I was pretty much glued to the television yesterday. Trump's visit to the UK was, of course, the categorical circus one might have expected.
From insulting our Prime Minister, then denying it and calling it "fake news" the very next day, leading a ludicrous press conference singing the praises of Britain's biggest buffoon Boris Johnson, to keeping our 92 year old Queen waiting in baking sun for nearly fifteen minutes. (She was wearing layers for God's sake.)
The Queen has now been waiting more than 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/qVGi4PlxCr— Mark Di Stefano 🤙🏻 (@MarkDiStef) 13 July 2018
But then the clown prince of America compounded that, turning his back on her...even walking ahead of her. Hell, I'm no royalist, but even I found myself seething at Donald Trump's typically blissfully ignorant lack of awareness. So obtuse was he, he literally made our Queen dance around him.
Just who the hell is arrogant enough to keep the Queen of England waiting, live on national TV any way?
That's just 'who Donald Trump is', right?
That's what groups in the UK now supporting this ludicrous man would have us believe. People and political groups, factions and media publications, who just over two years ago were as appalled by the notion of Donald Trump being President of the United States as the rest of us, now try to argue why he's a great guy doing a great job. Even though he has the lowest approval rating of any American President in history, both domestically within the US, and internationally.
It takes the term 'fickle' to a whole new level.
Genuinely take a moment to briefly recall how ridiculous the proposition of Trump's presidency once seemed. Remember how absolutely anyone even vaguely masquerading as a decent human being used to decry the very idea. Even newspapers like The Sun and Daily Express were jovial and lighthearted regarding what once seemed a big joke, to all of us. As for high-brow right-wing publications like The Times and Telegraph - though they share many of his values - they too looked down on his embarrassing lack of intelligence, and vaunted egotism. He was beneath them.
As he should be all of us.
There's no better example than Boris Johnson, our very own insidious chameleon of British politics. The former Foreign Secretary vocally opposed Trump to the hilt back when he thought it made him popular, back when he was Mayor of London. He even openly referred to Trump as "out of his mind", and
"betraying a quite stupefying ignorance that makes him frankly unfit to hold the office of President of the United States".
-Boris Johnson on Trump, in 2015
Yet look at the weasel now... openly betraying his leader, and shamelessly humping Trump's leg on the world stage. Only occasionally 'beaten to the hump' by Nigel Farage (another villain who at least used to be openly recognised as a villain).
Happily for Johnson, Trump - like the benevolent kennel-master he is (as long as you don't bark) - now publicly pats his good doggie on the head at any given opportunity. Doing it on his official state visit? That'll have buoyed Boris to a degree that made me feel nauseous. He's back writing for The Telegraph on Monday by the way. Boris wasted no time returning to his megaphone, where he can whip up a frenzy absent any real responsibility, and how I bet he can't wait to crow.
Honestly, I didn't know it was physically possible for me to feel sorry for Theresa May. But watching her stand there on live television, while the tangerine hell-beast aside her postured about the talents of Boris Johnson and how he'd make a "great Prime Minister", after the week she'd already had - directly as a result of the very same louse? Wow. You can't really languish in the schadenfreude of someone unpleasant's fall from grace, if it's to facilitate someone even worse. (Well... you can, but it's pretty senseless.)
Ironically, that was the speech where Trump was trying to make Theresa look good. Not the one the night before, when he deliberately trashed her.
The subjugation of our leader was just painful - even for someone who opposes her on most, if not all things. She's still our Prime Minister, and she was reduced to a laughing stock on social media, and around the world. Strangely, the British commentators complaining about the "embarrassment" of the Trump balloon, didn't seem to mind too much about May's humiliation.
One of the most extraordinary satirical images I saw expressing this, among the memes of loving gazes and hand-holding, was this visceral parody of 'The Handmaid's Tale':
Brutal... just brutal, and deservedly so.
No genuine 'patriot' could be pleased to see Britain's status mocked in such a way. I almost chuckle to think of the fundamental quandary it'll have caused for British Nationalists. The Queen, and the respectability of our country are usually top of the 'gammon list of favourite things', yet here was their poster child insulting and disrespecting both.
But on the whole, they're taking the side of the US President. Tell me, who are the "traitors" again?
The 250,000 "Rent-a-Leftie mob"
I can honestly say I feel considerable pride at the vast number of people who showed up to demonstrate against Trump yesterday, Friday 13th July 2018. A number now reported to be in the region of a quarter of a million people:
To a degree, the turnout restored my faith in Britain to distinguish right from wrong. Without wanting to stir any still overly raw emotions, it gave me endlessly more pride in my country than winning ten World Cups.
But again, according to the insidious forces relentlessly trying to force Britain down this road of isolationism and fascism, all the marvellous people fighting for decency yesterday were nothing but "Corbyn's rent-a-Leftie mob", and the "worst of Britain":
Countless among those 250,000 people won't have been Corbyn supporters, or even necessarily left-wing. Just decent. Even many Conservative politicians and supporters recognise the danger this man represents to our world, it's not exclusive to socialists.
The Daily Mail are simply once again trying to divide our society - creating an entirely absolutist, black and white, 'us and them' situation. Because The Daily Mail still adhere to their mantra that simply by saying something, they can make it so. It's like they're trying to actively persuade the UK populace that supporting Trump is now more than acceptable - it's desirable, and eminently patriotic.
The same was true on Sky News on the day, with Kay Burley relentlessly hammering statistics allegedly proving roundabout half of Britain are now on board with Trump, believe him trustworthy, and that we should form closer ties with him in a post-Brexit world. Which I don't believe for a second. I generally favour what I see with my own eyes, like 250,000 people on the march - not what overtly biased factions 'tell me' is the case.
And what was it that made those marching "the worst of Britain" any way? The significantly large demonstration through London was marked by joy, music, and peaceful protest. Democratically voiced and indignant opposition to values we should all abhor: different people were there for a variety of reasons (there's a glorious pick'n'mix to choose from with Trump). There was none of the violence and venom we've come to expect from his rallies, and the Tommy Robinson rallies etc. In fact, the only pockets of conflict on the day were apparently caused by Trump supporters determined to stir anger, and cause a ruckus.
You only need eyes to see their entire attitude and body language are different:
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| Trump supporters goad demonstrators in London, photo c/o Rex Features. |
And if you want more proof, check out what happened when the "Welcome Trump" mob joined forces with the Tommy Robinson mob on the day, here.
On the contrary, rather than feeling embarrassed, I am thankful peaceful protest is alive and well in Britain. Because what comes next, if and when that fails, does not bear thinking about. (As Nigel Farage and Brextremists continuously warn us, albeit with more relish, and conscious belief some kind of civil war is justified and desirable.)
That is what people really mean when they say we "cannot abandon Brexit", begrudgingly or otherwise; when they say "the damage to our democracy would be catastrophic". What they mean is that Farage, Rees-Mogg, Johnson, and their assorted goons will orchestrate some kind of civil war and widespread insurrection that'll turn Britain into the premise of a dystopic action film.
The 'Whataboutery' is embarrassing
What truly amazes me is the sheer number of groups in Britain who now try to argue in favour of Donald Trump, even though doing so flies in the face of values and ethics they (at least ostensibly) cling to. After all, nobody's surprised to hear the openly racist and 'gammon' appropriated members of our society doing so, but when it's people who try to appear as virtuous, informed and rational, it's an equation that doesn't quite balance out.
The one argument I heard over and over again on news reports and social media, even from those who'd have once been considered responsible journalists and politicians, was "why weren't they out there protesting Obama? He enforced similar policies." And "why aren't they out there protesting against dictators in China, Russia, and Iran?"
'Whatboutery' at its absolute finest. "It's ok for me to steal that kid's money, because that other guy who did it didn't get into trouble." Pathetic.
But if right-wing journalists and commentators really need it explaining, please allow me to. It's because no other Western leader has ever openly fed and encouraged racism... misogyny... xenophobia... violence... prejudice... dishonour... lies... or downright stupidity. Not in the same unapologetic and shameless way as Donald Trump, and not in recent times. He's legitimised pond-life everywhere, and changed the world for every one of us. The man's launched a wrecking ball at former values of our society; laid waste to notions of 'manners', 'honour', and 'mutual respect'.
In short, he must be challenged, because there's never been anyone quite like Trump in a post WWII western democracy. No one so deserving of demonstration.
It's also exactly because America was supposed to stand for something better. Generations in the West have grown up with the idea America is the peace-keeper of the world; that it's the 'land of the free, and the home of the brave'. The Statue of Liberty - the iconic symbol of America itself - was specifically supposed to be an everlasting testament to its welcoming of all peoples, and the nation's desire to be free of tyranny.
Britain too was once supposed to stand for inherent 'nobility', and decency. (At least post-empire, when it required a new marketing slogan.)
Dear friends in government and right-wing media: it's exactly when the greatest among us falls openly to corruption and nefarious intent, and no longer even tries to disguise it, that we're all in real trouble. Something beautiful besmirched, is more tragic than something already broken.
Respecting the Office
The other chestnut, paraded from the likes of Nick Ferrari to Nigel Farage, from Brendan O'Neill to Piers Morgan, was "whether we like it or not, he's the President of the United States: an office that must be respected." That's apparently why demonstrating was such an awful faux pas.
No. Having respect for someone's office doesn't mean disassociating from who is in that office and/or what they do, giving them a 'free pass'. That way lies the road to ruin, and dictatorship. A road Trump's well and truly galloping down, even managing to have brought back nepotism (something most of us thought consigned to history).
Certainly, the outrage concerning the Trump balloon was laughable. It seems the Trumpeters and Tommy Robinson supporters are all for 'free speech' - unless it happens to be a considerable amount of people disagreeing with them.
The best thing about the ridiculous Trump balloon isn't the protest itself, its how much its pissing off the right people. The same people who routinely say people are too offended these days, are losing their shit, over a floating bag of air.— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) 13 July 2018
I'm not one of those arguing Trump shouldn't have been allowed to come. That's simply not pragmatic. He is the POTUS after all, however bizarre that fact is. A level of diplomacy must of course be observed. Even with tyrants. So by all means, come here Donald. Exactly so we can tell you exactly how much we despise you; so we can show you our disappointment at how you've defiled one of the greatest nations on Earth.
THAT is the very essence of democratic protest, and thereby, democracy. We demonstrated it beautifully.
Let's face it... I think deep down, most in Britain acknowledge Trump is a dangerous, babbling moron. It's just that for Brexit-supporting factions, the moron happens to be babbling rationale in their favour. It doesn't matter how much odious stuff or gobbledegook he comes out with, or how much damage filling the Brexit vacuum with subjugation to America will cause our NHS, our health and safety standards, our worker rights, our media, our food and medicine standards, or anything in fact. As long as Brexiters can argue it somehow pivotal to the whole 'escape from Brussels'.
But to those among us still sane? We see only too clearly that to jump ship from a union of mutually respectful nations of equals - where we were valued and afforded numerous privileges - into being a very junior partner at the whims of a boastful egotist who contradicts himself from moment to moment, is clearly madness off the scale.
Anyone who's spent any considerable length of time in America (at anything less than diplomat tier hotels, any way) will tell you, we definitely don't want their general food/medicine produce taking over, over here. For me personally, as someone who toured the US extensively for many years, the idea my shelves at home will soon be emptied of fine European and Mediterranean produce, instead to be stocked with the simply awful stuff I encountered in America, makes me feel truly depressed. As for medicine, and health supplements etc? Christ. In America, you could probably sell reconstituted cat's teeth as medicine if you bought off the right people, and put enough small print on the bottle.
Not to mention, it looks like the Tories have finally allowed Rupert Murdoch to take over British Sky Broadcasting, something he's been trying to do for decades. So we can also look forward to the equivalent of Fox News over here sometime soon, as part of the 'Great American Subjugation' (unless something is done). Thought Britain was dumb and spoon-fed already? Just wait.
If anything ever proved how much we need to remain united with our neighbours in Europe, it was the pantomime of Trump's state visit. And how much Brexiters are actually the ones willing to 'betray' their country - only too happy to see us vassal to an untrustworthy tyrant and liar, rather than admit they made a mistake.
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