I really like the Podcasts, but I love the written pieces. I prefer to read.
Who are these people answering these polls? Why would anyone hate Biden? I'll tell you who answers polls. Old people with land lines and old people who answer cell phone calls.
Oh yes, our work ahead is dead serious. ,and we need to approach it as such. I think part of that effort should be attempting to point out that surely one can't take this buffoon and goofy guy seriously. That would be better than the kid gloves with which the press and media treat him now.
Here's an example of what and why the focus must be on aggressive and accurate journalism, the real kind: A big seller in the trumpstore is the t shirt that reads, "Rope-tree-journalist-some assembly required". Let us remind the leaders of the mainstream media every day that if elected, the orange fascist will almost positively try to see to it that he and only he controls all the media content in the USA.
I don't know how well-financed the Bulwark is, but please consider doing an advocacy commercial later this year with the content from part two of this posting. Maybe team up with the Lincoln Project or some other centrist group(s). I mean, I know it won't penetrate the minds of Trump supporters, but at least some of the people on the fence have to care about substance, about accomplishments, right? We don't support Joe Biden because he is a better human being than Trump - that is the lowest bar possible.
We also support Biden because he has been a damn good president. He deserves a second term regardless of the opponent.
I wasn't going to comment on Bulwark articles anymore ... but I literally woke up in the night with a diamond realization. If you read this article ... https://www.oah.org/tah/november-5/evangelicalism-and-politics/ ... it seems to me that the "Why" of DJT is obvious. He is NOT a politician, has no deep roots in Civics or political culture ... He has no investment in the ethics and "civic morality" of our shared national political system. He was "hired" to do a job, like Prigozhin of the Wagner Group -- to do exactly that which politicians who ARE rooted in Constitutional Culture would NOT do: finally destroy the wall between church and State. Because: it won't affect him. Clearly! Not a Christian, not a politician. Not even a Republican. Just a chainsaw in the hands of people who want Power Over Other People. But they'll never have power over HIM.
What I cannot fathom are the people who say that the US needs a dictator. Once they get their wish, do they believe they will ever be able to vote again?
I don't think they care...they don't want to vote--they just want to watch the Brown Shirts (Red Hats?) beat up the people they don't like. And that means anyone who makes them uncomfortable.
A discussion lately with an intelligent, erudite, and closet fascist friend of mine recently made all this very clear. Over the course of an evening's conversation she denied/opposed/belittled anything that made her uncomfortable. Anything that threatened her priviledged life and "unique" status as a "self made" successful woman or could force her to change her life or even think about changing her life.
Climate change, systemic racism (even the idea that it might exist somewhere in our system), LGBTQ+ anything, electric cars...the key phrase was "I am so tired of things that are different."
We are being taken to the edge of the precipice by a bunch of white snowflakes who are upset that someone changed the package of their breakfast cereal. They will embrace the dictator if he makes the dull itch of recognition that history is leaving them behind go away.
JVL, You might add to your list of Biden's strengths, the strength and diversity of his appointments. It's a strong administration because of Biden's choices and his ability to pull together and work with an impressive array of people.
Thanks for your sane and well reasoned thoughts amidst all the hoopla. Keeping all of us encouraged for the year ahead is your and the Bulwark 's calling. Charlie's spot in analysis, as well as his snark and cynicism helps as well....they bring some levity to the situation.
If one takes a few steps back and assesses the the stupid antics of Trump and the Right, it all pretty much looks and seems like a big joke. We and the press take them far too seriously when we should just mock and laugh at them. In fact rhe best way to anger Trump is to mock and poke fun at him.
Serious, intelligent, and well adjusted adults don't act like Trump - nor any Republican I've seen or heard of these past few years. If they want to be taken seriously they might want to start being and acting serious.
Don't forget that Charlie Chaplin mocked and poked fun at AH before he came to power. I agree that more mockery is good insofar as it pisses Trump off (an unalloyed good, as far as I am concerned), and is laughter is good for our souls. But there's serious work afoot, too.
2,222 is the number of votes trump won by. Thats nothing in the grand scheme of things.
I really like the Podcasts, but I love the written pieces. I prefer to read.
Who are these people answering these polls? Why would anyone hate Biden? I'll tell you who answers polls. Old people with land lines and old people who answer cell phone calls.
Oh yes, our work ahead is dead serious. ,and we need to approach it as such. I think part of that effort should be attempting to point out that surely one can't take this buffoon and goofy guy seriously. That would be better than the kid gloves with which the press and media treat him now.
Here's an example of what and why the focus must be on aggressive and accurate journalism, the real kind: A big seller in the trumpstore is the t shirt that reads, "Rope-tree-journalist-some assembly required". Let us remind the leaders of the mainstream media every day that if elected, the orange fascist will almost positively try to see to it that he and only he controls all the media content in the USA.
I don't know how well-financed the Bulwark is, but please consider doing an advocacy commercial later this year with the content from part two of this posting. Maybe team up with the Lincoln Project or some other centrist group(s). I mean, I know it won't penetrate the minds of Trump supporters, but at least some of the people on the fence have to care about substance, about accomplishments, right? We don't support Joe Biden because he is a better human being than Trump - that is the lowest bar possible.
We also support Biden because he has been a damn good president. He deserves a second term regardless of the opponent.
JVL quote used by Joe [on morning joe in the last hour - approx 17min in -winks] today
I wasn't going to comment on Bulwark articles anymore ... but I literally woke up in the night with a diamond realization. If you read this article ... https://www.oah.org/tah/november-5/evangelicalism-and-politics/ ... it seems to me that the "Why" of DJT is obvious. He is NOT a politician, has no deep roots in Civics or political culture ... He has no investment in the ethics and "civic morality" of our shared national political system. He was "hired" to do a job, like Prigozhin of the Wagner Group -- to do exactly that which politicians who ARE rooted in Constitutional Culture would NOT do: finally destroy the wall between church and State. Because: it won't affect him. Clearly! Not a Christian, not a politician. Not even a Republican. Just a chainsaw in the hands of people who want Power Over Other People. But they'll never have power over HIM.
What I cannot fathom are the people who say that the US needs a dictator. Once they get their wish, do they believe they will ever be able to vote again?
They want someone to punish the people they hate. That was always the main allure of Trump.
I don't think they care...they don't want to vote--they just want to watch the Brown Shirts (Red Hats?) beat up the people they don't like. And that means anyone who makes them uncomfortable.
A discussion lately with an intelligent, erudite, and closet fascist friend of mine recently made all this very clear. Over the course of an evening's conversation she denied/opposed/belittled anything that made her uncomfortable. Anything that threatened her priviledged life and "unique" status as a "self made" successful woman or could force her to change her life or even think about changing her life.
Climate change, systemic racism (even the idea that it might exist somewhere in our system), LGBTQ+ anything, electric cars...the key phrase was "I am so tired of things that are different."
We are being taken to the edge of the precipice by a bunch of white snowflakes who are upset that someone changed the package of their breakfast cereal. They will embrace the dictator if he makes the dull itch of recognition that history is leaving them behind go away.
Yikes, You must have wanted a shower after that visit.
Great post Jeff. Spot on. This is pretty much what most MAGAjacent people I know say as well.
Joe is running a campaign that relies on the good sense of the American people.
Trump is running a campaign that relies on the idiocy of the American people.
Who wins depends on the numbers of each.
I would always bet on the idiocy of the American People. Party like it's 1934!
"And Trump will continue to misunderestimate Joe Biden."
Is misunderestimate a word? Rather, just underestimate. Or, is it a portmanteau word, a mash-up of misunderstand and underestimate. Ok, I get it.
It’s a classic George W. Bush malapropism.
Can't get fooled again ...
JVL, You might add to your list of Biden's strengths, the strength and diversity of his appointments. It's a strong administration because of Biden's choices and his ability to pull together and work with an impressive array of people.
I love when JVL points to silver linings. We need all we can get. When you're in SF, get a pastrami sandwich at Tommy's Joint on Geary & Van Ness.
safe travels to the Bay Area, can't wait to see you in SF.
Thanks for this. Nice words about Biden. Life isn’t all about railing against the Man from Queens. It’s also game recognizing game. Much appreciated.
So Trump received 2.3% of the total Iowa registered voters... enjoy your victory lap around the hamster wheel
Should put this on a billboard "ONLY 2.3% OF IOWA VOTERS VOTED FOR TRUMP."
Then let him brag about his hollow victory.
All 2.3% had tears in there eyes when voting for me.
"It was 2.3% like no one has ever seen before!"
"People are saying--2.3% of people!--that my campaign is really, really great!"
Thanks for your sane and well reasoned thoughts amidst all the hoopla. Keeping all of us encouraged for the year ahead is your and the Bulwark 's calling. Charlie's spot in analysis, as well as his snark and cynicism helps as well....they bring some levity to the situation.
If one takes a few steps back and assesses the the stupid antics of Trump and the Right, it all pretty much looks and seems like a big joke. We and the press take them far too seriously when we should just mock and laugh at them. In fact rhe best way to anger Trump is to mock and poke fun at him.
Serious, intelligent, and well adjusted adults don't act like Trump - nor any Republican I've seen or heard of these past few years. If they want to be taken seriously they might want to start being and acting serious.
Don't forget that Charlie Chaplin mocked and poked fun at AH before he came to power. I agree that more mockery is good insofar as it pisses Trump off (an unalloyed good, as far as I am concerned), and is laughter is good for our souls. But there's serious work afoot, too.