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Although Micheal brown (left) has come out against Trump's
prophets (middle and right) Brown's prophetic constituency
is far too Trump oriented for him to dare alienating them.
He's another casualty of Trumpite popularist pressure. |
In this post I'll be commenting on Line-Of-Fire prophet Micheal Brown and what he has written here:
Why My Focus is Not on Donald Trump | Articles | The Line of Fire | Your voice for Moral Sanity and Spiritual Clarity | The Line of Fire
More of my comments on this prophet can be found using this link:
Views, News and Pews: Micheal Brown and the Elephant in the Room (viewsnewsandpews.blogspot.com)
***
Democratic politics has emerged over the course of hundreds of years. Implicitly built into its systems is the understanding that human beings face challenges in coming together as a successful cooperative society; there are fundamental barriers to human harmony and agreement. These barriers exist largely because human beings are both morally and epistemically challenged: In a world full of zero-sum games humans are apt to put self-interest first and this tendency is exacerbated by the epistemic difficulties in accessing truth. When democratic constitutional arbitration cannot be found societies are liable to gravitate toward authoritarianism as the power hungry, the most influential and above all those who foolishly believe they are virtuous impose their will by duress, threat & coercion. Democracy seeks to help counter the huge gravitational pull of authoritarianism by a system of arbitration where it is hoped that all will agree to work through these systems of arbitration. Underlying democracy is the subliminal assumption of human moral and epistemic fallibility and therefore it follows that public disagreement, mutual criticism and hopefully self-criticism are to be expected as part of the cut and thrust of government. The resolution of these inevitable contentions is the job of the agreed democratic constitution, procedures & law, on which it is hoped all will agree, but if not will seek reform via consensual channels.
If human beings can't agree on a system of arbitration, then democracy breaks down. This breakdown may start with Marxist or Fascist influencers & agitators, during times of social and political trauma, throwing doubt on whether a democratic system is really in the best interests of the popular will. From the Marxist and Fascist perspective, the system is far too corrupt for reform and therefore the underlying Marxist & Fascist goal is the complete overthrow of the institutions of the Democratic status quo in favour of their proprietary and radical vision of government (which, I submit, is likely to be an effective dictatorship). As I have tendered more than once on this blog it seems that we have a substantial threat to democracy in the US in the form of the Godfather politics of Donald Trump and the far-right in general. Since Trump has appeared on the scene demonisation of the opposition and coercive threats have become the norm. He has made threats toward those in those in the legal system who do not decide in his favour and some of the Trump supporting AR15 armed militias have threatened gun violence if Trump isn't elected. Naturally enough once this kind of wagon gets rolling the Trump opposition are liable to respond in kind, resulting in a vicious circle. The situation has become polarised to the extent that trust in US democracy is at a low ebb, and it is therefore under threat.
When Trump legally became president in 2016 I looked askance at this brash and rude unconventional candidate; I certainly wouldn't have voted for himself myself, but I didn't think US democracy was threatened. But there were some warning signs even then: In the face of evidence to the contrary Trump denied that Hilary Clinton got the popular vote and he also denied that his inauguration ceremony was poorly attended. Was this evidence of his need to feed his ego? It soon became apparent that this man was an out and out liar and a propagator of blame and conspiracy theories as he sought to demonize the classes of people who opposed him; even those in his own party. He was a narcissist, possibly a sociopath who loved power and saw the world as containing only two types of people; namely, those for him and those against him. Whether or not they were Republicans, whether or not they held liberal or conservative values was irrelevant: What simply mattered to him is this: Are they loyal Trumpites?
Although evangelical prophet Micheal Brown wrote articles which provide evidence for the very view of Trump I have sketched out above he has recently written an article where once again he has failed to acknowledge that the big issue is NOT the political tug of war between liberals and conservatives carried out within a democratic system which seeks to reform itself; rather it is the self-interested up-and-coming far-right Trumpite demagogues such as the shrewd Steve Bannon and cranks like Alex Jones, Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Trey Smith all of whom are seeking to overthrow the system regardless of whether the American government is in the hands of reasonable conservatives or reasonable liberals; the latter are liable to be labeled as far too "Woke" or even "radical leftists". Trumpites will of course deny they are trying to overthrow democracy, blaming the other side for the socialist nazification of society; but then that sounds like the sort of line we hear from a certain Vladamir Putin, the modern Czar of Russia.
Below I'll go through Micheal's article which is typical of his prevaricating stance.
***
MICHEAL: This article is not intended to influence how you vote on
Tuesday, November 5, nor is it intended to influence how you view former
president Donald Trump. Instead, it is to help you keep a godly, faith-filled, and
sane perspective in the months leading up to Election Day, since things could
get pretty crazy before then.
MY COMMENT: In short Michael is washing his hands of the Trump/fascist question. He affects to see no connection between challenging Trump's Godfather politics and being sane, godly and faith-filled. "Not intended to influence how you vote"? What's voting got to do with it if Trumpites deny the validity of any election in which Trump loses?
***
MICHEAL: During his presidency, Trump was sometimes called the “great
disrupter” (or, “disruptor.”) If things got dull, even for a moment, he was
sure to stir them up. As stated in an October 2018 article on The Hill by Thomas
Hicks Jr. and Curtis Ellis, “President Trump — the Great Disruptor who is challenging
the premises and practices that all the Serious People tell us are immutable —
is disrupting business-as-usual in Washington, New York, Geneva, Brussels and
Beijing.” For his supporters, this was great news. For his detractors, it was a disaster. Either way, the Trump presidency was anything but a time of
peace and calm, a maintaining of the status quo. That’s why Trump was also likened to a whirlwind, generating
headlines like this one, posted on Yahoo News in May 2017: “To Evangelicals,
Trump is The Whirlwind. And they’re fine with that.”
MY COMMENT: Micheal is clearly aware that something has changed fundamentally in American politics and that this change has come about since Trump appeared on the scene; that I would certainly agree with! Without doubt Trump is a disruptor and challenges the premises and practices of the political status quo: In fact, he considers its institutions to be the swamp that he once vowed to drain. But let's not glorify Trump as a radical; he doesn't sound like a reformer but more like someone seeking to overthrow the status quo that he loudly claims to be corrupt. So, what do we conclude? That Trump is right and that the American system is a corrupt conspiracy and Trump is its savoir? But then in that case why should Trump be regarded himself as anything other than an aspect of that corruption and conspiracy?
A democratic system is a system which changes by review, open criticism and incremental reform carried out through recognized channels and not by revolution. So, either the American system is after all an autocracy of hidden conspirators and deserves a Trump revolution or Trump is out to overthrow what is actually a democracy and replace it with authoritarian Godfather politics. I think the latter is most likely. As Trump's son said, the Republican party is now "The Trump Party", so is the USA's next step for it to become "The Trump Country"? Is that what the disruption is all about?
***
MICHEAL: Opinions about Trump became so polarized that I wrote an
article in October 2018 titled, “Donald Trump is Not the Christ and Donald
Trump is Not the Antichrist.”. I was reminded of this when a colleague sent me a 2023
YouTube video claiming to present, “15 Bible Verses That Identify Donald J.
Trump as the Antichrist.” At present, the video has more than 533,000 views.This stands in stark contrast to the 2022 book President Donald J. Trump, The Son of Man - The Christ.
And those who are undecided, there is also the 2023 book Donald Trump Servant of Jesus Christ or...of satan?: Have we been deceived? Judge for yourself!
MY COMMENT: Trump "Not the Christ and Not the Antichrist"? You're using a strawman argument Micheal! My theory is that Trump is a potential up-and-coming common-or-garden self-glorifying dictator. In dabbling in hyperbolic theological strawmen, Micheal has become distracted and fails to draw the conclusion that the highly polarized reaction which has attached itself to Trump in particular is evidence of a political system which has taken a dysfunctional turn. This is not American politics as it used to be. Demonisation of the opposition and legal threats and even threats of violent coercion is the new normal. But let's be clear, this started with Donald Trump as a reaction to his conspiracy theories, his unprecedented attacks on electoral procedures, the media and any judges or persons who return decisions he doesn't like. But Micheal isn't going to take sides: He is washing his hands of judgement, as if all sides are bad as one another and therefore he need not comment. He refuses to see the cuckoo which has made its home in the USA's political nest.
***
MICHEAL: Added to this are the threats from some Democratic leaders
“that they might not certify the 2024 presidential election results if former
President Donald Trump wins,” and it is easy to see how chaos could erupt at
any moment. This means that the next 8 months (and perhaps those
immediately following too) will be marked by election fever on steroids. “If Trump wins the election,” one side warns us sternly,
“there will be a civil war.” “If Trump loses the election,” the other side counters forcefully,
“there will be a civil war.” Either way, according to some, here comes a civil war. Then there are the concerns about the health and mental
acuity of both likely candidates, President Biden and Donald Trump, along with
declared and potential third-party candidates, not to mention other, potential
legal battles the two principal candidates will face.
MY COMMENT: Like I've already said, at least some of those opposing Trump are reacting in kind and the polarization is now a self-reinforcing feedback system. But notice how Michael has dwelt on this anti-Trump reaction more than her has the response of Trump supporters.....He wants to keep his Trump supporter base sweet! And again, Micheal is making it sound as if the problem is equally on both sides of the political divide and he is therefore failing to do justice to the fundamental asymmetry here: For on Micheal's own admission Trump is the new radical dimension in the recent turn American politics has taken; Viz: Trump, the great whirlwind who is challenging the premises and practices that all the Serious People tell us are immutable — is disrupting business-as-usual. Too right! If someone comes on the scene saying that those populating the institutions of society, political, media, judiciary, military, administration, and high-tech industry etc. are "woke leftist" operators helping to destroy America it is clear that this is no business-as-usual election but an attempt to bring on a revolution of some kind (Ironically Marxists will also claim our institutions are corrupted, but in their case, they will claim that this corruption is caused by the vested interests of the owning classes). And yet here it suits Micheal's purposes to paint a picture of symmetry between Democrats and the "Trump party". This is his excuse to ignore the elephant in the room.
***
MICHEAL: The media will have a field day with this, as will social
media influencers weighing in with the latest click bait video. Here comes wall-to-wall madness. Here comes turmoil by the hour. Here comes non-stop agitation. And I have not mentioned the endless polling, often designed to influence as much as inform – if not simply to inflame. That’s why neither Donald Trump nor the elections are going to be my primary focus in the months ahead.That’s why, by God’s grace, I’m not going to allow anything outside of me to steal my peace or take my eyes off the Lord or get me off my mission......And unless we are called to political action, to getting out the vote or campaigning or fundraising or educating, we do best to focus our attention on things that build us up spiritually, strengthen us emotionally, and fortify us morally. We can pray for justice in the courts and a fair and free election. .....we do best to focus on ways to unite us around Jesus rather than divide us over a candidate.
MY COMMENT: I don't think in this case we can afford to ignore the media as if the "Trump party" controversy is just another over hyped storm in a teacup that will generate plenty of web-clicks. To hint that what Micheal calls wall-to-wall madness may be all just a media jamboree is unfair, and of course plays into the hands of the "Trump Party" who accuse the media of being "woke" and/or "corrupt" when it doesn't come out on their side (The "Trump Party" show signs that they may well be seeking to by-pass and/or control the media). Many in the media express my own concerns about the direction the so called "disrupting whirlwind" is taking us. Many media pundits are far more serious writers than just click baiters and should not all be written off so glibly - although that write-off no doubt pleases Micheal's Trump supporter base. I'm sure the "Trump Party" would thank Micheal for his unbalanced depiction of the media.
Let us recall again that Micheal's supporting constituency will consist of large numbers of Trumpites who he can't afford to alienate. Instead, as we've seen above, he has described Trump in terms that glorify him as a heroic disruptor and whirlwind, questioning the very assumptions of Western democracy. In this sense Michael has effectively help support Trump in his mission to Trumpify the US just as he has Trumpified the Republican party. In this connection I see no radically different departure from a good fashioned authoritarian and would-be dictator making a classic grab for power via blame, conspiracy theories, demonisation and telling supporters what they what want to hear. The Bible warns us against populist movements that seek a dictator to rule them (See 1 Samuel 8: 7-18). The 2024 election will not be a case of voting in a Kennedy, a Ronald Reagan, a Bill Clinton, a George Bush or, and I wish to God it was, a Mike Pence or a Nikki Haley. The US isn't being presented with a straight a choice between Republicanism or The Democrats, a choice between conservatism and liberalism. Rather it's a choice between the freedoms of democracy and the style-over-content of a would-be-King Saul and his Godfather administration. Moreover, Trump is exploiting and corrupting Christianity at the same time. For example, he has clearly dumbed down Dr. Brown's own ministry almost making it another casualty of his campaign to be ruling dictator. One of Trump's worst acts is his attempt to enlist Christianity for his cause; the same sin as that of Russia's modern Czar, Vladimir Putin.
***
In the above quote we hear that Micheal, for good reason, isn't going to make either Trump or the 2024 elections his primary focus. I agree, there is no reason for him to take the focus off his ministry in favour of polarised US politics. But what he has failed to do is condemn the would-be Godfather of America, Donald J. Trump and his sycophantic followers; instead, Michael's words, if anything, have glorified this man perhaps with a cynical eye on his need to keep Trump supporters on board with his ministry. He has abdicated his duty with the excuses of an affected stance of impartiality and of being lost in the pious reverie of his holy Christian work.
INTERESTING LINKS
1. Social Causes of US Trump Popularism?
Book Review: Strangers in their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild | LSE Review of Books
2. Some more material from Doc Brown
The Programming of AI and the Indoctrinating of Our Children | Articles | The Line of Fire | Your voice for Moral Sanity and Spiritual Clarity | The Line of Fire
Enough Already with the Trump Prophecies! | Articles | The Line of Fire | Your voice for Moral Sanity and Spiritual Clarity | The Line of Fire
But see here....
We ‘messed up’ with black Nazi blunder, Google co-founder admits (msn.com)
3. Worth looking into:
Donald Trump 'trying to instill culture of violence, lawlessness and mob rule' to reclaim White House (msn.com)
4. Far-right Christian nationalism is undermining democracy as well as Christianity itself.
‘Demolishing democracy’: how much danger does Christian nationalism pose? (msn.com)
5. I'm on Rees-Mogg's side here and that's saying something!
‘Unacceptable harassment’ of Rees-Mogg criticised after protesters hound the MP (msn.com)
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