This wasn’t an accident. It was the point. It’s what MAGA was built on—a message to the white, the bitter, and the fearful that their ginned up anger is a rallying cry, a political stance, and a weapon. It's a promise that America belongs to them and no one else. It’s why Trump’s rallies don’t even try to reach beyond his hardcore base. The sad part is that, for as many reasonably-minded people as he'll lose because of this abomination, he'll gain just as many who want nothing more than a fourth Reich.
An Open Letter to Your Friend or Relative Planning to Vote for Trump: Your Vote for Trump Is an Endorsement of Bigotry, Cruelty, and the Erosion of Rights—No Matter the Reason You Give.
On "Morning Joe," Mika Brzezinski pointed out that Killjoy had practiced his lines before Trump aides the night before the rally at Madison Square Garden.
The racist-screed had the blessing of Trump aides.
TIL what "punching down" means from someone on Twitter, who said that a good rubric for measuring whether a joke is in good taste or not is if the joke is "punching down."
All of Hinchcliffe's material was punching down.
"When a comedian crosses a line, you may hear someone argue that jokes should only “punch up, not down.” They mean to say you should only ridicule or imitate people who are regarded as powerful. The problem is, you can only say a joke “punches down” if you place the subject of that joke below the person telling it. You’re essentially trying to protect someone from offense by arguing they aren’t worthy of it, if they were more privileged and successful, sure, but not now, not in this lowly condition (poor, disabled, black, a woman)."
Over the many years I've found that this "punching down" is common in what passes for humor on the right. Misogyny was also rampant in stand-up when I was growing up, including among comics who were considered liberal. Fortunately there were also the Smothers Brothers, then Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and eventually Saturday Night Live.
Susanna J. Sturgis -- Stillness in the Wind; Lorraine Evanoff (or . . . Louise Moscow): Another term for punching down is bullying; a synonym is cowardace.
Watching Mr. Killjoy made me feel queasy in the stomach. It was not a good feeling.
Susanna J. Sturgis -- Your post on Fascism is right on!
Lorraine Evanoff: You help shore up my hope and optimism, refuting the hyperventilation of media in their panic over an improbable Trump/Vance win or the power of Vance within the Trump/Vance equation within fascist circles:
I wonder in sorrow: How can America have gone through the heroic struggles of the Civil Rights Movement against Jim-Crow fire-hoses and Billy-Clubs -- all very live memories to this 76-year-old (as lively as if they had occurred last week) -- how after all this heroism can so many turn to Fascism?
How?
Like you: Words fail me.
It is a tragedy, and I feel deeply sorrowful over it!
My dad was active in the Civil Rights Movement. I remember when he went to the March on Washington and the Mississippi Voter Registration Drive. I am just glad he didn’t live to see what is happening to this country.
This column absolutely rocks. Can't wait to read every bit of Irmgard Keun I can get my hands on. So much to digest here. I will be reading this again (and again).
Thanks Armand for recommending Celly Blue. I just subscribed. I'm as disgusted as you are by t-Rump and his hater-sycophants. I'm glad their masks are off and we can see them so clearly. Let's not forget who they are after Madame President takes office.
Thank you, Armand, for so eloquently expressing what so many of us feel. The head-exploding insanity of it all. We will and must beat this evil back under the rock it crawled out from under, to consume itself. I have to live in the knowledge that evil is always always pushed back by the sunlight of the majority of good people wanting goodness for all. If John Lewis could remain hopeful and keep fighting, we can do no less. In dark times, I think of him as a five year old boy on his family's farm, preaching to the chickens. 💙
Thank you for juxtapositioning JDV (not enough children) with Killjoy (too many children). Even their insults aren’t coherent or coordinated— thankfully!
Make America Hate Again
This wasn’t an accident. It was the point. It’s what MAGA was built on—a message to the white, the bitter, and the fearful that their ginned up anger is a rallying cry, a political stance, and a weapon. It's a promise that America belongs to them and no one else. It’s why Trump’s rallies don’t even try to reach beyond his hardcore base. The sad part is that, for as many reasonably-minded people as he'll lose because of this abomination, he'll gain just as many who want nothing more than a fourth Reich.
An Open Letter to Your Friend or Relative Planning to Vote for Trump: Your Vote for Trump Is an Endorsement of Bigotry, Cruelty, and the Erosion of Rights—No Matter the Reason You Give.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-150725410?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Patrice Mersault: Exactly right.
On "Morning Joe," Mika Brzezinski pointed out that Killjoy had practiced his lines before Trump aides the night before the rally at Madison Square Garden.
The racist-screed had the blessing of Trump aides.
"Killjoy" ha! Talk about dying on stage, yuck.
TIL what "punching down" means from someone on Twitter, who said that a good rubric for measuring whether a joke is in good taste or not is if the joke is "punching down."
All of Hinchcliffe's material was punching down.
"When a comedian crosses a line, you may hear someone argue that jokes should only “punch up, not down.” They mean to say you should only ridicule or imitate people who are regarded as powerful. The problem is, you can only say a joke “punches down” if you place the subject of that joke below the person telling it. You’re essentially trying to protect someone from offense by arguing they aren’t worthy of it, if they were more privileged and successful, sure, but not now, not in this lowly condition (poor, disabled, black, a woman)."
Over the many years I've found that this "punching down" is common in what passes for humor on the right. Misogyny was also rampant in stand-up when I was growing up, including among comics who were considered liberal. Fortunately there were also the Smothers Brothers, then Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and eventually Saturday Night Live.
Susanna J. Sturgis -- Stillness in the Wind; Lorraine Evanoff (or . . . Louise Moscow): Another term for punching down is bullying; a synonym is cowardace.
Watching Mr. Killjoy made me feel queasy in the stomach. It was not a good feeling.
Susanna J. Sturgis -- Your post on Fascism is right on!
https://substack.com/@susannajsturgis/p-150800212
Lorraine Evanoff: You help shore up my hope and optimism, refuting the hyperventilation of media in their panic over an improbable Trump/Vance win or the power of Vance within the Trump/Vance equation within fascist circles:
https://lorraineevanoff.substack.com/p/the-grand-illusion
https://lorraineevanoff.substack.com/p/this-is-backfiring-on-them
Thank you Susanna Sturgis and Lorraine Evanoff for columns that inform and very definitely inspire me.
I am just sick about what happened at that fascist rally last night. Words fail me.
Liz Gauffreau: "Words fail me" -- Exactly right.
I wonder in sorrow: How can America have gone through the heroic struggles of the Civil Rights Movement against Jim-Crow fire-hoses and Billy-Clubs -- all very live memories to this 76-year-old (as lively as if they had occurred last week) -- how after all this heroism can so many turn to Fascism?
How?
Like you: Words fail me.
It is a tragedy, and I feel deeply sorrowful over it!
My dad was active in the Civil Rights Movement. I remember when he went to the March on Washington and the Mississippi Voter Registration Drive. I am just glad he didn’t live to see what is happening to this country.
Liz Gauffreau: Very loving tribute to your good Dad.
Thank you so very much for your thoughts, and for the good work your loving Dad did.
Your Dad lived a very worthy life!
You're welcome, Armand. He was a remarkable human being and a wonderful father. I miss him every day.
This column absolutely rocks. Can't wait to read every bit of Irmgard Keun I can get my hands on. So much to digest here. I will be reading this again (and again).
xo Your fan, Chris
Chris Andrews: Said by one who writes, herself, so very beautifully.
We need humor and romance to unwind and to restore sanity, and your column provides these in stacks:
https://substack.com/@chrisandrews/p-150189800
https://www.menonpause.info/p/things-not-to-say-during-sex
https://www.menonpause.info/p/how-to-wake-up-your-lazy-ass-adult
https://www.menonpause.info/p/my-two-cents
And . . . OMG: https://www.menonpause.info/p/winnie-the-pooh
The multi-part series, with much poignancy, of "Eau de Vie":
https://www.menonpause.info/cp/147308448
And insight:
https://substack.com/@chrisandrews/p-149418507
Substack is a faulty, faulty platform.
But 'Stack has linked me with WONDERFUL people, in whose friendship I personally grow.
Among those friends, you have a high place!
Always enjoy your writing, Friend!
Thanks Armand for recommending Celly Blue. I just subscribed. I'm as disgusted as you are by t-Rump and his hater-sycophants. I'm glad their masks are off and we can see them so clearly. Let's not forget who they are after Madame President takes office.
Ilona Goanos: You and I know we still will have to fight Jim Crow in states like Texas, Florida and Alabama.
But . . . my morale will be much better with Kamala Harris, our Joyful Warrior, as President.
Cannot wait! You're right we have a lot of work ahead.
Thank you, Armand, for so eloquently expressing what so many of us feel. The head-exploding insanity of it all. We will and must beat this evil back under the rock it crawled out from under, to consume itself. I have to live in the knowledge that evil is always always pushed back by the sunlight of the majority of good people wanting goodness for all. If John Lewis could remain hopeful and keep fighting, we can do no less. In dark times, I think of him as a five year old boy on his family's farm, preaching to the chickens. 💙
Kate Morgan Reade: What a dear boy that was, taking his five-year-old preaching to the chickens.
I picture that so many times with a smile.
The boy deserves a parental hug and assurance of love!
What a blessing John Lewis remains to us in memory!
I wholeheartedly agree!
One of the greatest posts I have ever read.
Thank you Armando !
Thank you for juxtapositioning JDV (not enough children) with Killjoy (too many children). Even their insults aren’t coherent or coordinated— thankfully!
Malathi Raghavan: And then, JD Vance really doubles down on Killjoy's racism at his own rally!
The Fascism is deep flowing in the opposition.
🥺🥹
Great piece, Armand!
Diane K24: Said by one whose column is full of love and represents our core humane values.
One line of yours I love: "My dog and I spot liars a mile off!"
Right on!
Haha! I’m trying to teach Winnie to be shrewd like our precious lover boy Paddy. 🐶💙🇺🇸💙
Diane K24: It takes real love for the puppy, Winnie. With your love for Winnie will give her those sharp instincts.
Winnie will be like the Chief Inspector "Vera" (Vera Stanhope -- played so lovingly by Brenda Blethyn (née Bottle).
No wonder Winnie will smell 'em out a mile away! Arf, arf!