It may be a generational thing, but I cannot understand anyone being scared of a clown.
What is it exactly that triggers panic in coulrophobes? Is it the makeup that turns faces into oversize parodies of the human visage? Or the strange costumes, sometimes mimicking everyday clothing, sometimes so strangely organized as to seem otherworldly?
Assuredly one could see far more shocking scenes in any number of motion pictures and television shows. Consider any film or program about zombies: there we have grotesque makeup and ragged clothing, yet no one runs screaming from the theater or dives behind the couch when they come on the screen.
Is it the matter of perceived violence in the slapstick, the pratfall, or the pistol that shoots out a "Bang!" flag? Again, what of the material that has entertained generations? The Three Stooges, perhaps, or the venerable Road Runner, developed in 1948 and still going strong. The image of Wile E. Coyote meeting disaster never fails to draw a laugh from audiences, even though in reality the gags would result in severe injuries or death.
Or is it simply the matter that real clowns, from their ridiculous wigs right down to their outsize shoes, are in the same space we inhabit? Depending on our seat in the auditorium or tent we might be able to reach out and touch them--or more terrible for the clown-fearing members of the audience, they could reach out and touch us.
I will probably never understand coulrophobia, but there are some clowns I do fear: the despicable band of fools that Trump claims to want in his cabinet and other high offices.
In his own twisted notion of government there may be a weird logic to Trump's selections. As a transactional, lucre-driven being he of course puts great store in the long-discredited spoils system, whereby government offices are awarded on the basis of party--or in this case cult--loyalty, rather than on merit, talent, or experience.
We all know that Trump craves approval and fawning praise, and the individuals he has selected for the highest offices in government are among the most shameless toadies, stooges, and sycophants in his orbit.
The current roster of clowns is: Scott Bessent, Pam Bondi, Doug Burgum, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Doug Collins, Sean Duffy, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Howard Lutnick, Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem, John Ratcliffe, Brooke Rollins, Marco Rubio, Scott Turner, Chris Wright, Lee Zeldin.
And who are they?
Stay tuned.
--Diogenes, 11/26/24