I've been mostly ignoring the Kirk memorial jamboree. It's not for me. I don't know who it's for, I don't see how my opinions on it should matter.

But something the president said caught my attention. It was one of those jokes where he give the people a taste of authenticity by being openly horrible.

“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie,” Trump said. “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry.”

Who is this "opponent" ?

For all the "raw honestly" of saying "I don't love my enemy" it feels hollow when you can't even name him.

It makes me think of the ominous declaration that "Antifa" is a terrorist organization. Absurd as antifa isn't an organization. It doesn't exist.

We are watching a man shadowboxing. There is no "other side" none that can be named and this is something Trump needs desperately to function.

Some of you will point out this is a typical features of fascism and you will be correct. But I have not done this because I'm exhausted with naming the reasons why we are seeing fascism as some transference error seems to prevent a large number of people from understanding why this is a bad thing at all.

It can feel like some people feel that if they could only "prove it's fascism" that would shock other people into recognition of what is happening.

And the people focused on proving we are seeing fascism have done an excellent job. They even have charts!

And this simply fails to land. I suspect to some people it just sounds hysterical. Just "liberals and Democrats" making any noises they can to win. Just more "political division" ... "on both sides"

Even though much of this talk isn't coming from Democrats at all. It isn't partisan. It's not about Blue vs. Red.

You know I really hate accelerationists. I'm talking about the kind of people who think "it might be a good thing if bad things happen since then people will wake up."

Too often I've seen bad things happen and people are only easier to manipulate in their distress. They don't "wake up" ... they only become more frightened.

But, out of helplessness I have so many intrusive accelerationist thoughts.

The roof is on fire.

We are all "the opponent"

You know I really hate accelerationists. I'm talking about the kind of people who think "it might be a good thing if bad things happen since then people will wake up."

Too often I've seen bad things happen and people are only easier to manipulate in their distress. They don't "wake up" ... they only become more frightened.

But, out of helplessness I have so many intrusive accelerationist thoughts.

The roof is on fire.

We are all "the opponent"

@futurebird Trump is Putin's puppet - still holds. Trump's opponent is order in the parts of the world that had boxed-in Putin, including the US. Domestic disorder produces foreign relations disorder.

@futurebird what I've been saying the past few years is "when the world gives you acceleration, make accelerationade" because I wouldn't choose this but it's what we've got. No way back, only through.

@funkula

I think you might have a point but I also kind of hate that.

@futurebird I don't like it either!

@johnefrancis

That is one of many things that are at play. But I think it's reductive to say he is a Putin puppet.

It strains my credulity. I wish Democrats hadn't leaned into this so much. He's self-interest driven without a drop of public service in his being. If that leads him to align with Putin he has no moral fiber to be strained by bending in such ways.

As long as he gets bigger, the people who criticize him get hurt and the money flows.

@futurebird @johnefrancis It's a mix of jealously, admiration, and a history of having been an asset. Regardless of whether he formally is now.