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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

Page Links
Tuesday
Dec262023

The Conversation -- December 26, 2023

Colleen Slevin of the AP: "Police said Tuesday they are investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and providing extra patrols around their homes in Denver following the court's decision to remove ... Donald Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot.... The FBI said it is working with local law enforcement on the matter."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Several entries posted late this morning.

Helene Cooper of the New York Times: "The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early on Tuesday in Iraq, most likely killing militants and destroying three facilities used by Iranian proxies that had been targeting American and coalition troops, U.S. officials said. The American strikes were in retaliation for a series of assaults, including a drone attack hours earlier by members of Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil air base in Iraq, according to Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokeswoman. The drone attack injured three American service members, one of them critically, she said." ~~~

     ~~~ ABC News: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the strikes were carried out at the direction of President Joe Biden and in response to attacks carried out by the groups against coalition forces in the region."

THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN, LIED TO CONGRESS, CHEATED ON FISA, RIGGED A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, ALLOWED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, MANY FROM PRISONS & MENTAL INSTITUTIONS, TO INVADE OUR COUNTRY, SCREWED UP IN AFGHANISTAN, & JOE BIDEN'S MISFITS & THUGS, LIKE DERANGED JACK SMITH, ARE COMING AFTER ME, AT LEVELS OF PERSECUTION NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN OUR COUNTRY??? IT'S CALLED ELECTION INTERFERENCE. MERRY CHRISTMAS! -- Donald Trump's Christmas Eve message ~~~

So forget that "peace on earth, goodwill to men" crap. -- Marie ~~~

~~~ Still Crazy. Stephen Collinson of CNN: Donald Trump "unleashed an online torrent of fury and bitterness, largely over his legal plights, spanning Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, previewing the discord and personal obsessions he will inflict on the nation in a pivotal election year in 2024. Trump raged at President Joe Biden and special counsel Jack Smith, making expansive and false claims that his attempts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election represented a vital defense of American democracy and were thus perfectly legal. In a tide of invective in block capitals on his Truth Social network, Trump escalated extreme rhetoric on immigration that has drawn comparisons to Nazi demagoguery in the 1940s and reprised his view of unlimited presidential power that has critics fearing autocracy if he wins the next election.... And his tirades, at a time when Americans who celebrate Christmas gathered with loved ones and sought a moment of peace, hint at a furious state of mind and extreme denialism."

Presidential Race 2024. Jonathan Swan, et al., of the New York Times: "Since beginning his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump has said the 'termination; of the Constitution would have been justified to overturn the 2020 election, told followers 'I am your retribution' and vowed to use the Justice Department to prosecute his adversaries -- starting with President Biden and his family. Beneath these public threats is a series of plans by Mr. Trump and his allies that would upend core elements of American governance, democracy, foreign policy and the rule of law if he regains the White House."

~~~~~~~~~~

Israel/Palestine. The Washington Post's live updates of developments Tuesday in the Israel/Hamas war are here: "The World Health Organization said it is concerned about 'unbearable' strain on the few hospitals that remain open in Gaza as Israel steps up strikes on Hamas. At least three areas in central Gaza were hit this weekend, including the Maghazi refugee camp, where at least 80 people were killed on a residential block, the director of a nearby hospital said.... An airstrike killed an Iranian commander in Syria on Monday, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. Brig. Gen. Seyed Razi Mousavi, a senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed outside Damascus. The Revolutionary Guard Corps attributed the strike to the Israeli military, which declined to comment." ~~~

     ~~~ The New York Times' live updates for Tuesday are here. CNN's live updates are here.

Russia. Ivan Nechepurenko & Anton Troianovski of the New York Times: "The Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny has been moved to a remote Arctic prison and 'is doing well,' his spokeswoman said on Monday, ending a 20-day mystery over his whereabouts that had many supporters fearing the worst. 'We have found Aleksei,' the spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on social media. 'His lawyer saw him today.' Ms. Yarmysh's announcement marked the end of a frantic search through Russia's vast prison system for Mr. Navalny, who disappeared on Dec. 5. Mr. Navalny's exiled allies said that they had found him in the remote penal colony in the Arctic after sending more than 600 requests to prisons and other government agencies." ~~~

     ~~~ Update. Ivan Nechepurenko of the New York Times: "Aleksei A. Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, published a letter on Tuesday describing an arduous transfer to his new penal colony in the Arctic.... Mr. Navalny's comments, posted on his social network accounts and written with a heavy dose of irony and humor, highlighted his good spirits and seemed intended to assuage concerns among allies who had grown anxious about his health and status since his sudden disappearance from the public eye on Dec. 5."

Ukraine, et al.

Constant Méheut of the New York Times: "The Ukrainian military said on Monday that it had shot down five Russian fighter jets in three days, one of the biggest weekly losses for the Russian air force since the war began and a rare bright spot for Ukraine, whose forces have faced setbacks since its failed monthslong counteroffensive this year. But the news could be offset if Russia's claim that it had seized full control of the eastern town of Marinka is true. Russian forces have gradually advanced over months of battle against Ukrainian troops there, but Ukraine denied that the town was entirely under Russian control.... Early Tuesday morning, Ukraine's Air Force claimed another victory, saying it had destroyed a Russian ship, the Novocherkassk. The account could not be independently verified. Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-installed head of Crimea, said that Ukrainian forces had attacked the Crimean Black Sea town of Feodosia, starting a fire in its port." A related CNN story is here.

Andrew Kramer of the New York Times: "Of Ukraine's many Western-oriented changes, put in place bit by bit since independence and accelerated during the war, one brought special joy this year: Christmas came early. After centuries of marking the holiday on Jan. 7 under the Julian church calendar, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church this year formally switched to celebrating on Dec. 25 with most of the rest of Europe -- and pointedly not with Russia." MB: Now all they need are weeks of Christmas special sales beginning in November and some tinsel trees.

U.K. Karla Adam of the Washington Post: "King Charles III's annual festive address saw the British monarch posing next to a replantable tree festooned with dried oranges while delivering a message that acknowledged the 'growing awareness' of the need to protect the planet. The monarch's Christmas message has long been a fixture in Britain -- like wearing silly Christmas sweaters or colored paper hats. The speeches are uncontentious -- and this year's was no exception. But it's also one of the few times the monarch delivers a speech they write themselves, without government guidance, meaning royal watchers pay close attention. The address is normally viewed by millions in Britain and Commonwealth countries." ~~~

~~~ Stephen Fry's Alternative Christmas Message: "I am a Jew":

Vatican. Nicole Winfield of the AP: "Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its 'instruments of death' that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the 'abominable attack' of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the 'appalling harvest of innocent civilians' as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need. Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem 'is a place of sorrow and silence' this year."

Joe & Jill Biden read "A Visit from St. Nicholas":

Some excellent comments in yesterday's thread. As I read them, my droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow. Ho ho ho.

News Lede

New York Times:"Despite lingering inflation, Americans increased their spending this holiday season, early data shows.... Retail sales increased 3.1 percent from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse...."

Comments Off

Reader Comments (6)

Happy Boxing Day to all. As I understand it, today is when the
rich and powerful box up all those Christmas gifts that they don't
like and hand them down to the slaves, or peons, or workers.

Wonder what I'll be getting today.

December 26, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterForrestMorris

Just read the Christmas message that the former president* posted
on his Truth Social networky thing.
He hopes that all supporters of "electric car lunacy" would "ROT IN
HELL." Lots of other wishes thrown in, none positive.
Guess I'm one of those lunatics since I own a Hybrid, part gas and
part electric. Maybe I'm only half lunatic then.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-wishes-electric-car-supporters-
215004894.html

December 26, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterForrestMorris

A glass more than half empty take on Ukraine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/26/orban-ukraine-europe-threat-west-hungary/

Thought some of the comments interesting, particularly as they veered into the tribal interests that energize the European Right--and our own.

December 26, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

Michael Cohen must follow RC.

December 26, 2023 | Unregistered Commenterunwashed

@unwashed: Thanks. I had no idea Chrismahanukwanzakah was a thing! I think those Christians & Jews & African Americans are trying to co-opt Festivus, not to mention Saturnalia & Yule. Oh, why can't they be more inclusive?

December 26, 2023 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns

Just read all comments December 24-26 and enjoyed them. Just had a Dump-free three days. I wish the same to all you lovely folk near and far! I treasure you all! Love and peace to this community. And thousands of thanks to our Queen, Marie. You’re the best.

December 26, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterJeanne
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