Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

No Justins, No Peace

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

If you thought you’d already seen people saying the stupidest things possible on the internet, prepare yourselves.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Chutkan laughs. Lauro sits back down.

People really shouldn’t expect the government to help after they watched the GOP drown it in a bathtub.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

This fight is for everything.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

Everybody saw this coming.

No one could have predicted…

People are weird.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

Bogus polls are all they’ve got left. Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls a year from now.

‘Museums aren’t America’s attic for its racist shit.’

You are here: Home / Elections 2024 / Sunday Morning Open Thread: Tikkun Olam

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Tikkun Olam

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Sunday Morning Open Thread: Tikkum Olam

(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)

 

Politico doesn’t know whether to be thrilled (horserace!) or appalled (are Dems even *allowed* to be optimistic?). “‘There’s a renewed sense of hope’: Dems crank up campaign as Harris clinches nomination”:

Even before she crossed the delegate threshold to become the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee on Friday, Kamala Harris could hardly have asked for a better week.

There was her packed, star-studded rally in Atlanta. She’s in the final stages of selecting a running mate to fill out her ticket. A half-dozen top Democratic strategists, from David Plouffe to Stephanie Cutter, are joining the senior ranks of her campaign. And her campaign dropped a monster fundraising total, bringing in $310 million in July…

On Friday, Harris gained “presumptive nominee” status, after the Democratic National Committee chair announced in a Zoom call that the vice president had already crossed the delegate threshold. Harris, who joined the call, said she “will officially accept your nomination next week, once the virtual campaign is closed. But already, I’m happy to know that we have enough delegates to secure the nomination.”

“Later this month, we will gather in Chicago, united as one party, where we’re going to have an opportunity to celebrate this historic moment together,” Harris said…

… A revitalized Democratic Party is reaching down into the battleground states, where the Harris campaign is sinking in its extra cash.

The vice president’s operation is doubling on-the-ground staff in North Carolina and Arizona, as well as hiring another 150 staffers in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over the next two weeks, the campaign said. In the first 24 hours of Harris’ candidacy, the campaign received 2,000 new job applications to work on the campaign.

In Arizona, the Maricopa County Democratic Party is fielding 50 calls a day from new volunteers since Harris jumped to the top of the ticket, said the party’s chair, Patti O’Neil. In Michigan, Alysa Diebolt, chair of the Macomb County Democratic Committee, said that in the last week the party’s office has been flooded with requests for yard signs from supporters. They’re waiting to print them until after Harris announces her running mate.

“There’s a renewed sense of hope,” Diebolt said. “There’s a lot more energy than there was a month ago.”…

Reader Interactions

107Comments

  1. 1.

    TBone

    Will be test driving my pink Childless Cat Ladies Voting for Kamala T-shirt every day this week at various public locations here in Pennsyltucky.  Wish me luck!

    The only place I don’t expect harassment is at the library.

    I hope to be pleasantly surprised!

  7. 7.

    rikyrah

    Chisholm did that interview where she said that we would be ready for a woman President in 50-75 years. We are coming up on 55 years from that interview

  8. 8.

    bbleh

    It really does seem like Democrats are driving media coverage rather than the other way around, for the first time in a long time.  But (following up on comments from a few threads ago), I don’t think this is mostly due to action from the top: it’s not like the Biden people were complacent, and there’s only so much you can do to influence the media MORE when you’re talking to them all the time anyway AND they are reflexively skeptical of anything you say.

    Rather, I think it’s due to a genuine grass-roots phenomenon: the sudden solidification of Dems behind Harris, and the STUNNING levels of enthusiasm, financial support, and activism.  And I think this had an even bigger impact on the media than it would have done if they hadn’t been expecting (and rooting for) a food-fight.  I think it’s taken them by surprise, and it’s mainly responsible for how their narratives have shifted materially — even during single news cycles! — and their coverage of the Felon has become noticeably more critical.

    So what drove the grass roots?  My theory is: opposition to the Felon.  I think there is a HUGE amount of pent-up dislike, frustration, even anger at the Felon and the MAGAts and the evil minions like Heritage, and Harris was the spark that set off the fire.  THIS, it seems to me, is a story that isn’t yet being covered

    Maybe the Vichy Times will fund a few safaris to, I dunno, some campus bars? suburban cafes? EARLY-morning breakfast places in the LA suburbs and exurbs?  (hahahahaha I jest.)

  10. 10.

    Scout211

    Trump’s new statement on the debate:

    (CNN)“I’ll see her on September 4th or, I won’t see her at all,” the former president wrote Saturday on his Truth Social platform.

    Trump doubled down on that pronouncement at his rally Saturday evening in Georgia, telling attendees, “We’re doing one with Fox, if she shows up.”

    “I don’t think she’s going to show up,” he added, claiming the vice president “can read a teleprompter” but can’t speak off the cuff.

    Poor baby, he’s trying so hard to be the tough guy and it just looks like he’s a big fat coward running scared.  And his team is spending so much time on his Truth Social pretending to be him trying to throw all kinds of personal insults at Kamala Harris to make him seem all powerful and shit. But it just looks desperate.

    It must be so exhausting to try to find a way to counter Kamala Harris right now, Donald.  The media is now beginning to realize that her national poll numbers are now a trend, not just a bounce.

    That must be awful for you, Donald.

    Poor baby, Donald.  Where the heck is that emotional support printer? She had better fire up that printer, Donald needs fix! Poor baby .

  16. 16.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @TBone: In my experiences with wearing my liberal heart on my sleeve/head/truck in the middle of Deep Red America, you are more likely to have people sidle up to you and say in a whisper, “Thanx.”

    Of course, my being a man may have something to do with that.

  17. 17.

    TBone

    @kalakal: 💜😍 I will report on my experiences and am only slightly trepidatious because I can yell “Weirdo!” very loudly 😆

  18. 18.

    Jeffg166

    @bbleh: My theory is Trump fatigue syndrome has set in. The majority want him to go away and never come back. Cancel his show for good.

  21. 21.

    bbleh

    @zhena gogolia: yeah, I think a lot of Dems were just not enthusiastic about Biden, maybe because they were demoralized by the literally MONTHS of media fixation on her emails his age &/or didn’t see enough difference between two old White guys.  (&tbf, a lot of us DID defend him.)

    Happily, this is behind us (I hope).

  22. 22.

    TBone

    @OzarkHillbilly: I will be doing quiet(er) outreach to those wonderful people to let them know they’re not alone.

    I truly expect some older females to dance and shout with me!  Shake that thang, girlfriend!

  23. 23.

    bbleh

    @OzarkHillbilly: same here during WV years.  Or I’d make some nasty remark about the Felon out loud in, say, a grocery store, and someone would look around real quick to make sure they didn’t see anyone else and then say quietly “you got THAT right!”

    And yeah, helps to look like someone who could beat you up.

  25. 25.

    Nukular Biskits

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    @TBone: In my experiences with wearing my liberal heart on my sleeve/head/truck in the middle of Deep Red America, you are more likely to have people sidle up to you and say in a whisper, “Thanx.”

    Of course, my being a man may have something to do with that.

    Wuz thinking the same thing when I read TBone’s post.

    At work, I intentionally don’t engage in politics because #1, that’s not what we’re paid to do and #2, I don’t want to be accused of creating a hostile work environment.

    Outside of work, though, it depends on the situation.  There was some recent incident that I mentioned here (and now I can’t recall the specifics) where I deftly changed the subject and moved on.  Other times, however, I directly challenge rightwing framing and usually do so in very harsh terms (I really should work on my “bedside manner” LOL).

    But, I do think the times I have been very publicly outspoken about my politics and my support  and received little to no pushback has to do nearly a 100% with what you mentioned above.

  26. 26.

    TBone

    @bbleh: Walmart will be the true test.  Hubby is large and hovers in his faux-MAGA eagle & flag T-shirts.

    At the lake recently, I commented to him (I didn’t think anyone was listening) about what great camouflage he wears.  Then some big, dumb blonde made a point of loudly complimenting his shirt 🙄 and I laughed in her face

  27. 27.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @bbleh: And yeah, helps to look like someone who could beat you up.

    At my age nobody sees me in that light. I think it’s more along the lines of I have a “Does not give a fuck” look and they are wary of engaging with a crazy guy who is probably carrying a gun.*

    *it’s rural Misery, doesn’t everyone? FTR, not me.

  32. 32.

    Nukular Biskits

    @Baud:

    Apropos of nothing, but my “wind down” time at night is to peruse stupid memes on my Kindle Fire, downloading the ones that particularly tickle my funny bone.  I came across this one (transcribed, since I can’t post images) and, for reasons I can’t fathom, you popped into mind:

    Q: My dad just came into my room and shouted at me in Klingon. Am I more embarrassed that he did that or that I know he said I was a disappointment to the Empire?

    A: You should be most embarrassed that you’re a disappointment to the Empire.

  37. 37.

    TBone

    Has anyone else noticed that autocorrect is getting really uppity, more and more?  Entire sentences have been “corrected,” forcing me to proofread even more than usual.  And since I’m not getting paid to do my former chore any longer, I resent the hell out of it!  *Shakes fist at clod

  41. 41.

    NotMax

    Putting out feelers about a NYC meet-up early.

    Will be visiting the area 8/22 – 9/8. Past experience is that people prefer the weekends. Looking at the calendar, Labor Day weekend seems a good choice,

    Friday (evening) 8/30 or any time Saturday 8/31 or Sunday 9/1 or Monday 9/2. Please do chime in with preferences.

    So far as venue, open to any and all suggestions. Initially thinking of either Pershing Square cafe (steps away from Grand Central Terminal at Park and 42nd) or a more funky spot, Washington Square Diner (easy access by subway, massive menu but no cocktails, beer or wine only),

  42. 42.

    Kay

    CBS poll is just all good news for us:

    Boosted by Democrats, younger and Black voters becoming more engaged and likely to vote, and by women decidedly thinking she’d favor their interests more, Vice President Kamala Harris has reset the 2024 presidential race.

    Understand too that these polls are relying on btwn 18% and 20% Black vote for Trump. Trump would have to get 2x the Black vote he got in 2020. It’s justified- that’s what the polling has shown for more than a year but if it shifts (and it has some already) Harris could open up quite the lead so there’s a lot of unrealized possible upside.

  44. 44.

    NotMax

    Sigh One bad linky at #41. Fix.

    Putting out feelers about a NYC meet-up early.

    Will be visiting the area 8/22 – 9/8. Past experience is that people prefer the weekends. Looking at the calendar, Labor Day weekend seems a good choice,

    Friday (evening) 8/30 or any time Saturday 8/31 or Sunday 9/1 or Monday 9/2. Please do chime in with preferences.

    So far as venue, open to any and all suggestions. Initially thinking of either Pershing Square cafe (steps away from Grand Central Terminal at Park and 42nd) or a more funky spot, Washington Square Diner (easy access by subway, massive menu but no cocktails, beer or wine only),

  45. 45.

    Professor Bigfoot

    @bbleh:

    I think there is a HUGE amount of pent-up dislike, frustration, even anger at the Felon and the MAGAts and the evil minions like Heritage, and Harris was the spark that set off the fire.

    This is something I’ve observed but haven’t seen reported on— hell, something I’ve felt.

    Normie Democrats are absolutely fucking pissed.

    I sure as hell am.

  47. 47.

    Anoniminous

    @Kay:

    these polls are relying on btwn 18% and 20% Black vote for Trump

    In the epic words of Feynman, “That’s not even wrong” but at least they are no longer talking about Trump taking 30%.

  48. 48.

    TBone

    @Nukular Biskits: because I sat in front of a PC for 30 years (in my face all day 40 hours per week), I no longer use one at all if I can help it.  Once per month for paying bills online after I clean the dust off of it. I was also extremely anti-cell phone until about 5 years ago, when I subbed in the phone for the PC.

    It’s not an improvement except I can do this anywhere when I’m not feeling well and the distraction from my physical ailments is a godsend.

  49. 49.

    delphinium

    @BretH @rikyrah: There is a movie about Shirley Chisholm starring the wonderful Regina King, currently streaming on Netflix (in case you haven’t already seen it).

  61. 61.

    Ivan X

    @zhena gogolia: You have a valid point, and I think it’s because the “pissed at Trump” narrative only tells half the story. Voters need more than someone to vote against — they also need someone to vote for, in order not to have large numbers stay at home. Fairly or not, a lot of people, and certainly young people, were not compelled by Biden, but feel, if not inspired by, at least somewhat enthusiastic about Harris.

    And, apart from personality and appearance factors, one observable difference between the candidates is that the Harris campaign is going after Trump hammer and tong, in a way the Biden campaign was not, and I think voters are responding positively to (and are possibly grateful for) that.

    This is not to say that Biden didn’t deserve to win the election on the merits of his character and work performance — of course he did — but, unfortunately, those are not the only criteria elections are decided by.

    ETA: What do you mean by “defend” rather than “support”?

  62. 62.

    Trivia Man

    @different-church-lady: I finally turned of the FYAC. Very low stakes whenever I text or (rarely) comment on this blog. My biggest bitch is when I type a real word but it’s not correct. Frequently “for” comes out “fir” for example. Large fingers, tiny phone.

  69. 69.

    Aziz, light!

    @bbleh: If Harris pulls well ahead of Trump in the polls, the media will do their damnedest to take her down. Gotta get their photo finish.

  70. 70.

    Professor Bigfoot

    If you know “Good Omens” then you’ll understand why I think autocorrect was Crowley’s greatest achievement; the one thing that got him fame and recognition from his Hellish corporate masters.

    Even today we curse it constantly, and the residuals keep piling up in that demon’s account… ;)

  72. 72.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @different-church-lady: Everyone complains about autocorrect, but nobody ever turns it off.

    I kept it turned off on my most recent prior phone. Seems that, for me, there is an autocorrect pain tolerance threshold.

  73. 73.

    TBone

    Good news 💙! Lifted from elsewhere:

    The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will probe why grocery prices remain high even as costs for retailers fall, Chair Lina Khan said on Thursday, a key theme for the Biden-Harris administration as it heads towards the presidential election.
    Once the FTC votes to authorize the study, major grocery chains would be ordered to provide information on their costs and prices on common products. Khan made the announcement at a public meeting with Justice Department officials on pricing practices.
    https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-targets-surging-grocery-prices-latest-probe-2024-08-01/

    Me and my Senator Casey are cheering!

    https://x.com/Bob_Casey/status/1331269134521339904

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CjEZZe7Si2c

  75. 75.

    Other MJS

    @bbleh:

    didn’t see enough difference between two old White guys

    “Democrats fall in love; Republicans fall in line.” SMDH

  77. 77.

    Eunicecycle

    @TBone: I know someone whose family owns a chain of grocery stores, and he told me once that grocery store profit margins are razor thin. That’s why their stores had a flower shop, dry cleaning drop off, etc to help that margin. I suppose they all took the “opportunity” to goose that margin some. Not a good excuse, I guess, but somewhat understandable. But I hope they revert to the old model because so many people are struggling.

  78. 78.

    bbleh

    @Aziz, light!: they will indeed!  They, the Mighty Wurlitzer, the puke funnel, ALL of them, Katie!

    And that is why WE have GOT to make it a BLOWOUT.  There can be NO doubt in the public’s mind, or in the Narrative, that Harris has won.  Because the Felon’s evil minions are working tirelessly to ratfk the electoral system from bottom to top, and the Supremes &/or the House will be happy to assist them.

  79. 79.

    TBone

    @Eunicecycle: Senator Casey has focused on big corporations instead of chains operated by mom and pop.

    Over the past few years, families across the Nation are finding their dollars don’t go as far as they used to. Even as inflation has slowed, families are still paying higher prices, thanks to corporate greed, or greedflation. Under the guise of inflation, corporations are raising prices on American families and raking in record profits to boot. From July 2020 through July 2022, inflation rose by 14 percent while corporate profits rose by more than 74 percent—nearly five times the rate of inflation.

    Senator Casey believes more must be done to hold corporations accountable for taking advantage of American workers and their families. He’s released three reports so far exposing corporate greedflation and how it’s hurting American families, as well as outlining his vision on how to push back and lower costs for working families. 

    https://www.casey.senate.gov/greedflation

    I think Lina Khan will similarly focus on the larger predators.

    From the Reuters article:

    The biggest U.S. industry players include Walmart (WMT.N), opens new tab; club grocery chain Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O), opens new tab; Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab, which operates Whole Foods; and big box retailer Target (TGT.N), opens new tab.

  80. 80.

    NotMax

    @TBone

    was also extremely anti-cell phone until about 5 years ago

    Come sidle up by me, except it was two years ago. Still keep it switched off 99% of the time. Insidious devices.
    ;)

  81. 81.

    TBone

    @NotMax: 💙 If I were not so averse to larger screens from too much “up close and personal” time working on them, I’d heave the cell phone in a NY minute!

  84. 84.

    MagdaInBlack

    @TBone: I flippin’ HATE phones period, for the same reason you hate computer screens, thus my cell phone is rarely on. On the other hand, I do love my little chromebook that I am typing to you all on.

  85. 85.

    Other MJS

    @TBone:

    Will be test driving my pink Childless Cat Ladies Voting for Kamala T-shirt

    When did you happen to turn pink? 😊

  87. 87.

    eclare

    @TBone:

    Damn.  I wish Kroger were on that list.  That chain has a virtual monopoly in Memphis.  There is a Fresh Market close to me, but the nearest WalMart is about twenty miles away, Target is ten, and Whole Foods is twelve.  So I’m stuck with Kroger.

  91. 91.

    Bill Arnold

    @different-church-lady:

    Everyone complains about autocorrect, but nobody ever turns it off.

    I do, first thing for any new mobile device, and encourage others to do so. There is usually a setting to just have it highlight misspelled words; that’s useful.
    Autocorrect is useful if what one types is easily-predictable text.

  92. 92.

    Jackie

    FYI The Twitter above for Native Men for Kamala has a typo: Aug 8 is NOT on Wed.

    Wed is the 7th; Thurs is the 8th.

    No clue which day their event actually is 🤷🏼‍♀️

  93. 93.

    TBone

    @eclare: I replied but comment went to mod for too many links from Wiki – Kroger is definitely on the list!  Largest corporate owned offender!

  94. 94.

    BretH

    @Ivan X:

    I am a Mac consultant

    Is there anything to do as one these days? I was a consultant/tech at the dying days of OS9, Performas, when the ultimate machine was the PowerMac 8600 and life as a consultant was good then. System extensions, drivers, 250mb external drives…those were the days.

  95. 95.

    Soprano2

    @zhena gogolia: Maybe having the Harris campaign to report on has relieved the press’ boredom. I don’t know what has caused this, but the sudden feeling of hope and optimism is hard to deny. I thought Biden should stay on the ticket; I’m not too proud to admit it appears I was wrong. (I still think how it happened was awful.) This election is going to be hard, and this enthusiasm might just be what wins it for us. I truly think some of it is that people want to “turn the page” on the Covid years and they didn’t feel they could do that as long as the two men most associated with that time were running for president. It’s a good of a theory as any others I’ve seen.

  97. 97.

    eclare

    @TBone:

    Great thanks!  There is no competition where I live as I don’t consider Fresh Market to be a competitor of Kroger.

  98. 98.

    Soprano2

    @Kay: That seems to suggest that the Democrats having a robust get out the vote effort could give her the edge.

  99. 99.

    Soprano2

    @TBone: Can they probe food supplier prices while they’re at it? My manager told me we might have to raise our prices again at the bar. I said I thought prices had stabilized at the store and he said yeah but not for our suppliers. They charge a “gas surcharge” regardless of what the price of fuel is. They put it into effect when the price is high and then never take it off.

  102. 102.

    Ivan X

    @BretH: haha, in the sense that nothing ever worked back then? Conflict Catcher? Good times.

    But, yeah, there’s still plenty to do, as much on the emotional support side (no less important) as on the tech side. Synchronization problems, usually due to inconsistent accounts across devices for calendar and contacts, are a particular bugaboo. Mac Outlook is another frequent area of attention. And, as good as the machines are these days, I marvel at the novel ways they can fuck up.

    Also, here in NYC, there are plenty of people willing to pay for someone to address their concerns on their schedule in their home, rather than slogging it out at the Genius Bar or on the phone with AppleCare.

    One of my favorite recent projects was setting up a Mac OS 9 VM to run a client’s ancient genealogy software, which I had to get off a PowerBook 190cs with a busted screen!

  104. 104.

    WaterGirl

    @TBone: If you choose something like “paste and match style” as opposed to PASTE, then it won’t include all the links that make copied comments go into moderation.

  105. 105.

    WaterGirl

    @KatKapCC: @Ivan X:   I think this is Anne Laurie’s nighttime :-) so I took the liberty of fixing that.  Hopefully she won’t mind.

    @Jackie: It’s Wednesday, Aug 7.  I included the corrected flyer info below.

  107. 107.

    Slightly_peeved

    @Jeffg166:

    My theory is that they were expecting to run “Biden old” to the election, much as they had “Hillary corrupt” cued up back in 2016, and the resignation left them without anything to talk about on the Dem side. But Trump’s still newsworthy, so…

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