Announcement: The cast of NOTEFLIX’s production of “Troubles in the Garden”, while on break during the lockdown has created a ‘Tableau Vivante’ for our Readers’ pleasure. What they are depicting here is their interpretation of “Extraordinary Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.” Stuffed Animals do not ‘think’, of course; but if they did, this what they would think: A Stupid leader (Played by Mortimer, on pedestal near center top) incites a mob ,by saying something stupid…and then the Mob, following the Leader, goes into Chaos mode – some nearly falling off the table. Others, dangerously close to the flame. (Come back next week for more action.)
….And now a few quotes (and quiz) to remind us who we are and where we have been:
- “We have met the enemy and he is us.” (Who said this? Choose one only): a) H.L. Mencken, critic b) Mitch McConnell, Senator c) Pogo, possum (All answers to quiz questions at bottom of post)
- “A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have.” a) Donald Trump, former President b) Donald Trump, hotelier c) Abraham Lincoln, former President
- “A good Trumpeter has the power to rouse fools into making slaughter.” a) R. Giuliani, Legal Advisor to Former President b) S. Bannon, Border Wall crowd-funder c) Virgil, Italian poet
- “Practical politics consists of ignoring facts.” a) Stephen Miller, Political Advisor to former President Trump b) R. Giuliani, potential witness to recent riot on Capital hill c)…any of the recent Presidential Press Secretaries d) Henry Adams, Historian, descendant of two U.S. Presidents
- “If Fascism came to America it would be on a program of Americanism.” a) A Commentator on MSNBC. b) A FOX commentator, who after saying the above has been relocated to MSNBC c) Huey Long, Former Gov. of Louisiana and Senator – Late in career, accused of succumbing to the lures of power
- “I am the King of Rome and above grammar.” a) Don Trump, former President, speaking metaphorically to the Press Corp b) Don Trump, golfer, speaking to himself c) Sigismund, Holy roman Emperor, circa 1450
- “It is the proof of a bad cause when it is applauded by the mob.” c) Roman philosopher, circa 30 B.C. (This is a ‘free’ bonus answer)
- “Nothing can…be believed which is seen in a newspaper.” a) R. Limbaugh, Medal of Freedom winner. b) T. Carlson, Fox commentator and Trumpeteer c) Thomas Jefferson, Former president and slave owner
- “Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied upon in a newspaper.’ a) Q-anon, promoter of wild conspiracy theories b) Hannity, Fox commentator, Trump sympathizer c) Thomas Jefferson, Former president and inventor of a multicopy writing device
- “People in groups tend to agree on courses of action which as individuals they know are stupid.” a) S. Bannon, Former Presidential advisor and possible QAnon promoter b) Realtor Fred Trump giving advice to his son Donald, who later became president of the United States c) Yiddish proverb
- “In politics stupidity is not a handicap.” a) Slumlord Fred Trump giving advice to his son Donald (who later became president of the United States). b) The mother of Marjorie Taylor Greene on giving her courage to run for Congress c) Napoleone
- “The great masses of people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one.” a) QAnon’s credo b) American political adage c) Adolph Hitler, mob maker, monster
- “Ordinarily he is insane, but he has lucid moments, when he is only stupid.” a) A thought you might have had about a recent riot inciter c) Heinrich Heine, 19th century German poet, political thinker, speaking about a Prussian leader
- “Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.” a) Roy Cohn, Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentor to D. Trump b) The mother of Marjorie Taylor Greene on giving her courage to run for Congress c) Robert Louis Stevenson, writer
And, at last, a comment from our guest columnist, Mathuzala
MATHUZALA SPEAKS:
- “Hear now the Great Unwanted Truth: Humans cannot afford Civilization. They cannot even afford to put out their fires. This is not a metaphor. This is a fact. And that is a problem.” (This statement is also included in “THE RAT PAPERS” – A book available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.)
“Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”
a) …what Mr. Calabash said after Mrs. Calabash left him years ago b) Mrs. Calabash was the odds on favorite to win in the 8th race at the Belmont and no one knew why she slowed down coming around the bend in the final stretch. c) Jimmy Durante’s Exit Line on all his performances. It is also said Mrs. Calabash was a woman who helped ‘Bring up’ Jimmy when he was a little boy.
(Answers to above questions: All answers are # c)
Another Announcement: The Award Ceremony for the favorite NOTEFLIX characters will be platformed as soon as the trial for the Riot Fomenters is completed. (see picture top of this post) Nobody knows when that will be, for some do not want witnesses and some do not want a trial at all. It would be a shame if one of the winners is one of the trouble-makers, but we will see what is what in the near future. Perhaps next week things will be clearer than they are today.
