It’s a new year, and despite all hopes that we might be getting closer to a society in which we could reach accommodation with those holding differing opinions, that doesn’t seem likely.  If anything, an already polarized society and electorate seems to getting even more polarized, if that’s possible.

Those afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome, incredibly are sinking even deeper into their psychoses.  Absolutely every action taken by the President sets these people off.  For his part, President Trump knows this, and he therefore takes every opportunity to provoke them.  Perhaps that’s not the best tactic, but after what he’s been through, can you blame him?  I mean, Trump’s constantly being criticized for failing to seek accommodation with people who continually declare him to be illegitimate.  There’s no pleasing or negotiating with these people, so screw them.

Trump does things for the express purpose of making liberal heads explode.  And the liberals never fail to take the bait.  The latest one is Trump’s decision to add his name to the Kennedy Center.  Unsurprisingly, liberals are outraged.  Would I have added the Trump name to the building – no.  But at the end of the day, what difference does it make?

Now, irate progressive performers are cancelling their appearances at the Kennedy Center.  The Kennedy Center Director, Rick Grenell, has announced that he has evidence that CNN is encouraging performers to cancel scheduled shows.  If true, I foresee a lawsuit against CNN for tortious interference with contract.  CNN may wind up funding the renovations of the Trump/Kennedy Center.

Most of the cancellations have come from performers I’ve never even heard of.  A New York City jazz group by the name of The Cookers have bailed on their planned New Year’s Eve performance, pontificating, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom:  freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice.”  Not sure what that means.  Whoever they are, they were still free to sing whatever they wanted, and to say whatever they wanted about the President.

Musician Chuck Redd, who had hosted the center’s “Jazz Jams” Christmas Eve concert since 2006, withdrew from the show after hearing of the name change. “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said.  Redd’s doctrinal purity may prove costly, however.  Grenell has notified Redd that his belated cancellation may expose him to a lawsuit for breach of contract, to the tune of $1 million.  That’s truly putting your money where your mouth is.

You must remember that, for so-called progressives, substance is irrelevant.  It’s only the cause that counts.  What cause?  It doesn’t matter.  If Trump’s for it, they’re against it.  Never mind that John F. Kennedy got elected in 1960 by appearing tougher on defense than Richard Nixon.  Never mind that JFK wouldn’t be welcome in today’s Democrat Party.  The cause is resistance, no matter what.

The mania to resist animates their every action.  It doesn’t have to make sense.  These are the people who force sports teams to change mascot names they find objectionable, but have yet to realize that Washington and Lee College is named for Robert E. Lee.  They have long lists of forbidden words and deeds, and they would compel prohibitions if they could.

The progressives’ failure to exhibit flexibility, and their insistence on adhering to their lists of the imagined offenses that “trigger” them put me in mind of the 1885 Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, The Mikado.  It’s set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu.  KoKo has been condemned to death for flirting.  But the locals have found an ingenious way to avoid capital punishment.

Because criminals must be executed in accordance with the order of their crimes, the town appoints KoKo as Lord High Executioner, because, he “cannot cut off another head until he’s cut his own off.”  When the Emperor, the Mikado, notices the lack of executions, he orders KoKo to take action.  KoKo is prepared though, as he’s been compiling a list of likely victims who, “never would be missed.”  KoKo then sings the aria, I’ve Got a Little List.

The lyrics of that song have been updated through the years to reflect the time and place of the operetta’s performance.  Since liberals have their lists of things that they object to, I thought it only fitting that, to usher in the new year,  I should share my “little list.”  Here it is.

As some day it may happen that some justice will be served
I’ve got a little list — I’ve got a little list
Of society offenders on whom vengeance should be served
And who never would be missed — who never would be missed!

There’s the pestilential nuisances who claim to read the news;
All women who just do their hair and buy too many shoes;
All so-called influencers who have never held a job;
And Rosie O’Donnell, that fat disgusting slob;
All self-important actors with large mouths and little minds;
And bubble-headed actresses who wiggle their behinds;
They’d none of ’em be missed — they’d none of ’em be missed!

There’s the social justice singers who just croak out every tune;
And old Kamala Harris who’s still laughing like a loon;
And the people who eat garlic and then puff it in your face;
And the climate change fanatics who just hate the human race;
They never would be missed — they never would be missed!

All idiots who praise with an enthusiastic tone
All centuries but this one, and all countries but their own;
And those who preach for justice, and the rights of victims tout;
Then open up the prisons and let all the criminals out;
But by now I think you have probably have must have got the gist;
I don’t think they’d be missed — I’m sure they’d not be missed!

He’s got them on the list!  He’s got them on the list!                                            And they’d none of them be missed, they’d none of them be missed.

Happy New Year from Frank on Friday.