Heck you and I both. Wish someone would cut them off at their knees like ol' Sharon did. I still can't get over how my view of that man has changed over the years.
Lee, I couldn't help but notice that you seamlessly pivoted from reluctantly admitting that the PA has kept the peace to then blaming them for the Simchat Torah massacre. A massacre that was prosecuted not by the PA but by Hamas, the PA's opponents and Likuds pet religious fanatics.
I grant that the international pro-Palestinian protesters are obnoxious and very unbalanced. I would note that their strength, while not yet near dominant on the left, has steadily grown and grown as Israel has gone down Likuds' primrose policy path regarding the Palestinians. Even in the face of the PA's, as you have granted, sane and responsible behavior the Israeli's haven't changed course and, indeed, have doubled down on Likudnik behavior. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. How much of the same does Israel have left in it before she empowers those people who's arguments you despise into grabbing some significant levers of power? How many years before you're howling not about protestors or professors or twitter figures talking that way but Senators, Ministers or, God(ess) forfend, world leaders?
For my part, I thought that most of the right wing accusations pre debate were entirely baseless as they seemed to be based on nothing but brief video clips. Our empirical data points were Bidens capable prosecution of his administration and his perfectly acceptable State of the Union which included unscripted back and forth with hostile GOP members that Biden was generally viewed as having had the better of.
Where I part ways with Philip is regarding the debate and aftermath of the debate. Biden, as I said at the time, had done terribly and if he wanted to continue to be the nominee he had to put himself out there a lot more and demonstrate the vigor and capability he'd failed to demonstrate at the debate. Biden did, to be fair, engage more but it was mainly scripted events and his performance was, while not disastrous, far from scintillating. That, coupled with what presumably was very unimpressive private performances led to a widespread revolt by his party which, coupled by Biden’s own moral fortitude resulted in Biden stepping down and Harris taking his place as candidate. The party was unconvinced that Biden was capable enough to campaign and win the Presidency again and so they asked and he accepted that he step down.
As for the so called “sane” right wing media. They’ve been more moderate in claim and tone than their lunatic right-wing brethren but little more accurate. They’ve predicted a hundred of the past one incidences of inflation, a hundred of the past zero fiscal crises and always these threats have loomed only when Democrats occupied power. They predicted Bernie’s nomination in 2020 and they also endorsed Trump. That the mildest of their claims about Biden’s capabilities, that he’s too old and weary to both do the job of being President and also campaign for another term, seems to be correct is not a lot of countervailing evidence. And, again, they are endorsing Trump and Trumps party.
My party, when given serious reason to be concerned about the capabilities of its candidate for President, took action and the result was a more vigorous candidate and what, so far, appears to be a better outcome for the party. What’s the rights’ excuse?
I'm going to comment, gently and with affection, that the various commenters who're jumping on Jaybird for this post seem to be reading really really far between the literal lines of what he wrong. I'm going to further suggest, again with genuine affection to my co-leftists, that you consider that your reaction in these comments may well be making a point for Jay that he couldn't have achieved had we stuck to the themes Chip, Dark and Doctor Jay's comments hewed to that I endorse whole heartedly.
I didn't say she needs to do anything at all with the Wapo or the Grey Lady (fish em) but she does need to engage with the media generally. She has some time to do it but it needs to be done. It's part of the job of being a candidate and she needs it both to practice her communication and to hone her messages. It's not 2020, covid isn't raging and she needs to control how she's defined. If she doesn't do it then her enemies will do it for her- just because they haven't so far doesn't mean they can't, especially if she cedes the job to them.
It's certainly being talked about by a wide range of folks though it's certainly focused among Harris' detractors. Fortunately it's easily enough dealt with by simply doing some media stuff which happily also is something ya have to do to run for President.
Allegedly Harris did a couple of minutes answering rapid fire questions from her pool reporters in Michigan but there were no slip ups so it wasn't reported on widely. A start but not enough obviously- she did say she's going to do a full sit down interview before month end.
Yes, that is Trump. That Trump is losing it doesn't mean Kamala has it. We need to see her debate and interview yet. Initial signs are positive but this ain't in the bag yet.
Indeed, don't mistake my analysis for disapproval. I am not confident enough to say that Walz is a mistake. I think he's more like an assured 12 on a d20 roll whereas Shapiro is an unmodified raw roll. Shapiro could be the better choice but he could EASILY be the worse one. Walz is solid.
On “Open Mic for the week of 8/12/2024”
Holy chicken Mcnuggets, that's remarkable!
"
I'm curious. My initial hunting didn't produce anything risque? Did the prince wake Snow White up en fuego in the original Italian?
"
Heck you and I both. Wish someone would cut them off at their knees like ol' Sharon did. I still can't get over how my view of that man has changed over the years.
"
Lee, I couldn't help but notice that you seamlessly pivoted from reluctantly admitting that the PA has kept the peace to then blaming them for the Simchat Torah massacre. A massacre that was prosecuted not by the PA but by Hamas, the PA's opponents and Likuds pet religious fanatics.
I grant that the international pro-Palestinian protesters are obnoxious and very unbalanced. I would note that their strength, while not yet near dominant on the left, has steadily grown and grown as Israel has gone down Likuds' primrose policy path regarding the Palestinians. Even in the face of the PA's, as you have granted, sane and responsible behavior the Israeli's haven't changed course and, indeed, have doubled down on Likudnik behavior. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. How much of the same does Israel have left in it before she empowers those people who's arguments you despise into grabbing some significant levers of power? How many years before you're howling not about protestors or professors or twitter figures talking that way but Senators, Ministers or, God(ess) forfend, world leaders?
"
It's a mighty good thing the intersectional left isn't near any levers of power then.
"
For my part, I thought that most of the right wing accusations pre debate were entirely baseless as they seemed to be based on nothing but brief video clips. Our empirical data points were Bidens capable prosecution of his administration and his perfectly acceptable State of the Union which included unscripted back and forth with hostile GOP members that Biden was generally viewed as having had the better of.
Where I part ways with Philip is regarding the debate and aftermath of the debate. Biden, as I said at the time, had done terribly and if he wanted to continue to be the nominee he had to put himself out there a lot more and demonstrate the vigor and capability he'd failed to demonstrate at the debate. Biden did, to be fair, engage more but it was mainly scripted events and his performance was, while not disastrous, far from scintillating. That, coupled with what presumably was very unimpressive private performances led to a widespread revolt by his party which, coupled by Biden’s own moral fortitude resulted in Biden stepping down and Harris taking his place as candidate. The party was unconvinced that Biden was capable enough to campaign and win the Presidency again and so they asked and he accepted that he step down.
As for the so called “sane” right wing media. They’ve been more moderate in claim and tone than their lunatic right-wing brethren but little more accurate. They’ve predicted a hundred of the past one incidences of inflation, a hundred of the past zero fiscal crises and always these threats have loomed only when Democrats occupied power. They predicted Bernie’s nomination in 2020 and they also endorsed Trump. That the mildest of their claims about Biden’s capabilities, that he’s too old and weary to both do the job of being President and also campaign for another term, seems to be correct is not a lot of countervailing evidence. And, again, they are endorsing Trump and Trumps party.
My party, when given serious reason to be concerned about the capabilities of its candidate for President, took action and the result was a more vigorous candidate and what, so far, appears to be a better outcome for the party. What’s the rights’ excuse?
"
And also especially futile, like complaining that we cannot achieve lunar transit by flapping our arms and holding our breath.
On “JD Vance and Yawgmoth’s Bargain”
Unless you got really lucky with your sol ring draw.
"
I'm going to comment, gently and with affection, that the various commenters who're jumping on Jaybird for this post seem to be reading really really far between the literal lines of what he wrong. I'm going to further suggest, again with genuine affection to my co-leftists, that you consider that your reaction in these comments may well be making a point for Jay that he couldn't have achieved had we stuck to the themes Chip, Dark and Doctor Jay's comments hewed to that I endorse whole heartedly.
On “Saturday Morning Gaming: Returning to Slay the Spire (Again)”
Ahhh yes, we played on PSV so have no access to mods
On “Trump News Conference: Watch It For Yourself”
I suspect you disagree on the direction the bias runs.
On “Saturday Morning Gaming: Returning to Slay the Spire (Again)”
Oh no, they made more??? My hubby and I played the initial 4 characters until we unlocked everything!!
On “Trump News Conference: Watch It For Yourself”
I didn't say she needs to do anything at all with the Wapo or the Grey Lady (fish em) but she does need to engage with the media generally. She has some time to do it but it needs to be done. It's part of the job of being a candidate and she needs it both to practice her communication and to hone her messages. It's not 2020, covid isn't raging and she needs to control how she's defined. If she doesn't do it then her enemies will do it for her- just because they haven't so far doesn't mean they can't, especially if she cedes the job to them.
"
Thank you Kazzy. I'm not surprised it didn't get wider play because it was a perfectly solid couple of exchanges. No slip ups.
"
Me neither the media is overfull of themselves but Harris will still need to do a lot more interviewing.
"
It's certainly being talked about by a wide range of folks though it's certainly focused among Harris' detractors. Fortunately it's easily enough dealt with by simply doing some media stuff which happily also is something ya have to do to run for President.
"
Allegedly Harris did a couple of minutes answering rapid fire questions from her pool reporters in Michigan but there were no slip ups so it wasn't reported on widely. A start but not enough obviously- she did say she's going to do a full sit down interview before month end.
On “Open Mic for the week of 8/5/2024”
I mean, the actual lawyers may be working mid day on a Friday.
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Don't hold your breath before the convention. I think she and her team want a clean vibe sweep through to the end of that.
"
I appreciate Trump lowering the bar for her. He's not exactly brilliant and has gotten less so.
On “Walz-ing Towards Election Day”
Yes, that is Trump. That Trump is losing it doesn't mean Kamala has it. We need to see her debate and interview yet. Initial signs are positive but this ain't in the bag yet.
On “Tim Walz Tapped to be VP Kamala Harris Running Mate”
I think so as well with at least some (mostly internet twitter) subjects.
"
Indeed, don't mistake my analysis for disapproval. I am not confident enough to say that Walz is a mistake. I think he's more like an assured 12 on a d20 roll whereas Shapiro is an unmodified raw roll. Shapiro could be the better choice but he could EASILY be the worse one. Walz is solid.
"
I go back and forth. What Trump and Vance will say is entirely predictable. What team Harris says in return is the big question mark.
On “Tim Walz announced as Kamala Harris’s running mate”
I don't actually disagree much with Koz here either but I would offer a quibble- this is also Bidens' old team Harris is working with.