Ok, since this lawsuit will take place in federal court in DC that means no cameras in the courthouse. If ever there was a time to relent and allow them perhaps this is it. On one side we have a guy wearing the costume of a beloved character on a beloved children’s TV show. On the other we have an asshat who conducts himself like a ‘character’ but a nasty and evil one, all while painting his face orange and with a ridiculous combover hairdo to hide the fact he’s bald. It would be awesome for the gallery to include someone in an Elmo Costume and a Trump impersonator in an extra bad fitting blue suit, a tie that goes all the way to the knees and a really bad combover job that shows plenty of bare skin on the head.
Ok, so the judge might not allow that in the actual court proceedings. However one can HOPE that outside we will see those two actors do their thing while Elmo/PBS sues Trumpty and his administration for gutting their budget! As this article from The Daily Best tells us Trump is being hit with a lawsuit that alleges ‘Blatant’ Discrimination:
PBS and a public TV station in Minnesota filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday, accusing the MAGA president of “blatant viewpoint discrimination,” the New York Times reported. The suit comes after Trump signed a May 1 executive order axing all funding for PBS and NPR, alleging “bias” in their reporting.
PBS lawyers hit back against Trump in the filing, arguing that the proposed cuts violate laws forbidding the president from serving as the “arbiter” of its content, which included kids-focused learning shows such as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Elmo’s World, and Sesame Street, which has since found a new home on Netflix.
The lawyers also argue Trump is trying to cut off funding for PBS entirely. They allege Trump’s May 1 Executive Order makes no effort to hide the fact it wants to cut off the funding because he doesn’t agree with the programming because he wants to alter the content of speech. As they put it in the complaint “That is blatant viewpoint discrimination.” I should also note that NPR has also sued Trump on the same grounds.
I guess for Elmo and other characters on Sesame Street not wearing MAGA hats and hating on immigrants and non-white folks simply isn’t acceptable. So much for what Jesus taught about accepting everyone! Not that Trump believes in God or Jesus. As far as HE’S concerned HE is ‘Lord God Almighty’ but lots of his supporter claim to be Christians. Not that the bulk of them follow the teachings of their Jeebus either.
The point is that PBS has given children good models to look up to. Mister Rogers was only the beginning. MAGA “values” don’t mesh with all those decades of providing wholesome, quality entertainment for kids. Even kids (PBS remember?) who’s parents can’t afford cable TV packages. It’s still easily viewed over the old-fashioned airwaves.
Well, if you want more details I refer you to the linked article. I suspect it will be while before an trial gets underway, and who knows? If there’s some blowback we might even see more TACO from the guy who PAINTS HIS FACE ORANGE. If this does make it to trial as I said it could if Democrats play it right prove hugely embarrassing for both Trump and the GOP next year as the midterms approach.
***From Ursula*** Zoomers, if you’re able to contribute in any way, we could use help. I’ve been ill and recuperating from a brief hospitalization. Times are tough for political commentary to begin with, and that’s been the case since November 5. Half the country is in a major depression. But we need to keep on keeping on. This too shall pass and there will be a brighter, post-Trump day if we work for it. Please join us and help if you can. Thank you. Ursula
Oh, if only Fred Rogers were still alive for us all to see this paragon of mild-mannered manhood turn into someone who’d make the likes of George Carlin, Lenny Bruce and Andrew Dice Clay blush at his language in describing Drumpf and his policies.
And to cross over with “Sesame Street,” it’d be funny to have that Mr Rogers appear, venting his feelings while the Count von Count begins “One svear, hahaha, two svears, hahaha” (at each bleep). After the Count crosses into the 20s, he collapses from sheer exhaustion as Mr Rogers continues with his bleep-filled tirade.
someone once made the case that Fred Rogers was the worst human being of the second half of the twentieth century. he convinced generations of kids that they were special which is fine. the problem is they grew up and kept believing it despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Well, based on your comment, I’m going to say that you must’ve been one of the kids whose parents continually made sure that YOU never believed you were special at anything and, as an adult, you continue believing that you’re just not good enough for anything or at anything.
Therapy is available, even for you.