Death, Lies, and Video Files
Plus: The Pro-Life Case for Choice
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CHARLIE SYKES: The Escalating War on Reading
JOE PERTICONE: The House GOP “Sh*tshow” 🔐
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YEVGENY SIMKIN: Death, Lies, and Video Files.
ON SEPTEMBER 6, A MISSILE HIT a busy market in Kostyantynivka, a Ukrainian-controlled town not far from Russian-controlled territory. According to Ukraine’s interior ministry, at least seventeen people were killed, including a child, and more than thirty others were injured.
The origins of the missile remain unclear, even two weeks later. This week, the New York Times released a thoroughly reported story (it carries six bylines) presenting evidence that the missile was “a tragic mishap”—that it was launched by Ukrainian air defense forces. But Ukrainian authorities have disputed the Times report, claiming that fragments of the rocket indicate it was Russian in origin.
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Sarah, Will and Joe will gather for Thursday Night Bulwark tonight to discuss the mayhem on the Hill as the clock ticks down to a possible government shutdown. Plus, Sarah will preview the return of The Focus Group podcast—new weekly episodes start this Saturday. The livestream starts at 8pm in East.
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WILLIAM SALETAN: The Pro-Life Case for Choice.
MANY REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS and conservative pundits are worried about abortion. In the fifteen months since the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the Dobbs case, overturning Roe v. Wade, they’ve seen this issue play a decisive role in the midterms and subsequent elections. Now, eyeing the polls, they fear that the GOP—in its haste to outlaw the procedure at the state and national levels—has overstepped public opinion. For guidance, some are turning to Nikki Haley, the presidential candidate and former South Carolina governor.
On Tuesday night, Sean Hannity enlisted Haley to coach the party on abortion. “What is your message to Republicans around the country, especially if they want to win in swing states?” he asked. The next morning on Fox & Friends, Ainsley Earhardt invited Haley to describe her position in more detail. “You gave a fabulous answer . . . that can attract the independents, that can even attract the Democrats,” said Earhardt, teeing her up…
🚨OVERTIME🚨
Happy Thursday… The House GOP is in a state of crisis. Is Matt Gaetz really the Speaker? Because he’s dictating what gets voted on, when, and that sure sounds like a Speaker. Also, it’s the end of the Rupert Murdoch era.
GOP warms to early voting? Or did they know all along it was legit? Cowards.
The James O’Keefe helicopter story… Sometimes, theatre nerds fly too close to the sun.
Is ChatGPT going to become the next Google? Looks like it. And it might be the next SkyNet, for all we know.
Why Trump hated wearing masks… The predictable reason you suspected all along.
Jimmy Haslam and the Browns sold their souls… for Deshaun Watson. And what’d they get? Bupkus.
Zelensky at The Pentagon: “Terror always fails when people band together to defend freedom. It will never be able to defeat free nations and people.”
Remember when Republicans… Told us Ukraine had nothing to worry about? Fun times.
Are “Never Trump” Republicans… Actually Just Democrats Now?
When has… An impeachment or shutdown really worked out for Republicans? This close to getting it.
Bad news for MAGA types… Vivek reveals he wasn’t a natural born citizen of their preference. Will this impact the Veepstakes?
Gaetz driving votes to Dems… Threatens to campaign against defectors… in New York?
“this meal just cost me $78 at newark airport…” David Brooks tweets an instant classic.
Pentagon gives Ukraine an exception… If the government were to shut down here.
Sewer Twitter delivers… For all you Earth, Wind & Fire fans.
John Fetterman… Pours his heart out at a disability hearing. (Meanwhile, some Republicans demand to know: WAS THIS THE REAL FETTERMAN?)
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