MAGA: In Trumpspeak, an aspirational euphemism for Republicanism?
by Rashmee
Posted on January 18, 2021
This is the last week that we need to invest Donald Trump’s pronouncements with the solemn weight that comes of where he stands. So here goes. Noticed something? Mr Trump increasingly speaks of his MAGA ‘movement’ but doesn’t mention the Republican Party. That may be just fine with sections of the Party, which is in … Continue reading “MAGA: In Trumpspeak, an aspirational euphemism for Republicanism?”
Read More1/6, 9/11 and the threat of terrorism
by Rashmee
Posted on January 17, 2021
Could 1/6, the day of the Trump-incited US Capitol siege, be the harbinger of a 9/11-type attempt to attack America? I ask this in light of a fascinating piece I read the other day. Ed Luce, US editor of the Financial Times, quoted former FBI counter-terrorism agent Ali Soufan’s warning that January 6 could be … Continue reading “1/6, 9/11 and the threat of terrorism”
Read More#CoupKluxKlan. The headline that said it all came from India
by Rashmee
Posted on January 15, 2021
The nuanced way the world understood Donald Trump’s racially charged call to a mob to march on the US Capitol is best summed up in one headline. It was splashed across the frontpage of The Times of India, my old employer. “Coup Klux Klan”, said TOI, in reference to the troubling motivations of the pro-Trump … Continue reading “#CoupKluxKlan. The headline that said it all came from India”
Read MoreAmerica then and now through the actions of one company, Airbnb
by Rashmee
Posted on January 14, 2021
It was Morning Brew, the smartest and sassiest business newsletter in the world, that pointed out the difference between America then and now through the actions of one company. Airbnb. America then? The before times, ie 2009, during Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration. It was a pivotal moment, says Morning Brew, for Airbnb’s cofounders, Brian Chesky, Joe … Continue reading “America then and now through the actions of one company, Airbnb”
Read MoreThe US Capitol siege in Smart-Aleckisms and gags from around the world
by Rashmee
Posted on January 13, 2021
When Donald Trump incited a mob to lay siege to the US Capitol, WhatsApp users in India started sharing the following gag: “Owing to Covid travel restrictions, this year’s US backed coup will take place at home”. A few days later, ‘The Daily Nation’, a Kenyan newspaper, carried a photograph of the chaos and debri … Continue reading “The US Capitol siege in Smart-Aleckisms and gags from around the world”
Read MoreMuseveni‘s Uganda: A template for presidents who don’t want to leave office
by Rashmee
Posted on January 12, 2021
Does any of this sound familiar? A president who refuses to leave office and will do just about anything to make it happen. Compliant legislators who coddle the man. A quarrel with big tech, which is trying to rein the administration in. That’s the situation in Uganda as it moves with some difficulty towards a … Continue reading “Museveni‘s Uganda: A template for presidents who don’t want to leave office”
Read MoreHere’s the petty good that’s come to pass since Trump incited US Capitol siege
by Rashmee
Posted on January 11, 2021
Four days after Donald Trump incited the siege of the US Capitol, here’s a rundown of developments. While any assessment can be subjective, it’s fair to say the petty good and undone vast, to quote Robert Browning out of context, is telling. And dispiriting. All law-abiding Americans must hope that the Republican Party finds it … Continue reading “Here’s the petty good that’s come to pass since Trump incited US Capitol siege”
Read More‘Trump is a coward and a despot, so a Chicken Ceasar’
by Rashmee
Posted on January 10, 2021
In 2015, The Atlantic magazine posed a rhetorical question that addressed a seriously funny issue: why the British are better at satire. As the magazine is American, it’s obvious the point of comparison was Americans. Now, Americans have a very different sense of humour to the British. It’s slightly more obvious, perhaps even childlike in … Continue reading “‘Trump is a coward and a despot, so a Chicken Ceasar’”
Read More‘Trump is a political David Koresh’
by Rashmee
Posted on January 9, 2021
In all the commentary on Donald Trump’s incitement of a mob to march on the US Capitol, the following remark seems particularly insightful and instructive: “Trump is a political David Koresh,” said Billy Piper, a former chief of staff to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, “he sees the end coming and wants to burn … Continue reading “‘Trump is a political David Koresh’”
Read MoreOnly time will tell the real toll of the siege incited by Mr Trump
by Rashmee
Posted on January 8, 2021
We are yet to know the exact toll of the US Capitol siege. So five people are known to be dead 48 hours after Donald Trump incited his supporters to “walk down to the Capitol” and send lawmakers a message. But here’s the thing. The events encouraged by Mr Trump, his son Don Jr and … Continue reading “Only time will tell the real toll of the siege incited by Mr Trump”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK