Ryan’s Letter To His Dad October 16, 2020October 16, 2020 I assume Trump’s ratings beat Biden’s (I haven’t checked; I taped both) and I assume Trump will be boasting about that (it’s what he lives for). But the reason people watched Trump is the same reason they watch a train wreck. No one wants to sit around for an hour watching things function as they should. But a potential train wreck? [UPDATE: The above turns out to have been photoshopped. My apologies. The real truck, Snopes tells us, got stuck in 2o15, ironically emblazoned: ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS, THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS.] By now, you’ve probably seen this from Giuliani’s daughter: Rudy Giuliani Is My Father. Please, Everyone, Vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. But have you seen Ryan Holiday’s letter to his dad? Have a great weekend. Wear a mask. Have you voted?
Powerful Whitehouse Words October 14, 2020 Robert Miller: “Not many of us have 28 minutes to spare, but I highly recommend Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s presentation at the Barrett hearing today. He has a better grasp of how Citizens United is destroying representative government than anyone I’ve seen.” → Well worth 28 minutes! Failing that, settle for these nine? But really: the full presentation just builds and builds and builds. Switching gears: COVID cases since June, red versus blue. (Thanks, Rich!) My Florida mail-in ballot now shows as having been received and processed. It’s a great feeling. Try to vote early!
For 208 Years They Have Avoided Politics October 13, 2020October 12, 2020 Paul Abrams: “This is huge. The New England Journal of Medicine is the most prestigious medical journal in the world. Since its founding in 1812, it has never, EVER stepped into the political arena . . . until now. But they consider Trump and Republicans to be such a threat to the health and safety of the American people that they’ve strongly urged people to vote them OUT. This is unprecedented. They would not have done it if it were even a close call. This is serious — deadly serious.'” A long article in New York Magazine, The Entire Presidency Is a Superspreading Event, concludes succinctly: As one White House official put it: “Everybody at the top should be fired.” Bill Kristol and Billy Crystal together at last. And, oh — look: North Korea Unveils ‘Monster’ Intercontinental Missile. Do you feel safer now? Is it possible Trump has put us at risk by trusting his dear friend, opposition-murdering dictator Kim Jong Un? . . . much as he allowed COVID to afflict the world by pulling back the CDC China team and then trusting his dear friend, president-for-life Xi Jinping? . . . and much as he trusts his dear friend and opposition-poisoning president-for-life Vladimir Putin over America’s intelligence agencies. Just saying: now that Kim can nuke the U.S., I don’t feel meaningfully safer. Vote!
Not Deplorable At All October 11, 2020October 10, 2020 Friday’s “The Daily” does a great job helping folks like me understand Trump voters — in this case, in northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s clear these folks are anything but deplorable. They are fine, decent, and smart. (Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you can’t get conned. I believe Trump has conned them.) With so few days left, we’ve almost surely lost them for this election. But if Joe wins, I think in working to reunite the country he will show them the respect they deserve. Carl and Tom, whom I’ve only met via email, probably don’t fit the mold of the Pennsylvanians you’ll hear on that podcast. In Carl’s case, a big part of his Trump support seems to be Israel. Trump moved the capital to Jerusalem (without, his critics complain, getting concessions in return); and it’s just now that the United Arab Emirates have normalized relations with Israel, which is a big deal. Interestingly, it may be former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, more than Donald Trump or Jared Kushner, who helped make that happen: How former British Prime Minister Tony Blair worked for years to bring Israel and the United Arab Emirates closer together, and turn the accepted formula of “peace with the Palestinians before normalization” on its head — a must-read for anyone who yearns for peace in the Middle East. However it happened, and however the credit should be apportioned: kudos. I share Carl’s happiness that it did. But not his enthusiasm for Trump; nor Trump’s enthusiasm for journalist-murdering, opposition-imprisoning autocrats. Did you see Pete Buttigieg on Fox News? Asked about places Biden and Harris disagree, Pete gives a crisp 40-second answer. (Thanks, Upworthy.) Do you work for the Justice Department? I didn’t think so. But just in case you do . . . please read this reminder of your oath. Here is one brave assistant U.S. Attorney who clearly needs no reminder: Many former federal prosecutors have spoken out against Attorney General William Barr, while current federal prosecutors have understandably remained silent. The attorney general’s comments at Hillsdale College, however, compel me to speak out as well. While I am a federal prosecutor, I am writing to express my own views, clearly not those of the department, on a matter that should concern all citizens: the unprecedented politicization of the office of the attorney general. The attorney general acts as though his job is to serve only the political interests of Donald J. Trump. This is a dangerous abuse of power. From his misleading summary of the Mueller Report, to his selective intervention in cases against political allies of the president, to his accusation that victims such as George Floyd are being used as mere “props” by those calling for racial justice, to his baseless claims about mail-in ballots, William Barr has done the president’s bidding at every turn. For 30 years I have been proud to say I work for the Department of Justice, but the current attorney general has brought shame on the department he purports to lead. James D. Herbert God, how I should have shoved little Billy in a locker when I had the chance. Happy Columbus Day! “Illegal Immigration Since 1492,” as those who would rename it Indigenous People’s Day have pointed out. Thank you, Squanto, Sacagawea, et al. We have not done well by your descendants.
PRKR, Ted, TED, The Blitz, and Gay Republicans October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Those of us taking a flyer on PRKR may be encouraged by this headline: Cisco Told to Pay $1.9 Billion in Security-Patent Trial Loss. It refers to a different plaintiff and defendant; yet if you read page 149 of the judgment, you’ll see that the court’s decision was based on the same criteria ParkerVision believes applies in its case against Qualcomm: (1) interactions between the parties; (2) the signing of an NDA; (3) evaluation of the technology (including confidential disclosures); (4) internal emails/discussions praising the technology; and (5) pre-suit notice of the patents being infringed. Not to get carried away, but after a decade of litigation, it’s conceivable that PRKR — currently trading around 37 cents — could wind up with north of $5 a share in cash next year. (Or nothing at all . . . so, appropriate only for money you can truly afford to lose.) Lifelong Republican and 2016 Trump enthusiast Ted Burke explains his current thinking. Unlike Tom and Carl, who are thrilled with how things are going and eager for four more years, Ted . . . well, let him tell you himself. And speaking of Ted . . . join the Pope, famed venture capitalist John Doerr, Jane Fonda and a host of others for several hours tomorrow (Saturday) at this TED. To those proud Republicans who think mask requirements infringe their freedom, someone on twitter says: Imagine if in London during the Blitz there’d been a whole bunch of people going, “I’LL TURN ON MY LIGHTS IF I FEEL LIKE IT.” The Human Rights Campaign Scorecard for the 116th Congress is out: 228 Members of Congress earned perfect scores (227 Democrats, 1 Independent, 0 Republicans). Among House Democrats the average score was 98.3 (versus 4.2 for republicans). Among Senate Democrats: 96 (versus 1.6 for Republicans). Have you voted yet? Did you watch the Gettysburg speech? Have a great weekend.
Hope Reborn October 8, 2020October 7, 2020 First, Michael Hayden . . . 40 years in the military, former head of the CIA and the NSA: “. . . I absolutely disagree with some of Biden’s policies, but that’s not important. What’s important is the United States. Biden is a good man. Donald Trump is not.” And here is that good man, appealing to all Americans, very much including our friends Carl and Tom. I was a little nervous that he was speaking from Gettysburg — that’s a lot to live up to. But as you’ll see, that was the perfect place for what he had to say. Hope is reborn.
Memememe October 7, 2020October 6, 2020 Trump feels better than he did 2o years ago — surely it’s not just the steroids talking — which is odd, because only on Fox News are things looking good for him. Parenthetical meme: Related meme: Yet even Fox News may be beginning to crack: Behold . . . 45 seconds . . . Kayleigh’s Day From Hell. “WAR ON CHRISTMAS” BONUS: White House Christmas decorations? Melania is on tape saying, “who gives a f–k” about them? VP DEBATE TONIGHT BONUS: Seven minutes of pure fun with Vice President Silena Meyer and Vice President Joe Biden. Things were so much better then. I voted yesterday! A great feeling, for sure.
Our Blue Marble October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 I was going to add this yesterday but it’s just too important and beautiful to share the stage. When they’re feeling better, the Trumps should take 13 wonderful minutes to watch Sir David Attenborough, at 94, putting our collective journey into perspective. Surely it would affect their thinking. Related: The World’s Medicine Chest Is On Fire And We Don’t Even Know What’s Inside It Yet, writes my longtime pal Mark Plotkin. A spectacular tour of the Amazon, with amazing photographs. C’mon, people. As a species, we need to get this right. Fast. Trump and the Republican Senate simply have no clue. Carl! We need you to stay home! Tom! You, too!
For Your Viewing Pleasure – And TWO Bonuses October 4, 2020October 5, 2020 The president says that if Biden had been in charge, millions would have died. Here’s the trailer for next week’s searing documentary, “Totally Under Control.” Two minutes. Four more years of chaos, bullying, incompetence, and lies? Or this decent guy? Two minutes. Remember decency? One minute. Carl gleefully responds: “Improper? Rude? Bad manners? Impolite? For my country I will take it anytime!!!” It’s a trade-off he’s eager to accept, linking me to Trump Administration Accomplishments by way of explanation. I perused those accomplishments and replied: “You do realize that the list is dated September 2018, right?” It’s true that by adding trillions to our National Debt, Trump kept Obama’s 85-month job-growth streak going . . . though, notably, fewer jobs were created in Trump’s first three years than in Obama’s last three . . . but it is now two years later and every one of the economic “achievements” on Carl’s proud list has turned to dust. How can he not have noticed this? Would he have been applauding Herbert Hoover in 1931 because things had been so good in 1929? BONUS Ninety minutes of WheelTug Test Drive video boiled down to three and a half. It’s like watching paint dry, but faster. And potentially more lucrative. BONUS BONUS The Republican strategist credited with putting Sarah Palin on John McCain’s ticket recently tweeted: I wish Trump and Melania an expeditious recovery and hope very much that they will be in good health as they face electoral humiliation, repudiation and the harsh judgement of the American people on Election Day. Trump’s lying has become one of the most lethal events in our nation’s history. If US mortality rates were what they are in Germany, more than 150,000 Americans would still be alive. Trump’s cruel disregard for the American people has ravaged our economy, our kid’s educations and fundamental elements of the American way of life. There is no person in America that has done more to spread Covid than Donald Trump and no one has tried harder to catch it. Trump couldn’t have been more personally reckless than if he went to Sturgess and licked the doorknobs on the porta-john’s. He politicized mask wearing and thus sentenced tens of thousands to cruel and lonely deaths. He has let loose a national insanity that manifests itself in the lunacy of antimask protesters storming Walmart’s and supermarkets in spasms of idiocy and craziness. His political rallies are dangerously delusional events where the advice of public health experts and doctors is stupidly ignored. Each gathering spreads a disease that kills. It kills here more than anywhere else. This week has stripped bare the rotting and vile roots of Trumpism. It began with the revelation that the great conman and tax cheat paid $750 in Federal taxes and owes more than 400 million to undisclosed lenders, much of it personally guaranteed against no discernible income. The debate was a moment of national humiliation that disgraced the Presidency, the United States and the American people. At the end of the debate Trump incited extremist militia groups by delivering what they interpreted as a weapons ready order from the Commander in Chief. Heavily armed fascist Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and dozens of white supremacist Groups heard a lock and load order. Ask them. Believe them. Take them seriously. Trump has threatened the peaceful transition of power and intimated violence should he lose. He has made clear that his loss would be THE evidence of a stolen election. He has made up false and wild stories about corrupted ballots for the purposes of underming faith in our election’s integrity. These are unpardonable actions for an American President and they desecrate the sacrifice of every patriot from the fields at Lexington and Concord to Gettysburg, Normandy and the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Trump has lied to the country on more than 25,000 occasions, assaulted the rule of law, assailed our institutions, stoked racial animus and been spectacularly corrupt. He is singularly responsible for one of the great tragedies in American history. His campaign is imploding. Parscale, Miller, Guilfoye, Melania, all of them have disgraced themselves and stained the Presidency. They are a wretched, corrupt and self interested gang of incompetents and maliced people who have done profound damage to this Country in four short years. There should be no political mercy shown towards Trump and Trumpism in this moment. Mr. Vice President, your duty requires you to order your campaign to put its’ ads back on the air. Joe Biden, Trump is out of money. Spend him into the ground. Georgia is close. Mike Espyis close in Mississippi. The Kansas Senate race is close. Trumpism is an authoritarian and UNAMERICAN ideology that teems with menace and intimations of violence. It is a cult of personality led by a lethal liar who lacks intelligence, grace, empathy and competence. Trumpism is a scourge. It is a metastic cancer. We need to crush it. Should Trump be disadvantaged in this moment then we should rejoice. Pour it on. Vote him out. No let up. The pace and intensity of attacks should be increasing and should not stop until he is humiliated and sent home to face the judgement of history and in hopefully a good long time, his maker. If you haven’t already: > Make A Plan to Vote (check registration, look up polling place, or request a ballot) Help Get Out the Vote: > Volunteer Full Time (late help GOTV) > Make Phone Calls (training session required) > Text for Biden (training session required) Protect the Vote: > Join the Voter Protection Team as a Poll Observer (for lawyers) > Apply to be a Poll Worker There’s no way we can win by too much, if we want this election to stick. So if you’re one of my affluent friends who agrees our democracy is on the line — yet has done little or nothing so far — I beseech you: contribute.
Sway With Elon Musk And Gavin Newsom October 2, 2020October 1, 2020 But first . . . From the Guardian: I Visited Donald Trump’s State Park And It’s Not A Park. (Paraphrasing: Buy some semi-swampland for $2.75 million; do nothing to it; then call it a tax-deductible $100 million gift and insist your name be on it in perpetuity, in recognition of your generosity.) Donald Trump vs. The Suckers Who Pay Their Fair Share of Income Taxes. (“If [your income] was $50,000 to $75,000 – the average for flight attendants, correctional officers, postal service workers, and athletic trainers last year — you paid on average $4,688 in federal income tax. That was 6.3 times as much as Donald Trump.”) A bunch of you liked yesterday’s video and asked for a link to share it on Facebook and Twitter. Voila! If it goes viral, I’ll add a free month to everyone’s subscription — that’s how badly I want to see dignity and competence restored to the presidency. Joel F: “With regard to not knowing the results on election night — and Trump claiming victory — what I have not seen suggested anywhere is a campaign to urge all the TV networks and major news websites NOT to project or announce winners until ALL the votes have been counted. If millions of us wrote in demanding that, it might have an effect.” → I hear you. But might it be more realistic to count on what I think all but Fox are likely to do? Namely, report everything in good faith: With all [NAME OF STATE] precincts now reporting, but an estimated 1.1 million mail-in ballots not yet counted, our team projects an 80% chance of a Biden victory, despite Trump’s current 3% in-person lead. For now, we’re coloring the state light blue for Biden. Officials estimate final results should be available in “about 10 days.” So much attention having been focused on this issue, I think most people would accept that as reasonable. And wait nervously for the actual result. FYI: Here’s when the different states allow the counting of mail-in ballots to begin. And now . . . While we wait for the fate of the world to be decided, I commend Kara Swisher’s new podcast, “Sway,” and in particular the one, with Elon Musk and the one with Gavin Newsom. They are so good. Have a great weekend! Volunteer! Contribute! Recruit poll workers! Vote!