“The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting.” - Charles Bukowski, Author
Yeesh, thanks for cheering me up. A little shook up by the Orwellian finale, but your last sentence says it all. So while we’re in free-association mode, random thoughts I need now as distractions. MAGATs – inspired! Where is our Frank Lunz to get people to call them nothing but that in talking points? (And while we’re at it, if the GOP is disciplined enough to diminish the other party by perpetually labeling initiatives “Democrat” rather than “Democratic,” why can’t we use the adjective “Republic” to point out how ridiculous and petty that is?) No matter what happens, can we ever get over the reality that we cohabit the planet with enough yahoos who elected the guy even once? Fallback position, just accept that, by definition, just under one-half of the population is of below-average intelligence. If Newsom runs and wins, will Kimberly Guilfoil move to annul that divorce or the one from the furniture guy she married afterwards who wasn’t that insufferable pillow mogul – although wouldn’t that have been perfect? I don’t know if it's you or Substack who inserted the Voters for Trump video ad parody, but did Vanessa Bayer ever have that SNL bar mitzvah boy patter down pat? (Segue: Being of the Hebraic persuasion, does the VP’s husband ever think of the name “Kamala” as Yiddish for a diminutive adorable “Kamal?”) If a televised circus, Judge Judy anybody? The arrogance of thinking of a Sino-Trumpian deal while he still insists on pronouncing it “Tschyna!” Are you as unsettled as I am by the umpteen colleges you never otherwise hear of who conduct polls just to get noticed, not because it’s so cheap and easy and nobody remembers when they’re wrong, but because they’d never have a prayer of same with a football team? Also a cheap partnership for the media side. BTW your cogent consideration of the black repercussions of a Harris snub is something I haven’t heard before. And finally, Joe Lieberman is alive?
JB..You always hit the nail on the head. Loved those inserts. Maybe I need to start watching SNL again. I miss Rush Limbaugh. I used to tune over to KTRH (Keep the resume handy) just to see how long I could listen without getting really pissed off. I can't do one minute of Hanity without puking. He has no talent. I don't get FOX and I ain't paying for it.
Thanks to you and your elk
for letting me know what's REALLY going on. What Democrats need is some more big voices to motivate (Scare the shit out of) our country as to what a threat the orange ass hole is. And I mean it, God help us!
Magats are obscurantists who've achieved a consensual reality and created their odium theologicum. In other words, (and less woo woo word salad,) they're fucked up. And they're going to vote that way and do everything they can to win. Therefore, without our complete dedication to their undoing, we'll be undone. It will be at that point we'll be fucked.
Trump's ability to completely overtake and corrupt one of America's two national parties has been astonishing, but it didn't start with him. His lizard brain was quicker than all the other lizard brains to grok what was happening. Get Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and their ilk to spend 30 years demonizing everyone they do not agree with, and Trump waltzes in: "We love him because he hates the people we hate."
I am relentlessly optimistic for our country, "the last best hope of earth." But it's going to be a long slog.
You are correct, of course. But I think it begins with Reagan. His antipathy and anger at White America having to share the goodies with minorities and unions, etc, is what served the rise of Rush and Newt, et. al.
Beginning after World War II, America went through a period where it expanded the blessings of liberty to others: Brown v. Board, the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964, the Voting Rights Act, the Great Society, Nixon's environmental stewardship laws (Clean Water, Clean Air, etc.). At its heart, the notion that an appropriate amount of government intervention could make society better for everyone.
Beginning with Reagan, though, we've become meaner, stingier, more distrustful of our ability to solve problems — and consequently, unable to solve any real problems. What happened?
What a great topic for a joint Jim-and-Deece essay!
Hope you are right, bro. Ohio last night has given me renewed hope.
Fueled by hate, greed, and hubris, his only contribution has been outing the hidden evil in friends and family. This piece is among your best!
Thanks so much, my friend. I appreciate your thinking and support.
Sadness, but fuck no. We will prevail
Yeesh, thanks for cheering me up. A little shook up by the Orwellian finale, but your last sentence says it all. So while we’re in free-association mode, random thoughts I need now as distractions. MAGATs – inspired! Where is our Frank Lunz to get people to call them nothing but that in talking points? (And while we’re at it, if the GOP is disciplined enough to diminish the other party by perpetually labeling initiatives “Democrat” rather than “Democratic,” why can’t we use the adjective “Republic” to point out how ridiculous and petty that is?) No matter what happens, can we ever get over the reality that we cohabit the planet with enough yahoos who elected the guy even once? Fallback position, just accept that, by definition, just under one-half of the population is of below-average intelligence. If Newsom runs and wins, will Kimberly Guilfoil move to annul that divorce or the one from the furniture guy she married afterwards who wasn’t that insufferable pillow mogul – although wouldn’t that have been perfect? I don’t know if it's you or Substack who inserted the Voters for Trump video ad parody, but did Vanessa Bayer ever have that SNL bar mitzvah boy patter down pat? (Segue: Being of the Hebraic persuasion, does the VP’s husband ever think of the name “Kamala” as Yiddish for a diminutive adorable “Kamal?”) If a televised circus, Judge Judy anybody? The arrogance of thinking of a Sino-Trumpian deal while he still insists on pronouncing it “Tschyna!” Are you as unsettled as I am by the umpteen colleges you never otherwise hear of who conduct polls just to get noticed, not because it’s so cheap and easy and nobody remembers when they’re wrong, but because they’d never have a prayer of same with a football team? Also a cheap partnership for the media side. BTW your cogent consideration of the black repercussions of a Harris snub is something I haven’t heard before. And finally, Joe Lieberman is alive?
Very glad you wrote this piece, and also hope you can keep the hammer down. There's nothing more important than this now.
Agree with you, brother. I will do my best.
JB..You always hit the nail on the head. Loved those inserts. Maybe I need to start watching SNL again. I miss Rush Limbaugh. I used to tune over to KTRH (Keep the resume handy) just to see how long I could listen without getting really pissed off. I can't do one minute of Hanity without puking. He has no talent. I don't get FOX and I ain't paying for it.
Thanks to you and your elk
for letting me know what's REALLY going on. What Democrats need is some more big voices to motivate (Scare the shit out of) our country as to what a threat the orange ass hole is. And I mean it, God help us!
If there is a god, she is scoffing at our inability to take care of our own bidness.
Magats are obscurantists who've achieved a consensual reality and created their odium theologicum. In other words, (and less woo woo word salad,) they're fucked up. And they're going to vote that way and do everything they can to win. Therefore, without our complete dedication to their undoing, we'll be undone. It will be at that point we'll be fucked.
So, your insight is that it is better to be the @fukker” than the “fukkee?”
Yes indeed.
We may not notice what is happening in 2024 because we are dying from the heat.
Tom Goff. From Texas
Purty much. J. Moore. From Texas.
Trump's ability to completely overtake and corrupt one of America's two national parties has been astonishing, but it didn't start with him. His lizard brain was quicker than all the other lizard brains to grok what was happening. Get Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and their ilk to spend 30 years demonizing everyone they do not agree with, and Trump waltzes in: "We love him because he hates the people we hate."
I am relentlessly optimistic for our country, "the last best hope of earth." But it's going to be a long slog.
You are correct, of course. But I think it begins with Reagan. His antipathy and anger at White America having to share the goodies with minorities and unions, etc, is what served the rise of Rush and Newt, et. al.
Beginning after World War II, America went through a period where it expanded the blessings of liberty to others: Brown v. Board, the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964, the Voting Rights Act, the Great Society, Nixon's environmental stewardship laws (Clean Water, Clean Air, etc.). At its heart, the notion that an appropriate amount of government intervention could make society better for everyone.
Beginning with Reagan, though, we've become meaner, stingier, more distrustful of our ability to solve problems — and consequently, unable to solve any real problems. What happened?
What a great topic for a joint Jim-and-Deece essay!
I stand ready to serve, at your immediate disposal.
To be easily disposed of.
Get crackin on that essay.