There are some misses from both you and Nichols on this. 1) There really are people whose thinking process is not like us, who do not or cannot process information (or at least political information) independently, logically, rationally. There was one such on a jury with me once. After days of deliberation was still “on the fence”, and we had to report a hung jury at 10.5 to 1.5. (The judge understandably berated the .5, anonymously.) My guess from observation is that the person seemed to be “waiting for a consensus” to emerge before committing, and of course that condition is not met in contentious situations like (some) trials and elections. 2) There are also people like Stephens, who I watched closely on Mahar last week. They have unexamined (and unadmitted) bigoted subconscious attitudes. When they remain adamant, as Stephens does, they can seem to others to be “living in some other world” as Ruhle accused him of (Nirvana). They don’t yet realize they are captives of so-called “systemic bigotry”. 3) The reason “Trump will get worse” is not just out of political desperation but also because he is definitively suffering from dementia, which is a *progressive* disease (always worsens, never improves).
I read the Times endorsement of Harris but I couldn’t finish it. Instead I sent them a letter asking why they were sanewashing DJT and that maybe they should tell the people on their copy desk to read it as well because they were writing headlines that never accurately disclosed the lunacy of the Republican ticket. I also hope that Walz wipes the floor with Vance tonight. And what’s with CBS not fact checking Vance during the debate? He’s as big a liar as DJT! Even Dan Rather, a former CBS anchor, questioned this decision as lunacy and cowardice. Apparently they are afraid of the right wing blowback ABC got after the other debate where Harris handed DJT his ass in a platter. Screw those idiots! If they want to believe in fairy tales who cares?
I think the so-called undecided voters are either so dumb they need companion animals to keep them from playing in traffic or they are lying. I can’t believe that anyone, at this point in the election cycle, can be that oblivious.
We need people of courage to do the right thing. If Bret Stephens needs further information about Harris he should listen to what she’s already said more carefully. I think she’s made her plans pretty clear. Besides, campaign promises are just that—promises. That doesn’t mean she’ll be able to deliver. A lot depends on the majorities in the House and Senate. If we lose the majority in the Senate and that turtlehead McConnell is back in charge it won’t matter what she wants to do. He’ll block her agenda just as he has blocked that of every Democratic president. And if Mike Johnson stays as Speaker of the House, the same applies. So everyone should make sure to vote blue all the way down. Harris needs all the help we can give her so that she can do well by us.
I believe there are some Americans who honestly dont give a rats ass about any of this. They're busy with their lives, jobs, kids, school. They figure "nothing bad will happen to me" or "my one vote wont matter". Americans have become an entitled, lazy, and uneducated bunch. We're more interested in our Fantasy Football league than the threat to our freedom. I feel a few are working really hard to make sure America doesnt end up in a dumpster on fire. Pardon my negative outlook. 🤷🏼♀️
It’s hard to be optimistic when you look around and realize that we’re all up to our necks in bullshit. Bullshit that’s being spread by media outlets who should (and have in the past) do better. I described for my father a fairly tame version of what I’d like to see happen: Harris elected, congress productive, standard of living beginning to rise, and he called me a dreamer. “Sooo optimistic!” Now my dad is a card carrying liberal, we agree on 90% of our political stances. But he just can’t get past his pessimism while he’s reciting the Sunday Times articles he’s read.. So, I understand your negative outlook. Our fellow citizens aren’t giving us a whole lot to work with..
It IS hard... In rural Missouri, my brother is in all these Facebook groups who scream doom and gloom and damn the libs...and not one of them can be rational. They just pass stupid memes back and forth. The level of intellect is low and so is their desire to hear data and process its meaning. Make America Smart Again is more than a play on words... we really need to do that!
Good article Geoff!
There are some misses from both you and Nichols on this. 1) There really are people whose thinking process is not like us, who do not or cannot process information (or at least political information) independently, logically, rationally. There was one such on a jury with me once. After days of deliberation was still “on the fence”, and we had to report a hung jury at 10.5 to 1.5. (The judge understandably berated the .5, anonymously.) My guess from observation is that the person seemed to be “waiting for a consensus” to emerge before committing, and of course that condition is not met in contentious situations like (some) trials and elections. 2) There are also people like Stephens, who I watched closely on Mahar last week. They have unexamined (and unadmitted) bigoted subconscious attitudes. When they remain adamant, as Stephens does, they can seem to others to be “living in some other world” as Ruhle accused him of (Nirvana). They don’t yet realize they are captives of so-called “systemic bigotry”. 3) The reason “Trump will get worse” is not just out of political desperation but also because he is definitively suffering from dementia, which is a *progressive* disease (always worsens, never improves).
I read the Times endorsement of Harris but I couldn’t finish it. Instead I sent them a letter asking why they were sanewashing DJT and that maybe they should tell the people on their copy desk to read it as well because they were writing headlines that never accurately disclosed the lunacy of the Republican ticket. I also hope that Walz wipes the floor with Vance tonight. And what’s with CBS not fact checking Vance during the debate? He’s as big a liar as DJT! Even Dan Rather, a former CBS anchor, questioned this decision as lunacy and cowardice. Apparently they are afraid of the right wing blowback ABC got after the other debate where Harris handed DJT his ass in a platter. Screw those idiots! If they want to believe in fairy tales who cares?
I think the so-called undecided voters are either so dumb they need companion animals to keep them from playing in traffic or they are lying. I can’t believe that anyone, at this point in the election cycle, can be that oblivious.
We need people of courage to do the right thing. If Bret Stephens needs further information about Harris he should listen to what she’s already said more carefully. I think she’s made her plans pretty clear. Besides, campaign promises are just that—promises. That doesn’t mean she’ll be able to deliver. A lot depends on the majorities in the House and Senate. If we lose the majority in the Senate and that turtlehead McConnell is back in charge it won’t matter what she wants to do. He’ll block her agenda just as he has blocked that of every Democratic president. And if Mike Johnson stays as Speaker of the House, the same applies. So everyone should make sure to vote blue all the way down. Harris needs all the help we can give her so that she can do well by us.
The people who claim to be undecided are lying 🤥
An absolute clinic Saralyn! Thanks for this.
You’re welcome. Sometimes the columnists are just dopes. You gotta wonder why the Times hired them.
And the shit sandwich is made kkk white bread!
I believe there are some Americans who honestly dont give a rats ass about any of this. They're busy with their lives, jobs, kids, school. They figure "nothing bad will happen to me" or "my one vote wont matter". Americans have become an entitled, lazy, and uneducated bunch. We're more interested in our Fantasy Football league than the threat to our freedom. I feel a few are working really hard to make sure America doesnt end up in a dumpster on fire. Pardon my negative outlook. 🤷🏼♀️
I agree with you 👍
It’s hard to be optimistic when you look around and realize that we’re all up to our necks in bullshit. Bullshit that’s being spread by media outlets who should (and have in the past) do better. I described for my father a fairly tame version of what I’d like to see happen: Harris elected, congress productive, standard of living beginning to rise, and he called me a dreamer. “Sooo optimistic!” Now my dad is a card carrying liberal, we agree on 90% of our political stances. But he just can’t get past his pessimism while he’s reciting the Sunday Times articles he’s read.. So, I understand your negative outlook. Our fellow citizens aren’t giving us a whole lot to work with..
It IS hard... In rural Missouri, my brother is in all these Facebook groups who scream doom and gloom and damn the libs...and not one of them can be rational. They just pass stupid memes back and forth. The level of intellect is low and so is their desire to hear data and process its meaning. Make America Smart Again is more than a play on words... we really need to do that!
It can’t be done. People who are dumb can’t be changed. There’s no “smart” pill 🤢
It is all about the racism and misogyny.
Alas, that is my belief as well.