My daily quotations are chosen according to my mood of the moment, or a specific topic that’s been on my mind. Today’s subject is Stupidity.

We’re surrounded by it, drowning in it; and it is becoming so normalized, I’m beginning to think I’ve wandered into the Cuckoo’s Nest and my medication will be served tonight by Nurse Ratched.

But sometimes a particularly stupid item makes the news that seems almost hilariously funny — until you realize it’s coming from the people we’re supposed to be able to trust to look after us and our country. Today’s case in point:

In 1969, I read a wonderful book titled The Peter Principle, by Laurence J. Peter, the basic premise of which was that individuals tend to advance throughout life until they reach the level of their incompetence. And one of the most relatable lines from that book to today’s world is this:

“Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run
by smart people who are putting us on
or by imbeciles who really mean it.”

So why did this resonate with me today?

You’re probably aware of the surprising rift between Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene — one of his most vociferous supporters until recently — because she dared to cast a vote against his wishes. This led to some below-the-belt exchanges between the two, one of the least of which was Greene’s complaint that Trump was not taking or returning her calls.

To which Trump, after first rescinding his endorsement of her upcoming reelection bid, had this to say on social media:

“She has told many people that she is upset that I don’t return her phone calls anymore, but with 219 Congressmen/women, 53 U.S. Senators, 24 Cabinet Members, almost 200 Countries, and an otherwise normal life to lead, I can’t take a ranting Lunatic’s call every day.” [Betsy Klein, CNN, November 15, 2025.]

Never mind the “ranting Lunatic” remark; that’s typical for him. And I can’t speak to the “otherwise normal life” assertion.

But what is amusing, in a somewhat disturbing way, is that he doesn’t seem to know that there are 100 U.S. Senators (not 53), 435 members of the House of Representatives (not 219), and 26 members of his own Cabinet (I wonder which two he forgot).

Oh, wait! I see it now. He was counting Republican Senators and Congressmen — which tells us that he doesn’t speak to the Democrats at all. As though they don’t represent American citizens, who don’t count because they’re stupid, lying, fake traitors. That’s half the country he took an oath to serve and defend — completely written off. And he just admitted it.

That’s not only stupid . . . it’s criminal.

*. *. *

Napoleon Bonaparte once said:

“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.”

He seems to have been right . . . except, of course, for that whole invading-Russia-without-considering-the-early-winter debacle.

But that’s a whole different level of stupid.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/16/25