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Anthony L
Anthony L
1 year ago

I really have no idea what this article is trying to say.

Clare Knight
Clare Knight
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Well said, It seemed to end so abruptly. It felt like it was building up to something but instead there was an anticlimax There was no punchline or summary to pull it all together.

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Perhaps he was drunk when he wrote it and because of his perceived status as a very important playwright, Unherd’s editors went all “Emperor’s new clothes” about it and didn’t feel they could point out the obvious lack of direction or structure. Who knows?

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Hmm… I think he’s trying to say that the Democratic Party was taken over by the mob (and became what we might refer to as “the deep state”), and that they got rid of JFK to show they mean business, but also, like the killing a sacrificial lamb, to place a great myth at the heart of American politics. He also seems to suggest that Democratic voters/supporters (who are completely unaware of this sinister under belly) will, nevertheless, NOT back RFK Jr as they perceive him as being unworthy of the dynastic Kennedy right to glory because he didn’t “work” for his status.

At least he mentions the brilliant Thomas Sowell, but far too briefly and without stating where he stands on him. Then there’s a really dumb-downed synopsis of the life and purpose of Moses. (Let’s hope he’s not planning on making a film about him!)

Somewhere in all of this I get the sneaking suspicion he simply wants to call RFK Jr the Antichrist but doesn’t have the balls to do so overtly. Can’t wait to see what “Hollywood” actually lets him get away with!

Cristina Bodor
Cristina Bodor
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

It is totally incoherent.

Victor T
Victor T
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

I hope he didn’t get paid to write this garbage!

Clare Knight
Clare Knight
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Well said, It seemed to end so abruptly. It felt like it was building up to something but instead there was an anticlimax There was no punchline or summary to pull it all together.

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Perhaps he was drunk when he wrote it and because of his perceived status as a very important playwright, Unherd’s editors went all “Emperor’s new clothes” about it and didn’t feel they could point out the obvious lack of direction or structure. Who knows?

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

Hmm… I think he’s trying to say that the Democratic Party was taken over by the mob (and became what we might refer to as “the deep state”), and that they got rid of JFK to show they mean business, but also, like the killing a sacrificial lamb, to place a great myth at the heart of American politics. He also seems to suggest that Democratic voters/supporters (who are completely unaware of this sinister under belly) will, nevertheless, NOT back RFK Jr as they perceive him as being unworthy of the dynastic Kennedy right to glory because he didn’t “work” for his status.

At least he mentions the brilliant Thomas Sowell, but far too briefly and without stating where he stands on him. Then there’s a really dumb-downed synopsis of the life and purpose of Moses. (Let’s hope he’s not planning on making a film about him!)

Somewhere in all of this I get the sneaking suspicion he simply wants to call RFK Jr the Antichrist but doesn’t have the balls to do so overtly. Can’t wait to see what “Hollywood” actually lets him get away with!

Cristina Bodor
Cristina Bodor
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

It is totally incoherent.

Victor T
Victor T
1 year ago
Reply to  Anthony L

I hope he didn’t get paid to write this garbage!

Anthony L
Anthony L
1 year ago

I really have no idea what this article is trying to say.

T Bone
T Bone
1 year ago

This is effective creative prose but short on utility. The Kennedy’s are suddenly interesting again only because of RFK Jr. He might command attention because of his name but he’s not grandstanding on it. He’s a guy with actual knowledge about how the system works with a desire and focus to solve real problems. That so many of his Democrat establishment family members oppose his campaign tells you the Kennedys are not a “crime family.”

AJ Mac
AJ Mac
1 year ago
Reply to  T Bone

I agree. Mamet also only uses the Kennedys as a point of departure for his meandering musings. The attitude revealed here is profoundly cynical, endorsing Hobbes’s characterization of the State of Nature–“a war of all against all”–as likely an apt description of human society itself, and using an absurdly lose definition of “crime family”. In eating the forbidden fruit and suffering a sibling murder, I guess the Bible’s first family was also a crime family.
To assert that all non-democratic systems emerge from Crime Families is a lot like saying that because (almost) everyone lies at some point in their lies that we are all just liars. And with their slaves, violent internal struggles, and war campaigns, we could, with a facile flourish similar to Mamet’s, call Ancient Greek Democracy a criminal syndicate. But that would also be reductive and pointless.
“Humanity bad. Me smart.” –David Mamet
Despite his cynicism, I know Mr. Mamet has more to offer than this effort!

Peter Johnson
Peter Johnson
1 year ago
Reply to  T Bone

Is RFK Jr Moses for betrayal of the Democrats to side with us plebs? I feel like I am writing a university exam.

AJ Mac
AJ Mac
1 year ago
Reply to  T Bone

I agree. Mamet also only uses the Kennedys as a point of departure for his meandering musings. The attitude revealed here is profoundly cynical, endorsing Hobbes’s characterization of the State of Nature–“a war of all against all”–as likely an apt description of human society itself, and using an absurdly lose definition of “crime family”. In eating the forbidden fruit and suffering a sibling murder, I guess the Bible’s first family was also a crime family.
To assert that all non-democratic systems emerge from Crime Families is a lot like saying that because (almost) everyone lies at some point in their lies that we are all just liars. And with their slaves, violent internal struggles, and war campaigns, we could, with a facile flourish similar to Mamet’s, call Ancient Greek Democracy a criminal syndicate. But that would also be reductive and pointless.
“Humanity bad. Me smart.” –David Mamet
Despite his cynicism, I know Mr. Mamet has more to offer than this effort!

Peter Johnson
Peter Johnson
1 year ago
Reply to  T Bone

Is RFK Jr Moses for betrayal of the Democrats to side with us plebs? I feel like I am writing a university exam.

T Bone
T Bone
1 year ago

This is effective creative prose but short on utility. The Kennedy’s are suddenly interesting again only because of RFK Jr. He might command attention because of his name but he’s not grandstanding on it. He’s a guy with actual knowledge about how the system works with a desire and focus to solve real problems. That so many of his Democrat establishment family members oppose his campaign tells you the Kennedys are not a “crime family.”

Peter Kwasi-Modo
Peter Kwasi-Modo
1 year ago

“The Scottish term for clan is Sept”. No! The Scottish word for clan is clan. It means “family” in both Scottish Gaelic and Irish. The correct Gaelic spelling has a double-n. A “sept” is sometimes used to describe a sub-division of a clan

Last edited 1 year ago by Peter Kwasi-Modo
Charles Stanhope
Charles Stanhope
1 year ago

So the Scotch are really Irish immigrants?

That explains a lot!

Last edited 1 year ago by Charles Stanhope
Charles Stanhope
Charles Stanhope
1 year ago

So the Scotch are really Irish immigrants?

That explains a lot!

Last edited 1 year ago by Charles Stanhope
Peter Kwasi-Modo
Peter Kwasi-Modo
1 year ago

“The Scottish term for clan is Sept”. No! The Scottish word for clan is clan. It means “family” in both Scottish Gaelic and Irish. The correct Gaelic spelling has a double-n. A “sept” is sometimes used to describe a sub-division of a clan

Last edited 1 year ago by Peter Kwasi-Modo
Malcolm Webb
Malcolm Webb
1 year ago

Terrific essay with some very intriguing observations. I am going to read this several more times before I come to any conclusions on its propositions – but they are fascinating and extremely well put – the last few lines especially so. Thank you for such a mentally stimulating start to my weekend.

Robert Eagle
Robert Eagle
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

I am going to read it again too – if only to see if I can make any sense of it

Robert Eagle
Robert Eagle
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

I shall this this article again too, if only to try and work out what the writer is trying to say

Glyn R
Glyn R
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

Are you having a laugh?

Robert Eagle
Robert Eagle
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

I am going to read it again too – if only to see if I can make any sense of it

Robert Eagle
Robert Eagle
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

I shall this this article again too, if only to try and work out what the writer is trying to say

Glyn R
Glyn R
1 year ago
Reply to  Malcolm Webb

Are you having a laugh?

Malcolm Webb
Malcolm Webb
1 year ago

Terrific essay with some very intriguing observations. I am going to read this several more times before I come to any conclusions on its propositions – but they are fascinating and extremely well put – the last few lines especially so. Thank you for such a mentally stimulating start to my weekend.

Regan Best
Regan Best
1 year ago

I would file this piece under “playwrights disease”. LOL

Regan Best
Regan Best
1 year ago

I would file this piece under “playwrights disease”. LOL

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago

The Actual Elites, they equal = Depravity.

The problem of billions in money, and massively, huge power is pleasure becomes meaningless. All Man’s pleasures are available, and thus lose the ability to give them pleasure. Only true depravity, the last taboos, still will have any excitement.

‘Today’s British monarchy is a ceremonial outfit,”

No – Charles is a WEF Young Leader. He is a Lizard.

The real strings of Global Power – the hands pulling those though – they are Monsters. Cruelty and depravity are all they have which can distract them as all else is nothing. You can see them forming the world now –

I think ‘Salty Cracker’ on Rumble has it right – he calls them Kid Fu* king Lizard People and Monsters…. and they are who are setting the direction of the whole world. The Nation State kept the old Elites busy – wars, dirty tricks, plotting amongst themselves, treachery….. always some other person and people to torment. But now it is Globalism. The top couple Hedge Funds and Brokerages and Banks own the world. They control the stocks which control the world – they own the world – and the Elites have nothing to distract them, it all is theirs, and so they turn on society – to wreck it, to break it, for their amusement.

D Walsh
D Walsh
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

You are David Icke, and I claim my ten pounds

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  D Walsh

Interesting theory. And do you think David Icke is for real? Or is he controlled opposition?

Amy Horseman
Amy Horseman
1 year ago
Reply to  D Walsh

Interesting theory. And do you think David Icke is for real? Or is he controlled opposition?

D Walsh
D Walsh
1 year ago
Reply to  Emil Castelli

You are David Icke, and I claim my ten pounds

Emil Castelli
Emil Castelli
1 year ago

The Actual Elites, they equal = Depravity.

The problem of billions in money, and massively, huge power is pleasure becomes meaningless. All Man’s pleasures are available, and thus lose the ability to give them pleasure. Only true depravity, the last taboos, still will have any excitement.

‘Today’s British monarchy is a ceremonial outfit,”

No – Charles is a WEF Young Leader. He is a Lizard.

The real strings of Global Power – the hands pulling those though – they are Monsters. Cruelty and depravity are all they have which can distract them as all else is nothing. You can see them forming the world now –

I think ‘Salty Cracker’ on Rumble has it right – he calls them Kid Fu* king Lizard People and Monsters…. and they are who are setting the direction of the whole world. The Nation State kept the old Elites busy – wars, dirty tricks, plotting amongst themselves, treachery….. always some other person and people to torment. But now it is Globalism. The top couple Hedge Funds and Brokerages and Banks own the world. They control the stocks which control the world – they own the world – and the Elites have nothing to distract them, it all is theirs, and so they turn on society – to wreck it, to break it, for their amusement.

Brian Matthews
Brian Matthews
1 year ago

Here’s my take, though it may be a bit pedestrian compared to previous comments. Not so much a comment on the article as just my assessment of the family and a few other thoughts.

The Kennedy family had two extremely exceptional members. Three if you count Joseph P. John F Kennedy was an amazing intellect and leader, as evidenced by his inaugural speech. Truly astounding. And we may have avoided the pile of dog s*** we live in today had he not been tragically murdered. ie. The Democratic party may not have begun it’s hard left turn that began under LBJ and has accelerated ever since.

The lion of the Senate was simply a narcissistic power addict with a volcanic voice, a trait (common to narcissists) that gives unearned credit to a speakers utterances.

The last person of integrity that the family produced was John Jr. He seemed to have been a truly quality and lovely human being. Not so with Caroline who is incredibly entitled and not that bright. Perhaps there have been some quality younger members that I’m not aware of.

I’m looking forward to learning more about RFK Jr. He at least seems honest and, of course, that’s a really big deal.

I have a hard time with the assination conspiracies (though part of me (a large part) just doesn’t want to believe them).

But wasn’t it Ben Franklin (I may be wrong) who said three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead. And didn’t we learn from some gangster movie (was it the Godfather?) that it’s always two shots to the head if you really want to be sure to get rid of somebody. One in the abdomen doesn’t carry a lot of guarantees (the bullet just happened to hit his aorta running to the kidneys). Unless the surgeon was in on the plot also and he severed the aorta, it was a low probability outcome. And why use a 38 instead of a 45 if a lot of very powerful people had a lot riding on it.

But yes, they certainly had their day in the sun and it was really something. Heroes like that (those two) don’t come along very many times in a century. No wonder why people are still obsessed with them.

UnHerd Reader
UnHerd Reader
1 year ago
Reply to  Brian Matthews

Hey Brian, it was the movie Miller’s Crossing that said, “Always put one in the brain.” Just wanted to make sure you were being kept up to date.

UnHerd Reader
UnHerd Reader
1 year ago
Reply to  Brian Matthews

Hey Brian, it was the movie Miller’s Crossing that said, “Always put one in the brain.” Just wanted to make sure you were being kept up to date.

Brian Matthews
Brian Matthews
1 year ago

Here’s my take, though it may be a bit pedestrian compared to previous comments. Not so much a comment on the article as just my assessment of the family and a few other thoughts.

The Kennedy family had two extremely exceptional members. Three if you count Joseph P. John F Kennedy was an amazing intellect and leader, as evidenced by his inaugural speech. Truly astounding. And we may have avoided the pile of dog s*** we live in today had he not been tragically murdered. ie. The Democratic party may not have begun it’s hard left turn that began under LBJ and has accelerated ever since.

The lion of the Senate was simply a narcissistic power addict with a volcanic voice, a trait (common to narcissists) that gives unearned credit to a speakers utterances.

The last person of integrity that the family produced was John Jr. He seemed to have been a truly quality and lovely human being. Not so with Caroline who is incredibly entitled and not that bright. Perhaps there have been some quality younger members that I’m not aware of.

I’m looking forward to learning more about RFK Jr. He at least seems honest and, of course, that’s a really big deal.

I have a hard time with the assination conspiracies (though part of me (a large part) just doesn’t want to believe them).

But wasn’t it Ben Franklin (I may be wrong) who said three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead. And didn’t we learn from some gangster movie (was it the Godfather?) that it’s always two shots to the head if you really want to be sure to get rid of somebody. One in the abdomen doesn’t carry a lot of guarantees (the bullet just happened to hit his aorta running to the kidneys). Unless the surgeon was in on the plot also and he severed the aorta, it was a low probability outcome. And why use a 38 instead of a 45 if a lot of very powerful people had a lot riding on it.

But yes, they certainly had their day in the sun and it was really something. Heroes like that (those two) don’t come along very many times in a century. No wonder why people are still obsessed with them.

Mark Smith
Mark Smith
1 year ago

“Every family… is a compendium of humans — as flawed as we each know ourselves to be — endeavouring or constrained to live together under a set of customs, both based upon and engendering myth. For myth is the expression of an otherwise ungraspable perception; it grows from necessity, and persists as it is useful operationally.”
Because this necessity is eternal, though, I think that this rationalization of myth requires a level of detachment that makes the rationalization often irrelevant. Part of being human is cohering socially with others, so myth will always be more compelling than reality in some contexts, and reality includes the fact that “myth… grows from necessity.”

Last edited 1 year ago by Mark Smith
Yuval Legendtofski
Yuval Legendtofski
1 year ago

the Kennedy Clan have no more power than the Trump clan. What narishkeint are you yecking about?

michael harris
michael harris
1 year ago

Trump put the skids under two clans (Bushes and Clintons). He then changed the Supreme Court 180 degrees, pushing through his last pick in about 10 minutes!
No wonder he has enemies.

michael harris
michael harris
1 year ago

Trump put the skids under two clans (Bushes and Clintons). He then changed the Supreme Court 180 degrees, pushing through his last pick in about 10 minutes!
No wonder he has enemies.

Yuval Legendtofski
Yuval Legendtofski
1 year ago

the Kennedy Clan have no more power than the Trump clan. What narishkeint are you yecking about?