News I missed until it was pointed out this morning: Democrats won the race for attorney general of Arizona by a razor-thin 280 votes, a mandatory statewide recount confirmed on Thursday. Going into the recount, Democrat Kris Mayes led her Republican opponent, Abraham Hamadeh, by 511 votes.
If we gave them enough ATACMS missiles, Ukraine could literally seal off Ukraine from Russia and its supply lines by interdicting every road, railroad and bridge between Russia and Ukraine, including finishing the job on the Kerch bridge. That would be the game changer that could ensure a Ukrainian victory. War is a hellish, nasty business, and this is our chance to bleed the Russian army and war economy dry to prevent this sort of thing from happening again anytime soon. In the long run, fighting now will save lives later.....
Russia and Ukraine share a rail system with a unique 60" track gauge, wider than the standard European and US standard track gauge of 56.5". A really dirty trick would be to help Ukraine rebuild its entire rail system to match the European track gauge, so that Russia could not use Ukrainian railroads again, and Ukraine could then send trains of goods directly to the EU on standard gauge track.
TC's WHAT? 'I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that 2023 is going to be the year the balance tipped.' Anyone else have a limb to spare?
Now for TC, investors in Telsa and Bitcoin and for cat lovers everywhere, here goes (from excerpts):
‘If you’re one of those people who bought Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency near its peak last fall, you’ve lost a lot of money. Is it any consolation to know that you would have lost a similar amount if you had bought Tesla stock instead?’
‘OK, probably not. Still, Tesla stock’s plunge is an opportunity to talk about what makes businesses successful in the information age. And in the end, Tesla and Bitcoin may have more in common than you think.’
‘It’s natural to attribute Tesla’s recent decline — which is, to be sure, part of a general fall in tech stocks, but an exceptionally steep example — to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and the reputational self-immolation that followed. Indeed, given what we’ve seen of Musk’s behavior, I wouldn’t trust him to feed my CAT, let alone run a major corporation. Furthermore, Tesla sales have surely depended at least in part on the perception that Musk himself is a cool guy. Who, aside from MAGA types who probably wouldn’t have bought Teslas anyway, sees him that way now?’
….I guess we’ll eventually see what happens. But I definitely won’t trust Elon Musk with my CAT.
(Did the Tesla Story Ever Make Sense?)
___Opinion by Paul Krugman, NYTimes. See link below, (sorry, gifting not possible).
Yeah, so right. Personally, "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great relish," as Clarence Darrow put it. Bad news for Bitcoin and the people who are in that is good news for the rest of us. And to the Mucks of the world.
I fired that goddamn fool almost a year ago. I admit that I occasionally check in (being careful to skip the bilious, never-funny monologue) and it never takes more than five minutes for me to kill it.
his old show was soooo much better, even if it featured too many crazies.
but it ended in 2001. a long time between one's chosen intoxicants.
actually, my best friend's brother (who is extremely wealthy after forty successful years in the Futures Exchange) sold his house in Chicago and now divides his time between Phoenix and Wellfleet (in the Summer). his friends pretty much all define themselves as liberal Democrats, and many of them own Teslas. they bought them because, until this year, they bought into the bullshit image that they were 1) very expensive, so the world will know that the drivers are "doing something right," 2) very cool, so the same world will know that the drivers are, well, COOL and 3) environmentally friendly, so the world will know that the drivers are RESPONSIBLE and WORTHWHILE.
do I sound cynical? very well, I might be cynical. or GETTING there. I REALLY wish we could do italics. all these CAPS make me look like I'm SHOUTING.
Excellent, Karen. Many thanks. I am a subscriber, but as the Opinion was printed on 12/31, at the end of the month, I had run out of the gifting option, which I have back for the month of January.
TAFMers, this gifted Opinion by Paul Krugman about Telsa and Musk is very good. I recommend it.
Happy New Year, Tom, and all the denizens of this blue asylum.....:-) I am more optimistic about the future for several reasons - the Dems avoided a political catastrophe, Qevin McQ will fall on his sword (or have it run through him by his Freedom caucus), and the Dems have the House leadership to get stuff done in spite of the far-right 'shit-show' (h/t to AOC). Biden's numbers are coming up and he can point to some incredible achievements, considering the very narrow margins the Dems had recently. I have read several articles detailing how a lot of the younger voters have found the value of getting involved and voting. Allied with that, Trump's base is getting older and Covid harvests several hundred every day, a plurality from his base. Time and tombstones will solve some of our political problems. A successful government program to improve the lives of as many Americans as possible will add to that. A lot of people know they have been left behind and they are pissed. helping them to live better will only bring dividends - people with full bellies and enough money to live are not revolutionaries.
I would add as a detail that we are in a transition in the US. The younger generations have grown up with desegregation and more social acceptance of the "others" (people of color, LBGTQI, etc.) and they are far more tolerant of people who are different, and in general far more liberal in their economic and social equality beliefs. The "time and tombstones" above will gradually decrease the influence of the more rigid and bigoted types, though of course there will be regional differences. The coming re-establishment of manufacturing in the US as globalization declines will bring far more new jobs all over the country and help reduce income inequality and improve peoples' lives. Our side's beliefs and programs are more popular according to all the polls, and we will overcome..... If Biden and Hakeem Jeffries can work a few small miracles in the House and get more good legislation passed, we could see the whole Congress and the White House in friendlier hands after 2024. We live in hope.....
Typing diarrhea.....:-) Demographic changes in the US population WILL leads to higher inflation as the boomers retire and take their investment capital and put it into retirement accounts with less risk than the markets., and that will pertain for perhaps the next 5-10 years. Inflation could run well over 5% a year, and that is the optimistic estimate. So we will have a new financial environment and the young folks will be better able to adapt to that. The wild card, though, is that the higher interest rates in the US will draw investment funds for all over the world and that will make up a lot of the missing capital from the boomers..... Ain't economics fun.....?
God, how we all need that shot of adrenaline to start the year. Sort of scared to feel optimistic, but I think I’ll stick a few toes out of the closet.
As I was reading your comments regarding the red tsunothing, it occurred to me that maybe all they wound up with was the output of Trumpism's bloodied nose.
Happy New Year to you and all your subscribers! I love your essays and the comments that follow them. Thank you for sharing your optimism. Stay healthy and take care.
I’m still waiting on the indictments of TFG…as a former employee of the Federal government, I remember all the briefings and training sessions about the handling of classified documents, all of which stressed the repercussions if those papers weren’t secured properly, including losing your job, as well as criminal penalties. And taking home those documents for any reason was a “Go directly to jail! Do not pass Go and do not collect $200!” moment! How trump has skated by for so long just for this faux pas extraordinaire is infuriating, to say the least. His fat ass should be in prison for this, no questions asked and no answers taken…
I'm going out there with you. That I have a saw and am following you out, should not be read into too much. Happy New Year. Saving this to my FB timeline, in case we need a soft LAnding. 🤪😎
I read a really long article about Elaine Stefanic today! She pulled a super Kari Lake in her 180 degree turn from being liberal to being a Trump butt kisser all for her own political attempt to gain votes. Another true loser.
yes it was. these people have no shame at all. and since we're talking about pieces of shit from Harvard, I was just reading Jared Kushner's transcript. it looks like his dad's payoff didn't exactly get a great return in the Correct English Grammar department. lots of "they was"s and the like. my grammar isn't exactly perfect by any means (certainly not for an English major), but I attended an 'umbler institution of higher learning.
this is not going into his alarming memory lapses, but there was an epidemic of that in the West Wing. mebbe Little Stevie Miller coughed on him?
Cautiously optimistic and energized for 2023 and beyond.
Thanks, TC, for update on AZ race. You made my day 🙂 !! I volunteered with NE AZ Native Dems. They partner potential/voters with local Native organizers. Reported overall turnout (Apache and Navajo Counties) beat the state turnout by 3.9% !
Meanwhile ,in Florida, the New Year brings creepy Santos to my neighborhood where he “houses” his recently revived Fl org in a residential condo and Bolsonaro is headed to Orlando and Dystopian World!
Sadly true. Although while some eventually end up here …another was “born” here…"God looked down on his planned paradise ( Florida)and said: 'I need a protector.' So God made a fighter."
2023 is the year of victory in Ukraine and accountability in America. Give 'em hell, Harry!
Slava Ukraine!
May Putin and his idolizer Trump meet in hell in 2023.
fingers crossed.
Give Ukraine what needs right away!
If we gave them enough ATACMS missiles, Ukraine could literally seal off Ukraine from Russia and its supply lines by interdicting every road, railroad and bridge between Russia and Ukraine, including finishing the job on the Kerch bridge. That would be the game changer that could ensure a Ukrainian victory. War is a hellish, nasty business, and this is our chance to bleed the Russian army and war economy dry to prevent this sort of thing from happening again anytime soon. In the long run, fighting now will save lives later.....
Russia and Ukraine share a rail system with a unique 60" track gauge, wider than the standard European and US standard track gauge of 56.5". A really dirty trick would be to help Ukraine rebuild its entire rail system to match the European track gauge, so that Russia could not use Ukrainian railroads again, and Ukraine could then send trains of goods directly to the EU on standard gauge track.
what a swell idea!
To Victory in Ukraine!
🍾👏
TC's WHAT? 'I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that 2023 is going to be the year the balance tipped.' Anyone else have a limb to spare?
Now for TC, investors in Telsa and Bitcoin and for cat lovers everywhere, here goes (from excerpts):
‘If you’re one of those people who bought Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency near its peak last fall, you’ve lost a lot of money. Is it any consolation to know that you would have lost a similar amount if you had bought Tesla stock instead?’
‘OK, probably not. Still, Tesla stock’s plunge is an opportunity to talk about what makes businesses successful in the information age. And in the end, Tesla and Bitcoin may have more in common than you think.’
‘It’s natural to attribute Tesla’s recent decline — which is, to be sure, part of a general fall in tech stocks, but an exceptionally steep example — to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and the reputational self-immolation that followed. Indeed, given what we’ve seen of Musk’s behavior, I wouldn’t trust him to feed my CAT, let alone run a major corporation. Furthermore, Tesla sales have surely depended at least in part on the perception that Musk himself is a cool guy. Who, aside from MAGA types who probably wouldn’t have bought Teslas anyway, sees him that way now?’
….I guess we’ll eventually see what happens. But I definitely won’t trust Elon Musk with my CAT.
(Did the Tesla Story Ever Make Sense?)
___Opinion by Paul Krugman, NYTimes. See link below, (sorry, gifting not possible).
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/opinion/tesla-stock-elon-musk.html?searchResultPosition=2
Yeah, so right. Personally, "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great relish," as Clarence Darrow put it. Bad news for Bitcoin and the people who are in that is good news for the rest of us. And to the Mucks of the world.
I didn't know that quote, Tom. but it has just entered my personal lexicon.
so thanks yet again.
It's a good 'un.
I love it when we agree, TC, yet, you still don't 'like' me! Are we a pair or not? I'm not going to 'like' you either!
I thought I did - let me check
Forgetfulness corrected.
You are forgiven, TC. Happy New Year's Day! You've got a 1,000 likes from me, but I don't like being so obvious!
Another lover’s quarrel?
You sure have insight, Hale, and still 'see' that hole in one!
I believe you have me confused with someone else. Golf is for weenies!
I've got my tail between my legs now, Hale Irwin. As for Golf, it doesn't mean anything to me, either, but 'weenies' can be tasty.
Happy 2023, and I hope to see you around!
Hope Bill Maher has had that smirk wiped off his face re Muck.
I think Maher and Taibbi drink the same kool-aid ! 🧃
I fired that goddamn fool almost a year ago. I admit that I occasionally check in (being careful to skip the bilious, never-funny monologue) and it never takes more than five minutes for me to kill it.
his old show was soooo much better, even if it featured too many crazies.
but it ended in 2001. a long time between one's chosen intoxicants.
actually, my best friend's brother (who is extremely wealthy after forty successful years in the Futures Exchange) sold his house in Chicago and now divides his time between Phoenix and Wellfleet (in the Summer). his friends pretty much all define themselves as liberal Democrats, and many of them own Teslas. they bought them because, until this year, they bought into the bullshit image that they were 1) very expensive, so the world will know that the drivers are "doing something right," 2) very cool, so the same world will know that the drivers are, well, COOL and 3) environmentally friendly, so the world will know that the drivers are RESPONSIBLE and WORTHWHILE.
do I sound cynical? very well, I might be cynical. or GETTING there. I REALLY wish we could do italics. all these CAPS make me look like I'm SHOUTING.
Yeah, Teslas are no longer the Official Car of Rich White Lib'ruls after 2022.
Fern, I found a gift link here,hope it works:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/opinion/tesla-stock-elon-musk.html?unlocked_article_code=U7f0Z3VL1KJ6WaZ3oCt8byvYXmzhl7SUsTKmHUZrfFbu6Y2oae_GjIMC1DhYgBaEQCXt1FQnkVLv2nJlbOSZu52RplnpcVVrE2C8BhTdZbTb3GLyGysX1GSX1BZcNimU7DOiz6hzVVj_8RVbJ5E3Uj0o3F0me58eKKp2D0KBhdMtUJfC9ODl60MtKKqBOZWA2jvJ409ynSH9lenthAvp1qjFgQzX6P-9lnspbM2p6CRcDb8RmplA_KjYjvi8QuUW6oKMtUmCaxpIcqUiy8WoiILAqrglhkOSjjC_pXYHR_4JPOjcJhnf6ndX4UgPoVzuRMyicGpSRw3bkTikvELh&smid=share-url
Excellent, Karen. Many thanks. I am a subscriber, but as the Opinion was printed on 12/31, at the end of the month, I had run out of the gifting option, which I have back for the month of January.
TAFMers, this gifted Opinion by Paul Krugman about Telsa and Musk is very good. I recommend it.
Thanks, as always, Fern! Happy New Year!
Right back at you, Sister MaryPat, secularly speaking!
Happy New Year, Tom, and all the denizens of this blue asylum.....:-) I am more optimistic about the future for several reasons - the Dems avoided a political catastrophe, Qevin McQ will fall on his sword (or have it run through him by his Freedom caucus), and the Dems have the House leadership to get stuff done in spite of the far-right 'shit-show' (h/t to AOC). Biden's numbers are coming up and he can point to some incredible achievements, considering the very narrow margins the Dems had recently. I have read several articles detailing how a lot of the younger voters have found the value of getting involved and voting. Allied with that, Trump's base is getting older and Covid harvests several hundred every day, a plurality from his base. Time and tombstones will solve some of our political problems. A successful government program to improve the lives of as many Americans as possible will add to that. A lot of people know they have been left behind and they are pissed. helping them to live better will only bring dividends - people with full bellies and enough money to live are not revolutionaries.
I would add as a detail that we are in a transition in the US. The younger generations have grown up with desegregation and more social acceptance of the "others" (people of color, LBGTQI, etc.) and they are far more tolerant of people who are different, and in general far more liberal in their economic and social equality beliefs. The "time and tombstones" above will gradually decrease the influence of the more rigid and bigoted types, though of course there will be regional differences. The coming re-establishment of manufacturing in the US as globalization declines will bring far more new jobs all over the country and help reduce income inequality and improve peoples' lives. Our side's beliefs and programs are more popular according to all the polls, and we will overcome..... If Biden and Hakeem Jeffries can work a few small miracles in the House and get more good legislation passed, we could see the whole Congress and the White House in friendlier hands after 2024. We live in hope.....
Typing diarrhea.....:-) Demographic changes in the US population WILL leads to higher inflation as the boomers retire and take their investment capital and put it into retirement accounts with less risk than the markets., and that will pertain for perhaps the next 5-10 years. Inflation could run well over 5% a year, and that is the optimistic estimate. So we will have a new financial environment and the young folks will be better able to adapt to that. The wild card, though, is that the higher interest rates in the US will draw investment funds for all over the world and that will make up a lot of the missing capital from the boomers..... Ain't economics fun.....?
God, how we all need that shot of adrenaline to start the year. Sort of scared to feel optimistic, but I think I’ll stick a few toes out of the closet.
Peeking around the corner here.
Enjoy it as it is, makes the down side easier to work through.
As I was reading your comments regarding the red tsunothing, it occurred to me that maybe all they wound up with was the output of Trumpism's bloodied nose.
Happy new year to all from the eastern seaboard!
I like that.
“Red tsunothing” - I love it!
Happy New Year to you and all your subscribers! I love your essays and the comments that follow them. Thank you for sharing your optimism. Stay healthy and take care.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from SoCal! 🎉🤗🤸♀️🥂☔️ But please remember food banks and Ukraine.
You mentioned McCarthy trades the family jewels for votes. That is impossible as he has no balls at all.
He's got something he traded. Probably any actual power if he gets elected.
I’m still waiting on the indictments of TFG…as a former employee of the Federal government, I remember all the briefings and training sessions about the handling of classified documents, all of which stressed the repercussions if those papers weren’t secured properly, including losing your job, as well as criminal penalties. And taking home those documents for any reason was a “Go directly to jail! Do not pass Go and do not collect $200!” moment! How trump has skated by for so long just for this faux pas extraordinaire is infuriating, to say the least. His fat ass should be in prison for this, no questions asked and no answers taken…
I'm going out there with you. That I have a saw and am following you out, should not be read into too much. Happy New Year. Saving this to my FB timeline, in case we need a soft LAnding. 🤪😎
I read a really long article about Elaine Stefanic today! She pulled a super Kari Lake in her 180 degree turn from being liberal to being a Trump butt kisser all for her own political attempt to gain votes. Another true loser.
Yes, that piece in the NYT is truly a cringe-worthy tale.
yes it was. these people have no shame at all. and since we're talking about pieces of shit from Harvard, I was just reading Jared Kushner's transcript. it looks like his dad's payoff didn't exactly get a great return in the Correct English Grammar department. lots of "they was"s and the like. my grammar isn't exactly perfect by any means (certainly not for an English major), but I attended an 'umbler institution of higher learning.
this is not going into his alarming memory lapses, but there was an epidemic of that in the West Wing. mebbe Little Stevie Miller coughed on him?
May you be right this year—right in the best sense of the word.
Cautiously optimistic and energized for 2023 and beyond.
Thanks, TC, for update on AZ race. You made my day 🙂 !! I volunteered with NE AZ Native Dems. They partner potential/voters with local Native organizers. Reported overall turnout (Apache and Navajo Counties) beat the state turnout by 3.9% !
Meanwhile ,in Florida, the New Year brings creepy Santos to my neighborhood where he “houses” his recently revived Fl org in a residential condo and Bolsonaro is headed to Orlando and Dystopian World!
Happy New Year !!🥳
Every Latin American shithead dictator and dictator-wannabe eventually ends up in Florida.
Sadly true. Although while some eventually end up here …another was “born” here…"God looked down on his planned paradise ( Florida)and said: 'I need a protector.' So God made a fighter."
It's a sturdy limb! Happy 2023!!
A reckoning is coming
Don’t mess with the Earps
Thanks Tom for this very optimistic
look into 2023. I'm along for the ride.