Brit opinion of Trump; timely, pertinent discussion on Covid-19

Thank goodness for Trump! I ducked the brickbats that remark earned me. Diehard Demos of US of A would lynch me though that is a prerogative of American White Supremacists, particularly those hooded guys carrying torches and pistols, still surreptitiously active due to the Gun Lobby that Trump promotes.

The calculated comedy that the US Prez is

Getting back to Trump, I thanked goodness for his availability as a subject to write about. One is rather stymied now since controversial topics regarding Sri Lanka are dangerous to comment on. Of course the US Prez to such as Cass is more than a bit of grist to the writing wrist. He can be laughed at and also accepted as a person who turns one’s stomach so one looks on other Presidents of the world with tolerance and respect. Thus the enjoyment derived from an email received recently where a British writer commented on the man. The Brits we admire for their innate ability to laugh at even themselves. They have reserve and wit and the ability to look below the surface, being sophisticated. For them humour is clever, far from the slapstick cheap funny that most Americans guffaw at. The writer White, (only this name was given) Cass quotes below – abbreviated. White gave an analysis of why he does not like Trump.

“Trump lacks certain qualities which the British traditionally esteem. For instance, he has no class, no charm, no coolness, no credibility, no compassion, no wit, no warmth, no wisdom, no subtlety, no sensitivity, no self-awareness, no humility, no honour and no grace – all qualities, funnily enough, with which his predecessor Mr. Obama was generously blessed. So for us, the stark contrast does rather throw Trump’s limitations into embarrassingly sharp relief.

“Plus, we like a laugh. And while Trump may be laughable, he has never once said anything wry, witty or even faintly amusing – not once, ever. And that fact is particularly disturbing to the British sensibility – for us, to lack humour is almost inhuman. But with Trump, it’s a fact. He doesn’t even seem to understand what a joke is – his idea of a joke is a crass comment, an illiterate insult, a casual act of cruelty.

“There is never any under-layer of irony, complexity, nuance or depth. It’s all surface. Some Americans might see this as refreshingly upfront. Well, we don’t. We see it as having no inner world, no soul.

“And worse, he is that most unforgivable of all things to the British: a bully. That is, except when he is among bullies; then he suddenly transforms into a snivelling sidekick instead. He punches downwards – which a gentleman should, would, could never do – and every blow he aims is below the belt. He particularly likes to kick the vulnerable or voiceless – and he kicks them when they are down.

“After all, it’s impossible to read a single tweet, or hear him speak a sentence or two, without staring deep into the abyss. He turns being artless into an art form; he is a Picasso of pettiness; a Shakespeare of shit. His faults are fractal: even his flaws have flaws, and so on ad infinitum. Rarely has stupidity been so nasty, so stupid. He makes Nixon look trustworthy and George W look smart. In fact, if Frankenstein decided to make a monster assembled entirely from human flaws – he would make a Trump.”

So there – such an accurate assessment! We Sri Lankans agree. The average Sri Lankan has depth, culture is ingrained in him/her and even though we be mere readers, we appreciate depth in writing, wit and explicitness of expression. Trump lacks all. We have two wonderful national languages, and being Sinhala, Cass knows how cleverly writers use the language, its words, cadences, and inner music. Clever writers twist words around, sometimes abbreviating them. So is it any wonder that almost to a man/woman we look askance at the Prez of the US and hope he will be defeated come early November.

Face the Nation documents multiple angles to Covid-19 resurgence

A bouquet now after the brickbat thrown at miraculously cured, campaign stomping Trump. Cass pays a huge compliment to MTV TVI Monday nights’ programme Face the Nation. Not only do they get panellists knowledgeable in the subject under discussion but the anchors are superb and journalists present ask probing questions.

Monday 12 October had Nadim Majeed anchoring the programme with four panelists: Dr Amanthi Bandusena of the Health Promotion Bureau; Dr Deepa Gamage, Epidemiologist from the MRI; Prof Athula Sumathipala of the Institute of Fundamental Studies, also lecturing in Britain and Mangala Randeniya, Deputy Director of Foreign Employment Bureau. Thus you see how four vital aspects of the pandemic and its resurgence in Sri Lanka were discussed, with Prof Sumathipala a consultant psychiatrist.

New info that emerged was that the pandemic can be controlled if people abide by recommended strictures. It is not too late pronounced Dr Gamage. Dr Bandusena said that all promotional and awareness activities are undertaken stringently and while tackling the Covid-19, other public health care activities like immunisation of children are continued by her department.

Mr Randeniya gave facts and figures about Sri Lankan migrant workers who are waiting to be brought back – delayed due to huge new cluster of those needing hospitalization and quarantine – and said that some were re-employed in the countries they had migrated to like South Korea.

Prof. Sumithipala outlined a new angle to the pandemic: the emotions of individuals who are patients and contacts. He said panic is inevitable in a situation like the present and can lead to psychological mental conditions. There is stigma attached to the disease and the media particularly have to take care not to mention names of patients since blame is often laid on them. Stigmatisation should never be allowed as Covid-19 is just another fl, though so virulent. He said those in charge of prevention, contact tracing, medical treatment were doing an excellent job of selfless service. He made the point that soon after the tsunami struck the island, even before the powers could get to the disaster struck areas, neighbours and civil society were already present and helping. Thus the very important message to be taken was that every individual was responsible for his/her safety and that would help the country immensely.

Cass’ strongest opinion was that the women in our country, on the whole, are outstanding. The two women panellists were vocal, easily and accurately conversant in English and projected that charm that most Sri Lankan women exhibit – clever, dedicated, cultured.

One aside before Cass says goodbye till next week: cheers to the AG for acting on the release of the Bathiudeen brother who seemed to have associated closely with at least one of the terrorists of 21 April 2019 which left hundreds dead, more injured and thousands mourning. A curse on any who helped the planners and bombers! They have to be punished. (Cass easily changes from prophesying to cursing. After all she is more Sinhala than Trojan and the consort of our legendary race was THE curser of cursers. Doesn’t the curse she vent on the island in BC years, still cause panic and pandemonium off and on?)