News: US politics

Showing posts with label US politics. Show all posts

Monday, February 16, 2026

The Kennedys – America's "Royal" Families

The video, "The Kennedys – America's "Royal" Families," chronicles the rise and tragedies of the Kennedy dynasty, tracing their journey from Irish immigrants to prominent figures in American politics and society (0:35).

Key aspects of the Kennedy family discussed include:

Early Generations (1:20-2:25): The video begins with Patrick Kennedy's emigration from Ireland, detailing his and his son PJ Kennedy's efforts to establish the family's wealth and political influence in Boston.

Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald (2:44-5:55): This section highlights Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.'s shrewd financial dealings, his ambitions for his children, and his controversial diplomatic career as ambassador to the UK. It also touches upon Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy's role as the matriarch.

John F. Kennedy (JFK) (5:56-12:46): The video details JFK's military service, his political ascent to the presidency, his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier, and his major policy decisions, including the Cuban Missile Crisis (10:16). His assassination in Dallas is also covered (11:38).

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (12:46-14:17): After JFK's death, Jackie's life, including her move to New York, her work as a book editor, and her later marriage to Aristotle Onassis, is summarized.

Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr. (14:18-16:01): The video discusses the lives of JFK's children, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg's career as an ambassador, and John F. Kennedy Jr.'s life, including his tragic death in a plane crash.

Other Kennedy Siblings and Their Descendants:

Rosemary Kennedy (17:35-19:31): Her developmental challenges and the controversial lobotomy she underwent are discussed, highlighting the family's attempts to keep her condition private.

Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy (19:31-21:05): Her lively personality, marriage to a British aristocrat, and her own tragic death in a plane crash are recounted.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver (21:05-22:42): Her advocacy for people with disabilities and her founding of the Special Olympics are emphasized. Her daughter, Maria Shriver, and her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger are also mentioned.

Patricia Kennedy Lawford (22:42-24:02): Her artistic pursuits, marriage to actor Peter Lawford, and her later work with charitable organizations are covered.

Robert "Bobby" Kennedy (RFK) (24:02-26:05): His political career, role in his brother's administration, and his own assassination during his presidential campaign are detailed. His wife, Ethel Kennedy, and their children are also introduced (26:05).

Jean Kennedy Smith (27:37-28:47): Her diplomatic role as ambassador to Ireland and her work with the Very Special Arts organization are highlighted.

Edward "Ted" Kennedy (28:48-31:29): As the youngest sibling, his long tenure in the Senate, his legislative achievements, and the challenges he faced, including the Chappaquiddick incident, are discussed.

The video concludes by posing the question of whether the numerous tragedies that have befallen the Kennedys are simply due to their ambitious and risk-taking nature or if there is a "Kennedy curse" (31:30).

Saturday, February 7, 2026

I watched Melania's movie so you don't have to.

This video offers a critical review of the Melania Trump movie, exploring Melania's public persona, her role as First Lady, and the perceptions surrounding her.

Here's a breakdown of the video's key points:

The Melania Movie (0:10-2:24): The creator discusses watching the Melania movie, noting its direction by Brett Ratner, who was pushed out of Hollywood due to Me Too accusations. The film's rights were acquired by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos for $40 million. Despite the movie's intent to provide insight into Melania, the creator found it boring and felt it failed to reveal her true personality.
Melania's Persona and Ambitions (2:44-3:43): The video highlights a promotional image of Melania that strikingly resembles Claire Underwood from House of Cards, and an old ad showing Melania as a "gobos" (boss) and President of the United States. These images contradict her public reputation as a submissive wife, suggesting her ambitions are more complex than commonly perceived.
Early Life and Modeling Career (3:55-7:10): Melania Kavs was born in Slovenia in 1970. She started modeling as a teenager, leaving university to pursue it full-time. She worked in European fashion markets before moving to New York in 1996. The video discusses a controversial nude photoshoot she did for free with photographer Alexander Basville, which later resurfaced during her husband's presidential campaign.
Relationship with Donald Trump and First Lady Role (7:12-11:47): Melania met Donald Trump in 1998 and they married in 2005. Her public profile rose significantly with Trump's 2015 presidential run. The video touches on reports that she cried upon learning Trump would become president and the controversy surrounding her 2016 Republican National Convention speech, which plagiarized parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 speech. The creator questions the actual purpose and influence of the First Lady role, referencing journalist Katy Martin's views that a First Lady's intelligence and engagement are crucial.
Symbolism and Public Perception (12:11-15:20): The video notes Melania's strategic use of fashion, particularly her outfit at Trump's first inauguration, which echoed Jackie Kennedy's style to signal her fitness for the role. Her later 2024 inauguration outfit, with a black hat covering her eyes, was interpreted as a statement of setting her own terms and creating distance from her role and husband. The movie is criticized for focusing on her modeling experience and outfits rather than her stated desire to push the First Lady role beyond social duties.
"Be Best" Campaign and Public Backlash (16:50-17:52): Melania's "Be Best" anti-bullying campaign launched in 2018 is discussed, highlighting the irony when her husband publicly mocked a 16-year-old climate activist. This led to public backlash and questions about the sincerity of her initiative, as she did not publicly scold him.
Marital Speculation and Comparisons to Other Political Spouses (19:17-23:50): The video addresses the ongoing speculation about Melania's relationship with Donald Trump, especially after instances like the "hat incident" where she seemingly avoided his kiss. The creator explores two comparative stories of European political wives: Veronica Lario (ex-wife of Berlusconi), who divorced him due to his public behavior, and Carla Bruni (wife of Nicolas Sarkozy), who stayed by her husband's side despite corruption investigations. The creator concludes that the film doesn't question Melania's loyalty, suggesting she genuinely likes him and finds comfort in her wealthy life as First Lady.
Final Critique of the Film (24:14-25:01): A Guardian critic is quoted, describing the film as having "not a single redeeming quality," a "designer taxidermy," and a "gilded trash remake" that distracts viewers while her husband and his cronies dismantle the constitution.

Why the US is almost always at war | DW Documentary

The video, "Why the US is almost always at war," explores the historical role of warfare in shaping American identity and political decisions throughout its 250-year existence (1:27). The United States has been almost constantly at war since its foundation (1:06-1:09).

Key aspects of the video include:

Military Presence and Identity (0:38-1:10): The US military showcases its power globally, with hundreds of thousands of troops on continuous deployment. War has played a central role in shaping the nation's political course, and battle reenactments, memorials, museums, and uniformed ceremonies contribute to making war a key pillar of national identity.
The Influence of War Movies (5:35-8:35): Hollywood war movies have been an effective method for anchoring military might in the population's hearts and minds. During World War II, dedicated motion picture units collaborated with the military, and prominent directors like George Stevens and John Ford participated in making films that showcased US dominance. These films encouraged patriotism and portrayed the US fighting for the "greater good."
World Wars and Global Superpower Status (10:40-11:21): The World Wars transformed the United States from a regional power into a global superpower, dictating the new world order. World War II is particularly remembered as a war the US can "still get behind" due to the direct attack on the United States.
US Military Infrastructure and Global Commitment (18:31-19:15): The US maintains a significant global military presence, with over 200,000 personnel stationed abroad at hundreds of bases. It possesses the most aircraft carriers and military aircraft globally, along with thousands of nuclear warheads.
Historical Expansion and "Manifest Destiny" (51:49-56:00): The video highlights early US expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Florida and Oregon. The conquest of the West, particularly the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo, is presented as a key phase, though the narrative often overlooks the motivations of settlers to reintroduce slavery. The concept of "manifest destiny" was invented by media and politicians to justify the nation's expansion, using religion to frame it as a divine mission.
The Impact of the Vietnam War (1:09:54-1:13:00): The Vietnam War marked a turning point, making the public question the US role as the "good guys." It was the first war shown on TV nightly, leading to a mass cultural counter-movement and the end of conscription, breaking the link between the military, politics, and society.
"Endless Wars" and Foreign Policy Shifts (1:14:14-1:21:20): Interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq are described as "endless wars," difficult to win and end, suggesting the nation hadn't learned from past mistakes. The video discusses the current pendulum swing in US foreign policy, between isolationism and global interventionism.
Donald Trump's Vision (1:21:39-1:24:20): Donald Trump's approach, similar to President McKinley, emphasizes American supremacy, primarily for economic interests. He aims to replace the old world order with a new system of American power, focusing on defeating enemies and ending wars.