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Created
Tue, 25/07/2023 - 02:00
Tim Miller with a word for the pundits who think Tim Scott or Nikki Haley are running in a real primary: THERE’S ANOTHER WORLD out there—one that’s better than ours. In this world there are two healthy political parties waging vigorous primary campaigns with vibrant debates between factions and these factions have genuine disagreements over what policies will best serve our fellow Americans. I don’t begrudge anyone aspiring to build such a world. I don’t even begrudge those who have chosen to live in a blissful state of disreality and disconnect from politics entirely, rather than face the Super Not Great world we do live in. But I would expect professional political commentators, and donors shelling out millions in campaign cash, and the political strategists receiving that cash, to live in the real world.  Alas this is not the case. Instead we have a heavily capitalized right-wing ecosystem that exists to prop up an imaginary Republican presidential primary so that the participants can feel better about their party identification.
Created
Tue, 25/07/2023 - 01:57
From the FrameLab Newsletter: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis broke a major rule of authoritarian politics at the very moment he launched his 2024 presidential campaign. Now his campaign is going broke, stalling in the polls and laying off staff. His most enthusiastic supporters, like the Fox channel’s Rupert Murdoch, are abandoning him. The political press, having served […]
Created
Tue, 25/07/2023 - 00:30
What will they do now? A Gallup poll relased this month finds shifts in what Americans find “extremely” or “very important” in their lives. In a headline, “America used to have 2 religions: God and money. Only one of them is recruiting followers, and it’s not Jesus,” Forbes’ Chloe Berger reports: Decades ago, money was listed as extremely important to 67% of respondents, whereas religion was only slightly less esteemed, at 65%. Now, money has surged in popularity, described as extremely important to 79% of those surveyed. Religion, on the other hand, has lost traction, as only 58% regarded it as a very important part of their lives.  Money increased in value across the board, and was slightly more important for younger generations than baby boomers (increasing by 14% for those aged 18 to 34 and 35 to 54, and only by 10% for those 55 and older).  Despite “In God We Trust” appearing on the coins, it’s buying power, not spiritual power, that average Americans value most these days.
Created
Mon, 24/07/2023 - 23:00
SAG-AFTRA, Social Security and solidarity All of us are in a union. The Union of American Taxpayers. Republicans want to take away our benefits the way entertainment companies want to shortchange the writers, actors and crew who create their products. The SAG-AFTRA strike and this from Digby on Sunday brought that home for me: Of course, it’s important to remember that they are completely shameless and will have no problem screaming “liar!” at anyone who suggests they agreed not to cut social security and medicare. But it will still be useful to have this to point out to voters. And, by the way, this fatuous “we’re only cutting it for the young” has never worked in the past and it won’t work in the future. The old people have kids and grand kids to protect and the young aren’t that stupid. Republicans are counting on older Americans not standing in solidarity with the young. Because they wouldn’t. “Everybody in this business is not rich,” said comedian Leslie Jones in an epic Twitter rant about the SAG-AFTRA strike. She was 47 before she made any money in show business.
Created
Mon, 24/07/2023 - 22:00

1. “This is a life-changing opportunity.”

2. “We need to expand our line.”

3. “Don’t you want to get in on the ground floor of transforming someone’s life?”

4. “The clock is ticking.”

5. “Sure, there’s a large up-front investment of time and money, but trust us, the payoff is huge.”

6. “Don’t worry, there are zero qualifications. Anyone can do it!”

7. “Are you still a vegan?”

8. “You know Sally from down the street? Well, she convinced her daughter Julia to get on board, and now look at her. Julia drives her three kids around in a Tesla SUV, has an inground saltwater pool, and only needs three hours of sleep!”

9. “No one ever feels ready!”

10. “Fine, we’ll take your ‘no’ as a ‘not right now.’ See you next week.”

- - -

Grandkid: 7
Both: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

Created
Mon, 24/07/2023 - 21:47

Hollywood is on strike. Actors and performers from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), alongside writers from The Writers’ Guild of America (WGA), have combined to picket film and TV studios—the first time both unions have joined forces since 1960. And support and solidarity hasn’t been confined to the US.  […]

Created
Mon, 24/07/2023 - 17:00
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July 24th, 2023next

July 24th, 2023: In real life my fridge has been dead for almost two weeks and