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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you -and grateful for your analysis about the ineptitude of the GOP-controlled House. I still believe if they continue to hold onto majority control -they will soon be devoting investigatory resources into the time Chelsea Clinton was abrupt (allegedly!) in a checkout lane at Whole Foods.

I'm about to publish an article addressing the age, energy factor, and role of a President. Here's a preview...

There’s been a great deal of focus in the press about President Biden’s age. Articles have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Reuters, Bloomberg, ABC News, and elsewhere. Leading up to his recent State of the Union address to the nation, articles were written about the President using the address to dispel age concerns.

Interestingly, very little is said about citizen Trump’s age (he’ll be 78 in a few months. Furthermore, not much is said about the fact that Trump spent over 300 days of his time as President, golfing. (https://seattlemedium.com/donald-trump-spent-almost-a-year-playing-golf-during-presidency/). And then there was Trump’s “Executive Time” noted in his schedule. According to a report in Axios (https://www.axios.com/2019/02/03/donald-trump-private-schedules-leak-executive-time) Trump spent 60% of his non-golfing time tweeting, calling friends, and watching Fox ‘News’. Frankly, I’m happy Trump spent a significant amount of time away from conducting ‘official’ business, such as attempting to extort allies, romancing brutal authoritarian adversaries of the United States, complaining about NATO, and his all-consuming concern about water pressure in the White House.

When considering factors which influence my vote, I do understand that the President of the United States has critical responsibility in several areas requiring a clear mind, focus, and a reasonable energy level. Nevertheless, like any executive leader charged with governance of a large, complex organization, the position first and foremost requires assembling an experienced, talented, knowledgeable, and trusted team to fill the President’s Cabinet, and key leadership roles in the Executive Branch.

When it comes to governing, I’m less interested in someone’s age, or the ability to deliver a speech (both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama were outstanding orators, yet one was the worst President in modern history -at least until Trump, and the other was among the best). I’m interested in the team of leaders they assemble to govern.

Let’s explore the differences in the Trump and Biden Cabinets...

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Gary Mengel's avatar

The point you make here is glossed over all too often. When the public holds an election for an executive, be it city manager, mayor, governor, or president, all eyes are on the figurehead. What needs to be made much more visible is that you're actually electing their staff as well - whoever they are. If the staffers are all corrupt it makes little difference how virtuous the figurehead "leader" appears! Leaders are only as good as the people they employ.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you Gary. My effort on this was provoked, first by Michael Lewis' "The Fifth Risk", then by @HeatherCoxRichardson, and finally by the media's unfortunate preoccupation with revenue and profit instead of fulfilling a vital role in democracy (pretend, theoretical, aspirational, or otherwise) as the Fourth Estate.

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Susan's avatar

I read the fifth risk. It was an eye opener.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Michael Lewis is terrific. And the book evidenced a President who only cared about wealth, power, brand, and self-enrichment. He had and maintains zero interest in governing.

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MaryPat's avatar

Thank You, George. Just finished reading Lewis's "Premonition" about the administrative breakdowns in the COVID 19 epidemic at every level of government. "The Fifth Risk" is next on my list. Although I might need to take a break and read something less lethal, like a murder mystery, first. Wonder what Jack Reacher is doing these days.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

I've sandwiched Mick Heron's "Slow Horses" series in between more serious books and reading -and he has not failed at making me laugh uncontrollably in public places leading to clear anxiety and discomfort in those nervously situated nearby.

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MaryPat's avatar

Your U.S. Cabinet score card piece is exceptional. Thank You.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

I struggled with not dipping into negative numbers. Because, you know, Betsy, Wilbur, Ryan, Sessions, and Barr -almost all of them!

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MaryPat's avatar

Yup!

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Lauren Lundgren's avatar

I'm still on the fantasy of SCOTUS favoring absolute immunity and Uncle Joe doing his own wet work. I posted last week about seeing him roll up on Maralardo in a zippy little Bond car, sporting aviators, to light the dump UP with an AK. Or an Uzi as a nod to his ties with Israel. He can use the AK on the Moscovites in Congress Next big virus Moscovid 29? Thank you, Daddy Vlady.

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SLWeston (PA)'s avatar

You go, Lauren. Pretty clever wordplay for this time of the day!

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GJ Loft ME CA FL IL NE CT MI's avatar

I agree Gary. The Biden administration has several members that I would trust as President. I could list the ones I think would be good, but it would be a long list.

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Diedra's avatar

Worrying that dt’s cabinet will include brighter and more evil-intentioned minds than his, the former is easy, the latter not so much— wouldn’t like to see Miller back in there, etc.

Dt isn’t the only actor to be concerned about!

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George A. Polisner's avatar

So very true Diedra. One look at Project 2025 should be alarming for anyone still believing in justice, democracy, and equity. While Reagan was an idiot and a racist, he was surrounded by evil men who steered America's path down a very dark wealth and power concentrated road.

Trump would continue to fill his Cabinet with thieves and incompetents for the most part. He deplores anyone smarter than he is -which really provides a small demographic from which to choose.

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Betsy Dillon's avatar

I believe 45’s cabinet picks were all chosen for their ability to destroy. Nothing more. Drain the swamp, indeed.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Indeed Betsy -destruction and self-enrichment seem to be the trademark of the brand.

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Virginia Witmer's avatar

We still have DeJoy who is wrecking the USPS, giving it to big business.

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Lynell(VA by way of MD&DC)'s avatar

Well done, George! Where are you intending to publish this masterpiece?

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you Lynell! Here on Substack (https://bomdia.substack.com/) first, and then any media outlet that will inflate my ego by distributing as well.

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KR (OH)'s avatar

Please let us know when you do! I’m eager to read more. Bravo.

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KR (OH)'s avatar

Great article, George. It’s quite a litany of grift, corruption, and malfeasance in Trump’s cabinet. Your photo caption game is on fire. Mike Pence’s “unnamed fly” made me laugh out loud.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you -Dare I say I was hoping to create a little buzz.

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KR (OH)'s avatar

😂

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Gail Adams VA/FL's avatar

Great work George! Saving this for future reference!

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thanks Gail! If my ego keeps inflating the Fed will raise my interest rate. 🤓

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Daniel Streeter, Jr's avatar

We're all with you, George!

I'm stumbling about in the inner sanctums of my mind contemplating publishing something myself.

Sometimes I'm all gung ho about it, other times less so.

Or as the late, great Warren Zevon said, "Some days I feel like my shadow's casting me"

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Sometimes just singing "Werewolves of London" is enough!

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Lauren Lundgren's avatar

What about Lawyers, Guns and Money? More apt for the man who would be king.

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Daniel Streeter, Jr's avatar

"I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's!

His hair was perfect"

One of the wittiest lines ever penned in song.

I saw Zevon put on a fantastic show at a wonderful, now gone showcase in the San Fernando Valley here in SoCal, called "The Palomino" in the early '80s.

Toward the end of the set, a few of his pals came out to play with him, including Jackson Browne.

WZ changed the lyrics to "Werewolves" and sang, "I saw Jackson Browne walking down Sherman Way; His heart was perfect!"

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George A. Polisner's avatar

The power of lyrics, poetry, and words! Part of my childhood was spent near The Palomino. I'm very familiar with Sherman Way (and Vanowen, and Victory ... and so on). I used to have some emails with Greg Palast. We used to joke that we were just two GP's from "the valley."

WZ, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Hunter Thompson, David Foster Wallace. All brilliant and a reminder of what we've lost (except thankfully for Laurie Anderson).

As Steven Wright said "It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."

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Daniel Streeter, Jr's avatar

Small world, indeed

Of all the gin joints, etc.!

I grew up in L.A.'s Larchmont Blvd. neighborhood.

Right you are about missing those wonderful and impactful artists you noted, George.

But we march on.

Or as Lou Reed would say, "It'll take a busload of faith to get by"!

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Larchmont! My dad's recording studio was on Melrose right next to Lucy's Adobe Cafe. The last time I was in the neighborhood I had been invited to speak at LA Progressive's Left Coast Forum and stayed nearby. I'm not sure if they've renovated, but when I was there you could still see the remnants of the original studio sign. Marching on indeed. Nice to be marching (virtually) with you Daniel.

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Daniel Streeter, Jr's avatar

OMG!

Of all the gin joints for sure!!

I spent many a bacchanalian evening at the old Lucy's El Adobe, and remember that old studio sign. My family's house was on Arden Blvd., just a few blocks to the south. Sadly, Frank Casado (Lucy's husband) passed away many years ago, Lucy herself about five years ago. While rumors abound that it may one day reopen, hasn't happened yet to my knowledge. In my mind's eye I can still see the black and white photos of a young Jerry Brown and Linda Ronstadt on the front windows of the restaurant where they met.

Nice to be marching with you virtually or any other way too, George.

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SAH Vashon's avatar

Really excellent! Comparison and contrast with clarity and intelligent humor❤️! Thank you!

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you! I thrive on coffee, the wings of encouragement (and the occasional veggie burger).

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Brenda Phillips's avatar

I am going to agree with many of the previous commenters. Biden has exponentially better qualified people working under him. Trump’s demand for loyalty automatically cuts the quality of his “underlings”.

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Gjay15's avatar

Thank you. I am a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania. I have worked in my field now for over fifty years. I tell you this not to boast my credentials but to cast a critical and skeptical eye on “ credentials and experience “. I worked mostly in public mental health? social services and juvenile justice. I had to deal with many different situations. To cut to the chase: having to defend your mental health is intimidating and probably impossible. For eleven years I worked in crisis intervention and part of that job was coordinating involuntary commitments to psychiatric units. When I first took the job I was told that we were to provide least restrictive and invasive options to involuntary commitments. How naive I was. Hospitalizations was a money maker and involuntary commitments fed into that. Imagine having a business where if your business was slow, you could force your product or service on someone. Many of the people involved in involuntarily committing someone thought they were doing the right thing, even the professionals themselves. But in my eleven years I could count on one hand how many times an involuntary commitment was rejected as those well intentioned others would err on the side of caution and commit. And I would watch the person who was being considered for commitment. They were frightened and helpless in that no matter what they said or how they presented themselves , they were now viewed as mentally ill and there behavior viewed from that perspective.

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Daniel Streeter, Jr's avatar

Very nice and empathetic take on things, Gjay15

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Gjay15's avatar

Thank you Daniel. It means a lot

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Gjay15, you had a difficult task to perform and I imagine your heart was broken many times over. I give you so much credit for “sticking it out” for so long. My husband was a juvenile counselor in our county for over 25 years. It finally took a toll on him and he retired at age 52. He tried so hard to make a difference but kept hitting brick walls with management.

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Gjay15's avatar

Marlene, thank you for your comment. Yes as you well know it can be heartbreaking and frustrating. After years of trying to work through the proper channels, I wrote a letter to the head of mental health at the state level. He without contacting me input sent my letter to the very people I had been trying to get to make changes. Soon after my supervisor called me into her office without telling me she knew about my letter of concern and reminded me out of the blue that bypassing the “proper channels can bd considered insubordination which could lead to termination. I told her that I was willing to work within the system but that I could not subordinate myself to do anything illegal, immoral or unethical. Two days later after almost 11 years at my job with excellent performance evaluations, I was fired. The only regrets I have is that I did not fight harder and sooner. Thank you again. Jay

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Jay, I am so sorry that this happened to you! So unfair but maybe this was what you needed to realize you were not being supported. Has happened to so many people. I hope you were able to move forward.

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Gjay15's avatar

Marlene, thank you for your kind response. Oh yes I moved on. I choose my battles. Jay

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GMB's avatar

George A. Polisner, thank you, terrific essay. One more disaster from Pence's not-so-illustrious career: "Indiana became a national flash point for the opioid epidemic last year (2015) when nearly 200 people in rural Scott County became infected with HIV primarily as a result of injecting Opana, a powerful prescription opioid, using dirty needles. Those needles spawned one of the biggest outbreaks of HIV in decades, with more than 20 new cases being diagnosed every week at the height of the outbreak last year."

"The dearth of funding for needle exchange programs comes as overall public health funding in Indiana has cratered during Pence’s tenure. "

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you -it definitely seems like Pence and others worked to erode or destroy anything with the word public in the title. Whether DeVos on education, or Pence on health.

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Linda Hanson's avatar

Very good points—but George W. Bush is still the worst IMHO—he’s a war criminal who, under his term(s), caused millions of deaths and injuries to innocent people and especially our service men and women 🤬

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Linda, his daddy wasn’t so great either but GW, yep, he is a war criminal and so is Dick Cheney but Trump and Jared stole and sold our secrets. They are traitors and they’re the very worst.

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Linda Hanson's avatar

Thank you Marlene—you are so very correct—we could go on and on but I just had to add my short 2-cents because, as much as I totally agree that this all began with RR, I don’t recall that anyone died because of his hideous decisions.🙁

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Lauren Lundgren's avatar

Right on. I take Occam's Razor to the question - who cares how old (or young, for that matter) a chief executive is? For me the deciding issue is job performance. That includes superior ideation, clear communication, and collaboration with an excellent team, imho. That especially includes his choice of a number two. I wouldn't be at all disappointed (apart from the prerequisite loss of a great leader) to see Kamila at the helm. Nor Pelosi back in the day or Jeffries when the new day dawns.

By comparison in terms of style and performance TFG was a big nothing burger (with fries on the side and ketchup on the wall), and Pence wouldn't have been any better, just more ethical. And if both of them were incapacitated, Kevin? Mikey? No way no how.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Well-put Lauren. And I do think Kamala or Nancy (or Hillary) would be excellent in the role -Kamala would likely leave the leadership team in place (and hopefully she will get the opportunity in 2028). People have lost an understanding that as voters, we're conducting a job interview. The reality show host/business failure/rapist/Putin colluding/imbecile not only failed the interview (in 2016), they were fired in 2020 (and security had to remove him from the building). We would mark that personnel record "Do Not Rehire".

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Themon the Bard's avatar

I would caution against using the word "ineptitude." I think it's a bit like accusing a great orator of being unable to spell.

We need to always keep in mind THEIR audience. They aren't talking to literate people. They are talking to people they can fleece in fire-sale auction lots, and they are doing a tremendously good job of it. Careful reasoning (for them) would be a mistake. Facts are irrelevant to their objective; salacious innuendo is far better, because it allows the audience to fill in their worst fears and instincts. Honesty is, for them, a vice that they cannot afford.

They are behaving rationally, and effectively.

They are not stupid. They are evil.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

An excellent point. But I do think inept fits for James Comer, Boebert, Greene and others. To your point the top of the hierarchy is capable and evil.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Good articles! let’s just admit that Trump didn’t do 💩when he was “in office”. He did, however, help himself to classified documents though.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Anything to enrich himself.

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