The Ledes

Saturday, March 1, 2025

New York Times: “After days of a cautious optimism and two weeks in a hospital with pneumonia in both lungs, Pope Francis on Friday suffered another respiratory crisis, renewing concerns about the prognosis for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican said on Friday night that Francis, who is 88 and has a history of respiratory ailments, suffered a bronchial spasm that caused him to inhale his vomit after a coughing fit. That, in turn, caused a 'worsening of the respiratory picture,' and required aspiration.”

New York Times: “The actor Gene Hackman most likely died nine days before his and his wife’s bodies were found in their secluded home near Santa Fe, N.M., the authorities said on Friday, as the central question of how they died remained unanswered. By examining Mr. Hackman’s pacemaker, a pathologist determined that the device’s last recorded 'event' was on Feb. 17, indicating that Mr. Hackman died then, Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County said in a news conference. Mr. Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead on Wednesday, in separate rooms of their home in a gated community.”

The Wires
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The Ledes

Friday, February 28, 2025

New York Times: “Boris Spassky, the world chess champion whose career was overshadowed by his loss to Bobby Fischer in the 'Match of the Century' in 1972, died on Thursday in Moscow. He was 88.”

New York Times: “The actor Gene Hackman was found dead in a mud room in his New Mexico home and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found dead on the floor of a bathroom on Wednesday, according to a search warrant affidavit. An open prescription bottle and scattered pills were discovered near her body on a counter in the bathroom. A dead German shepherd was found between 10 and 15 feet away from Ms. Arakawa in a closet of the bathroom, the affidavit said. There were no obvious signs of a gas leak in the home, it said, and the Fire Department did not find signs of a carbon monoxide leak. The maintenance workers who found them said they had not been in contact with the couple for two weeks. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Thursday afternoon that 'there were no apparent signs of foul play.'... The causes of their deaths had not been determined.”

Help!

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

Link Code:   <a href="URL">text</a>

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 (Feb 23): As far as I can tell, there isn't any. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like Democrats are so screwed up, they can't even put together a couple of minutes of video to tell us how screwed we are.

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:

New York Times: “Chuck Todd, the former 'Meet the Press' moderator and a longtime fixture of NBC’s political coverage, told colleagues on Friday that he was leaving the network. A nearly two-decade veteran of NBC, Mr. Todd said that Friday would be his last day at NBC.... Mr. Todd, 52, is the latest TV news star to step aside at a moment when salaries are being scrutinized — and slashed — by major media companies. Hoda Kotb exited NBC’s 'Today' show this month, and Neil Cavuto of Fox News and CNN’s Chris Wallace departed their cable news homes late last year.”

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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Jul142024

The Conversation -- July 14, 2024

AP: "... Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination at a campaign event.... Trump is not expected to speak at the RNC until Thursday night."

Trump Slightly Injured in Assassination Attempt at Rally. Today's New York Times liveblog is here. ~~~

Michael Shear & Mike Ives: "... Donald J. Trump vowed to remain 'defiant in the face of wickedness' on Sunday as authorities discovered materials to build two explosive devices in a car belonging to a would-be assassin who shot at Mr. Trump at a Saturday rally, roiling the 2024 presidential election. In brief remarks to the nation from the White House on Sunday, President Biden called the assassination attempt 'contrary to everything we stand for us as a nation, everything. It's not who we are as a nation. It's not American. And we cannot allow this to happen.' The president said he would speak at greater length from the Oval Office Sunday night.... Mr. Biden said he had demanded a national security review and promised to share the results with the American people. He also said he had directed the Secret Service to review security arrangements for the Republican convention....

"The spectator who was killed was Corey Comperatore, said Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. He was 50, according to a post on Facebook by Mr. Comperatore's sister. Law enforcement officials found explosive materials in Mr. Crooks's car and believe they may have found more at his residence.... An AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle found next to Mr. Crooks's body was purchased by a family member, possibly his father.... Mr. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper, according to a spokesman for the agency, just before Mr. Trump was rushed off the stage...." This is the pinned item.

Michael Gold: "Donald Trump has .... issued a new statement offering condolences for the person who was killed at the rally and prayers for those who were injured. In a post on Truth Social, his social media platform, Trump also called for unity in the country...."

Robert Jimison: "Representative Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio and the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, says he hopes to learn more about the unconfirmed reports that rally attendees identified the gunman and were trying to alert law enforcement before he opened fire."

Chris Cameron: "Melania Trump ... published a statement on social media that denounced the shooter as a 'monster' who saw her husband as 'an inhuman political machine.' She called on the nation to 'ascend above the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence.'"

Jimison: "Representatives Ritchie Torres, Democrat of New York, and Mike Lawler, Republican of New York, announced plans to introduce a bill to enhance Secret Service protection for both President Biden and ... Donald J. Trump. The bill would also provide Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said last year that his request for protection was denied."

Shear: "The White House said President Biden was receiving a briefing on the shooting from Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service director; Attorney General Merrick Garland; the secretary of homeland security, Alejandro Mayorkas; the F.B.I. director, Christopher Wray; the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan; and Liz Sherwood-Randall, the White House homeland security adviser."

Nicholas Nehamas: "The Vice President also attended the briefing in the White House Situation Room, the White House said."

Mike Baker: "Thomas Crooks, the gunman, was employed as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, according to Marcie Grimm, the administrator at the facility."

Christina Morales: "Two people who were wounded at the Trump rally were still being treated Sunday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. They were taken there by helicopter and remain in 'critical condition,' a hospital spokesman, Bill Toland, said."

David Sanger: "Ending his brief remarks from the White House [Sunday afternoon], President Biden said that he would deliver a full address to the nation tonight, which the White House says will be at 8 p.m. Eastern."

Zolan Kanno-Youngs: "Former law enforcement officials are asking questions about the Secret Service's protective perimeter and how closely the agency's countersnipers were watching the building where the gunman fired shots into the Trump rally."

Adam Goldman: "The F.B.I. is trying to break into the shooter's cellphone, with court approval, to learn more about his plans and motive, according to a federal law enforcement official. The official said that dozens of F.B.I. agents, analysts, and evidence technicians from multiple divisions have been called in to work the case."

David Yaffe-Bellany: "Truth Social users posted memes suggesting that President Biden or Hillary Clinton was behind the attack at the rally in Butler, Pa., and argued that there might have been multiple gunmen. They hailed Mr. Trump as a heroic figure, circulating the now-ubiquitous photos of his bloodied face and ear. Right-wing conspiracy theories are par for the course on Truth Social.... Mr. Trump ... said [on the platform that] it was 'God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.'" [MB: Yes, God spared Trump but was okay with killing or maiming other rally attendees. Nice god you've got there, Donald.]

Isabelle Taft: "The Pennsylvania State Police released the names of the three rally attendees who were shot. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pa., and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pa., who were admitted to the hospital in critical condition, were stable on Sunday afternoon, the police said. As previously reported by Gov. Josh Shapiro, the agency confirmed that Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pa., was killed at the rally."

Glenn Thrush: "Senior F.B.I. officials, speaking to reporters on a conference call, said they have no reason to believe that Crooks was participating in a larger plot involving other people."

Goldman: "F.B.I. officials also said in the call that agents were investigating the shooting as an assassination and possible domestic terrorism attack. F.B.I. officials said that the gunman's phone, rifle and a possible explosive device was sent to the bureau's lab in Quantico, Va. The F.B.I. described the explosive device as 'rudimentary.' The F.B.I. said it had not uncovered evidence that the shooter had mental health issues.... The F.B.I. confirmed that the father purchased the rifle but it was not clear if the father gave the son the weapon or that he took it without permission. Kevin Rojek, F.B.I. special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, said the family was cooperating with the investigation."

Kellen Browning: "The social media platform Discord said that it had identified and deleted an account that appeared to be linked to the suspected gunman. 'It was rarely utilized, has not been used in months, and we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence or discuss his political views,' the company said in a statement."

Baker: "Thomas Crooks, identified by law enforcement authorities as the gunman, graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County two months ago, earning an associate degree in engineering science, school officials said in a statement...."

~~~Yesterday's New York Times liveblog, also linked yesterday, is here: "The federal authorities identified the gunman they said tried to assassinate ... Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a shooting that killed at least one spectator.... At least two other spectators were critically injured on Saturday in Butler, Pa., the Secret Service said in a statement. The agency said the gunman was dead after officers responded. Mr. Trump was escorted off the stage bleeding from around his ear, and taken to a hospital. He later said on social media that a bullet had pierced the upper part of his right ear. President Biden gave a brief televised statement after the incident, condemning the violence as 'sick.' The White House later said the president had spoken to Mr. Trump.... A spokesman for the Secret Service said that the suspected shooter fired 'multiple shots toward the stage' and was on 'an elevated position' outside the rally venue. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have not yet publicly confirmed that Mr. Trump was shot in the ear, saying only that shots were fired and that the former president was 'safe.' Two law enforcement officials said that authorities recovered an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle from a deceased man they believe was the gunman."

"The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified by the F.B.I. as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Penn., but officials released no additional information about him.... A voter-registration record showed that Mr. Crooks was registered as a Republican, though federal campaign-finance records show he donated $15 to [MB: ActBlue (via NBC News)]. Early on Sunday morning, law-enforcement officers had closed down all roads leading toward the home of the suspect's family in Bethel Park, south of Pittsburgh and about an hour's drive from the site of the rally in Butler. Mr. Crooks was killed after he fired from 'an elevated position' outside the outdoor rally venue where Mr. Trump was speaking, according to the Secret Service."

The liveblog includes (1) an aerial shot of the venue that identifies the locations of the stage & the building where the shooter's body was found and (2) a photo that appears to show the bullet after it grazed Donald Trump and traveled past him.

Simon Levien: "'This evening we had what we're calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump,' says Kevin Rojek, F.B.I. special agent."

Michael Gold: "Rojek confirmed that the suspected shooter had no identification on him. Agents were looking at photographs and trying to run his D.N.A., Rojek said..... Lt Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said that the rally attendee who was killed and the two that were critically injured were all adult men."

Maggie Haberman: "A Trump aide, Margo Martin, posted on X video of Trump arriving at an airport in New Jersey, where he's supposed to be spending the night. He walked off his plane unaided. His injured ear was out of camera view."

~~~ CNN's liveblog is here. ~~~

     ~~~ You can see the moment here (at about 38 secs. in), where Trump grabs his ear before ducking:

President Biden's statement is here.

Marie: This assassination attempt of course will increase Trump's lead in the presidential race. There's a sickening irony that the person who has constantly promoted violence against his perceived political enemies should be the target (as well as the political beneficiary) of the violence he has advocated. The shooter would not have had a high-powered semi-automatic rifle if not for Republicans' opposition to sensible gun control.

Ashley Parker of the Washington Post: "A shooting at former president Donald Trump's campaign rally Saturday evening ... upended the already dark and tumultuous race for the White House. Trump's campaign said he still plans to attend the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday. But the shooting is sure to shift the messaging and tenor -- not to mention the security -- of the massive gathering.... [President] Biden's campaign, meanwhile, announced it was pausing its communication and pulling down all television ads as quickly as possible.... Trump had been speaking for less than 10 minutes in Butler, Pa., when several loud pops rang out and the former president put his hand to his right ear, the upper part of which had been pierced by a bullet, he later said on social media. As Secret Service agents encircled the former president, Trump raised his right fist defiantly and scowled, mouthing: 'Fight. Fight. Fight.'...

"Trump is often most comfortable -- and most effective -- when playing both martyr and victim, and Saturday's shooting naturally thrusts him back into that role. Trump immediately put out a statement thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement, expressing his condolences to the other victims and offering a dramatic recounting of the moment.... 'The political consequences of this assassination attempt will be immense, and they will benefit Donald Trump, who just responded to being shot in the exact same way that Teddy Roosevelt did,' [Steve] Schmidt [-- Trump critic & former a Republican strategist --] wrote on social media."

When Biden Goes High, Republicans Go Wa-a-a-ay Low. Michael Scherer of the Washington Post: "Top allies of Donald Trump quickly accused President Biden and his supporters of using rhetoric that led to a shooting and potential assassination attempt Saturday at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pa., even as Biden condemned the attack and called on the nation to unite against political violence.... 'The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,&' [Sen. J.D.] Vance [R-Ohio] wrote [on social media]. 'That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination.' Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)..., [wrote], 'Let's be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.'..."

Jack Healy, et al., of the New York Times relate what is known about the shooter.


Andrew Solender of Axios: "President Biden was raked over the coals by a group of center-left House Democrats on Saturday in [a] ... meeting aimed at stemming defections on Capitol Hill.... Biden got particularly animated towards a question from Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) about slipping public confidence in his leadership as commander-in-chief, according to several members in the meeting.... Crow's question prompted what two members described as 'shouting' from the president, who challenged the Coloradan to 'name me a foreign leader who thinks I'm not the most effective leader.'... Biden [said] ... it is 'dead wrong' that foreign leaders lack confidence in him and exclaiming, 'I don't want to hear that crap.' Said one member on the call: 'He started shouting at Jason Crow for no reason.'... 'That was a complete disaster. We saw the same Joe Biden from the debate,' said one House Democrat on the call. 'It was awful,' said another lawmaker."

Bernie Sanders in a New York Times op-ed: "I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him on particular issues, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump -- a demagogue and pathological liar. It's time to learn a lesson from the progressive and centrist forces in France who, despite profound political differences, came together this week to soundly defeat right-wing extremism.... Yes. I know: Mr. Biden is old, is prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Mr. Trump. But this I also know: A presidential election is not an entertainment contest. It does not begin or end with a 90-minute debate." (Also linked yesterday.)

News Lede

New York Times: "Before an enthusiastic crowd on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the grand boulevard of the French capital, the Olympic torch arrived in Paris on Sunday in a luxury Louis Vuitton suitcase, 12 days before the opening of the Games. The custom-made suitcase stood for some time on a pedestal in the middle of the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées, a major intersection, looking a little lonely. It was then opened and the torch handed to Thierry Henry, one of the greats of French soccer, who was dressed for the occasion in chic white sweats.... Since the flame arrived in France more than two months ago, welcomed in the ancient port city of Marseille by plumes of red, white and blue smoke -- the colors of the French flag -- it has been on a far-flung journey, including to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and other overseas French departments.... The city was relatively empty on Sunday, Bastille Day, the most important French national holiday.... Many people had left town on vacation or were away for the weekend."

Comments Off

Reader Comments (11)

Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) blames President Joe Biden for shooting
and called for him to be prosecuted.
The shooter was a registered Republican.
Joe Biden couldn't possibly climb on a roof and fire an AR-15.
The person with the violent rhetoric is not Joe Biden, it's Donald Trump.

https://www.mediate.com/news/house-repbulican-immediately-
accuses-biden-of-having-sent-the-orders-to-kill-trump-in-bizarre-post/

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterForrestMorris

Now here's a sucker bet for you. How many days before trump sells pieces of his "assassination" suit in a fund raiser.

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterDan Lowery

@Dan Lowery: Dan, Dan, this is a day we're all supposed to be serious in the thoughts-and-prayers mode and here you are making me laugh.

July 14, 2024 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns

The shirts are already for sale, but Trump will be suing to get the profits soon enough and the Supremes will try to help his grift somehow.

"Photos of Trump pumping his fist in the air as he was rushed off for medical treatment quickly spread across the globe.

And mere hours later, t-shirts with variations of the historic image went on sale from outlets based in the US and China."

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterRAS

Well how about this. Failed assassination attempt proves that trump was sent by God and is protected by God!

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterDan Lowery

@ forrest morris. Someone needs to inform Rep. Mike Collins, that due to the recent Supreme Court decision, Biden can't be prosecuted. He is protected by presidential immunity.

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterDan Lowery

FBI searching for motive.... I'd guess it'll be hard to find just one. There are so many that come to mind.

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

Dozens of R politicians and opinonators are saying that the attack on DiJiT was instigated by Biden and Democrats' election rhetoric.

No prior assassination or attempt of which I am aware was attributed to political opposition -- except Lincoln's where Booth thought he was representing "Virginia".

R's can't help it. They have to generate bullshit. It's their nature now.

The Biden campaign should do a quick check of the ads they have taken down, and get the most effective ones back up ASAP. They need to elicit from DiJiT and the R's their overt nasty reactions. Now is not the time to let up.

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterPatrick

The R's can't tell the truth because the truth does not reflect well on them.

Instead they insult the American public, relying on their stupidity by telling them obvious lies about everything. Much, if not all, of the blame they assign to the "left" is simple projection. "Violent rhetoric" is the Pretender's speciality.

And far too many welcome the insult.

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

In brief remarks to the nation from the White House on Sunday, President Biden called the assassination attempt 'contrary to everything we stand for us as a nation, everything. It’s not who we are as a nation. It’s not American.

Sorry to burst the little bubble you all have going on there, but. it is quintessentially American; that's why you have a mess of a country, beginning with the corruption of the Supreme Court, the gun lobby, the proliferation of guns - what do you EXPECT to happen with 500 million mostly unregulated firearms?!

July 14, 2024 | Unregistered CommenterTerence

@Terence: Kinda sounds as if you're not an American. So let me just say that as a genuine native-born American, I agree with you completely.*

* Not sure if the number of firearms lying around in our lovely American homes is up to 500MM yet, but it well may be.

July 14, 2024 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns
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