No Debate about No Debates

Reports suggest that the five major broadcast and cable news networks are advocating for televised debates between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump ahead of Election Day. However, it’s time to reconsider the value of such debates, particularly involving Trump.

Let’s be frank: a debate featuring Donald Trump tends to resemble a WWE event promo more than a substantive political discussion. His approach lacks preparation and substance, often devolving into insults and misinformation. The 2016 debates between Trump and Hillary Clinton showcased this stark contrast in demeanor and knowledge. While Clinton demonstrated a grasp of issues, Trump stumbled through with little coherence.

The 2020 debate between Trump and Biden was a debacle, failing to offer meaningful insights into policy or voter concerns. In fact, it only served to highlight the degradation of presidential debates into spectacles of theatrics rather than platforms for informed discourse.

One might argue that the last truly substantive presidential debate occurred between JFK and Richard Nixon in 1960. Since then, debates have become increasingly staged, manipulated, and divorced from genuine discussion.

In today’s political landscape, debates are marred by handlers, opportunities for misinformation, and outright falsehoods. It’s understandable why networks may view them as entertainment, but for voters seeking genuine insights, they offer little substance.

(Idea and initial content drafted by Eric Burleigh, edits suggested by AI)

Sitzkrieg and other Political Observations

On September 1, 1939, following the German invasion of Poland, both England and France declared war on the Hitler government. From September 1939 to May 1940, there were few major battles, and the period became known as the Sitzkrieg or “sitting war.” Similarly, in the United States, we find ourselves in a metaphorical “sitzkrieg” amidst our political, religious, and cultural conflicts. While January 6, 2021, might be considered a minor skirmish, it could be a precursor to more significant events. Former President Trump has hinted at potential chaos if not re-elected, suggesting a looming “bloodbath.” Comments like that are like lighting a match in a gas filled room.

I would prefer to read about the current political and cultural discord in the U.S. from a future vantage point, rather than experiencing it firsthand. It’s plausible that future generations will perceive this era as a “Dark Age” in American history.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, struck by a cargo ship yesterday morning, serves as a poignant metaphor. Just as the bridge crumbled into the river, so too may our democracy face deterioration in the wake of collisions spurred by divisive ideologies.

Unholy Alliances 2024

Trump-focused Texas border rally blends politics and religion

Alabama justice who quoted Bible in IVF case often invokes religion

Newsom calls out Alabama IVF ruling as part of ‘war on women’

Anti-abortion extremists in the US are waging a holy war against women

Trump: ‘Crazy’ for any Christian to vote for Democrat

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta (Book Review)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I believe everyone, regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs, should read this book. Its importance and critical insights extend far beyond the confines of any particular faith or ideology. What is being preached in many white evangelical and Christian churches holds significant implications that reach beyond their walls.

“In the year after Trump left office, polling repeatedly showed there was one demographic group most likely to believe that the election had been stolen, that vaccines were dangerous, the globalists were controlling the US population, that liberal celebrities were feasting on the bloods of infants, that resorting to violence might be necessary to save the country: white evangelicals.”

The author starts off the book by describing events that took place at his father’s funeral services. Alberta’s father was a respected minister and many of the people who were at the services were longtime friends and associates of the family. Instead of his father being respected and the family comforted, Alberta was castigated for writing articles that certain members of the church felt were derogatory towards Donald Trump. Alberta was accused of treason.

So unlike many other authors who could’ve written this book, Alberta had “skin in the game.” I think that he wrote the book as fairly as he could given the topics, the people involved and the consequences to not only religion but to our country.

Alberta was able to draw portraits of both Jerry Fallwells Senior and Junior, Ralph Reed, Stephen Strang, Paula White, Robert Jeffress, Charlie Kirk, Herschel Walker and Doug Mastriano to name a few. He describes the changes that have taken place at Liberty University. Sadly most of those changes have had deleterious effects on both students and teachers.

Donald Trump has assumed an almost godlike status within the white evangelical movement, despite his controversial behavior and moral character, including multiple marriages and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Alberta also describes the efforts of various ministers and politicians who are attempting to separate religion from politics. The tide has certainly been running against them. Many ministers who attempt to focus on Bible studies and religious topics without introducing politics into their sermons find that many parishioners leave and gravitate toward politically charged sermons. Funding dries up and churches close that just preach the word of God.

This book has been described as the best nonfiction book of 2023. It is a long book, 452 pages in hardback, but an interesting and informative read from cover to cover. This will be one of the books that historians 30 years from now will read and review critically in order to understand the fraught intersection of politics and religion in our era.

View all my reviews

Mental Burps

I’m not sure what would be more frightening – – a huge asteroid headed for a crash landing on earth or the prospect of a Trump re-election in November?

Looks like Sports Illustrated is going out of business. It was the premier sports magazine in my youth and early adult life. The swimsuit issue normally published in the beginning of the year always generated some controversy and interest. And there were some great sports writing and photography in the magazine.

I used to love to buy magazines like Playboy, US News and World Report, Tennis, Money, Runners World, Men’s Health etc. I can’t remember the last time I went into a bookstore to buy a magazine. I can’t remember the last time I went into a bookstore to look at magazines.

John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster and Sam Houston were cited as Profiles in Courage in the book by John F. Kennedy. Tim Scott, the senator from South Carolina, will never be cited for his courage. How low must the performance, moral and integrity bars for Senator Scott to endorse Donald Trump?

One past regret in my life: that I did not take measured risks in my early adult years.

2024 Predictions

Alabama will win the National Collegiate Football championship beating Texas. Jim Harbaugh will resign as Michigan coach and become a NFL coach (San Diego).
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No Kansas City – Philadelphia reprise for 2024 Super Bowl. 2024 Super Bowl will be Baltimore vs. Detroit. Baltimore will win 38-17.
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Kentucky will beat Kansas in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
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No Biden – Trump reprise in November 2024. Biden will withdraw from race. Due to legal issues, Trump will also withdraw but will receive conditional pardon.
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Both parties will choose current elected and active governors. Republicans will not choose Ron DeSantis.
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Ukraine-Russia war winds down to negotiated cease fire by May 2024.

U.S. needs to act militarily to aid in Israel’s defense. Benjamin Netanyahu replaced. Very few additional hostages released or located.
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AI serves as a very effective propaganda and distortion tool in 2024 elections. Many voters are duped to believe just about anything to support their narratives and beliefs about politics.
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Twitter goes dark in 2024 due to loss of advertisers, disinterest by members and huge operating losses that Musk no longer wants to fund.
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Taylor Swift will not marry Travis Kelce.
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76ers make Eastern Conference Finals but lose.

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Dummkopf

Bumping Along the Political Cosmos

Elon Musk, a modern-day Howard Hughes in the making, stands out in the realms of technology, space, engineering, and science. However, as demonstrated in a recent interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Musk’s prowess takes a hit when delving into media, politics, history, and business management.

The Ron DeSantis vs. Gavin Newsom debate: no one could remotely relate it to the Lincoln – Douglas debates of 1858. Sponsored by Fox News, Sean Hannity who claimed he would be impartial as moderator, acted like a “heel” WWE referee favoring DeSantis throughout the debate.

Ron DeSantis looks as comfortable on a debate stage as Donald Trump would riding a ten speed bicycle.

In pondering potential presidential candidates, the suggestion arises to consider successful CEOs who possess not only technological acumen but also good judgment, vision, problem-solving experience, and social and cultural awareness. Names like Jamie Dimon, Bob Iger, and Mark Cuban come to mind.

The alarming rise in antisemitism and pro-Hamas demonstrations, notably on college campuses, challenges initial perceptions of media exaggeration. The spread and virulence of antisemitism in the United States should evoke concern across all communities.

George Santos has been expelled from Congress and so should Robert Menendez. To be candid, I would probably expel another 100–150 additional Senators and Representatives if I had the power.

Disagree with Lynn Cheney’s assertion that the country is “sleepwalking” towards a Trump dictatorship. Many people are running with eyes wide open, weapons in hand and screaming loudly and maniacally towards this desired result.

More Thoughts on the Fly

The Republican who performed brave and honorable actions, risking his life and that of his family on January 6, 2021, withdrew his name from the 2024 Presidential nomination due to lack of support. Frankly, I largely viewed Mike Pence as a toady during his vice presidency, but I find him a more suitable option compared to the individual who sought to overturn a fair election process and currently faces 91 civil and criminal indictment counts.
While I remain concerned about Trump, my greater worry lies in the significant number of supporters he commands and the influence he wields. This speaks volumes about the state of our country, indicating that Trumpism could endure without Donald Trump.
Inflation, Israel, and the indictments involving his son will likely damage Biden’s prospects in 2024. Although Biden served as a competent placeholder, I would prefer a different, younger nominee for the Democratic party.”
I recently sold my house and relocated. My main grievance stems from paying a 6% commission fee during the house closing. Considering the current seller’s market and the available technology for facilitating home sales, commission fees should ideally range between 4% and 5%.”
“The overwhelming presence of misinformation, lies, and exaggerations across various domains such as media, politics, business, science, and education can easily deceive even the most discerning individuals, leading them to believe a significant portion of it.”
“The auxiliary attractions of gambling and ‘sports talk’ form the pillars upholding sporting events and programming. The off-field or off-court action and controversies often prove more captivating than the actual games themselves.”

Civille Bellum

As I grow older, my sense of disappointment toward my country, its government, and its people deepens. I was born seven years after our nation, as part of the Allied forces, achieved a significant victory over the original Axis powers—Germany, Japan, and Italy. At the age of 17, I witnessed our space program successfully landing a man on the moon, less than seven years after President John F. Kennedy made that ambitious commitment. I struggle to find a comparable scientific or societal achievement in my lifetime.

However, today, our education system appears to be in disarray. Many students are graduating from schools without essential skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities. It’s disheartening to see that issues like abortion, civil rights, and equal rights, once believed to be resolved, are now being re-litigated, forcing us to fight battles we thought we had already won. Shocking events like school shootings and instances of political corruption fail to galvanize the public as they once did; they are met with indifference and apathy.

Decades ago, our nation had a responsible and respected press. Figures like Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Edward R. Murrow, David Broder, and David Brinkley delivered the news. Today, however, a concerning number of people consume propaganda rather than news, relying on figures like Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Fox News. Contemporary news media seems more focused on inciting emotions than providing factual information.

It’s astonishing to witness individuals like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Jim Jordan, and Marjorie Taylor Greene holding influential positions in Congress. These individuals now occupy the same halls once walked by statesmen like David Webster, John Calhoun, John McCain, and James Madison.

Our national politics have become a source of mockery. The leading Republican candidate for President is currently embroiled in legal troubles, including accusations of inflating assets for loans, election interference in Georgia, misuse of confidential documents, hush money payments to a porn star, and attempts to overturn certified election results. He has even lost a civil case involving sexual assault allegations. Shockingly, a significant portion of our populace, including many religious individuals, remains supportive of him.

In contrast, Joe Biden now serves as the country’s “Paul von Hindenburg,” an aged politician placed in power to safeguard against an impending threat that could jeopardize our nation’s very fabric.

As I reflect on these troubling developments, I find myself wishing I could live another 20-30 years to read what historians and writers will have to say about these times. I fear the unknown challenges that may arise. We seem to be in the midst of a civil war, though, so far, only harsh words have been exchanged. I hold out hope that someone will step forward to unite our fractured nation. However, history has shown that most well-intentioned politicians and national leaders are often rejected.

( There was a time when I used to discuss and argue politics. No longer. Too partisan. Too many closed and uninformed minds. Political arguments are expressed in rage, not reason. I don’t see this changing anytime soon.)