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To keep the Conversation going, please help me by linking news articles, opinion pieces and other political content in today's Comments section.

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OR here's a link generator. The one I had posted died, then Akhilleus found one, but it too bit the dust. He found yet another, which I've linked here, and as of September 23, 2024, it's working.

OR you can always just block, copy and paste to your comment the URL (Web address) of the page you want to link.

Note for Readers. It is not possible for commenters to "throw" their highlighted links to another window. But you can do that yourself. Right-click on the link and a drop-down box will give you choices as to where you want to open the link: in a new tab, new window or new private window.

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing links to articles & other content in the Comments section of each day's "Conversation." If you're missing the comments, you're missing some vital links.

Marie: Sorry, my countdown clock was unreliable; then it became completely unreliable. I can't keep up with it. Maybe I'll try another one later.

 

Public Service Announcement

Zoë Schlanger in the Atlantic: "Throw out your black plastic spatula. In a world of plastic consumer goods, avoiding the material entirely requires the fervor of a religious conversion. But getting rid of black plastic kitchen utensils is a low-stakes move, and worth it. Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. But, as Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth recently told me, black plastic is particularly crucial to avoid." This is a gift link from laura h.

Mashable: "Following the 2024 presidential election results and [Elon] Musk's support for ... Donald Trump, users have been deactivating en masse. And this time, it appears most everyone has settled on one particular X alternative: Bluesky.... Bluesky has gained more than 100,000 new sign ups per day since the U.S. election on Nov. 5. It now has over 15 million users. It's enjoyed a prolonged stay on the very top of Apple's App Store charts as well. Ready to join? Here's how to get started on Bluesky[.]"

Washington Post: "Americans can again order free rapid coronavirus tests by mail, the Biden administration announced Thursday. People can request four free at-home tests per household through covidtests.gov. They will begin shipping Monday. The move comes ahead of an expected winter wave of coronavirus cases. The September revival of the free testing program is in line with the Biden administration’s strategy to respond to the coronavirus as part of a broader public health campaign to protect Americans from respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), that surge every fall and winter. But free tests were not mailed during the summer wave, which wastewater surveillance data shows is now receding."

Democrats' Weekly Address

Marie (March 9): Apparently, Democrats give a "weekly" address when they feel like it. They didn't feel like it this week. That is just how scatterbrained they are.

Back when the Washington Post had an owner/publisher who dared to stand up to a president:

Prime video is carrying the documentary. If you watch it, I suggest watching the Spielberg film "The Post" afterwards. There is currently a free copy (type "the post full movie" in the YouTube search box) on YouTube (or you can rent it on YouTube, on Prime & [I think] on Hulu). Near the end, Daniel Ellsberg (played by Matthew Rhys), says "I was struck in fact by the way President Johnson's reaction to these revelations was [that they were] 'close to treason,' because it reflected to me the sense that what was damaging to the reputation of a particular administration or a particular individual was in itself treason, which is very close to saying, 'I am the state.'" Sound familiar?

Out with the Black. In with the White. New York Times: “Lester Holt, the veteran NBC newscaster and anchor of the 'NBC Nightly News' over the last decade, announced on Monday that he will step down from the flagship evening newscast in the coming months. Mr. Holt told colleagues that he would remain at NBC, expanding his duties at 'Dateline,' where he serves as the show’s anchor.... He said that he would continue anchoring the evening news until 'the start of summer.' The network did not immediately name a successor.” ~~~

~~~ New York Times: “MSNBC said on Monday that Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary who has become one of the most prominent hosts at the network, would anchor a nightly weekday show in prime time. Ms. Psaki, 46, will host a show at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, replacing Alex Wagner, a longtime political journalist who has anchored that hour since 2022, according to a memo to staff from Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s president. Ms. Wagner will remain at MSNBC as an on-air correspondent. Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s biggest star, has been anchoring the 9 p.m. hour on weeknights for the early days of ... [Donald] Trump’s administration but will return to hosting one night a week at the end of April.”

New York Times: “Joy Reid’s evening news show on MSNBC is being canceled, part of a far-reaching programming overhaul orchestrated by Rebecca Kutler, the network’s new president, two people familiar with the changes said. The final episode of Ms. Reid’s 7 p.m. show, 'The ReidOut,' is planned for sometime this week, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The show, which features in-depth interviews with politicians and other newsmakers, has been a fixture of MSNBC’s lineup for the past five years. MSNBC is planning to replace Ms. Reid’s program with a show led by a trio of anchors: Symone Sanders Townsend, a political commentator and former Democratic strategist; Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Alicia Menendez, the TV journalist, the people said. They currently co-host 'The Weekend,' which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings.” MB: In case you've never seen “The Weekend,” let me assure you it's pretty awful. ~~~

     ~~~ AP Update: "Joy Reid is leaving MSNBC, the network’s new president announced in a memo to staff on Monday, marking an end to the political analyst and anchor’s prime time news show."

Y! Entertainment: "Meanwhile, [Alex] Wagner will also be removed from her 9 pm weeknight slot. Wagner has already been working as a correspondent after Rachel Maddow took over hosting duties during ... Trump’s first 100 days in office. It’s now expected that Wagner will not return as host, but is expected to stay on as a contributor. Jen Psaki, President Biden’s former White House press secretary, is a likely replacement for Wagner, though a decision has not been finalized." MB: In fairness to Psaki, she is really too boring to watch. On the other hand, she is White. ~~~

     ~~~ RAS: "So MSNBC is getting rid of both of their minority evening hosts. Both women of color who are not afraid to call out the truth. Outspoken minorities don't have a long shelf life in the world of our corporate news media."

As we watch in horror the rapid destruction of our democratic form of government, it is comforting to remember there is life outside politics. I took a break a while ago to enjoy a brief lesson in the history of the moonwalk: ~~~

But it may go back even further:

And this chronological account is helpful:

CNBC: “ CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees Thursday [Jan. 23] as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience.... The layoffs come as CNN is rearranging its linear TV lineup and building out digital subscription products. The cuts will help CNN lower production costs and consolidate teams, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. Certain shows that are produced in New York or Washington may move to Atlanta, where production can be done more cheaply, said the people. For the most part, the job cuts won’t affect CNN’s most recognizable names, who are under contract, said the people. CNN has about 3,500 employees worldwide.... NBC News is also planning cuts later this week, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. While the exact number couldn’t be determined, the job losses will be well under 50....”

 

Contact Marie

Email Marie at constantweader@gmail.com

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Sunday
Dec242023

The Conversation -- December 25, 2023

Marie: Say what you will in the Comments; here's something of a realist's view of Christmas from the ridiculous to the ordinary to -- if you click on the King's College Choir playlist -- the sublime.

Loudon Wainwright III looks forward to Christmas:

~~~ Then It's Here:

Merry Christmas from the Family in Houston:

And from Boston:

All Is Not Lost: Maybe the Best Popular Christmas Song Video Ever:

If you prefer something a tad more traditional, a YouTube playlist of carols performed by the King's College, Cambridge, Choir is here.

Comments Off

Reader Comments (17)

Merry Christmas, and stay safe. Our son came up from the City and is staying in an Air BnB near us so he an his partner can have their own space. He tested positive this afternoon. Daughter came home, recovering from her first infection two weeks ago. Wife caught it for the first time four weeks ago. I'm the last one standing here. It'll be yet another different Christmas this year.

Many thanks to all the contributors, and to Marie.

December 24, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterNiskyGuy

The smallest acts

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterRAS

@RAS: Thank you. It's probably hard to believe since I can be so acerbic in my writing (and when the occasion arises, in my speaking), but that monk's advice to the kids has been my modus operandi all of my adult life.

Now, the shoe is sometimes on the other foot. That is, I am the recipient of the "kindness of strangers." An extremely kindly person I knew because she was a friend of this site once wrote to me that she had a few heavy bags of mulch to move and didn't know if she could do it. Not only was she elderly, but she was very sick.

Many long-time readers will remember MAG, who died three years ago this month. I wrote back to MAG and advised her to approach some muscular-looking passerby and ask him to help. "Don't look upon it as an imposition. Assuming the person you ask is a decent guy, not in a terrible rush to get somewhere and in good physical shape, he will be happy to help you. In fact, he will not only get the job done in short order and with what is little effort for him, he will feel much better for having been of help." Most people like to perform those simple acts of kindness. Helping others with little things makes us feel like useful, decent people and reinforces the sense that we are part of a community.

MAG not only thanked me for my advice, she took it. And it worked.

Some months back, I heard someone say, "Receiving a story is a gift to the teller." It's the same principle.

A couple of winters ago, I was out in the driveway brushing the snow off my van. I did most of it, but I could neither see nor reach the center of the roof of the van, so the van looked like it had a mohawk. About that time, a tall, young Norwegian-looking guy walked past and asked if he could help. In earlier days, I would have said, "No, I can do it myself." But I said, "Sure, since you can reach it and I can't, could you brush that snow off the roof?" It probably took him two minutes, and as far as I could tell, he was more than glad to do it.

That's how it works.

December 25, 2023 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns

RAS, Marie and All.

I think that's pretty the or at least a major defining difference between the left and the right: the degree to which people notice others who need a little help, how far from their immediate family their altruistic vision extends, and their willingness to make an effort (physical, psychological, financial) to provide it.

That the giver might feel good about it is beside the point--or maybe it IS the point.

I have always thought the Pretender's now-defunct charity scam was the very definition of cynical, selfish disregard for others and a perfect emblem of what the man is: A Scrooge for our time, with no hope of redemption.

And now he has come to represent an entire political party.

(Watched the last part of a 1938 "Christmas Carol" last night and seen through the lens of my politics, as I see most things, it didn't seem all that dated to me.)

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” faltered Scrooge..."
“Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

Let's all take care of business. Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah to everyone.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterD in DC

Chrismahanukwanzakah?

Holy portmanteau, Batman!

No, Robin, a portmanteau combines two different words. D has whisked together three words. Perhaps triportmanteau? Or neologotriportmanteau? Oh look…the Bat Signal! Just in time. Happy batshit to all and to all a good night.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus

Despite the fact that in the past I have admonished D in MD not to forget Festivus, it is once again missing from the triportmanteau. So I would wish everyone a Merry Christmafestihanukwanzakahivus, which I guess, according to Akhilleus' neological presumptions, is a quatreportmanteau. And -- whether you prefer D's greeting or mine -- you are so woke.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterMarie Burns

Marie and AK,

Can we work Saturnalia in there as well?

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterD in MD

We can't leave out Yule, the ancient Christmastime holiday celebrated
by my northern and eastern (gypsies) European ancestors, the
Heathens and Wiccans.
However, I got none of that gypsy blood. I like to stay put in one place, since surviving those 16 childhood moves from state to state.
Dad was an oil and gas wildcatter.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterForrestMorris

Thanks Forrest,

see

I am currently reading Kindred. Since Neanderthals were very intelligent and sophisticated, they doubtless observed and celebrated the winter solstice. I had my DNA tested specifically to find out how much neanderthal I have in me and was very gratified to learn that I am in the high end of the distribution.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterD in MD

In a small act of kindness last week at the post office, the man in front of me invited me and the very elderly man behind me to go next when he reached the top of the 30 minute queue. I accepted and enjoyed that tiny spark of connection with a stranger but the elderly man stubbornly and awkwardly refused.
Maybe he never heard that story Marie quotes: "Receiving a story is a gift to the teller."
Happy holidays ya'll

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered Commenterlaura hunter

I see no reason not to include Saturnalia and Yule in out greeting. After all, those of us who celebrate Christmas to one extent or another follow in the Saturnalia & Yule traditions. So why not acknowledge them?

So Merry ChristmaSaturFestiHanuKwanzakaYulinalias! Admittedly, kind of hard to fit on a greeting card.

December 25, 2023 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns

We can just abbreviate it on our greeting cards:

SCHYKS, rhymes with chicks.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterForrestMorris

I've got serious concerns over AI generated photographs but I saw one this morning I only hope will be shot in reality. Crooks and Liars had a shot of an orange suited, despondent, Donald Trump in a prison corridor, titled "A big, fat grifter."

I doubt I'll ever see a time where the stench of Trumpism and the dregs of his MAGA horde pollute the breeze, but I hope the nation can shake off the disease.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterBobby Lee

Here's what Bobby Lee is referring to. Silly, but it made me smile.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered Commenterunwashed

For more clarification on the festivities, or festivustivities as it were

This just in.

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterD in MD

D,

Re: your “this just in” link, my favorite is the Spanish translation of Christmas being “More Christ”.

How about Christnomas?

December 25, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus
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