Getting the Goat of Bambi Lovers — The Theatre of Cruelty

The cruelty is the point and as the latest special report in Byline Times reveals, the cruelty is transatlantic

Thank you for supporting my work with a paid membership, and thank you to everyone upgrading to Founding Member. You keep the light of truth burning brightly.

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”—Isaac Asimov

As I document the recent rash of cruel one-upmanship by far-right political leaders, who are showing their entire arsenal of savagery, it’s clear the cruelty is the point — and it’s transatlantic, as the attached preview cover of the next Byline Times magazine reveals. Violence truly is the last refuse of the incompetent and our empathy is like kryptonite.

---

Getting the Goat of Bambi Lovers — Cruelty Brinkmanship

In binge-watching The Crown with my mom, I’m reminded that world leaders often communicate with other politicians indirectly through the media. 

So when South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem auditioned for the role of Vice President by showing just how cruel she can be — murdering both her puppy Cricket and a family goat — and then calls for the murder of President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, clearly, the cruelty is the point.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, after serving Donald Trump with four years of devotional gazes, failed in his final act. By certifying the 2020 election outcome, he chose country over fealty to “demagogue” and Noem is using the release of her upcoming book to ensure Trump — who famously hates dogs — knows that she’ll stand by his evil dictator side.

Noem, who is banned from Native American tribal land in the state she governs, is wasting her acid breath. She not only carries the Stench of Palin by coming from an electorally irrelevant state, “strongman” Trump will pick a man to be his running mate, with the exception of maybe Ivanka.

But so as not to be upstaged by wannabe Cruella de Veep, allies of Vladimir Putin want you to know that he not only murders political opponents, he tears the heart out of Bambi.

While the world was still reeling from news of a puppy murderer, a decade-old story “breaks” about Putin making Silvio Berlusconi puke, by shooting a deer and then carving out its heart— offering it up to the Italian PM crudo.

Ho hum. 

All the world’s a stage and failed US presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is trying to regain his manhood by muscling in on some of that cruelty. The Florida governor likely remains hopeful Trump will be dethroned, and he’ll be back in the running for the next Führer-apparent. To ensure his poll position, he invited “Miami’s most corrupt cop” to join his paramilitary force. According to the Miami Herald, Javier Ortiz boasts 50 citizen complaints, 20 use-of-force incidents, three suspensions and a termination after $600,000 in lawsuits and an FBI finding that he “engaged in a pattern of abuse and bias against minorities”. DeSantis must have figured he checked all the right boxes.

‘Johnny Get Your Gun’

In more obscene Florida news, disgraced former Trump advisor Michael Flynn is benefiting from MAGA Realty, a Florida real estate company that is giving away free AR-15s with every purchase in order “to make liberals’ heads explode”. The company’s website indicates proceeds from sales will be donated to Flynn’s PAC.

Trump loyalist John McEntee also submitted his audition reel for a Trump cabinet position by posting video of himself on TikTok bragging about giving homeless people counterfeit money to ensure they get arrested. 

Texas Dictator Greg Abbott is pardoning killers, hopeful that Trump might see him as cruel enough for the gig.

Not to be outdone, Trump garnered headlines last weekend by making cannibalism great again. In a rambling and often incoherent speech in New Jersey, he called both Murder, Inc’s Al Capone and fictional horror film character Hannibal Lecter “great” men. Violence has always been Trump’s brand, but the escalation of violent imagery and violent references has notably increased since he kicked off his 2024 campaign in Waco, Texas.

The ultimate point of all this cruelty brinkmanship is to encourage fear among the ‘peasants’, as these monsters work in conjunction to spark outrage and despair. It also has become red meat to a base increasingly encouraged to act out violently.

Whatever.

After November, when the US rebukes MAGA again, the empathy depraved geeks will be shunned in polite society, forced to hide out on oligarch yachts, the site of future crime scenes.

As for Putin, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft called. He wants his f**king ring back.

****

****

Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members. Thank you as well to all those who support my work with your generous coffee tips and who buy my ebooks. Some of you prefer making subsidizing donations via venmo, and it’s always greatly appreciated.

Also, a private link to an annual membership discount for older adults, those on fixed incomes or drawing disability, as well as activists and members of the media is available upon request at bettedangerous/gmail. 🥹

More info about Bette Dangerous - This magazine is written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, an Emmy-award winning investigative reporter/producer, author, and veteran music and nightlife columnist. She is the cohost of RADICALIZED Truth Survives, an investigative show about disinformation and is part of the Byline Media team. Thank you for your support of independent investigative journalism.

🤍

Begin each day with a grateful heart.

🤍

Byline Times — Theatre of Cruelty Special Report

You can order the print edition here.