The United States is currently in a presidential transition, the name given to the period when the president-elect prepares to take over the administration from the current president – that is if the incumbent accepts the results of last week’s election. Given the fracas surrounding the election, the media is calling this time the ‘lame duck’ period or even ‘mad cow’ period as President Trump and the GOP come to terms with the will of the American public. I prefer the 18th century English word ‘betweenity’ which means being in the middle or between two things.
This ‘betweenity’ is rife with ‘betweenity lingo’ and the words illegal votes, fraud, rigged, conspiracy, lies, irregularities, election theft, legal challenge, recount, unsubstantiated allegations, evidence, termination, retribution, denial, and concede are part of the daily media fodder. With the 24-hour news cycle, wading into the stream of American news discourse is rather like being caught up in an adverse weather event as talking heads pontificate and predict outcomes over the next 10 weeks.
Of all the words being bandied around, one that is gaining popularity is ‘misspoke’. Originally from 12th century Middle English (mispeken) and meaning to speak incorrectly, inappropriately or too hastily, it is now being used as a euphemism for when someone lies and gets caught out.
Listening to the barrage of words, I longed for the Aussie vernacular to ‘tell it like it is’ and thought that local Melbourne artist, Jon Campbell, could give the American commentators some tips.
After four years of the Trump administration which culminated in COVID-19 complacency (Piss farting around) and social chaos (I’m not racist but …) …
… more than 76 million Americans decided that the experiment with personality presidency (It’s a world full of lying bastards) had installed an unempathic mendacious narcissist (That was fuckin terrible) and the country was in dire straits (Up shit creek).
Despite trying to paint the democratic contender as ineffectual (Weak as piss), many Americans longed for a return to normality (The good ol days) and were willing to overlook the somewhat lacklustre alternative (A bit average).
It is now a week since the political equivalent of the ‘Gunfight at the OK Corral’ …
… and the widely predicted result occurred (Kick back) and President Elect Biden’s supporters are revelling (Fanfuckingtastic).
However, President Trump and the GOP are in denial (Fuck that), resisting conceding (Fuck no) and have adopted a belligerent and litigious approach (Fuck off).
While the Democrats are deciding how to proceed (Are you fucking kidding me),
Biden continues to try and unite Americans with messages of inclusiveness and solidarity (All you need is love; It’s gonna take a lotta love).
It is almost certain that the spurious legal challenges will fail, and the electoral result will be upheld. Although with the likelihood of a hostile Republican senate and ongoing local and global uncertainties, the Biden administration has a mammoth task to undertake (Wrong place wrong time) …
Courtesy: AGNSW Collection
… and there is already talk of a Trump comeback in 2024 (You’ll keep, People are stupid).
So, as we watch the death throes of the current administration (The rumble) …
… be prepared for a lot more political chatter and commentary in the coming weeks (Blah, blah, blah)
and the ‘same old bullshit’ ….
PS: Jon Campbell’s new exhibition ‘Gone to see a man about a dog’ is currently on view at Sutton Gallery: https://suttongallery.com.au/exhibitions/gone-to-see-a-man-about-a-dog/
Very Australian Michael…’taking the mickey’ out of current political discourse using artworks from our collection! Fantastic……
Thank you Michael for Betweenity. I am going to add this word to my vocabulary.
A very entertaining and refreshing look at the US election.
That was fantastic, Michael, with enough artworks to cover every possibility!
That was fantastic…agree with all the comments above.
LOVE IT
Unfortunately- it is all so true! Well summed up Michael.