Note: I’ve tried to inject some humor into today’s essay. The accompanying video is more serious, and breaks down the 2024 race and DeSantis’ collapsing effort. Governor Ron DeSantis began 2023 in the most commanding position for a presidential nomination since George W. Bush almost 25 years ago. He was fresh off a landslide victory that shattered Florida political records in a year in which MAGA Republicans went limp at their expected moment of triumph. He was being besieged by wandering billionaires, who were fleeing Mar-a-Lago, and looking for safety from more defeat, humiliation and despair.
Great change of pace writing today. Much needed while still devastated by the sickening tragedy in Nashville with the thoughts and prayers response. Thank you and please hand me a spoon....
Thoughts and prayers has become an insult to my ears. Are christians (yes, i meant small "c") so deaf, dumb and blind that they can't tell they have embraced the devil? The fable of the wolf in sheep's clothing is as appropriate today as in century's past.
I believe Christians have lost their way. They have chosen evil. Thoughts and prayers mean nothing to the families of loved ones dead of gunshots in yet another school shooting. The Republicans in Congress are doing NOTHING to help. The #1 cause of death among children is being SHOT! Why aren't Republicans outraged? Because they are too wrapped up in remaking our country in their image (shudder). No freedom, no diversity, women barefoot and pregnant, in the kitchen, of course. They'll teach fake American history so we always look good. We'd have a bunch of ignorant people who do as they're told. Sort of like MAGAs. So, no, these people are NOT Christians, and they really have to go!
I think that "true Christians" are still there. It would be an interesting angle to find some of them and ask them what they think of these people that "call" themselves "Christians". These people (like mtg, etc) have usurped the "Christian" name just as they have usurped the American flag and call themselves "patriots", to shroud themselves in as they allow their vile hatred of "the other" to run rampant over our land.
Also worth noting is the speed at which "they" are pushing legislative measures to legalize these changes. Once it's law, how does a citizen fight the law? Our jails/prisons here in TX are known for being places where people can disappear.
I think you have just shown the world exactly why so many people support DeSantis and Trump. The supporters are vile, evil, ignorant and have never learned what forks and knives are used for. They sit in front of Fox News waving their turkey legs and ribs cheering their boys on as they destroy the American elite. Their definition of elite is anyone who has ever read a book and can think for themselves.
"have never learned what forks and knives are used for." LOL!!! Now THAT is one of the funniest things I have read in a very, very long time! Thank you.
The crazy thing is some of these people aren’t stupid....just greedy. Granted, Hillbilly nation is ignorant & have no idea what they’re talking about, but you have those who do understand it. Trump was born a greedy mf’er & his kids came on board when they realized they would be cut off if they didn’t.
Once on board, they all knew it was a criminal enterprise. Melania has chosen this for her son’s life as well. After the Stormy incident, she should’ve taken Baron & run. Instead she signed a new contract with the devil. Greed
If I remember right Melania's own father was in trouble or ? in prison in her native Slovenia, Trump helped him get away and become a citizen of the U.S.
I am with you 100% Steve! I have concluded, based on information available, that approximately one third of the 200 million or so eligible voters in the United States identify politically as Republicans - if I am wrong with these numbers, I hope someone will correct me - that means that Republicans have some 67,000,000 million people from which to make a choice! So how is it that the best choices, so far, seem to be Donald Trump, who defines corruption; Ron DeSantis, a would be Nazi, definitely a thin skinned authoritarian, who sees any and every point of view he disagrees with, as “woke,” but hasn’t the faintest idea what “woke” is, but it is monosyllabic, easy to say, and gets people angry; Nikki Haley, still resting on her laurels from removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state house, and offering nothing more than her youth and inexperience; Mike Pompeo, if not the worst Secretary of State we’ve ever had, definitely in the top five, who lies with ease, and who has to look up the word ‘honor’ in the dictionary; Mike Pence, the poster child for toadyism, a sniveling coward and hypocrite, who wraps up his lies and lack of principles in religion and patriotism, the last refuge of scoundrels; and Tim Scott, who seems to think that he can be the next Barack Obama, but is lacking in the courage and conviction needed, so far, for presidential candidates? If that is the best Republicans can do, they deserve to lose! That said, as a life-long Democrat, I also think that my party, with a base of approximately 80,000,000 am also do better in selecting a candidate than we have done thus far, but that is a rant for another day!
One look at what has taken over the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, whose ambition is limitless, but whose intelligence is suspect, at best, sacrifices his soul, if indeed he has one, to that ambition by selling the power of the House of Representatives to the likes of Jim Jordan, a fast talking, lying coward, who conveniently looks the other way when there is a chance that doing the right thing might jeopardize his position; Matt Gaetz, a spoiled rich brat, who likes girls that are young , and who lack the knowledge and experience to know that he is a jerk; Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose claim to fame is stalking a 17 year old David Hogg, harassing her colleagues, blatant anti semitism, no to mention the capacity for saying the most absurd things; and then there are the Andy Biggs, James Comert, and Lauren Boebert and all the others, who seem to be convinced that their job is not to represent the constituents who elected them, but to score points with Donald Trump. It is enough to drive one to drink!
How is it that when 80% of Americans who are appalled at the mass shootings with assault weapons that sadly have come to define the United States, and who strongly favor regulations and control over assault weapons, they are ignored and dismissed? Why do these Republicans and the Trump packed Supreme Court think that the only rights worth preserving are the rights given by the Second Amendment? By the way I don’t give my party a pass on this either, as Democrats talk a big game, but are quick to wither and cave to Republican talking points, and throw up their hands and do nothing! I have had enough of this, I am pretty sure that a lot of voters like me have also had enough, and the Democratic Party wants to wake up and smell the coffee and muster up the courage to take action or we will elect those who will act!
Agree 100%! Also keep an eye on Maxwell Frost, first term congressman from Florida. 25 years old. Definitely one to watch. Would love to see him and David Hogg both in the House, but I don’t think David is 25 yet, which is the minimum age for a congressman.
Thank you for your comment. The feedback is greatly appreciated.
Let’s see if any potential Republican candidates take seriously the entertaining strategy session you have presented us with and run with it. Likely, they’ll just continue to eat pudding with their fingers and talking with their mouths full. Thank you for as much fun as one can read in this pathetic political climate of ours.
Steven, I hope you’re able to convey this message through the “back stage-door” of MSNBC where I know you “have the connections”: I was flabbergasted while watching the Rachael Maddow show last night: There was a commercial by Ed Rollins to “Sign the Petition to Draft Ron DeSantis for President in 2024”! How can MSNBC project commercials like that when they’re not obligated to? FOX Stations CHOSE NOT to air the January 6th Hearings, and they’re sure as hell not going to run ads for Democratic candidates on their stations. This should be the first step in “messaging” Democratic values, - by NOT SHOWCASING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES on MSNBC. Quid Pro Quo: Ron De Santis’s money should be “no good” ESPECIALLY on Rachael’s show! (Sorry people, but I had to get that off my chest!).
Let’s not kid ourselves - MSNBC wants advertising dollars just as much as the other news/fiction outlets!
But shame on them for airing a pro DeSantis ad, but, on the other hand, so much and so many of their shows focus solely on Trump, it’s as if they ARE an extension of his
That has troubled me this year as much as it did in 2016! Why they put his name in their mouths 20–30 times an hour is my question. (Is it good for Democrats or this country?) What’s worse is when the MSNBC pundits repeat word for word the Donald’s latest lies–and they do that often!
I understand Roberta, but they shouldn’t need money so much that they can’t be at least selective about it!! I believe strongly that FOX stations will not air anything that’s the least bit left-wing in content. This idea should be lessons 1, 2, and 3 in: “Democratic Messaging 101”. Rachael Maddow’s show is the Number One show on MSNBC, - so of all shows?!?! This was embarrassing and frankly stupid programming. Hopefully, Steve can ‘put in a word’!
Gordon, they must have needed the money; I can’t think of any other reason for their airing the ad. Democrats shouldn’t wait to start their campaign. Campaign in the moment, on the spot: A split t v screen:
On the right side: DeSantis blabbering about don’t say gay
On the left side: President Biden talking about “Chips Act”
At the bottom of the screen in bold letters: WHO HELPS OUR COUNTRY GROW?
(…or something like that
I’ve no advertising experience.)
And, yes, Steve, should do what he can to point out to MSNBC the error of their ways.
A perfect description of what I have long said--why would Republican voters go for "Trump Light" when they can get the real thing? We all wondered how DeSantis would handle being in Trump's focus, and the answer thus far is "Terribly". Trump has taken his playbook from 2016 and 2020 and doubled down on it, apparently banking on the idea that he doesn't really need any swing voters to win a Presidential election. If the polls are to be believed, he may be right.............
No, what Piers Morgan did was amplify his overt racism. Morgan has viciously - in written and spoken word - gone after Meghan Markle since she snubbed him after a meet up. He is a small, petty little man. Not unlike DeSantis.
It is difficult to have levity after another mass shooting at a school. It disgusts me to talk politics when so many of our future are being sacrificed so grown men can feel good about their manhood. Republicans would rather put their children in harms way than part company from the big money of the gun industry. Instead of pins of AR 15s on their lapels they should wear bloody pictures of slaughtered children around their necks to show how manly they are. I am sick of the thought that this is now the new normal. Democrats need to put all Republicans on notice that this is what they are running on in 24. We need a National ban of assault weapons and gun laws that make sense not sentences of a campaign add. Republicans will not change until they are all voted out of office. Then and only then they will realize they are the problem not the solution.
Well done, Steve. Your turn of phrase is always worthy of reading. Now taking it a bit more tongue in cheek, while still backhandedly skewering your target, was a refreshing read. More please!
As Professor Cox Richardson says: it would be funny if it weren't so deadly serious.
All of this, the absurdity into which we've been entrenched, is the heighth of some perverse spoof, a farce's farce, demented burlesque with really bad outfits.
But, lines are delivered as if genuine, with no hint of the parody of which they reek.
Presto, the new normal, the normalization of the grotesquely absurd.
Great change of pace writing today. Much needed while still devastated by the sickening tragedy in Nashville with the thoughts and prayers response. Thank you and please hand me a spoon....
Thoughts and prayers has become an insult to my ears. Are christians (yes, i meant small "c") so deaf, dumb and blind that they can't tell they have embraced the devil? The fable of the wolf in sheep's clothing is as appropriate today as in century's past.
I believe Christians have lost their way. They have chosen evil. Thoughts and prayers mean nothing to the families of loved ones dead of gunshots in yet another school shooting. The Republicans in Congress are doing NOTHING to help. The #1 cause of death among children is being SHOT! Why aren't Republicans outraged? Because they are too wrapped up in remaking our country in their image (shudder). No freedom, no diversity, women barefoot and pregnant, in the kitchen, of course. They'll teach fake American history so we always look good. We'd have a bunch of ignorant people who do as they're told. Sort of like MAGAs. So, no, these people are NOT Christians, and they really have to go!
I think that "true Christians" are still there. It would be an interesting angle to find some of them and ask them what they think of these people that "call" themselves "Christians". These people (like mtg, etc) have usurped the "Christian" name just as they have usurped the American flag and call themselves "patriots", to shroud themselves in as they allow their vile hatred of "the other" to run rampant over our land.
I call them "christians". No capital.
The right-wing-extremist-Christian party wouldn’t recognize Jesus if they saw him on the street today. What will it take to open their eyes?
I don’t recognize some of my
Own family members.
Also worth noting is the speed at which "they" are pushing legislative measures to legalize these changes. Once it's law, how does a citizen fight the law? Our jails/prisons here in TX are known for being places where people can disappear.
I think you have just shown the world exactly why so many people support DeSantis and Trump. The supporters are vile, evil, ignorant and have never learned what forks and knives are used for. They sit in front of Fox News waving their turkey legs and ribs cheering their boys on as they destroy the American elite. Their definition of elite is anyone who has ever read a book and can think for themselves.
"have never learned what forks and knives are used for." LOL!!! Now THAT is one of the funniest things I have read in a very, very long time! Thank you.
The crazy thing is some of these people aren’t stupid....just greedy. Granted, Hillbilly nation is ignorant & have no idea what they’re talking about, but you have those who do understand it. Trump was born a greedy mf’er & his kids came on board when they realized they would be cut off if they didn’t.
Once on board, they all knew it was a criminal enterprise. Melania has chosen this for her son’s life as well. After the Stormy incident, she should’ve taken Baron & run. Instead she signed a new contract with the devil. Greed
If I remember right Melania's own father was in trouble or ? in prison in her native Slovenia, Trump helped him get away and become a citizen of the U.S.
I am with you 100% Steve! I have concluded, based on information available, that approximately one third of the 200 million or so eligible voters in the United States identify politically as Republicans - if I am wrong with these numbers, I hope someone will correct me - that means that Republicans have some 67,000,000 million people from which to make a choice! So how is it that the best choices, so far, seem to be Donald Trump, who defines corruption; Ron DeSantis, a would be Nazi, definitely a thin skinned authoritarian, who sees any and every point of view he disagrees with, as “woke,” but hasn’t the faintest idea what “woke” is, but it is monosyllabic, easy to say, and gets people angry; Nikki Haley, still resting on her laurels from removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state house, and offering nothing more than her youth and inexperience; Mike Pompeo, if not the worst Secretary of State we’ve ever had, definitely in the top five, who lies with ease, and who has to look up the word ‘honor’ in the dictionary; Mike Pence, the poster child for toadyism, a sniveling coward and hypocrite, who wraps up his lies and lack of principles in religion and patriotism, the last refuge of scoundrels; and Tim Scott, who seems to think that he can be the next Barack Obama, but is lacking in the courage and conviction needed, so far, for presidential candidates? If that is the best Republicans can do, they deserve to lose! That said, as a life-long Democrat, I also think that my party, with a base of approximately 80,000,000 am also do better in selecting a candidate than we have done thus far, but that is a rant for another day!
One look at what has taken over the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, whose ambition is limitless, but whose intelligence is suspect, at best, sacrifices his soul, if indeed he has one, to that ambition by selling the power of the House of Representatives to the likes of Jim Jordan, a fast talking, lying coward, who conveniently looks the other way when there is a chance that doing the right thing might jeopardize his position; Matt Gaetz, a spoiled rich brat, who likes girls that are young , and who lack the knowledge and experience to know that he is a jerk; Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose claim to fame is stalking a 17 year old David Hogg, harassing her colleagues, blatant anti semitism, no to mention the capacity for saying the most absurd things; and then there are the Andy Biggs, James Comert, and Lauren Boebert and all the others, who seem to be convinced that their job is not to represent the constituents who elected them, but to score points with Donald Trump. It is enough to drive one to drink!
How is it that when 80% of Americans who are appalled at the mass shootings with assault weapons that sadly have come to define the United States, and who strongly favor regulations and control over assault weapons, they are ignored and dismissed? Why do these Republicans and the Trump packed Supreme Court think that the only rights worth preserving are the rights given by the Second Amendment? By the way I don’t give my party a pass on this either, as Democrats talk a big game, but are quick to wither and cave to Republican talking points, and throw up their hands and do nothing! I have had enough of this, I am pretty sure that a lot of voters like me have also had enough, and the Democratic Party wants to wake up and smell the coffee and muster up the courage to take action or we will elect those who will act!
David Hogg will be the one that leads the Gen Zer's to take over politics and end the madness of guns. He is so worth watching.
Agree 100%! Also keep an eye on Maxwell Frost, first term congressman from Florida. 25 years old. Definitely one to watch. Would love to see him and David Hogg both in the House, but I don’t think David is 25 yet, which is the minimum age for a congressman.
Thank you for your comment. The feedback is greatly appreciated.
Let’s see if any potential Republican candidates take seriously the entertaining strategy session you have presented us with and run with it. Likely, they’ll just continue to eat pudding with their fingers and talking with their mouths full. Thank you for as much fun as one can read in this pathetic political climate of ours.
Steven, I hope you’re able to convey this message through the “back stage-door” of MSNBC where I know you “have the connections”: I was flabbergasted while watching the Rachael Maddow show last night: There was a commercial by Ed Rollins to “Sign the Petition to Draft Ron DeSantis for President in 2024”! How can MSNBC project commercials like that when they’re not obligated to? FOX Stations CHOSE NOT to air the January 6th Hearings, and they’re sure as hell not going to run ads for Democratic candidates on their stations. This should be the first step in “messaging” Democratic values, - by NOT SHOWCASING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES on MSNBC. Quid Pro Quo: Ron De Santis’s money should be “no good” ESPECIALLY on Rachael’s show! (Sorry people, but I had to get that off my chest!).
Let’s not kid ourselves - MSNBC wants advertising dollars just as much as the other news/fiction outlets!
But shame on them for airing a pro DeSantis ad, but, on the other hand, so much and so many of their shows focus solely on Trump, it’s as if they ARE an extension of his
campaign!!
That has troubled me this year as much as it did in 2016! Why they put his name in their mouths 20–30 times an hour is my question. (Is it good for Democrats or this country?) What’s worse is when the MSNBC pundits repeat word for word the Donald’s latest lies–and they do that often!
I understand Roberta, but they shouldn’t need money so much that they can’t be at least selective about it!! I believe strongly that FOX stations will not air anything that’s the least bit left-wing in content. This idea should be lessons 1, 2, and 3 in: “Democratic Messaging 101”. Rachael Maddow’s show is the Number One show on MSNBC, - so of all shows?!?! This was embarrassing and frankly stupid programming. Hopefully, Steve can ‘put in a word’!
Gordon, they must have needed the money; I can’t think of any other reason for their airing the ad. Democrats shouldn’t wait to start their campaign. Campaign in the moment, on the spot: A split t v screen:
On the right side: DeSantis blabbering about don’t say gay
On the left side: President Biden talking about “Chips Act”
At the bottom of the screen in bold letters: WHO HELPS OUR COUNTRY GROW?
(…or something like that
I’ve no advertising experience.)
And, yes, Steve, should do what he can to point out to MSNBC the error of their ways.
Desantis’s new name “Puddun fingers”. 😂
I guess that’s better than “”Putin fingers” 🤮
A perfect description of what I have long said--why would Republican voters go for "Trump Light" when they can get the real thing? We all wondered how DeSantis would handle being in Trump's focus, and the answer thus far is "Terribly". Trump has taken his playbook from 2016 and 2020 and doubled down on it, apparently banking on the idea that he doesn't really need any swing voters to win a Presidential election. If the polls are to be believed, he may be right.............
Joe Biden is the only politician who has known how to handle Trump. He almost completely ignores him, which drives Trump crazy.
“The former guy” - how that must have got under Trump’s skin! And yet it was so comparatively polite and as if nonchalantly tossed-off.
I agree completely. I had underestimated him, and I'm so happy I was wrong.
No one's perfect, but he's done very well for himself, and thus for us.
No, what Piers Morgan did was amplify his overt racism. Morgan has viciously - in written and spoken word - gone after Meghan Markle since she snubbed him after a meet up. He is a small, petty little man. Not unlike DeSantis.
How low can a presidential nominee go?
Lower than Toddler Trump?
It is difficult to have levity after another mass shooting at a school. It disgusts me to talk politics when so many of our future are being sacrificed so grown men can feel good about their manhood. Republicans would rather put their children in harms way than part company from the big money of the gun industry. Instead of pins of AR 15s on their lapels they should wear bloody pictures of slaughtered children around their necks to show how manly they are. I am sick of the thought that this is now the new normal. Democrats need to put all Republicans on notice that this is what they are running on in 24. We need a National ban of assault weapons and gun laws that make sense not sentences of a campaign add. Republicans will not change until they are all voted out of office. Then and only then they will realize they are the problem not the solution.
from your lips to God’s ear
From his fingers to the Devil's mouth.
Well done, Steve. Your turn of phrase is always worthy of reading. Now taking it a bit more tongue in cheek, while still backhandedly skewering your target, was a refreshing read. More please!
Thanks for the laughter! It feels good!
Piers Morgan looks steady. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Good one! I love the humor. Although it's really not funny to think of him dipping his fingers in the pudding. UGH!!
As Professor Cox Richardson says: it would be funny if it weren't so deadly serious.
All of this, the absurdity into which we've been entrenched, is the heighth of some perverse spoof, a farce's farce, demented burlesque with really bad outfits.
But, lines are delivered as if genuine, with no hint of the parody of which they reek.
Presto, the new normal, the normalization of the grotesquely absurd.