Trump’s Appointments Are Like the Wizard of Oz Movie

Trump Appointments Are Like the Wizard of Oz Movie

Donald Trump has a problem trusting people that he does not know well.  So, he has been taking those that work for him or were close to him in the campaign and placing them in positions or nominating them for positions in which they are not professionally qualified.  This reminds me of Dorothy’s dream in the Wizard of Oz, where her relatives and the people she encountered just before the tornado (in the black and white part of the movie) end up being in glorified roles in her dream in Oz.

This was started with Chief Strategist Steve Bannon of Breitbart, who’s qualification is running one of the main misinformation and conspiracy news organizations.

It continues with Trump’s bankruptcy lawyer, David Friedman, being appointed Ambassador to Israel.  Then, Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s executive vice president and chief legal officer, will be the special representative for international negotiations.

When Trump does appoint experts, they are experts at opposing the work of the Departments which they will head.

We recall that the book by L. Frank Baum, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, was written in the year 1900.   The movie was made in 1939, with period references to Hitler as the Wicked Witch of the East, and to Russian and Japanese militaries.  Oz, the Great and Terrible, though a fraud, turns out to be the good guy.

We shortly review the relation between the characters in Dorothy’s life, and those in Oz.  Then we present quotes that seem interesting in today’s political climate.  It can only be a coincidence that the Witches of the East and West were bad, where Trump lost politically, but the Witch of the North being good, where Trump unexpectedly secured his win.

Oz is Oscar Zoroaster … Diggs (abbreviated OZPINHEAD), an Omaha con man and circus magician, who painted OZ on his balloon, and transformed to the ruler of Oz.

Miss Almira Gulch (Margaret Hamilton), the bike rider, who was bitten by Toto, and threatened Dorothy with a lawsuit, became the Wicked Witch of the East, who was killed by the falling house.  We still do not know if Trump will continue his threatened lawsuits after his inauguration, or how many other Trump towering “White Houses” he will occupy.

Hunk, a farm worker, became Scarecrow, and was played by Ray Bolger.  Scarecrow needed a brain, and was given a diploma by Oz from his made-up university.

Hickory (Jack Haley), who was repairing a wagon, became the Tin Man who wanted a heart.  He was told a heart could be broken.  He was given a clock shaped like a heart.

Zeke, also repairing the wagon, became the Cowardly Lion, who wanted courage, and was played by Bert Lahr.  Oz game him a Medal of Bravery, with Courage written on it.

Judy Garland played Dorothy Gale, and won a Juvenile Academy Award for her performance.

The song “Over the Rainbow”, written by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, won the Oscar for “Best Song of the Year”.  VP-elect Gov. Mike Pence is a strong opponent of LGBT rights, often symbolized by a rainbow.

Some famous, and relevant lines today, from the movie follow.

Dorothy:  “Toto, I’ve a feeling were not in Kansas anymore.”

Auntie Em:  “Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn’t mean that you have the power to run the rest of us.”

Cowardly lion:  “There’s only one thing I want you fellows to do.  (What’s that?)  Talk me out of it.”

Guard:  “Orders are nobody can see the Great Oz!  Not nobody, not no how!”  Trump will not hold the usual press conferences, or have daily White House press briefings.  It seems his suggested internet postings and town hall meetings would not allow open questions, just pre-chosen ones, at best.

Oz:  “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”.  We still don’t know who President-elect Trump is:  he provided no income tax forms, which might show links to Russian banks or oligarchs; no real health records; no real plans since the election, except for tweets; he has retreated from several campaign promises as just rally material; he doesn’t believe in our intelligence agencies, especially about Russian DNC hacking to help Trump win; and he has promised and backed out of several press conferences on challenging issues.

Of course, there is still the Yellow Brick Road and its similarity to a gold plated road for his billionaire appointees to the cabinet, and as advisors.

The land of Oz was a dream in the movie.  What will it be like in real life?

 

About Dennis SILVERMAN

I am a retired Professor of Physics and Astronomy at U C Irvine. For two decades I have been active in learning about energy and the environment, and in reporting on those topics for a decade. For the last four years I have added science policy. Lately, I have been reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic of our times.
This entry was posted in 2016 Election, Affairs of State, Donald Trump, Movie Analogies, Politics, Trump Administration. Bookmark the permalink.

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