Ambassadors, Boycotts, and the Best Songs of 2021
Also: Ukraine's Twitter account, A Very Finnish Scandal, and a French 75 recipe.
No Polls, Just Vibes
The weekly word on politics, (usually) free of polls.
Here’s the rundown:
Congress appears to have a plan to make sure they can raise the debt ceiling more easily, by allowing a one-time pathway to skip the filibuster. It’s all unnecessarily complicated, as with most Senate rules. More on that here.
Speaking of Senate rules, Sen. Joe Manchin is reportedly talking to Republican colleagues about making some rule changes to make the Senate run more efficiently. He’s still against removing the filibuster, so don’t get too excited. More here.
In a Very Finnish Scandal, the 39-year-old Prime Minister of Finland went out clubbing this past weekend despite being exposed to COVID the day before. She’d apparently left her work phone at home and didn’t see a text telling her to quarantine. Then the Economics Minister, who was also exposed, attended a floorball game, whatever that is.
Finally, the most apocalyptic news of the week: Ukraine’s official Twitter account has literally been shit-posting to get international attention.
Diplomacy Involves a Whole Lot of Symbolism, and That’s Just Fine
In the first ever issue of Cansler Culture, I wrote about the slowdown in the Senate’s confirmation process, which has left many top positions empty.
For instance, as of today, 95 ambassadorships still sit vacant.
There’s another aspect to that story, though, which is that 47 ambassadorships don’t even have a nominee. To be sure, some of those vacant seats are likely because of the confirmation backup, but I’m also talking about some pretty important countries, including Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ukraine, and the UK, among others.
Another nominee-less ambassadorship is Australia, who made a major deal with the US earlier this year to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific. Apparently, no ambassador was necessary for the Biden administration to make that deal.
And honestly, that’s understandable. The original purpose of ambassadors was to represent the current administration abroad when communication across the globe was difficult. In the 21st century, Biden can basically FaceTime the Prime Minister of Australia whenever he wants.
So what does an ambassador do these days? They mainly act as the chief executive for the embassy staff, otherwise known as the foreign service. At this point, though, embassies are well-oiled bureaucratic machines, which is why the administration doesn’t mind leaving the position empty for so long.
They can also be used, very effectively, for symbolism.
France made that very clear when, in response to that Australia deal, they recalled their ambassadors from both the US and Australia. They felt betrayed by both countries because the deal had screwed-over France, who had lost their $66 billion submarine deal with Australia as a result.
Recalling ambassadors tangibly did very little, except make some poor diplomat fly back to Paris for the weekend. But it did send the media into a frenzy, and made the global community, especially the US, very aware of how outraged France was.
Perhaps more importantly, with a French presidential election in April, it sent a message to the French people that President Macron is willing to stand up to the US. The symbolism of the move was highly effective.
That brings us the US’s announcement this week of a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in response to human rights abuses in China, specifically genocide of the Uyghur people.
The Olympics themselves have always been highly symbolic events. In 2008, China used the Summer Olympics as a soft power message to the world that they were officially a global power. 2022 was supposed to be a symbol that they’re here to stay.
It’s easy to look at the diplomatic boycott as useless. Like most diplomatic moves, it tangibly does little. China isn’t going to suddenly going to stop committing genocide because of the move.
But the boycott does force everyone — the media, the spectators, even the athletes — to talk about China’s human rights abuses anytime they talk about the games. It sends a message to China that if they want to be a global superpower, they need to be prepared for the scrutiny that comes with it.
That kind of move, even if it is just symbolism, is very effective, and that’s what 21st-century diplomacy is all about.
Other Recommendations:
Mitt Romney’s Op-Ed about why a diplomatic boycott is necessary, and why an athletic boycott isn’t.
This shoutout to Newport News Shipbuilding from The Economist.
This fantastic test to see how much of an economic bubble you’re in, from The Atlantic.
The Top 5 Songs of 2021
What kind of reputable publication would we be without a classic year-end list?
Sam’s Picks
(Written by Guest Contributor and Amateur Spotify Playlist Curator Sam Signorelli)
Hello Cansler Culture readers! 2021 was a great year for music, so dude-bros who think music stopped being good when the Beatles broke up: you can suck it. You will see both by this list and my 2021 playlist that I am pop music trash and I stand by that. Without further adieu:
Montero (Call Me By Your Name), Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X is the man of the hour, and while he has produced banger after banger this year, nothing hits like pissing off boomers. Come for the Twitter trolling, stay for the objectively exceptional and surprisingly earnest music.
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Billie’s stark pivot from Halloween-core pop to her sophomore album’s sober reflection on relationships and fame was surprisingly refreshing and the titular track is no exception. Sometimes songs with long winded metaphors and complex melodies are needed, but most of the time all you need is to scream along to “and all that you did was make me fucking sad.”
Need To Know, Doja Cat
This is the year of the internet troll, y’all. Really all there is to say is when we let women sing about sex we get masterpieces, like this song and the entirety of Planet Her.
Don’t Call Me, Shinee
Two words y’all: Shinee’s Back. Actually, I have a lot of words to say about this song. With a comeback album sandwiched between military services for these 2nd gen K-pop legends, this lead single is a triumphant reminder that there is a reason why your favs all look up to Shinee. And if you are not a K-pop fan, I’m quite literally begging you to let the genre change your life.
You And Me On The Rock, Brandi Carlile
After 16 years of releasing music that spans genres, Brandi Carlile continues to deliver on each track. The plucky guitars and joyous harmonies allow this song to shine beyond measure.
Bonus: While I will concede that the above list is what I believe to be the Top 5 “songs of the year,” my favorite song released this year is Deja Vu (Your Love) by Glass Animals. Shit bangs.
Jakob’s Picks
In a whirlwind 2021, nostalgia was the name of the game. It’s clear in the sound — 80’s grooves, pop punk angst, even crooning. But it’s also in the lyrics. Artists looked back with rose-colored lenses for times when things were just a little “simpler,” whether that’s true or not.
Silk Chiffon (feat. Phoebe Bridgers), MUNA
There’s a reason NPR deemed this song a “queerworm.” It’s infectious, and more importantly, the kind of upbeat declaration of queer love that’s long overdue. Plus, in a year in which female artists were getting quieter and sadder, MUNA delivered a joyous anthem, and somehow got the queen of sad girl pop to sing “life’s so fun” and make it sound true.
White Dress, Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey has always been obsessed with nostalgia: in practice and in concept. On White Dress, she’s at her most honest, looking back on a heartbreaking time in her life with rose-colored lenses, despite how illogical it is. “It kinda makes me feel like maybe I was better off.” It’s a poignant take on the power of nostalgia, and probably her best song to date.
Kiss Me More (feat. SZA), Doja Cat
With a pulsing 80s beat, rhythmic guitar, and a loose sample of Physical by Olivia Newton-John, Kiss Me More is the kind of track that has you grooving no matter the context. Is it technically just a song about kissing? Yes, but make no mistake, this is a product of the internet trolling that Doja Cat has perfected (and gotten in trouble for). The perfect recipe for song of the summer.
Photo ID (feat. Dominic Fike), Remi Wolf
Technically a 2020 release, it took a slight remix and an all-star verse by Dominic Fike to take this song to the next level. Easily the grooviest song of the year and honestly just a whole lot of fun, Photo ID is one of those songs that’ll be on repeat after just one listen. What’s it about, you ask? I have absolutely no idea, and honestly, it doesn’t even matter.
good 4 u, Olivia Rodrigo
This is the year that music declared “pop punk is back.” In reality, though, it never left. You can see it’s influences in everything from hip-hop to indie rock. But it was breakout-star Olivia Rodrigo, already famous for two sad girl ballads, who sent a pop punk revivalist song to #1 in 2021. For Gen-Z, pop punk is escapism, nostalgia, and angst all wrapped into one, and that’s just what we all needed this year.
The Weekly Soundtrack
You can listen to all our top songs, as well as our honorable mentions, on our respective Top 21 of ‘21 playlists:
Sam’s Picks:
Jakob’s Picks:
I Hardly Know Her!
(The Cocktail Column)
I don’t think there’s anything more classy to drink this holiday season than a French 75, no matter how you make it. (It’s also pretty easy.)
Ingredients:
1oz cognac or gin
0.5oz lemon juice
0.5oz simple syrup
champagne
lemon twist, for garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add cognac (or gin), syrup, and lemon juice. Shake for 15-20 seconds and strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with lemon twist.