The 2016 election primary season is essentially over, save for the shouting. No disrespect to the District of Columbia and its pending primary (D June 14), but the District will never board the Trump Train, and they have but three electoral votes to cast against him.
If we are to endure the constant assault of Donald Trump for the next 5 months at a minimum, at least spare the people his countenance, with its associated grimaces, smirks, gestures and preening. Let us instead be comforted by Meryl Streep’s incomparable talent.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 06: Meryl Streep performs during the 2016 Public Theater Gala at Delacorte Theater on June 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
At this year’s Shakespeare in the Park festival in Central Park in New York (free tickets, Joseph Papp, 1962), she gave us Trump as farce and tragedy (both sides of his dual Gemini nature), as only a triple Academy Award winning actress can. Here is her picture in costume to substitute for the actual while reading. Who wouldn’t rather contemplate Meryl’s lovely visage, even distorted under the grease paint and wild wig, than his ugly mug and that ridiculous thing on top of his head.
We could use a Shakespearean plot device or a Greek Deus ex machina (Latin version) to spare America from the Trump trials ahead, but we will have to make do.
Madrid Codex pre-Columbian Maya (circa 1,000 AD). Note the Birds and Headdress Images (compare with DJT)
Failing that, here is the Codex Trumpius, a new name for an expanding collection of longer articles and blog posts looking deeper into Trump from the outside. They are thoughtful and more detailed than 30-second sound bites and the routine ping pong volleys of campaign journalism. It is admirable that the authors have time to research and write so carefully while making a living, but praise is due. The rest of us can learn a thing or two.
To make immersion in so much Trumpery less painful, here is some classical music to sooth the troubled soul while you read. The Four Seasons (Complete) by Antonio Vivaldi (1723). This group of four violin concertos is about 40 minutes long, so there should be enough music to accompany reading any of the Codex articles below.
Read them and feast your ears in synchrony:
CT-01: Daniel Wagner and Aram Roston, BuzzFeed News (June. 7, 2016)
“The Donald and the Dictator”
- Trump asked Muammar al-Qaddafi for money in 2009
- Trump rented Westchester estate to Qaddafi for Tent living quarters in 2009
- Biggest U.S. banks won’t lend Trump money for deals
- Trump wanted business opportunities in Libya in 2008
- Trump Campaign offers no response to inquiries
- Trump triple somersault flip-flops on Libya
Read it and Ponder Foreign Policy!
CT-02: Michael Johnston, Dividend Reference (July 20, 2015)
“By the Numbers: Donald Trump’s $4.7 Billion in Bankruptcies”
- 1991 Taj Mahal Casino Bankruptcy
- 1992 Plaza Hotel Bankruptcy
- 2004 Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Bankruptcy
- 2009 Trump Entertainment Resorts Bankruptcy
- 2014 Trump Entertainment Resorts Bankruptcy II
- $4.7 Billion Total in Bankruptcy Debt
- Trump Made $40 Million, Lost the Rest of His Ownership Interest
Read it and Wonder at Trump’s Business Acumen!
CT 03: Dan P. McAdams, The Atlantic (June 2016)
“The Mind Of Donald Trump”
- Playing the Public Roles
- Personality Extremes
- Social Psychology Traits
- Comparison to Andrew Jackson Profile
- Mental Habits
- Motivations
- Self-Conception
Read it and Grieve for Trump’s Mental Chaos!