You know that Donald Trump, President-elect Donald Trump, has in recent days nominated some flagrantly unqualified and deeply wrongheaded nominees to fill some of the most important positions in the government of the United States.

       To review, a few:

•       Now-former Congressman Matt Gaetz, himself the subject of an ethics investigation in the House, as Attorney General.

•       Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, whom Republican Senator Mitt Romney has accused of having embraced "actual Russian propaganda," as Director of National Intelligence.

•      Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who subscribes to a number of unsubstantiated scare stories about polio and Covid vaccines, as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Allow me to note that these appointments are not only terrifying but surreal.

       We are, of course, rightly outraged at Trump for attempting, by such subversive nominations, to trash important branches of the government.

       We are, of course, rightly furious at the voters who would elect someone so wrongheaded as to turn over positions this important to individuals this dangerous.

       And we rightly fear the destruction such individuals might cause if confirmed in these positions.

       But I want us also to be aware that American politics seems already to be taking an Orwellian turn in the second reign of Trump: We appear to be watching the unethical being empowered with enforcing the law, possible traitors being given responsibility for protecting national security, apparent quacks being asked to regulate our health care systems.

       “Strange days have,” indeed, “found us.” “The worst are full of passionate intensity.” Tragedy shares the stage with farce. “Up is down.”

       And Trump has not even been sworn in yet.