Dec
27
2017

URLs du Jour

2017-12-27

RESPONSIBILITY

■ After the brilliance of the previous Proverb, Proverbs 17:17 slips back into fortune-cookie mediocrity. Sad!

17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Note the sexist language! What about sisters? (Some translations make it "kinsfolk".)

■ @JonahNRO asks the musical question: Who Deserves Credit for the Trump Administration’s Accomplishments? Yes, there are some things that have conservatives and (some) libertarians cheering. But:

Aside from the mandatory flattery required of Republican elected officials, there’s remarkably little testimony that Trump has involved himself in the process of governing. Tax reform was carried across the finish line by the GOP congressional leadership. Net neutrality was repealed by independent Republicans at the Federal Communications Commission.

Foreign policy is a more mixed bag. If the president deserves credit for the defeat of Islamic State, it’s because he let “the generals” do their thing. On the other hand, credit (or blame) for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris accord on climate change certainly goes to him.

In general, it seems to me that Trump’s success (such as it is) is less attributable to sudden mastery of the issues than to staying out of the way of rank-and-file Republican policymakers, activists, and bureaucrats.

In a way, Jonah's column is a response to Roger L. Simon's demand for an apology from "remaining NeverTrumpers".

■ At Reason, Jacob Sullum is more critical of Trump's theory of Presidential responsibility. Which is, mainly: The Buck Stops Over There. One of Sullum's examples:

Comey cover. When Trump fired FBI Director James Comey in May, the White House said he did so at the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who argued that Comey deserved to be sacked because he had treated Hillary Clinton unfairly while investigating her email practices as secretary of state. Trump, who had long complained that Comey went too easy on Clinton, later admitted the Rosenstein memo was nothing more than window dressing for a decision he had already made.

And more.

■ But we don't want to be super hard on Trump. The Babylon Bee, for one, is grateful: Nation’s Christians Thank Trump For Allowing First Public Celebration Of Christmas In 8 Years.

The nation’s Christian believers thanked President Donald Trump by the millions Tuesday after he allowed the first public celebration of Christmas in America in since the year Barack Obama took office, with many breaking down in tears due to their great gratitude toward the president.

Yes, it was nice to be able to buy the Baby Jesus stamps for the Christmas cards again. Thanks, Donald!

■ And your Tweet du Jour is a Venn diagram from Mark J. Perry:

Apologies to anyone offended by junk reference.


Last Modified 2018-12-28 5:43 AM EDT