Mike Pence enabled Trump for four years. Joe Biden spent four years opposing Trumpism. Ultimately, only one of them was a bulwark against authoritarianism.
I mean, you're ranking presidents in terms of "effectiveness and outcomes," and you have placed the man who signed the Civil Rights Act and Medicare behind the guy responsible for the Iraq war. That is just bonkers.
JVL, if so many are saying NOW how consequential Joe Biden's term has been because of the monumental legislation he managed to pass, I can only imagine how consequential Biden willl look 30 to 50 years from now.
As for Mike Pence, I'm afraid I can't go along with your ultimate praise for him during the 1st Trump term. It matters to me that he felt compelled to talk to Dan Quayle and likely others about what he should do during the counting of the electoral votes. That he even asked troubles me greatly. He knew he had no choice legally or Constitutionally but to do the right thing. But he was looking for an out. "Please, someone who has been there, give me an out." Mike Pence did what he was supposed to do on Jan. 6, 2021. He is no hero because he did.
No! Not AB! She will be so missed...speaking of brilliant and hilarious! I wish her nothing but the best. But the place won't be the same without her. Carry on, AB!
Yet another thing JVL is right about: losing AB is a “gut punch”. I hope (and pray, literally) that whatever is going on in this “season” of her life is swiftly resolved for the best. Surely The Bulwark would find it possible to arrange a re-entry when and if that’s feasible for her? In the meantime, I agree with other commenters that the Amanda Carpenter model is a good one. Oh, and JVL made a good (and ironic) point about Biden and Pence too.
WTF? LBJ was THE REASON the civil rights legislation passed (yes, Hubert Humphrey was the centerpiece, but it could not have passed without LBJ's strong support). He passed Medicare and Medicaid. Yes, Viet Nam was a huge disaster, but that is also the case for Nixon I who you list sixth! And Nixon was literally the closest president who threatened liberal democracy before Trump and most of his serious crimes (break ins, briberies, attempted criminal frames) occurred during his first term. FFS.
But please, are we to revere Pence for upholding the rule of law? As for Reagan and HW Bush . . . No. Reagan encouraged the Red Scare and erosion of labor rights. Bush was CIA chief when that agency helped assasinate Allende and install Pinochet, a monster, over Chile. Both consistently supported corporate over human rights, or enough to get us in the pit we peer from today.
JVL, I really appreciate your piece on Biden and Pence. They are truly a signature pair for our times! Good men. Flawed men. Capable of rising to greatness and failing us horribly. I watched your video on it and read your post. It created an inner pushme-pullyou turmoil! Is there some definition of Intelligence as being able to hold two contradictory beliefs or facts in your head at one time? or is that the definition of Insanity? Or maybe just Irony?
In any case, like democracy in America, Irony is dead. And I'm not feeling so good myself...
LBJ 13th are you insane?
I mean, you're ranking presidents in terms of "effectiveness and outcomes," and you have placed the man who signed the Civil Rights Act and Medicare behind the guy responsible for the Iraq war. That is just bonkers.
JVL, if so many are saying NOW how consequential Joe Biden's term has been because of the monumental legislation he managed to pass, I can only imagine how consequential Biden willl look 30 to 50 years from now.
As for Mike Pence, I'm afraid I can't go along with your ultimate praise for him during the 1st Trump term. It matters to me that he felt compelled to talk to Dan Quayle and likely others about what he should do during the counting of the electoral votes. That he even asked troubles me greatly. He knew he had no choice legally or Constitutionally but to do the right thing. But he was looking for an out. "Please, someone who has been there, give me an out." Mike Pence did what he was supposed to do on Jan. 6, 2021. He is no hero because he did.
So sorry that AB is stepping back. I hope all is well for her and I hope she returns when it works for her. She is a unique voice that I will miss.
Thank you for the beautiful piece on Biden, Pence and American tragedy.
Thank you A.B. You will be missed
No! Not AB! She will be so missed...speaking of brilliant and hilarious! I wish her nothing but the best. But the place won't be the same without her. Carry on, AB!
Yet another thing JVL is right about: losing AB is a “gut punch”. I hope (and pray, literally) that whatever is going on in this “season” of her life is swiftly resolved for the best. Surely The Bulwark would find it possible to arrange a re-entry when and if that’s feasible for her? In the meantime, I agree with other commenters that the Amanda Carpenter model is a good one. Oh, and JVL made a good (and ironic) point about Biden and Pence too.
Anyone know why A. B. left?
Ron, no, I am not related to Jake P.
WTF? LBJ was THE REASON the civil rights legislation passed (yes, Hubert Humphrey was the centerpiece, but it could not have passed without LBJ's strong support). He passed Medicare and Medicaid. Yes, Viet Nam was a huge disaster, but that is also the case for Nixon I who you list sixth! And Nixon was literally the closest president who threatened liberal democracy before Trump and most of his serious crimes (break ins, briberies, attempted criminal frames) occurred during his first term. FFS.
Thank you Wayne for saying clearing what I was going to say. The Great Society was the pinnacle of Democratic policies.
Loved A.B. All the best to her.
But please, are we to revere Pence for upholding the rule of law? As for Reagan and HW Bush . . . No. Reagan encouraged the Red Scare and erosion of labor rights. Bush was CIA chief when that agency helped assasinate Allende and install Pinochet, a monster, over Chile. Both consistently supported corporate over human rights, or enough to get us in the pit we peer from today.
This is JVL at his best.
I appreciate him submitting the post on YouTube. This almost-private message from him touches me.
I know there's groups forums that JVL participates in but, to me, he is most inspiring to me when I can feel he's talking to me alone.
And, again, I will miss A.B.
I will miss A. B.
pretty clear JVL grew up a Republican. Reagan #1; Ford #2
I'm so sorry we're losing A.B.
JVL, I really appreciate your piece on Biden and Pence. They are truly a signature pair for our times! Good men. Flawed men. Capable of rising to greatness and failing us horribly. I watched your video on it and read your post. It created an inner pushme-pullyou turmoil! Is there some definition of Intelligence as being able to hold two contradictory beliefs or facts in your head at one time? or is that the definition of Insanity? Or maybe just Irony?
In any case, like democracy in America, Irony is dead. And I'm not feeling so good myself...