Reading

Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 16:52
Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the US presidential election has prompted me to write down a few thoughts about getting old and being old. First up, I’m going to rant a bit (in classic old-person mode) about how much I loathe the various prissy euphemisms for “old” that appear just about everywhere: “older”, “aging”, “senior” and, […]
Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 11:00

“Ms. Harris, 59, could be inclined to turn to someone from a swing state that the party needs to win. She is also likely to turn to a male running mate, Democrats said, to give the ticket balance.”- The New York Times

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1. Reliable White

2. Nice White

3. Polite White

4. Incredible White

5. Spare White

6. Smart White

7. Pearly White

8. Conservative Gray

9. Antique White

10. Gorgeous White

11. Natural Choice

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Answer Key

Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 08:00
JV Last at the Bulwark has some interesting thoughts on the events of the last day: On the night of June 27, the various power centers within the Democratic party began a difficult conversation: Was Joe Biden still capable of running a vigorous campaign? Over three weeks the party reached a diffuse—if not unanimous—consensus: He was not. This consensus was the product of all levels of the party: Elder statesmen such as Nancy Pelosi, elected Democrats analyzing their own future prospects, donors making decisions about spending, and the main body of public opinion among Democratic voters. Once this consensus was reached, the various power centers began a dialogue with the party’s leader, President Biden. The party expressed its choice. Biden pushed back. The party took up the question again and, after due consideration, held firm. Joe Biden then stepped aside for the good of the nation. This is how healthy institutions are supposed to work.
Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 06:30
Sen. Chris Murphy: On this historic day, I want to tell you a story about Joe Biden, and what he did behind the scenes to make the historic 2022 gun bill – the first major gun safety legislation in 30 years – a reality. 1/ It starts with a phone call he made to me days after the Uvalde shooting.  2/ After the tragic Uvalde and Buffalo shootings, Biden wanted to give a prime time address to push the Congress to act. But several of his advisors told him not to waste one of his few prime time speeches on guns. Congress will never pass a gun bill, they told him.  3/ He called me to ask my opinion. In 2013, he and I had sat for hours with the Sandy Hook parents, and parents of kids killed in Hartford and Bridgeport. I knew how personal those families’ pain was to him. “I want to give this speech, even if a bill is a long shot,” he said.  4/ Days later, he called back and told me he had made up his mind to give the speech – bc he worried if he didn’t, the urgency would dissipate (Congress was on recess that week) and our chance to do something would be lost.
Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 05:00
Then there’s this, which I saw all over twitter yesterday: And this disgusting piece of misogyny: That’s an illustration of this from the Dear Leader. This is what we can expect from that pig and his henchmen. Just thought you should know. And by the way, I truly doubt the suburban moms Trump needs to win in those big midwest states are on board with this crap.
Created
Tue, 23/07/2024 - 03:30
I know Tom is for N. Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper for Veep and he makes good points. If he put the state in play he’s obviously the front runner. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is also mentioned frequently and he’s very good. He’s also from a state that knows from Appalachia and can counter JD Vance’s gross propaganda which I think is useful. I have no dog in this fight. There are a number of excellent choices. I just thought I’d feature this one since he’s on the short list.