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  3. Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar

Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar

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  • jon-nycJ Online
    jon-nycJ Online
    jon-nyc
    wrote on last edited by jon-nyc
    #21

    What I don’t understand is why you didn’t lose your need for my approval when you made your transition. Seems like you need to learn to manage your resentment if we’re ever going to find an equilibrium. Which I hope at some point we’re able to do.

    You were warned.

    HoraceH 1 Reply Last reply
    • jon-nycJ Online
      jon-nycJ Online
      jon-nyc
      wrote on last edited by jon-nyc
      #22

      To the Weimar point, I don’t know that one needs to express a strong point of view on relative worth of the tribes in order to appreciate the comparison. Seems like you could separate the implications from the blame at least temporarily, as an intellectual exercise at least.

      You were warned.

      HoraceH 1 Reply Last reply
      • MikM Offline
        MikM Offline
        Mik
        wrote on last edited by
        #23

        Not when your starting position is the current administration as an 'extinction level event' for the republic. If Sullivan would like to forego playing the blame game perhaps others might be more amenable to entertaining the idea. But I won't hold my breath.

        “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

        1 Reply Last reply
        • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

          What I don’t understand is why you didn’t lose your need for my approval when you made your transition. Seems like you need to learn to manage your resentment if we’re ever going to find an equilibrium. Which I hope at some point we’re able to do.

          HoraceH Offline
          HoraceH Offline
          Horace
          wrote on last edited by
          #24

          @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

          What I don’t understand is why you didn’t lose your need for my approval when you made your transition. Seems like you need to learn to manage your resentment if we’re ever going to find an equilibrium. Which I hope at some point we’re able to do.

          Magnanimous, unfairly put upon but still willing to compromise, princess jon.

          Education is extremely important.

          jon-nycJ 1 Reply Last reply
          • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

            To the Weimar point, I don’t know that one needs to express a strong point of view on relative worth of the tribes in order to appreciate the comparison. Seems like you could separate the implications from the blame at least temporarily, as an intellectual exercise at least.

            HoraceH Offline
            HoraceH Offline
            Horace
            wrote on last edited by
            #25

            @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

            To the Weimar point, I don’t know that one needs to express a strong point of view on relative worth of the tribes in order to appreciate the comparison. Seems like you could separate the implications from the blame at least temporarily, as an intellectual exercise at least.

            You're still free to make something interesting of the Weimar comparison. You've spent more words lamenting that nobody else is doing so, than doing so yourself. Unless the real point is to prance around about how the discussion isn't high enough level for your tastes.

            Education is extremely important.

            1 Reply Last reply
            • HoraceH Horace

              @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

              What I don’t understand is why you didn’t lose your need for my approval when you made your transition. Seems like you need to learn to manage your resentment if we’re ever going to find an equilibrium. Which I hope at some point we’re able to do.

              Magnanimous, unfairly put upon but still willing to compromise, princess jon.

              jon-nycJ Online
              jon-nycJ Online
              jon-nyc
              wrote on last edited by
              #26

              @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

              @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

              What I don’t understand is why you didn’t lose your need for my approval when you made your transition. Seems like you need to learn to manage your resentment if we’re ever going to find an equilibrium. Which I hope at some point we’re able to do.

              Magnanimous, unfairly put upon but still willing to compromise, princess jon.

              I get that you have to tell me to fuck off after posting something like that, and you will again after this post, but maybe give it some thought offline?

              You were warned.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • MikM Offline
                MikM Offline
                Mik
                wrote on last edited by Mik
                #27

                I know I flipped Loki off the other night (well, he deserved it!) but I hope you two can find some way to lessen the animosity.

                “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                1 Reply Last reply
                • RainmanR Offline
                  RainmanR Offline
                  Rainman
                  wrote on last edited by Rainman
                  #28

                  In the last paragraph, Sullivan states, "He remains the only choice in this election."

                  Everything else if a veiled attempt to justify why "He remains the only choice in this election."

                  But he is a good mind reader. Much better than me. It would be so much fun to float through the post-structuralist haze of subjective facts, with the main point being what I quoted.

                  Since I can't mindread, I listen carefully to what the rioters and protesters say at 3:00 am, what I overhear them talk about on YouTube live-stream videos (before YouTube cut them all, and I mean all, so nothing much live after 1:00 am). The protesters and rioters are, in my assessment, quite braindead. The protesters have NOTHING of substance to say or comment upon (they're mostly kids that maybe thought "critical thinking" in high school meant scream loudest), however they are well trained to provide the antiphonal responses to the chant leaders, i.e., the cantor with the megaphone. The rioters are losers with a cause, whether it's a new TV or destroying anything they know deep down they could never create or build.

                  Based upon my late-night research and other stuff over the course of time, I really have to disagree with his devotion to "He remains the only choice in this election." He may be surprised that his readers think for themselves and laugh at his stupid loftiness.

                  Regarding Weimar and what little I know, Sullivan can sit in the wheelbarrow of useless cash and have his most thoughtful readers push him off a cliff. They could even slap a Biden/Harris bumper sticker on it before the heave-ho.

                  HoraceH 1 Reply Last reply
                  • jon-nycJ Online
                    jon-nycJ Online
                    jon-nyc
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #29

                    Biden is a pale comparison to Weimar’s Hindenburg, but then again Trump is farce to the tragedy of Hitler.

                    Maybe Spain in the 30s is an interesting comparison to think through.

                    You were warned.

                    RainmanR 1 Reply Last reply
                    • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                      Biden is a pale comparison to Weimar’s Hindenburg, but then again Trump is farce to the tragedy of Hitler.

                      Maybe Spain in the 30s is an interesting comparison to think through.

                      RainmanR Offline
                      RainmanR Offline
                      Rainman
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #30

                      @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                      Biden is a pale comparison to Weimar’s Hindenburg, but then again Trump is farce to the tragedy of Hitler.

                      Maybe Spain in the 30s is an interesting comparison to think through.

                      Good idea. I just spent 3 seconds covering everything I know about Spain in the 30's. Why don't you bring me (us) up to your level, so the obscure becomes obvious?

                      I could type "Spain" into Google. But somehow I don't think that will bring me the erudition you require in assumed great depth of knowledge you'd like discourse in. Sorry, trying to sound intelligent, I'm not good at it. And sorry for the preposition, but Aqua said it's OK.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • RainmanR Rainman

                        In the last paragraph, Sullivan states, "He remains the only choice in this election."

                        Everything else if a veiled attempt to justify why "He remains the only choice in this election."

                        But he is a good mind reader. Much better than me. It would be so much fun to float through the post-structuralist haze of subjective facts, with the main point being what I quoted.

                        Since I can't mindread, I listen carefully to what the rioters and protesters say at 3:00 am, what I overhear them talk about on YouTube live-stream videos (before YouTube cut them all, and I mean all, so nothing much live after 1:00 am). The protesters and rioters are, in my assessment, quite braindead. The protesters have NOTHING of substance to say or comment upon (they're mostly kids that maybe thought "critical thinking" in high school meant scream loudest), however they are well trained to provide the antiphonal responses to the chant leaders, i.e., the cantor with the megaphone. The rioters are losers with a cause, whether it's a new TV or destroying anything they know deep down they could never create or build.

                        Based upon my late-night research and other stuff over the course of time, I really have to disagree with his devotion to "He remains the only choice in this election." He may be surprised that his readers think for themselves and laugh at his stupid loftiness.

                        Regarding Weimar and what little I know, Sullivan can sit in the wheelbarrow of useless cash and have his most thoughtful readers push him off a cliff. They could even slap a Biden/Harris bumper sticker on it before the heave-ho.

                        HoraceH Offline
                        HoraceH Offline
                        Horace
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #31

                        @Rainman said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                        In the last paragraph, Sullivan states, "He remains the only choice in this election."

                        Everything else if a veiled attempt to justify why "He remains the only choice in this election."

                        But he is a good mind reader. Much better than me. It would be so much fun to float through the post-structuralist haze of subjective facts, with the main point being what I quoted.

                        Since I can't mindread, I listen carefully to what the rioters and protesters say at 3:00 am, what I overhear them talk about on YouTube live-stream videos (before YouTube cut them all, and I mean all, so nothing much live after 1:00 am). The protesters and rioters are, in my assessment, quite braindead. The protesters have NOTHING of substance to say or comment upon (they're mostly kids that maybe thought "critical thinking" in high school meant scream loudest), however they are well trained to provide the antiphonal responses to the chant leaders, i.e., the cantor with the megaphone. The rioters are losers with a cause, whether it's a new TV or destroying anything they know deep down they could never create or build.

                        Based upon my late-night research and other stuff over the course of time, I really have to disagree with his devotion to "He remains the only choice in this election." He may be surprised that his readers think for themselves and laugh at his stupid loftiness.

                        Regarding Weimar and what little I know, Sullivan can sit in the wheelbarrow of useless cash and have his most thoughtful readers push him off a cliff. They could even slap a Biden/Harris bumper sticker on it before the heave-ho.

                        There was a de facto leader of Chaz who clearly had MLK envy. It was embarrassing listening to her attempt to soapbox. There are no interesting ideas behind these riots. Collin Kaepernik does not have a single interesting idea in his head. And what's more nobody expects him to. This is all cheap and very effective manipulation of mob outrage, by the left-leaning media and politicians.

                        As far as Trumpism goes and the non-starter voting for him is, there is nothing there, either. The best TDS folks are able to do lately is to point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                        Education is extremely important.

                        jon-nycJ 1 Reply Last reply
                        • KlausK Offline
                          KlausK Offline
                          Klaus
                          wrote on last edited by Klaus
                          #32

                          I for one agree with most of what Sullivan says.

                          The "extinction level event for liberal democracy" thing is a little extreme terminology-wise, but Trump has by now made it abundantly clear that he doesn't give a fuck about liberal democracy and the like. Just recently he was talking about how he'd step down in 20 years and about how the only possible explanation if he looses would be that there must have been election fraud.

                          I also agree with his stance on the American left. A good analysis of how they went completely nuts in a time when they should have provided a credible alternative.

                          As for the comparison to Weimar, I don't think the comparison is absurd. It's a little disappointing that the reactions in this forum have mostly been along the predictable tribal lines. If we'll get a major economic crisis - and I think we will -, tensions will rise even more. The political climate that enabled the transition from Weimar to Hitler is similar. But there are also some major differences. The US has better constitutional protection against tyrants (an "Ermächtigungsgesetz" would be way harder, division of power is mostly intact). There is no "Dolchstosslegende" and no scape goat like the Jews. And the economic situation isn't as bad yet. But still, it's not an absurd comparison.

                          bachophileB 1 Reply Last reply
                          • HoraceH Horace

                            @Rainman said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                            In the last paragraph, Sullivan states, "He remains the only choice in this election."

                            Everything else if a veiled attempt to justify why "He remains the only choice in this election."

                            But he is a good mind reader. Much better than me. It would be so much fun to float through the post-structuralist haze of subjective facts, with the main point being what I quoted.

                            Since I can't mindread, I listen carefully to what the rioters and protesters say at 3:00 am, what I overhear them talk about on YouTube live-stream videos (before YouTube cut them all, and I mean all, so nothing much live after 1:00 am). The protesters and rioters are, in my assessment, quite braindead. The protesters have NOTHING of substance to say or comment upon (they're mostly kids that maybe thought "critical thinking" in high school meant scream loudest), however they are well trained to provide the antiphonal responses to the chant leaders, i.e., the cantor with the megaphone. The rioters are losers with a cause, whether it's a new TV or destroying anything they know deep down they could never create or build.

                            Based upon my late-night research and other stuff over the course of time, I really have to disagree with his devotion to "He remains the only choice in this election." He may be surprised that his readers think for themselves and laugh at his stupid loftiness.

                            Regarding Weimar and what little I know, Sullivan can sit in the wheelbarrow of useless cash and have his most thoughtful readers push him off a cliff. They could even slap a Biden/Harris bumper sticker on it before the heave-ho.

                            There was a de facto leader of Chaz who clearly had MLK envy. It was embarrassing listening to her attempt to soapbox. There are no interesting ideas behind these riots. Collin Kaepernik does not have a single interesting idea in his head. And what's more nobody expects him to. This is all cheap and very effective manipulation of mob outrage, by the left-leaning media and politicians.

                            As far as Trumpism goes and the non-starter voting for him is, there is nothing there, either. The best TDS folks are able to do lately is to point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                            jon-nycJ Online
                            jon-nycJ Online
                            jon-nyc
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #33

                            @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                            point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                            Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                            Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                            Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                            You were warned.

                            jon-nycJ MikM HoraceH 3 Replies Last reply
                            • KlausK Klaus

                              I for one agree with most of what Sullivan says.

                              The "extinction level event for liberal democracy" thing is a little extreme terminology-wise, but Trump has by now made it abundantly clear that he doesn't give a fuck about liberal democracy and the like. Just recently he was talking about how he'd step down in 20 years and about how the only possible explanation if he looses would be that there must have been election fraud.

                              I also agree with his stance on the American left. A good analysis of how they went completely nuts in a time when they should have provided a credible alternative.

                              As for the comparison to Weimar, I don't think the comparison is absurd. It's a little disappointing that the reactions in this forum have mostly been along the predictable tribal lines. If we'll get a major economic crisis - and I think we will -, tensions will rise even more. The political climate that enabled the transition from Weimar to Hitler is similar. But there are also some major differences. The US has better constitutional protection against tyrants (an "Ermächtigungsgesetz" would be way harder, division of power is mostly intact). There is no "Dolchstosslegende" and no scape goat like the Jews. And the economic situation isn't as bad yet. But still, it's not an absurd comparison.

                              bachophileB Online
                              bachophileB Online
                              bachophile
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #34

                              @Klaus said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                              and no scape goat like the Jews.

                              Don’t worry, that’s never far behind.

                              MikM 1 Reply Last reply
                              • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                                @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                                Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                                Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                                Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                jon-nycJ Online
                                jon-nycJ Online
                                jon-nyc
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #35

                                @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                                Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                                Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                                Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                I wonder if you guys hold Lukashenko blameless for the situation in Belarus since the protesters are very obviously not his people.

                                You were warned.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • bachophileB bachophile

                                  @Klaus said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                  and no scape goat like the Jews.

                                  Don’t worry, that’s never far behind.

                                  MikM Offline
                                  MikM Offline
                                  Mik
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #36

                                  @bachophile said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                  @Klaus said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                  and no scape goat like the Jews.

                                  Don’t worry, that’s never far behind.

                                  Right now it's white folks.

                                  “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                                    @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                    point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                                    Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                                    Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                                    Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                    MikM Offline
                                    MikM Offline
                                    Mik
                                    wrote on last edited by Mik
                                    #37

                                    @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                    @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                    point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                                    Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                                    Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                                    Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                    OK, I'll go there with you. Show me how Trump has a causal role in the current situation. What has he done to cause or increase police brutality toward blacks? To diminish civil rights? To my eyes these riots and protests started before he even took office. If you want to say that it is because some people do not like Trump and don't want him to be president, fine. But it's not as far as I can see attributable to anything he has actually done.

                                    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                    JollyJ AxtremusA 2 Replies Last reply
                                    • jon-nycJ Online
                                      jon-nycJ Online
                                      jon-nyc
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #38

                                      You really can’t think of anything Trump did that might have made things worse?

                                      You were warned.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • MikM Offline
                                        MikM Offline
                                        Mik
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #39

                                        That's not an answer.

                                        “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • jon-nycJ jon-nyc

                                          @Horace said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                          point to the riots and say "this is Trump's America". Even jon buys into that tribal mantra. As ideas go, it is not a rational one.

                                          Well, to be fair I use that phrase to point out the absurdity of Trump calling it ‘Biden’s America’.

                                          Having said that, surely presidents will differ in where they fall on the (as W might put it) “uniter vs divider’ scale. Surely presidents differ in how they respond to widespread protests, from taking steps to lower the pressure on one hand to publicly antagonizing and threatening on the other.

                                          Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                          HoraceH Offline
                                          HoraceH Offline
                                          Horace
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #40

                                          @jon-nyc said in Andrew Sullivan: This is very Weimar:

                                          Honestly I think people here say to themselves “but these rioters aren’t by and large Trump supporters” and from that facile comment completely absolve him from any causal role.

                                          What I say, and what I have said repeatedly, is that Trump-the-Great-Divider is an all time great self fulfilling prophecy. When one side of the aisle hates the guy a priori because of his human phenotype, the division is baked in. Everything else is retconning that division to be the fault of the guy with the repellent phenotype.

                                          Education is extremely important.

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