The Trump humiliation ritual comes to Nebraska
The Good Life? Vol. 1, No. 8
Hi,
It was hardly the most consequential moment of last night's interminable rally, but Gov. Jim Pillen's performative declaration that Trump is now an Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska was a good symbol of the whole degrading ordeal. The ceremonial title was never anything serious: Just a goofy honorific meant to poke fun at the state's dearth of coastline. But at least it was, once upon a time, nominally reserved for people who "promote the Good Life in Nebraska" in some way.
Not so much anymore. Now it's functionally equivalent to the FIFA Peace Prize.
Anyway welcome to the eighth installment of my regular column for paid subscribers where I talk about good and not-so-good things happening in Nebraska. If you're new to the newsletter, I explain the concept here:
Tynan Stewart
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Read on for some observations about how Nebraska politicians chose to prostrate themselves (spiritually, not literally) before Trump; an update on the Fremont homeschooler story; and the closure of a local gay bar.
Not a lot of things that qualify as The Good Life happening these days. Or rather, they probably are happening, they're just not the things I'm paying attention to right now. Maybe next time.
~ Ty
P.S. Please send me things I should write about. Or just tell me how wrong I am about something. My email is tynanstewart@proton.me
Not The Good Life: Nebraska politicians grovel for a few MAGA votes
There was no reason to watch the Trump rally in Grand Island, not really.
Every one of his public appearances is ultimately the same, in spirit if not precisely in detail: A firehose of lies, rambling nonsense, rank bigotry, and flippant promises he doesn't intend to keep. The only thing that distinguished Trump's appearance in Nebraska was the particular experience of seeing our elected representatives offer themselves up as willing targets of his disdain even as they begged for his favor. I thought this was worth documenting, if only as a reminder of what the absence of political courage looks like. Imagine debasing yourself like this in front of your constituents, friends and family: