Steve Kelman on Politics, Culture, and Life
9/17/2021
Trump Republicans and Stockholm syndrome
Writing in the Bulwark, the organ of Republican never Trumpers, Charle Sykes writes of Republican devotion to Trump, "They have embraced their hostage status with an obsequiousness that makes the Stockholm Syndrome seem quaint."
Masks on commuter rail
I forgot to put my mask on when I boarded the outbound commuter rail just now. Conductor very politely asked, "your mask?" Happy they are doing this. Don't resent, appreciate.
Fast antitrust cases in China
According to an article in Business Week, it took the Chinese antitrust authorities 4 months to develop their case against Alibaba. Here a case like this would take a decade or more. Are they too fast, or we too slow, or both?
Buying bagels
Went to bagel store near my office for 1st time since pandemic. They would accept an order for a maximum of 4 bagels, because of supply shortages. Bagels before the pandemic were I think $7 for a Baker's dozen, which was 13 for the price of 12. Now bagels up to $2.50 apiece! No baker's dozen discount.
Former leader of China recites Gettysburg address
An article in the Times today on the decline of English in China notes that in 2000 President Jiang Zemin in an interview with 60 Minutes recited the Gettysburg Address. During visit to US, Deng Xiaoping wore a US revolutionary war hat. Not good that this is inconceivable now.
Riot police and Hong Kong “election”
Hong-Kong is deploying 4000 riot police for the elections this weekend. With the appalling decline in the number of eligible voters, never very big to begin with, this is very close to the number of people actually expected to vote in this "election."
Chinese students reading Old man and the sea
The president of China's premier Tsinghua University sent each incoming student a copy of the Old Man and the Sea in Chinese, writing that he wanted students to learn courage and perseverance. He was attacked on the Internet for choosing an American author
Great leap backward?
Apparently some people in China are calling Xi's policies China's great leap backward.
China Daily on Hong Kong “elections”
China Daily editorial on Hong Kong "election": "The subversives will be racked with resentment, anger and despair because the new Election Committee election, to be held on Sunday, will officially see their exit from the SAR's political arena. Which means they will no longer be able to continue their destructive and confrontational activities within the SAR's governance system. The updating of the electoral system ensures that only genuine patriots are able to serve the region's governance. It has in effect prevented the subversives from disrupting and corrupting Hong Kong's governance from within," Translated into English, this Orwellian newspeak means only supporters of China may run for election. This is like an election for China's National People's Congress.
Sneakers at faculty meeting
We had our first postpandemic in person faculty meeting yesterday. Decided to see if I could get away with wearing sneakers, turned out I was the only guy not wearing shoes.
Vietnam today
Just saw a picture of kamala Harris during her recent visit to Vietnam standing next to the Prime Minister, in between Vietnamese and American flags, with a bust of Ho Chi Minh right in back of them. International politics can take strange turns.
Hong Kong “elements of an election”
Pro Beijing politicians in Hong-Kong are saying that the selection of the new Chief Executive has "elements of an election." Whatever that means
New Chinese pub – “The Communist party, its mission and contributions
Reading an editorial in Beijing Review about a new publication called "The Communist Party of China: Its mission and contributions." Literally virtually every word in this document is a party cliche -- "community with a shared future," "win-win cooperation," etc. etc. This will win no writing contests.
Covid nincompoops
Bret Stephens comments in the Times that in the last year Covid has gone from being a public health crisis to a nincompoop health crisis.