1/. No matter what happens with Trump, his legacy of lies, intimidation and revenge are spreading around the world......
As Americans stared at their TV screens early on Thursday evening, listening to the 34 Donald Trump “guilty” court verdicts rolling out one by one amid the former president’s histrionic cries that the trial was “rigged”, the immediate thought was: what on earth happens now?
To which the only honest reply is: no one knows. Anyone pretending they do is just as big a liar as Trump, dramatically convicted by a jury of his New York peers for fiddling the books to help him win the 2016 election.
CNN’s Jake Tapper said the country and the world were witnessing “an unbelievable moment in American history”. But he quickly followed up with a health warning: “For those wondering about the political consequences… the short answer is nobody has any idea. Period.”
2/. Right wing media are saying Biden froze on stage at the fundraiser in LA and had to be led off by President Obama......
This is the video and it's BS - he looks like he's basking in the applause...
3/. However...watch this video, then read Lefsetz below.....
This video is everywhere, on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and every right wing site there is but I didn't see it till I read Lefsetz.
4/. Bob Lefsetz - wake up Democrats.....
This is why the Democrats are screwed, like the major labels, they still think we’re living in the twentieth century, in the pre-internet era.The Democrats believe what happens in the three major newspapers counts, what happens on broadcast and cable TV, when the younger generations, from Gen-Z down, all live online. And a lot of their elders do too.
I wasn’t looking for this clip. I came across it on Twitter. At first I thought it was one of the endless right wing tropes that would not echo outside the community.
But then I decided to Google it, and it was EVERYWHERE!
5/. Paul Krugman articulates what Democrats should be shouting about - this is NOT a normal election, this is democracy at stake......
Some of the Americans protesting the war in Gaza have turned on President Biden.
They assert that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is killing huge numbers of civilians,
which is true, and that Biden can stop it, which is more doubtful.
But how do they deal with the reality that in a second term Donald Trump would be far more pro-Netanyahu and anti-Palestinian than our current president?
The answer I’ve been hearing is that the goal is to send a message: If Gaza costs Biden the election, Democrats will understand that in the next election they will need to rethink their seemingly reflexive support for Israel’s government and commit as a party to the protection of Palestinian rights.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/opinion/biden-trump-election.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
6/. In case you haven't seen it, this is part of the Trump speech about electric boats and sharks that Lefsetz mentions above.....
He has become completely unhinged.....one incoherent minute....but it doesn't matter to the MAGA....
7/. For an MSM look at Trump's speech, Nicole Wallace had a 12 minute segment.....
8/. In my opinion, this is one of the funniest SNL skits ever....Beavis and Butthead crack up Heidi Gardner completely.....
Worth watching again.....
9/. School meals.....boring, right? But other countries are doing meals for kids MUCH better than the US.....free for all would be a start, but another
issue is the political pressure from Big Ag to serve ultra-processed garbage to the children.....
Interesting story....
In a 2015 documentary, the film-maker Michael Moore cheekily suggested the US invade France because its school lunches are amazing.
School food culture in France is indeed enviable. Menus sometimes include beets with vinaigrette as the seasonal salad of the day, organic beef lasagne for the main course, followed by organic camembert for the cheese course and a pear for dessert.
The school community values meals and those who prepare them as contributing to students’ education. Meals are typically made from scratch using fresh ingredients. And joy is central to the experience of eating together. That said, the French system isn’t a perfect model: France doesn’t have a national school lunch program and parents are billed directly for the cost of meals.
https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/article/2024/may/31/free-healthy-school-lunches
10/. Randy Rainbow with "I'm MTG".....amusing as always, but also includes a commercial.....oh well.....
11/. ou may or may not have noticed there are fewer insects about, and that's not good. Thom Hartmann explains why....
It’s early summer here in the Pacific Northwest and the flowers are blooming; above is a photo Louise took with her iPhone yesterday morning as we were walking along the Columbia River. The hillside is ablaze with wildflowers.
But it was also eerily silent. Look carefully: No matter how much you enlarge the photo you’ll not see a single insect. Thirty years ago this hillside was swarmed with bees, flies, and dozens of other winged bugs. Today, although pretty, walking by it felt like I was passing a graveyard.
I’ll never forget the day the trucker called into my radio show from southern Illinois. It was about seventeen years ago, and he was a long-haul driver who regularly ran a coast-to-coast route from the southeast to the Pacific Northwest a few dozen times a year.
“Used to be when I was driving through the southern part of the Midwest like I am right now,” he said, “I’d have to stop every few hours to clean the bugs off my windshield. It’s been three days since I’ve had to clean bugs off my windshield on this trip. There’s something spooky going on out here.”
https://hartmannreport.com/p/is-the-loss-of-insects-a-desperate-7fe?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=302288&post_id=145107415&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2cwgv&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
12/. Weekend Update season finale - full tape [14 minutes]
Includes their opener [pretty good], two cicadas [really funny], more jokes [good] then their season finale joke swap -
very funny. Che and Jost crack up repeatedly....and they have an actual rabbi on set.
13/. Ever wondered why we are Floriduh? It's a Republican campaign to make Florida stupider by destroying
the public school system......and they have succeeded.....
As The Hill reports, public schools in Florida are shutting down in multiple districts due to a rapid loss of students. Meanwhile, private school enrollment is up by more than 50,000 students, and charter schools have picked up 68,000. Homeschooling has increased by 58.6%, which would likely be even higher if parents weren’t competing for a limited number of available homeschool vouchers. Despite those vouchers expanding by 40,000 a year, they still can’t keep up with demand.
14/. Tom Tomorrow with every talking point you have heard on Fox News in the last week!
15/. David Wallace-Wells with a look at Britain, and it's political and economic future.......doesn't look too good....
A snap election is a rush to judgment on the state of a nation, and in Britain, the vote coming in less than six weeks appears likely to be a devastating referendum on the governing Conservative Party, which is heading for all but certain humiliation. But perhaps it will also be an indictment of the Labour Party opposition, which seems remarkably uninterested in seizing the moment.
To Americans watching the sudden sprint to a new Parliament, Britain looks like a zombie state and a cautionary tale — it actually embodies many of the economic maladies Americans somewhat falsely diagnose in our own country. As of last year, the country’s per capita G.D.P. is 8.4 percent below its 2007 peak — a significant decline, which has helped make the country outside of London poorer than Mississippi.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/29/opinion/tories-labour-britain-snap-election.html?searchResultPosition=1
16/. OMG it's Armeggedon under Biden!
17/. I know the 34 counts, convicted felon etc. is old news, but this story from someone who was
in the courtroom is really interesting......
When people asked me what it was like inside the courthouse where Donald Trump stood trial, I said it reminded me of covering a political convention. It was a programmed event, with tentpole speakers, like the star witness, Michael Cohen. There was a nominee, chosen by indictment, who swept in each day with a swarm of loyal surrogates. There was press pack, wearing credentials on their lanyards, all writing down the same words, and breathing the same stale air. After final arguments, though, the atmosphere shifted. As the case went to the voters of the jury, it felt more like Election Day, when there’s nothing left to do but wait. The reporters hung around the 15th floor of the Manhattan criminal-court building, trading theories and gossip, trying out takes.
18/. An excellent blog from Heather Cox Richardson about the implications of the Trump verdict, and an analysis of the insane reactions of the MAGA group....
She has a skill that puts all of the chaos around us into order so it makes sense......
Today felt as if there was a collective inward breath as people tried to figure out what yesterday’s jury verdict means for the upcoming 2024 election. The jury decided that former president Trump created fraudulent business records in order to illegally influence the 2016 election. As of yesterday, the presumptive Republican nominee for president of the United States of America is a convicted felon.
Since the verdict, Trump and his supporters have worked very hard to spin the conviction as a good thing for his campaign, but those arguments sound like a desperate attempt to shape a narrative that is spinning out of their control. Newspapers all over the country bore the word “GUILTY” in their headlines today. https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-31-2024?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=20533&post_id=145189082&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=2cwgv&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
19/. And a toon to think about....
20/. Bob Lefsetz recommends a TV series......"Under The Bridge" sounds really good......
We have watched two episodes, and it's interesting!
This is a really good series.
You know I usually go for the foreign stuff, because it tends to be more visceral, it’s easier to lose yourself in the foreign shows, and we’ve been on a streak of international series that I don’t think should be your first choice if you watch what the algorithm serves you, but still they were very good.
https://lefsetz.com/wordpress/2024/06/01/under-the-bridge/
21/. Book Review.....this book sounds fascinating....
Does pure evil exist, i.e. Satan?
When I was 12 years old, my family went on vacation and, at my request, left me behind. My mother told me that I could sleep in her and my stepdad’s bedroom — normally strictly off limits to kids — and watch their TV. The first night they were away, I made a horrifying mistake: “The Exorcist” was debuting on Canadian television. It came on around sunset. I turned on the TV and climbed into my parents’ bed. You know what happened next.
I wanted to go turn off the TV, but I didn’t dare for fear of what might be waiting in the darkness. I tried hiding under the covers but that only made it worse. I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I do know that every time I closed my eyes I could see the ravaged, green, grinning face of Linda Blair. As Randall Sullivan would say, the face of evil.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/29/books/review/randall-sullivan-the-devils-best-trick.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
22/. The best movie of the summer? "Hit Man" on Netflix?We just watched it and it's very good, but it's not as good as the hype machine makes it out to be....still very watchable.....
Lefletz liked it though....
A Golfer joke.....A Golfer was involved in a terrible car crash and was rushed to hospital.
Just before he was put under, the Surgeon popped in to see him.
"I have some good news and some bad news."
The Surgeon tells him.
"The bad news is that I have to remove your right arm!"
“Oh God no," the man cries. "My Golfing is over.
Please Doc, what's the good news?"
"The good news is, I have another one to replace it with, but it's a woman's arm and I'll need your permission before go ahead with the transplant."
"Go for it Doc, as long as I can play Golf again."
The operation went well and a year later the man was out on the Golf Course when he bumped into the Surgeon.
"Hi, how's the new arm?" The surgeon asks.
"Just great," the Golfer replies.
"I'm playing the best Golf of my life.
My new arm has a much finer touch and my Putting has really improved."
“That's great."
"Not only that, My handwriting has improved, learned how to sew my own clothes and even taken up painting landscapes in watercolors."
"That’s unbelievable, I'm glad to hear the transplant was such a great success.
Are you having any side effects?"
"Well, just two really," the Golfer told him.
"I have trouble Parallel Parking and every time I have an erection I get a headache!"
Today's Transylvania joke
Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe..
Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe... as it happens, near Transylvania .
They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway.
It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car.
Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.
Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding!
Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance.
Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road.
After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house.
He approaches the door and knocks.
A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door.
Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt.
Can I please use your phone?"
"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!"
An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist..
However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training.
I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."
With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely.
Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.
After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion."
Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.
The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly.
Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano.
For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.
Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up.
His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music..
Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat!
He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight!
Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.
He bursts in and shouts to his master:
"Master, Master! ..... The Hills are alive with the sound of music!"
Today's Jewish joke...
Moshe was moderately successful in his career, but as he got older he was increasingly hampered by incredible headaches.
So he sought medical help.
After being referred from one specialist to another, he finally came across a doctor who solved the problem.
"The good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration.
You have a very rare condition that causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine.
The pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles." Moshe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for.
However, he couldn't concentrate long enough to answer, so he decided he had no choice but to go under the knife.
When he left the hospital, Moshe’s head was clear for the first time for ages.
As he was walking down Golders Green High Street, he realised that he could make a new beginning and live a new life.
As he walked past a clothes shop, Moshe thought, "That's what I need - a new suit.
He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit."
The salesman eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see, size 44 long."
Moshe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?"
"It's my job."
Moshe tried on the suit. It fitted perfectly.
As Moshe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?"
Moshe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure"
The salesman eyed Moshe and said, "Let's see, 34 sleeve and 16½ neck"
Moshe was surprised, "That's right, how did you know?"
"It's my job."
Moshe tried on the shirt. It fitted perfectly.
As Moshe adjusted the collar in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about new shoes?"
Moshe was on a roll and said, "Sure"
The salesman eyed Moshe’s feet and said, "Let's see, 9½E fitting."
Moshe was astonished, "That's right, how did you know?"
"It's my job."
Moshe tried on the shoes and they fitted perfectly.
Moshe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, "How about a new hat?"
Without hesitating, Moshe said, "Sure"
The salesman eyed Moshe’s head and said, "Let's see, 7 5/8."
Moshe was incredulous, "That's right, how did you know?"
"It's my job."
The hat fitted perfectly. Moshe was feeling great, when the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear?"
Moshe thought for a second and said, "Sure"
The salesman stepped back, eyed Moshe’s waist and said, "Let's see, size 36."
Moshe laughed, "No, you're wrong this time. I've worn size 34 since I was 18 years old."
The salesman shook his head, "You can't wear a size 34.
It would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."
Today's really bad groaner....
So three Little Pigs went out to dinner one night.
The waiter comes and takes their drink order.
“I would like a Sprite,” said the first little piggy.
“I would like a Coke,” said the second little piggy.
“I want water, lots and lots of water,” said the third little piggy.
The drinks are brought out and the waiter takes their orders for dinner. “I want a nice big steak,” said the first piggy.
“I would like the salad plate,” said the second piggy.
“I want water, lots and lots of water,” said the third little piggy.
The meals were brought out and a while later the waiter approached the table and asked if the piggies would like any dessert.
“I want a banana split,” said the first piggy.
“I want a root beer float,” said the second piggy.
“I want water, lots and lots of water,” exclaimed the third little piggy.
“Pardon me for asking,” said the waiter, “but why have you only ordered water?”
You’re gonna hate me for this…
Hold on to your seat…
The third piggy says—
“Well, somebody has to go ‘Wee, wee, wee, all the way home.’”
Today's Golfer joke
]The Sunday after a nice family Shabbos, Bernard decides to play golf.
On the course, he accidentally overturns his golf cart with a loud clatter.
Freda, a very attractive and keen golfer who lives in a villa overlooking the golf course, hears the noise and calls out, "Are you OK what's-your-name?"
"My name is Bernard and I’m OK thanks," he replies.
"Forget your troubles, Bernard. Come to my villa, rest a while, and I'll help you get the cart upright later."
"That's very nice of you," says Bernard, "but I don't think my wife would like it." "Oh, come on," Freda insists. Freda was very pretty, very sexy and persuasive . . . and Bernard was weak.
"Well okay," Bernard finally agrees, and adds, "but my wife won't like it."
After a few restorative glasses of Palwin's wine and some creative putting lessons, Bernard thanks his host.
"I feel a lot better now, but I know my wife is going to be really upset."
"Don't be silly!" says Freda with a smile. "She won't know anything about this. By the way, where is she?"
"She's under the cart." replies Bernard
