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Macabre Humor

 Doomsday Scenario

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/10/02/donald-trump-tests-positive-for-covid-and-americas-nuclear-doomsday-planes-launch/#cb1199a58ba3
Trump Sick, Nuclear Planes Launched

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In 1964, Peter Sellers starred in a Stanley Kubrik's Dr. Strangelove, a very funny movie that ended with the world being destroyed by a nuclear holocaust.  It was the early years of the Cold War, when America was great.  Kubrik's film was released just two months after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and America was still recovering from the tragic event.  

The premise of Dr. Strangelove's plot was a conspiracy theory that the communists were trying to overthrow America by fluoridation of the water supply, a conspiracy theory that survives to this day in various forms.  Kubrik was on top of his game with this film, and the movie did okay at the box office, about $10 million.

Before Mr. Sellers died in 1980, he starred in another esoteric satire, Being There.  In this movie, he plays a vacuous cipher, whose only talent is reflecting the intentions of whomever interacts with him.  Mr. Sellers won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Jerzy Kosiński’s character, Chauncey Gardiner.  The movie made about $30 million, which was about the same as Dr. Strangelove's box office take when adjusted for inflation.

Today, the White House announced that our president and first lady are infected the COVID-19 virus.  Immediately afterwards, the military launched the Pentagon’s airborne nuclear command posts (see link in photo caption).  These flying generals coordinate the nuclear arsenal during a nuclear strike.  Made from Boeing 707s, they are literally right out of the Cold War, created in 1957 and built until 1978.  Last commercial service was in 1984.  What ties all of this together is the ending of Being There, where the power behind the politicians plot to make Chauncey the next POTUS.

Both movies are truly absurd but great fun for those willing to suspend disbelief.  However, today we have a POTUS stricken by the virus that many consider part of a conspiracy by socialists (a.k.a communists) to overthrow America.  Like Chauncey, our POTUS has an amazing talent for reflecting the will of his constituency.  We also have our nuclear capability on high alert during a pandemic, conspiracy theories, protests, economic turmoil, and the eve of a major election.  Truly absurd in many ways beyond the movies, these events do not require any suspension of disbelief.  Enjoy the show, or else!

#electionentertainment

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