Teachers unions hold families hostage. Patton Oswalt apologizes for being friends with Dave Chappelle. Lin-Manuel Miranda sings for January 6. And more.
Patton Oswalt, who I really enjoyed awhile back is a groveling, little coward. The apology is sickening to listen to as if he committed a grave crime. Chapelle was his good friend, really? You don't give a good friend up because of some insecure, afraid of their own shadow social media clowns who get their perceived power by manipulating those whose lives they believe they can ruin. Patton Oswalt, you are not a mensch, not even close.
Having witnessed last week's carefully orchestrated 'commemoration' of 6 January 2020, I'm struck by a strange sense of 'deja vu all over again'. It's so 1975--a US economy on its back, helicopters on the roof of the embassy in Saigon (does that reminds us of current events?), the wholesale slaughter of millions in Cambodia, the tragic sight of the Vietnamese fleeing on small boats to Hong Kong--many not surviving the journey, decaying cities, the list of maladies stretches on. Soooo....what was talked about/written about/'pundited' about? That BAAAAD Richard Nixon, and Jerry Fords's golf swing. Forget those millions who perished to the inevitable conclusions of Marxist rule, forget the shambles of life at home. We, The Elites, have serious matters to discuss!!!
I don't see any(?) comments concerning Nellie's links re the obesity factor in COVID hospitalizations/deaths, especially for under 60s. COVID reality smacks down the "fat is a perfectly healthy body type" fantasy.
We are a fat and unhealthy society that wants big pharma to solve our problems instead taking better care of ourselves. Just give me some shots. And force others to get shots, since my shots don't work unless you get shots. That's how shots work, you know. This leads to demands to refuse healthcare for anyone who didn't get shots, yet the fatties are three times (what the CDC said) more likely to require expensive hospitalization than the skinnies, all other things considered. Where are the cries to deny healthcare to the fatties who are hogging healthcare resources as if they were at the Caesar's Palace buffet?
Instead of (or in addition to) so-called vax passports, how about weigh-ins at the door? Indoor dining not permitted unless your BMI is under the obese threshold. Or reverse the mask rules. If your BMI is over the limit, you have to stay double-N95-masked the entire time while eating.
Sir R...nice pointing. Since the "BO health care" was sold on the idea that we needed to cover those 30 million without health care AND now we still have 30 million without care, we see No more room in the "BO care". The solution, run up the price on food and close your bars and restaurants. Also...solves the Global Warming problem along with solving Monotheism.
Item Three! Thank you, Alvin Bragg, for putting the skids under the Democratic Party. With law and order high on the list of 2022 midterm election issues, Mr. Bragg, the new Democratic/progressive Manhattan DA, has just announced that he stands with the Big Apple's criminal class against its burgeoning number of victims. According to the New York Times:
"Mr. Bragg’s goal is to find alternatives to incarceration, especially for first-time offenders, an aim he seeks to balance with the need to keep the public safe. In the way they take into account the experiences of those who are charged, his policies resemble those of several prosecutors in big cities around the country who have been elected over the past five years."
Right, we know how that has worked out.
One wonders how Bragg will get along with the new Mayor of NYC, Eric Adams, who campaigned and won on a polar opposite platform of law and order. The new DA is calling the new major's bluff and it would be fun to watch, I suppose, except for the parts that leave blood on the streets.
Anyhow, I'm sure that congressional Democrats in competitive districts are less than thrilled that their GOP opponents have had such a present handed to them.
Item Two! Teachers used to have one of the best brands in America: selfless, self-sacrificing, public-spirited stewards of our children’s education and general welfare. Yeah, and we bought it.
Then came the pandemic, and the mask dropped.
But hey, can you blame teachers? Who wouldn’t prefer to collect full pay and benefits for one-third (a generous estimate) of the normal workload? And who do these damned parents think they are, anyway, with their whining and crying about remote learning and masks and CRT and transgender propagandizing? Butt out, already! We’re calling the FBI!
Thus was exposed the greed, selfishness, hypocrisy and elitist bigotry of the teaching profession and the whole public education establishment. The odious Randi Weingarten—one might describe her as the Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris of American education—is the system’s accurate personification: charm free, arrogant, and without a clue.
Where American public education is concerned, COVID-19 did indeed supply a teachable moment.
People who thought of teaching as a noble profession pre-pandemic weren't paying attention. Given the power of the unions, it is neither. All COVID did was demonstrate that power for all to see.
Another great read! I really look forward to TGIF. Not left; not right. Just good common sense writing. Someone would have a hard time figuring out your political leanings. Please keep it that way. I'm pretty sure we would cancel each other's vote a lot, but I'm OK with that!
Everyone I know has a "change" jar somewhere at home or in the office. Most of the quarters are probably residing in those jars just awaiting to be released by their hoarders. At some point we might be flooded with billions of quarters if they all decide for some mysterious reason to turn them in all at once. If the government suddenly announces that after a particular date quarters will not be legal tender anymore the results will be funny as heck. Right out of Mad Magazine.
Amen to cash. Bringing coinage, bills, everything I need for exact change. Spending it wherever, whenever I can. Digital currency? Sayonara, Liberty.
As for January 6th celebrations? Store enough gunpowder in the basement, Congress might eventually take notice. "Pay more attention to the everyday concerns of most Americans?" An idea so radical, it might even work. Can you hear me now, Congress?
Party Hardy, Ladies and Gents. Enjoy your weekend.
It’s perhaps a bit sophomoric to admit, but I’ve despised Liz Chaney since she ran against gay marriage in 2013. It wasn’t her opposition per se that bothered me. (I happen to be gay but understand religious objections to it, even though I—with a masters in theological studies—do not share them.) It’s that both of her parents had long before—while Dick Cheney was still VP—come out publicly in support of Liz’s sister, Mary, who is a lesbian and married. Liz vocally took the other—I would say political—route. Eight years later, she’s apparently doing the same thing, having told “60 Minutes” in September that her former position was “wrong.” Gee, what could have elicited such a change in principle so many years later? She makes me want to gag.
New Yorkers actually voted in a DA who says that only murderers will be put in jail and everyone else walks? Are New Yorkers insane? Or did the DA lie about his intentions before the election and change to this revolting form of "justice" afterwards? If the latter, how would that not be election fraud on his part?
Bragg's intentions were transparent and yes, the robots voted him into this very powerful position. So now we have a Mayor who raised our hopes of safer streets and a DA whose agenda is clearly going to undermine those initiatives.
That's a real shame, MayaMia. Here in Chicago we have the kind of state's attorney in Kim Foxx, who refuses to prosecute much violent crime on the grounds it's unfair to the criminals or some crazy thing. Cash bail is toast, so they're back on the street the same day unless the judge declares hold without bail.
Chicago, New York and San Francisco; three once great cities that are falling apart. I used to travel to Chicago for business a lot in the 80s and 90s and loved that town.
Thank you. Like ol'; blue eyes said, Chicago is my kinda town, having lived here my entire life. But we are exceptionally poorly served by our elected officials, with Kim Foxx being only the most obvious problem.
I think there is a big misunderstanding of what occurring in media today, and the likes of Ben and Justin Smith are falling victim to it. "Independent" media has been around for many years, really starting HuffPo probably then to Slate, Vox, Gawker, etc, etc, etc...so "independent" media isn't very interesting or new. What IS interesting and (relatively) new is what I call (because I haven't seen a word to describe it) Personality Driven Media.
People across the broad don't trust institutions, including (and maybe primarily) media institutions. What people do trust are individuals like Bari, Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi, Tim Pool, etc. So the Smith's, or anyone else, running off to make another "independent" media company are badly misreading the tea leaves.
Oh gee, what's that you say Mr. Smiths...THIS will be the media institution I can trust? You'll be different than the 15 others that have said precisely the same thing over the past decade? This one won't be polarized?
"WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!!! Finally a media institution I can trust"....is what precisely zero people will say or think, or how they will act.
Tell me your name & show me your work, and I will determine if I can trust you. Show me a masthead and there is a 100% chance I never will
Patton Oswalt, who I really enjoyed awhile back is a groveling, little coward. The apology is sickening to listen to as if he committed a grave crime. Chapelle was his good friend, really? You don't give a good friend up because of some insecure, afraid of their own shadow social media clowns who get their perceived power by manipulating those whose lives they believe they can ruin. Patton Oswalt, you are not a mensch, not even close.
Having witnessed last week's carefully orchestrated 'commemoration' of 6 January 2020, I'm struck by a strange sense of 'deja vu all over again'. It's so 1975--a US economy on its back, helicopters on the roof of the embassy in Saigon (does that reminds us of current events?), the wholesale slaughter of millions in Cambodia, the tragic sight of the Vietnamese fleeing on small boats to Hong Kong--many not surviving the journey, decaying cities, the list of maladies stretches on. Soooo....what was talked about/written about/'pundited' about? That BAAAAD Richard Nixon, and Jerry Fords's golf swing. Forget those millions who perished to the inevitable conclusions of Marxist rule, forget the shambles of life at home. We, The Elites, have serious matters to discuss!!!
I don't see any(?) comments concerning Nellie's links re the obesity factor in COVID hospitalizations/deaths, especially for under 60s. COVID reality smacks down the "fat is a perfectly healthy body type" fantasy.
We are a fat and unhealthy society that wants big pharma to solve our problems instead taking better care of ourselves. Just give me some shots. And force others to get shots, since my shots don't work unless you get shots. That's how shots work, you know. This leads to demands to refuse healthcare for anyone who didn't get shots, yet the fatties are three times (what the CDC said) more likely to require expensive hospitalization than the skinnies, all other things considered. Where are the cries to deny healthcare to the fatties who are hogging healthcare resources as if they were at the Caesar's Palace buffet?
Instead of (or in addition to) so-called vax passports, how about weigh-ins at the door? Indoor dining not permitted unless your BMI is under the obese threshold. Or reverse the mask rules. If your BMI is over the limit, you have to stay double-N95-masked the entire time while eating.
Sir R...nice pointing. Since the "BO health care" was sold on the idea that we needed to cover those 30 million without health care AND now we still have 30 million without care, we see No more room in the "BO care". The solution, run up the price on food and close your bars and restaurants. Also...solves the Global Warming problem along with solving Monotheism.
Something something fat shaming
Tis a shame, alright
Item Three! Thank you, Alvin Bragg, for putting the skids under the Democratic Party. With law and order high on the list of 2022 midterm election issues, Mr. Bragg, the new Democratic/progressive Manhattan DA, has just announced that he stands with the Big Apple's criminal class against its burgeoning number of victims. According to the New York Times:
"Mr. Bragg’s goal is to find alternatives to incarceration, especially for first-time offenders, an aim he seeks to balance with the need to keep the public safe. In the way they take into account the experiences of those who are charged, his policies resemble those of several prosecutors in big cities around the country who have been elected over the past five years."
Right, we know how that has worked out.
One wonders how Bragg will get along with the new Mayor of NYC, Eric Adams, who campaigned and won on a polar opposite platform of law and order. The new DA is calling the new major's bluff and it would be fun to watch, I suppose, except for the parts that leave blood on the streets.
Anyhow, I'm sure that congressional Democrats in competitive districts are less than thrilled that their GOP opponents have had such a present handed to them.
Item Two! Teachers used to have one of the best brands in America: selfless, self-sacrificing, public-spirited stewards of our children’s education and general welfare. Yeah, and we bought it.
Then came the pandemic, and the mask dropped.
But hey, can you blame teachers? Who wouldn’t prefer to collect full pay and benefits for one-third (a generous estimate) of the normal workload? And who do these damned parents think they are, anyway, with their whining and crying about remote learning and masks and CRT and transgender propagandizing? Butt out, already! We’re calling the FBI!
Thus was exposed the greed, selfishness, hypocrisy and elitist bigotry of the teaching profession and the whole public education establishment. The odious Randi Weingarten—one might describe her as the Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris of American education—is the system’s accurate personification: charm free, arrogant, and without a clue.
Where American public education is concerned, COVID-19 did indeed supply a teachable moment.
People who thought of teaching as a noble profession pre-pandemic weren't paying attention. Given the power of the unions, it is neither. All COVID did was demonstrate that power for all to see.
Another great read! I really look forward to TGIF. Not left; not right. Just good common sense writing. Someone would have a hard time figuring out your political leanings. Please keep it that way. I'm pretty sure we would cancel each other's vote a lot, but I'm OK with that!
Everyone I know has a "change" jar somewhere at home or in the office. Most of the quarters are probably residing in those jars just awaiting to be released by their hoarders. At some point we might be flooded with billions of quarters if they all decide for some mysterious reason to turn them in all at once. If the government suddenly announces that after a particular date quarters will not be legal tender anymore the results will be funny as heck. Right out of Mad Magazine.
Gotta tell you i dig this column most of all each week. Keep up the good work!
Love this Friday update so much!
Amen to cash. Bringing coinage, bills, everything I need for exact change. Spending it wherever, whenever I can. Digital currency? Sayonara, Liberty.
As for January 6th celebrations? Store enough gunpowder in the basement, Congress might eventually take notice. "Pay more attention to the everyday concerns of most Americans?" An idea so radical, it might even work. Can you hear me now, Congress?
Party Hardy, Ladies and Gents. Enjoy your weekend.
This is all just sad. Imagine a real revolution.
It’s perhaps a bit sophomoric to admit, but I’ve despised Liz Chaney since she ran against gay marriage in 2013. It wasn’t her opposition per se that bothered me. (I happen to be gay but understand religious objections to it, even though I—with a masters in theological studies—do not share them.) It’s that both of her parents had long before—while Dick Cheney was still VP—come out publicly in support of Liz’s sister, Mary, who is a lesbian and married. Liz vocally took the other—I would say political—route. Eight years later, she’s apparently doing the same thing, having told “60 Minutes” in September that her former position was “wrong.” Gee, what could have elicited such a change in principle so many years later? She makes me want to gag.
New Yorkers actually voted in a DA who says that only murderers will be put in jail and everyone else walks? Are New Yorkers insane? Or did the DA lie about his intentions before the election and change to this revolting form of "justice" afterwards? If the latter, how would that not be election fraud on his part?
The same people who voted in De Blasio..twice!!
Bragg's intentions were transparent and yes, the robots voted him into this very powerful position. So now we have a Mayor who raised our hopes of safer streets and a DA whose agenda is clearly going to undermine those initiatives.
That's a real shame, MayaMia. Here in Chicago we have the kind of state's attorney in Kim Foxx, who refuses to prosecute much violent crime on the grounds it's unfair to the criminals or some crazy thing. Cash bail is toast, so they're back on the street the same day unless the judge declares hold without bail.
Chicago, New York and San Francisco; three once great cities that are falling apart. I used to travel to Chicago for business a lot in the 80s and 90s and loved that town.
Thank you. Like ol'; blue eyes said, Chicago is my kinda town, having lived here my entire life. But we are exceptionally poorly served by our elected officials, with Kim Foxx being only the most obvious problem.
"Upon taking office, Bragg immediately dropped the probe in former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of (and hiding of) nursing home deaths."
I thought his "handling" of his interns/staff was the problem? Nursing home deaths? Meh ...
Yeh, NJ re elected Murphy and his nursing record was terrible. Just as bad as Cuomo.
Will the teachers be making any of those great singing and dancing videos in between zoom sessions?
I think there is a big misunderstanding of what occurring in media today, and the likes of Ben and Justin Smith are falling victim to it. "Independent" media has been around for many years, really starting HuffPo probably then to Slate, Vox, Gawker, etc, etc, etc...so "independent" media isn't very interesting or new. What IS interesting and (relatively) new is what I call (because I haven't seen a word to describe it) Personality Driven Media.
People across the broad don't trust institutions, including (and maybe primarily) media institutions. What people do trust are individuals like Bari, Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi, Tim Pool, etc. So the Smith's, or anyone else, running off to make another "independent" media company are badly misreading the tea leaves.
Oh gee, what's that you say Mr. Smiths...THIS will be the media institution I can trust? You'll be different than the 15 others that have said precisely the same thing over the past decade? This one won't be polarized?
"WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!!! Finally a media institution I can trust"....is what precisely zero people will say or think, or how they will act.
Tell me your name & show me your work, and I will determine if I can trust you. Show me a masthead and there is a 100% chance I never will