Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Perhaps I underestimate the pull of celebrity.

He probably won't notice. But it might be vaguely cheering to those who do spot it next week. I wonder who will actually be pleased to see him here? Politicians are probably going to be polite. American ex-pats probably left for a reason. And nobody else, surely, wants to see or hear him over here? Perhaps I underestimate the pull of celebrity.
http://theantimedia.com/trump-baby-blimp-fly-over-london/

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. It’s getting rare these days to have genuine debates, instead of two sides screaming at each other, both refusing to listen.

I agree that it can be hard to discern how much of Trump's actions are planned out, and how much are spur-of-the-moment outbursts. The image of rash late-night tweets is hard to shake. But the fact that he has managed to survive politically thus far, and make a few real accomplishments to boot, suggests that there is a "method to his madness." If Trump was the idiot he is made out to be, wouldn't he have been neutralized by now? How many times have the “experts” told us, "this is the end of Trump"? And yet?

Another question is if Trump means what he says. He's clearly an egotist, but which politician isn't? Aside from a Gandhi or Che Guevara, most leaders are motivated in part by self-interest. Perhaps Trump tapped into genuine public discontent, but just manipulated that discontent to satisfy his ego to become president. But if so, why would Trump maintain such a confrontational stance AFTER becoming president? For the sake of protecting his "legacy," wouldn’t it make more sense to act according to politics as usual? After all, that is what Obama did, promising a drastic change in direction but instead expanding American imperialism and getting a Noble Peace Prize in the process. Trump could have negated his campaign rhetoric once in office, played according to the “rules,” and the media would have loved him for it. (Recall that the only time the American media referred to Trump as “presidential” was when he was bombing Syria). The fact that Trump isn’t doing this – and gets continuously attacked in the process - suggests that he is sincere in his beliefs. Part of what makes him so refreshing as a politician is that he's actually speaking his mind.

Ultimately, though, what Trump believes is less important than the consequences of his actions. And his actions are for the benefit of humanity. The neoliberal paradigm – crystalized by the Thatcher / Reagan / Kohl axis of evil and continued by every “respectable” Western politician afterward – has brought the planet to ruin. Nations have been erased; cultures destroyed, classes decimated. But now, out of the "chaos" that Trump is creating –wittingly or unwittingly – a chance for a better future is taking hold. Thatcher’s life denying mantra – “There is no alternative” – no longer rings true, and more people by the day are questioning the status quo. Perhaps enough will awaken, and we will be able to save ourselves after all.