1
Opinion
Trump and the True Meaning of ‘Idiot’
The ancient roots of the word reveal more than just a routine insult.We can hope the mob does what it does best.
2
Theater
Et Tu, Delta? Shakespeare in the Park Sponsors Withdraw From Trump-Like ‘Julius Caesar’
The “graphic” depiction of the emperor’s assassination in the Public Theater’s production of the play prompted Delta Air Lines and Bank of America to withdraw support.Almost half the population prefers Donald Trump.
3
U.S.
Role of Trump’s Personal Lawyer Blurs Public and Private Lines
Marc E. Kasowitz, the president’s private lawyer, has counseled administration staff and exerted broader influence over legal strategy.The troubles of Trump are political.
The tools of politicians are law, rhetoric and money.
Trump is not a politician.
4
Magazine
The Long, Lonely Road of Chelsea Manning
Her disclosure of classified documents in 2010 ushered in the age of leaks. Now, freed from prison, she talks about why she did it — and the isolation that followed."She told me that she believed then, and believes now, that “there are plenty of things that should be kept secret.” “Let’s protect sensitive sources. Let’s protect troop movements. Let’s protect nuclear information. Let’s not hide missteps. Let’s not hide misguided policies. Let’s not hide history. Let’s not hide who we are and what we are doing.”"
Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden are heroic.
These are ethical persons placed in unethical circumstances.
They have resolved their dilemmas to the best of their abilities.
I hope in similar circumstances that others would take similar actions.
One of my goals is to avoid that class of circumstances.
Do what works.
Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.
5
Opinion
The Resistance: Impeachment Anxiety
It’s important to face the very real possibility that Trump’s removal may not come.This is the entire content of the column:
"I
know well that the very real obstacles to removal injure the psyche of
those worn thin by the relentless onslaught of awfulness erupting from
this White House. I know well that impeachment is one of the only rays
of hope cutting through these dark times. I’m with you; I too crave some
form of political comeuppance.
But,
I believe that it’s important to face the very real possibility that
removal may not come, and if it does, it won’t come swiftly. And even a
Trump impeachment would leave America with a President Pence, a
nightmare of a different stripe but no less a nightmare.
In
the end, the Resistance must be bigger than impeachment; it must be
about political realignment. It must be built upon solid rock of
principle and not hang solely on the slender hope of expulsion. This is a
long game and will not come to an abrupt conclusion. Perseverance must
be the precept; lifelong commitment must be the motto."
I entirely agree.
6
U.S.
Preet Bharara Says Trump Tried to Build Relationship With Him Before Firing
The former United States attorney said he saw similarities between his exchanges with President Trump and those described by the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey.Preet Bharara, like James B. Comey, was sworn to the law and the courts which embody the law.
They cannot swear fealty to any individual without being foresworn.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/forswear#English
7
Opinion
Mr. Trump Goes After the Inspectors
The White House would cut budgets for inspectors general and lags in filling top positions."Now it needs to protect the watchdogs from an administration that wants to starve them."
Yes.
The editorial Board is honestly reporting present administration policy.
8
Theater
An Uneven Night for Kevin Spacey as Tonys Host
The broadcast seemed unsure of what to do with Mr. Spacey on a show more suited for Broadway insiders than for a general TV audience.I agree that the Tony awards are an industry event.
9
Opinion
Finally, Something Isn’t the Matter With Kansas
Last week, state Republicans voted to increase taxes. Will other conservatives finally do the same?https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/were-not-even-in-kansas-anymore/
We’re Not Even In Kansas Anymore
Will the end
of the Kansas tax-cut experiment — hey, that’s what Brownback himself
called it, although he refused to accept the crystal-clear results of
that experiment — mark a turning point in U.S. politics? Michael Tomasky
thinks it might: not because it refuted supply-side fantasies, which
have been refuted by experience and events again and again, but because
Republicans themselves (sans Brownback) decided that enough was enough,
and returned to fiscal sanity.
But I have my doubts.
When I look at events in Washington, it seems to be that Republicans
have moved on in ways that may eventually cause us to think about the
Kansas experience almost fondly, as a relic of a better time when
conservatives at least pretended to have intellectual justifications for
their policies and proved, in practice, to care at least a bit about
results.
For there was an idea,
a theory, behind the Kansas tax cuts: the claim that cutting taxes on
the wealthy would produce explosive economic growth. It was a foolish
theory, belied by decades of experience: remember the economic collapse
that was supposed to follow the Clinton tax hikes, or the boom that was
supposed to follow the Bush tax cuts? And it was a theory that always
survived mainly because of the Upton Sinclair principle that it’s
difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends
on his not understanding it.
But still, it was a theory, and eventually the theory’s failure was too much even for Republican legislators.
Now consider the AHCA, aka Trumpcare. What’s the theory of the case behind this legislation?
When Obamacare was
enacted, Republicans had some claims, almost a theory, about why it was a
terrible idea. It would, they claimed, fail to improve coverage. It
would be a massive “job-killer”. It would cost far more than predicted,
and blow up the budget deficit.
In reality, the percentage of Americans under 65 without insurance
fell from 18 percent in 2010, the year Obamacare was enacted, to 10
percent in 2016 (and less than 8 percent in Medicaid expansion states). Unemployment was 9.9 percent when the ACA was passed, 6.6 when it went into full effect, 4.8 by January 2017. Costs have come in well below expectations.
There have been some
disappointments: fewer people than expected signing up for the
exchanges, although this has been offset by the surprising durability of
employment-based coverage and stronger than expected Medicaid. But the
point is that none of the things Republicans cited as their reason for
opposing the bill have come true.
So what’s the theory
behind their proposed replacement? Where’s their analysis showing that
it will be better? There’s no hint of anything on either topic. You
might have expected some kind of appeal to the magic of the market, some
claim that radical deregulation will produce wonderful results. It
would have been silly, but at least would have shown some respect for
the basic idea of analyzing policies and evaluating them by results.
But what we’re getting
instead is a raw exercise of political power: the GOP is trying to take
away health care from millions and hand the savings to the wealthy
simply because it can, without even a fig leaf of intellectual
justification.
The point is that what
we’re seeing now is so bad, so cynical, that it makes the Kansas
experiment looks like a model of idealism and honesty by comparison.
I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. We’re now in someplace much, much worse."
Business Day
Jeffrey Immelt to Retire as General Electric Chief
John Flannery, who has been with G.E. since 1987 and leads its health care unit, is to become chief executive on Aug. 1 and chairman on Jan. 1.G.E. is making its stockholders unhappy.
It does not own the electrical industries of China and probably India and Europe.
11
World
U.S. Cyberweapons, Used Against Iran and North Korea, Are a Disappointment Against ISIS
The Islamic State’s internet use has proved a more elusive target than missile systems or centrifuges, American officials say.Shutting down the World Wide Web would make everyone unhappy and give control to the Russians and the Chinese.
This is known.
The Cell Phone service will continue in so far as physically possible.
Simple code phraises continue to work.
12
Briefing
Tony Awards, Pittsburgh Penguins, Uber: Your Monday Briefing
Here’s what you need to know to start your day.Jeff Sessions should be gone in a few days.
https://www.theguardian.com/international
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/13/brexit-talks-to-start-next-week
Uber will enter bankruptcy.
14
U.S.
‘We Are Not Unusual Anymore’: 50 Years of Mixed-Race Marriage in U.S.
Fifty years after the landmark Supreme Court case that allowed interracial couples to marry, a California couple recall being among the first to do so.Ok
15
Smarter Living
All the Ways Apple’s iOS 11 Will Change Your iPhone
Apple debuted its new operating system last week. It will bring some big changes to your iPhone.I don't have one or want one.
16
Business Day
In Watergate, One Set of Facts. In Trump Era, Take Your Pick.
Rival versions of the Trump-Russia scandal are fighting for narrative supremacy, leaving news veterans wondering, “What if Watergate happened now?”
U.S.
Maryland and D.C. Sue Trump Over His Private Businesses
The complaint, filed in federal court, alleges that the president’s failure to shed his businesses has undermined public trust and violated the Constitution.U.S.
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