A short thread on what is considered dignified behavior in politics, just because its become interesting to me. Will start in 1946. In June of that year, President Truman hears that Senator Tobey of New Hampshire has publicly released a copy of a letter that Truman had sent him
1
Truman, irate, sends Tovey a letter of his own, which the president then releases publicly. In coruscating rhetoric for the time, Truman tells Covey he needs to "cool off"
2
This action by the president appals his own chief of staff, William Leahy, who believed it was "undignified" of Truman as president to get involved in such a spat. You can see the entry from Leahy's diary below
3
Jump ahead to 1992 (when MTV showed music videos). In that year candidate Bill Clinton appeared on an MTV political show and answered questions about whether he inhaled or not (he he) or (most shocking) if he wore boxers or briefs!
4
And those responses were used by Republicans to attack Clinton (particularly the underwear issue) because they were undignified. Ha.
5
Now we have this from last night. The president of the United States calling his opponent "dumb" in a public debate. No comment needed (though interesting how the Republicans dont seem to be appalled by Trump's lack of dignity
6
Now that we have reached the lowest threshold possible on what is dignified behaviour, I can only hope there is some kind or regression. Why, because actually dignified rhetoric works, especially when compared with the childish insults passing for politics now.
7
Take a look at this speech by Rep Ocasio-Cortez. Though people might disagree, I would argue it was the single most effective speech of the last few years--precisely because she used dignity to put those who had insulted her into their places
8
btw--if anyone can show a more effective speech in the US or UK over the last few years, come forward. I bet its not as good as this
9
So, I have no idea where we are heading and whether Trump has so fully demeaned political rhetoric that we can not come back for decades. Maybe, though I hope not
10
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
The @CSIS Interpret China resource has assembled a number of very interesting sources on how the Chinese state is thinking about and reacting to the Russo-Ukraine War. It is a really helpful one-stop shop that anyone interested in the subject should examine.interpret.csis.org
One report. by a leading Chinese scholar, talks about how Russia is trying to recalibrate its global relationships, and how the Chinese-Russian alliance, while strong, is no longer the "limitless" partnerships that was proclaimed before the invasion. interpret.csis.org/translations/t…
Another really interesting Chinese analysis looks at 2024, and argues that after the US election, there might be a push for a peace deal. Also tries to think about the future development of warfare, and how China can adjust to a battlefield full of masses of cheap UAVs interpret.csis.org/translations/a…
And the battle lines have (at least temporarily) stabilized after all the doom and gloom of the last few weeks. No great Russian breakthroughs and exploitations, some small, incremental advances at very high cost. With Ukraine getting more ammunition, Russian losses might even rise.
UK Intelligence estimates 465000 Russian casualties so far--an staggering figure. The Russians are generating soldiers, but losing them at an astounding clip. The disregard of the Russian leadership for their own people is one reason Ukraine must win.
Actually, UK intelligence estimates OVER 465,000 Russian casualties--fighting just Ukraine. This is one of the most futile military campaigns in modern history.
Hi All, just sent out this piece on the brutally simple lesson that we have seen in the last few days, one that Europe must learn from and prepare for immediately if the continent is not to be the plaything of nuclear powers.
Non-nuclear Ukraine has been made to suffer at the hands of a nuclear power. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen to the continent as a whole.
People talking about relying on the U.K. and France’s nuclear forces don’t get it. That will be an inevitable short term reality, but it’s not a long term plan. Both are national and both governments could be unreliable in the future. What happens if the National Front takes power in France? Nigel Farage and Dominic Cummings have been likewise Russian sympathisers in the U.K.
The Polish government now saying that they can conceive of NATO forces in Ukraine. War is a dynamic process and can lead to dramatic changes--its amazing that so many people cannot see that such a development is becoming more and more possible.
Also important to see @sikorskiradek challenge Russian reflexive control. This is about European states saying to Russia that we dont accept the security paradigm you are trying to impose. Make Russia worry more. This is exactly what I said 4 days ago.
Just sent out an update on the chance of European intervention for Ukraine, motivated by the deliberate statements of @EmmanuelMacron People who discount European intervention for Ukraine do not understand war. The longer they go on, the bloodier they become...
the more state's contemplate actions that previously they never thought possible. As Russia slaughters hundreds of thousands and the war drags on, it is increasing the chances of intervention. Only a fool would deny that--and Macron is no fool
An example of what is being contemplated. The Baltics, for one, have to take any abandonment of Ukraine by the USA as a huge threat to themselves.
Trump’s admission yesterday that he would be happy to encourage Putin to attack Europe should and all hopes that somehow the Republican Party is salvageable. As such I wrote a piece that the Dems should take 2 bold steps now to reach out to sane Repubs. substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_…
Like FDR in 1940, in the Face of isolationists who were sympathetic to Hitler, the Dems should name two internationalist Republicans to the Cabinet. Second, they need to consider a unity ticket in 2024. Think Michelle Obama and Adam Kinzinger.