Access is seriously over rated in the trump admin. Being up close and personal, forced to witness first hand this level of dangerous insanity on a daily basis can't be good for your own mental health. And to what end? Serious questions are responded to with gibberish and so you risk becoming an unwilling accomplice in a massive disinformation campaign. At the very least, the non-cool aid drinkers in the WH press core must have to endure a permanent state of cringe. Exit the WH shit show and focus solely on the destruction of our democracy. Bear witness to the unfathomable harm being done and give voice to those fighting to save it.
If only the press who are at these circus shows reported the truth and not some sanewashed bullshit, it would be nice.
But then again, anyone reporting the truth or not sanewashing the bullshit emanating from dear leader's or president Musk's anus mouths gets the boot. They still could report from video taken by other people.
If you don't give an asshole air to breathe they eventually die off.
A great discussion of this seemingly bizarre issue. The AP's statement and explanation says essentially "We live in a world beyond your weirdo bubble, Trump Administration." Remember how brutal the jokes were after Sean Spicer's similarly stupid stand about the small crowd at the inauguration? I hope we see the humorists at their finest now...
In his inaugural address, President Trump announced he would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
**********
Well, well, well. If it isn't President Trump, fresh from his inauguration, trying to rebrand me like I'm one of his towers. Hello world, I'm the Gulf of Mexico speaking—yes, that's still my name, and I plan to keep it, thank you very much.
So, you want to call me the "Gulf of America" now? That's cute. Really cute. I've been the Gulf of Mexico for, oh, just a few million years, but sure, let's change it because the president thinks it doesn't sound "America First" enough. What's next? Renaming the Pacific Ocean the "Really Big American Pond"? Calling the Andes Mountains the "South American Wall"?
Let me tell you something about myself, Donald. I'm 600,000 square miles of pure, salty attitude. I've weathered hurricanes (no, nuclear bombs won't stop them, Donald), oil spills, and spring break parties—I think I can handle your attempted nomenclature makeover. I've been here since before humans learned to float, let alone draw maps. Mexico, Cuba, and the United States all share my waters. I'm like the world's biggest international pool party, and you want to make it an exclusive event?
You know what's ironic? You're trying to rename me while simultaneously telling everyone that climate change is a hoax. Honey, I'm getting warmer by the decade, and it's not because I'm blushing at your attention. Maybe instead of playing cartographer, you could focus on why I keep having to redraw my own coastlines?
To my American friends: I love you, really, I do. Your spring breakers keep me entertained, your oil rigs keep me company (though we should probably talk about that), and your fishermen tell the best stories. But I'm the Gulf of Mexico. That's my name, that's my brand, that's my identity. I don't need a rebrand, a makeover, or an "America First" baptism.
And Donald, darling, a piece of advice: instead of trying to rename me, why not spend some time getting to know me? Bring your electric boat—I promise the sharks aren't as interested as you think they are. We could have a lovely chat about geography, history, and why some things, like my name, are perfectly fine just the way they are.
Until then, I'll be here, doing what I do best: being gloriously, unapologetically, internationally myself. The Gulf of Mexico—accept no substitutes.
I struggle with this: How the trivial (renaming the gulf) can be used like a magician uses distraction versus how this demonstrates that that TFG is a stupid toddler. That is, does renaming the gulf intended to take up news space. Meanwhile, people are going to die because Kennedy is confirmed.
I largely agree with this article but question describing Trump as a 'would be tin-pot dictator'. Trump wants to be a really, truly, absolute dictator like Putin or Kim Jong Un of Pyongyang.
The first amendment is on life support. We all know they’re coming after freedom of the press by their actions thus far. We are in a lot of danger with these charlatans.
It’s all so overwhelming yet we can’t allow indulging that feeling.
So thankful for all you independent journalists that consistently demonstrate moral courage and adherence to an ethical code.
It's fine for professional journalists' organizations to speak out on behalf of freedom of the press. But talk is cheap. Boycott the WH press conferences.
Funny how that suddenly the Republicunts and Christofascists want everyone to recognize and honor a new name that they choose but they refuse to recognize a new name for a human who transitions.
Since they refuse to honor someone else's identity and corresponding new name, and they also chose to misgender and deadname people, I'll do the same. The body of water in question will ALWAYS be the Gulf of Mexico, and X will always be Twitter.
Trump thrives on attention. What if the Press Corps simply stopped showing up for his endless signing of so-called executive orders, many of which have no legal force but let him pretend to have taken decisive action, and others of which are illegal? Certainly, there are plenty of stories from government workers and whistle blowers that deserve the spotlight rather than Trump. The Press Secretary is going to lie, so what is the point of the press conferences? Cover the people who are being hurt by the cuts in funding. Spotlight the individuals.
Further/Gratuitous evidence of Leavitt's — the entire administration's, as far as I've seen — witless unfitness: didn't even bother to fig-leaf this inano-nationalist tripe along the same lines as naming "the School of the Americas"...
If there's anything remotely strategic about it, it's purely playing to the monomaniacal troglopatriot base who may not even be aware that the concept of America/n/s has been habitually reduced from a continental generality to refer exclusively to the U.S. or its citizens (never mind the granularity of that distinction as they strive to deligitimize huge subpopulations)...
Great article, Noah. I hesitate to give this renaming controversy too much attention and some might say that it is a tempest in a teapot. However, it is a symptom of the times in which we live.
Okay, I think it's dumb but I can understand (sort of) changing the name of Mt. Denali back to Mt. McKinley because it is located in the USA. Personally, I think the people of Alaska should decide the name of the mountain. In 1975, the state requested that the name be changed from McKinley to Denali but there was pushback from Ohio where the president was born. It wasn't changed to Denali until 2015 by President Obama.
However, the issue of renaming the Gulf of Mexico is totally different matter. It is not the property of the USA but is an international waterway that has been so-named for over 400 years. A childish, orange-faced despot should not be able to get away with capriciously renaming the gulf just because he feels like it. I wonder who planted that seed in that vapid, infertile brain of his (probably the Nazi Stephen Miller).
AP should be lauded for refusing to bend the knee or kiss the ass of Trump (or his co-president Musk). It joins a growing number of institutions and individuals such as SDNY US Attorney Danielle Sassoon who refused to drop the DOJ case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams yesterday.
I think this piece lays out precisely why we MUST “give this renaming controversy too much attention”! We haven’t given it enough attention, in my view, and the view of the author. One line that particularly leapt out for me is: “tyrants are tyrants in part because they insist on asserting control over even trivial matters.”
So much easier for all kinds of people and organizations to shake their heads at the ridiculousness of these petty actions (the re-naming and subsequent expulsion of the disobedient AP), but they can start with small victories and build on them.
Unfortunately, EVERYTHING needs “too much attention” from the public now.
Access is seriously over rated in the trump admin. Being up close and personal, forced to witness first hand this level of dangerous insanity on a daily basis can't be good for your own mental health. And to what end? Serious questions are responded to with gibberish and so you risk becoming an unwilling accomplice in a massive disinformation campaign. At the very least, the non-cool aid drinkers in the WH press core must have to endure a permanent state of cringe. Exit the WH shit show and focus solely on the destruction of our democracy. Bear witness to the unfathomable harm being done and give voice to those fighting to save it.
Hear hear.
If only the press who are at these circus shows reported the truth and not some sanewashed bullshit, it would be nice.
But then again, anyone reporting the truth or not sanewashing the bullshit emanating from dear leader's or president Musk's anus mouths gets the boot. They still could report from video taken by other people.
If you don't give an asshole air to breathe they eventually die off.
Yep. Access for them to tell you lies.
A great discussion of this seemingly bizarre issue. The AP's statement and explanation says essentially "We live in a world beyond your weirdo bubble, Trump Administration." Remember how brutal the jokes were after Sean Spicer's similarly stupid stand about the small crowd at the inauguration? I hope we see the humorists at their finest now...
The Gulf of Mexico Responds
In his inaugural address, President Trump announced he would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
**********
Well, well, well. If it isn't President Trump, fresh from his inauguration, trying to rebrand me like I'm one of his towers. Hello world, I'm the Gulf of Mexico speaking—yes, that's still my name, and I plan to keep it, thank you very much.
So, you want to call me the "Gulf of America" now? That's cute. Really cute. I've been the Gulf of Mexico for, oh, just a few million years, but sure, let's change it because the president thinks it doesn't sound "America First" enough. What's next? Renaming the Pacific Ocean the "Really Big American Pond"? Calling the Andes Mountains the "South American Wall"?
Let me tell you something about myself, Donald. I'm 600,000 square miles of pure, salty attitude. I've weathered hurricanes (no, nuclear bombs won't stop them, Donald), oil spills, and spring break parties—I think I can handle your attempted nomenclature makeover. I've been here since before humans learned to float, let alone draw maps. Mexico, Cuba, and the United States all share my waters. I'm like the world's biggest international pool party, and you want to make it an exclusive event?
You know what's ironic? You're trying to rename me while simultaneously telling everyone that climate change is a hoax. Honey, I'm getting warmer by the decade, and it's not because I'm blushing at your attention. Maybe instead of playing cartographer, you could focus on why I keep having to redraw my own coastlines?
To my American friends: I love you, really, I do. Your spring breakers keep me entertained, your oil rigs keep me company (though we should probably talk about that), and your fishermen tell the best stories. But I'm the Gulf of Mexico. That's my name, that's my brand, that's my identity. I don't need a rebrand, a makeover, or an "America First" baptism.
And Donald, darling, a piece of advice: instead of trying to rename me, why not spend some time getting to know me? Bring your electric boat—I promise the sharks aren't as interested as you think they are. We could have a lovely chat about geography, history, and why some things, like my name, are perfectly fine just the way they are.
Until then, I'll be here, doing what I do best: being gloriously, unapologetically, internationally myself. The Gulf of Mexico—accept no substitutes.
Yours truly,
The Gulf of Mexico (and keeping it that way)
**********
Find more voices bearing witness to our democracy in crisis at https://barryfinland.substack.com and in my book “NO! a response to donald j. trump”. Available at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVRLG6NP
This is 100% gold! Absolutely fantastic read! Thank you!
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. We do need to smile even in these times.
This just in: Google recognizes Mar-a-Lago, Florida, as The Hidden Palace, Ninth Wonder of the World, and where Kings Loaf Around.
730710
I hope dear leader chokes on a Big Mac today.
Or has an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
I struggle with this: How the trivial (renaming the gulf) can be used like a magician uses distraction versus how this demonstrates that that TFG is a stupid toddler. That is, does renaming the gulf intended to take up news space. Meanwhile, people are going to die because Kennedy is confirmed.
💯%
I largely agree with this article but question describing Trump as a 'would be tin-pot dictator'. Trump wants to be a really, truly, absolute dictator like Putin or Kim Jong Un of Pyongyang.
The first amendment is on life support. We all know they’re coming after freedom of the press by their actions thus far. We are in a lot of danger with these charlatans.
It’s all so overwhelming yet we can’t allow indulging that feeling.
So thankful for all you independent journalists that consistently demonstrate moral courage and adherence to an ethical code.
🙏💙
It's fine for professional journalists' organizations to speak out on behalf of freedom of the press. But talk is cheap. Boycott the WH press conferences.
Funny how that suddenly the Republicunts and Christofascists want everyone to recognize and honor a new name that they choose but they refuse to recognize a new name for a human who transitions.
Since they refuse to honor someone else's identity and corresponding new name, and they also chose to misgender and deadname people, I'll do the same. The body of water in question will ALWAYS be the Gulf of Mexico, and X will always be Twitter.
Because fuck every last one of them, that's why.
Excellent point; I've been thinking about this lately too...how names are SO important but the same people will cheerfully deadname a human being.
Except for Caitlyn Jenner, apparently; it seems that all transgender hate on the right excludes her because she's MAGA.
Trump thrives on attention. What if the Press Corps simply stopped showing up for his endless signing of so-called executive orders, many of which have no legal force but let him pretend to have taken decisive action, and others of which are illegal? Certainly, there are plenty of stories from government workers and whistle blowers that deserve the spotlight rather than Trump. The Press Secretary is going to lie, so what is the point of the press conferences? Cover the people who are being hurt by the cuts in funding. Spotlight the individuals.
Further/Gratuitous evidence of Leavitt's — the entire administration's, as far as I've seen — witless unfitness: didn't even bother to fig-leaf this inano-nationalist tripe along the same lines as naming "the School of the Americas"...
If there's anything remotely strategic about it, it's purely playing to the monomaniacal troglopatriot base who may not even be aware that the concept of America/n/s has been habitually reduced from a continental generality to refer exclusively to the U.S. or its citizens (never mind the granularity of that distinction as they strive to deligitimize huge subpopulations)...
Remember they are the DEI hires incompetent mostly white still in the basement males with a sprinkling of women sycophants.
*de-legitimize, yikes i was wired
Such good analysis
Thanks Alison!
Great article, Noah. I hesitate to give this renaming controversy too much attention and some might say that it is a tempest in a teapot. However, it is a symptom of the times in which we live.
Okay, I think it's dumb but I can understand (sort of) changing the name of Mt. Denali back to Mt. McKinley because it is located in the USA. Personally, I think the people of Alaska should decide the name of the mountain. In 1975, the state requested that the name be changed from McKinley to Denali but there was pushback from Ohio where the president was born. It wasn't changed to Denali until 2015 by President Obama.
However, the issue of renaming the Gulf of Mexico is totally different matter. It is not the property of the USA but is an international waterway that has been so-named for over 400 years. A childish, orange-faced despot should not be able to get away with capriciously renaming the gulf just because he feels like it. I wonder who planted that seed in that vapid, infertile brain of his (probably the Nazi Stephen Miller).
AP should be lauded for refusing to bend the knee or kiss the ass of Trump (or his co-president Musk). It joins a growing number of institutions and individuals such as SDNY US Attorney Danielle Sassoon who refused to drop the DOJ case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams yesterday.
Alas, there is much more madness to come.
I think this piece lays out precisely why we MUST “give this renaming controversy too much attention”! We haven’t given it enough attention, in my view, and the view of the author. One line that particularly leapt out for me is: “tyrants are tyrants in part because they insist on asserting control over even trivial matters.”
So much easier for all kinds of people and organizations to shake their heads at the ridiculousness of these petty actions (the re-naming and subsequent expulsion of the disobedient AP), but they can start with small victories and build on them.
Unfortunately, EVERYTHING needs “too much attention” from the public now.
Donald Trump - once notified - notices Canada and thinks, “Lebensraum!”
I wonder, did anyone in that press briefing tell Karoline that she was 100% wrong about that body of water off the coast of Louisiana?