When I was a young - and later since such things stay with you a bit - I thought everything got better. If an author wrote a good book, the next one would be better. If a movie was good, the sequel would be better (this was a source of confusion as I was perhaps too young for Godfather II but Empire I guess?). If a band had a good album, the next one should be better. Galactica 1980 must be better than Battlestar Galactica!
Not entirely sure where I got this idea, but it did take awhile to unlearn. Was The Fat Boys Are Back? Better than Fat Boys? Maybe!
Saturday, November 30, 2019
The Boy Is Going To Do It
Maybe!
The Conservative lead in the general election campaign has been halved in just one week, putting the UK in “hung parliament territory”, an exclusive poll for The Independent shows.
Boris Johnson’s party is now only six points ahead of Labour, it has found – matching other surveys suggesting the race is tightening dramatically, amid growing Tory nervousness.
Buying Your Way Out Of Hassle
Related is that I have given this a lot of thought and you need *a lot* of money to buy your way out of most of the mundane daily hassles that people experience. Some level of money buys you not having to care, because LOL not gonna bother fighting over a $20 incorrect charge on your cable bill, but to actually have all that stuff just taken care of by people such that you only need to worry your beautiful mind occasionally takes being more than a little rich.
Time Rides All Alone
People need money, of course, but the basic hassles of life are endless and mostly stupid. Time is money and also stress is, well, stressful.
Saturday Deep Thought
Can't believe The Kids Today want free college. Back in my day, I worked a summer job to pay for it!
Friday, November 29, 2019
America's Worst Democratic Presidential Campaigns
Mayo Pete.
If you think that a worker who didn’t go to college should pay for college for a CEO’s kid, then @PeteButtigieg isn’t your candidate. https://t.co/dPCVf4KsLG
— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) November 29, 2019
Really How Could This Be Bad
No idea.
Johnny Depp is producing a musical about the life of Michael Jackson that will be told from the perspective of the late singer’s famous sequin glove.
Johnny Depp is producing a musical about the life of Michael Jackson that will be told from the perspective of the late singer’s famous sequin glove.
Playwright Julien Nitzberg wrote For the Love of a Glove: An Unauthorised Musical Fable About the Life of Michael Jackson, As Told By His Glove, which is described as “a fresh, revisionist look at the strange forces that shaped Jackson and the scandals that bedevilled him”.How could this be any worse than I imagine, you wonder? You lack creativity, my friends.
Nitzberg proposed a solution: “I said, how’s this? Everything MJ has been accused of has actually been caused by his glove, which is actually an alien from outer space [and] feeds on virgin boy blood. They laughed and said, ‘Can you do the normal version?’”
What The Hell Was Wrong With You
All of our choices are constrained by cost and circumstances and I'm really not one who thinks taking public transit is some moral virtue, but really this is dumb.
Driving from Broad&Pine to park at 8th&Market is... well.. nuts... unless you have some other reason to do so (maybe you need your car for something else during work hours! sure). Like always nuts unless you have any mobility issues. I don't care what the weather is.
Also, pro-tips, dude:
1) if you don't want to walk the whole way, or are ambivalent, walk to 11th, grab the 45 bus if it is coming, and then walk the rest of the way (that he never mentions The Bus is hilarious. That someone lives in center city and never considers taking the bus is a tragedy).
2)Take PATCO! One seat drops you right there!
Generally, if you move around Center City and are happy to walk but like the occasional boost, a transit pass+plus apps telling you if a bus is is coming is the way to go. Bus frequency everywhere isn't as it should be, but in this part of the city there's generally a bus on its way and if one is going your way hop on it!
Even when we moved back to Center City at Broad and Pine, an easy one-mile walk from The Inquirer’s headquarters, I persisted in driving. I paid for parking near 8th and Market and grappled with the daily hassles of clogged city streets, potholes that threatened to flatten my tires or decimate my shock absorbers, and parking lots that were often as frustrating to navigate as the surrounding streets."Steely determination."
...
Then one day last summer, when the Philadelphia heat and humidity were at their worst, I spent 15 agonizing minutes unsuccessfully trying to find an open space in the lot where I paid $35 every week — a discounted rate for our company employees — for the privilege of parking. It was a watershed moment. Returning to work that day, I canceled my account for parking and, with a steely determination, decided to once and for all return to public transportation.
Driving from Broad&Pine to park at 8th&Market is... well.. nuts... unless you have some other reason to do so (maybe you need your car for something else during work hours! sure). Like always nuts unless you have any mobility issues. I don't care what the weather is.
Also, pro-tips, dude:
1) if you don't want to walk the whole way, or are ambivalent, walk to 11th, grab the 45 bus if it is coming, and then walk the rest of the way (that he never mentions The Bus is hilarious. That someone lives in center city and never considers taking the bus is a tragedy).
2)Take PATCO! One seat drops you right there!
Generally, if you move around Center City and are happy to walk but like the occasional boost, a transit pass+plus apps telling you if a bus is is coming is the way to go. Bus frequency everywhere isn't as it should be, but in this part of the city there's generally a bus on its way and if one is going your way hop on it!
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Measles Is Bad
There are complicated, expensive, and generally difficult to solve problems, but "we" sorta solved this one and then...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is immediately sending experts in response to a request from the Samoan government for assistance with a measles outbreak that has sickened 2,437 people and killed 32, mostly children, U.S. officials said Tuesday.
The CDC is providing technical assistance with tracking and monitoring of cases and vaccination campaigns, according to Robert Linkins, a CDC expert on global immunization. Two CDC experts are expected to be on the ground shortly, U.S. officials said. Vaccination rates in Samoa are among the lowest in the world, and the country has been the target of anti-vaccine activists.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
F
When I am your benevolent dictator, I will turn everything into metric. I will make it illegal to even say the words "pint" or "miles." Punishable by death.
But... we keep Fahrenheit. Celsius is dumb and bad. Science can keep Celsius. For the rest of us, Fahrenheit is great. 0 is quite cold and 100 is quite hot. That is a very simple human scale. 0 is sorta cold and 100 means you died awhile ago is not very useful.
Sure people used to Celsius are used to it, but honestly my experience with people who are used to it is that they also find it a bit inadequate. 18? 22? Who remembers the difference.
Is it important? Maybe not. Except for one thing. 4 degrees doesn't sound like much. I suspect it doesn't sound like that much even to people who are used to Celsius. 4 is a little number. So when you hear about climate changing meaning a "4 degree average temperature increase" that doesn't sound like ALL THAT MUCH, does it? But (doing the advanced math) a 4 degree C increase is...um, divide by 5, multiply by 9 (I am a weirdo who actually remembers the formula)...36/5.. Seven and a bit! OK that's a bit scarier.
But... we keep Fahrenheit. Celsius is dumb and bad. Science can keep Celsius. For the rest of us, Fahrenheit is great. 0 is quite cold and 100 is quite hot. That is a very simple human scale. 0 is sorta cold and 100 means you died awhile ago is not very useful.
Sure people used to Celsius are used to it, but honestly my experience with people who are used to it is that they also find it a bit inadequate. 18? 22? Who remembers the difference.
Is it important? Maybe not. Except for one thing. 4 degrees doesn't sound like much. I suspect it doesn't sound like that much even to people who are used to Celsius. 4 is a little number. So when you hear about climate changing meaning a "4 degree average temperature increase" that doesn't sound like ALL THAT MUCH, does it? But (doing the advanced math) a 4 degree C increase is...um, divide by 5, multiply by 9 (I am a weirdo who actually remembers the formula)...36/5.. Seven and a bit! OK that's a bit scarier.
Maybe He Was A Hope Shopping Network Addict
I'm sure I am naive about how much money I could easily spend. It's not as if I lack expensive tastes entirely! I'd travel a bit more. Stay in better places when I did, or at least fret about cost less when I did travel. I don't even love opera, but I'd get better seats to the opera. Get some non-Ikea couches. Splurges like that. Give me lots of money and we can perform this experiment. Oh no I might be wrong! Sorry, spent it all.
And if I really had extra cash I'd probably do what nice-but-not-really-that-nice rich people do. Give some money to the local theatre company. That kind of thing. Not the worst thing in the world, but also it buys a bit of ass kissing and self-importance. Probably I'd find one really worthy "the money really goes where they need it" charity. Have a few in mind.
But I think of people like Rudy and just wonder why on Earth he would get involved with all of this stuff. Not because I think Rudy is Good, but shouldn't Rudy be Lazy? Shouldn't he just be like "I'm America's goddamn Mayor. Put me on your corporate board. Pay me 50 grand per speech. Comp me at all the best restaurants." That rich people get comped is sad and hilarious, though I'm sure the good ones leave good tips at least. I know the 8 times or so I have been comped (bloggers are famous!) I left most of the meal price as a tip. Okay once I saw a mouse that ran in from the outside. I still left most of the meal price as a tip. We know from divorce reports he spends money on dumb things - cigars! fountain pens! - but those aren't exactly budget busting, even if they are a bit absurd.
Other people are weird, is what I am saying. Or maybe I am.
And if I really had extra cash I'd probably do what nice-but-not-really-that-nice rich people do. Give some money to the local theatre company. That kind of thing. Not the worst thing in the world, but also it buys a bit of ass kissing and self-importance. Probably I'd find one really worthy "the money really goes where they need it" charity. Have a few in mind.
But I think of people like Rudy and just wonder why on Earth he would get involved with all of this stuff. Not because I think Rudy is Good, but shouldn't Rudy be Lazy? Shouldn't he just be like "I'm America's goddamn Mayor. Put me on your corporate board. Pay me 50 grand per speech. Comp me at all the best restaurants." That rich people get comped is sad and hilarious, though I'm sure the good ones leave good tips at least. I know the 8 times or so I have been comped (bloggers are famous!) I left most of the meal price as a tip. Okay once I saw a mouse that ran in from the outside. I still left most of the meal price as a tip. We know from divorce reports he spends money on dumb things - cigars! fountain pens! - but those aren't exactly budget busting, even if they are a bit absurd.
Other people are weird, is what I am saying. Or maybe I am.
Better Things Aren't Possible
I continue to be amazed about how much that is the explicit message from some of the Dem candidates. Arguably it's more their *message* than their *platform*. As in you can probably make the case that their expressed policy desires are pretty "Left" in comparison to previous Dem campaigns, but then they come out and are like "Oh no, we just can't do that, it's crazy. What if rich people could drive on roads for free, too? Free libraries? What if Jared Kushner wanted to check out a book?!?!"
I suppose conventional wisdom about primaries (though wrong for various reasons) is that candidates run to their Left (or Right for Republicans) to win the primary and then run to the center to win the general. Some candidates are planning the reverse, though I expect it's "appeal to scared old people in the primary and then run on 'Trump sucks' in the general."
Could work, but...then what?
I suppose conventional wisdom about primaries (though wrong for various reasons) is that candidates run to their Left (or Right for Republicans) to win the primary and then run to the center to win the general. Some candidates are planning the reverse, though I expect it's "appeal to scared old people in the primary and then run on 'Trump sucks' in the general."
Could work, but...then what?
Oh, Elon
Your lawyers must hate you.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Tesla Inc’s chief executive, Elon Musk, will testify in his own defense against a defamation lawsuit brought by a British cave explorer, Musk’s lawyer said on Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Brain Worms
Certainly not an expert in such things, but people who have dealt with parents with such issues have told me that some people get very nice and sweet, reverting to gentle if difficult children, and some get really angry and mean.
Joe and Vicky
I really can't believe 20 years later I am still hearing about Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing. Agree or disagree about whether there should be a mandatory retirement age, I am still surprised that the behind the scenes architects of Republican evil mostly have not changed.
Speaking Of
Brain geniuses.
In conversations with people inside and outside the company, Neumann’s pronouncements became wilder. He told one investor that he’d convinced Rahm Emanuel to run for president in 2020 on the “WeWork Agenda.” (Emanuel did not respond to a request for comment.) Neumann told colleagues that he was saving the women of Saudi Arabia by working with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to offer women coding classes, according to a source. In another meeting, Neumann said three people were going to save the world: bin Salman, Jared Kushner, and Neumann. Shortly after the news broke in October 2018 that Saudi agents tortured dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and carved his body with a bone saw, likely on order from the crown prince himself, Neumann told George W. Bush’s former national security adviser Stephen Hadley that everything could be worked out if bin Salman had the right mentor. Confused, Hadley asked who that person might be, according to a source familiar with the meeting. Neumann paused for a moment and said: “Me.”Of course they're rich brain geniuses, so who is really the stupidhead?
The Best People
I keep coming back to this, but it's increasingly clear that a big problem with our elites is that they assume elites are the best of the best. Of course we all think WE are, personally, the best, but I mean they think members of their club are the best. Sure some of those club members are idiots. They aren't blind. But if there are idiots in the BEST club, imagine the idiots in all the other clubs?
Morning Thread
I have only half digested the news from last night. To be real, I haven't fully digested the breaking news from Friday or Saturday evenings. The new normal.
Sunday, November 24, 2019
BLOOMBERGMANIA
I do give him some credit for not (yet) running as a third party spoiler. I suppose it's an interesting test whether Dem primary voters are that hopeless. Could be!
DISRUPTION
From Uber to WeWork to some of the even more ridiculous things that have attracted the attention of rich people with money... there's this idea that some minor innovation in a low margin business can CHANGE EVERYTHING instead of just maybe being an ok business idea. "Uber, but for..." was long a joke but Uber doesn't make money.
Rich people have too much money.
Rich people have too much money.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Pedo Guys
Hard not to conclude that every Republican member of Congress has kiddie porn on their computers and someone has evidence.
Morning Thread
Let's write a spy novel, where a sitting congresscritter is on the offensive over some illegal activity, only to discover at the end, that said congresscritter is actually the guilty party.
Nah, no one would believe it.
Nah, no one would believe it.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Don't Have A Cow, Man
People are weird.
A lawyer for an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani tells CNN that his client is willing to tell Congress about meetings the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee had in Vienna last year with a former Ukrainian prosecutor to discuss digging up dirt on Joe Biden.
The attorney, Joseph A. Bondy, represents Lev Parnas, the recently indicted Soviet-born American who worked with Giuliani to push claims of Democratic corruption in Ukraine. Bondy said that Parnas was told directly by the former Ukrainian official that he met last year in Vienna with Rep. Devin Nunes.
In The Old Times
I know I am repeating myself, but that our system has a lot of corruption is not new. We miraculously define corruption of other governments in ways that excuse us! Funny how that works. But "put a bag of cash on my desk" corruption is actually new and bad and if we let Trump get away with it...
We Are The Priests Of The Temples Of Syrinx
There are more important things in the world since Elon has (I think) mostly failed at his recent grift attempts but wow is he dumb and we all need hobbies.
The @Tesla #Cybertruck 'Armor Glass' demo didn't go exactly as plannedpic.twitter.com/gl88Yhs35b
— Engadget (@engadget) November 22, 2019
LOL
Nobody *expects* the Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/khhYNFaVKs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2019
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Ancient History
I am mad that "but the Iraq war!" invites "ok Boomer" now.
It was a long time ago. But they are all still here because... Boomers.
It was a long time ago. But they are all still here because... Boomers.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, As Written
I've done a lot
God knows I've tried
To find the truth
I've even lied
God knows I've tried
To find the truth
I've even lied
I have been watching people making phone calls my entire life. My hearing is, and has been, great. Never have I been watching a person making a call, which was not on speakerphone, and been able to hear or understand a conversation. I’ve even tried, but to no avail. Try it live!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2019
The Not Lost Stoppard Play
As written:
Bernard: Ezra wasn't a botanist! He was a poet!
Hannah: He was not much of either, but he was both.
Bernard: Ezra wasn't a botanist! He was a poet!
Hannah: He was not much of either, but he was both.
The Lost Beckett Play
Didi: can we have nice things?
Gogo: no because a billionaire might rub against those nice things
Didi: can we tax them
Gogo: oh no
Didi: well? shall we go?
Gogo: yes, let's go
[they do not move]
Gogo: no because a billionaire might rub against those nice things
Didi: can we tax them
Gogo: oh no
Didi: well? shall we go?
Gogo: yes, let's go
[they do not move]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
From The Right From The Right From The Right
I don't like these debates because they mostly involve centrist pundits trying to box Democrats in from the right. One doesn't have to think they have a sinister agenda to think this. It is just how DC media people think. Nice things? Without a 38 page eligibility form? This is the kind of madness which will turn us into France, where I vacation often!
Debate
None of the candidates are perfect because the only perfect candidate is the one who AGREES WITH ME ABOUT EVERYTHING which would be me and also I would be a horrible candidate. It's complicated. I get even if I don't like Biden. I don't get Mayor Pete.
THE CALL WAS PERFECT
I get a lot of what goes on in mushbrain's mushbrain. A lot of it isn't supposed to make sense, just a kind of vapid slogan for the MAGAs. Could be "FRITOLAY!" But sometimes it seems like he's trying to make sense, and bragging about the phone call being PERFECT repeatedly never made any sense to me.
What Was It All About
There isn't going to be much soul-searching from New York Times journalists about how they, specifically, were the marks for this Ukraine stuff.
Donald Trump is the stupidest man in America, but he is smart enough to know that the New York Times would run with "battling accusations of corruption" every time they mentioned Candidate Biden.
And I mean the New York Times. They were the target. Whether they are active players or dumb saps is another question.
Donald Trump is the stupidest man in America, but he is smart enough to know that the New York Times would run with "battling accusations of corruption" every time they mentioned Candidate Biden.
And I mean the New York Times. They were the target. Whether they are active players or dumb saps is another question.
The Job Is Basically To Go On Fox, Right?
This is too much for a dumb blogger, but I recommend someone smarter than me write a good piece about how being the incentives for being a hardworking member of Congress - especially but not just in the House - are lacking in that there isn't really all that much good (or EVIL) work for any individual member to devote themself to. I have a sense of why this has changed. There are many reasons. But the incentives - ON BOTH SIDES - for either doing nothing or going big with theatrics trump trying to accomplish, well, anything.
Treason
I don't know if this is true (either my memory or that if I did actually hear/read it the person saying it knew it was true), but I have this memory of someone communicating that during the Plame Affair, people started throwing the word "treason" around and Ari Fleischer was scared shitless that he was going to be executed and ran as fast as he could to Fitzgerald's office.
Maybe I had a dream, maybe it was a joke, but it always gives me a chuckle.
Maybe I had a dream, maybe it was a joke, but it always gives me a chuckle.
Progressive Taxation
Any politicians who say we can't have "free" health care or education or whatever because what if the children of BILLIONAIRES get it for free is just lying to you. In theory billionaires pay a lot of taxes - or should - and they can drive on the highways without paying an extra toll, too.
As for education specifically... there is a huge problem with the whole concept that we tie higher ed aid to parental income. Also, too.
As for education specifically... there is a huge problem with the whole concept that we tie higher ed aid to parental income. Also, too.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
The Real Problem, You See, Is Penn
Fair.
(quote from)
a wild mayor pete quote pic.twitter.com/MTaGeN7fbQ
— Max Foley-Keene (@MaxFoleyKeene) November 20, 2019
(quote from)
Shared Responsibility
A truly unifying vision of America.
...and we can vote against them! Good point.
In a campaign in which rivals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders launched to the front of the primary pack — and stayed there — by railing against big corporations and promising massive structural change, it remains to be seen whether Patrick’s approach will catch fire with Democrats. On Monday night, he stood by his pro-business stance when asked if he believes corporations bear any responsibility for income inequality in the nation.
“I think we all have responsibility for inequality. We vote for the people and have voted for the people who have supported some of these strategies,” he said, pointing to tax policy that has favored the rich over the middle class.
...and we can vote against them! Good point.
Can't Have A President Who Does This Many Crimes
We are fortunate that mushbrain's imagination is still apparently bizarrely limited, but a slightly more ambitious crimeing president operating under the same principles that our beloved Attorney General thinks applies to all Republican presidents would basically have limitless power to do crimes.
Monday, November 18, 2019
The Lies
As I said before, I'm fine with giving My Big Wet President some privacy. He doesn't actually have to tell us he had an emergency hemorrhoid procedure, or whatever. "The president needed minor medical attention and he is now perfectly fine" would be acceptable to me. But that the press just runs with whatever lies they dish up every day as if yesterday they didn't lie about something else is astounding.
See How They Smile Like Pigs In A Sty
A truly bizarre thing is the hesitation to call what has happened in Bolivia a "military coup." One doesn't have to have opinions on whether Morales is Good or Bad or really any opinions about Bolivia at all to get that when the military steps in to force the leader to leave... It's a coup. Maybe it's a good coup! Maybe it's a coup on top of a coup! If you think Morales is somehow illegitimate than he did the coup first! Fine, whatever, but...
Drugs Are Bad, MMMKAY
I certainly don't think drugs and abortion are the same thing, but the impulse to outlaw them is similar for some people. There's a segment of the population who aren't really motivated by anti-abortion politics, but if you ask them if it should be outlawed, or outlawed under various circumstances, they'll say yes. Then if you ask them what the criminal penalty should be, they have a hard time answering. So that's really the question. If being a member of the choom gang should be a criminal offense, what should happen to choom gang members?
It hasn't been good, folks.
It hasn't been good, folks.
Running Out Of Time
I rarely make predictions, especially about the future, but one I did make is that Trump wouldn't be in office for 4 years.
Punchlines
The bad reporting is so predictable. Impeachment hearings are BOOORRRIIING. People who say they like Trump like Trump.
And on repeat.
And on repeat.
What About The People Who Support Trump
The New York Times has another one.
Don't any of their reporters ever just say...enough! This is fucking ridiculous!
Don't any of their reporters ever just say...enough! This is fucking ridiculous!
Sunday, November 17, 2019
In It To Win It
I of course don't love conservative Democrats, but I distinguish between the ones who are basically "Morning Joe Democrats" and ones who actually try to win over the locals who are, you know, the ones who vote.
A bad thing about Morning Joe Democrats (Hi Claire!) is their thing is basically, "I would have won if not for AOC and annoying liberals on twitter." It isn't enough that they are annoyingly conservative (or "moderate"). They blame their failures to win elections on people trying to win elections, and their voters, elsewhere, even if they aren't being explicitly criticized by them.
It's fair for the Joe Manchins to say, "lay off, I got this." Because he does! But the Morning Joe Democrats...often don't.
A bad thing about Morning Joe Democrats (Hi Claire!) is their thing is basically, "I would have won if not for AOC and annoying liberals on twitter." It isn't enough that they are annoyingly conservative (or "moderate"). They blame their failures to win elections on people trying to win elections, and their voters, elsewhere, even if they aren't being explicitly criticized by them.
It's fair for the Joe Manchins to say, "lay off, I got this." Because he does! But the Morning Joe Democrats...often don't.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
I don't think all people are good (I, too, am bad), but I like to think the need for self-preservation - if a somewhat exaggerated of version of what that really means (no man can survive with just one yacht!) - drives some of it. Understandable selfishness, I guess.
But imagine being not just a rich local car dealer, but a real billionaire (I don't mean Trump), or similar Richie Rich, and devoting your life to increasing the suffering of the rest of the population. Or just thinking "wow $8 an hour is too much for the THOSE PEOPLE."
Other people are weird.
But imagine being not just a rich local car dealer, but a real billionaire (I don't mean Trump), or similar Richie Rich, and devoting your life to increasing the suffering of the rest of the population. Or just thinking "wow $8 an hour is too much for the THOSE PEOPLE."
Other people are weird.
Why Can't A Democrat Be More Like A Republican
Roger Cohen has what has to be a parody of the genre in the NYT, but of course isn't, which is basically "why can't Democrats appeal to the people least likely to vote for them?"
In this case it is literally a 78-year-old lifelong Republican, former Republican politician, from New Jersey, who it seems has never voted for a Democrat in his life and of course voted for Trump. He might still vote for Trump! But only if Democrats go with... well... anybody they will nominate, because that's always how it works. I doubt he'd even vote for Democrat-for-President John Kasich.
One thing that should jump out is that this guy lives in New Jersey which means that his nonvote for Bernie Stalin isn't likely to matter much.
But generally this is "centrist" pundit thing which is that what Democrats should be is Republicans-without-the-gross-stuff. The shorthand for this is "economically conservative (no taxes for rich people and no nice things for anybody) and socially liberal." But they aren't really socially liberal, either. They think obvious explicit bigotry is offensive, but they're as suspicious of any attempts to correct structural and institutional racism (etc) even that committed by the state. Stop and frisk is sadly necessary, black people. "Rich ladies should be allowed to get abortions" feminism.
These are also the people that love to imagine liberals/lefties live in some imaginary hippie commune bubble. But to write a column like that without any awareness of how fucking absurd it is...
In this case it is literally a 78-year-old lifelong Republican, former Republican politician, from New Jersey, who it seems has never voted for a Democrat in his life and of course voted for Trump. He might still vote for Trump! But only if Democrats go with... well... anybody they will nominate, because that's always how it works. I doubt he'd even vote for Democrat-for-President John Kasich.
One thing that should jump out is that this guy lives in New Jersey which means that his nonvote for Bernie Stalin isn't likely to matter much.
But generally this is "centrist" pundit thing which is that what Democrats should be is Republicans-without-the-gross-stuff. The shorthand for this is "economically conservative (no taxes for rich people and no nice things for anybody) and socially liberal." But they aren't really socially liberal, either. They think obvious explicit bigotry is offensive, but they're as suspicious of any attempts to correct structural and institutional racism (etc) even that committed by the state. Stop and frisk is sadly necessary, black people. "Rich ladies should be allowed to get abortions" feminism.
These are also the people that love to imagine liberals/lefties live in some imaginary hippie commune bubble. But to write a column like that without any awareness of how fucking absurd it is...
Doctor, Doctor
I'm actually someone who thinks that aside from "likely to become incapacitated soon" we don't actually need regularly updates on the medical conditions of the president, but lol at going to Walter Reed suddenly for phase 1 of his annual physical.
They just lie about everything.
They just lie about everything.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
No One Will Believe You
I think about this a lot.
For example, when Priorities informed a focus group that Romney supported the Ryan budget plan — and thus championed “ending Medicare as we know it” — while also advocating tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, the respondents simply refused to believe any politician would do such a thing.It is a problem when you can completely accurately describe what Republicans very explicitly say they want and people will refuse to believe you and perhaps get mad at you for "lying" to them.
Stop The Crimeing
As I said, I would get the basic "let's move past this as quickly as possible" strategy that the Democrats have communicated (who knows what will actually happen) if the Trumpkins saw it all as a signal that they'd better stop doing so many crimes. But that's not how Trump thinks. If he "gets away with it" he's just going to do more crimes.
Having his favorite teevee shows be all about his crimes is at least going to make him suffer. Keep the show on for awhile!
Having his favorite teevee shows be all about his crimes is at least going to make him suffer. Keep the show on for awhile!
Pay No Price
It isn't the only thing... this applies to practically everything they claim to care about ... but every time Republicans get in power they cut taxes and the deficit soars and reporters will instantly snap back to calling them "The party of fiscal responsibility" or whatever as soon as the Dems are back in power.
Friday, November 15, 2019
In The Stone Zone
I know it's bad to have feelings for which there are strange German words, but that dude has been lurking behind every bit of evil for decades.
So Much Driving
One reason I don't own a car is that I know that if I did the temptation to use it would be too great. And irrationally so. "Oh, we should just drive....ARGH THERE'S NO PARKING!!?!?!" The fantasy that self-driving cars would actually reduce driving somehow is....nuts.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Squirrel
A mistake too many make is thinking Republicans - elected, voters, all of them - actually care about the things they claim to care about. Arguably a big chunk of Democrats aren't much different, but I'm not interested in having that argument. Regardless the difference is that Republican concerns are treated in our discourse as genuine and serious while concerns of The Left, defined so broadly, are not.
When Donald Trump decides Medicare For All has been the Republican policy all along, they will all get behind it. No I don't think that's going to happen, but hopefully you get the point.
The MAGA base basically needs to feel like they're Owning The Libs with a healthy dose of racism. Medicare for Everyone But Black People would poll at 700% favorable. "Donald Trump supports Medicare for All, do you?" would get a strong majority.
When Donald Trump decides Medicare For All has been the Republican policy all along, they will all get behind it. No I don't think that's going to happen, but hopefully you get the point.
The MAGA base basically needs to feel like they're Owning The Libs with a healthy dose of racism. Medicare for Everyone But Black People would poll at 700% favorable. "Donald Trump supports Medicare for All, do you?" would get a strong majority.
Scary That This Is A Relief
They almost went with "lol elections don't matter."
BREAKING: Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin (R) just conceded to his challenger Andy Beshear (D), who will be the next governor.
— The Appeal (@theappeal) November 14, 2019
Beshear has vowed to immediately issue an executive order to restore the voting rights of the more than 140,000 Kentucky residents: https://t.co/dq2zXcuwzr
BORING
Needs more blowjobs.
What did you do as the country was falling apart, Daddy?
Consequential, but dull: Trump impeachment hearings begin without a bang https://t.co/ShiVlzppn1
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) November 14, 2019
What did you do as the country was falling apart, Daddy?
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
There's A Million Pigeons
I've written about this before (as everything) but it really shouldn't surprise anyone that a significant part of the population will vote for anyone with an R after their name (or a D). How bad would a Democrat have to be for me to not vote for them for senator? Governor? President? Over the alternative? Pretty bad! Maybe I wouldn't vote for the D equivalent of Governor Roy Moore, but I'd probably for the D equivalent of Senator Roy Moore. Part of that is THERE IS NO EQUIVALENT. But part of that is that the "worst" Democrat is still going to be more likely to implement my favorite bullshit relative to the Republican.
Trump busts this model and it is a bit hard to comprehend, I admit, but "vote for your party no matter what" is actually the smart position, mostly, not the dumb one.
Trump busts this model and it is a bit hard to comprehend, I admit, but "vote for your party no matter what" is actually the smart position, mostly, not the dumb one.
Oh, Elon
Lots of people were very impressed with his "solar shingles" which were just props.
To win over shareholders, Musk came up with the concept of a “Solar Roof” that resembled a traditional rooftop shingle but could capture power from the sun. At a joint Tesla-SolarCity event in Los Angeles in October 2016, Musk showed off the product to an impressed audience. The demos he unveiled weren’t functional, but the acquisition received approval a few weeks later.6 months, a year, tops, going to be ramping ramping ramping production. Always ramping towards freedom!
The Music Today Is A DISGRACE
For an old guy I think I listen to a reasonable amount of newish music, though I guess it mostly isn't the really popular music that The Kids Today listen to. Every time I hear some of that stuff, usually when I have some dumb show on like The Voice or The Masker Singer on in the background while I'm cooking or whatever, I go full Beavis and Butthead. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS CRAP!?!?!?!
Just a comment on getting old, really.
Just a comment on getting old, really.
Lessons
One of the lessons of Palin is that the GOP could drop their latest messiah and 5 minutes later no one would remember. I'm not sure if they understand this or not.
Lifelong Projects
It occurs to me that Jeff Sessions wants to go back to the Senate because he's worried that Trump isn't going to do enough racism.
We all have hobbies.
We all have hobbies.
Who Is Sarah Palin
- She was an unknown who ran for Vice President and lost and for 2+ years after the inauguration of the first African-American president who presided over Dem supermajorities in Congress was treated as the most important voice in politics and now she is a trivia question.
A lot of lessons there.
Does Anyone Remember Laughter
I make the bad jokes too but I still find humor in the age of Trump to be somewhat offputting. During the Bush era everyone pretended to take him so damn seriously even as he did the most ridiculous things so humor always felt a bit balloon puncturing. Trump is obviously absurd even if you might not know that if you got all your information from Morning Edition so the bigger worry is we (me) don't take him seriously enough.
The Celestial Hall Monitor
Relying on GOP Daddies like Mueller and the press and the courts to enforce the rules has been a big failing of Democrats. Can they take charge?
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Apparently Stephen Miller Is A Big Racist .Who Knew???
This isn't a jab at the importance of the story, but it shouldn't have had to take such a story (and it still might not be enough!) for Very Serious Pundits and Journalists to acknowledge the obvious.
Even if we pretend there are some gray areas on this issue, Miller made it pretty clear he did not inhabit them. He's a big racist. The president might be too! Just maybe!
Even if we pretend there are some gray areas on this issue, Miller made it pretty clear he did not inhabit them. He's a big racist. The president might be too! Just maybe!
Me: Really Anybody But Biden Or Mayor Pete
The universe, cackling:
Buttigieg surges to the top of the Iowa field in a new Monmouth poll.
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) November 12, 2019
Buttigieg 22% (+14 from August poll)
Biden 19% (-7)
Warren 18% (-2)
Sanders 13% (+5)
Klobuchar 5% (+2)
Harris 3% (-9)
Everyone else is 1%
Steyer 3% (unchanged)
Booker 2% (+1)
Gabbard 2% (+1)
The Important Thing Is To Be Very Polite To Him In Public
Only the best people.
In this, the first of what will be a series about those emails, Hatewatch exposes the racist source material that has influenced Miller’s visions of policy. That source material, as laid out in his emails to Breitbart, includes white nationalist websites, a “white genocide”-themed novel in which Indian men rape white women, xenophobic conspiracy theories and eugenics-era immigration laws that Adolf Hitler lauded in “Mein Kampf.”
Hatewatch reviewed more than 900 previously private emails Miller sent to Breitbart editors from March 4, 2015, to June 27, 2016. Miller does not converse along a wide range of topics in the emails. His focus is strikingly narrow – more than 80 percent of the emails Hatewatch reviewed relate to or appear on threads relating to the subjects of race or immigration. Hatewatch made multiple attempts to reach the White House for a comment from Miller about the content of his emails but did not receive any reply.
Please Kick The Shiny Ball, Mr. President
My editors will encourage me to chase it, and this is what we will put on the front pages, and then the "focus" will shift almost like we collaborated on this obvious plan!
What is noteworthy is the timing, coming in the middle of the impeachment hearings about a July call. The April call May pose fewer problems for potus but could help shift focus. https://t.co/Xnu1kWI34L
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 12, 2019
Monday, November 11, 2019
I Called All My Good Friends
And these are the kinds of results you will get when Barack Obama's best friend is president.
Joe Biden remarks that he called about a dozen Senate Republicans to encourage them to vote on Merrick Garland. Then he says with Trump gone, Republicans will again find political courage.
— Matt Viser (@mviser) November 12, 2019
Left unsaid: Republicans stalled on Garland before Trump was nominated, or elected.
Under No Circumstances Do You Have To Hand It To Peter King
Retire, Chuck.
Peter King stood head & shoulders above everyone else
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 11, 2019
He’s been principled & never let others push him away from his principles
He’s fiercely loved America, Long Island, and his Irish heritage and left a lasting mark on all 3
I will miss him in Congress & value his friendship https://t.co/GSXizZ2c5D
Monday Crass Commercialism
The holiday season is here, and you buying gifts from Amazon that you would have bought anyway but doing it by clicking a link here is how I get my Xmas bonus!
Buy an external hard drive. The perfect gift! For yourself, at least. 2 TB for $55! These things are practically free now.
Buy an external hard drive. The perfect gift! For yourself, at least. 2 TB for $55! These things are practically free now.
Let The World Turn Without You Tonight
One doesn't have to have a particular dim view of individuals, or human nature in general, to get that after decades of being so rich that "can I afford this" never even creeps into your mind just a little bit that you lose a bit of touch with, well, the rest of humanity.
As for who I am talking about, that exercise is left to you, dear readers.
As for who I am talking about, that exercise is left to you, dear readers.
Fare Evasion
Philly transit cops used to arrest fare evaders and make a big deal about it on social media in a gross way and now they mostly don't.
There's no way this is in net a money "saver" of course. Cops are expensive as are trials and incarceration. In NYC it's $2.75. Give people the equivalent of a parking ticket.
Some 90 miles north of Philadelphia, there’s a reckoning going on over paying for subway rides. Unlike in Philly, which recently decriminalized fare evasion, New York City is ramping up its enforcement.It's absurd that a $2.50 fare dodge anywhere should be a criminal offense. It isn't one when you steal a greater value of parking by not feeding the meter. More than that, nobody ever gets arrested for "dodging" much more expensive regional rail fares. Sure in theory you can buy tickets on the train but they don't take cards and at worst they'll chuck you off the train though that's highly selective (in my vast experience around the world, if you look like you "made an oopsie" and really intended to pay your fare they let you go and if you look like someone who would try to dodge a fare they don't and we can all guess what goes into that determination, generally).
There's no way this is in net a money "saver" of course. Cops are expensive as are trials and incarceration. In NYC it's $2.75. Give people the equivalent of a parking ticket.
Punted
Don't see any editorial about Bolivia at the NYT. Their post-almost-coup piece on Venezuela was a masterpiece! I mean one doesn't have to have had any opinion on Chavez to realize that after a military coup happens (it didn't, ultimately, but it seemed like it) the people who responded with this have seriously broken brains:
New presidential elections should be held this year, perhaps at the same time the new Congress is chosen. Some time is needed for plausible national leaders to emerge and parties to reorganize. But Venezuela urgently needs a leader with a strong democratic mandate to clean up the mess, encourage entrepreneurial freedom and slim down and professionalize the bureaucracy.Enterpreneurial freedom! Professionalize the bureaucracy! Drink!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Our Brand Is Crisis
I never saw the fictionalized version, but the 2005 documentary was... umm... an education. What happens when a modern US campaign consulting firm (Greenberg Carville Shrum) goes to Bolivia to show them the latest grand American innovations in political campaigns, followed by a very young starry-eyed documentary filmmaker who think she's making a plucky inspirational film until the country starts to fall apart around them. Lots of exciting Tad Devine footage!
Go On
Just never stop talking.
RADDATZ: Congressman, you're again talking about process. The process. I asked you about substance. How do you fend against the substance?
THORNBERRY: Well, as you know -- maybe you know, Martha -- I believe that it is inappropriate for a president to ask a foreign leader to investigate a political rival. Now that leads to a question, if there's a political rival with a family member who’s involved in questionable activity, what do you do? Just let them alone. But set that aside. I believe it was inappropriate. I do not believe it was impeachable. And process -- you know, you all always want to say substance, not process. There's a reason we let murderers and robbers and rapists go free when their due process rights have been violated.
Rudy? Never Met Him
Love picturing Rudy reading his hometown newspaper.
Evidence of the emerging Republican approach was on display this week in transcripts of the impeachment testimony delivered by the stream of diplomats and national security officials in a secure hearing room in the Capitol basement.
They indicated that Republicans would portray figures like Mr. Giuliani as working in his own interests, not at Mr. Trump’s behest; and that they would argue that Mr. Sondland, a political megadonor with little diplomatic experience, was a braggart who exaggerated his relationship with Mr. Trump and essentially freelanced on his behalf.
BLOOMBERG FOR AMERICA
I really don't know what this is about. Sure he'll get lots of attention because there's nothing our Chuck Toddlers love more than an old rich white guy, but otherwise?
Starbucks guy was a worry because he was running as a third party candidate and anyone with an absurd amount of money can probably figure out how to get 3-4% of the vote nationally and given our system... that can be an issue!
But Bloomberg running in the Dem primary? No idea.
Starbucks guy was a worry because he was running as a third party candidate and anyone with an absurd amount of money can probably figure out how to get 3-4% of the vote nationally and given our system... that can be an issue!
But Bloomberg running in the Dem primary? No idea.
Saturday, November 09, 2019
Everything Me
Other people truly are mysterious. Why does Jeff Sessions want to be back in the Senate? Don't care about him, specifically, but the general phenomenon of "I am somewhat older and wealthy enough and I could choose between sipping wine in Italy or... that life."
Being in Congress, even in the Senate, really isn't that glamorous. You mostly work in big dumb office buildings that aren't much different than other big dumb office buildings, except there are a lot more random members of the public and of course reporters wandering around. They're incredibly hierarchical. The 47th most senior senator gets to lord it over the 48th most senior senator. For a variety of reasons the effective power of even the most powerful senators has been eroded quite a bit. You have to be "on" quite a lot and as important as you are you still have to kiss ass of other people who think they are at least as important, occasionally anyway.
I suppose the only reason is that after decades of everything in your life seeming to revolve around you, even the less pleasant bits, it's hard to shake that.
Being in Congress, even in the Senate, really isn't that glamorous. You mostly work in big dumb office buildings that aren't much different than other big dumb office buildings, except there are a lot more random members of the public and of course reporters wandering around. They're incredibly hierarchical. The 47th most senior senator gets to lord it over the 48th most senior senator. For a variety of reasons the effective power of even the most powerful senators has been eroded quite a bit. You have to be "on" quite a lot and as important as you are you still have to kiss ass of other people who think they are at least as important, occasionally anyway.
I suppose the only reason is that after decades of everything in your life seeming to revolve around you, even the less pleasant bits, it's hard to shake that.
America's Worst Corporations
McKinsey.
McKinsey & Company, the elite consulting firm that advises many of the world’s largest and most powerful institutions, is facing a federal criminal investigation of its conduct advising bankrupt companies, according to five people familiar with the matter."White collar crime" just pulls out the jenga pieces of the economy. Gonna need some broken windows policing here.
Prosecutors and other Justice Department officials in New York and Washington are trying to determine if McKinsey used its influence over insolvent companies in violation of the rules of Chapter 11 bankruptcy — where billions of dollars can change hands — by quietly steering valuable assets to itself or favoring its own clients over other creditors.
Friday, November 08, 2019
Friday, Friday
Had a VERY IMPORTANT POST but my brain has reached end of the week mush levels and so I will save it for another more lucid time.
What This Needs Is More Me
I swear when I am a billionaire (make it happen, people) I will not approach every problem I care to address in that fashion.
Nor will I decide that every problem just needs a few hundred million more spent on "studying the problem" when the solution always always always is, if imperfectly, just give other people more money.
Nor will I decide that every problem just needs a few hundred million more spent on "studying the problem" when the solution always always always is, if imperfectly, just give other people more money.
Please Let Him Write This One Himself
The "transcript" never was one but still a bit confusing how there can be TWO transcripts.
Trump on the South Lawn tells reporters that he will release a second transcript, @HansNichols reports
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) November 8, 2019
Have You Read His Tweets
I suppose I'm contributing to the problem by even mentioning it, but apparently "anonymous" has written a book containing the deep insights about Donald Trump that could have been obtained by reading his twitter about 4 years before he became president.
OK Silents
Bernie, Biden, Bloomberg. All old enough to be in the Beatles!
Our Big Wet President is a true Boomer.
Our Big Wet President is a true Boomer.
Thursday, November 07, 2019
Everybody Gets A New Boat
Excited to go work for Bloomberg 2020 for the traditional campaign staffer salary of $10 million/year.
"Odd Occurrences"
How many highway trips do you take without any swerving?
It doesn’t take long or much data to model ordinary driving, actions like staying in a lane, braking and changing lanes on a highway. But that doesn’t “solve” self-driving on highways because the hard part is how to build a driver that can handle the odd occurrences, such as swerving, or correct for those bad behaviors.Any limited application is much more of a realistic possibility than Elon's "robotaxis," though I'm still pretty skeptical that even genuine attention-free highway driving is possible. And still no one has really figured out who is it fault - ethically, legally, financially - when your self-driving car kills someone, though making it clear that no driver attention is required begins to answer this question. Tesla's position is, basically, that if the driver fails to intervene it is their fault and if the driver intervenes it is of course their fault because they were in control. Not sure the insurance companies will continue to be happy with this.
Ghost’s system uses machine learning to find more interesting scenarios in the reams of data it collects and builds training models based on them.
The Death of the Rude Press
My blog sucks, of course, but there used to be lots of actually good places on the internet. And there was a brief era when they fell at least somewhere between hobby and income for a nontrivial number of people (income or at least potential career path for some, a lucrative side gig for others). And before that the alt-weeklies. And magazines old farts now claim were great, like Spy, but I suspect they would mostly hate now (and probably mostly liked then because they still handed out "ridiculous" amounts of money for stories by today's standards).
And again not about blogs or certainly not This Blog, but general pressure to be obsequious and the fading structures that fought against that.
Still, we thought as we watched this process, it was fine, because, after all, we had blogs! Blogs were a refreshing novelty in the rapidly constricting world of print because they were allowed to be rude. This made many people—primarily people whose most consistent belief is that they are owed deference because of their social or professional status—outraged. David Denby, America’s worst living film critic, actually wrote a book about how much he detested this rhetorical mode he couldn’t even accurately describe.
Unfortunately, for all the early aughts talk of blogs taking over the world, the era of independent blogs turned out to be a brief one, and attempts to professionalize the blogging genre required stamping the iconoclasm out of it. To give one example: Web portals like Yahoo and MSN make content licensing deals with publishers like the former GMG, splitting ad revenue on stories they republish for their still-massive audiences. Splinter had such a deal with Yahoo—until, after Yahoo repeatedly complained about headlines containing swear words, the portal ended the arrangement. Deadspin had similar problems. At one point, according to a former employee, MSN began adding “OPINION” to every Deadspin headline, until GMG asked the company to stop doing so without permission. A news outlet cannot have a distinct point of view and be given the same privileges as the ones that don’t.
And again not about blogs or certainly not This Blog, but general pressure to be obsequious and the fading structures that fought against that.
If your local media has no place for people who voice contempt for your city’s police chief, say, or your state’s attorney general, or the publisher of your city’s largest newspaper, all of those people will feel more comfortable in abusing their power. They will grind you down, and in the process, they’ll tell you to be civil about it.
CYBERTRUCK
I swear to "Bob" that's what Elon Musk is calling his new pickup truck, which in Elon Musk style will be a barely ready for a car show level prototype for which he will immediately start taking deposits.
Grifters and their fanboys. Wow.
Grifters and their fanboys. Wow.
His Happy Place
Trump wants to spend his whole life watching a well-produced and well-edited teevee show starring Trump which makes Trump look good and his brain worms are so advanced that he can't distinguish between the making of it and the edited version.
The Apprentice must have been the greatest thing that ever happened to him and he should just quit and return to it.
Since taking office in early 2017, the president has confided to close associates that he misses hosting The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC, the reality-TV staples he left behind to become the Republican Party standard-bearer and then the leader of the free world. Trump has waxed nostalgic about how he created what he sees as the greatest thing reality television has ever seen. Two sources who’ve spoken to him recall Trump saying that he will perhaps one day revisit the medium.
And it may not just be fits of nostalgia.
According to three people with knowledge of the situation and another source close to Trump, Apprentice creator Mark Burnett and the president have sporadically kept in touch, mostly over the phone, since Trump won the election. The pair remain friends, these sources say, and have discussed reviving their creative partnership, pitching each other details on potential TV projects to be filmed after the Trump presidency.
The Apprentice must have been the greatest thing that ever happened to him and he should just quit and return to it.
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Fiefdoms
I don't really understand suburban politics here (thanks to no more local newspapers, nobody does!), but as much attention as urban "machines" get, the suburbs have their own and knocking them over will have interesting if unknowable (to me) impacts.
Chester, Delaware, Montgomery (already was), Bucks, and Lehigh Counties are are controlled by Dems now. Kind of a big deal.
Chester, Delaware, Montgomery (already was), Bucks, and Lehigh Counties are are controlled by Dems now. Kind of a big deal.
Riddle Me This, Biden-Man
Why did they not have this epiphany when your best friend was president?
“With Donald Trump out of the way, you’re going to see a number of my Republican colleagues have an epiphany. Mark my words. Mark my words,” Biden said at a DC fundraiser today at the Sidley Austin law firm
— Sam Stein (@samstein) November 6, 2019
Consensus
There are, of course, reasons for consensus and compromise. That legislation will endure and both people and politicians are broadly invested in its success are reasons. This was part of the not-crazy-for-a-time reason for the bipartisan ACA process. I don't want to debate what law Barack Obama really and truly wanted, or what fantasy bill could have been achieved some other way, but there was a process designed to get both parties on board. Lots of Republican amendments. And at the end of the process, Dems still had to ram it through, and Republicans still want to destroy it (or at least pretend to, some of both).
In the age of Trump, and in some imagined age of post-Trump, the only way to imagine that some other president can achieve consensus on the types of things that Barack Obama couldn't is that you, or Mayor Pete, or Barack Obama's best friend, think that that there was something special about Barack Obama that prevented him from doing it.
Might be true, but spell it out.
In the age of Trump, and in some imagined age of post-Trump, the only way to imagine that some other president can achieve consensus on the types of things that Barack Obama couldn't is that you, or Mayor Pete, or Barack Obama's best friend, think that that there was something special about Barack Obama that prevented him from doing it.
Might be true, but spell it out.
tipnronnie
It isn't just Trump who has brain worms.
Mayor Pete’s understanding of the New Deal is...interesting. pic.twitter.com/bIAtLFP2r4
— Elias Isquith (@elias_isquith) November 5, 2019
Wednesday Morning
Local politics is weird, but the Dems basically took over all the Philly suburbs last night. Interesting!
Morning Thread
We can use a few more nights like last night.
Congrats to the newly elected and to all the workers who made it happen.
Congrats to the newly elected and to all the workers who made it happen.
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Up Down Turn Around
Early rural votes: ruh-roh
City votes: YAAAY
Late rural votes: sad trombone
... the smart people are saying the Dem, Beshear, actually will be the next governor of Kentucky.
City votes: YAAAY
Late rural votes: sad trombone
... the smart people are saying the Dem, Beshear, actually will be the next governor of Kentucky.
Happy Hour Thread
Count your money, chill, yell at people on cable news. Seems like a better gig than playing Smithers to Trump.
Other people are mysterious.
Other people are mysterious.
Is The Game Just The Game
Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he won't read any of the transcripts, and dismissed Sondland's reversal.
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) November 5, 2019
"I've written the whole process off ... I think this is a bunch of B.S."
Per @alanhe
Lindsey's relatively young for the Senate. 64. Not like he's entering the winter of life and career necessarily. But I imagine he could've cashed out - even cashed out for a position which gave him lots of attention such as the apparent dream job of CABLE NEWS REGULAR - and not have to spend his life being lickspittle to America's worst human, Donald Trump. What is really in it? I just don't understand any of these people.
In The Old Times
In very general terms I'd sympathize slightly with the "look forward" desire of our elites, except for the fact that Trump KEEPS DOING CRIMES. Like he's doing crimes RIGHT NOW.
It's Called Extortion
No need for fancy Latin.
WASHINGTON — A critical witness in the impeachment inquiry offered Congress substantial new testimony this week, revealing that he told a top Ukrainian official that the country likely would not receive American military aid unless it publicly committed to investigations President Trump wanted.
The disclosure from Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, in four new pages of sworn testimony released on Tuesday, confirmed his involvement in essentially laying out a quid pro quo to Ukraine that he had previously not acknowledged.
Tories
I'm not one who imagines some glory age of benevolent conservatism, but I do think they at least did learn which course to use the salad fork with, to not actually get caught lighting fifty pound notes in front of homeless people, and to not suggest people incinerated in a massive fire through no fault of their own were, in fact, at fault, in mixed company at least.
I think if either of us were in a fire, whatever the fire brigade said, we would leave the burning building. It just seems the common sense thing to do.The mistake they made, you see, was listening to the experts.
What's It All About Then
In case you're wondering why "college kids complaining about cafeteria food" is a national news story peddled by asses like Conor.
Computer, enhance.
We all want to eat better than pulled pork and cole slaw "banh mi."
Computer, enhance.
We all want to eat better than pulled pork and cole slaw "banh mi."
South Bend
Responding to @JulianCastro's claim that @PeteButtigieg has a bad record with African Americans, Buttigieg says he'd be happy to walk around South Bend with Castro "if he wants to learn more about how we can tackle these really tough issues."
— Maura Barrett (@MauraBarrettNBC) November 4, 2019
h/t @PriscillaWT pic.twitter.com/oDePPrGK5j
Size isn't everything, as they say, but the population of South Bend is 100K and the population of San Antonio is a million and a half.
"We've got major challenges as diverse communities do around policing." Um, yes, yes you do.
Strange Soggy Man
I suppose it's all funny and frightening, but it's one thing to crave the attention of square jawed generals from "central casting," another to get a thrill up your leg when Loud obbs loves you.
Monday, November 04, 2019
60s Futurism
The housing situation in California is too complicated even for the margins of this blog post, but Steve Jobs built a big round suburban office park with 14,000 parking spots not near transit and whatever precisely led to that, it's pretty hard to unshit that bed.
New York (CNN Business)Apple announced a $2.5 billion financial package to help address the housing crisis in California, which has worsened in part because of the rapid growth of tech companies.Despite the (not quoted) headline they aren't going to "spend $2.5 billion" as much of this is just credit support.
The company laid out a five-point plan, including $1 billion for an affordable housing investment fund, $1 billion in mortgage assistance for first-time home buyers and opening some Apple-owned land valued at $300 million for development. The remaining $200 million will go toward a San Francisco housing fund and to support vulnerable populations.
In San Francisco, roughly 7,000 people are homeless. There is a shortage of affordable homes across the Bay Area, which is pushing out middle and low-income workers like teachers and restaurant employees. Critics say the influx of tech companies and their well-paid workers has contributed to the ongoing housing crisis.
Nazis
No "one side" or geographic location has a monopoly on racism. And that someone on "one side" is somehow worse does not excuse bad actors on My Side (whatever that means). But when people basically say they're Nazis they're, you know, Nazis, the one group until recently there seemed to be a mainstream consensus about.
People who pretended not to know that the Nazis are Nazis might not be Nazis themselves, but they perhaps think the Nazis have some interesting ideas and would like to subscribe to their newsletters or at least hang out and take selfies with them.
People who pretended not to know that the Nazis are Nazis might not be Nazis themselves, but they perhaps think the Nazis have some interesting ideas and would like to subscribe to their newsletters or at least hang out and take selfies with them.
Disclaimers
The Wapo has a good story about a DA candidate in SF whose father is in prison.
— Eric Umansky (@ericuman) November 4, 2019
But I don't get "Editor's note" that reporter also had a parent in prison
Our backgrounds shape us. The reporter is no more biased than one who *hasn't* had family in prisonhttps://t.co/3E1f78ehTV pic.twitter.com/x72D9xum2t
In journalism or somewhat similar fields (academia), people familiar with backgrounds and realities of people who are not wealthy men are considered suspect. How can you cover the poors objectively when you, yourself, are poor? We are going to hire a minority to cover the minority beat, but then suggest their work is suspect because of "bias." How do you cover the plight of wealthy New Yorkers, when you, yourself, are a wealthy New Yorker? Okay that last one is never asked.
It isn't always made this explicit, publicly. But wow...
Sunday, November 03, 2019
Primary Fight
Centrist supporters get mad because they think you're attacking the front runner, the person most likely to win, so you're ruining their prospects for the general.
Lefty supporters get mad because they think centrists are attacking the left with conservative talking points, certainly hurting their possible general election prospects and also... just proving they're conservative.
Lefty supporters get mad because they think centrists are attacking the left with conservative talking points, certainly hurting their possible general election prospects and also... just proving they're conservative.
Boo Hoo
If you're the president and you go to a sporting event - any sporting event - there's a reasonable chance your going to be booed. The funny thing is Trump (and weirdly lots of other people) doesn't understand this.
Morning Thread
The Halifax Examiner is having its annual subscription drive. Hard to believe the Examiner is now over five years old. Because of the heavy expenses associated with the investigation into a wrongful conviction, The Examiner finds itself in debt for the first time. I'm a subscriber because supporting independent media is probably one of the best ways to help right a world that has gone completely off balance. The reporting is excellent and pertains not just to Halifax, but to all communities. Really, if you can, you should subscribe. And, you'll get a tee shirt. Doesn't get better than that!
Saturday, November 02, 2019
Poor Misunderstood Me
My regular whine, but a frustrating thing about being bombarded on the internet with lots of, um, "feedback," is that people regularly attribute views to me that I never had. And sure sometimes that's my fault in that someone genuinely misunderstood something I wrote, but often it's just people just making shit up.
UNITY
The significance of a speech can be hard to measure in the moment, but this @PeteButtigieg one may be remembered for a good while: "The purpose of the presidency is not the glorification of the president, but the unification of the American people."
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) November 2, 2019
I never understand this rhetoric at all. We aren't actually fighting a civil war. People disagree about stuff and that's... good?
From Bean To Cup
Funny, but of course. Walls don't stop people. Guard towers do.
Smuggling gangs in Mexico have repeatedly sawed through new sections of President Trump’s border wall in recent months by using commercially available power tools, opening gaps large enough for people and drug loads to pass through, according to U.S. agents and officials with knowledge of the damage.
The breaches have been made using a popular cordless household tool known as a reciprocating saw that retails at hardware stores for as little as $100. When fitted with specialized blades, the saws can slice through one of the barrier’s steel-and-concrete bollards in a matter of minutes, according to the agents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the barrier-defeating techniques.
Friday, November 01, 2019
Florida Man
New York City isn't for everybody and I'm often amused by New Yorkers (especially older but not just) who would obviously be happier anywhere else. Good for My President for realizing this!
The Greatest Health Care System In The World
Just your regular reminder that we basically spend what other countries with some form of universal free at point of service system spend in *public money* already and then we spend that again in *private money* and still no one can manage to explain when and why and who I need to call and which magic words to say in order to be sure that the office thinks a test will be covered by insurance but haha they don't even know then either.
The Best Deals
I suppose the problem is that "trade deal" has the word "deal" in there and Trump makes the best deals. But while of course terms of trade deals matter, they're basically boring stuff about tariffs and quotas. A post-Brexit trade deal with the US will matter some to the UK, but it's unlikely to be "better" in any meaningful sense than the existing US-EU arrangement. Also they have to go through Congress so it doesn't really matter how much Donald likes Nigel.
Donald Trump said Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal will make it difficult for the British prime minister to strike a trade deal with the U.S. after the U.K. leaves the European Union."Much bigger numbers." What does that even mean? I get it's Trump so nothing he says means anything, but in this case it's really total gibberish.
In an interview with Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage on LBC Radio, the president said the two countries could “do much bigger numbers” if Johnson made a cleaner break with the EU.
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