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"I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:47 pm
by Jerky
I find it odd that there hasn't been more discussion here on this forum about what possibly could have been floating through the minds of either the FLOTUS or her handlers regarding her decision (if it WAS her decision) to wear a garment adorned with a great, big, block-letters message that could not have been more inappropriate, at every conceivable level, when visiting one of those shameful "tender age detention facilities" near the border with Mexico.

Is there not something distinctly and disturbingly "Trump" about it? about how free of subtlety and nuance it is, about how insultingly direct it is in its rhetorical brutality? And coming straight from one of the most visible representatives of America's commanding heights? This should be a big deal, it seems to me, but it's almost as if it was SO wrong, SO disgusting, SO beyond comprehension for most non-demented individuals that nobody in the media, mainstream or otherwise, can get an adequate handle on how to approach it. It was actually kind of amazing watching them try, and then give up, because... what's the point? This really is a case of "it is what it is"... any commentary beyond just playing the video seems... unnecessary? confounding? insufficient in every way? It's a real head-spinner, the likes of which has no analog in recent memory ("Now watch this drive" pales in comparison).

To me, this incident represents a clear moment of escalation in both the New Fascist International's use of pseudo-magickal meme-war, and also in their willingness to "go there" when it comes to confirming the worst fears of right-minded people (and the hopes and dreams of Trumpnik True Believers) about how deeply this movement is committed to its spite-sculpted core values (destroying the postwar consensus to own the libs) and how far they're willing to go in service to those values (the latest step down this stairway to hell being the establishment of concentration camps for brown babies).

Am I making too much of this? Have any of you come across any analysis or explanation that you've found satisfactory? I'd really, REALLY like to see it if you have.

Love to all y'all,
yer old pal Jerky

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 5:53 pm
by liminalOyster
Interesting thoughts. Side note that I think it's also worthy of a closer look that a number of establishment media have suggested that Melania was directing her message at Donald. Im not buying it (yet at least) but its interesting.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 6:33 pm
by 82_28
Perhaps!?!?!

“Me ne frego” — which translates to “I don’t care” or “I don’t give a fuck” — was adopted by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a slogan. The slogan came from a poem by Gabriele D’Annunzio, about the arditi, World War I soldiers who volunteered to fight. The poem used the refrain “me ne frego” to explain that the soldiers didn’t care if they died, because their fight was noble.

Though the arditi disbanded after World War I, many of the original soldiers formed the Black Squads, Mussolini’s goon squad. The Black Squads were essential to Mussolini’s power grab and declared loyalty to the fascist leader.

Mussolini adopted “Me ne frego” as not just a slogan but the prevailing philosophy of his movement. Mussolini explained:

The proud Blackshirt motto “I don’t care” written on the bandages that cover a wound isn’t just an act of stoic philosophy or the summary of a political doctrine. It’s an education to fighting, and the acceptance of the risks it implies. It’s a new Italian lifestyle. This is how the Fascist welcomes and loves life, while rejecting and regarding suicide as an act of cowardice; this is how the Fascist understands life as duty, exaltation, conquest. A life that must be lived highly and fully, both for oneself but especially for others, near and far, present and future.

Italian writer and translator Giovanni Tiso wrote an excellent essay about the history of “me ne frego,” and we highly recommend reading it for more history on the slogan and its importance in fascist ideology. And, of course, “me ne frego” never went away; you can buy shirts and stickers from fascist retailers — even with pictures of Mussolini or the fascist “fasces” symbol on them, making the connotations clear.


Did Melania know about the fascist history of “me ne frego” and what it means? It’s impossible to know — but Melania does claim to speak Italian. And though some have questioned that claim, we see no reason to. Aside from the fact that many Europeans are multi-lingual, early in her modeling career she lived in Italy. Honestly, we’d be surprised if she couldn’t speak Italian.

As for whether or not Melania knows the context, again, we can’t be sure. But it is worth noting that Melania’s hometown is the Slovenian city of Nova Mesto. Nova Mesto was part of Fascist Italy. Her father was in the League of Communists of Slovenia, which fought against the fascists during World War II. So it’s reasonable to assume she knows the fascist meaning of “me no frego.”

While we can’t know if she made the connection between “me no frego” and “I really don’t care, do U,” it’s definitely a bigger gaffe that it seems on its face. (And more evidence that the “Free Melania” meme is utterly misguided.) After all, this is what she chose. She chose to get (and stay!) married to a repulsive yet powerful man.

Furthermore, before her husband became president, she pushed racist conspiracy theories about President Obama’s American citizenship and tolerated anti-Semitic attacks against a Jewish writer who wrote a slightly unflattering profile of her.

She’s as complicit as the rest of them, and this controversy surround Melania’s jacket is more than the press merely having a field day following a thoughtless misstep.


https://hornet.com/stories/melanias-jac ... -care-two/

Eventually leads to via Mussolini:

Image

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:26 pm
by Jerky
Yeah, I had noticed a few talking heads taking that angle, and I too have found it wanting. There's just no realistic way to spin this as a "subtle" (HA!) jab at hubby. And Trump's subsequent attempt to spin it as being directed towards the "FAKE News media" is too preposterous to even consider.

J.

liminalOyster » 26 Jun 2018 21:53 wrote:Interesting thoughts. Side note that I think it's also worthy of a closer look that a number of establishment media have suggested that Melania was directing her message at Donald. Im not buying it (yet at least) but its interesting.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:35 pm
by Elvis
82_28 wrote:“Me ne frego” — which translates to “I don’t care” or “I don’t give a fuck” — was adopted by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a slogan.

Very, very interesting! I otherwise dismiss the controversy as a distraction, probably intended. Maybe something will leak out revealing that, say, Stephen Miller was behind it.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:49 pm
by Jerky
82_28, while I doubt, at this point, that there's any relation between the Italian Fascists' use of "Me ne frego" and Melania's "I don't really care. Do u?", I do thank you for this very intriguing set of information, particularly because I have never run across it before (or at least I can't remember it) during my wide-ranging research into fascist movements worldwide. I'll definitely be keeping it in mind going forward.

Cheers!
Jerky

82_28 » 26 Jun 2018 22:33 wrote:Perhaps!?!?!

“Me ne frego” — which translates to “I don’t care” or “I don’t give a fuck” — was adopted by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a slogan. The slogan came from a poem by Gabriele D’Annunzio, about the arditi, World War I soldiers who volunteered to fight. The poem used the refrain “me ne frego” to explain that the soldiers didn’t care if they died, because their fight was noble.

Though the arditi disbanded after World War I, many of the original soldiers formed the Black Squads, Mussolini’s goon squad. The Black Squads were essential to Mussolini’s power grab and declared loyalty to the fascist leader.

Mussolini adopted “Me ne frego” as not just a slogan but the prevailing philosophy of his movement. Mussolini explained:

The proud Blackshirt motto “I don’t care” written on the bandages that cover a wound isn’t just an act of stoic philosophy or the summary of a political doctrine. It’s an education to fighting, and the acceptance of the risks it implies. It’s a new Italian lifestyle. This is how the Fascist welcomes and loves life, while rejecting and regarding suicide as an act of cowardice; this is how the Fascist understands life as duty, exaltation, conquest. A life that must be lived highly and fully, both for oneself but especially for others, near and far, present and future.

Italian writer and translator Giovanni Tiso wrote an excellent essay about the history of “me ne frego,” and we highly recommend reading it for more history on the slogan and its importance in fascist ideology. And, of course, “me ne frego” never went away; you can buy shirts and stickers from fascist retailers — even with pictures of Mussolini or the fascist “fasces” symbol on them, making the connotations clear.


Did Melania know about the fascist history of “me ne frego” and what it means? It’s impossible to know — but Melania does claim to speak Italian. And though some have questioned that claim, we see no reason to. Aside from the fact that many Europeans are multi-lingual, early in her modeling career she lived in Italy. Honestly, we’d be surprised if she couldn’t speak Italian.

As for whether or not Melania knows the context, again, we can’t be sure. But it is worth noting that Melania’s hometown is the Slovenian city of Nova Mesto. Nova Mesto was part of Fascist Italy. Her father was in the League of Communists of Slovenia, which fought against the fascists during World War II. So it’s reasonable to assume she knows the fascist meaning of “me no frego.”

While we can’t know if she made the connection between “me no frego” and “I really don’t care, do U,” it’s definitely a bigger gaffe that it seems on its face. (And more evidence that the “Free Melania” meme is utterly misguided.) After all, this is what she chose. She chose to get (and stay!) married to a repulsive yet powerful man.

Furthermore, before her husband became president, she pushed racist conspiracy theories about President Obama’s American citizenship and tolerated anti-Semitic attacks against a Jewish writer who wrote a slightly unflattering profile of her.

She’s as complicit as the rest of them, and this controversy surround Melania’s jacket is more than the press merely having a field day following a thoughtless misstep.


https://hornet.com/stories/melanias-jac ... -care-two/

Eventually leads to via Mussolini:

Image

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:59 pm
by Elvis
Elvis » Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:35 pm wrote:
82_28 wrote:“Me ne frego” — which translates to “I don’t care” or “I don’t give a fuck” — was adopted by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a slogan.

Very, very interesting! I otherwise dismiss the controversy as a distraction, probably intended. Maybe something will leak out revealing that, say, Stephen Miller was behind it.


It's also now another example of the clothing line's use of Fascist/Nazi/racist symbols and messages.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 9:07 pm
by Heaven Swan
I wish I knew if wearing the jacket was her idea or someone else’s...DT, Stephen Miller, Bannon... In any case Melania’s made it clear how complicit and evil she really is. Chilling.

It would be interesting to look at it through the lens of psychological warfare—because it seems like a very deliberate and calculated gesture.

And, although probably a side issue, who owns Zara? Talk about product placement!


Oh, and thanks 82_28 for the article on the fascists. Really fascinating.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:08 am
by Iamwhomiam
Quote excerpted from: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/21/politics/melania-trump-jacket/index.html

Later, President Donald Trump said the jacket's message was a shot at the media.

"'I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?' written on the back of Melania's jacket, refers to the Fake News Media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!" he tweeted.

But a Republican close to the White House sent along a note to say that this explanation of the coat is "revisionist history."

This Republican, who is supportive of Trump, but skeptical of some of what they consider to be the administration's ham-handedness, says there was an urgent meeting among communications staff about how to fix this after it was becoming a story.

It's unclear who, exactly, first had the idea to say her coat's message was directed at the media. But it quickly won approval in the West Wing and by the President.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:40 am
by Blue
Heaven Swan » Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:07 pm wrote:I wish I knew if wearing the jacket was her idea or someone else’s...DT, Stephen Miller, Bannon... In any case Melania’s made it clear how complicit and evil she really is. Chilling.

It would be interesting to look at it through the lens of psychological warfare—because it seems like a very deliberate and calculated gesture.

And, although probably a side issue, who owns Zara? Talk about product placement!


I talked about this in another thread. Swastika on purse, concentration camp pajamas, pepe the frog: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=41170

The owner:

Amancio Ortega Gaona is a Spanish billionaire businessman. He is the founder and former chairman of Inditex fashion group, best known for its chain of Zara clothing and accessories shops. As of March 2018, Ortega had a net worth of $68.4 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person in Europe after Bernard Arnault, and the sixth-wealthiest in the world.[2]

Ortega is also the wealthiest retailer in the world
.


Lot of problems with this company:

In 2007, Zara withdrew a handbag from their shelves after a customer noticed a swastika on the bag's design. The bag came from an external supplier, and Zara said that the symbol was not visible when the handbag was chosen. Zara spokesman Susan Suett said that if they had noticed the handbag featured the symbol, they would not have sourced it. Once informed of the swastika symbol, they immediately withdrew the item from their shelves.[53]

In August 2011, a Brazilian television show accused the company of using suppliers who were running sweatshops for their outsourced production. The Regional Superintendency of Labour and Employment of São Paulo, Brazil, closed a factory that produced Zara's clothing for its poor labour conditions.[55] Zara’s representatives said that the accusations of slave labour made against the retailer represent a breach of the code of conduct for workshops of Inditex. The company also states that all factories responsible for unauthorized outsourcing have been asked to regularize immediately the situation of the workers involved.[56]

In August 2014, Zara received criticism for selling a toddler T-shirt for closely resembling uniforms worn by Jewish concentration-camp inmates. The T-shirt was striped and featured a yellow star similar to the Star of David. Zara said that the design of the shirt was inspired by "the sheriff's stars from the classic western films". After being on sale for a few short hours, Zara immediately removed the shirt and apologized.[57] Zara received heavy criticism for selling the T-shirt in Israel because Israel does not have sheriffs. Additionally, the word "Sheriff" is outlined in transparent letters on the bright yellow star.[57] The Anti-Defamation League responded to the shirt, saying that it was offensive, but welcomed Zara's recognition of the potential imagery and removing the shirt from sale.[58]

In July 2016, complaints were made against Zara that they had been stealing designs from multiple independent designers for their products. One of the designers, Tuesday Bassen, who previously worked with brands like Urban Outfitters and Nike, got in touch with Zara and received a response from Zara that claimed that Bassen's designs were not distinctive enough, and that they received only a handful of complaints given the large volume of traffic they receive on their site. When the news was eventually picked up by media outlets, and Inditex, Zara's owning company, was asked to comment on the issue, Inditex replied that the items in question have been suspended from sale, and that they are in contact with Bassen's lawyer to clarify and address the issue.[59][60]

In November 2017, customers shopping at Zara stores in Istanbul, Turkey, found handwritten notes purportedly from Turkish workers in the pockets of in-store garments asking shoppers to pressure Zara into paying them the wages, which they claim they are owed.[61]

As of April 2018, MaXhosa by Laduma is taking legal action against Zara for copying its designs.[63]


Melania is a former model and usually wears couture. Her spokeswoman said she always chooses her own clothes. She has never invited the press to photograph her until this trip so clearly the $39 jacket with it's message is deliberate. Wealthiest retailer in the world provides a controversial jacket for the most controversial "leader of the free world's wife." How could it be anything but an outright signal to the alt-right/Neo Nazi movement?

Maybe it's not that complicated, just outrageously manipulative. But it seems to have backfired on them both. I wish someone would ask her directly why she wore that particular jacket that day.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 11:37 am
by Iamwhomiam
That awful $39 jacket now goes for $900!

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 1:49 pm
by Cordelia
She's very well aware of how she'll be filmed and photographed from every angle.

Image

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But because of the national & international outrage over an immoral, cruel policy, the admin. was forced to withdraw and Melania was quickly dispatched to act as their goodwill emissary (probably outside whatever she's signed onto as her flotus duties for the month). My take is that she was pissed off about being taken away from whatever spa, fashion event, lunch, tennis, etc. she had planned and sent an aide to find her a wearable 'Fuck You'.

Image

Her punishment is more slumming...


Melania Trump set to visit more immigration centers after jacket furor


By LOUIS NELSON

06/27/2018 10:12 AM EDT

First Lady Melania Trump will visit additional immigration holding centers this week, the second such trip for the first lady after she caused a stir by wearing a jack with the words “I really don’t care, do u?” painted on the back.

Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Wednesday that the first lady will visit “additional facilities” this week but did not offer further details, including where those facilities are located and when the visits will occur. She cautioned that the trip may not necessarily take the first lady to the U.S.-Mexico border.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/ ... ket-678818


All involved care nothing about anything but themselves.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:36 pm
by Blue
Cordelia wrote:
But because of the national & international outrage over an immoral, cruel policy, the admin. was forced to withdraw and Melania was quickly dispatched to act as their goodwill emissary (probably outside whatever she's signed onto as her flotus duties for the month). My take is that she was pissed off about being taken away from whatever spa, fashion event, lunch, tennis, etc. she had planned and sent an aide to find her a wearable 'Fuck You'.

Her punishment is more slumming...



I agree about the King Con Man's punishment (eww ick she might have to sit on a plastic chair and touch one of them) and it is an interesting angle but I don't think she's smart enough to do the "fuck you" thing. She's a vapid fembot. Trainable, obviously.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:25 pm
by Blue
The most remarkable thing about this situation is how something like discussing the first lady's jacket would normally be considered, rightfully so, gossipy, petty and irrelevant. But because of the blatant mindfuckery going on by the Trump team, it's just one more perversion with these billionaire assholes.

Despite the legacy of theatre aspect of the Presidency of the USA, just imagine if Michelle Obama wore that jacket. Or Hillary. Or (fill in the blank with any other occupant of the White House or Congress). At the very least they would be expected to explain why they wore something like that. We're not talking about style, but very specific words. "Sardonic" words worn by the FLOTUS while she visits immigrant kids in horrible conditions. It's blatant and anyone else wearing that in that situation would have been pressured into explaining themselves.

Does she even speak any more than a few words after her latest fembot upgrade?

Melanie or whatevs is a Marie Antoinette wannabe.

Re: "I REALLY DON'T CARE. DO U?"

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:46 pm
by Cordelia
I think it's the closest she could get to carrying a placard. What's written on the sleeve of The Jacket?

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(Maybe it's because of her grasp of English & accent, but I find it difficult to get a sense of the personality beneath the cosmetic/surgical mask, and with those squinting wrap-around eyes, I can almost imagine a reptilian tongue flicking between her teeth.)

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