No, I’m not going to do a review of the collected works of the Marquis de Sade or E. L. James. Sadomasochism really isn’t my preferred genre; I just have a passing acquaintance with it. Nonetheless, thank you for thinking of it. No, by S&M I refer to Smoke and Mirrors. Decades ago, in my programming days, we often referred to software that didn’t actually do what it was advertised to do as S&M. Others described it as “vaporware” – software in a box whose shell advertised all manner of enticing capabilities; however, the box itself being empty. I suppose a more common sales metaphor is, “selling the sizzle rather than the steak.”
I’m contemplating the flim-flam arts this evening because I am thinking of David Nunes, the newest apprentice, going to work for the Trump Organization as the CEO of the Trump Media and Technology Company SPAC. A SPAC, in the unlikely event that you don’t already know, is a Special-Purpose Acquisition Company. SPACs are often just shell companies designed to attract capital that can then be used to acquire existing companies and take them public. To me, a SPAC is the perfect grifting device – an investment tool that is legal and easily used by grifters like the Trumps to separate fools from their money.
While in Congress, Nunes was a figurative Trump lickspittle. Now, he will serve as an actual lickspittle. I expect that the Trumps will put him up at the Four Seasons landscaping company building or some comparably storied residence. I will not be surprised when this Trump con act ends the way that Trump vodka, Trump steaks, Trump airlines, and Trump casinos ended. If Nunes’ future turns to horseshit in accepting this career-ending opportunity, all I can say is that it couldn’t have happened to anyone more deserving.
In my mind’s eye, I can see Devin, naked and staked to the ground by his Trump benefactors – over a very large fire-ant mound. Okay, I just had to reward you with a prurient S&M visual for reading this rant. 🙂