Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

I would try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

I don’t recall signing up for living in a dystopian sci-fi novel.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

These are not very smart people, and things got out of hand.

So many bastards, so little time.

Is trump is trying to break black America over his knee? signs point to ‘yes’.

Not all heroes wear capes.

There are times when telling just part of the truth is effectively a lie.

The media handbook says “controversial” is the most negative description that can be used for a Republican.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

Also, are you sure you want people to rate your comments?

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

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Open Thread

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A couple quick notes:

1.) Michael Deaver died yesterday, and I failed to mention his passing. Deaver is the source of one of my favorite stories about Ronald Reagan, a time in which Democrats and Republicans were at each others throats during the day, but still able to get along after work. On Tip o’Neill’s birthday, Reagan had O’Neill up to his private residence, and after dinner, popped a bottle of champagne (Reagan did not drink and had to have the staff search for some booze), and offered the following toast to O’Neill:

“If I had a ticket to Heaven,
and you did not have one too,
I would throw away my ticket,
and go to hell with you.”

Deaver’s career was not without blemish, as the WSJ recounts:

Mr. Deaver’s own image suffered a setback in 1987. He was convicted on three of five counts of perjury stemming from statements to a congressional subcommittee and a federal grand jury investigating his lobbying activities with administration officials. Mr. Deaver blamed alcoholism for lapses in memory and judgment. He was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $100,000 as well as ordered to perform 1,500 hours of public service.

When the subject of a pardon surfaced in Mr. Reagan’s final days in office in 1989, the president noted that Mr. Deaver had indicated he wouldn’t accept one, according to Mr. Reagan’s diary.

Insert your own comparisons to Libby. RIP, Michael Deaver.

2.) Karl Rove will be on Face the Nation.

3.) Picked up a few films from a friend at a BBQ yesterday afternoon, and I will be watching them throughout the day while I clean the house. One is a classic that I am embarrassed to admit I have never seen- The Rules of the Game. Long time readers are aware that my favorite movie form is the documentary, and I also borrowed two more pieces of subversive media: Why We Fight and Terrorstorm. Additionally, I still owe you all reviews of Cities of Light and No End in Sight. Perhaps one day this week I can do a mass review.

Consider this your open thread.

Reader Interactions

23Comments

  2. 2.

    Otto Man

    I assume you’re talking about the recent “Why We Fight” and not the WWII-era Capra propaganda series, right? Both are terrific in their own way, but the new one — by Eugene Jarwicki (?) — is a masterpiece. Powerful stuff, but not in a clumsy Michael Moore way.

  3. 3.

    Randy Paul

    How was Cities of Light? We took a trip about 7 years ago to Andalusia, visiting Seville, Granada, Cordoba and that windsurfers paradise, Tarifa among other locations. Fascinating sights.

  4. 4.

    John Cole

    It was amazing, Randy.

    The story was fascinating and depressing, but at the same time very hopeful, all the while being a very informative flick.

    For me, the best part was the enthusiasm of the scholars interviewed during the film. They were so interested and so dedicated to what they were discussing that their excitement about the topic material was contagious.

  6. 6.

    Punchy

    Bush to Congress: Fuck off, bitches. Seriously, fuck off

    Justice Department officials refused to commit the administration to adhering to the limits laid out in the new legislation and left open the possibility that the president could once again use what they have said in other instances is his constitutional authority to act outside the regulations set by Congress.

    Huh?

  7. 7.

    Mr Furious

    Reagan did not drink and had to have the staff search for some booze

    Ronnie should have just let Tip and Teddy loose. They could sniff out any booze lickety split.

  8. 8.

    jnfr

    Karl Rove is not only on Face the Nation, he’s also on Fox News and Meet the Press. He’s a busy boy for someone who’s just retired.

  9. 9.

    rawshark

    Texas Slim Says:

    You probably did but I missed it, see/review Fog of War with Robert McNamara?

    Yes. Great documentary. I loved the part about if you’re allies don’t see the wisdom of your plan maybe you should re-think it.

  11. 11.

    dan

    I can forgive you for missing out on ‘Rules of the Game’, but only if you’ve seen ‘Grand Illusion.’ If not, make sure to watch both of them.

  12. 12.

    Leo

    “I have no choice but to dismiss you. It breaks my heart, but I can’t expose my guests to your firearms. It may be wrong of them, but they value their lives. “

  13. 13.

    RSA

    I think Rules of the Game is one of those movies that might be best described by a joke reaction to Shakespeare: “It’s so full of cliches!” That is, some later movies (their directors, really) borrowed quite a bit from Renoir. Off the top of my head, I’m reminded of Bergman (Smiles of a Summer Night), Altman (Gosford Park), and Welles (Citizen Kane); those are just a few obvious connections. I’m sure real film buffs could say a lot more.

  15. 15.

    D. Mason

    John if i might suggest a documentary to you, “America: freedom to fascism” was pretty enjoyable.

  16. 16.

    conumbdrum

    OT, but since we’re recalling those recently departed from the corporeal plane, a few words should be murmured in memory of drum giant Max Roach, taken on Thursday at 83… one of the finest percussionists of all time, and a hell of a guy.

    His We Insist! Freedom Now Suite lp (1960) is one of the classic Black Power documents, and not to be missed.

  18. 18.

    Randy Paul

    What conumbrum said. What I will always remember in addition to the music was how much he admired Clifford Brown and how to the end he got misty-eyed whenever Brownie came up in conversation.

    John. Thanks for the heads up. BTW, Cities of Light will be on PBS on Wednesday.

    If the subject interests I recommend The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain by Rosa Maria Menocal.

  19. 19.

    TenguPhule

    his constitutional authority to act outside the regulations set by Congress.

    So this is how Democracy dies. In thunderous applause.

  20. 20.

    Tulkinghorn

    I did not know Roach and Brown played together – I did find a nice piece alleging to be them together on youtube, though.

    Time to track that one down on vinyl. Time to get off my duff and start ripping all my LPs. Now that there is no money in music publishing, we can’t wait for this stuff to be reissued on CDs, and I fear a lot of it will be lost.

  23. 23.

    Tax Analyst

    I picked up “Shut Up And Sing”, the Documentary about how the Dixie Chicks dealt with the uproar over Natalie Maines 2003 statement at a London Concert about being ashamed that the Commander-in-Chief, George Bush, was from Texas (which he actually is not). I thought it was quite good…of course I’ve always liked the Dixie Chicks and thought Ms. Maines was right on target about Mr. Bush from the very start of the brouhaha. While she clearly lacked the amazing analytical skills of the Pundit Class, I think she made up for it with a little ordinary-folks type Common Sense. Nothing I’ve seen or heard since has done anything but straighten that opinion.

    I’m hoping to score some tickets for one of their L.A. concerts with the Eagles this October.

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