Aug 24, 2022·edited Aug 24, 2022Liked by Jeff Maurer
Well said. I went on Jesse Singal's Callin show a few days ago here. I show up at the 17- minute mark. https://callin.com/link/IESMACMAHl
I pointed out that the further we get from the madness of 2020, particularly the summer of 2020, the less angry we feel. It's easier to dig into non-political, non-culture-war stuff right now like baseball (go Orioles!) and Elden Ring. Easier for me at least. Your mileage may vary.
You packed this one full of great lines, Jeff: the cocaine simile, the origin of Country Time lemonade, the line about Rage Against the Machine. I admire your craft.
Not only was there an Obama Derangement Syndrome, it WAS called that -- and the term was already old. BDS is the first one I was around for, and while I can't find a source now, I'm pretty sure it was actually coined under Clinton. (Would've applied to Reagan just as well if not better! Reading anything produced by left-leaning writers in the 80s is a trip.)
So as you note, Trump isn't special just for deranging people. What makes him special is that he almost demands that kind of response, one way or the other. He's such an incredibly unserious person that when you say anything serious about him, you feel like the joke's on you.
Somewhere around 2003-2004 ish, peak War on Terror world, I heard someone say "If you're not angry, you're not paying attention" and I thought to myself, "I don't know man, everyone seems really angry but they don't seem particularly attentive."
Each year since it's just gotten worse. At this point I think that slogan is solidly debunked. The only people I know who seem pretty widely informed on many issues are the ones that don't spend their time howling fantods and gnashing teeth.
If you want to feel the searing heat of derangement syndrome in a tender spot just dis the Monkees one more time! Thats unseemly, war-like behavior and you’re now just begging for some early-onset boomer to come knocking on your door, IV dragging along beside them! You have been warned!!!
People's issues with the left run a hell of a lot deeper than just wokeness. The weaponization of the bureaucracy and the security state should concern everyone. The pressure put on the private sector to support the left's political agenda should concern everyone.
Look, I'm late to the party here (unexpectedly busy week). But this column commits the cardinal sin of both-siderism. Yes, woke derangement is similarly insane to calling a centrist Obama the 2nd coming of Pol Pot. Yes, things went a little awry in the wake of the Florida recount and an unprovoked war in Iraq and people turned George Bush into a fire-breathing hellspawn (I mean, come on -- that was Cheney). But it's not similar to the Trump years, which are still upon us. Maybe in late night opening monologues it felt insane, but that's because it was insane. None of this is normal, and it had massive impact on geopolitics (Iran, Russia, Ukraine, etc), global public health, the economy, etc. There's an argument to be made that if Jeff was British and went full-on 24-7 BoJo rage foaming it would be comparable in derangement syndromes, but this was hopefully unique and hopefully singular in the awfulnessosity. Writing it all off as "eh, we have a tendency to over-inflate things, am I right people?" is just not correct.
Couldn't Rage Against the Machine be considered Rap Rock? I don't think they are, but they definitely have some similar qualities. I guess I'm trying to figure out why Rap Rock is so hated by the media, especially the left leaning.
I was coming of age when Rap Rock was huge on the radio and Mtv, but thankfully I went down the Radiohead rabbit hole when Ok Computer came out and never looked back. I never was a fan of the rap rock bands, but I wouldn't deny not having listened to them or watched their videos back in the day.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if Deftones is considered Rap Rock, then I fucking love it.
I'm curious why the author believes that a bill to hand out billions of dollars to large, profitable businesses a positive. It seems to me that we're paying them to do what they likely would have done anyway.
Well said. I went on Jesse Singal's Callin show a few days ago here. I show up at the 17- minute mark. https://callin.com/link/IESMACMAHl
I pointed out that the further we get from the madness of 2020, particularly the summer of 2020, the less angry we feel. It's easier to dig into non-political, non-culture-war stuff right now like baseball (go Orioles!) and Elden Ring. Easier for me at least. Your mileage may vary.
I can't help but think you need a better wax beans recipe. If I may: https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2021/12/29/crunchy-cheesy-bean-bake
You packed this one full of great lines, Jeff: the cocaine simile, the origin of Country Time lemonade, the line about Rage Against the Machine. I admire your craft.
Not only was there an Obama Derangement Syndrome, it WAS called that -- and the term was already old. BDS is the first one I was around for, and while I can't find a source now, I'm pretty sure it was actually coined under Clinton. (Would've applied to Reagan just as well if not better! Reading anything produced by left-leaning writers in the 80s is a trip.)
So as you note, Trump isn't special just for deranging people. What makes him special is that he almost demands that kind of response, one way or the other. He's such an incredibly unserious person that when you say anything serious about him, you feel like the joke's on you.
Somewhere around 2003-2004 ish, peak War on Terror world, I heard someone say "If you're not angry, you're not paying attention" and I thought to myself, "I don't know man, everyone seems really angry but they don't seem particularly attentive."
Each year since it's just gotten worse. At this point I think that slogan is solidly debunked. The only people I know who seem pretty widely informed on many issues are the ones that don't spend their time howling fantods and gnashing teeth.
If you want to feel the searing heat of derangement syndrome in a tender spot just dis the Monkees one more time! Thats unseemly, war-like behavior and you’re now just begging for some early-onset boomer to come knocking on your door, IV dragging along beside them! You have been warned!!!
People's issues with the left run a hell of a lot deeper than just wokeness. The weaponization of the bureaucracy and the security state should concern everyone. The pressure put on the private sector to support the left's political agenda should concern everyone.
It isn't just "woke derangement syndrome."
Several of my acquaintances are discussing our rage-generators and how to dampen their effects - I think we need new motor mount bushings, personally.
Obama was banal. How could he be evil?
Look, I'm late to the party here (unexpectedly busy week). But this column commits the cardinal sin of both-siderism. Yes, woke derangement is similarly insane to calling a centrist Obama the 2nd coming of Pol Pot. Yes, things went a little awry in the wake of the Florida recount and an unprovoked war in Iraq and people turned George Bush into a fire-breathing hellspawn (I mean, come on -- that was Cheney). But it's not similar to the Trump years, which are still upon us. Maybe in late night opening monologues it felt insane, but that's because it was insane. None of this is normal, and it had massive impact on geopolitics (Iran, Russia, Ukraine, etc), global public health, the economy, etc. There's an argument to be made that if Jeff was British and went full-on 24-7 BoJo rage foaming it would be comparable in derangement syndromes, but this was hopefully unique and hopefully singular in the awfulnessosity. Writing it all off as "eh, we have a tendency to over-inflate things, am I right people?" is just not correct.
Speaking of anger-
HOW DARE YOU impugn the character of America’s nuclear waste with this baseless association to Country Time Lemonade?!?
Thanks, Jeff. I needed that.
Couldn't Rage Against the Machine be considered Rap Rock? I don't think they are, but they definitely have some similar qualities. I guess I'm trying to figure out why Rap Rock is so hated by the media, especially the left leaning.
I was coming of age when Rap Rock was huge on the radio and Mtv, but thankfully I went down the Radiohead rabbit hole when Ok Computer came out and never looked back. I never was a fan of the rap rock bands, but I wouldn't deny not having listened to them or watched their videos back in the day.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if Deftones is considered Rap Rock, then I fucking love it.
Negative partisanship is the strongest political force in America.
I'm curious why the author believes that a bill to hand out billions of dollars to large, profitable businesses a positive. It seems to me that we're paying them to do what they likely would have done anyway.