The reality is clear. You can vote for Biden or you can vote for the end of the world as we know it. Trump has promised a regime of violent revenge against his enemies. He has promised a campaign of transportation and deportation (think the Holocaust). He has promised to sit by as Russia attempts to conquer Europe. He has promised to start a trade war he cannot win with China, likely leading to a shooting war. And he has promised to turn anyone who is not a rich, white, Christo-fascist male into a political prisoner. The MAGAs think they will be exempt. So did all of the good Nazis who ended up in Dachau. Or the good Communists who ended up in the Gulag.
Yes and your words should be front and center on every newscaster's top story every day! A vote for Trump is a vote for Putin. A vote for Biden is a vote for democracy. A vote for Robert Kennedy is a vote for Putin. Staying home is a vote for Putin. If the current SCOTUS were as originalist as they claim, they would vote for Section 3 of our Constitution's 14th Amendment and dis-allow Trump to be on the ballot in the first place but I am not holding my breath. As Thom Hartmann said yesterday in his Substack "The14th Amendment was passed to prevent the very scenario we are now facing: a fascist insurrectionist seeking political office to end democracy and replace it with a strongman authoritarian like the men who ran the Confederacy."
Agreed: please circulate this post widely! I'll put it on Facebook.
I'll add to your lists that Trump has openly said HE DOESN'T WANT THE BORDER PROBLEM RESOLVED! He needs it as a campaign issue. And he isn't ashamed of this cynicism. Well, sure. The man is shameless.
Originalism is only a doctrine that conveniently applies when it serves to support some far right wing ideological outcome. If originalism really mattered private ownership of guns would be banned.
And votes for Trump, Biden and RFK jr are all votes for Netanyahu. Americans tend to forget the thug who has the most sway over the political process in your country.
Why do you post a link to some bilge like whatever that is, and avoid summarizing the lies and distortions yourself?
Here's something for you to chew over - because I assume that you actually "mean well," and are convinced that anyone who finds that "Israel runs America" trope both preposterously silly and extremely offensive, is just "in denial," whereas you astute, fearless independent thinkers who lap up The Intercept's
(or The Guardian's) political line on the I/P disputes are, fortunately, able to set us straight.
"Western activists for Palestinians, Mor added, “are dedicated to two nearly theological precepts: that Israel is evil, and that no Palestinian action is ever connected to any Palestinian outcome”.
"Thus, for such ideological extremists, many of whom are granted platforms at the Guardian, the suffering of Gazans in the war that followed the medieval savagery meted out to Jews on that dark Shabbat day could never be connected to the decisions of Hamas leaders and their executioners – those who burst through the fences protecting peaceful communities like Be’eri, Kfar Aza and Kissufim to commit unspeakable crimes in the service of a fanatical ideology."
I am currently disputing the idea that a "decent pro-Palestinian left" is impossible with one of the few serious conservatives (non-Trump supporter) I consider a friend, and it's embarrassing to see people "on the Left" - as you apparently are - make it that much more difficult for all progressives by making wild claims like you do on here, asserting that it is BIBI NETANYAHU who is putatively the "thug" who "has the most sway" over American politics - do you people EVER relax, sit back and consider how absurd claims like that look to anyone with even the most crude grasp of political science and history?
It's the kind of stuff middle school kids MIGHT believe, but even then, if you were bold enough to try to ambush a class of kids in the ninth grade with your little "Jews in Israel run American politics" theory, some of them might have studied enough about the complex political struggles in a nation with around 340 million people and a host of competing interests, to call you out.
But online, sometimes at least, I guess people feel they can just post anything, no matter how absurd, and because they don't have to meet anyone face to face and defend it, they will...I mean actually, the truth of the matter is, I cannot understand the mentality, it's like trying to understand diehard Trump cultists.
So it IS parody, thanks for clarifying you're just clowning around to ward off, I dunno, existential ennui on stilts, and be sure to tip the waiter on the way out, Sparky.
EDIT: SInce one (1) Ein, Uno, Un of the "Likes" upvotes is now as of Mardi Gras 2024 from "Jess Hansen,' this is appropriate et laissez les bon temps roulez toujours, I will still be sober as I have been since last March, but as Sir Toby Belch queried in Twelfth Night (written most likely by the Earl of Oxford but tangents tangents plangent tangents! Next would be the Plantagenets, sacre bleu mon vieux!) "Dost thou think because thou art virtuous, there shalt be no more cakes and ale?" & I ain't all that virtuous, blimey guvnor!
Plus this link gets extra credit for using theodicy in a sentence!
“”Without a clear indication of the author's intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a parody of extremism.
It is an observation that it's difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between parodies of fundamentalism and other absurd beliefs, as well as their genuine proponents, since they both seem equally insane. For example, some conservatives consider noted homophobe Fred Phelps to have been so over-the-top that they argue he was a "deep cover liberal" trying to discredit more mainstream homophobes. This conspiracy theory of sorts is either supported or refuted (depending on your point of view) by the fact that he ran for office in five Kansas Democratic primary elections, none of which he won.[2]
Poe's law applies not only to the absurdity of beliefs, but also to the absurdity of the arguments that are used on behalf of those beliefs. Arguments on behalf of young-Earth creationism and theodicy are especially known for their absurdity. The quintessential Poe's law argument is one on behalf of theodicy, which states: "Who are we/you [mere humans] to question the motives of the almighty?" The absurd, simple and obvious non-sequitur and circular logic therein (that God is good because he is the god) gives one the impression that that argument is intended as a humorous parody of Christians, but it was in fact an argument made by a few actual insane Christians.
******* Happy and safe and relatively sane Mardi Gras to all sentient, sapient beings in the universe, I celebrate by awaiting delivery and installation of a new stove and refriegerator, the better to cook
gumbo and jambalaya with plenty of Coastal Seafoods gulf shrimp, bebe!
OK, now I see you ALSO post a link to news coverage about some U.K. court decision hold that "Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism," which is true, but hardly means that a large number of opponents of Zionism (defined as the idea that the State of Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people) are not, in fact, rabid anti-Semites. Who constantly demonstrate that appalling trait.
I suppose we would be getting too far afield from this column's main concerns to follow this up much further, so I will just mention that many arguments about "Israeli apartheid" and "Israeli policies of `ethnic cleansing' (or 'genocide') are similarly problematic - real issues, yes, but frequently seized upon by bigots who deny any shades of grey in the discussions about them.
Oh NOW I get it, you want to muddy the waters with cute allusions to the Sturmabteilung, as if THAT will help with the explicitly Islamo-fascist Hamas Charter and the heinous genocidal mania, how very bizarre, but again as the Brits say, "you have form in that department."
Here's a link to a discussion of the revised and the original Hamas Charter, they have never renounced it, btw.
And in case you are capable of any learning at all about these complex issues - as opposed to having perfectly assimilated an invulnerably true, fair and accurate comprehension of all the crucial I/P issues and how they are routinely reported in the mass media, here ya go:
I respectfully upvote every last word except the idea that voting for a candidate you actually support as a good faith act of conscience is magically transmogrified by occult means into a vote for someone else, that's as bogus using RFK Jr (an odious and vile fraud IMHO, ok, my NOT so humble opinion, either way!) as it is when Bernie ran, or Nader, or...
You nor anyone else have the august status of definitively decreeing that all other American voters MUST "color between the lines" and be banished from all rational discourse and decent company if they dare challenge the major two parties.
Robert Green Ingersoll (/ˈɪŋɡərˌsɔːl, -ˌsɒl, -səl/; August 11, 1833 – July 21, 1899), nicknamed "the Great Agnostic", was an American lawyer, writer, and orator during the Golden Age of Free Thought, who campaigned in defense of agnosticism.
*******Lawyer
Later that year, the family settled in Marion, Illinois, where Robert and his brother Ebon Clarke Ingersoll were admitted to the bar in 1854. A county historian writing 22 years later noted that local residents considered the Ingersolls as a "very intellectual family; but, being Abolitionists, and the boys being deists, rendered obnoxious to our people in that respect."[4] *******
"The Declaration of Independence announces the sublime truth, that all power comes from the people. This was a denial, and the first denial of a nation, of the infamous dogma that God confers the right upon one man to govern others. It was the first grand assertion of the dignity of the human race. It declared the governed to be the source of power, and in fact denied the authority of any and all gods. Through the ages of slavery — through the weary centuries of the lash and chain, God was the acknowledged ruler of the world. To enthrone man, was to dethrone God. "
Individuality (1873).
EDIT: To clarify, what I am objecting to in the most strenuous terms is the notion that one or the other of the two major parties are "owed" the votes of absolutely every really sincere, serious participant in our elections. So that anyone who votes for a 3rd party candidate is somehow "really" supporting the side disliked most by the advocate claiming the vote is somehow really owed to the major party candidate the judge as closest to that 3rd party candidate, but with a much better chance of winning.
Now the 3rd party supporter may be deeply mistaken, and their candidate horrible (again, RFK Jr is one I have been posting against since last March), but that still doesn't amount to making their horrible choice "really" a vote for Trump.
Your alarm bell rings clear. One historical demurrer: leaving aside the "Night of the Long Knives," I haven't read about many truly committed ordinary Nazis sent to Dachau. Stalin and now Putin, the gulag, you betcha.
Biden’s memory is the despicably craven New York Times’s new Hillary’s emails. More responsible for where we find ourselves than Fox, Newsmax, and OAN combined. ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO FUCKING SLANT.
Beyond contemptible. They even had an article conjecturing why Trump appears stronger and more vigorous to voters than Biden. Wait for it - it’s that little dance he does on the platform, not even shifting his feet, that and his larger BMI which is apparently a manly sign.
For the life of me I cannot see a single thing "manly" about a fat man with orange makeup and a dyed, sprayed pompadour "do," who is reportedly wearing a diaper and smelling of it as well.
That's true! AND, he can ride a bike. AND he works out regularly. I'm sure Jill makes sure he eats well, since they both appear fit and healthy. AND he appears not to need to hold someone's hand when he walks on a stage. AND he keeps an amazing schedule which does not involve hours upon end of watching TV or riding around in a golf cart. AND he can read and write. I could go on. We're really not comparing apples to apples here - more like apples to a rancid orange.
Sometimes I’m shocked by Trump’s appearance, especially when he forgets to do his Mussolini thing. If he weren’t so evil, I could feel sorry for him, the increasingly heavy, smeared makeup and the sweat seeping through it, the posture of clutching the podium for support like a steersman grasping the wheel in a heavy sea. The Times was gaslighting us.
My brother-in-law, a Brit who despises both Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, has said that Trump looks “solid.” Larger BMI?
We need to see more of President Biden riding his bicycle, contrasted with Mr. Solid riding his golf cart. Maybe Joe dancing with Jill, if that is something they enjoy.
And more of Biden talking to ordinary people, as opposed to journalists like Doocy, who asks questions like “How bad is your memory?” To which he responded to the effect it must be bad, I let you speak.
Lucian, sometimes you "hit it out of the park." This was one of those times. We can vote for a poster boy for narcissism who puts loyalty to him above nation, a human who is a criminal, an insurrectionist, a pathological liar, a pussy grabber, a convicted sex molester, or we can vote for a decent man who makes mistakes, can admit those mistakes, who has done more in his three years as president than the last three presidents combined. We can vote for a person when asked, what sins has he asked god to forgive and he answered, "Why would I ask for forgiveness if I have never done anything wrong?" Or we can vote for a decent man who has restored our standing in the world after four years of betrayal to our allies by Trump who prefers the killer thugs of the world like Kim and Putin. And to think we have millions who will vote for the criminal. Sigh. Just like Germans in the '30s who "looked the other way" and elected a criminal, an insurrectionist, a man just like Trump who declared exactly the crimes he was going to do, but the Germans "looked the other way" to get the "things" they wanted. After all, the crimes were not going to happen to them but to others like Jews, Gypsies, the mentally deficient, the communists, those who spoke out as they saw their democracy destroyed. And Krystal Nacht and other horrors happened, but they looked the other way cause he made "Germany great again." How'd that work out? Let us hope America does not repeat the past.
Unfortunately a big share of the voters are so ignorant and uninformed that they will believe the bullshit that Orange Jesus utters every time he opens his mouth. The pundits still can't understand that the reason Drumpf is so popular is because a large portion of our population are racists and bigots and they love that he's made it okay to be open about their views. I'm retired from a blue collar career and a large portion of the people I worked with were racists, but quietly so because it wasn't so acceptable to express those views as it's been since 2016. I can't imagine the world for my boys and my grandson if that fascist piece of shit gets elected.
Before too much angst overtakes any of us in case Trump manages to thread a host of needles and is elected, isn't it necessary to plan strategies and tactics for legal, democratic, transparent nonviolent resistance?
I completely agree. And add: Lucian…you are the best writer among the clear thinkers and writers I gratefully read. A periodic thank you from my heart for your intelligence and skill. ❤️🤍💙
One of my lifelong Republican friends, wrote me a text this morning to say “what’s the matter with this man? what’s the matter with our country?”. He was talking about Trump attacking the husband of the other Republican candidate, who is “missing”. I might add my friend told me in 2016 he voted for Trump and then told me in 2020 had no idea what a lunatic Trump was and that he voted for Biden in 2020
How is this even an issue? I'd turn the hose on Trump if his motorcade ended up in my driveway, and I'd be happy for Biden to meet all of my children. This is not a difficult choice, people.
Let’s hope Swift endorses Biden. The right wing hordes have already decided that Swift and Kelce are plotting to assure Biden’s election, so why not tell her jillions of fans to vote for Biden and the Dems?
It's sad if people vote on the basis of whom a pop star (whom I heard of only recently) endorses, but since 74 million people voted for a reality t.v. star for president, then I guess it makes sense.
The NYT has covered itself in disgrace here. I don't actually believe that most reporters, editors, etc want to see Trump elected. But they seem to want to maintain the narrative that it may not be trump v Biden in order to, as they imagine, keep people engaged. If the mainstream media had managed to avoid Hur's sucker punch, we would have been spared these ridiculous last few days.
Niki Haley missed an opportunity to truly smear the scaramouche of Mar-a-Lago about his attempt to verbally abuse her deployed soldier husband. The fact is 5 generations of Trump trash have never had a member serve in the military. Five generations! In fact, the original Trump imigrants left Germany for Canada to avoid serving in the German military. In Canada they continued their underworld life in prostitution. drugs and alcohol. At some point they asked to return to Germany. Germany said NO! They then headed for New York. This tawdry record justifies the claim that Melania married down.
I hope everyone noticed that a sharp rebuke to Trump appeared on Truth Social under President Biden’s name. It referred to Trump’s comment that those who served in the military were “suckers and losers.”
PS. "Nikki Haley forgets 9/11 attack date moments after calling for presidential mental tests." / As I have stated previously, trauma can cause forgetfulness re: details, and ... Nikki is only 52.
When I posted your piece on my FB page, I led with this: "You have a choice: an honest man or a criminal." But I like the way you frame it here better than my own words.
Lucian, you don't know how much I needed to read this right now. My writers' group just met. Two very intelligent, politically savvy guys in their 70s (as you and I both are), are convinced that President Biden is one step away from non compos and/or that he's likely to die before the election. I'm half convinced that either they watch too much TV and don't fully realize that everything they see has been edited, or they've read too much of the Robert Hur report but none of the commentary on it. (And while we're at it, f*ck you, Merrick Garland.) I was on the verge of freaking out about it. Thanks for talking me down to earth.
He’s quite compos mentis, he’s an old pro in the game (unlike Trump, who knew nothing and knows nothing), he’s not a great public speaker and he has a somewhat passive affect. Which is too bad, because he needs to hit Trump often and hard—- above and below the belt.
On the whole, I think the Democratic Party apparatus is a much bigger problem than President Biden. Every time I read "Democrats believe" in a news story, I think "Oh, it's another of those DNC weasels who won't go on the record."
Totally agree with attitude toward MG who should not have allowed this report to be released under the DOJ umbrella without serious comment and rebuke. What a mistake his appointment was.
Since it took forever for the National Guard to be deployed I wonder if changes have been made to improve the situation for any future event? I heard at the time that one general said it was a matter of optics, that it wouldn't look good. But the timeline report didn't mention that as far as I could see:
"The Capitol Police and D.C. Officials Made 12 Urgent Requests for National Guard Support During the Capitol Assault.
o Beginning at 1:30 p.m. on January 6, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Steven Sund,
D.C. Metropolitan Police (MPD), and city officials requested D.C. National Guard
(DCNG) support at least 12 times, as detailed in the timeline below.
o Acting Secretary of DefenseChristopher Miller did not authorize the National Guard
to “re-mission” and secure the Capitol until 4:32 p.m., and they did not arrive until
LOVED Mr. T.'s wishy-washy hed! Re: Biden confusing the names of heads of state and countries ... who amongst us, at any age, hasn't done the same? I have called the dog by my daughter's name, and I'm not enmeshed with different countries and their many leaders.
Re: Trump and NATO and dues, he really is all about money, isn't he?
A bit off topic, but I'm guessing Mr. T.s early file has to do with watching the game unhindered by thoughts of the worst and most dangerous political situation in my lifetime -- and I'm older than Joe.
The reality is clear. You can vote for Biden or you can vote for the end of the world as we know it. Trump has promised a regime of violent revenge against his enemies. He has promised a campaign of transportation and deportation (think the Holocaust). He has promised to sit by as Russia attempts to conquer Europe. He has promised to start a trade war he cannot win with China, likely leading to a shooting war. And he has promised to turn anyone who is not a rich, white, Christo-fascist male into a political prisoner. The MAGAs think they will be exempt. So did all of the good Nazis who ended up in Dachau. Or the good Communists who ended up in the Gulag.
Yes and your words should be front and center on every newscaster's top story every day! A vote for Trump is a vote for Putin. A vote for Biden is a vote for democracy. A vote for Robert Kennedy is a vote for Putin. Staying home is a vote for Putin. If the current SCOTUS were as originalist as they claim, they would vote for Section 3 of our Constitution's 14th Amendment and dis-allow Trump to be on the ballot in the first place but I am not holding my breath. As Thom Hartmann said yesterday in his Substack "The14th Amendment was passed to prevent the very scenario we are now facing: a fascist insurrectionist seeking political office to end democracy and replace it with a strongman authoritarian like the men who ran the Confederacy."
Agreed: please circulate this post widely! I'll put it on Facebook.
I'll add to your lists that Trump has openly said HE DOESN'T WANT THE BORDER PROBLEM RESOLVED! He needs it as a campaign issue. And he isn't ashamed of this cynicism. Well, sure. The man is shameless.
Originalism is only a doctrine that conveniently applies when it serves to support some far right wing ideological outcome. If originalism really mattered private ownership of guns would be banned.
And votes for Trump, Biden and RFK jr are all votes for Netanyahu. Americans tend to forget the thug who has the most sway over the political process in your country.
https://theintercept.com/2024/02/07/gaza-israel-netanyahu-propaganda-lies-palestinians/
Why do you post a link to some bilge like whatever that is, and avoid summarizing the lies and distortions yourself?
Here's something for you to chew over - because I assume that you actually "mean well," and are convinced that anyone who finds that "Israel runs America" trope both preposterously silly and extremely offensive, is just "in denial," whereas you astute, fearless independent thinkers who lap up The Intercept's
(or The Guardian's) political line on the I/P disputes are, fortunately, able to set us straight.
"Western activists for Palestinians, Mor added, “are dedicated to two nearly theological precepts: that Israel is evil, and that no Palestinian action is ever connected to any Palestinian outcome”.
"Thus, for such ideological extremists, many of whom are granted platforms at the Guardian, the suffering of Gazans in the war that followed the medieval savagery meted out to Jews on that dark Shabbat day could never be connected to the decisions of Hamas leaders and their executioners – those who burst through the fences protecting peaceful communities like Be’eri, Kfar Aza and Kissufim to commit unspeakable crimes in the service of a fanatical ideology."
https://camera-uk.org/2024/02/06/can-there-be-a-decent-pro-palestinian-left/
I am currently disputing the idea that a "decent pro-Palestinian left" is impossible with one of the few serious conservatives (non-Trump supporter) I consider a friend, and it's embarrassing to see people "on the Left" - as you apparently are - make it that much more difficult for all progressives by making wild claims like you do on here, asserting that it is BIBI NETANYAHU who is putatively the "thug" who "has the most sway" over American politics - do you people EVER relax, sit back and consider how absurd claims like that look to anyone with even the most crude grasp of political science and history?
It's the kind of stuff middle school kids MIGHT believe, but even then, if you were bold enough to try to ambush a class of kids in the ninth grade with your little "Jews in Israel run American politics" theory, some of them might have studied enough about the complex political struggles in a nation with around 340 million people and a host of competing interests, to call you out.
But online, sometimes at least, I guess people feel they can just post anything, no matter how absurd, and because they don't have to meet anyone face to face and defend it, they will...I mean actually, the truth of the matter is, I cannot understand the mentality, it's like trying to understand diehard Trump cultists.
I say, I say....bloody marvelous account, Old Bean. Would you like me to summon the butler to pour you another bottle of brandy?
So it IS parody, thanks for clarifying you're just clowning around to ward off, I dunno, existential ennui on stilts, and be sure to tip the waiter on the way out, Sparky.
EDIT: SInce one (1) Ein, Uno, Un of the "Likes" upvotes is now as of Mardi Gras 2024 from "Jess Hansen,' this is appropriate et laissez les bon temps roulez toujours, I will still be sober as I have been since last March, but as Sir Toby Belch queried in Twelfth Night (written most likely by the Earl of Oxford but tangents tangents plangent tangents! Next would be the Plantagenets, sacre bleu mon vieux!) "Dost thou think because thou art virtuous, there shalt be no more cakes and ale?" & I ain't all that virtuous, blimey guvnor!
Plus this link gets extra credit for using theodicy in a sentence!
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Poe%27s_Law
“”Without a clear indication of the author's intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a parody of extremism.
It is an observation that it's difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between parodies of fundamentalism and other absurd beliefs, as well as their genuine proponents, since they both seem equally insane. For example, some conservatives consider noted homophobe Fred Phelps to have been so over-the-top that they argue he was a "deep cover liberal" trying to discredit more mainstream homophobes. This conspiracy theory of sorts is either supported or refuted (depending on your point of view) by the fact that he ran for office in five Kansas Democratic primary elections, none of which he won.[2]
Poe's law applies not only to the absurdity of beliefs, but also to the absurdity of the arguments that are used on behalf of those beliefs. Arguments on behalf of young-Earth creationism and theodicy are especially known for their absurdity. The quintessential Poe's law argument is one on behalf of theodicy, which states: "Who are we/you [mere humans] to question the motives of the almighty?" The absurd, simple and obvious non-sequitur and circular logic therein (that God is good because he is the god) gives one the impression that that argument is intended as a humorous parody of Christians, but it was in fact an argument made by a few actual insane Christians.
******* Happy and safe and relatively sane Mardi Gras to all sentient, sapient beings in the universe, I celebrate by awaiting delivery and installation of a new stove and refriegerator, the better to cook
gumbo and jambalaya with plenty of Coastal Seafoods gulf shrimp, bebe!
OK, now I see you ALSO post a link to news coverage about some U.K. court decision hold that "Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism," which is true, but hardly means that a large number of opponents of Zionism (defined as the idea that the State of Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people) are not, in fact, rabid anti-Semites. Who constantly demonstrate that appalling trait.
I suppose we would be getting too far afield from this column's main concerns to follow this up much further, so I will just mention that many arguments about "Israeli apartheid" and "Israeli policies of `ethnic cleansing' (or 'genocide') are similarly problematic - real issues, yes, but frequently seized upon by bigots who deny any shades of grey in the discussions about them.
I will accept that reply and will only recommend one demerit for confusing shades of grey with shades of brown, Old Sport!
Oh NOW I get it, you want to muddy the waters with cute allusions to the Sturmabteilung, as if THAT will help with the explicitly Islamo-fascist Hamas Charter and the heinous genocidal mania, how very bizarre, but again as the Brits say, "you have form in that department."
Here's a link to a discussion of the revised and the original Hamas Charter, they have never renounced it, btw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Hamas_charter
And in case you are capable of any learning at all about these complex issues - as opposed to having perfectly assimilated an invulnerably true, fair and accurate comprehension of all the crucial I/P issues and how they are routinely reported in the mass media, here ya go:
https://camera-uk.org/2023/10/08/a-round-up-of-media-errors-in-covering-hamass-war-on-israel-oct-8/
A gnomic pseudo-explanation that explains nothing, but at least you have form, Lord Mucklesbee.
Jess - thank you for this link!
Your welcome, Gudrun!
I respectfully upvote every last word except the idea that voting for a candidate you actually support as a good faith act of conscience is magically transmogrified by occult means into a vote for someone else, that's as bogus using RFK Jr (an odious and vile fraud IMHO, ok, my NOT so humble opinion, either way!) as it is when Bernie ran, or Nader, or...
You nor anyone else have the august status of definitively decreeing that all other American voters MUST "color between the lines" and be banished from all rational discourse and decent company if they dare challenge the major two parties.
See also HERESIES AND HERETICS:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38095
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G._Ingersoll
Robert Green Ingersoll (/ˈɪŋɡərˌsɔːl, -ˌsɒl, -səl/; August 11, 1833 – July 21, 1899), nicknamed "the Great Agnostic", was an American lawyer, writer, and orator during the Golden Age of Free Thought, who campaigned in defense of agnosticism.
*******Lawyer
Later that year, the family settled in Marion, Illinois, where Robert and his brother Ebon Clarke Ingersoll were admitted to the bar in 1854. A county historian writing 22 years later noted that local residents considered the Ingersolls as a "very intellectual family; but, being Abolitionists, and the boys being deists, rendered obnoxious to our people in that respect."[4] *******
"The Declaration of Independence announces the sublime truth, that all power comes from the people. This was a denial, and the first denial of a nation, of the infamous dogma that God confers the right upon one man to govern others. It was the first grand assertion of the dignity of the human race. It declared the governed to be the source of power, and in fact denied the authority of any and all gods. Through the ages of slavery — through the weary centuries of the lash and chain, God was the acknowledged ruler of the world. To enthrone man, was to dethrone God. "
Individuality (1873).
EDIT: To clarify, what I am objecting to in the most strenuous terms is the notion that one or the other of the two major parties are "owed" the votes of absolutely every really sincere, serious participant in our elections. So that anyone who votes for a 3rd party candidate is somehow "really" supporting the side disliked most by the advocate claiming the vote is somehow really owed to the major party candidate the judge as closest to that 3rd party candidate, but with a much better chance of winning.
Now the 3rd party supporter may be deeply mistaken, and their candidate horrible (again, RFK Jr is one I have been posting against since last March), but that still doesn't amount to making their horrible choice "really" a vote for Trump.
Your alarm bell rings clear. One historical demurrer: leaving aside the "Night of the Long Knives," I haven't read about many truly committed ordinary Nazis sent to Dachau. Stalin and now Putin, the gulag, you betcha.
Biden’s memory is the despicably craven New York Times’s new Hillary’s emails. More responsible for where we find ourselves than Fox, Newsmax, and OAN combined. ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO FUCKING SLANT.
Beyond contemptible. They even had an article conjecturing why Trump appears stronger and more vigorous to voters than Biden. Wait for it - it’s that little dance he does on the platform, not even shifting his feet, that and his larger BMI which is apparently a manly sign.
For the life of me I cannot see a single thing "manly" about a fat man with orange makeup and a dyed, sprayed pompadour "do," who is reportedly wearing a diaper and smelling of it as well.
As Jeff wrote years ago, it’s not an earth-shattering issue, but Biden’s a man who can wear a suit.
That's true! AND, he can ride a bike. AND he works out regularly. I'm sure Jill makes sure he eats well, since they both appear fit and healthy. AND he appears not to need to hold someone's hand when he walks on a stage. AND he keeps an amazing schedule which does not involve hours upon end of watching TV or riding around in a golf cart. AND he can read and write. I could go on. We're really not comparing apples to apples here - more like apples to a rancid orange.
Sometimes I’m shocked by Trump’s appearance, especially when he forgets to do his Mussolini thing. If he weren’t so evil, I could feel sorry for him, the increasingly heavy, smeared makeup and the sweat seeping through it, the posture of clutching the podium for support like a steersman grasping the wheel in a heavy sea. The Times was gaslighting us.
It’s what comes out of his mouth that worries me most.
Incontinence is the least of his problems.
My brother-in-law, a Brit who despises both Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, has said that Trump looks “solid.” Larger BMI?
We need to see more of President Biden riding his bicycle, contrasted with Mr. Solid riding his golf cart. Maybe Joe dancing with Jill, if that is something they enjoy.
And more of Biden talking to ordinary people, as opposed to journalists like Doocy, who asks questions like “How bad is your memory?” To which he responded to the effect it must be bad, I let you speak.
So far beneath contempt as to be looking up at the bottom of the Marianas Trench.
Oh, gag. I hate his little dance. I always think it signals a full diaper.
I’ve seen that dance described as masturbating two big ghosts
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
First time I ever considered Obesity of nearletahal proportions "manly"
Lucian, sometimes you "hit it out of the park." This was one of those times. We can vote for a poster boy for narcissism who puts loyalty to him above nation, a human who is a criminal, an insurrectionist, a pathological liar, a pussy grabber, a convicted sex molester, or we can vote for a decent man who makes mistakes, can admit those mistakes, who has done more in his three years as president than the last three presidents combined. We can vote for a person when asked, what sins has he asked god to forgive and he answered, "Why would I ask for forgiveness if I have never done anything wrong?" Or we can vote for a decent man who has restored our standing in the world after four years of betrayal to our allies by Trump who prefers the killer thugs of the world like Kim and Putin. And to think we have millions who will vote for the criminal. Sigh. Just like Germans in the '30s who "looked the other way" and elected a criminal, an insurrectionist, a man just like Trump who declared exactly the crimes he was going to do, but the Germans "looked the other way" to get the "things" they wanted. After all, the crimes were not going to happen to them but to others like Jews, Gypsies, the mentally deficient, the communists, those who spoke out as they saw their democracy destroyed. And Krystal Nacht and other horrors happened, but they looked the other way cause he made "Germany great again." How'd that work out? Let us hope America does not repeat the past.
Well said…
Unfortunately a big share of the voters are so ignorant and uninformed that they will believe the bullshit that Orange Jesus utters every time he opens his mouth. The pundits still can't understand that the reason Drumpf is so popular is because a large portion of our population are racists and bigots and they love that he's made it okay to be open about their views. I'm retired from a blue collar career and a large portion of the people I worked with were racists, but quietly so because it wasn't so acceptable to express those views as it's been since 2016. I can't imagine the world for my boys and my grandson if that fascist piece of shit gets elected.
Before too much angst overtakes any of us in case Trump manages to thread a host of needles and is elected, isn't it necessary to plan strategies and tactics for legal, democratic, transparent nonviolent resistance?
Superb! Everyone should share this newsletter with family, friends, complete strangers, and enemies.
I completely agree. And add: Lucian…you are the best writer among the clear thinkers and writers I gratefully read. A periodic thank you from my heart for your intelligence and skill. ❤️🤍💙
One of my lifelong Republican friends, wrote me a text this morning to say “what’s the matter with this man? what’s the matter with our country?”. He was talking about Trump attacking the husband of the other Republican candidate, who is “missing”. I might add my friend told me in 2016 he voted for Trump and then told me in 2020 had no idea what a lunatic Trump was and that he voted for Biden in 2020
My Republican friend did the same
How is this even an issue? I'd turn the hose on Trump if his motorcade ended up in my driveway, and I'd be happy for Biden to meet all of my children. This is not a difficult choice, people.
I'm constantly reminded how many people there are who are so much nicer than I am. I would light up a flame thrower.
I would, too, but the closest thing I have is that hose. I’m no nicer than you, I promise!
Oh, then I'm the reckless one. I will get myself a flame thrower just in case.
Go for it, I’ll help!
Forget the $83 million to E. Jean. The good news is that Trump is scared that TAYLOR SWIFT could take him down. Read this: https://x.com/karaswisher/status/1756769332594389124?s=20
Let’s hope Swift endorses Biden. The right wing hordes have already decided that Swift and Kelce are plotting to assure Biden’s election, so why not tell her jillions of fans to vote for Biden and the Dems?
It's sad if people vote on the basis of whom a pop star (whom I heard of only recently) endorses, but since 74 million people voted for a reality t.v. star for president, then I guess it makes sense.
The NYT has covered itself in disgrace here. I don't actually believe that most reporters, editors, etc want to see Trump elected. But they seem to want to maintain the narrative that it may not be trump v Biden in order to, as they imagine, keep people engaged. If the mainstream media had managed to avoid Hur's sucker punch, we would have been spared these ridiculous last few days.
Niki Haley missed an opportunity to truly smear the scaramouche of Mar-a-Lago about his attempt to verbally abuse her deployed soldier husband. The fact is 5 generations of Trump trash have never had a member serve in the military. Five generations! In fact, the original Trump imigrants left Germany for Canada to avoid serving in the German military. In Canada they continued their underworld life in prostitution. drugs and alcohol. At some point they asked to return to Germany. Germany said NO! They then headed for New York. This tawdry record justifies the claim that Melania married down.
I hope everyone noticed that a sharp rebuke to Trump appeared on Truth Social under President Biden’s name. It referred to Trump’s comment that those who served in the military were “suckers and losers.”
scaramouche -- a cowardly braggart -- thanks for that. Always appreciate a vocab. addition.
PS. "Nikki Haley forgets 9/11 attack date moments after calling for presidential mental tests." / As I have stated previously, trauma can cause forgetfulness re: details, and ... Nikki is only 52.
When I posted your piece on my FB page, I led with this: "You have a choice: an honest man or a criminal." But I like the way you frame it here better than my own words.
Lucian, you don't know how much I needed to read this right now. My writers' group just met. Two very intelligent, politically savvy guys in their 70s (as you and I both are), are convinced that President Biden is one step away from non compos and/or that he's likely to die before the election. I'm half convinced that either they watch too much TV and don't fully realize that everything they see has been edited, or they've read too much of the Robert Hur report but none of the commentary on it. (And while we're at it, f*ck you, Merrick Garland.) I was on the verge of freaking out about it. Thanks for talking me down to earth.
P.S. The more I think about it, the more I think that what these two friends have in common is that they're both regular New York Times readers.
He’s quite compos mentis, he’s an old pro in the game (unlike Trump, who knew nothing and knows nothing), he’s not a great public speaker and he has a somewhat passive affect. Which is too bad, because he needs to hit Trump often and hard—- above and below the belt.
On the whole, I think the Democratic Party apparatus is a much bigger problem than President Biden. Every time I read "Democrats believe" in a news story, I think "Oh, it's another of those DNC weasels who won't go on the record."
Oh man, I don’t think he’d want to hit him in his diaper, think of the mess.
Totally agree with attitude toward MG who should not have allowed this report to be released under the DOJ umbrella without serious comment and rebuke. What a mistake his appointment was.
Along with the delay over investigating and prosecuting the ringleaders of 1/6/21 -- I have so had it with this guy.
Lucien, every bit of this true.
Since it took forever for the National Guard to be deployed I wonder if changes have been made to improve the situation for any future event? I heard at the time that one general said it was a matter of optics, that it wouldn't look good. But the timeline report didn't mention that as far as I could see:
"The Capitol Police and D.C. Officials Made 12 Urgent Requests for National Guard Support During the Capitol Assault.
o Beginning at 1:30 p.m. on January 6, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Steven Sund,
D.C. Metropolitan Police (MPD), and city officials requested D.C. National Guard
(DCNG) support at least 12 times, as detailed in the timeline below.
o Acting Secretary of DefenseChristopher Miller did not authorize the National Guard
to “re-mission” and secure the Capitol until 4:32 p.m., and they did not arrive until
5:20 p.m., more than four hours after the Capitol perimeter was breached. Complete timeline https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Jan6-Clearinghouse-House-Oversight-Committee-and-Reform-Fact-Sheet-and-Timeline-Delayed-National-Guard-Response-to-January-6.pdf#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20During%20the%20conference%20call%2C%20Lt.%20Gen.%20Piatt,to%20D.C.%20National%20Guard%20notes%20of%20the%20call.
LOVED Mr. T.'s wishy-washy hed! Re: Biden confusing the names of heads of state and countries ... who amongst us, at any age, hasn't done the same? I have called the dog by my daughter's name, and I'm not enmeshed with different countries and their many leaders.
Re: Trump and NATO and dues, he really is all about money, isn't he?
A bit off topic, but I'm guessing Mr. T.s early file has to do with watching the game unhindered by thoughts of the worst and most dangerous political situation in my lifetime -- and I'm older than Joe.