When I opened my email and saw the headline, I was confused, because last night I did a little inventory check of what I have written on my substack so far this year and it is just pretty much the same theme: community, community, community. I hadn't realized it, but it is apparently thematic.
As for containing chaos, I disagree slightly, but only because after my all the writing and researching I did over the years with my project docu-mental, I came to see that the chaos is generated by them. They aren't afraid of it, they create and weaponize it. And then it's not about boundaries, it's about separating us from one another so they can divide and conquer.
Mitch McConnell's behavior is and always has been one thing: fascist. And as I have commented in here more than once, all fascism is when you boil it down is systematic and lethal snobbery: We're better than all the rest of you shits.
Since leaving DC and now living in rural Kentucky, yes. No one talks about pronouns, because no one gives a shit. People are neighborly because that is how people are. All this other nonsense is made up. I am starting to wonder about the numbers and ratings for talk radio. Are they even real? No one seems to listen to it here. If they do, they don't mention it. I never hear it coming from anyone's pickup truck, either.
Oh, yes, they fear the chaos, and their leaders generate the chaos to fuel the fear. It's a cycle of abuse, really, no different than any other cult.
Good to hear about rural Kentucky.
There are certainly MAGA everywhere, even here, in my blue-as-can-be town. Saw an older man in the Shop Rite last week wearing a new Trump hat, oblivious to be glaring at him. I don't understand why people insist on advertising their asshole-ness. It's fundamentally the same as flashing me on the subway. I don't want to see that thing!
But they are fewer and farther between. The flags on the houses are faded, and the houses are always, unfirmly, the shittiest houses, by which I mean, the messiest...the most chaotic. I think the GOp has quietly moved from boosted Trump to bashing Biden. It's easier.
Happy Father’s Day to you Greg! Just reading this synopsis and I am really liking what Billy said about how force birthing is going to work! Let’s ask Ted. Also thanks for the recommendation of Ripley on Netflix. My husband is throughly enjoying it!
Thanks, Christine! His debate calls to mind the one from The West Wing, where Bartlet is running for re-election against the proto-MAGA governor of Florida:
I'm so sorry to have to disagree with the positive tone of today's piece, but if this person is the messaging consigliere for the Democrats, then my response is: imho, this person is a failure in his job and so democracy remains at serious risk. What he says here is great. But I don't hear that message from campaigning Democrats. I don't hear much of anything from campaigning Democrats or any other Democrats in positions to persuade voters. Nonety-nine percent of what I see when I look at or listen are news stories and social media posts about Trump's latest bs. Either this consigliere or the godfather, himself, need to stop being so meek and find ways to get their message out.
You're seeing that on the candidate's and current politician's feeds? Personally, I'm not so sure that constantly calling attention to Trump's criminality, deteriorating mental state, and horrible track record are bad things. I think there will be some people who go to the polls just to vote against him. And that will help down-ballot Dems. The media is going to continue to lead with Trump, so any hits the Dems can get in that space will probably get more attention than trumpeting the CHIPS Act, for example.
I think the Biden HQ feed is pretty great...but I'm sort of the target audience, so, you know, grain of salt:
Also, and this is separate from your comment: What are you seeing on the ground? Are things different than four years ago, in terms of obvious pro-Trump stuff all over the place?
Sorry, I wasn't being clear. Other than when I purposely tune in to my left-biased sources of choice, for a little mental health vacation, I see news most often on pages -- like several browsers' news tabs, etc. -- that aggregate headlines from a variety of outlets -- Fox, Daily Kos, NPR, AP, WSJ, etc. Trump is everywhere. Obviously, media prioritize chaos's selling ability over democracy. So while you reference a great pro-Biden message, I don't see it. The only Biden headlines apparently considered click-worthy are when he falls or says something someone can twist to sound senile. (Ageism also sells, I guess, except when its birthdays are Trump's.) Imo, to be deemed successful, a Democrat messaging consigiliere would have to make their messages more click-worthy than those of the Trump Media Circus. I don't see that happening -- at all. Maybe it's not possible. But I sense something more like the Stockholm syndrome, where victims (Democrats) are spending so much time with Trump that they may be starting to feel a bit sympathetic toward him -- or at least growing used to, and a bit numb to, his dangerous behaviors -- not that Democrats will vote for Trump, but I'm afraid too few votes are being won from the undecided while Trump supporters are continually being energized to vote.
As for what I'm seeing out my (blue state!) area, do 2024 Biden signs and bumper stickers exist? I have not seen even one. I have seen some for Trump. I'm not seeing much, though. Maybe people on both sides are more afraid this time. Maybe more signs will surface closer to election day. Or maybe some people will fear going to the polls. I keep reading of Biden's team excusing pro-Trump polling results as inaccurate. I hope they're right, but I don't think Biden's messaging people are doing enough to be heard over the (Putin directed?) Trump Media Circus.
BTW, I was going to watch Civil War when you suggested it, but it wasn't in the theater anymore, and I couldn't bring myself to pay $20 to watch it at home. Once it hits the streamers I already pay for, I will watch for sure.
Excellent as usual. And peeling off some conservatives who will listen is a worthwhile endeavor especially for close presidential battleground states and state races like Allred v. Cruz. But what would bring greater dividends is getting Democrats and Democrat—leaning independents to vote. After the 2016 election I did an in-depth analysis of the results in Texas. Yup Texas. Specifically I looked at three cities: Austin, Dallas (but not Fort Worth) and Houston. Almost 2.7 million registered voters did not vote. If 1/3 of them had voted and had they voted in the proportions comparable to those who did vote in those 3 cities or even somewhat close to the actual percents, Hillary would have won Texas by over 100,000 votes and the presidency! Talk about a political earthquake.
Texas routinely has the lowest voter turnout of any state. In 2016, I believe, it was like 59%. I don't know if it's a cultural thing, or a voter suppression thing, or people found Beto a little sanctimonious or un-Texas-y...probably a little of all of that. But when Texas turns blue, that's Game Over for GOP presidential candidates.
TERRIFIC advice on how to talk to our conservative friends. When I speak with some of my conservative friends, we agree on 80-90% of policy. We are not as divided as people think. I'm no war expert but isn't the phrase "DIVIDE AND CONQUER?" If we allow ourselves to be divided, then...
Thanks, Dudley. The rich and powerful have encouraged various factions of the poorer to fight culture wars rather than seizing the means of production since their was wealth and power to acquire. Curiously, the poorest in any country tended to side with the king or the tsar...even if they had the most to gain from revolution. They feared chaos, I suppose!
TGIF🎉🎉🎉Cannot WAIT to listen to this! Enjoy your break, and, Happy Father’s Day👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you! It's a good one, I think you'll like it...
Thank you for the positivity 🙏🏼
Always. : )
Looking forward to watching the whole thing a bit later. Thanks for the highlights, Greg. It sounds uplifting!
Thanks, Katharine!
Hey I saw your book in a public library the other day! Hoping it reaches our target readership...🙄
The new one? Really? That's terrific.
You're welcome
What a season finale this is, Greg! Wonderfully written- so much to agree and digest (as usual). Have an amazing break, and, Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you, Paulina! I appreciate your support, as always.
When I opened my email and saw the headline, I was confused, because last night I did a little inventory check of what I have written on my substack so far this year and it is just pretty much the same theme: community, community, community. I hadn't realized it, but it is apparently thematic.
As for containing chaos, I disagree slightly, but only because after my all the writing and researching I did over the years with my project docu-mental, I came to see that the chaos is generated by them. They aren't afraid of it, they create and weaponize it. And then it's not about boundaries, it's about separating us from one another so they can divide and conquer.
Mitch McConnell's behavior is and always has been one thing: fascist. And as I have commented in here more than once, all fascism is when you boil it down is systematic and lethal snobbery: We're better than all the rest of you shits.
Since leaving DC and now living in rural Kentucky, yes. No one talks about pronouns, because no one gives a shit. People are neighborly because that is how people are. All this other nonsense is made up. I am starting to wonder about the numbers and ratings for talk radio. Are they even real? No one seems to listen to it here. If they do, they don't mention it. I never hear it coming from anyone's pickup truck, either.
Oh, yes, they fear the chaos, and their leaders generate the chaos to fuel the fear. It's a cycle of abuse, really, no different than any other cult.
Good to hear about rural Kentucky.
There are certainly MAGA everywhere, even here, in my blue-as-can-be town. Saw an older man in the Shop Rite last week wearing a new Trump hat, oblivious to be glaring at him. I don't understand why people insist on advertising their asshole-ness. It's fundamentally the same as flashing me on the subway. I don't want to see that thing!
But they are fewer and farther between. The flags on the houses are faded, and the houses are always, unfirmly, the shittiest houses, by which I mean, the messiest...the most chaotic. I think the GOp has quietly moved from boosted Trump to bashing Biden. It's easier.
Good point. Death cult
Happy Father’s Day to you Greg! Just reading this synopsis and I am really liking what Billy said about how force birthing is going to work! Let’s ask Ted. Also thanks for the recommendation of Ripley on Netflix. My husband is throughly enjoying it!
Thanks, Christine! His debate calls to mind the one from The West Wing, where Bartlet is running for re-election against the proto-MAGA governor of Florida:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyqzPu5pX6U&pp=ygUQd2VzdCB3aW5nIGRlYmF0ZQ%3D%3D
Glad you're enjoying Ripley!
This really rang my bell. I just published a little book called Our Best America. I’m with you guys 100%! Billserle.com.
Thanks, Bill! I will check it out. I'm happy to fight for the country alongside you.
By George, I think he’s got it!
He does!
I'm so sorry to have to disagree with the positive tone of today's piece, but if this person is the messaging consigliere for the Democrats, then my response is: imho, this person is a failure in his job and so democracy remains at serious risk. What he says here is great. But I don't hear that message from campaigning Democrats. I don't hear much of anything from campaigning Democrats or any other Democrats in positions to persuade voters. Nonety-nine percent of what I see when I look at or listen are news stories and social media posts about Trump's latest bs. Either this consigliere or the godfather, himself, need to stop being so meek and find ways to get their message out.
You're seeing that on the candidate's and current politician's feeds? Personally, I'm not so sure that constantly calling attention to Trump's criminality, deteriorating mental state, and horrible track record are bad things. I think there will be some people who go to the polls just to vote against him. And that will help down-ballot Dems. The media is going to continue to lead with Trump, so any hits the Dems can get in that space will probably get more attention than trumpeting the CHIPS Act, for example.
I think the Biden HQ feed is pretty great...but I'm sort of the target audience, so, you know, grain of salt:
https://x.com/BidenHQ
Also, and this is separate from your comment: What are you seeing on the ground? Are things different than four years ago, in terms of obvious pro-Trump stuff all over the place?
Sorry, I wasn't being clear. Other than when I purposely tune in to my left-biased sources of choice, for a little mental health vacation, I see news most often on pages -- like several browsers' news tabs, etc. -- that aggregate headlines from a variety of outlets -- Fox, Daily Kos, NPR, AP, WSJ, etc. Trump is everywhere. Obviously, media prioritize chaos's selling ability over democracy. So while you reference a great pro-Biden message, I don't see it. The only Biden headlines apparently considered click-worthy are when he falls or says something someone can twist to sound senile. (Ageism also sells, I guess, except when its birthdays are Trump's.) Imo, to be deemed successful, a Democrat messaging consigiliere would have to make their messages more click-worthy than those of the Trump Media Circus. I don't see that happening -- at all. Maybe it's not possible. But I sense something more like the Stockholm syndrome, where victims (Democrats) are spending so much time with Trump that they may be starting to feel a bit sympathetic toward him -- or at least growing used to, and a bit numb to, his dangerous behaviors -- not that Democrats will vote for Trump, but I'm afraid too few votes are being won from the undecided while Trump supporters are continually being energized to vote.
As for what I'm seeing out my (blue state!) area, do 2024 Biden signs and bumper stickers exist? I have not seen even one. I have seen some for Trump. I'm not seeing much, though. Maybe people on both sides are more afraid this time. Maybe more signs will surface closer to election day. Or maybe some people will fear going to the polls. I keep reading of Biden's team excusing pro-Trump polling results as inaccurate. I hope they're right, but I don't think Biden's messaging people are doing enough to be heard over the (Putin directed?) Trump Media Circus.
Perfect! Enjoy your break and Happy Father's Day, Greg!
Thanks, Steve!
BTW, I was going to watch Civil War when you suggested it, but it wasn't in the theater anymore, and I couldn't bring myself to pay $20 to watch it at home. Once it hits the streamers I already pay for, I will watch for sure.
"They see some weird combination of Rambo, Jesus, Don Juan, and Don Rickles."
You nailed it. Perfect description of the MAGA delusion.
Thank you. I was pleased with that...although I hate to associate Don Rickles with trump.
Yeah, why? I think RIckles despised him. I was kinda shocked when you included his name.
Excellent as usual. And peeling off some conservatives who will listen is a worthwhile endeavor especially for close presidential battleground states and state races like Allred v. Cruz. But what would bring greater dividends is getting Democrats and Democrat—leaning independents to vote. After the 2016 election I did an in-depth analysis of the results in Texas. Yup Texas. Specifically I looked at three cities: Austin, Dallas (but not Fort Worth) and Houston. Almost 2.7 million registered voters did not vote. If 1/3 of them had voted and had they voted in the proportions comparable to those who did vote in those 3 cities or even somewhat close to the actual percents, Hillary would have won Texas by over 100,000 votes and the presidency! Talk about a political earthquake.
Thanks, John.
Texas routinely has the lowest voter turnout of any state. In 2016, I believe, it was like 59%. I don't know if it's a cultural thing, or a voter suppression thing, or people found Beto a little sanctimonious or un-Texas-y...probably a little of all of that. But when Texas turns blue, that's Game Over for GOP presidential candidates.
(Billy, if you're seeing this, please chime in!)
TERRIFIC advice on how to talk to our conservative friends. When I speak with some of my conservative friends, we agree on 80-90% of policy. We are not as divided as people think. I'm no war expert but isn't the phrase "DIVIDE AND CONQUER?" If we allow ourselves to be divided, then...
Thanks, Dudley. The rich and powerful have encouraged various factions of the poorer to fight culture wars rather than seizing the means of production since their was wealth and power to acquire. Curiously, the poorest in any country tended to side with the king or the tsar...even if they had the most to gain from revolution. They feared chaos, I suppose!
That’s reassuring!
Yes!
Your friend is spot on!