Being "The Adult in the Room"
Steve, How can you be the Adult in the Room and refer to our political adversaries in such hateful and demonizing terms? Calling them "loathsome, idiots, liars, etc."? All true and understandable of course but this language simply stirs us up, your listeners, into a hateful/war mentality of our own. How would you refer to your daughters if they went down the wrong road, developed addictions, hung out with the wrong crowd, becoming delinquents? You would not talk about your loathsome daughters. You would refer to them as troubled, addicted, and delinquent. Your reporting is excellent but your harsh and condemning language might make a bad situation worse. Thanks for all you do for us, Bob Quilitch Reno, NV
Why are we left with Biden as our only choice?
Although I was raised to be "independent" and have always defined myself as such, the majority of the time I have voted for candidates that belonged to the D party. My question is simply stated, though I suspect, not simply answered: Given the highly existential nature of this election, why, on God's Earth (if I may invoke God) did Biden insist on running given his patent weakness as a candidate - his own narcissism?. It's time for him to hang out on a golf course & write his memoir. He did what he promised Beau. Time to turn the baton over to a much younger attractive candidate - like you! Instead he has insisted on taking his country to the rim of the Grand Canyon and left us peering into the abyss. Relatedly, why the hell hasn't his inner sanctum of Democrats, not to mention Jill, or the party itself for that matter told him to hang up his stirrups. My wife and I travel mostly in liberal circles and no one, not 1 person, is enthusiastic about his candidacy. When WE, his guaranteed "base," is not enthusiastic, it is a dreadfully poor omen. I apologize for failing to make it brief. I am just grateful that my parents are not alive to witness this chapter unfolding. They gave their lives, in full measure, to the peace & "inalienable rights" of every citizen. Robert Prentky
An American Creed by Democrats 101
You said in an email recently: "We are all human beings. All human beings have dignity and basic rights. This is an elemental aspect of the American creed, and it must be defended ferociously and constantly.” Are you aware of the work done by Democrats 101 (dems101.org) and their American/Democratic Creed: https://www.dems101.org/the-creed which has been adopted by over 45 counties and entities in 8 states. At the center of it is Freedom, Justice and Opportunity and the goal is a just society ... as long as it take. Any thoughts on their efforts?
What Can I Do?
On February 8, 2024 you stated that "the Biden campaign must mock Trump, belittle him, humiliate him, cut him in a thousand different ways, provoke him every day...." My question is: Is there any way that I--one single citizen-- can help to do the things that you urge the Biden campaign to do from now until election day? I live in Texas (DFW area).
what do you think about...
Firstly let me say the incisive analysis and incredible breath of knowledge of politics, government and history that you deploy in your pleadings for normalcy and intelligence are a rare and refreshing gift. I am a Jew and I identify with the Buddhist way of life. I have a deep spiritual connection with Israel even though I'm completely non-observant. I'm horrified by the world 's response in general or maybe I should say the loudest response going around, "from the river to the Sea". How does black slogan affect you? What do you think of Joe Scarborough? What do you think of mehdi Hassan?
Freedom requires Responsibility and Obligation
In your episode entitled "How much blame do Donald Trump & Matt Gaetz deserve for breaking GOP? " you said the following: "Freedom is a nonsense word, without the concepts of responsibility and obligation attached to it." This reminded me of a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility" Have you ever heard this quote? If not, this short video might be of interest to you: Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww47bR86wSc
could you use a thinker like me in your operation?
Hello, I wrote the following essay this morning in about a half an hour. I am a full-time realtor and I write for fun and want to get it out there but don't want to start a youtube channel and get a team together. I wonder what you think of the following: People are suffering and dying in Israel and Palestine. It's easy to merely vilify the group that carried out the attack. But it's never so simple. Many are comparing the recent Hamas attacks on Israel to 9/11. This comparison could not be more apt on many levels. The intercept posted an article making this comparison. The most salient point was that the 2 nations, the US and Israel, through the ultra-violent attacks, experienced the ultra-violence they mete out. This is not to say Americans and Israeli citizens deserve this. The opposite is true. The citizens are, by and large, innocent. The leaders make Faustian Bargains and the unassuming humans that live in those countries bear the suffering and mayhem that ensues. This is the epitome of blowback. US support and later abandonment of the Northern Alliance and Mujahideen in Afghanistan, the enemies of our enemy, was the seed of 9/11. Our cold war calculus, seemingly sensible at the time, caused so much devastation, destruction, loss of life, and destabilization across the globe. Similarly in Israel, the Israeli government supported the precursors to Hamas and later Hamas itself. They saw Hamas as a counter-balance to Fatah and pitted these groups against each other. They financed Hamas. Until Hamas came for Israel in the way al qaeda came for the US. The key ingredients in both scenarios appear to me to be the following: careless disregard and dehumanization of inhabitants of a region cynical manipulation of a zealous and radicalized group of religious devotees to fight one's battles against one's enemy not heeding the warning signs and doubling down on repression and avoidance of inevitable blowback. then blaming and demonizing the Frankenstein's monster of the cynical nation's own making when the inevitable nightmare ensues rinse and repeat The Middle East, the world powers and the rest of the world can't keep doing this and expecting different outcomes. We like to view ourselves as modern and so civilized, but it's a lie. The apple is rotten at it's core. The facade of humanity, of civility is punctured every time a fanatical group delivers unspeakable horrors on nations that spread violence and misery across the globe. Our national government speaks the Golden Rule but enforces Hammurabi's Code. And ours isn't the only nation that does so. And we don't do so in order to intentionally spread horror and death. We do so and have done so with often good intentions. Trying to prevent nuclear war, the spread of Soviet Communism, the spread of religious fanatical terrorism, drug cartels. But it hasn't worked. On the contrary, we have created the very monsters we blame and hunt and demonize. Our domination of the world has been a disaster. And that's with a popularly elected(ish) government. Imagine how much worse a Saudi hegemony would be, or the nightmare of Ruso/Sino/Iran axis running the planet? It would be far worse and far more deadly and far more cynical. So we have to do so much better. There is no savior coming. And if we are ever going to prevent the next 9/11, we must realize that in every solution lies the seed of the next catastrophe. Every marginalized group yearns for freedom. And there will always be a group waiting to radicalize them and to speak for them and to welcome a descent into tribal war. It's in our dna. But so is love and respect. So is generosity. So is enfranchisement. We must give every human and every group the right to and the means of self-determination. Radicalization is the inevitable result of these needs going unmet. Every time. The only way to curb radicalization is to render it unnecessary. this was followed by a link to a 2018 Medhi Hassan video detailing the links between the Israeli government and Hamas Thanks for your time. I'm a big fan of yours since the old Bill Maher days and really enjoy your youtube channel.
I was unable to log into your discussion with Margaret Sullivan
Hello, I am a paid "prime" subscriber. I signed up for the talk with Steve Schmidt and Margaret Sullivan. I received no information on how to log into the podcast and was very disappointed. Although I do not use Facebook I would have hoped to have been provided a link to yesterday evening's discussion.
The Privatization of Government Is an Absolute Good -- F*** the Unions!
If you could watch the following clip of a the Morning Joe episode that aired a day after the 2nd Republican debate and read my questions I'd appreciate it. The clip features Chris Christie and his high regard for American Teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJIbcmNdsfs Who on the Morning Joe crew thought that the comment Chris Christie made about Joe Biden sleeping with a member of the teacher's union was disgusting? Do they want to support the teachers of our Nation for the difficult job they are tasked to do, or do they want to undermine them, like all the parents of snotty, bratty kids who give them grief for having real civic values?. The double talk coming out of Morning Joe is just as disgusting as the Republican Party's current message..
Romney not a total hero
You had a lot of wonderful things to say about Romney. I respect him even though I disagree with his politics, lucrative NRA relationship, in the background way of criticizing Trump and asking to be his Secretary of State. ( Where Trump made him look like a kid begging for a KFC job) He wants to write his book that only anti-Trump people will read and retire into a comfortable life. That’s fine but he is no hero. A hero would put his safety 2nd and his country first, campaign against Trump around election time. He thinks troops should put the country above their life so why shouldn’t he? He owes the country for his poor judgment supporting Trump in 2016 and years of power. In my view he is going out like a coward, would he be leaving if his party wasn’t a shit show? Probably not.
Voting block party
Would having events around or at voting stations on Election Day be illegal? How many people will get off work, drink a beer, sit in the recliner, turn the tv on and figure everyone else will vote against Trump and talk themselves out of leaving the warm house?. If there would be food trucks, beer garden, bounce houses ect I feel more people will leave their house on Election Day. Set them up in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Atlanta and other saturated Democrat cities in the 5 states that will determine if our democracy is lost or not.
Just looking for your response on my take. (Too alarmist?)
Well if Trump wins I doubt it will be our last election. Maybe the last one I will see in my lifetime. But after a second civil war or conflict in kind; what comes of it may be something closer to a real democracy not based on minority rule or power. A majority rule system will be re-born. The majority will be a different group than before. Just because the demographics change doesn't mean power is transferred via the democratic system. Although there is an example of a major transfer of power in another country that was essentially peaceful. And that is of South Africa. But that Countries political class although based on an historically racist regime is more functional than the current Republican party. Also you had a legendary historical figure in the form of Nelson Mandela. We have no figures of that stature in our political system. I have less belief the USA can successfully make this transition without violent conflict of some kind. Maybe that's what it takes to get a George Washington or Nelson Mandela. Either way we will be witnessing history of a type you don't want to witness in person.
Please do a new show with Jon Stewart...
Congratulations on approaching quarter million subscribers! Would you team up with Jon Stewart in a new show that advocates restoring sovereignty to our currency? A left/right tea party. Fuck Wall Street is the only issue Americans can unite on. Unite us.
Trumps cowardice never exposed?
Why does no candidate have the guts to confront Trump with his unbelievable cowardice? He is a respectless coward who has never served his country, but badmouthing a genuine Republican and war hero, John McCain, who has served his country with real courage under the worst possible conditions!
Growing political media corruption in America..
On August 24th on the podcast Countdown, with Keith Olbermann among other topics, he talked about a dinner that took place in Milwaukee on the eve of the GOP debate..Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/countdown-with-keith-olbermann/id1633301179?i=1000625506172 Those in attendance were some of the top tiered political reporters from across the country..This is a topic of particular interest and concern to me and I know to you..What can we do about this kind of conduct by the media?