Mugging

OF THE TWO OR THREE VERSIONS of the Trump mugshot, I preferred the one with the multicolored necktie,which was the "fake" one. In the "authentic" version, the red tie, for my taste, was less attractive, more prosaic,and the scowl much deeper, much more intense, which, considering the circumstances, is arguably more dramatic,more appropriate. Solid red or blue ties, symbolic of political party affiliation, have served their purpose and perhaps worn out their welcome. Let a rich profusion of diverse color freely flow! I half expected Trump to defiantly flaunt his poto op with a braod grin or dismissive, smirky smile, but deep and genuine emotion interceded; the swowl, the anger, fear, and humiliation clearly manifested on the orange framed face. It seems fair: four indictments, four televised arrests, only one mugshot. Trump is getting a break. The difference between the fake internet mugshot versions and the real mccoy was minimal; for me the "bottom line" is that any of them would have done nicely. Somebody pointed out that all this attention is exactly what Don the Con craves and thrives on. I pointed out that this is attention of a very particular sort, and that he undoubtedly thrives on it much less than usual. Word is that he is already turning the photo into T shirts, and that they are selling, at thirty five a copy, like hot cakes. He and his gang members, who still number in the tens of millions, can wear them like badges of honor; the "honor" will be as phony as the alleged ability of their cult icon to lead the country to greatness, as phony as their own stated reasons for their support of him. Unwilling to confess their shame, they try to turn it into pride. The hollowness of their pathatic attempt is evident to all with a modicum of perception, perception they themselves lack.I have never met a Trump supporter who expresses an honest, honorable reason for continuing to support him post election denial, post insurrection. Their stated "facts" are invariably alternateive facts, gleaned from an alternative,imaginary world, a world in which they have integrity, and a purpose other than regressive, racist, hateful anger. Their doomed political movement will fade far more rapidly than their mugshot T shirts, which will be worn less and less as the years pass, until they are consigned first to the bottom of the drawer, then, turned into claning rags before being consigned to the nearest dumpster, and the dust bin of ignominious history, with Trump himself.