Great interview with Michael Fanone. I've listened to many and I wonder how much he is re-traumatized every time a clip is played of him being attacked. Yet, in spite of it, he keeps marching on trying to share the truth of the event with a growing proportion of Americans who obviously can't handle the truth.
On a side note, Charlie, I'm surprised you haven't said anything about the Frontline Doc that dropped this week "Michael Flynn's Holy War". I'd love to get your perspective on it. I just keep asking myself over and over "WTF happened to Michael Flynn?!?". Looks like the Fallen Three Star is now a Cult Rock Star - and he's apparently raking in a shit ton of cash in the process. I'd love to see a diagram of his various PACs and front groups.
To me, what makes him dangerous is that compared to Pillsbury Dough Boy DeSantis, Buddha Belly Bannon and Trump's Big Mac Big Butt - Flynn actually physically personifies the strong man - chiseled jaw and presumably abs, former general with a background in psy ops - I think he's positioning himself for '24. Yet, all of them are sniveling victims - they poke others in the eye and wonder why no one likes them. To quote TFG "sad".
You're absolutely correct. Rush was a plague in this world before Fox, but did not have the multiplier that Fox provides, especially when combined with social media. The bottom line is that the right wing media spreads violent, virulent falsehoods with absolutely no downside. For Fox, the more preposterous the lie, the higher the ad revenues. Capitalism at its finest (I'm ex-Wall Street so this is irony/sarcasm). Thanks.
I read the entire piece in that Charlie alludes to in the Federalist. The author, once again, is oblivious to the radical in his own party. He proposes a plan that, while completely hard right, has some emanations of ration thought (i am really using that term loosely). However, there is a 60% plus majority in his party that do not use rational thought in the slightest. For ideology is easier to hold then reassessing and question your long held beliefs. The Republican 2.20 party cannot discard its notions of small government and hope to prosper because it fits too naturally into the cynicism of its Qanon wing. The Republic party is mostly made up of 3 factions, White Nationalists, Evangelical Christians, and Conspiracy Theorists nut jobs. While I would not trade any of them for Putin Loving Russians. They have created a cohesive group around the singular threat of democratic government. At the very least a cynical view of it altogether.
Thanks to Republican gerrymandering, Andrew Clyde will be my Congressman come next January. I plan to leave a lot of blanks on my ballot, but for this one I WILL actually cast my vote for the Democrat. Not that it will matter.
Where and When will this be available?: "replay of the panel discussion with Amanda Carpenter, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller". Have scoured Bulwark site?!? Please advise!
Here's the relevant excerpt from the Federalist essay:
*Calling oneself a conservative in today’s political climate would be like saying one is a conservative because one wants to preserve the medieval European traditions of arranged marriage and trial by combat. Whatever the merits of those practices, you cannot preserve or defend something that is dead. Perhaps you can retain a memory of it or knowledge of it. But that is not what conservatism was purportedly about. It was about maintaining traditions and preserving Western civilization as a living and vibrant thing.
Well, too late.*
The essay is basically a rehash of Glenn Ellmers's recent Claremont screed disqualifying half the US population from being real Americans and advocating resort to government coercion as a solution to modern cultural conflicts and a means to "rebuilding" an acceptable society.
Though, by that logic, why brute government force couldn't similarly "rebuild" support for arranged marriages and trial by combat escapes me. Who's to say those quaint customs are truly "dead?"
But apparently it comes down to breaking up Big Tech, prosecuting all abortionists and outlawing gay marriage. Oh and treating Drag Queen Story Hour as child abuse. (Nothing about Kari Lake's past attendance with her child at such events.)
The underlying premise is that there is still a vestige of traditional mores and taboos to which most people allegedly adhere, but which it's fatuous to imagine an impotent classical liberalism or Goldwater conservatism can salvage.
Except that most people are not hard line Right to Lifers - not even Ron DeSantis - nor do they stridently oppose either gay marriage or, er, Drag Queen Story Hour. So that leave Big Tech. How will Elon Musk feel if the Antitrust Division goes after Twitter?
This is performative polemics by a mutual admiration society of wannabe Falangists. The danger is that an apathetic electorate and go-along-to-get-along politicians will tolerate mounting governmental incursions by self styled "counter-revolutionaries" who - rather like the hard Left - have persuaded themselves that they're saving America in spite of itself.
Big thumbs up for Officer Fanone speaking truth to power, or rather, to the ungrateful cowards like McCarthy that Fanone risked his life to protect. A hero in every sense of the word.
I have maintained for years - since Roger Ailes took over Fox News - that Fox would ultimately lead to the downfall of our republic. Unfortunately it appears that is going to be the case. Facts do not matter. The constant drum beat of lies, blatant racism and now purveying of outright fascism is taking its toll. The America that I grew up in with sane political discourse is long gone and now in large part reflects the Germany of the early 30's - with all that implies. Not all Fox's doing, but in large part they have provided the platform and accelerant at every stage. Of course, Twitter, Facebook, et al have served the same falsehoods and propaganda and are as at fault as Fox. It is interesting that immigrants - the Murdochs - rather than contributing to the betterment of the society that welcomed/accepted them (money does talk and loudly), are the prime movers of our fading into history as a failed experiment. I know that outlook is pessimistic and I hope - truly hope - that I am proven wrong for the sake of my children and grandchildren. Lastly, I once again, as I often do, refer to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" written in 1935 and how especially prescient he was. We are on the cusp (or perhaps over it) of what he predicted and it is not a pretty picture.
Thanks so much for your deep dive. I get it now and agree with your assessment.
Great interview with Michael Fanone. I've listened to many and I wonder how much he is re-traumatized every time a clip is played of him being attacked. Yet, in spite of it, he keeps marching on trying to share the truth of the event with a growing proportion of Americans who obviously can't handle the truth.
On a side note, Charlie, I'm surprised you haven't said anything about the Frontline Doc that dropped this week "Michael Flynn's Holy War". I'd love to get your perspective on it. I just keep asking myself over and over "WTF happened to Michael Flynn?!?". Looks like the Fallen Three Star is now a Cult Rock Star - and he's apparently raking in a shit ton of cash in the process. I'd love to see a diagram of his various PACs and front groups.
To me, what makes him dangerous is that compared to Pillsbury Dough Boy DeSantis, Buddha Belly Bannon and Trump's Big Mac Big Butt - Flynn actually physically personifies the strong man - chiseled jaw and presumably abs, former general with a background in psy ops - I think he's positioning himself for '24. Yet, all of them are sniveling victims - they poke others in the eye and wonder why no one likes them. To quote TFG "sad".
You're absolutely correct. Rush was a plague in this world before Fox, but did not have the multiplier that Fox provides, especially when combined with social media. The bottom line is that the right wing media spreads violent, virulent falsehoods with absolutely no downside. For Fox, the more preposterous the lie, the higher the ad revenues. Capitalism at its finest (I'm ex-Wall Street so this is irony/sarcasm). Thanks.
I read the entire piece in that Charlie alludes to in the Federalist. The author, once again, is oblivious to the radical in his own party. He proposes a plan that, while completely hard right, has some emanations of ration thought (i am really using that term loosely). However, there is a 60% plus majority in his party that do not use rational thought in the slightest. For ideology is easier to hold then reassessing and question your long held beliefs. The Republican 2.20 party cannot discard its notions of small government and hope to prosper because it fits too naturally into the cynicism of its Qanon wing. The Republic party is mostly made up of 3 factions, White Nationalists, Evangelical Christians, and Conspiracy Theorists nut jobs. While I would not trade any of them for Putin Loving Russians. They have created a cohesive group around the singular threat of democratic government. At the very least a cynical view of it altogether.
Thanks to Republican gerrymandering, Andrew Clyde will be my Congressman come next January. I plan to leave a lot of blanks on my ballot, but for this one I WILL actually cast my vote for the Democrat. Not that it will matter.
Don't forget Trump's threat about the Jews.
Where and When will this be available?: "replay of the panel discussion with Amanda Carpenter, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller". Have scoured Bulwark site?!? Please advise!
And the Committee has subpoenaed Trump. Wait for the S*** to hit the fan.
Great to hear the in-person Bulwark was a success!
Apparently Newsmax's antisemitism has its limits.
Here's the relevant excerpt from the Federalist essay:
*Calling oneself a conservative in today’s political climate would be like saying one is a conservative because one wants to preserve the medieval European traditions of arranged marriage and trial by combat. Whatever the merits of those practices, you cannot preserve or defend something that is dead. Perhaps you can retain a memory of it or knowledge of it. But that is not what conservatism was purportedly about. It was about maintaining traditions and preserving Western civilization as a living and vibrant thing.
Well, too late.*
The essay is basically a rehash of Glenn Ellmers's recent Claremont screed disqualifying half the US population from being real Americans and advocating resort to government coercion as a solution to modern cultural conflicts and a means to "rebuilding" an acceptable society.
Though, by that logic, why brute government force couldn't similarly "rebuild" support for arranged marriages and trial by combat escapes me. Who's to say those quaint customs are truly "dead?"
But apparently it comes down to breaking up Big Tech, prosecuting all abortionists and outlawing gay marriage. Oh and treating Drag Queen Story Hour as child abuse. (Nothing about Kari Lake's past attendance with her child at such events.)
The underlying premise is that there is still a vestige of traditional mores and taboos to which most people allegedly adhere, but which it's fatuous to imagine an impotent classical liberalism or Goldwater conservatism can salvage.
Except that most people are not hard line Right to Lifers - not even Ron DeSantis - nor do they stridently oppose either gay marriage or, er, Drag Queen Story Hour. So that leave Big Tech. How will Elon Musk feel if the Antitrust Division goes after Twitter?
This is performative polemics by a mutual admiration society of wannabe Falangists. The danger is that an apathetic electorate and go-along-to-get-along politicians will tolerate mounting governmental incursions by self styled "counter-revolutionaries" who - rather like the hard Left - have persuaded themselves that they're saving America in spite of itself.
I love Timmy's pink hat and pearls...quite a statement.
Do you mean to tell me that Lara Logan is nuts? Poor Newsmax to be so blindsided by this totally unexpected fact.
Big thumbs up for Officer Fanone speaking truth to power, or rather, to the ungrateful cowards like McCarthy that Fanone risked his life to protect. A hero in every sense of the word.
I have maintained for years - since Roger Ailes took over Fox News - that Fox would ultimately lead to the downfall of our republic. Unfortunately it appears that is going to be the case. Facts do not matter. The constant drum beat of lies, blatant racism and now purveying of outright fascism is taking its toll. The America that I grew up in with sane political discourse is long gone and now in large part reflects the Germany of the early 30's - with all that implies. Not all Fox's doing, but in large part they have provided the platform and accelerant at every stage. Of course, Twitter, Facebook, et al have served the same falsehoods and propaganda and are as at fault as Fox. It is interesting that immigrants - the Murdochs - rather than contributing to the betterment of the society that welcomed/accepted them (money does talk and loudly), are the prime movers of our fading into history as a failed experiment. I know that outlook is pessimistic and I hope - truly hope - that I am proven wrong for the sake of my children and grandchildren. Lastly, I once again, as I often do, refer to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" written in 1935 and how especially prescient he was. We are on the cusp (or perhaps over it) of what he predicted and it is not a pretty picture.
I laughed so hard at Chuck's "Tim Miller (he wore a hat)" comment this morning.
I can't even tell you how much remarks like that help me stay sane. Thanks Chuck.