For those of you who prefer to read my essays instead of watching or listening to my video and/or audio commentaries, below is my assessment of Ron DeSantis’s presidential announcement. Steve Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign exploded in spectacular fashion on the Twitter Spaces launch pad, which was ludicrously curated for him by aggrieved tech billionaires David Sacks and Elon Musk.
First - do not ever stop writing essays in favor of doing podcasts. There are some of us out there who much prefer the written word. And you are a spectacularly good writer: incisive, courageous and wildly funny at times. I enjoy lingering over the words, rereading them, giggling at some. A podcast simply doesn't offer the same pleasures in the same way. I am so gratefulnthat you are offering us your thoughts at this uniquely harrowing - and sinister- time in American politics. While dark quite often, your essays actually give me hope. Write on big man!
"I was overwhelmed by an intrusive thought that placed me in the middle of the ocean on a boat with Sacks, Musk and DeSantis surrounded by hungry sharks. It was an easy choice. I jumped in. "
No!
You grab each of those twits, in turn, and THROW THEM to the sharks.
1) I agree completely; 2) thank you for putting this in printed form.
It may be generational, and may be related to how much time we have left on the planet, but I don’t have the time or patience to sit through podcasts, even those as intelligent as yours. I can read and absorb the info faster than listening. To me “podcasts” are 1950 radio shows without the sound effects. Thanks again.
Frankly I’m sick of hearing about DeSantis & Musk. We all know what they’re about, as does every young person that votes.
I want to hear your opinion on the debt ceiling debacle.
Also, I’m very concerned about Ukraine & the Russian freedom fighters taking the fight into Russia. This is huge news & I don’t hear MSM talking about it. It’s always about Trump & his legal woes & DeSantis rallying for the MAGA voters.
Rhonda being joined by Musk and the other guy is a bit like telegraphic his concept of a Putin-like kleptocracy with billionaire oligarchs in the inner circle. How this will play with younger people who are not MAGA extremists is difficult to see as positive.It is also a very negative signal to the middle class overall. Fortunately for us, Rhonda is not very good at his propaganda. I would be more worried if he were. Incidentally, my full name for him is Rhonda Sant-ass.
Thank you! Your analysis is always complex; reading helps me absorb… Your first hand experience elevates what you say. Your personal arc is fascinating. Thank you for being so truthful. I may not always agree, but I always value your inside view. ♥️
Thanks Steve. I especially liked your discussion about Elon Musk. His backing of Ron DeSantis says A LOT about Musk’s own values and ideas, - something that many have been trying to pinpoint; now, we know. I think DeSantis will shrivel up and go away as quickly as Jeb Bush’s campaign did during the 2016 election, and for similar reasons: both possess “dud” personalities. (Bush is a much better person, of course.). As a Florida native and current resident, DeSantis is an embarrassment, - and his wanting to “Make America Florida” campaign idea is both scary and stupid at the same time. I wish Colbert and Kimmel were on TV these days...they’d be having a field-day with that one!
Steve’s comments on DeSantis’ presidential launch debacle are so apropos. DeSantis revealed who he is- a puppet. And it revealed some of his chief puppeteers- Musk, Sackleh, etc. If you study Hitler, you find that it didn’t take long for many of Germany’s wealthy to find ways to ingratiate themselves to der Fuerher once Hitler became Chancellor. Musk et al are just betting on DeSantis early so they get in his good graces early. Just follow the money and you can see fascism has taken root in the GOP. As Steve points out, that’s why they use the word “regime” frequently. It’s part of their fascist nomenclature and shows how comfortable they are in taking power against the will of a majority of Americans.
It takes a lot to have to continue fighting for your home land. But you have a lot more to share than what is usually shown on the news clip with you. Your unambiguous language puts the empty headed politicians in a much starker light. Your contribution has been about charting the political goal and the way to get there.
First - do not ever stop writing essays in favor of doing podcasts. There are some of us out there who much prefer the written word. And you are a spectacularly good writer: incisive, courageous and wildly funny at times. I enjoy lingering over the words, rereading them, giggling at some. A podcast simply doesn't offer the same pleasures in the same way. I am so gratefulnthat you are offering us your thoughts at this uniquely harrowing - and sinister- time in American politics. While dark quite often, your essays actually give me hope. Write on big man!
Thank you for indulging those of us who like to read your essays. 😁
"I was overwhelmed by an intrusive thought that placed me in the middle of the ocean on a boat with Sacks, Musk and DeSantis surrounded by hungry sharks. It was an easy choice. I jumped in. "
No!
You grab each of those twits, in turn, and THROW THEM to the sharks.
1) I agree completely; 2) thank you for putting this in printed form.
It may be generational, and may be related to how much time we have left on the planet, but I don’t have the time or patience to sit through podcasts, even those as intelligent as yours. I can read and absorb the info faster than listening. To me “podcasts” are 1950 radio shows without the sound effects. Thanks again.
Although you are a handsome young man, I definitely prefer reading your thoughts. Thanks!
Frankly I’m sick of hearing about DeSantis & Musk. We all know what they’re about, as does every young person that votes.
I want to hear your opinion on the debt ceiling debacle.
Also, I’m very concerned about Ukraine & the Russian freedom fighters taking the fight into Russia. This is huge news & I don’t hear MSM talking about it. It’s always about Trump & his legal woes & DeSantis rallying for the MAGA voters.
Let’s move on.
Rhonda being joined by Musk and the other guy is a bit like telegraphic his concept of a Putin-like kleptocracy with billionaire oligarchs in the inner circle. How this will play with younger people who are not MAGA extremists is difficult to see as positive.It is also a very negative signal to the middle class overall. Fortunately for us, Rhonda is not very good at his propaganda. I would be more worried if he were. Incidentally, my full name for him is Rhonda Sant-ass.
Thank you! Your analysis is always complex; reading helps me absorb… Your first hand experience elevates what you say. Your personal arc is fascinating. Thank you for being so truthful. I may not always agree, but I always value your inside view. ♥️
I enjoy Steve’s writing and ability to articulate everything - it’s very satisfying!! love Alexandra Petri and her WaPo op-ed today too https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/25/ron-desantis-elon-musk-twitter-failure-satire/
Thanks Steve. I especially liked your discussion about Elon Musk. His backing of Ron DeSantis says A LOT about Musk’s own values and ideas, - something that many have been trying to pinpoint; now, we know. I think DeSantis will shrivel up and go away as quickly as Jeb Bush’s campaign did during the 2016 election, and for similar reasons: both possess “dud” personalities. (Bush is a much better person, of course.). As a Florida native and current resident, DeSantis is an embarrassment, - and his wanting to “Make America Florida” campaign idea is both scary and stupid at the same time. I wish Colbert and Kimmel were on TV these days...they’d be having a field-day with that one!
Steve’s comments on DeSantis’ presidential launch debacle are so apropos. DeSantis revealed who he is- a puppet. And it revealed some of his chief puppeteers- Musk, Sackleh, etc. If you study Hitler, you find that it didn’t take long for many of Germany’s wealthy to find ways to ingratiate themselves to der Fuerher once Hitler became Chancellor. Musk et al are just betting on DeSantis early so they get in his good graces early. Just follow the money and you can see fascism has taken root in the GOP. As Steve points out, that’s why they use the word “regime” frequently. It’s part of their fascist nomenclature and shows how comfortable they are in taking power against the will of a majority of Americans.
Ok, Steve. You had me at " I jumped in" as your option when faced with bobbing for eternity on a vast ocean with Sacks, Musk and DeSantis. Perfection.
Yes! I read but do not listen to podcasts.
Essay or video, I like them both.
It takes a lot to have to continue fighting for your home land. But you have a lot more to share than what is usually shown on the news clip with you. Your unambiguous language puts the empty headed politicians in a much starker light. Your contribution has been about charting the political goal and the way to get there.
It was an easy choice I jumped, and I thought that was the best thing you’ve ever written