316 Comments

As fate will have it, tomorrow is MLK date. It is a gut punch that we celebrate Dr. King's legacy on the same day when the most blatantly racist administration in the last 50 years takes over the WH.

Expand full comment

Before it it taken down tomorrow morning ... great timeline on whitehouse.gov on Biden's accomplishments. Something to think of when you're despairing of what starts Jan. 20.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/story/

Expand full comment

Trollope is wonderful (although I was a bit surprised when there was no spoiler alert on the marital prospects of Obadiah Slope but impressed by the Attorney-General Sir Abraham Haphazard -- "Sir Abraham was a man of wit, and sparkled among the brightest... Indeed he always sparkled... coruscations flew from him; glittering sparkles, as from hot steel; but no heat; no cold heart was ever cheered by warmth from him, no unhappy soul ever dropped a portion of its burden at his door"). The BBC dramatisation is approved by the Trollope Society -- https://trollopesociety.org/archive/tv-radio/television/the-barchester-chronicles/

Expand full comment

I have a radical proposal:

Bulwark fans should adopt the Yacht Ensign as their flag for the next four years.

The Yacht Ensign is the one with the 13 stars in a circle around an anchor.

Its patriotic enough, it fits with the nautical theme of the website, and shows everyone that we are appropriating Yacht Rock.

No matter how far you live from the ocean, get one. Wave it outside your house, bring it to protests. Let’s make this a thing.

Expand full comment

Inauguration this week, but I feel like I've already run the 4 year marathon and need a rest. Never Trumpers gave it their all as did most of the Democrats. This is what voters wanted. I gave to the ACLU but plan to know as little about Trump's words as possible. Wake me up when America is serious.

Expand full comment

The other day, before I saw this newsletter, I saw the picture of Trump someone posted,calling it the official portrait. I thought it was a joke. I laughed. Well, after reading Sonny's account, I still think it's a joke, and laughed again.

Expand full comment

What a comb-over.

Expand full comment

Hope you are having a good weekend Bill and I will be forever grateful to you guys at the Bulwark for helping to get us through these trying times. I have read The Warden by Trollope but I wasn't that enthralled. But readers say it s the second book in the series that is really worth checking out.

Expand full comment

“A hundred years hence, absolute monarchy will probably be rendered necessary in our country by the corruption of our people.”

Benjamin Rush, quoted in David McCollough’s bio of John Adams

Expand full comment

I remember my first time to the VA after Trump took office the first time and I'd swear that the photo they had looked a lot like the Sonny posted (for real?). Then some months later it was the smiley one. I'm going down to the VA Tuesday to see what is put up.

Expand full comment

Bill is a fellow Vera-fan! Mind blown (in a positive way)!

Expand full comment

I'm going to binge watch Vera as soon as I get my new Droid phone and subscribe to Britbox.

Expand full comment

Nothing like an official presidential portrait showing a glowering, angry, smug, mobster-like look. Fpotus looks like a criminal, acts like a criminal, and is a criminal. Now he has two mugshots.

Expand full comment

Bill’s “we’ve had a good 50 years” piece was excellent. I meant to post compliments but didn’t have time that day. Ignore your friend.

Expand full comment

Interesting that we have folks here who voted for a convicted felon. It was clarified that adjudicated rapist is also a sign of guilt.

This monk forgives even people who are ok with hatred of others. This monk is "walking on sunshine".

Peace.

Expand full comment

wow. your adolescent posturing allows for a refreshing view of why we voted for Trump. Refreshing...

Expand full comment