The fact all the crying that Biden’s too old and should quit now comes from the over-educated under-intelligent otherwise-unemployables of the Press Corpse and their allies among the heads-up-their-asses Democratic Wrong should tell anyone how bad the idea is.
I get. I really do. Even looking to the mid terms the msm is burying Biden. After four years of the biggest clusterfuck in US history ( and that's saying something with slavery, genocide, misogyny, etc. Oh, that's today too), there are so many of us that want the dems to come out kicking the shit out of the traitors. AOC and The Squad, etc. And we're stuck with Sinema and Manchin. I hate this party because it can't organize a one car funeral.
Look, Im glad I voted for Joe and every democrat since 1974, but shit is not the same. Name me one fucking Democratic leader that frightens the traitors. I'm waiting.
We don't need someone as stupid to be our Ted Cruz/Bitch McConnell. We need someone with their fucking attitude, but only used for good. And if a dem steps out of line they get the AOC treatment instead of kudos for thinking of the future and the future of her party and people.
Biden will be too old to run in 24. Thems the facts. Tangerine Nightmare won't run. But that party will put up a mini me, younger, more awful, no morals, ethics, empathy for anyone who's not a vampire billionaire.
I don't want someone to hold my hand. I want them to drop my hand and slap the shit out of Gym Jordan
Damn fucking right I'm pissed. Just look at the last week of June.
We get a lame attempt at gun control. After Highland Bitch said to expect no more legislation on gun control.
If that doesn't get motherfuckers out of the house and vote blue straight through, maybe we get what we deserve. Jesus, we're pussies.
wow....well said, well said. and, based on the New Yorker profile of two weeks or so ago, that mini-me is definitely De Santis, TFF's much smarter (and altogether more cynical) foreskin. I need to apologize pro-actively for that hopelessly mixed (if appropriately disgusting) metaphor. or was it metonymy?
Exactly! But here's where the dems step on rakes. Where is the coverage for these champions? It's like the dems whine about the disgusting msm, and so do I, but who the fuck is running their national media strategy ( if they have one). Not a day go by when we don't hear about Gaetz, MTFG, Gym Jordan, etc.
The msm is lazy and you have to dig deep, ( Slate, Atlantic, Salon) to get anything close to a fair shake. I don't want a press that is forever on their knees to anyone in power. I want them to do their fucking jobs. And getting the fuck out of the circle jerk that is DC would be a good start. I can't see how anybody watches those Sunday blow jobs.
Fareed Zakaria's Sunday program on CNN is often very informative. The New Yorker Magazine is another good source for well written and researched pieces. We have lost local journalism. That's a area requiring resurrection in various forms.
Matt Taibbi's been MIA for years now. once upon a time, he felt like he was pretty much on the side of the angels, but these past few years, he's been creating lots of false equivalences. I'm finding that you have to be very careful about relying on people who were doing good work fifteen or twenty years ago (or longer)...lots of them tend to go nuts. of course, they might be saying the same things about ME (if they think about me at all, which they don't). in which case, they're obviously completely fucked up.
Great to see you, MaryPat. Why does it feel night Sunday night to me? I know that you can't answer that. Zakaria mostly covers countries around the world. Hope you are doing well. When the time is right, I'd like to know how your niece is doing and her parents.. Salud, friend.
Great to see you , too Fern! Happy Birthday to me in 1 1/2 hours! (TC's, too!). And yes, weirdly, it feels like Sunday. Maybe cuz of the powerful sermons we heard and watched this afternoon!
Thanks for asking about my niece. She has graduated from the Notre Dame Cult, and is starting her real life. Fingers crossed.
PS Fred, My partial list, and please feel free to add more names, was in response to Judy's line '...so many of us that want the dems to come out kicking the shit out of the traitors.'
AGREED! Carolina Reaper pepper HOT! Where are the up and comers in the Democratic Party? I'd love to see the current controllers of the DNC get kicked to the curb and get some new blood, new young Dems who are on fire and uninsulated in the cushy bubble that those wusses must inhabit. The current chairman is a Jaime Harrison and there are some good folk in vice chair positions--Gretchen Whitmore, Tammy Duckworth...but wth are they doing to get out sharp, short, coherent messaging that resonates emotionally? People vote when they are invested or on fire or both...what can we do to engage and fire up the Dem rank and file?
Dem Vice Chair Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan's Incredible Governor!! She knows how to run - actually walk and snowshoe- a hugely successful campaign! She hiked in every county, city and village with her compelling message "Fix the Damn Roads." Now it's time to fix the damned government. We can do this.
It's avoidance behavior for a lot of them. Writing and talking about irrelevancies means they can file their 500 words, gin up some response and not have to research anything that might involve actual work.
when I looked at today's BIG MAIN STORY, I came very close to canceling my subscription to the daily hard copy of the NYT. I think its staff needs a re-haul, probably beginning with the horrible 21st-century idea that if its staff meetings don't resemble Harvard reunions, they're doing something wrong. it was a much better paper when it was mostly MY guys, the Jews from CCNY (that miserable prick Abe Rosenthal being a huge exception...he was no good at all from day one). now, it's pretty pathetic in its insistence that it always has its finger on America's pulse and is always entirely accurate in its diagnosis. I think the paper decided that, even if it was a good thing for the world that Biden won, it's not as good a thing for the NYT. now, even the Book Review is unreadable. oddly enough, the Sunday magazine has gotten pretty good, mostly by embracing those long-form stories. but those current op-ed people are utterly worthless, and on any given day, reading the op-ed page is one of the most dispiriting pursuits I regularly pursue. and, only slightly changing the subject, this CNN deal of giving altogether too much time to guys like John Bolton to pontificate and brag about the "coups" he's planned while he defends TFF by calling him too stupid to be evil (at least that's MY reading of what he was saying) REALLY sucks out loud. thing is, my expectations of CNN are so much lower than they are with the NYT.
Sadly, I agree. I have cancelled my subscription in sheer frustration. I was beginning to HATE the editorial page of the NYT. Feeling is similar with the Post. About to give up and subscribe to the Guardian, Mother Jones, the Atlantic and the New Yorker instead. The mag format does seem to lend itself to more investigative journalism. Open to suggestions, as well.
Hi T L. I would not consider cancelling my subscriptions to NY Times and WAPO. Just the other day, HCR called our addition to Mike Schmidt's reporting on IRS' audits of both 'Comey and McCabe, Who Infuriated Trump'. If you check Notes at the end of the Letter, there are often links to articles in WAPO and the NYTimes. Both newspapers have their weaknesses, but what 'journalistically' founded news outlet could be tailored to most of our interests and political philosophy? I elected to receive the Times', The Morning newsletter (no charge) heading by David Leonhardt, which you might find worthwhile. I frequently check with Vox Media and Politico as well as subscribing to the magazines you referred to. Pew Research Center is excellent for solid research studies. That's my info story in brief. Cheers!
Fern, I couldn't decide whether to cancel or not. Then I got a notice that my credit card no longer works. I didn't update with the new expiration date. Now can't figure out how to update it, so that pushed me to give NYT itself an expiration date. I will subscribe to Guardian, and continue Atlantic., and, of course, TCInLA!!
Thank you for your suggestions, Fern. I have kept up my digital morning newsletter by Leonhardt and I haven't yet cancelled the WaPo.
I do think there are too many lazy journalists who write their stuff without bothering to get out of their comfy bubble and do a little on the street research. I'm really liking the Guardian and Mother Jones. I try to read as many articles as I can by Pro Publica, Vox, Politico and of course, HCR, Reich and TC everyday.
habit? it IS the greatest thing in the world for puppy training, but my puppies are 13 and 11, so that excuse obviously won't cut it. which leaves habit. I see where this is going, Fern, and it's making me anxious....I got it! it reminds me of my father. actually, I think that's really it. seriously.
Seems like the Dems looking for press time are getting it by talking about what to do with the ashes from the to be deceased party leader. Smart. Not. If they really wanted to have any seats left in 2022, not to mention 2024, they should be pivoting the press time to successes and how they are addressing family economic woes. Never understand what abusers are so willing to talk about the infidelities (character flaws, ok) of their family members on Meet the Press. By the way, which promising Republican candidate is out there doing the dish on their leader and not getting nailed?
Dems response to this question should be, "Let's talk about that when the time to have that conversation means anything. Now, let's talk about how we are working on ... and what we have done about .... No, that question is way premature. We are working on what this country needs between now and 2025."
Loved the guy from Ohio at the end best. The regular guy who got conned, the kind maybe we, and this court, can convince to change their (public) opinion!
I felt mildly bad for him for about half a minute. I was watching Dunn during the idiot's "kiss and make up" moment, and applaud his ability to carry a completely appropriate grudge. I applaud Dunn every day, anyway. and I thought Fanone's tweet said it all. thing is, if the poor schmuck didn't plan on going to the capitol (spelled correctly for once), why did he have what looked like enough gear to withstand a certain amount of stress? and he still seems to harbor some doubt about the election, so if I seem hardassed for my "fuck him" attitude, very well...I'm hardassed. I can possibly allow that he thought there was a reason to be in DC; I can't get past anything beyond that...anybody over ten would have known how illegal it was. I get that the guy is not exactly an egghead and slept during his History classes in school, but stupid is stupid.
Understand. I don't feel bad for him at all. Except he isn't in that hot seat because he is stupid, but because he was conned, the point of the hearing. My three intelligent trumper brothers infuriate me, but they aren't stupid. The three of them, all college educated Fox whatchers, have been insidiously AND blatantly conned. They've been "Fuxed."
...I'm also not entirely sure the poor schmuck believes what he was saying. and if I were one of those cops, I would not have acknowledged his pathetic apology. fuck him. I was gonna add "and the whore he rode in on," but that would have been unkind and barely appropriate. just like me.
ew. I recently found out that the sister I "fired" seven or eight years ago (never to be rehired, thank god), who once fancied herself a Leftie firebrand because she watches MSNBC is moving to Florida and that her new "best friends" are huge fans of TFF (no, I will absolutely resist typing the name, even if avoiding doing so ruins what I like to think of as "prose rhythm") who are "wonderful people" with "some good ideas." she'll stay fired, but I understand that he enjoys the support of people who might have once been defined as "intelligent." so I figure it's just a matter of time. it's not for no reason that there are so many books published every year about American stupidity. I DO often think that the public take on him divides between The Rest of the Country (who might have been semi-"conned" by the whole Celebrity Apprentice thing) and native New Yorkers, who've had to put up with his media presence since sometime in the '70's and are, therefore, utterly flummoxed by the idea that ANYBODY takes him at all seriously as anything but a terrible human joke. I am obviously in the latter category and don't really know anybody from these parts who doesn't feel the same way. of course, I've also heard that my building is filled with TFF's supporters, so I've obviously avoided asking too many questions. I know that my ex-super adores him but thinks he's too old to run again, seeing (gulp) Jared as his natural successor. but my super (now fortunately retired from his nearly thirty years of doing nothing) is Russian, which explains pretty much everything.
Dear Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, There have been hours during this never ending turbulence in America when I wished you would popup with a piece. Eyes and heart brighten when one of your bold headlines sparks my new mail. This Birthday email to you comes with appreciation for your presence in my life, for your pluck, well considered patriotism and care of your flock. Happy Birthday Tom. To all your coming flights of mind and heart. Cheers! Fern
Well, given the results I got last week from my annual physical - blood glucose 80, cholesterol 155, PSA 0.95 (down from 7.0 when I began treatment 15 years ago), BP 120/70 and weight within 5 pounds of what I was at 18 - coupled with the fact that I didn't get mauled by a bear like my sixth great grandfather or stick a lump of uranium in my workpants pocket for six weeks like my father did, it appears likely I will conform to the other six generations of Cleaver male history and hang around into my 90s with "all systems go." So, there's no getting rid of me anytime soon. :-)
Funny that no one anywhere is talking about Trump’s age… Honestly, he’s to old to run as well, but I am not sure the GOP or Trump have come to terms with this.
yeah, but when you show TFF a camel, he KNOWS IT'S A CAMEL. it's a good thing nobody asked him anything about Luck Strike Green going to war. speaking of which, I watched "Twelve O'Clock High" again the other night, and it only gets better.
I didn't know but I'm hardly surprised. my dad said the mission scenes were real enough to scare him. Henry King never gets enough credit for being the excellent director that he was.
I think every Democrats' talking points to media for the next week should be...
1. How soon will Stone and Flynn be served their grand jury subpoenas?
2. Is anybody doing research into historical precedent to ascertain whether Trump can be sentenced to be hung by the neck until dead for his crimes? (As his evasion of military duty probably rules out a firing squad.)
To quote TC, 'We need to focus on this fall or 2024 won't matter.' Good news 'trumps' bad when it comes to acting on TC's words. We can do it! The following is from David Leonhardt's "The Morning' newsletter:
'My colleague Nate Cohn, The Times’s chief political analyst, has spent a lot of time thinking about the changing politics of economic class in the U.S. College graduates used to favor Republicans, while blue-collar voters favored Democrats. Increasingly, though, the opposite is true.'
'The social liberalism of Democrats — on immigration, marijuana, L.G.B.T. rights, affirmative action, abortion and more — has simultaneously attracted progressive college graduates and repelled more culturally conservative working-class voters. If you’re trying to figure out why Latino voters have shifted right in the past few years, even during the Trump presidency, this dynamic offers an explanation.'
'In this year’s midterm elections, the changing politics of class may get supercharged, Nate notes. Why? Look at the stories in the news. Many working-class voters are frustrated over inflation and other economic disruptions, making them unhappy with the Biden administration and Democrats. Many college graduates are angry about the recent decisions from a Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees.'
'These attitudes are evident in the first New York Times/Siena College poll of the midterm cycle: Among registered voters who never attended college, Republicans lead by almost 20 percentage points. Among college graduates, Democrats lead by almost 30 points. One startling comparison is that Democrats lead by almost as much among white college graduates as among all voters of color.'
'By Nate Cohn'
'With President Biden’s approval rating sagging into the low 30s and nearly 80 percent of voters saying the country is headed in the wrong direction, the ingredients would seem to be in place for a Republican landslide in this year’s midterm elections.'
'But the first Times/Siena survey of the cycle shows something else: a close, competitive race for Congress.'
'Overall, voters prefer Democrats to control Congress over Republicans by one point among registered voters, 41 to 40 percent. Once we exclude those people who are unlikely to vote, Republicans lead by one point, 44 to 43 percent.'
'It’s a pretty surprising result, given the circumstances. Analysts have all but written off the Democrats in the race for House control, not only because Biden’s ratings are so poor but also because there’s a long history of the president’s party getting pummeled in midterm elections. These factors help explain why FiveThirtyEight’s statistical forecast gives the Republicans an 88 percent chance of winning House control.'
'But the Times/Siena poll is not alone in showing a competitive race at this stage. Since the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, most polls have shown a tight race on the so-called “generic ballot,” which asks whether voters would prefer Democrats or Republicans to control Congress. The race has shifted about three points in the Democrats’ direction, compared with surveys by the same pollsters before the court’s ruling.'
'At least for the moment, conservative policy victories — on abortion, climate policy, religious rights and gun laws — and a spate of mass shootings seem to have insulated Democrats. State polls have also looked good for Democrats. The party has led just about every poll of a hotly contested Senate race over the last few months, including polls of Republican-held states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.'
'If all this good polling for the Democrats reminds you of a story you’ve heard before, there is a reason. The polls have overestimated Democratic support for much of the last decade, partly because polls have a harder time reaching working-class voters, who have been trending Republican. It’s hard not to wonder whether the good news for Democrats might simply be a harbinger of yet another high-profile misfire.'
'It could also mean that the Democrats are at a high-water mark that will not last. Republicans will try to make the races a referendum on the president, and only 23 percent of undecided voters in the Times/Siena poll approve of Joe Biden’s performance. If inflation remains high this year, as many economists expect, undecided voters might have further reason to break against the Democrats.'
'The general election campaign might be especially helpful to the Republican Senate candidates coming out of bruising primary elections. It’s understandable why Republican voters who just voted against damaged or flawed candidates — like J.D. Vance in Ohio and Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania — may be reluctant to embrace these candidates immediately. Yet that could change when the race focuses on partisan issues and the stakes of congressional control, reminding these voters why they are Republicans.'
'For the moment, the Democrats are benefiting from a favorable news environment. The recent Supreme Court rulings, the mass shootings and even the Jan. 6 hearings have focused national attention on a relatively favorable set of issues for Democrats. For them to stay competitive, they might need to keep those issues in the limelight until November.' (NYTimes) See link below. Sorry that I have run out of the ability to gift any articles until August.
I get. I really do. Even looking to the mid terms the msm is burying Biden. After four years of the biggest clusterfuck in US history ( and that's saying something with slavery, genocide, misogyny, etc. Oh, that's today too), there are so many of us that want the dems to come out kicking the shit out of the traitors. AOC and The Squad, etc. And we're stuck with Sinema and Manchin. I hate this party because it can't organize a one car funeral.
Look, Im glad I voted for Joe and every democrat since 1974, but shit is not the same. Name me one fucking Democratic leader that frightens the traitors. I'm waiting.
We don't need someone as stupid to be our Ted Cruz/Bitch McConnell. We need someone with their fucking attitude, but only used for good. And if a dem steps out of line they get the AOC treatment instead of kudos for thinking of the future and the future of her party and people.
Biden will be too old to run in 24. Thems the facts. Tangerine Nightmare won't run. But that party will put up a mini me, younger, more awful, no morals, ethics, empathy for anyone who's not a vampire billionaire.
I don't want someone to hold my hand. I want them to drop my hand and slap the shit out of Gym Jordan
Damn fucking right I'm pissed. Just look at the last week of June.
We get a lame attempt at gun control. After Highland Bitch said to expect no more legislation on gun control.
If that doesn't get motherfuckers out of the house and vote blue straight through, maybe we get what we deserve. Jesus, we're pussies.
We need to focus on this fall or 2024 won't matter. And after that, democracy won't either.
wow....well said, well said. and, based on the New Yorker profile of two weeks or so ago, that mini-me is definitely De Santis, TFF's much smarter (and altogether more cynical) foreskin. I need to apologize pro-actively for that hopelessly mixed (if appropriately disgusting) metaphor. or was it metonymy?
That was, yes, appropriate AND disgusting...but irresistibly funny. Thank you for the laugh amidst some of the gloom!
Don’t mention mini’s name. He’s doughy and sweaty and says “uh” a hundred times in as many sentences.
Have you forgotten these Democrats?
Bernie Sanders
PRAMILA JAYAPAL
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Stacey Abrams
KATIE PORTER
Gavin Newsom
Nancy Pelosi
J.B. Pritzker
Cori Bush
ILHAN OMAR
… just a partial list of forceful Democrats who know what to do with the enemies of the people
Exactly! But here's where the dems step on rakes. Where is the coverage for these champions? It's like the dems whine about the disgusting msm, and so do I, but who the fuck is running their national media strategy ( if they have one). Not a day go by when we don't hear about Gaetz, MTFG, Gym Jordan, etc.
The msm is lazy and you have to dig deep, ( Slate, Atlantic, Salon) to get anything close to a fair shake. I don't want a press that is forever on their knees to anyone in power. I want them to do their fucking jobs. And getting the fuck out of the circle jerk that is DC would be a good start. I can't see how anybody watches those Sunday blow jobs.
Fareed Zakaria's Sunday program on CNN is often very informative. The New Yorker Magazine is another good source for well written and researched pieces. We have lost local journalism. That's a area requiring resurrection in various forms.
Thank you, Fern. I skipped the new Yorker cause I forgot. And what makes me sad, what the fuck happened with Matt Tiabbi and Rolling Stone.
You nailed it on local journalism. Those were the folks who let us know when the inmates were running the town asylum. Sad.
Matt Taibbi's been MIA for years now. once upon a time, he felt like he was pretty much on the side of the angels, but these past few years, he's been creating lots of false equivalences. I'm finding that you have to be very careful about relying on people who were doing good work fifteen or twenty years ago (or longer)...lots of them tend to go nuts. of course, they might be saying the same things about ME (if they think about me at all, which they don't). in which case, they're obviously completely fucked up.
Ah, projecting... So, seems like you know 'where all the __________ have gone'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS3-lyqCl80
Thanks for recommendations - will switch to Zakaria on Sunday.
Great to see you, MaryPat. Why does it feel night Sunday night to me? I know that you can't answer that. Zakaria mostly covers countries around the world. Hope you are doing well. When the time is right, I'd like to know how your niece is doing and her parents.. Salud, friend.
Great to see you , too Fern! Happy Birthday to me in 1 1/2 hours! (TC's, too!). And yes, weirdly, it feels like Sunday. Maybe cuz of the powerful sermons we heard and watched this afternoon!
Thanks for asking about my niece. She has graduated from the Notre Dame Cult, and is starting her real life. Fingers crossed.
my "like" refuses to work, but here's a truckload of "likes" for you, Ms. Clay!!!
Alas, the "like" button isnt working. And I dont actually like this, but its true.
Which of them is electable?
PS Fred, My partial list, and please feel free to add more names, was in response to Judy's line '...so many of us that want the dems to come out kicking the shit out of the traitors.'
Do you believe that you can answer that? If so, Katie Porter, Bernie or any one of them might like to talk with you.
Actually asking you that question, FERN.
Thanks for asking, Fred. For the time being, I think it best to get dems elected in midterms. Let's confer on the presidential once that's over. 🙃
Ok, Judy. TC knows that I only reserve these words for a comment that gets my mojo stirred up.
That comment was….
Sizzlin’, Judy, sizzlin hot!
LOL. Girl. 😂
Salud, Judy! 🗽
AGREED! Carolina Reaper pepper HOT! Where are the up and comers in the Democratic Party? I'd love to see the current controllers of the DNC get kicked to the curb and get some new blood, new young Dems who are on fire and uninsulated in the cushy bubble that those wusses must inhabit. The current chairman is a Jaime Harrison and there are some good folk in vice chair positions--Gretchen Whitmore, Tammy Duckworth...but wth are they doing to get out sharp, short, coherent messaging that resonates emotionally? People vote when they are invested or on fire or both...what can we do to engage and fire up the Dem rank and file?
Dem Vice Chair Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan's Incredible Governor!! She knows how to run - actually walk and snowshoe- a hugely successful campaign! She hiked in every county, city and village with her compelling message "Fix the Damn Roads." Now it's time to fix the damned government. We can do this.
It's avoidance behavior for a lot of them. Writing and talking about irrelevancies means they can file their 500 words, gin up some response and not have to research anything that might involve actual work.
Nailed. It.
when I looked at today's BIG MAIN STORY, I came very close to canceling my subscription to the daily hard copy of the NYT. I think its staff needs a re-haul, probably beginning with the horrible 21st-century idea that if its staff meetings don't resemble Harvard reunions, they're doing something wrong. it was a much better paper when it was mostly MY guys, the Jews from CCNY (that miserable prick Abe Rosenthal being a huge exception...he was no good at all from day one). now, it's pretty pathetic in its insistence that it always has its finger on America's pulse and is always entirely accurate in its diagnosis. I think the paper decided that, even if it was a good thing for the world that Biden won, it's not as good a thing for the NYT. now, even the Book Review is unreadable. oddly enough, the Sunday magazine has gotten pretty good, mostly by embracing those long-form stories. but those current op-ed people are utterly worthless, and on any given day, reading the op-ed page is one of the most dispiriting pursuits I regularly pursue. and, only slightly changing the subject, this CNN deal of giving altogether too much time to guys like John Bolton to pontificate and brag about the "coups" he's planned while he defends TFF by calling him too stupid to be evil (at least that's MY reading of what he was saying) REALLY sucks out loud. thing is, my expectations of CNN are so much lower than they are with the NYT.
Sadly, I agree. I have cancelled my subscription in sheer frustration. I was beginning to HATE the editorial page of the NYT. Feeling is similar with the Post. About to give up and subscribe to the Guardian, Mother Jones, the Atlantic and the New Yorker instead. The mag format does seem to lend itself to more investigative journalism. Open to suggestions, as well.
Hi T L. I would not consider cancelling my subscriptions to NY Times and WAPO. Just the other day, HCR called our addition to Mike Schmidt's reporting on IRS' audits of both 'Comey and McCabe, Who Infuriated Trump'. If you check Notes at the end of the Letter, there are often links to articles in WAPO and the NYTimes. Both newspapers have their weaknesses, but what 'journalistically' founded news outlet could be tailored to most of our interests and political philosophy? I elected to receive the Times', The Morning newsletter (no charge) heading by David Leonhardt, which you might find worthwhile. I frequently check with Vox Media and Politico as well as subscribing to the magazines you referred to. Pew Research Center is excellent for solid research studies. That's my info story in brief. Cheers!
Fern, I couldn't decide whether to cancel or not. Then I got a notice that my credit card no longer works. I didn't update with the new expiration date. Now can't figure out how to update it, so that pushed me to give NYT itself an expiration date. I will subscribe to Guardian, and continue Atlantic., and, of course, TCInLA!!
Ask a friend to help or call the credit card company. Are you okay?
I am okay, thanks. I just hate messing with digging out my new card, finding my reading glasses, putting on my reading glasses..
🙄👀🥂
Thank you for your suggestions, Fern. I have kept up my digital morning newsletter by Leonhardt and I haven't yet cancelled the WaPo.
I do think there are too many lazy journalists who write their stuff without bothering to get out of their comfy bubble and do a little on the street research. I'm really liking the Guardian and Mother Jones. I try to read as many articles as I can by Pro Publica, Vox, Politico and of course, HCR, Reich and TC everyday.
What are your reasons for not cancelling your subscriptions to The New York Times, David?
habit? it IS the greatest thing in the world for puppy training, but my puppies are 13 and 11, so that excuse obviously won't cut it. which leaves habit. I see where this is going, Fern, and it's making me anxious....I got it! it reminds me of my father. actually, I think that's really it. seriously.
David, It is good to know that you have at least one good habit and that you remember your father. Shalom Aleichem.
Seems like the Dems looking for press time are getting it by talking about what to do with the ashes from the to be deceased party leader. Smart. Not. If they really wanted to have any seats left in 2022, not to mention 2024, they should be pivoting the press time to successes and how they are addressing family economic woes. Never understand what abusers are so willing to talk about the infidelities (character flaws, ok) of their family members on Meet the Press. By the way, which promising Republican candidate is out there doing the dish on their leader and not getting nailed?
Oh, my point. Dems are following the latest distraction, rather than being forcefully unified around their leader's accomplishments. Idiots.
At least you got to your very sharp point! Thank you.
yup...that "shiny objects" thing everyone used to bemoan the presence of in TFF.
Dems response to this question should be, "Let's talk about that when the time to have that conversation means anything. Now, let's talk about how we are working on ... and what we have done about .... No, that question is way premature. We are working on what this country needs between now and 2025."
Locally that's what we are doing. Between now and November.
🦅🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🦅
IMPACTFUL HEARING
THE TRUTH REVEALED
FOR ALL TO HEAR
Loved the guy from Ohio at the end best. The regular guy who got conned, the kind maybe we, and this court, can convince to change their (public) opinion!
I felt mildly bad for him for about half a minute. I was watching Dunn during the idiot's "kiss and make up" moment, and applaud his ability to carry a completely appropriate grudge. I applaud Dunn every day, anyway. and I thought Fanone's tweet said it all. thing is, if the poor schmuck didn't plan on going to the capitol (spelled correctly for once), why did he have what looked like enough gear to withstand a certain amount of stress? and he still seems to harbor some doubt about the election, so if I seem hardassed for my "fuck him" attitude, very well...I'm hardassed. I can possibly allow that he thought there was a reason to be in DC; I can't get past anything beyond that...anybody over ten would have known how illegal it was. I get that the guy is not exactly an egghead and slept during his History classes in school, but stupid is stupid.
Understand. I don't feel bad for him at all. Except he isn't in that hot seat because he is stupid, but because he was conned, the point of the hearing. My three intelligent trumper brothers infuriate me, but they aren't stupid. The three of them, all college educated Fox whatchers, have been insidiously AND blatantly conned. They've been "Fuxed."
...I'm also not entirely sure the poor schmuck believes what he was saying. and if I were one of those cops, I would not have acknowledged his pathetic apology. fuck him. I was gonna add "and the whore he rode in on," but that would have been unkind and barely appropriate. just like me.
There's that.
FERN! ISN'T IT!!!
ew. I recently found out that the sister I "fired" seven or eight years ago (never to be rehired, thank god), who once fancied herself a Leftie firebrand because she watches MSNBC is moving to Florida and that her new "best friends" are huge fans of TFF (no, I will absolutely resist typing the name, even if avoiding doing so ruins what I like to think of as "prose rhythm") who are "wonderful people" with "some good ideas." she'll stay fired, but I understand that he enjoys the support of people who might have once been defined as "intelligent." so I figure it's just a matter of time. it's not for no reason that there are so many books published every year about American stupidity. I DO often think that the public take on him divides between The Rest of the Country (who might have been semi-"conned" by the whole Celebrity Apprentice thing) and native New Yorkers, who've had to put up with his media presence since sometime in the '70's and are, therefore, utterly flummoxed by the idea that ANYBODY takes him at all seriously as anything but a terrible human joke. I am obviously in the latter category and don't really know anybody from these parts who doesn't feel the same way. of course, I've also heard that my building is filled with TFF's supporters, so I've obviously avoided asking too many questions. I know that my ex-super adores him but thinks he's too old to run again, seeing (gulp) Jared as his natural successor. but my super (now fortunately retired from his nearly thirty years of doing nothing) is Russian, which explains pretty much everything.
Dear Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, There have been hours during this never ending turbulence in America when I wished you would popup with a piece. Eyes and heart brighten when one of your bold headlines sparks my new mail. This Birthday email to you comes with appreciation for your presence in my life, for your pluck, well considered patriotism and care of your flock. Happy Birthday Tom. To all your coming flights of mind and heart. Cheers! Fern
Well, given the results I got last week from my annual physical - blood glucose 80, cholesterol 155, PSA 0.95 (down from 7.0 when I began treatment 15 years ago), BP 120/70 and weight within 5 pounds of what I was at 18 - coupled with the fact that I didn't get mauled by a bear like my sixth great grandfather or stick a lump of uranium in my workpants pocket for six weeks like my father did, it appears likely I will conform to the other six generations of Cleaver male history and hang around into my 90s with "all systems go." So, there's no getting rid of me anytime soon. :-)
People voting by their gut feelings risk getting a parliament with intellectual constipation, and leaders with rhetoric like intellectual diarrhea.
Indeed!
Funny that no one anywhere is talking about Trump’s age… Honestly, he’s to old to run as well, but I am not sure the GOP or Trump have come to terms with this.
Trump's in far worse shape than Biden, who's in shape for his age rather than a burger snarfing J Wellington Wimpey.
yeah, but when you show TFF a camel, he KNOWS IT'S A CAMEL. it's a good thing nobody asked him anything about Luck Strike Green going to war. speaking of which, I watched "Twelve O'Clock High" again the other night, and it only gets better.
The movie has been shown for decades at the US military war colleges as an example of leadership in combat.
I didn't know but I'm hardly surprised. my dad said the mission scenes were real enough to scare him. Henry King never gets enough credit for being the excellent director that he was.
I think every Democrats' talking points to media for the next week should be...
1. How soon will Stone and Flynn be served their grand jury subpoenas?
2. Is anybody doing research into historical precedent to ascertain whether Trump can be sentenced to be hung by the neck until dead for his crimes? (As his evasion of military duty probably rules out a firing squad.)
To quote TC, 'We need to focus on this fall or 2024 won't matter.' Good news 'trumps' bad when it comes to acting on TC's words. We can do it! The following is from David Leonhardt's "The Morning' newsletter:
'My colleague Nate Cohn, The Times’s chief political analyst, has spent a lot of time thinking about the changing politics of economic class in the U.S. College graduates used to favor Republicans, while blue-collar voters favored Democrats. Increasingly, though, the opposite is true.'
'The social liberalism of Democrats — on immigration, marijuana, L.G.B.T. rights, affirmative action, abortion and more — has simultaneously attracted progressive college graduates and repelled more culturally conservative working-class voters. If you’re trying to figure out why Latino voters have shifted right in the past few years, even during the Trump presidency, this dynamic offers an explanation.'
'In this year’s midterm elections, the changing politics of class may get supercharged, Nate notes. Why? Look at the stories in the news. Many working-class voters are frustrated over inflation and other economic disruptions, making them unhappy with the Biden administration and Democrats. Many college graduates are angry about the recent decisions from a Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees.'
'These attitudes are evident in the first New York Times/Siena College poll of the midterm cycle: Among registered voters who never attended college, Republicans lead by almost 20 percentage points. Among college graduates, Democrats lead by almost 30 points. One startling comparison is that Democrats lead by almost as much among white college graduates as among all voters of color.'
'By Nate Cohn'
'With President Biden’s approval rating sagging into the low 30s and nearly 80 percent of voters saying the country is headed in the wrong direction, the ingredients would seem to be in place for a Republican landslide in this year’s midterm elections.'
'But the first Times/Siena survey of the cycle shows something else: a close, competitive race for Congress.'
'Overall, voters prefer Democrats to control Congress over Republicans by one point among registered voters, 41 to 40 percent. Once we exclude those people who are unlikely to vote, Republicans lead by one point, 44 to 43 percent.'
'It’s a pretty surprising result, given the circumstances. Analysts have all but written off the Democrats in the race for House control, not only because Biden’s ratings are so poor but also because there’s a long history of the president’s party getting pummeled in midterm elections. These factors help explain why FiveThirtyEight’s statistical forecast gives the Republicans an 88 percent chance of winning House control.'
'But the Times/Siena poll is not alone in showing a competitive race at this stage. Since the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, most polls have shown a tight race on the so-called “generic ballot,” which asks whether voters would prefer Democrats or Republicans to control Congress. The race has shifted about three points in the Democrats’ direction, compared with surveys by the same pollsters before the court’s ruling.'
'At least for the moment, conservative policy victories — on abortion, climate policy, religious rights and gun laws — and a spate of mass shootings seem to have insulated Democrats. State polls have also looked good for Democrats. The party has led just about every poll of a hotly contested Senate race over the last few months, including polls of Republican-held states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.'
'If all this good polling for the Democrats reminds you of a story you’ve heard before, there is a reason. The polls have overestimated Democratic support for much of the last decade, partly because polls have a harder time reaching working-class voters, who have been trending Republican. It’s hard not to wonder whether the good news for Democrats might simply be a harbinger of yet another high-profile misfire.'
'It could also mean that the Democrats are at a high-water mark that will not last. Republicans will try to make the races a referendum on the president, and only 23 percent of undecided voters in the Times/Siena poll approve of Joe Biden’s performance. If inflation remains high this year, as many economists expect, undecided voters might have further reason to break against the Democrats.'
'The general election campaign might be especially helpful to the Republican Senate candidates coming out of bruising primary elections. It’s understandable why Republican voters who just voted against damaged or flawed candidates — like J.D. Vance in Ohio and Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania — may be reluctant to embrace these candidates immediately. Yet that could change when the race focuses on partisan issues and the stakes of congressional control, reminding these voters why they are Republicans.'
'For the moment, the Democrats are benefiting from a favorable news environment. The recent Supreme Court rulings, the mass shootings and even the Jan. 6 hearings have focused national attention on a relatively favorable set of issues for Democrats. For them to stay competitive, they might need to keep those issues in the limelight until November.' (NYTimes) See link below. Sorry that I have run out of the ability to gift any articles until August.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/13/upshot/poll-2022-midterms-congress.html
I just read the comments page for a Guardian op-ed and I feel like throwing up.
Happy Birthday, my friend.
Thanks for sharing this. I missed it somehow.
And that is the statement I hope Joe makes. 2024 idle speculation is a waste of our precious energy.
I love how this was phrased!
Whether he runs or not in '24 is irrelevant. The rest of it is true though. It's what we need to hear from him ad nauseum through November.