Douglas Wilson's Letter From Moscow (About Properly Celebrating Jehu)

A Supreme Court Nomination Rannygazoo

Douglas Wilson
Blog&Mablog

So Anthony Kennedy is retiring from the Supreme Court at the end of July. This news was received with something like melting-face-consternation by the denizens of the Left, who have been pretty unhappy with Trump so far as it is. . . . For any “principled” conservatives left who object to the whole show on “principle”—and I mean all three of you—we do need to review what the heck has been happening

I want to make a basic distinction that we must hang on to here, which is that there is a profound difference between being invested in Trump’s character, personality, outlook, philosophy, and so on, and enjoying Trump’s character, personality, outlook, philosophy, and so on. Those in the former category have boarded—some early and some late—the Trump train. He’s their man. They believe in him. For all kinds of reasons, many of which I have explained a number of times, this represents a genuine spiritual hazard. Trust not in princes

But those in the latter category have decided that—at least with regard to His providential and inscrutable decrees—God’s commitment to #NeverTrump has been inadequate, and so it is perfectly all right to review everything that is happening, and to take it all into account. Not only so, but if we take it all into account, we will find ourselves enjoying the spectacle. I can’t tell you when I have enjoyed a spectacle more.

The Jehu Chronicles

Flake News

Douglas Wilson
Blog&Mablog

INTRODUCTION

So let us talk for a moment about the term “fake news.” Why are we talking about this all of a sudden? Why is this a thing now?

During the campaign there were various stories that circulated on the Internet, made up of whole cloth, some of which were not flattering to Hillary. In the aftermath of the election, when her people were flailing around in search of someone or something to blame besides Her Majesty, one of the things they tried out was the idea that it was “fake news” that had hurt her in the final days of the election. Let’s run that one up the flag pole to see if anyone salutes.

Not only did no one salute, but something else entirely happened.

QUALIFICATIONS

But before proceeding further, let me acknowledge fully and sincerely that there were stories out there about Hillary that, when it came to the falsitudinous quotient, ranked pretty high. I also acknowledge that Nigerian princes who are stranded in Manila with a suitcase full of gold bullion are also not, shall we say, legit. Do not send them your bank account number. And further, I cheerfully note that purveyors of clickbait techniques love to tell us that what Ted Cruz said next went BOOM, and that Kellyanne Conway DESTROYED Anderson Cooper, and that when you see what Bo Derek looks like now it will BLOW YOUR MIND. So Hillary had to deal with that foolishness, as well all the rest of us. Welcome to earth, kid.

And here is another qualification. Donald Trump is a wrecking ball. It is possible to applaud the fact of some of the wreckage without applauding, um, the entire project.

Straight Blows With A Crooked Stick

Take the Good With the Bad

Douglas Wilson has suggested that we regard Donald Trump as a descendant of Jehu.  It is an apt suggestion.  Jehu was an instrument of divine wrath who went through the ruling elites of Israel and Judah like a hot knife through butter.  He was not a godly man, by any means.  But he stopped all the posturing and chatter, slaying dragons to the left and idolaters to the right.  You can read of his exploits in II Kings 9 & 10.  He was an instrument of judgement in the hand of the Lord.  He did many good and needful things.  But he was not a faithful servant of God.  

But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.  [II Kings 10: 31]

Wilson suggests that we should see Donald Trump as similarly raised up by the Lord.  With great energy and vigour he will do some things which have long needed to be done.  But he will also act shamefully in many ways and do damage.

To add flesh to these bones, Daniel Harsanyi writes in National Review Online that Trump is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

Gonna Be Entertaining

. . . He Drives Furiously  

[II Kings 9:20]

There is a memorable quotation in one of our favorite movies, A Few Good Men.  The Prosecutor is opening his case:

Now, Lt. Kaffee is gonna try to pull off a little magic act, he's gonna try a little misdirection. He's going to astonish you with stories of rituals and dazzle you with official sounding terms like Code Red. He might even cut into a few officers for you. He'll have no evidence, mind you, none. But it's gonna be entertaining. 

We find thus far that Donald Trump's presidency has been entertaining.  He can be a fact free bloviator.  He seems to relish being unmeasured, grandiose, and the Pontificator-in-Chief--particularly when it comes to speaking with the media.