Category: Fourre-tout

Since January 2025, America has embraced a new institution known as the “New Royal Court.” Simply put, it is a group of controversial individuals riding the coattails of a bullish individual.

A motley assembly of characters adorns this court—each more eccentric than the next. These courtiers are not individuals of noble birth or exceptional talent, but rather a medley of influencers, media moguls, and opportunistic politicians. Their chief pursuit is not the state’s welfare, but the art of pleasing the KING and securing personal gains.

At the helm of this new institution is the KING, whose ability to juggle promises, policies, and public opinion is bewildering. The KING’s most astute skill is the delivery of grandiloquent speeches that promise utopian futures while conveniently overlooking the problems created by his reckless policies.

The courtiers are adept players in this dangerous farce. They engage in bouts of feigned loyalty and sycophancy, each vying for proximity to the KING. Their discussions, often held in hushed tones behind closed doors, revolve around devising strategies to outmaneuver one another, all while crafting an illusion of unity and purpose.

The New Royal Court serves as a masterclass in the art of distraction. Public attention is meticulously directed away from substantive issues and toward trivial spectacles. Events are staged with great fanfare—mock trials, lavish banquets, and ceremonial decrees—designed to keep the masses blissfully unaware of the machinations at play.

The New Royal Court is a satire of governance, a parody of justice, and a caricature of representation. It thrives on bombastic promises, revels in absurdity, and perpetuates chaos. As citizens, we are both its audience and its victims, compelled to watch the melodrama unfold while ultimately bearing its consequences.

Our British cousins overseas share many of our beliefs and sincerely express their loyalty by singing “God Save the King”. But theirs, is an old monarchy honed by time. The king is not authorized to make any decisions without the approval of an often raucous Parliament.

What happened to all the guardrails established by our prudent, forward-looking forebears?

Alain

Credited as the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell spoke in 1915 to his inventing partner, Thomas A. Watson, over a line that stretched 3,400 miles from NYC to San Francisco.”

Today, more than a century later, many people are still asking the same question—this time while fumbling with their smartphones. These devices have become so sophisticated that many users find themselves struggling to tame them.

Packed with an overwhelming array of commands and subcommands, the smartphone today offers far too many options to be easily mastered. This complexity often leads to frustration, as users sift through endless settings and features just to complete simple tasks.

Do we really need to carry such heavy digital baggage in our pockets?

Kids seem to fare better than adults. They’ve grown up with the beast, often sleeping with it by their side from a very young age. Today, smartphones are commonly used as baby-soothing tools to deal with a restless child. And there’s no need to teach them anything; they absorb everything by osmose… like picking up a new language. Many are experienced with this communication device before they can even walk.

What do you expect from people with absolutely no digital education?

But there’s a danger in letting an apprentice sorcerer bite off more than he can chew. He can become erratic, unpredictable, and even likely to set the house on fire… just like the new transients in the White House today.

So, what do I want? A friendly, efficient device speaking only 4 or 5 foreign languages, and especially not smarter than me, and if possible, my wife.

Is it really asking too much?

Alain

Yesterday was for me a rollercoaster of emotions. Early on, I felt depressed by the American public’s apparent apathy towards Donald Trump’s mad, outrageous policies.

It seemed to me that the American public was accepting the new Führer’s directives like a flock of sheep, because as a French saying goes, “Qui ne refuse pas, accepts.” “Who doesn’t refuse, accepts”. You ought to remember that in 1933, only three short months after Hitler became Germany’s chancellor, democracy ceased to exist. As a result, an estimated 70 to 85 million people died during World War II.

However, as the day progressed, a glimmer of hope emerged. In the afternoon, as I was at the pétanque court, socializing with friends, I suddenly heard the voices of thousands of demonstrators marching by the Marin Civic Center.

A large crowd had gathered, united in protest. Holding signs, chanting, and beating drums, this sea of determined faces reignited my faith. It reaffirmed my beliefs that true power doesn’t belong to a few money-grabbing zealots, but to the popular masses in the street.

Yesterday, the sight of all the demonstrations across America was a testament to the power of unity and the importance of standing up against tyranny. It was a fine example of democracy in action, where every individual’s voice contributes to a demand for justice.

At that moment, my gloom dissipated and was replaced by a sense of exhilaration. The people’s apparent apathy that had once seemed so pervasive was overshadowed by the energy and passion of the demonstrators.

The demonstrations at the Marin Civic Center were not just a protest against absurd policies; they were a celebration of democratic engagement, a call to action, and a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of collective action.

They reaffirmed my belief in the potential for positive change and reminded us that, even in the face of adversity, there is always hope when people come together to stand for what is right.

No pasarán!

Alain