Friday Tabs
- Via Mark Leibovich in The Atlantic: Biden’s Age Wasn’t a Cover-Up. It Was Observable Fact.
- Via Politico: Virginia Republicans worry about their gubernatorial candidate who invoked slavery when criticizing DEI.
- Via Axios: Trump’s deference to Putin stunned European leaders on call.
- Via Roll Call: Trump IRS nominee grilled over ties to fraudulent tax credits.
- Because I noted Manhattan Institute economics analyst Jessica Reidl the other day, this seems worth sharing from back in February: Yes, My Name has Changed…
- Via Noah Berlatsky at Public Notice: Voters want Dems to stand up to Trump, not self-flagellate. It is a good piece. But also, so much this:
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson want to be the center of the conversation because it will help them sell books. But with daily assaults on our constitution by the current inhabitant of the White House, the rest of us have, or should have, more important things to focus on.
I remember Biden’s term. Some errors were made, and some wrong headed policies were enacted. Stock markets were positive. American KIAs in Afghanistan were within the range of the previous years. Not bad for a demented cancer ridden guy. I think that we’ll look back on that period as the plateau before the decline of the USA.
…the decline of the USA.
The decline of United States began in 1954 when the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
So, Ron Wyden caught Billy Long in a bald-faced lie and confronted him with it during his hearing.
Rep. Crapo, said that he thought Long would run the IRS would “ensure that new tax legislation is implemented and administered as Congress intends it to be.”
He urged support for Long at a vote that was not yet scheduled.
Hmmm. Is Rep. Crapo playing the stall game?
You know, I wouldn’t go within 100 yards of that office with a complaint. Not to mention most of my employees don’t sit in the same state, let alone the same building.
Indeed. FTFNYT’s and WAPO’s word processors seemed to automatically add ” ,81,” to any mention of “Biden”. Conservatives regularly complain the MSM is covering up stuff said conservatives only know about because of MSM reporting.
Well dang. I read that piece by Jessica Riedl and wanted to drop a comment of support for her and her transition, but comments are turned off. Apparently a few people commented before they got turned off, and I can only guess what they might have said.
Riedl describes herself as “right-of-center” while earnestly desiring to bring research that is accurate and truthful presented respectfully.
Which doesn’t answer why she might think of herself as “right-of-center”. There’s really no place at all in the MAGA universe for someone like her.
@Jay L Gischer:
As the saying goes, “tokens get spent”
I don’t understand why Europeans are shocked that Trump is Putin’s bitch. Can they not see the Russian schlong in Trump’s mouth?
From the Reidel piece:
These two points need to be emphasized for too many people.
The first: sadly, I’ve frequently encountered the oversimplified biology in various places, including in pieces written by MDs.
Priors are a bitch, even for otherwise bright people with extensive post-secondary coursework in the sciences.
The second:
1%. 1%. 1%. Sounds miniscule. For some, perhaps even smaller if one encounters it as 99% are cis. But…
According to the 2024 census estimate, the US population is 340.1m.
That would put the number of transgender individuals at approximately 3.4m people.
Imagine, rather than the actual geographical distribution, they comprised the entire population of a single Metropolitan Statistical Area: Transtown-Boiburg-Gurlville (rhymes with native pronunciation of Louisville).
It would be the 18th most populated MSA, slightly behind Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater, and a little ahead the next 3:
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
Denver-Aurora-Centennial
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
As well as a bunch of other areas centered on major cities. For more perspective, the Omaha MSA has a shade over 1m people.
@Jay L Gischer:
Reidel describes herself as right-of-center, economically, not overall. Though she does write that she is moderate on trans issues.
Personally, as I’ve written many times here, I do not think it makes sense to split policy in terms of economic vs. social/cultural. But many Americans do.
@Michael Reynolds:
They tend to think its just performative stupidity.
They overlook the extent to whcich it’s malicious, and corrupt, performative stupidity.
Trump will burn down the alliance for the chance of a Trump Tower in Moscow.
And the Republicans will just put a public smile on the face of private despair, and bend the knee to MAGA.
“For they are honourable men.”