Interesting question or admission from Fox News host Bret Baier in his “debate” with Kamala Harris yesterday…
At one point, Bret Baier asked Vice President Harris what she made of such a large number of Americans expressing support for former President Trump, while the two candidates remained largely close in polling, asking her, “Are they stupid?”
I’m constantly amused when the media throws around the term “blockbuster” to describe some new crime, malfeasance, idiotic comment, lie, or scandal swirling around Donald Trump. At this point, can there really be anything more shocking or revolting that we haven’t already seen from him? It feels like we’ve hit the limit of outrage, and most people seem to be numb to it.
For the anti-Trump crowd, it’s clear: Trump has glided through scandal after scandal, barely touched by accountability. Nothing he does seems to stick, so what’s left to be shocked by? On the flip side, if you’re a Trump supporter, none of it matters anyway. You’ve long dismissed the onslaught of reports, evidence, and documentation. His personal behavior, crimes, and failures? They mean nothing. Trump has become untouchable in his own bubble of denial and deflection.
There’s a pervasive worry among many that if Trump returns to power, it will spell the end of democracy as we know it. But here’s the real gut-punch: if someone as blatantly unqualified as Trump can win a national election, what does that say about the judgment of the American people? And if you can’t trust the people’s judgment, how can you trust democracy itself? It’s like we’re testing the very system we claim to cherish, racing toward disaster without a second thought.
I recently came across a term that fits this moment perfectly: sanewashing. It’s the attempt to normalize abhorrent or vile behavior, especially when it’s done by politicians or the media covering for them. We’ve seen it play out endlessly, particularly with one candidate in mind. But the sad truth is, no matter how bizarre or outrageous the behavior, it often doesn’t register anymore. Why? Because we’ve allowed ourselves to grow numb to it.
It’s like those storm-chaser videos where you see a tornado bearing down, and yet there’s always some car trying to outrun it. That reckless dash parallels our current political landscape, where half the electorate seems willing to gamble on disaster. Will we outrun the storm, or will we be swallowed by it? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: we’re speeding straight into the whirlwind, and it’s anyone’s guess how this ride ends.
One piece of offered advice in today’s heated political environment is to separate an individual’s politics from the person. You should respect them regardless of how their politics may offend or upset you. Easier said than done. If someone pulls out a match in a building with a gas leak, should I not be upset? Their reckless act endangers everyone, including me. That’s how I feel about voters choosing irresponsible candidates whose reckless behavior and proposed actions pose risks to us all.
The New York Times published a list of their Reader’s picks for the best 100 books of the 21st-century. Here are the only three books I have read that were on this list: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Trust by Hernan Diaz; and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. I was very moved by the Kalanithi book which I read in one sitting. I did not like Trust at all. I don’t remember anything about the Towles book other than I read or skimmed it.
I don’t understand the need for a second debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Who thinks that Trump will be better prepared? I have absolutely no sympathy or understanding for any “undecided voter” that may still exist. It’s pretty obvious which candidate people should vote for…
The three best college fight songs are from these schools: 1. Michigan; 2. Notre Dame and 3. USC.
At my stage in life, I think it better to appear certain, confidant but possibly wrong on one’s opinions, philosophy and views than still struggling to find the right answers.
Was anyone really surprised by the results of yesterday’s Presidential debate?
I did not watch the debate live. Why did anyone, particularly journalists and the press, expect anything different? There are outcries by many Republicans today that Trump was unprepared and did not have good debate management. Are you kidding?? Review any book written by a Trump administration insider and you will find that Trump does not read or prepare for anything. He “wings” it.
A word of caution to the Democrats. Hillary cleaned Trump’s clock in the 2016 debates and still lost. The MAGA mind is probably blaming ABC for their hero’s atrocious performance. It’s still not over…
Candidate A is a woman who prosecuted men who sexually assaulted women.
Candidate B is a prosecuted man who sexually assaulted a woman.
Who would you choose?
Not going to watch any of the debate….
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Before reading this book, I was already intrigued by the Scopes trial, having encountered it through reading Inherit the Wind by Lawrence and Lee in my youth and viewing the film adaptation starring Spencer Tracy as Clarence Darrow.
This book captivated me, not just with the story of the Scopes trial itself but also with the rich background it provides on the cultural and political climate in America leading up to the trial. The country was grappling with racism, antisemitism, women’s disenfranchisement, and a stark divide between the North and South. Religious leaders were increasingly uneasy with the rise of science, and efforts to suppress scientific education in schools were prevalent—an issue that resonates even today.
Wineapple profiles three key figures of the era: Clarence Darrow, H.L. Mencken, and William Jennings Bryan. These profiles were the highlight for me. All three were intelligent, influential, articulate, and deeply flawed. Their strong beliefs on issues like racism, antisemitism, and religion shaped their actions.
Bryan, a staunch defender of the Bible, believed its teachings should be taken literally. His speeches and sermons, especially in the South, were widely popular. Despite three failed presidential campaigns, his political ambition never waned.
Darrow and Mencken, both agnostics, were critical of religious hypocrisy. Liberals in their politics, they used their legal and journalistic skills to push their principles. It’s fascinating that Bryan, Darrow, and Mencken ended up at the center of such a pivotal cultural and political moment.
Reading this book made me reflect on how much progress the United States has—or hasn’t—made in areas like racism, antisemitism, and the influence of religion in education, law, and politics. The challenges to science that existed in the 1920s are still relevant today.
I highly recommend this book as an insightful snapshot of American culture and politics in the 1920s and is still happening today.
Saturday Night will always remain burned in my memory as long as I live, as being the day when I heard the most religion preached, and the least practiced.
Will Rogers
Pickleball: where tennis players go to die. (Seen on t-shirt)
“Kamala holds the hopes of a lot of people in this country who are praying that she doesn’t fall on her face in the next 72 days. She can take heart that she’s driving Trump crazy. He is jealous of her looks, her crowd sizes, her star power and her vivacious, bodacious vibes. That’s a good start.”
Daffy Donald, Turning Pea Green With Envy NYT Maureen Dowd
Planning a wedding has become so expensive that some couples are asking their guests to pay to attend their special day…Matthew Shaw, the founder of Sauveur, a wedding planning company in London, said that selling tickets “introduces a strange relationship between you and your guests, turning your guests into customers.”
He added, “You’re no longer hosting — you’re offering them a paid experience, which introduces a very different narrative in terms of what guests are expecting.” (NYT)
NYT Hardcover Non-fiction Best Sellers
2. MEN HAVE CALLED HER CRAZY by Anna Marie Tendler
3. THE ART OF POWER by Nancy PelosI
“School board candidates backed by Moms for Liberty, a conservative vanguard whose members popularized restrictions on classroom library books, are losing elections in Florida and some swing states. Republican leaders who rallied against critical race theory and LGBTQ+ issues recently faced recalls in red pockets of California.”
Are Republicans losing the culture wars? Politico
Babe Ruth ‘called shot’ Yankees jersey fetches record $24M
Dow 41,175
S&P 5,634
Nasdaq 17,877
The Democrats are experiencing a bit of “irrational exuberance.” It’s the same feeling that Republicans were feeling about three weeks ago. It’s way too early for any self congratulations. Too many things and events can change. Economic events and the Middle East could change the campaign around. Don’t discount the possible influence and effect that Joe Biden will have on this election.
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If I was Kamala Harris, I would not debate Donald Trump. The man isn’t capable of discussing policy issues. There really isn’t much of an upside for Kamala – – she will be expected to clean the floor with him.
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How can there be any undecided voters for the Presidential election?
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Hard to believe that JD Vance may be a worse Vice Presidential candidate than Sarah Palin, and Dan Quayle.
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Is there anything more insulting to a person’s intelligence then the political commercials being run right now?
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Ideal Presidential Debate Media Team: Hosts: Dana Bash and Jim Acosta (CNN); Questioners: Rachel Scott (ABC) Chris Wallace (CNN) Bret Baier (Fox) and Kara Swisher.
Esot-eric 