“I want to be crystal clear about what’s on the ballot this year. Your right to choose is on the ballot this year. The Social Security you paid for from the time you had a job is on the ballot. The safety of our kids from gun violence is on the ballot…. The very survival of our planet is on the ballot. Your right to vote is on the ballot…
“I want to be crystal clear about what’s on the ballot this year. Your right to choose is on the ballot this year. The Social Security you paid for from the time you had a job is on the ballot. The safety of our kids from gun violence is on the ballot…. The very survival of our planet is on the ballot. Your right to vote is on the ballot. Even…democracy.”
“The MAGA Republicans don’t just threaten our personal rights and economic security,” he said. “They’re a threat to our very democracy. They refuse to accept the will of the people. They embrace…political violence. They don’t believe in democracy.”
“This is why in this moment, those of you who love this country—Democrats, Independents, mainstream Republicans—we must be stronger,” he said.
All of you "disappointed Democrats" worried about "sleepy Joe" can now go to bed without supper.
He's set the campaign: it's not going to be about him - it's going to be about the Thousand Year MAGAts.
As long as the House MAGAts were called out for their PPP hypocrisy, let's recall Senator Skeletor on his super yacht cruise in the Mediterranean. What a fucking moron! No Senatorial campaign manager who's actually serious goes on vacation during August recess.
Our media has become so enamored with the shiniest (loudest) thing, they can't see the ends of their collective noses. Even the "serious" news channels don't go after anything but glitter. Seems to me the only serious journalists we have anymore are the ones who still write for the papers. And even some of them are being turned. It's a damn shame.
Yes, the media (I'm afraid print and digital) are not a small part of the problem. In too many cases, they create the problem. The press tell us what ever they want to and suggest an approved way of thinking about what's happening. They decide what news to report, what to give a spin, what to praise and what to avoid,
And there is precious little we can do about it because it is very difficult to fight with someone who's hiding in the dark.
Please, when you point a finger, be specific about who you are pointing at instead of some general category that would include people who don't deserve to be lumped in with others.
Goodness. I had no intention of "pointing a finger." I'm very sorry if you found my way of wording my reply offensive or insulting in any way. You have my sincere apology
This isn't personal, Dean. It is simply about clarity. "The media" is an awfully big category. It would be helpful if you were more specific about which media or entity you are referring to, and who "they" means, and what specifically "they" are doing that is troublesome. I tend to agree with your statement in specific terms, but as it is, your post is too generic to respond to in any meaningful way.
Some Independent media figures (online) don't have their heads in the corporate shill sand. Forget MSNBC, CNN, Faux... if you wanna really know what's going on.
Thanks, Suz, I actually shouldn't even refer to television news since I haven't watched it since around 2012 when the Obama Bashing started. My news for a long time has come from the NYTimes and the New Yorker. This year I cancelled the NYTimes, discovered HCR and Robert Hubbell and have Slate as the home page on my browser. I found I couldn't live without the New Yorker. I have found I didn't lose a thing due to Professor Richardson's end notes and the writers for Slate regularly referring to the best of the major print sources. And, oh, be still my heart: My home is silent (except for my grandson's construction vehicles videos on the weekend) and if I absolutely need a hit of tv news I can go to YouTube and get ten minutes, which is how I watched the Kavanaugh hearings. And, finally, the icing on the cake: Slate has Dear Prudence!
Sounds great, Dean! There's plenty more... and guess what? Lots of valuable reporting from people way younger than us. That's where the real action is. Gives me hope! Have a wonderful day - evening. And enjoy that grandson!! :-)
Why I appreciate this: all of these are part of the media, too, and you are specific about why you use them or don't. We both turn to some of the same sources, some of which Heather uses as well. The point is that it's not ALL media entities that is the problem. It is SOME media, and it is essential to not lump them all together when making an assertion about what "they" do.
Isn't that why the right-wing press is serving reheated Hunter Biden stew?
Diversions, diversions, the ploy common to bank robbers and crooked politicians...
Apart from distracting people from the real issues and exposing America to acute brainfood poisoning, the HB stew has the advantage of undermining the FBI at a crucial moment after the Lair o' Maga search.
You know, Peter, your images and language are brilliantly illustrative of the medium being the message. It really is just this kind of stew. When I focus my mind for too long on any of it and try for something at least comprehensible I usually end up with a headache. In words I've borrowed from someone, we're trying to make sense out of something that doesn't make sense. In another unoriginal phrase, bench-pressing a brick wall. A raging activist my whole life, I now believe I need to strive for a balance between waiting and working like the devil. The hardest for me is the waiting.
I want to say how much I sympathize -- despite being no activist just a Cassandra. I sympathize with your bellyaching or headaching -- but there's such an overload of mind poison in circulation, who can blame you? -- and I sympathize with your impatience.
Worse than poisoning our soil, our water, the very air we breathe, they're poisoning our institutions... which are neither ethereal abstractions nor tables of stone, but living beings, live emanations of our communities.
First, our complacent neglect -- no care, no food, no water, no exercise -- and now, the poisoners, the poachers, the parasites and vampires...
Is it surprising then if we too get sick? I do... Last but not least, your impatience...
A metaphor cocktail...
The ship has hit an iceberg, side's ripped out, she's listing wildly, but all they can do is continue their poker games in tilting 1st Class staterooms, while most passengers just keep on sleeping, sleeping...
Peter, I thought the reference about Hunter Biden was so off-the-wall weird! Me thinks the ragged right edge is stretching pretty far for some kind of come-back. Don't think it's working much- the same ol' people will think it actually means something, but I think more Real Republicans and a lot of independents will veer away from something that far out. As they seem to be doing.
There are a few mainstream-media columnists who get it and are worth reading. Most of them are women and/or people of color. I've become a serious fan of Jennifer Rubin. She hits the nail on the head almost every time she swings.
There is a rise of independent media fighting the good fight. Meidastouch, Lincoln Project, Politics Girl, and RHQ are making noise. MSNBC has been the only mainstream media doing their job. ABC Australia's 4 Corners, Propublica, and Frontline have also been sounding the fire alarms. Our major networks have failed their first ammendment duties and sold their souls.
Scott knows how badly he’s handled his “job”, starting with his insane platform, which was hard to walk back. He knows the GOP will lose even more seats in the senate this year. Poor thing, it would be disheartening if one had a heart.
IMHO--this passionate speech by Joe has to be one of the biggest challenges for him and it does make me proud. I find him to be an introspective man, one who has been formed by tremendous loss and challenges in life. (IMHO, after losing a spouse and child to a tragic accident, doesn't it make everything else in life seem less important?) I think he holds tremendous faith that carries him forth. The yelling, screaming, posturing must seem........ridiculous for lack of a better term, after all he has endured. To be forced to come out fighting like this, to me is huge! Indeed, "Sleepy Joe" has always seemed to be a misnomer for someone whose maturity and life experiences has enabled them to see what truly matters and ignore the rabble. Bravo, Joe!!
I agree. Joe Biden has never been given the credit he deserves. And he is a champion of education and helping the middle and working classes that have been pretty much stomped on over the past fifty years. He's been through so much in his life that he has learned to let things roll off his back and keep going. I have a great deal of respect for this man. Plus he reads and he gets things done. Bravo Joe.
As one columnist said “Biden has become the dragon”. I can’t tell you that I wasn’t hesitant to vote for Joe. I had seen and heard his guffaws quite a few times. However, when you look at his extensive congressional political background and the tragedies he has faced, I changed my mind. I am very proud that he represents our country and that he has a very competent staff to help guide him. Personally, I feel we need to have a pocket-size card in our purses or wallets that exclaim his accomplishments. We can hand them out to people when they forget what he has done for its inhabitants.
I absolutely agree. Biden is not, nor does he pretend to be, a perfect man. He is that far-preferable thing--a whole man, mistakes, flaws, losses, blessings, embarrassing moments and all. Maybe I can sum up what I'm trying to say with just "Joe Biden is a man". Thanks, Miselle
I think they (right wing leaning media esp) came out with the "sleepy joe" thing because they are used to making headlines with the right wing bombast for so long they don't know how to do real news anymore. I'm sad some of the mainstream picked up the meme, but then a lot of the reporters there are of an age to have picked up bad habits and too old to know it. It seems to be the younger ones and the wiser middle-age ones who've turned back to reporting news instead of noise.
The sleepy joe persona struck a chord with more than a few on the left, especially those that wanted Buttigieg or someone younger. All I hear is these folks saying that Dems need to put someone more energizing up in 2024. I don’t push back in the moment but do make sure to enumerate at other times on the list of positives Biden is doing.
I love your way with words! "Senator Skeletor" and MAGAts"...this just made my day, and it's Friday on top of that! Thanks, TC! And ol' Joe is turning up the heat isn't he? I love that they were ready with the numbers on forgiven debt when the repugs started shouting their disapproval. Throw it back in their faces!
I had been wracking my brain as to who "Senator Skeletor" could be; then some good soul posted the name, along with his other moniker, "Governor Voldemort" and I then saw who Skeletor was. Good grief, where to these people come from?
He did. And was CEO of Columbia/HCA and oversaw the biggest Medicare fraud case in the country. To the tune of 840 million in 2000, and 881 million in 2002. Brilliant that the republicons put him in charge of their National campaign fund. Now they are wondering where their money is 😹😹
Joe Biden also gave us an important descriptor last night, one we need to start using in every conversation we have with neighbors, friends, and relatives; in Letters to the Editor; in signs in our yard:
"Mainstream."
Mainstream Republicans vote FOR democracy. Mainstream Republicans vote FOR women's rights. Mainstream Republicans vote FOR law & order.
So interesting that "Senator Skeleton" seemed to suddenly crawl out from under his rock a few months ago. He was almost dead quiet before that. He has to go. He was already proven corrupt before he was elected to any public office.....the decay has just continued.
"The Social Security you paid for from the time you had a job is on the ballot. " It continues to amaze me that when the Repubs call social security an "entitlement" there is so little pushback of the FACT that we and our employers paid for it - AND frankly yes, we ARE entitled to that money! The same goes for Medicare (or Medicaid). Its ours & PAID FOR!
And, for that matter, calling FICA - that tiny percentage out of our paychecks- is so misunderstood by so many people. And some of our politicians must not understand what it is either from the rhetoric! Of course they likely make too much for it to matter.
“I want to be crystal clear about what’s on the ballot this year. Your right to choose is on the ballot this year. The Social Security you paid for from the time you had a job is on the ballot. The safety of our kids from gun violence is on the ballot…. The very survival of our planet is on the ballot. Your right to vote is on the ballot. Even…democracy.”
“The MAGA Republicans don’t just threaten our personal rights and economic security,” he said. “They’re a threat to our very democracy. They refuse to accept the will of the people. They embrace…political violence. They don’t believe in democracy.”
“This is why in this moment, those of you who love this country—Democrats, Independents, mainstream Republicans—we must be stronger,” he said.
All of you "disappointed Democrats" worried about "sleepy Joe" can now go to bed without supper.
He's set the campaign: it's not going to be about him - it's going to be about the Thousand Year MAGAts.
As long as the House MAGAts were called out for their PPP hypocrisy, let's recall Senator Skeletor on his super yacht cruise in the Mediterranean. What a fucking moron! No Senatorial campaign manager who's actually serious goes on vacation during August recess.
The Kooky Kollection of Klucks of MAGA.
Maybe now that the President has said it, the media will sit up and take notice: Democracy itself is on the ballot this year.
Our media has become so enamored with the shiniest (loudest) thing, they can't see the ends of their collective noses. Even the "serious" news channels don't go after anything but glitter. Seems to me the only serious journalists we have anymore are the ones who still write for the papers. And even some of them are being turned. It's a damn shame.
Shocking, as I’ve watched them follow Rupert down the rabbit hole to hell.
Yes, the media (I'm afraid print and digital) are not a small part of the problem. In too many cases, they create the problem. The press tell us what ever they want to and suggest an approved way of thinking about what's happening. They decide what news to report, what to give a spin, what to praise and what to avoid,
And there is precious little we can do about it because it is very difficult to fight with someone who's hiding in the dark.
Please, when you point a finger, be specific about who you are pointing at instead of some general category that would include people who don't deserve to be lumped in with others.
Goodness. I had no intention of "pointing a finger." I'm very sorry if you found my way of wording my reply offensive or insulting in any way. You have my sincere apology
This isn't personal, Dean. It is simply about clarity. "The media" is an awfully big category. It would be helpful if you were more specific about which media or entity you are referring to, and who "they" means, and what specifically "they" are doing that is troublesome. I tend to agree with your statement in specific terms, but as it is, your post is too generic to respond to in any meaningful way.
Some Independent media figures (online) don't have their heads in the corporate shill sand. Forget MSNBC, CNN, Faux... if you wanna really know what's going on.
Thanks, Suz, I actually shouldn't even refer to television news since I haven't watched it since around 2012 when the Obama Bashing started. My news for a long time has come from the NYTimes and the New Yorker. This year I cancelled the NYTimes, discovered HCR and Robert Hubbell and have Slate as the home page on my browser. I found I couldn't live without the New Yorker. I have found I didn't lose a thing due to Professor Richardson's end notes and the writers for Slate regularly referring to the best of the major print sources. And, oh, be still my heart: My home is silent (except for my grandson's construction vehicles videos on the weekend) and if I absolutely need a hit of tv news I can go to YouTube and get ten minutes, which is how I watched the Kavanaugh hearings. And, finally, the icing on the cake: Slate has Dear Prudence!
Sounds great, Dean! There's plenty more... and guess what? Lots of valuable reporting from people way younger than us. That's where the real action is. Gives me hope! Have a wonderful day - evening. And enjoy that grandson!! :-)
Why I appreciate this: all of these are part of the media, too, and you are specific about why you use them or don't. We both turn to some of the same sources, some of which Heather uses as well. The point is that it's not ALL media entities that is the problem. It is SOME media, and it is essential to not lump them all together when making an assertion about what "they" do.
Isn't that why the right-wing press is serving reheated Hunter Biden stew?
Diversions, diversions, the ploy common to bank robbers and crooked politicians...
Apart from distracting people from the real issues and exposing America to acute brainfood poisoning, the HB stew has the advantage of undermining the FBI at a crucial moment after the Lair o' Maga search.
Pseudo-conservative wokery at its wackiest!
You know, Peter, your images and language are brilliantly illustrative of the medium being the message. It really is just this kind of stew. When I focus my mind for too long on any of it and try for something at least comprehensible I usually end up with a headache. In words I've borrowed from someone, we're trying to make sense out of something that doesn't make sense. In another unoriginal phrase, bench-pressing a brick wall. A raging activist my whole life, I now believe I need to strive for a balance between waiting and working like the devil. The hardest for me is the waiting.
I want to say how much I sympathize -- despite being no activist just a Cassandra. I sympathize with your bellyaching or headaching -- but there's such an overload of mind poison in circulation, who can blame you? -- and I sympathize with your impatience.
Worse than poisoning our soil, our water, the very air we breathe, they're poisoning our institutions... which are neither ethereal abstractions nor tables of stone, but living beings, live emanations of our communities.
First, our complacent neglect -- no care, no food, no water, no exercise -- and now, the poisoners, the poachers, the parasites and vampires...
Is it surprising then if we too get sick? I do... Last but not least, your impatience...
A metaphor cocktail...
The ship has hit an iceberg, side's ripped out, she's listing wildly, but all they can do is continue their poker games in tilting 1st Class staterooms, while most passengers just keep on sleeping, sleeping...
What drug did they take?
We all know.
Seen on TV...
Peter, I thought the reference about Hunter Biden was so off-the-wall weird! Me thinks the ragged right edge is stretching pretty far for some kind of come-back. Don't think it's working much- the same ol' people will think it actually means something, but I think more Real Republicans and a lot of independents will veer away from something that far out. As they seem to be doing.
There are a few mainstream-media columnists who get it and are worth reading. Most of them are women and/or people of color. I've become a serious fan of Jennifer Rubin. She hits the nail on the head almost every time she swings.
Agree, agree, agree. And I cling to them like lifeboats. Thanks for the reminder
I second that.
❤️
There is a rise of independent media fighting the good fight. Meidastouch, Lincoln Project, Politics Girl, and RHQ are making noise. MSNBC has been the only mainstream media doing their job. ABC Australia's 4 Corners, Propublica, and Frontline have also been sounding the fire alarms. Our major networks have failed their first ammendment duties and sold their souls.
I hope the President AND Democrats learn from this - and keep SAYING it!! Its obvious that that works. Being mealy-mouthed & polite does not.
Why TC...you outdid yourself! “Senator Skeletor” is an absolutely fabulous depiction of Scott. 👏🏼👏🏼
I always called him Governor Voldemort and then he morphed to Senator Skeletor. 😜
🗽
Scott knows how badly he’s handled his “job”, starting with his insane platform, which was hard to walk back. He knows the GOP will lose even more seats in the senate this year. Poor thing, it would be disheartening if one had a heart.
His “platform” should strike fear in the heart of those who have one.
Scott’s Republican Platform should be on display on thousands of billboards across the nation
Amen!
He certainly looks and acts like something out of a horror film or an evil persona.
IMHO--this passionate speech by Joe has to be one of the biggest challenges for him and it does make me proud. I find him to be an introspective man, one who has been formed by tremendous loss and challenges in life. (IMHO, after losing a spouse and child to a tragic accident, doesn't it make everything else in life seem less important?) I think he holds tremendous faith that carries him forth. The yelling, screaming, posturing must seem........ridiculous for lack of a better term, after all he has endured. To be forced to come out fighting like this, to me is huge! Indeed, "Sleepy Joe" has always seemed to be a misnomer for someone whose maturity and life experiences has enabled them to see what truly matters and ignore the rabble. Bravo, Joe!!
And excellent post as always, TC!
I agree. Joe Biden has never been given the credit he deserves. And he is a champion of education and helping the middle and working classes that have been pretty much stomped on over the past fifty years. He's been through so much in his life that he has learned to let things roll off his back and keep going. I have a great deal of respect for this man. Plus he reads and he gets things done. Bravo Joe.
As one columnist said “Biden has become the dragon”. I can’t tell you that I wasn’t hesitant to vote for Joe. I had seen and heard his guffaws quite a few times. However, when you look at his extensive congressional political background and the tragedies he has faced, I changed my mind. I am very proud that he represents our country and that he has a very competent staff to help guide him. Personally, I feel we need to have a pocket-size card in our purses or wallets that exclaim his accomplishments. We can hand them out to people when they forget what he has done for its inhabitants.
I absolutely agree. Biden is not, nor does he pretend to be, a perfect man. He is that far-preferable thing--a whole man, mistakes, flaws, losses, blessings, embarrassing moments and all. Maybe I can sum up what I'm trying to say with just "Joe Biden is a man". Thanks, Miselle
I think they (right wing leaning media esp) came out with the "sleepy joe" thing because they are used to making headlines with the right wing bombast for so long they don't know how to do real news anymore. I'm sad some of the mainstream picked up the meme, but then a lot of the reporters there are of an age to have picked up bad habits and too old to know it. It seems to be the younger ones and the wiser middle-age ones who've turned back to reporting news instead of noise.
The sleepy joe persona struck a chord with more than a few on the left, especially those that wanted Buttigieg or someone younger. All I hear is these folks saying that Dems need to put someone more energizing up in 2024. I don’t push back in the moment but do make sure to enumerate at other times on the list of positives Biden is doing.
'...now go to bed without supper.'
'The Kooky Kollection of The Klucks of MAGA'. (edit: I added 'The' before 'Klucks')
I see the beginnings of TC's graphic, political comic book series with an echo of MAD Magazine:
'The Kooky Kollection of The Klucks of MAGA.' Its got that thing.
(What, me worry?)
“Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea to See What’s on the Bottom”
"Where's the bottom?"
You'll find it. Just keep sinking.
HA!
China? <g>
...of the Swamp...
EXACTLY!
With apologies to The Addams Family theme song:
they're creepy and they're spooky,
mysterious and spooky;
they;'re all together ooky:
the Maga family.
Creeps
Sneaks
Cheats
their house is a museum
to make people believe 'em
they really are freak 'ums
the Maga family.
They put a witch's shawl on
a broomstick they will crawl on
And then they make a call on
The American family
Strange
Deranged
The Maga Family
Ever notice how easy it is to go from MAGA to maggot?
That was sure clever and fun!!😄
Brilliant
Love it!
I love your way with words! "Senator Skeletor" and MAGAts"...this just made my day, and it's Friday on top of that! Thanks, TC! And ol' Joe is turning up the heat isn't he? I love that they were ready with the numbers on forgiven debt when the repugs started shouting their disapproval. Throw it back in their faces!
I had been wracking my brain as to who "Senator Skeletor" could be; then some good soul posted the name, along with his other moniker, "Governor Voldemort" and I then saw who Skeletor was. Good grief, where to these people come from?
Republicans have a passel plus spares…
From the depths of soulless evil.
I think Central Casting. And may I say they're doing a right fine job!
Didn’t he make his money on nursing homes and psychological hospitals? If so, his new name is perfectamente!
He did. And was CEO of Columbia/HCA and oversaw the biggest Medicare fraud case in the country. To the tune of 840 million in 2000, and 881 million in 2002. Brilliant that the republicons put him in charge of their National campaign fund. Now they are wondering where their money is 😹😹
Joe Biden also gave us an important descriptor last night, one we need to start using in every conversation we have with neighbors, friends, and relatives; in Letters to the Editor; in signs in our yard:
"Mainstream."
Mainstream Republicans vote FOR democracy. Mainstream Republicans vote FOR women's rights. Mainstream Republicans vote FOR law & order.
Mainstream Republicans are NOT MAGATs.
Are there any Mainstream Republicans? I though the putsch had pretty much cleared them out.
How about
“Real Republicans Reject MAGA Fascism”?
MAGAts is great! But a bit too in-your-face for a yard sign or billboard, IMO.
Mainstream Republicans believe in democracy. This year that means we vote for Democrats.
👍👍
Hiya, uncle!
Alan Hingston, I think of you often in our fight to return democracy to America.
Well, okay, but Republicans aren’t Republicans, either. All the ones with any decency are now Democrats.
That would be me after 70 years a Republican. Not my father’s party anymore.
Love the “…can go to bed without supper” line.
So interesting that "Senator Skeleton" seemed to suddenly crawl out from under his rock a few months ago. He was almost dead quiet before that. He has to go. He was already proven corrupt before he was elected to any public office.....the decay has just continued.
Republicans love corrupt, it’s a rite of passage…
The MAGA ones.
VOTE VOTE
MAGATs. I love it, TC.
Yep!
Tom I like your KKK of MAGA. They are Mafioso hoods.
Damn. When and where is Mr Biden's next RALLY FOR JOE. 🤔
"The Social Security you paid for from the time you had a job is on the ballot. " It continues to amaze me that when the Repubs call social security an "entitlement" there is so little pushback of the FACT that we and our employers paid for it - AND frankly yes, we ARE entitled to that money! The same goes for Medicare (or Medicaid). Its ours & PAID FOR!
And, for that matter, calling FICA - that tiny percentage out of our paychecks- is so misunderstood by so many people. And some of our politicians must not understand what it is either from the rhetoric! Of course they likely make too much for it to matter.
I thought you would appreciate this bit of irony, TC. Parts of this need to be made into a campaign commercial. It is priceless!
https://youtu.be/zmF14loVkgA
Everyone must see this!!!!