It was a Chinese trial balloon. China used it to see our political divisiveness. It was not a threat. Biden handled it well. Did not overreact, thoughtful. We should float the Baby Trump balloon over China.
I couldn’t believe that Marco Rubio got 57.69% of the vote & Val Demings only got 41.26% in 2020. She is so qualified to be our Senator, while he is an empty suit who goes whichever way the wind blows. I watched her at the first impeachment trial & she was very impressive. I’ve seen Rubio on TV & must say he’s charming, but that doesn’t make up for stupid. In 2015, Rubio withdrew $68,000 from his 401(k) account in order to replace some home appliances (refrigerator), pay his children’s college costs (he has four, the oldest was 15 at the time, so perhaps the money was needed for their private schools), & to raise funds for his White House run. There is an automatic 20% income tax withholding from the monies, plus he was penalized 10% ($6,800) for an early withdrawal, & could possibly have owed additional taxes when he filed his return. So the cash he received from the $68,000 would have been around $47,600. In 2012 he got an advance of $800,000 on his autobiography. And what did he do with this windfall? He bought an $80,000 speedboat, & leased a $50,000 Audi Q7 SUV.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he retained his Senate seat, after all Florida voted for Trump again, & re-elected DeSantis.
Florida is heavily gerrymandered and there are lots of MAGA folks relocating to our great state of FL. Also a great deal of Democrats stayed home and didn’t vote because they didn’t like Charlie Crist for Governor. Yes I too was extremely disappointed the highly intelligent, former police chief and congresswoman Val Demings lost her bid to be our great Senator.
I also live in Fl, donated monthly to Val Demings campaign, and was genuinely gob-smacked that A. She lost, and
B. She lost by such a large percentage.
I knew DeSantis would win, but I sure hoped and prayed for a different outcome. This State has changed in the 20+ years I've lived here. And yes, we are way to heavily gerrymandered. I don't understand why this isn't being challenged in the courts.
The stronghold of the GOP in Florida is like wet chewing gum stuck to ones hair. Florida has become the safehaven for ex-presidents with insurrectionist records, narcissistic wannabe dictators, and spineless senatorial parrots that just repeat unbelievable bulshit. Past and current stooges and supporting idiots have found their permanent residences in Florida.
I watched Rubio’s interview in its entirety and of course, he was determined to slam Biden and his handling of a “BALLOON”. Let’s not even mention the copious spy-satellites that China already has in orbit, spying on us every day. Rubio is focused on a huge balloon as if it’s signaling the end-of-the-world. Let’s not forget that it was our military who made the final call as to the ‘when and where’ the balloon was shot down. Biden asked for it to be taken out last Wednesday. I agree with others on here: I too am a Floridian who contributed to Val Deming’s campaign. It’s astounding and disappointing how people embrace idiocy and imbecilic behavior that both Rubio and DeSantis bestrew on a daily basis.
Unfortunately Celeste, it's not just a matter of "waking up", it's a matter of EDUCATION and we have a governor who's into banning books; how's that for a dilemma?
Sometimes, politics feels like a reality show. When it does, it’s important to remember that it is, and that on any given day, it’s the dumbest one on TV — by far. This line says it all. Trying to view the United States from the outside is like looking into a bubble. A dysfunctional government, a society at total different ends of the spectrum. Corporations that no longer service their customer base and don't care to. A senior class of citizen being left out of the conversation by computers and the media. A media that no longer serves the purpose of information. Would rather spreads lies, incompetent reporting repeated endlessly by opinions of people who really do know the issues. Maybe our great experiment of democracy has come to its end. is it possible we just don't know how to grow from where we are? Maybe it is time for a new experiment.
Could be either. There are a whole lotta' GOPers being paid by Russia (Ron Johnson, come on down) but there's no reason to believe China doesn't own a few of them too
You are so right. There are many drama queens in politics today. We are on an endless loop of absurdity and stupidity, each politician trying to out do the next in their made for TV outrage. I laugh at their bad acting knowing their responses even before they are given. I am waiting for their heads to explode over the rhetoric from the right and left. All to make sound bites for viewing on Fox and friends where absurdity lives and prospers.
Steve this essay was awesome. You had me laughing a couple of times like: "Maybe the "decline” Rubio is talking about is evidenced by Rubio talking.", and "Maybe they wanted to see the stupidity play out second by second like an MRI scanning a body injected with contrast dye." lol But I can forget, "Sometimes, politics feels like a reality show. When it does, it’s important to remember that it is, and that on any given day, it’s the dumbest one on TV" Now THAT'S reality. lol
It’s impossible to have fair and free elections in Florida when DeSantis has his personal gestapo, called his “election police”. There is just too much voter intimidation and suppression. That’s how people like Rubio, Scott, DeSantis get elected.
It was a Chinese trial balloon. China used it to see our political divisiveness. It was not a threat. Biden handled it well. Did not overreact, thoughtful. We should float the Baby Trump balloon over China.
Which would cause more vomit in China than covid.
I'm going to take this as a joke.
I couldn’t believe that Marco Rubio got 57.69% of the vote & Val Demings only got 41.26% in 2020. She is so qualified to be our Senator, while he is an empty suit who goes whichever way the wind blows. I watched her at the first impeachment trial & she was very impressive. I’ve seen Rubio on TV & must say he’s charming, but that doesn’t make up for stupid. In 2015, Rubio withdrew $68,000 from his 401(k) account in order to replace some home appliances (refrigerator), pay his children’s college costs (he has four, the oldest was 15 at the time, so perhaps the money was needed for their private schools), & to raise funds for his White House run. There is an automatic 20% income tax withholding from the monies, plus he was penalized 10% ($6,800) for an early withdrawal, & could possibly have owed additional taxes when he filed his return. So the cash he received from the $68,000 would have been around $47,600. In 2012 he got an advance of $800,000 on his autobiography. And what did he do with this windfall? He bought an $80,000 speedboat, & leased a $50,000 Audi Q7 SUV.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he retained his Senate seat, after all Florida voted for Trump again, & re-elected DeSantis.
Florida is heavily gerrymandered and there are lots of MAGA folks relocating to our great state of FL. Also a great deal of Democrats stayed home and didn’t vote because they didn’t like Charlie Crist for Governor. Yes I too was extremely disappointed the highly intelligent, former police chief and congresswoman Val Demings lost her bid to be our great Senator.
I also live in Fl, donated monthly to Val Demings campaign, and was genuinely gob-smacked that A. She lost, and
B. She lost by such a large percentage.
I knew DeSantis would win, but I sure hoped and prayed for a different outcome. This State has changed in the 20+ years I've lived here. And yes, we are way to heavily gerrymandered. I don't understand why this isn't being challenged in the courts.
Jean - “He’s charming but that doesn’t make up for stupid” - Bravo, a slam dunk! I love it!
Yeah, we can't believe our eyes and ears, can we?
Jean, lol. He's a moron and you proved it with your reporting on his accounting. lol
Thank you for the information. I so wanted Val Deming to win. Marco Rubio has enough hot air to fill that balloon!!
The stronghold of the GOP in Florida is like wet chewing gum stuck to ones hair. Florida has become the safehaven for ex-presidents with insurrectionist records, narcissistic wannabe dictators, and spineless senatorial parrots that just repeat unbelievable bulshit. Past and current stooges and supporting idiots have found their permanent residences in Florida.
Marco Rubio proves there ain't no dumbass vaccine, and that you can't fix stupid.
I watched Rubio’s interview in its entirety and of course, he was determined to slam Biden and his handling of a “BALLOON”. Let’s not even mention the copious spy-satellites that China already has in orbit, spying on us every day. Rubio is focused on a huge balloon as if it’s signaling the end-of-the-world. Let’s not forget that it was our military who made the final call as to the ‘when and where’ the balloon was shot down. Biden asked for it to be taken out last Wednesday. I agree with others on here: I too am a Floridian who contributed to Val Deming’s campaign. It’s astounding and disappointing how people embrace idiocy and imbecilic behavior that both Rubio and DeSantis bestrew on a daily basis.
I hope your fellow Floridians wake up before it's too late.
Unfortunately Celeste, it's not just a matter of "waking up", it's a matter of EDUCATION and we have a governor who's into banning books; how's that for a dilemma?
So well said. He used to matter in Rep circles. Barely. Now he's just another vacuous clown.
It is difficult to find any Republican who is not a clown today.
Dangerous clowns.
They're still clowns with flamethrowers.
. . . and a great deal of POWER?
Excellent article! Thanks so much!
Sometimes, politics feels like a reality show. When it does, it’s important to remember that it is, and that on any given day, it’s the dumbest one on TV — by far. This line says it all. Trying to view the United States from the outside is like looking into a bubble. A dysfunctional government, a society at total different ends of the spectrum. Corporations that no longer service their customer base and don't care to. A senior class of citizen being left out of the conversation by computers and the media. A media that no longer serves the purpose of information. Would rather spreads lies, incompetent reporting repeated endlessly by opinions of people who really do know the issues. Maybe our great experiment of democracy has come to its end. is it possible we just don't know how to grow from where we are? Maybe it is time for a new experiment.
My question is in whose pocket does Marco Rubio belong? China or Russia?
How about his longtime sugar daddy, Norman Braman?
Odds on Russia
Could be either. There are a whole lotta' GOPers being paid by Russia (Ron Johnson, come on down) but there's no reason to believe China doesn't own a few of them too
There is enough Rubio unattractiveness and stupidity to spread around!
You are so right. There are many drama queens in politics today. We are on an endless loop of absurdity and stupidity, each politician trying to out do the next in their made for TV outrage. I laugh at their bad acting knowing their responses even before they are given. I am waiting for their heads to explode over the rhetoric from the right and left. All to make sound bites for viewing on Fox and friends where absurdity lives and prospers.
One day, politicians will actually work for the American people, and not their own interest or those of the 1%.
Take money and religion out of politics
WHEN?
I hope that happens soon or there won’t be a republic too save.
Can't wait!
I was betting on stupid, I won! Hahaha. Good overview of Rubio.
Steve this essay was awesome. You had me laughing a couple of times like: "Maybe the "decline” Rubio is talking about is evidenced by Rubio talking.", and "Maybe they wanted to see the stupidity play out second by second like an MRI scanning a body injected with contrast dye." lol But I can forget, "Sometimes, politics feels like a reality show. When it does, it’s important to remember that it is, and that on any given day, it’s the dumbest one on TV" Now THAT'S reality. lol
In 1873, Mark Twain wrote: "Consider a congressman, then consider an idiot. Bah! I repeat myself."
The idiots Twain had to deal with were GENIUSES compared to the mendacious malicious morons we have today.
It’s impossible to have fair and free elections in Florida when DeSantis has his personal gestapo, called his “election police”. There is just too much voter intimidation and suppression. That’s how people like Rubio, Scott, DeSantis get elected.