is the exception. No, it makes him like all the rest. Just doesn't hide it as well as others. Obama was Narcissistic. No actor wants to get on a stage and not get a standing O. Some just hide it better than others. Exceptions are few and far between and maybe there are none.
It's not the question of belonging to an establishment or group or "our gang". It's what they do. Rule #1. Look out for yourself and try to help the next fellow coming up the road.. To many people put an exclamation mark after yourself.
Trump's narcissism is distinct from most others. His matches the textbook definitions where he sees aspect of life itself as reflecting back to him (positive or negative). The others are more plain old arrogant which you find in most electeds and CEOs. It is his narcissism that creates the bigger issue - he is transactional. Which all the other rich guys see more clearly today and why they all are in attendance on bended knee.
Uh huh.... I'll see you one and raise.
“this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal ..."~~Barack Obama upon winning the Democratic nomination for presidency conveys his thinking of what that means ....for the world, Tuesday, JUNE 03, 2008”
Or Michelle: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback,"
In a contest on Narcissism between Obama and Trump it would be a close call. A lot (most? all?) of this is political theater. Every Pol is an actor. JFK was not JFK. Ditto RFK. Ditto FDR. HST. some were closer to the real them DDE or RR but basically they are all performance artists. Some are better at it than others. And they all know who their audience and critics are. Some reveled in it TR, most hid it.
Trump is just the same only more obvious and even that may be an act. Just sit back and enjoy the show. Bring popcorn
Those quotes are arrogance not narcissism. Regardless, I can't enjoy the show because of Putin.
That kind of arrogance is narcissist dialed up to 11. Not sure what Putin has to do with it. He's basically another in a long line of bad Russian leaders. The Roman Empire had a period of 7 Good Emperors. Russian never had two, or maybe even one. I would worry more about Xi then Putin. Putin wants to put the old band back together again so does Xi. Putin is looking back a century. Xi more like to the Middle Kingdom
and others looks on? So guilt by association now? If they are corrupt point it out. Unless being wealthy is in and of itself corrupt.
I definitely don’t think wealth is evidence of corruption. Whether any of those people are or are not part of the “establishment”…definitely worth a follow up.