Babylon 5 and Politics

[Melanie]

Betting you were at the formerly big B5 page. Kaz' group? I don't go there anymore. I tried to hang on for way longer than I should have just because I like to know what fans are talking about and I like to interject facts in all the rumors and urban legends. But after Kaz himself posted something odious referring to Robin William's suicide within a day of the event, I couldn't stay and maintain any self-respect. And I notice that group has been shrinking steadily for quite some time.

As for the comment itself, it's beneath contempt of so many levels. No problem with you posting it, mind, it's just not worthy of any attention by anybody with any couth.

I was never a member of that group and I hadn't discovered Babylon 5 at that time and I don't have a clue what they were writing (nor do I want to know), but thank you for taking a stand and leaving at that point.

[Looney]

it's just not worthy of any attention by anybody with any couth.

hahahahahaha! Ouch!

[Jan]

That is word for word and all of the exact grammar. And I am guessing English is this person's first language, but I can't guarantee it - pretty sure though.

Please feel free to comment on anything you find wrong in that one short little sentence.

Betting you were at the formerly big B5 page. Kaz' group? I don't go there anymore. I tried to hang on for way longer than I should have just because I like to know what fans are talking about and I like to interject facts in all the rumors and urban legends. But after Kaz himself posted something odious referring to Robin William's suicide within a day of the event, I couldn't stay and maintain any self-respect. And I notice that group has been shrinking steadily for quite some time.

As for the comment itself, it's beneath contempt of so many levels. No problem with you posting it, mind, it's just not worthy of any attention by anybody with any couth.

[Looney]

So I was just reading some Babylon 5 related posts on Facebook. I won't say specifically where because I don't want it to seem like I am picking on someone nor do I want to directly point out their name. I don't want it to be a personal attack where I am singling them out. I am pointing more toward what they represent.

Anyway, there was a post that basically asked who does 'The Tyrant' better, President Clark or President Trump? So naturally there were responses comparing the the two and responses that where negative. I want to share one of the negative comments; at least I think the author meant for it to be negative. Pardon the language, but I want to give you the direct quote.

"President Clark and president Obama are butt buddy."

That is word for word and all of the exact grammar. And I am guessing English is this person's first language, but I can't guarantee it - pretty sure though.

Please feel free to comment on anything you find wrong in that one short little sentence.

[Melanie]

We also had loyalty monitoring.

I believe it was called "Night watch".

[WorkerCaste]

'Political Officer' anyone?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/white-house-installs-political-aides-at-cabinet-agencies-to-be-trumps-eyes-and-ears/2017/03/19/68419f0e-08da-11e7-93dc-00f9bdd74ed1_story.html?utm_term=.de8220776ab6&wpisrc=nl_&wpmm=1

I know that many people may not be able to see the full article as the WP only allows 10 free per month so here are a couple of key paragraphs.

Oh, yeah, Jan. My exact thought when I read a synopsis earlier. It just so happened I had watched "Voices of Authority" last week.

[Jan]

'Political Officer' anyone?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/white-house-installs-political-aides-at-cabinet-agencies-to-be-trumps-eyes-and-ears/2017/03/19/68419f0e-08da-11e7-93dc-00f9bdd74ed1_story.html?utm_term=.de8220776ab6&wpisrc=nl_&wpmm=1

I know that many people may not be able to see the full article as the WP only allows 10 free per month so here are a couple of key paragraphs.

Most members of President Trump’s Cabinet do not yet have leadership teams in place or even nominees for top deputies. But they do have an influential coterie of senior aides installed by the White House who are charged — above all — with monitoring the secretaries’ loyalty, according to eight officials in and outside the administration.

This shadow government of political appointees with the title of senior White House adviser is embedded at every Cabinet agency, with offices in or just outside the secretary’s suite. The White House has installed at least 16 of the advisers at departments including Energy and Health and Human Services and at some smaller agencies such as NASA, according to records first obtained by ProPublica through a Freedom of Information Act request.

These aides report not to the secretary, but to the Office of Cabinet Affairs, which is overseen by Rick Dearborn, a White House deputy chief of staff, according to administration officials. A top Dearborn aide, John Mashburn, leads a weekly conference call with the advisers, who are in constant contact with the White House.

[Ubik]

Now the gag order on government agencies, with the National Parks service 'going rogue' despite government attempts to silence their twitter feeds on Global warming and environmental issues.

Folks, this is truly truly shocking, scary and disgusting behavior from a democratic nation state. If I were in the USA now, I'd be worried and I'd be looking to protest and make my voice heard over the next 4 years.

[Melanie]

I wanted to see the scene with Sheridan and Delenn in the zen rock garden in There All the Honor Lies last night, so I rewatched the episode for the first time in months. It contained some commentary that I didn't remember.

We have a Minbari saying "was it not an earthman who said that those who do not listen to history are doomed to repeat it?" And as my former history teacher said, those who do listen are doomed to watch everyone else repeat it.

It's not as obvious as the "good facts", but the episode is about how the Minbari don't lie... except when they do.

Then there's the scene where Kosh shows Sheridan "one moment of perfect beauty". Considering the kind of day Sheridan was having (accused of murder by the Minbari, close to having to step down as commander regardless how the trial goes) I always took it to mean that there's always some hope even in the worst situations.

[WorkerCaste]

And how about "Earth First!" versus "America First!" The War Prayer probably drew on the "America First" group from the beginning of WWII. And now, based on Trump's inauguration address, we're heading in the same direction of nationalism and isolationism.

[sarthaz]

Telling obvious lies and watching to see who publicly defends you is an effective tactic for finding sycophants to surround and protect you.

[WorkerCaste]

When I heard "Alternative Facts" I immediately thought of Babylon 5 and 1984, like many here, I'm sure.

And, yes, you have to be vigilant even when they are petty things because it lulls people into a certain complacency, but I'm definitely with you, Jan, in finding it hard to believe that they would tells lies about something so trivial, especially when it's easy to disprove.

[Jan]

And I'd guess that that faction in Deconstruction started with "not important" stuff so they could tell anyone who protested that it's not important.

Very likely. There's an interesting article being shared about how the new administration feels at war with the media. So far I'm encouraged that the press that I read is stepping up to the plate. It's up to the media to keep the administration honest, IMO.

[Melanie]

Today brought a senior adviser to the president saying with a straight face that the press spokesman for the White House didn't lie, he presented "alternative facts"

Or as JMS wrote in "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars:



And all over something as petty as crowd size for the inauguration. Not even anything *important*!

And I'd guess that that faction in Deconstruction started with "not important" stuff so they could tell anyone who protested that it's not important.

[Ubik]

Bang on the money. The president Clarke analogy has more and more weight.