Where is “Brandon” Going?
Several days ago, I wrote in response to the full-length NPR article that this was akin to explaining the punch line of a “Dad Joke.” Some may deem it sophomoric … The humor (and irony) may be lost on others … Nevertheless, few, if any, persons require a detailed explanation … repeatedly.
I am curious as to whether NPR (and other aligned media outlets) previously dedicated even a fraction of those column inches to defending former President Trump (or the institution of the Presidency) from similar “vulgarities”?
Such things were said incessantly and vociferously of Trump by persons, who also said “Trump is not MY President” or who (without follow-through) promised to vacate the premises if/when Trump was elected President. Among these persons were politicos, activists, and C-list celebrities, including an incident in which Trump’s severed head was unceremoniously displayed in effigy. How is that for “vulgar”?
Besides … The euphemistic “Let’s Go Brandon” would seem to represent an improvement over the less “sophisticated” chant, which had previously become commonplace among energetic crowds attending sporting events and other mass gatherings around the country.
In case one might be inclined to make qualitative comparisons in a fruitless effort to distinguish the propriety of treatment afforded to Trump versus Biden, it might be good to remember that an argument, which says, in effect, “MY lying narcissistic egomaniac is better than ‘YOUR’ lying narcissistic egomaniac,” is hardly convincing.
Biden both historically and recently has demonstrated, at best, a passing relationship with the truth. He has never allowed the truth to get in the way of pleasing lies, convenient narratives, or self-serving resume’ items. In fact, Biden was summarily dispatched from his first presidential campaign in the 1980’s due to repeated incidents of lying and plagiarism. Like most career politicians, Biden with time and experience has become a more practiced and polished liar, but hardly more convincing: Once a liar, always a liar.
That was Trump’s Achilles heel: He lies repeatedly and often, but he is not very good at it. Trump is a carnival barker, huckster, and charlatan, but all of those things were well known about him long before his publicity stunt got out-of-hand and he was actually elected President.
Trump is a showman — a would-be P.T. Barnum. He speaks to and for a not-insignificant segment of the population. Trump’s sometimes reluctant “supporters” (inclusive of the so-called “deplorables”) felt disaffected and unheard by the political establishment. Those persons were tired of being commanded, in effect, “Sit down; shut up; and do as you’re told.” Having been afforded a voice, it is unlikely that they will now be silenced.
I guess the moral of the story is to lie “better” so that other persons will be more comfortable adopting, embracing, and supporting those self-serving lies (and a complicit media will be eager to disseminate the propaganda and to defend those lies on your behalf). Obviously, Truth is much less important to most (politicians and populace alike) than a popular narrative and pleasing lies.
