Once per week leading up to the mid-terms, I will focus on one individual member of the fascist menagerie of weirdos, criminals, wife abusers, liars, insurrectionists and conspiracy loons who have put themselves forward for high office and the life and death responsibilities that come with it.
Your comments about Lee if anything are understated, the man is despicable in countless examples. I think of him as the whore working for the orange Pimp.
However, On Romney we disagree.
Mitt could have made a contribution to our democracy and tranquility.
Had he rallied the small group of loyal republicans, loyal to America republicans that is, what a difference he could have made. Collins, merkowsky, and 2 or 3 others that were still around in 2015/16 could have saved the country from so much of our pain, anguish and anxiety we are dealing with now.
Standing on principle, voting with dems on issues of voting, extremest court nominees, environment, cabinet nominees and so many other votes that would have made the difference.
His risk: a tweet, an insult, some nasty attacks from the sycophants, in exchange for going down in history as a principled brave member of the senate. NOT A BAD DEAL
These five or six would have given cover to the cowards, when they understand he was going to put country over party and they would stand out as the weak, frightened opportunist little girls and boys.
Steve: Thanks for calling out Mike Lee for the parasite he is. Will now spend the next hour thumbing through my dictionary, looking for a word that is more despicable than "despicable", since "despicable" is actually too kind an epithet for Mr. Lee.
BTW, used to enjoy Evan's appearances on MSNBC when he was running for President, back in 2016: smart; well-spoken; always had something worthwhile to add to the national narrative.
Hope he can send Lee back to one of those mountain passes you mentioned, where thousands of migrating elk can caress him with their hooves(!)
I agree with your assessment of Mike Lee, but you paint a falsely glowing portrait of Mitt Romney. Sure, compared to Lee, Romney is a paragon of virtue. But recall, he was ready to sell out to Trump. After excoriating Trump during the election, Romney debased himself by going to dine with Trump at his gaudy tower in Manhattan in an attempt to become Trump’s Secretary of State. So much for “never embarrassing himself.”
He may be doing a good job for Utah, and he was the only senator to vote to remove trump after he was impeached by the House. But let’s not pretend he is the best Utah can do. He went along with most of Trump’s agenda, rarely speaking out.
And where has he been lately? Cravenly staying silent in the face of rising fascism. If he’s “the smartest guy in the room,” he knows better. Which makes his silence even worse.
The clear choice in Utah is Evan McMullin. However, when you have conspiracy theories ruling the day any election is up for grabs. I have always thought a lie was still a lie no matter how many times you tell it but in this post truth world of Trumpism, there is no bottom. Until the Republican Party stands up and denounces these insurrectionist for what they are we will have unqualified candidates like Mike Lee. Mike has shown his true self, believe him. He gives his allegiance to a con man instead of the American people. He deserves to be behind bars for his part of the January 6th plot against the country not be elected to the Senate. Keep shining a light on this scum of the earth because sunlight is still the best disinfectant there is.
It’s early morning on the east coast where I am reading this. My wakeup mood is gloomy as I consider the mess this country and the world are in. Thanks to this posting I now see a glimmer of hope. There is someone speaking truth to power and anyone else with an open mind.
Re-reading this column closer to Election Day, I want to recognize and applaud all those engaged in the important and exceedingly difficult and tricky work of de-trumpifying the politics of states that will probably always vote in a more conservative direction than I would. What I know of the people and politics of Salt Lake and Utah generally gives me hope that Utahn decency and civility will prevail. I hope people will recognize these qualities in Mr McMullin and send him to the Senate. Thanks also to you, Steve, for being this kind of voice and leader in American politics and journalism.
I agree about McMullin and have been a supporter of his from afar since his 2016 campaign. But I have to wholeheartedly disagree about ol' Mitt. He has become a complete moron over the last few years when it comes to common sense policy decisions for the American people. Yes I get it, he doesn't like Trump but his views towards women, voting, gun violence, climate ,healthcare, have all gone the way of corporate interest and big pharma. I'm afraid you've still got a bit of a republican hangover my friend.
You certainly do speak your mind and you do it so gloriously it always makes me smile. Sometimes the theme is not smile worthy but the words always are. The intelligence that comes across with each and every essay is so evident. I can't wait for the next day to read the next one. I wish i could vote for McMullin, but alas I live in New York, a different universe. See you tomorrow!!!!
Evan will be more moderate, and would have voted for impeachment … He will be a balancing force to Mitt … Both would represent the great state proudly and honestly … He get my vote over the current guy …
Thank you for this lucid, insightful and brilliant summary of the two Utah candidates for senator. I, too, live here (Heber Valley) although I am not a native. Was blessed to have bought a modest place here some 22 years ago, and after completing Army and DOD service, moved here permanently almost three years ago. I have already donated to the McMullin campaign more than once, but after I return from travels (Italy, woohoo!) in early October I'm going to contact the McMullin campaign to see how I can help. for the final push to victory. As a minimum, I'm going to make some phone calls. Thanks for the motivational push to do more, Steve! PS - Would be honored to have a cup of coffee - or whatever - with you some day!
In case folks would like to check out McMullin and the Senate race beyond Steve's enlightening writeup (no extra credit, though, as Steve's writeup is fully on point!):
Your comments about Lee if anything are understated, the man is despicable in countless examples. I think of him as the whore working for the orange Pimp.
However, On Romney we disagree.
Mitt could have made a contribution to our democracy and tranquility.
Had he rallied the small group of loyal republicans, loyal to America republicans that is, what a difference he could have made. Collins, merkowsky, and 2 or 3 others that were still around in 2015/16 could have saved the country from so much of our pain, anguish and anxiety we are dealing with now.
Standing on principle, voting with dems on issues of voting, extremest court nominees, environment, cabinet nominees and so many other votes that would have made the difference.
His risk: a tweet, an insult, some nasty attacks from the sycophants, in exchange for going down in history as a principled brave member of the senate. NOT A BAD DEAL
These five or six would have given cover to the cowards, when they understand he was going to put country over party and they would stand out as the weak, frightened opportunist little girls and boys.
Steve: Thanks for calling out Mike Lee for the parasite he is. Will now spend the next hour thumbing through my dictionary, looking for a word that is more despicable than "despicable", since "despicable" is actually too kind an epithet for Mr. Lee.
BTW, used to enjoy Evan's appearances on MSNBC when he was running for President, back in 2016: smart; well-spoken; always had something worthwhile to add to the national narrative.
Hope he can send Lee back to one of those mountain passes you mentioned, where thousands of migrating elk can caress him with their hooves(!)
“We are our choices” - Jean-Paul Sartre. I sure hope we start making better ones.
I agree with your assessment of Mike Lee, but you paint a falsely glowing portrait of Mitt Romney. Sure, compared to Lee, Romney is a paragon of virtue. But recall, he was ready to sell out to Trump. After excoriating Trump during the election, Romney debased himself by going to dine with Trump at his gaudy tower in Manhattan in an attempt to become Trump’s Secretary of State. So much for “never embarrassing himself.”
He may be doing a good job for Utah, and he was the only senator to vote to remove trump after he was impeached by the House. But let’s not pretend he is the best Utah can do. He went along with most of Trump’s agenda, rarely speaking out.
And where has he been lately? Cravenly staying silent in the face of rising fascism. If he’s “the smartest guy in the room,” he knows better. Which makes his silence even worse.
Lee has always reminded me of a particularly oleaginous miscreant slug.
The clear choice in Utah is Evan McMullin. However, when you have conspiracy theories ruling the day any election is up for grabs. I have always thought a lie was still a lie no matter how many times you tell it but in this post truth world of Trumpism, there is no bottom. Until the Republican Party stands up and denounces these insurrectionist for what they are we will have unqualified candidates like Mike Lee. Mike has shown his true self, believe him. He gives his allegiance to a con man instead of the American people. He deserves to be behind bars for his part of the January 6th plot against the country not be elected to the Senate. Keep shining a light on this scum of the earth because sunlight is still the best disinfectant there is.
It’s early morning on the east coast where I am reading this. My wakeup mood is gloomy as I consider the mess this country and the world are in. Thanks to this posting I now see a glimmer of hope. There is someone speaking truth to power and anyone else with an open mind.
Here's hoping that Mr. McMullin wins.
Years ago attended a wedding in Park City
Utah ..people please vote But vote wisely
YES… EVAN McMullin deserves to WIN
Show us you recognize Honest & Truthful
That is Evan McMullin….Steve keep doing the great job ! We’ll done Steve !!!
To Utahns. Vote for Evan McMullin for the United States Senate.
Re-reading this column closer to Election Day, I want to recognize and applaud all those engaged in the important and exceedingly difficult and tricky work of de-trumpifying the politics of states that will probably always vote in a more conservative direction than I would. What I know of the people and politics of Salt Lake and Utah generally gives me hope that Utahn decency and civility will prevail. I hope people will recognize these qualities in Mr McMullin and send him to the Senate. Thanks also to you, Steve, for being this kind of voice and leader in American politics and journalism.
I agree about McMullin and have been a supporter of his from afar since his 2016 campaign. But I have to wholeheartedly disagree about ol' Mitt. He has become a complete moron over the last few years when it comes to common sense policy decisions for the American people. Yes I get it, he doesn't like Trump but his views towards women, voting, gun violence, climate ,healthcare, have all gone the way of corporate interest and big pharma. I'm afraid you've still got a bit of a republican hangover my friend.
Lee will end up as a commentator on Fox News, another Trump sycophant spouting lies to the rubes that are addicted to that show.
You certainly do speak your mind and you do it so gloriously it always makes me smile. Sometimes the theme is not smile worthy but the words always are. The intelligence that comes across with each and every essay is so evident. I can't wait for the next day to read the next one. I wish i could vote for McMullin, but alas I live in New York, a different universe. See you tomorrow!!!!
Evan will be more moderate, and would have voted for impeachment … He will be a balancing force to Mitt … Both would represent the great state proudly and honestly … He get my vote over the current guy …
Thank you for this lucid, insightful and brilliant summary of the two Utah candidates for senator. I, too, live here (Heber Valley) although I am not a native. Was blessed to have bought a modest place here some 22 years ago, and after completing Army and DOD service, moved here permanently almost three years ago. I have already donated to the McMullin campaign more than once, but after I return from travels (Italy, woohoo!) in early October I'm going to contact the McMullin campaign to see how I can help. for the final push to victory. As a minimum, I'm going to make some phone calls. Thanks for the motivational push to do more, Steve! PS - Would be honored to have a cup of coffee - or whatever - with you some day!
In case folks would like to check out McMullin and the Senate race beyond Steve's enlightening writeup (no extra credit, though, as Steve's writeup is fully on point!):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/08/evan-mcmullin-lee-senate-race-trump-utah/