Firstly, I appreciate the history lesson. When pressed I would have said it meant something like “Crossing a line which cannot be uncrossed, often with dire consequences.”
Second, I hope the Biden campaign does get to a level of snarky/sharp responses; sometimes, you have to meet idiots at their level, and to “be best” is a great motto to steal.
oh and as for tfg, it has been quite satisfying to watch Dark Brandon finally emerge at the White House, and also see tfg's political challengers like Nikki turning on him. The meme makers are having field day.
Thanks for the Roman history lesson! I was not aware of the origin of "rubicon" except in the context of the renowned Rubicon off-road trail in the Sierras near Tahoe, and the Jeep model Rubicon which was named for the trail and offers the most off-roading options, currently in its 20th year. I don't own one nor need one but as a former mountain biker was aware of the local history.
I know you enjoyed writing this one. Could swear that there were giggles after every renaming of TFFG, especial as the OUTS. Giggling along with you. And, I still hope Haley teams up with Hilary and Liz and Tina and Carroll and all of the other tough broads (in today's use of that term) and slides these singers under the nails on his very small hands all the way to the Electoral College voting. Good Monday to you!
Fred, I must agree with you. It quite clear that Tom enjoyed writing this...perhaps as much as I enjoyed reading it! Let the Goodies tap dance around with their shiny patent shoes; I say needle the Short-Fingered-Vulgarian until all the air leaks out. I will get the popcorn and butter ready!
As a not-quite lifelong Democrat (I was a Republican in high school and supported Nixon, but hey, we were all young and dumb once) I've been wanting candidates who are willing to punch back, like the President has started doing. I'm no Nikki Haley fan but she is truly doing God's work, getting the jabs in from her side of the fence. We're finally seeing signs that the media is finally, FINALLY waking up to the fact that Trump is absolutely not fit to hold the office again.
I like and respect Mrs. Obama, but there's a reason she's not in politics. She's wanted no part of running for office herself, and probably never will. I don't think her temperament suits it.
While I don't wish harm on anyone, the Trumplethinskin obituary is one I will read with great interest and satisfaction. Haley and the President have hit on exactly the right strategy to achieve a self-defeat by the failed insurrectionist.
For the love of all things holy, this is EXACTLY what is aggravating me about Biden’s election campaign. One is not being MEAN if one is observing FACTS. Just because opposing party doesn’t accept facts, or whines about meanness doesn’t make it so. Nearly every thing they spout is a lie to begin with! The latest report on drugs in the White House is eye popping. My hair would be on fire but it’s long gone. Now it’s my poor eyes. I may not make it to the end of this saga.
I think Act II will be an alarming contrast to Act I. Joe is in the last two innings. His aim is good. I really think he can own TFFG in a bare fisted fight because he hasn't been nasty ... yet. I dare Joe to start holding staged rallies. SNL as opening act would be great. Agree with Ransom Rideout ... bring on the popcorn. Gonna be a wild Summer of 2024.
Thanks for another barn burner of a post, Tom. I knew the general meaning of "crossing the Rubicon" but not the specific meaning nor the history behind it. How great that they returned the river to that name!
As for your last paragraph, I wake up every morning and first thing I check the NYTimes hoping to see that The Ultimate Self-Own you describe has finally occurred:
"I can sit back and daydream just how wonderful it would be if Old Uncle Thin Skin got the Zinger of Zingers, the one that really made him explode in the Ultimate Public Self-Own: the arrival of the massive fatal myocardial infarction that’s been on his “to do list” for years, coming mid-rant at a hatealong, in front of the adoring Inadequates, as he hits the floor behind the podium face first."
I suspect that as the onslaught of what you or Lucian Truscott IV referred to as "the cascade of s**t effect" from the trial swarm has to be pushing The Donald further and further into a permanent state of brain-fry. Not only that, we know he has never slept well, and that self-image-puncturing intrusions keep him up at night, given his habit of firing off volleys of all-caps raves and grade-school insults in the wee hours at whomever has most recently failed the Adoring Loyal Lackey test. Poor sleep is cited everywhere these days as one of the top risk factors for cognitive deterioration in later life.
Do you think that no matter how inappropriate, incoherent, and deranged he becomes, the no longer Grand Ole Party will still give him the nomination?
Exactly. I can't decide what's worse, Trump as the nominee, which preserves the possibility however it may be diminishing that he could win (or steal) the election? Or Haley as the nominee, who could do her chameleon act again for the general, and attract a lot of voters who don't start paying attention until September or October.
I've decided that what bugs me the most about Nikki Haley (aside from the fact--beyond her control, to be sure--that she looks like a death's head) is that she has not thus far been able to express any actual idea of any kind. I'm putting aside all questions of honesty, candor, the rules of American politics, etc. in other words, just looking at the semantic weight of ANY of her answers to genuine questions, after about ten seconds that weight more and more resembles that of cotton candy. I have no idea what she "stands for." I mean, she's not even competent at getting across what she stands AGAINST. I mean, aside from "Joe Biden," which has now obviously become a sort of CODE. but I'm not even sure that THEY know what that "code" is encoding.
I think the big dark money has already met with Haley. They may have calculated that Biden will beat Trump again, and the US will be in chaos mode once more. Haley can win because she's younger. Of course she'll have reactionary handlers, and we'll just be in a different kind of mess.
True that, and the Wall Street bankers want to stop chafing under the one or two banking regulations still on the books and perhaps even being enforced.
Democracy needs capitalism, but capitalism does not need democracy. We are screwed. Will listen to the whole thing later, but no time now. Capitalism tried on the cloak of fascism and Nazism if my knowledge of lead up to WW2 correct. How did that work, Ford, IBM, etc. Do people even remember that you were traitors?
you're making a fundamental mistake in assuming that his senses of shame, guilt, embarrassment et al resemble yours. I know this is a hard one to give up, but you gotta do it.
Firstly, I appreciate the history lesson. When pressed I would have said it meant something like “Crossing a line which cannot be uncrossed, often with dire consequences.”
Second, I hope the Biden campaign does get to a level of snarky/sharp responses; sometimes, you have to meet idiots at their level, and to “be best” is a great motto to steal.
Well, Ally, you essentially had it right.
Anything that can puncture his blimp and cause a crash landing. Maybe Jill can have a coat made with “we have always cared” painted on it.
I'd pay to have that coat made for her!
me too. Do it Jill, send me the bill
Sweet!
oh and as for tfg, it has been quite satisfying to watch Dark Brandon finally emerge at the White House, and also see tfg's political challengers like Nikki turning on him. The meme makers are having field day.
Narcissistic bullies are enraged by taunts...so I always toss in bait for The Diapered Stinking Don. If the Truth fits...wear it.
The background chorus for all this is the MAGA morons who are having hissy fits over Taylor Swift. What a bunch of thin-skinned deplorables.
Thanks for the Roman history lesson! I was not aware of the origin of "rubicon" except in the context of the renowned Rubicon off-road trail in the Sierras near Tahoe, and the Jeep model Rubicon which was named for the trail and offers the most off-roading options, currently in its 20th year. I don't own one nor need one but as a former mountain biker was aware of the local history.
“Old Uncle Thin Skin”! You crack me up TC!
I know you enjoyed writing this one. Could swear that there were giggles after every renaming of TFFG, especial as the OUTS. Giggling along with you. And, I still hope Haley teams up with Hilary and Liz and Tina and Carroll and all of the other tough broads (in today's use of that term) and slides these singers under the nails on his very small hands all the way to the Electoral College voting. Good Monday to you!
Fred, I must agree with you. It quite clear that Tom enjoyed writing this...perhaps as much as I enjoyed reading it! Let the Goodies tap dance around with their shiny patent shoes; I say needle the Short-Fingered-Vulgarian until all the air leaks out. I will get the popcorn and butter ready!
As a not-quite lifelong Democrat (I was a Republican in high school and supported Nixon, but hey, we were all young and dumb once) I've been wanting candidates who are willing to punch back, like the President has started doing. I'm no Nikki Haley fan but she is truly doing God's work, getting the jabs in from her side of the fence. We're finally seeing signs that the media is finally, FINALLY waking up to the fact that Trump is absolutely not fit to hold the office again.
I like and respect Mrs. Obama, but there's a reason she's not in politics. She's wanted no part of running for office herself, and probably never will. I don't think her temperament suits it.
While I don't wish harm on anyone, the Trumplethinskin obituary is one I will read with great interest and satisfaction. Haley and the President have hit on exactly the right strategy to achieve a self-defeat by the failed insurrectionist.
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great relish!" - Clarence Darrow
Tom, you should write Trump's obituary. Really. I
would buy a paper NYTimes,
cut it out and frame it. 👍
you're right, of course.
but don't hold your breath...
and yes, Tom. that was very much designed as a laugh line.
I should have credited Darrow for the misquote. Thanks TC.
For the love of all things holy, this is EXACTLY what is aggravating me about Biden’s election campaign. One is not being MEAN if one is observing FACTS. Just because opposing party doesn’t accept facts, or whines about meanness doesn’t make it so. Nearly every thing they spout is a lie to begin with! The latest report on drugs in the White House is eye popping. My hair would be on fire but it’s long gone. Now it’s my poor eyes. I may not make it to the end of this saga.
I think Act II will be an alarming contrast to Act I. Joe is in the last two innings. His aim is good. I really think he can own TFFG in a bare fisted fight because he hasn't been nasty ... yet. I dare Joe to start holding staged rallies. SNL as opening act would be great. Agree with Ransom Rideout ... bring on the popcorn. Gonna be a wild Summer of 2024.
Popcorn Carla. Don't run out of popcorn. The show is on.
I’m sprucing up my cast iron kettle. It should be well and properly seasoned by election night.
Ooooo...kettle corn! Even better!!!
You're on it!
EXACTLY, Carla.
Yeehaww!!! Let's gititON!!!
Standing ovation on this one, TC. A great history lesson and a masterful takedown of Old Uncle Thin Skin and his mushroom button Teeny Weeny!
Thanks for another barn burner of a post, Tom. I knew the general meaning of "crossing the Rubicon" but not the specific meaning nor the history behind it. How great that they returned the river to that name!
As for your last paragraph, I wake up every morning and first thing I check the NYTimes hoping to see that The Ultimate Self-Own you describe has finally occurred:
"I can sit back and daydream just how wonderful it would be if Old Uncle Thin Skin got the Zinger of Zingers, the one that really made him explode in the Ultimate Public Self-Own: the arrival of the massive fatal myocardial infarction that’s been on his “to do list” for years, coming mid-rant at a hatealong, in front of the adoring Inadequates, as he hits the floor behind the podium face first."
I suspect that as the onslaught of what you or Lucian Truscott IV referred to as "the cascade of s**t effect" from the trial swarm has to be pushing The Donald further and further into a permanent state of brain-fry. Not only that, we know he has never slept well, and that self-image-puncturing intrusions keep him up at night, given his habit of firing off volleys of all-caps raves and grade-school insults in the wee hours at whomever has most recently failed the Adoring Loyal Lackey test. Poor sleep is cited everywhere these days as one of the top risk factors for cognitive deterioration in later life.
Do you think that no matter how inappropriate, incoherent, and deranged he becomes, the no longer Grand Ole Party will still give him the nomination?
I certainly wish they wouldn't, but then I can't think of any replacement who wouldn't be their own kind of Very Bad.
Exactly. I can't decide what's worse, Trump as the nominee, which preserves the possibility however it may be diminishing that he could win (or steal) the election? Or Haley as the nominee, who could do her chameleon act again for the general, and attract a lot of voters who don't start paying attention until September or October.
This made my day. And then James Carville came on MSNBC and iced the cake!
Any Repub is evil incarnate
I've decided that what bugs me the most about Nikki Haley (aside from the fact--beyond her control, to be sure--that she looks like a death's head) is that she has not thus far been able to express any actual idea of any kind. I'm putting aside all questions of honesty, candor, the rules of American politics, etc. in other words, just looking at the semantic weight of ANY of her answers to genuine questions, after about ten seconds that weight more and more resembles that of cotton candy. I have no idea what she "stands for." I mean, she's not even competent at getting across what she stands AGAINST. I mean, aside from "Joe Biden," which has now obviously become a sort of CODE. but I'm not even sure that THEY know what that "code" is encoding.
in other words, the Shitshow Saga Continues...
Yes they will, if only so that they can initiate a 25th amendment case shortly thereafter. See who RNC wants for VP, or who cadre of billionaires push
I think the big dark money has already met with Haley. They may have calculated that Biden will beat Trump again, and the US will be in chaos mode once more. Haley can win because she's younger. Of course she'll have reactionary handlers, and we'll just be in a different kind of mess.
She is chump at the core, all "republicans" are.
Nikki has been Koched.
True that, and the Wall Street bankers want to stop chafing under the one or two banking regulations still on the books and perhaps even being enforced.
it's funny...I was sitting here trying to figure out what Nikki Haley could have to do with Ed Koch. then I got it.
you can take the boy out of NYC, but...
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BjvTDxyTT29KgJCoq5cOg?si=uvXWGWkuQS2sUBO9O2fMwA
Democracy needs capitalism, but capitalism does not need democracy. We are screwed. Will listen to the whole thing later, but no time now. Capitalism tried on the cloak of fascism and Nazism if my knowledge of lead up to WW2 correct. How did that work, Ford, IBM, etc. Do people even remember that you were traitors?
I don’t want Tramp to drop dead. I want him to sit listlessly in his BarcaLounger bemoaning his downfall and fighting hemorrhoids.
you're making a fundamental mistake in assuming that his senses of shame, guilt, embarrassment et al resemble yours. I know this is a hard one to give up, but you gotta do it.
🤣 You’re right!
🤣 Waiting...waiting...waiting for all jury verdicts to come
down.
This was a prime edition, Tom. Thanks for educating
so many on the history of
The Rubicon. Rise and Fall of
the Roman Empire. Always been a history buff.😉
But, um...the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner?
Not saying that’s determinative of strategy, of course.
Obama's jokes got Trump to decide to run for president. He's already doing that this time.