It's hard to have faith in any politician, especially at the Federal level. Military services have ways of weeding out the undesirables and usually promoting the best. Politics has a way promoting the worst, most veial menbers of either party - I give you, among others MTG and Manchin. Lest I forget, let's include Pelosi and McConnell who should be in homes for elder care - but wait, isn't the Senate an old age home for the wealthy and well-connected?
As for raising the voting age to 25, I think many Republicans would want to raise the voting to 60 or above and for white people only. The Democrats would like to see more teenagers and less white people as voters. Speaking of venial politicans, I would be remiss if I didn't mention certain members of the Supreme Court, who are above the law and have a code of ethics any member of the Mafia would applaud.
As a comedian (not you) said, all members of Congress should wear team shirts and jackets, so we know which team they represent - because it certainly isn't the American Public. The source of all humor is pain, and your humor certainly causes pain. That is, after I have stopped laughing and start to realize the truth you are telling.
While "Florida Man" has few equals in this country, and being a proud (more or less; I mean, Matt Gaetz and all) Panhandle pioneer, I still must point out--if no one else has--that the snake and hawk attack took place outside of Houston TX. Not that I haven't seen ospreys drop snakes they had caught here along Santa Rosa Sound. And the Shakespeare editing is not as dramatic as it would seem on the surface, much like the "slaves benefiting from slavery" theme was pretty overcooked. Just sayin'
We in Florida are also looking at an outbreak of native born malaria, in addition to leading the nation in Hansen's Disease. I was a Foreign Service Officer who spent a career in Africa, and I would offer that the malaria is the far more serious issue. Some experts say malaria causes more deaths than any other affliction. Leprosy, on the other hand, is curable, and not highly transmittable. Over 9 out of 10 people have a natural immunity to it. This ain't Ben Hur's Jerusalem, or the Big Island's sanatorium. There are other mycobacteria in Florida that have far worse consequences.
Separately, and not to disagree with your assessment of Vivek, yet another denizen of The Confederacy of Dunces, I'd frankly support raising voting age, drinking age, driving age, and weapon buying age to 25. If a draft were to come back, I'd raise the eligible age to 21, and waive the other age limits for members of the military. Having been young myself, long ago, I recognize the depths and limits of hormonal stupidity, and ignorance. At least one of those can be remedied; the other may pass, sooner or later, though that is not at all certain, as history and current events remind us.
Thanks for the Lake Street Dive link. I'd not heard them before.
I have about given up on the Republicans. Not that I ever was one, but as a Dem who has found myself on the conservative end of the party by just standing still from about 1976, I could even jump ship for a John Kasich type or Murkowski, but Murkowski could not even win a GOP primary and would be retired but for ranked choice which her party is trying to undo in Alaska.
I had hoped that beyond the two front runners trying to out populist each other, one of the sane nice Rs could grab the nice, sane lane, like Tim Scott, but noting Ramaswamy has now grabbed third place, I have to conclude that the nice sane lane that used to have people like McCain and Romney has ceased to exist.
Call me crazy, but somehow I don’t think all the evangelicals that have spent the last 8 years convincing themselves that Trump is a Christian are ready to elect a Hindu president. I think Ramaswamy knows that, like you said, he’s a smart guy, so I feel like maybe he’s running for something other than actually being president.
AllahNick Cattogio mentioned this piece at his Dispatch newsletter today, and judging from the reaction, I believe you may pick up a few new subscribers.
Newly paying subscriber here. Even if I'm only treated to a couple of essays every month, it's worth the 5 (6?) bucks to keep Matt writing.
I was liking what I had seen of Bowlaramaswamy on such journalistic stalwarts as CNBC, until I read your takedown. And as a Florida voter, I was pretty pleased with DeSantis as governor until he got national ambitions. Now I have to go look for a Dakotan or Carolinian to be my protest vote against the Mango Menace?
Everytime I see Vivek being interviewed, I wonder: 1) what is his skin regimen, 2) what is that lip gloss tint...I love it, where can purchase it?, and 3) who does his makeup?
Rachael Price and her band, Lake Street Dive, is just too original to fit into any particular genre. That's why they slip between the cracks. "Slip between the cracks" music is my genre, I guess. I don't pick it. It picks me. This is one of my favs by my secret, "way too young for me" crush...
Saw Lake Street Dive at the State Theatre of Ithaca in, well Ithaca. Who knew it was Cornell’s homecoming weekend, but that’s another story.
An absolutely wonderful performance. The hall size and acoustics were perfect for the band. And Rachel Price?……pheww!
The encore was Bohemian Rhapsody, the highlight of the song being LSD’s trumpet player taking on Brian May’s guitar parts in the original version. You may have heard it. The trumpeter got through most of it without laughing.
After, and due to the aforementioned homecoming we elbowed our way into one of the best oyster shucking joints this side of _____________.
Carry on.
Oh yeah, great article although admittedly I just read them for the music.
The Ramaswamy Tsunami!
It's hard to have faith in any politician, especially at the Federal level. Military services have ways of weeding out the undesirables and usually promoting the best. Politics has a way promoting the worst, most veial menbers of either party - I give you, among others MTG and Manchin. Lest I forget, let's include Pelosi and McConnell who should be in homes for elder care - but wait, isn't the Senate an old age home for the wealthy and well-connected?
As for raising the voting age to 25, I think many Republicans would want to raise the voting to 60 or above and for white people only. The Democrats would like to see more teenagers and less white people as voters. Speaking of venial politicans, I would be remiss if I didn't mention certain members of the Supreme Court, who are above the law and have a code of ethics any member of the Mafia would applaud.
As a comedian (not you) said, all members of Congress should wear team shirts and jackets, so we know which team they represent - because it certainly isn't the American Public. The source of all humor is pain, and your humor certainly causes pain. That is, after I have stopped laughing and start to realize the truth you are telling.
Is there anyone that even remotely tickles your fancy in the political arena or is everyone objectionable to you?
While "Florida Man" has few equals in this country, and being a proud (more or less; I mean, Matt Gaetz and all) Panhandle pioneer, I still must point out--if no one else has--that the snake and hawk attack took place outside of Houston TX. Not that I haven't seen ospreys drop snakes they had caught here along Santa Rosa Sound. And the Shakespeare editing is not as dramatic as it would seem on the surface, much like the "slaves benefiting from slavery" theme was pretty overcooked. Just sayin'
We in Florida are also looking at an outbreak of native born malaria, in addition to leading the nation in Hansen's Disease. I was a Foreign Service Officer who spent a career in Africa, and I would offer that the malaria is the far more serious issue. Some experts say malaria causes more deaths than any other affliction. Leprosy, on the other hand, is curable, and not highly transmittable. Over 9 out of 10 people have a natural immunity to it. This ain't Ben Hur's Jerusalem, or the Big Island's sanatorium. There are other mycobacteria in Florida that have far worse consequences.
Separately, and not to disagree with your assessment of Vivek, yet another denizen of The Confederacy of Dunces, I'd frankly support raising voting age, drinking age, driving age, and weapon buying age to 25. If a draft were to come back, I'd raise the eligible age to 21, and waive the other age limits for members of the military. Having been young myself, long ago, I recognize the depths and limits of hormonal stupidity, and ignorance. At least one of those can be remedied; the other may pass, sooner or later, though that is not at all certain, as history and current events remind us.
Thanks for the Lake Street Dive link. I'd not heard them before.
You should go to the Iowa State Fair and write up what you see the candidates doing. That should be entertaining!
I have about given up on the Republicans. Not that I ever was one, but as a Dem who has found myself on the conservative end of the party by just standing still from about 1976, I could even jump ship for a John Kasich type or Murkowski, but Murkowski could not even win a GOP primary and would be retired but for ranked choice which her party is trying to undo in Alaska.
I had hoped that beyond the two front runners trying to out populist each other, one of the sane nice Rs could grab the nice, sane lane, like Tim Scott, but noting Ramaswamy has now grabbed third place, I have to conclude that the nice sane lane that used to have people like McCain and Romney has ceased to exist.
Call me crazy, but somehow I don’t think all the evangelicals that have spent the last 8 years convincing themselves that Trump is a Christian are ready to elect a Hindu president. I think Ramaswamy knows that, like you said, he’s a smart guy, so I feel like maybe he’s running for something other than actually being president.
AllahNick Cattogio mentioned this piece at his Dispatch newsletter today, and judging from the reaction, I believe you may pick up a few new subscribers.
Hi Matt! Absolutely love the song! Thank you.
Newly paying subscriber here. Even if I'm only treated to a couple of essays every month, it's worth the 5 (6?) bucks to keep Matt writing.
I was liking what I had seen of Bowlaramaswamy on such journalistic stalwarts as CNBC, until I read your takedown. And as a Florida voter, I was pretty pleased with DeSantis as governor until he got national ambitions. Now I have to go look for a Dakotan or Carolinian to be my protest vote against the Mango Menace?
Midge meet Chomper. The Kiski River Alligator. https://assets-varnish.triblive.com/2023/08/6459660_web1_vnd-ChomperUpdate-02-081023.jpg
Great musical selection...what a voice! Thanks much
Everytime I see Vivek being interviewed, I wonder: 1) what is his skin regimen, 2) what is that lip gloss tint...I love it, where can purchase it?, and 3) who does his makeup?
Thanks for the misical selection....what a voice and what a great rendition!
Matt's music of the day:
Rachael Price and her band, Lake Street Dive, is just too original to fit into any particular genre. That's why they slip between the cracks. "Slip between the cracks" music is my genre, I guess. I don't pick it. It picks me. This is one of my favs by my secret, "way too young for me" crush...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lcUeothSPyc&si=4TEibPOqwqo8rnzN
Can we have a Matt Drinks Anything video in which he drinks whatever readers send in?
Saw Lake Street Dive at the State Theatre of Ithaca in, well Ithaca. Who knew it was Cornell’s homecoming weekend, but that’s another story.
An absolutely wonderful performance. The hall size and acoustics were perfect for the band. And Rachel Price?……pheww!
The encore was Bohemian Rhapsody, the highlight of the song being LSD’s trumpet player taking on Brian May’s guitar parts in the original version. You may have heard it. The trumpeter got through most of it without laughing.
After, and due to the aforementioned homecoming we elbowed our way into one of the best oyster shucking joints this side of _____________.
Carry on.
Oh yeah, great article although admittedly I just read them for the music.