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How the world sees Trump:
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Today's Cartoons
QOTD: Trump As An Abuser
"Having had a night to sleep on it – and sleep very soundly – I’m much closer to what I said was the downside possibility for the President: not just a missed opportunity but a self-immolation. This was truly the worst of Trump: racist, belligerent, angry, unstable. I’ll give the man his due. Trump can be if not funny then jocular, entertaining in a predatory, roguish way. Last night had none of that. It was pure id and an id under threat.
Beyond all the individual offenses one of the underrated sub-themes of anti-Trumpism is exhaustion. One of the deepest traumas of living in the home of an abuser stems not from the outbursts of physical violence, verbal abuse or manipulation but the accumulated stress of ambient tension, uncertainty, the reflexive, unshakeable hyper-vigilance. It is exhausting in a profound way. Trump is exhausting – I suspect even for some who share his dark values. This was 90 minutes jam-packed with everything that makes Trump exhausting. Living with an abuser means being trapped in close quarters with the abuse, being unable to run. In a month voters get the chance to walk away." -- (our emphasis) Josh Marshall of TPM with his reaction to the hate-filled, unstable performance last night of bigot and fraudster Donald "Mango Mussolini" Trump.
Trump's "Proud Boys" Urged To "Stand By" For Election
The Proud Boys on Telegram have now posted an image with its logo and Trump's remark. https://t.co/xSySGrohcm pic.twitter.com/UAJFsKCsbX
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) September 30, 2020
Let's be clear about the brownshirt thugs that call themselves "Proud Boys" and whom demagogue and racist con man Donald "Mango Mussolini" Trump asked to "stand back and stand by" last night. The Southern Poverty Law Center has this to say about this violent right-wing group:
"Their disavowals of bigotry are belied by their actions: rank-and-file Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric. Proud Boys have appeared alongside other hate groups at extremist gatherings like the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville."
After Trump issued his call for "his people" to go to polling places and intimidate voters who they suspect will be voting against Trump, we can expect some in this group of young thugs to take him up on it and try to cause disruption. State and local officials have been forewarned, and now they need to be ready to respond to any coming provocations, no matter now large or small.
But, much of this is distraction and voter suppression tactics, though. Here's the best advice:
If you are angry or disheartened or terrified with what you saw, remember this is what EVERY REPUBLICAN OFFICER HODLER is signing up for right now. THIS is what they want for our country.
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 30, 2020
Vote accordingly.#Debate2020
Mid-Week Song: Landslide
This may not be a song about the Biden-Harris landslide we need in November, but multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Sufjan Stevens' new song "Landslide" released last week might nonetheless put you in the proper frame of mind. The song's from his new album "The Ascension" will be out Friday on CD / LP.
Reactions To Last Night's Shitshow
We may need to inject bleach after all, just to get cleansed after last night's epic, unhinged shit- flinging by autocratic wannabe Donald "I Alone Can Fix It" Trump, which we mostly avoided. Here are a few reactions, and some instant polling showing viewers were turned off by Trump's ugly performance:
The instant polling by CNN bears out the points made above:
Six in 10 debate watchers said former Vice President Joe Biden did the best job in Tuesday's debate, and just 28% say President Donald Trump did, according a CNN Poll of debate watchers conducted by SSRS. [snip]
About two-thirds said Biden's answers were more truthful than Trump's (65% Biden to 29% Trump), and his attacks on the President were more frequently seen as fair. Overall, 69% called Biden's attacks on Trump fair while just 32% said Trump's attacks were fair. [snip]
A majority of debate watchers (57%) said that Tuesday's debate did not affect their choice for president, while the minority who said they were moved were more apt to say they became more likely to vote Biden (32%) than Trump (11%). Biden was, however, viewed as having better addressed concerns about his candidacy (59% Biden to 37% Trump).
We're likely to have more reactions as the dust settles.
BONUS: Vox has a summary of reactions and polling for last night indicating Biden "won". Here's an interesting metric:
"Then we have the focus groups. Republican pollster Frank Luntz convened a focus group of 16 purportedly undecided voters from swing states, and in general they had kinder things to say about Biden’s performance than Trump’s.
Asked to describe Trump in one word or phrase, the responses were: “horrid,” “chaotic,” “unpolished,” “crackhead,” “ehh,” “puzzling,” “un-American,” “unhinged,” “an ass, but a confident ass,” “classic Trump,” “forceful,” “unhinged,” “bully,” “arrogant,” arrogant,” “typical.”
Then, asked to describe Biden, the responses were: “I was surprised at how well he did,” “better than expected,” “definitely more professional than Trump and I think he’s more a people person,” “competent,” “politician,” “showed restraint and compassion,” “politician,” “predictable,” “nice guy but lacking vision,” “coherent,” “leader,” “attentive and rehearsed,” “somewhat evasive,” “humanity and integrity,” “predictable,” “presidential.”
BONUS II: Favorite Bidenism, uttered after incessant interruptions -- "Will you shut up, man?!"
BONUS III: LGM's Erik Loomis --
It is literally your civic duty to NOT watch the debates. You are missing nothing of interest. These debates are contributing to the destruction of our republic. They’ve been worthless for years and now they are outright toxic. Literally anything you do is a better use of your time and better for our nation. Just. Don’t. Watch.
Advice taken.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
"It Was All A Hoax"
From the back seat of a stretch limousine heading to meet the first contestants for his new TV show “The Apprentice,” Donald J. Trump bragged that he was a billionaire who had overcome financial hardship.
“I used my brain, I used my negotiating skills and I worked it all out,” he told viewers. “Now, my company is bigger than it ever was and stronger than it ever was.”
It was all a hoax.
Months after that inaugural episode in January 2004, Mr. Trump filed his individual tax return reporting $89.9 million in net losses from his core businesses for the prior year. The red ink spilled from everywhere, even as American television audiences saw him as a savvy business mogul with the Midas touch.
Twelve years later, that image of the self-made, self-saved mogul, beamed into the national consciousness, would help fuel Mr. Trump’s improbable election to the White House.
But while the story of “The Apprentice” is by now well known, the president’s tax returns reveal another grand twist that has never been truly told — how the popularity of that fictional alter ego rescued him, providing a financial lifeline to reinvent himself yet again. And then how, in an echo of the boom-and-bust cycle that has defined his business career, he led himself toward the financial shoals he must navigate today.
Mr. Trump’s genius, it turned out, wasn’t running a company. It was making himself famous — Trump-scale famous — and monetizing that fame. (our emphasis)
That Trump is the king of tax- dodging/ fraud and an incompetent businessman on an epic scale is no longer a question to be argued by rational people. He's been conning his marks and suckers via various media since his name first appeared in the public eye. Now it's all coming out for voters to decide if a "thing" of such low character, criminality and incompetence should be rewarded with another term in the White (Supremacist) House.
History already has it's first draft written.
Judge To Kentucky AG: Release Taylor Jury Record
After days of stonewalling, weaselly Kentucky Republican Attorney General and de-facto attorney for the Louisville police department Daniel "Black Bill Barr"Cameron has been forced by a judge to release the record of grand jury proceedings in the death of Breonna Taylor. Three Louisville police officers were involved in the killing of Taylor last spring when they executed what appears to have been a no-knock warrant on her apartment.
Only one of the three officers was charged with a crime -- wanton endangerment for firing into other apartments-- and none were charged directly in Taylor's death. Under questioning, Cameron has finally admitted that he never asked the grand jury to look at any homicide charges, confirming suspicions that he went into the case with the objective of protecting the police from more serious charges. A member of the grand jury has filed a lawsuit claiming Cameron used the grand jury "to deflect accountability and responsibility for (the indictment) decisions.” Can you say "prosecutorial misconduct"?
Under the judge's ruling, members of the grand jury are at liberty to discuss the proceedings, which will likely show Cameron was acting in bad faith in bringing his minimum charges against the police to them. When you cease becoming "for the people" and instead become "for the power" you wind up in Cameron's situation. He's another one that needs to go.
Tweets Of The Day -- Let Us Prey
Christians, annoyed that you are too stupid to realize they aren't really Christians because they never follow Jesus, opt for a new way to let you know they are #FakeChristians. https://t.co/jPlQig4zV4
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) September 29, 2020
This kind of fundraising gets you a drone strike at your wedding if you’re brown. https://t.co/AxWuMNaJln
— Jonathan Gitlin (@drgitlin) September 29, 2020
Meanwhile,
Former aides say they’ve heard Trump privately ridicule conservative religious leaders, dismiss faith groups with cartoonish stereotypes, and deride rites and doctrines held sacred by many in his base.
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) September 29, 2020
My story on what Trump really thinks about religion: https://t.co/T8UyQ5bprr
Trump, on a recording obtained by The Atlantic: “The first time I met [Mike Pence], he said, ‘Will you bow your head and pray?’ and I said, ‘Excuse me?’ I’m not used to it.” https://t.co/tQth1kjQ9I
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 29, 2020
Finally,
Evangelicals spent 2000 years complaining about Satan and, when he finally comes, they vote for him.
— John Lundin š (@johnlundin) September 28, 2020
They're made for each other.
Today's Cartoons - Trump Tax Returns Edition
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"He Screwed The Country Way More"
Stephen Colbert wraps up the Trump tax returns gift- that- keeps- on- giving, noting of Trump's measly $750 tax payments in 2016 and 2017, "Trump paid Stormy Daniels $130,000; he screwed the country way more." The risible myth of Trump the Genius Businessman is also an easy target for Colbert.
Ohio Jobs: Trump Promises Broken
With the recent bombshell about lying con man and business buffoon Donald "COVID Donnie" Trump's tax returns showing not only massive debt and failure, but his contempt for taxpayers, the debate tonight in Cleveland, Ohio will have that topic as a late-breaking issue. But, as Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post notes, the state where the debate will be held has suffered significant job loss and economic dislocation as a result of Trump's broken promises:
"When President Trump steps on the debate stage Tuesday night in Ohio, no doubt he will claim the Buckeye State as his turf — living proof of his economic prowess, his ability to deliver an American manufacturing renaissance.
'It’s incredible what’s happened to the area,' he said Monday, in remarks at the White House previewing his talking points about supposedly resuscitated Ohio factories. 'It’s booming now.'
It’s a lie.
Not only because the poorly managed pandemic recession has destroyed 720,000 manufacturing jobs on net nationwide, including 38,000 in Ohio alone. Also because even before covid-19 broke out, Trump had deserted Ohio's manufacturing workers.
Just ask the laid-off workers themselves whether they agree that their fates represent, in Vice President Pence's terms, 'promises made, promises kept.'
'They’ve betrayed the American worker, they’ve betrayed all those people who voted for them and supported them,' says Dave Green, the former president of the UAW Local 1112, which represented workers at a now-defunct General Motors plant in Lordstown, about an hour away from the presidential debate stage." (our emphasis)
Former VP Joe Biden finds himself with a 5 point lead in new polling in the state of Ohio. Taking the opportunity to nail Trump on his broken promise to bring jobs back to Ohio, as part of his "Scranton vs. Park Avenue" message to working families, would make use of a great opportunity.
(photo: The closed Lordstown, OH General Motors plant. Ross Mantle / NY Times)
Monday, September 28, 2020
National Security Threat: Foreign Debt Compromises Trump
Career con man and fraud Donald "Mango Mussolini" Trump has been exposed as tax cheat and deadbeat in the bombshell New York Times article from yesterday. Other journalists are adding to the context of his tax write-offs and massive debt, and specifically how his debt is a national security threat. Here's longtime Trump watcher Tim O'Brien writing in today's Bloomberg.com:
"Trump has been bloviating about being worth $10 billion ever since he entered the 2016 presidential race, a figure that simply isn’t true. He’s worth a fraction of that amount, and the larger his indebtedness becomes, the more strain it puts on his assets. The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a particularly brutal toll on the sectors in which the Trump Organization operates — real estate, travel and leisure. If Trump is unable to meet his debt payments, he’s either going to have to sell assets or get bailed out by a friend with funds. Trump has never liked to sell anything, even when it’s hemorrhaging money. So if he’s tempted to save himself by getting a handout, that makes him a mark.
If Trump was still just a reality TV oddity, that wouldn’t be earthshaking. But he’s president, and the trade-offs someone like him would be willing to make to save his face and his wallet taint every public policy decision he makes – including issues around national security. If Vladimir Putin, for example, can backchannel a loan or a handout to the president, how hard is Trump going to be on Russia?"
Indeed, and it's not just speculation for the upcoming hundreds of millions (at least) in debt that he's personally on the hook for: it's leverage that's likely been applied to him over the past few years, pre-and-post presidency by foreign lenders (Deutsche Bank, Russian oligarchs, Saudi sheiks, etc.).
We'd also recommend reading Dan Alexander's extensively researched piece in today's Forbes.com which suggests that Mango Mussolini's debt is upwards of $1.1 billion. Since U.S. financial institutions stopped loaning to him after his multiple bankruptcies, the $1.1 billion borrowed from foreign, shady sources makes him even more susceptible to foreign pressure and influence. In other words, a national security threat.
(photo: "Vlad, I'm a little low on cash this year....")
Tweets Of The Day -- Taxing Times For Trump
Teachers paid $7,239
— Team Joe (Text JOE to 30330) (@TeamJoe) September 28, 2020
Firefighters paid $5,283
Nurses paid $10,216
Donald Trump paid $750 pic.twitter.com/5YE1cbYsBN
How many folks out there have paid more taxes than the President of the United States of America?
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) September 28, 2020
Unclear whether the press will sustain the coverage, but this is what using the agenda-setting power looks like. pic.twitter.com/ELbRI6LIas
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 28, 2020
CNN's framing is on point. pic.twitter.com/Vim6Rz0qoY
— Schooley (@Rschooley) September 28, 2020
The totally predictable irony is that the candidate who boasted that he was so rich that he "couldn't be bought" was, in fact, so deeply in debt and in such a precarious financial position that pretty much anyone could buy him. pic.twitter.com/a1AMbYPh7N
— Michael Linden (@MichaelSLinden) September 28, 2020
America 2020, where the president's indifference to mass death gets pushed out of the news by the president's election obstruction, which gets pushed out of the news by the president's supreme court scheming, which gets pushed out of the news by the president's tax fraud
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) September 28, 2020
His fans don’t care that he didn’t pay taxes. His fans don’t care if he cheated on his taxes. His fans don’t care that he lies about his taxes. His fans care that he hates, and tries to hurt, the same people they hate.
— $750Hat (@Popehat) September 27, 2020
Because there's a old Trump tweet for every occasion --
HALF of Americans don't pay income tax despite crippling govt debt...http://t.co/gDAUj0Kt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2012
Trump Wanted Daughter To Be His 2016 Running Mate
Trump added: “She’s bright, she’s smart, she’s beautiful, and the people would love her!”
In Gates’s telling, Trump’s suggestion of naming to the ticket his then-34-year-old daughter — a fashion and real estate executive who had never held elected office — was no passing fancy.
Instead, he brought up the idea repeatedly over the following weeks, trying to sell his campaign staff on the idea, insisting she would be embraced by the Republican base, Gates writes.
Trump was so taken with the concept of his eldest daughter as his vice president — and so cool to other options, including his eventual selection, then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — that his team polled the idea twice, according to Gates. (our emphasis)
The ignorant pustule honestly (a word seldom associated with Trump) thinks of himself and his family as an autocratic criminal dynasty. Moreover, in his out- of- control narcissism, he sees his daughter as some kind of distaff, alter ego version of himself, whom he has publicly lusted over. That drives the "ick" factor up even more.
Meanwhile, unloved failsons Don Jr. and Eric toil away trying to get daddy's love and attention working his daddy's base up to a lather or trying to avoid testifying about daddy's fraudulent Trump Organization. Sad!
Today's Tomorrow Cartoon: Working The "Rigged" Con
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If it's been less than clear before, Mango Mussolini's desperate desire to remain in power is explained in his tax returns that the New York Times has reported on in an epic piece of investigative reporting (see post below). For him, it's clearly a matter of Presidential immunity, staying out of court and prison for probable tax evasion and fraud, and at some point, bank and wire fraud for manipulating the value of his assets to obtain foreign loans.
Monday Reading
As always, please go to the links for the full articles/ op eds.
Less than 48 hours before the first Presidential debate, dynamite goes BOOM!
The bombshell of Mango Mussolini's tax avoidance, business incompetence and mountain of debt (much held by foreign entities) is another story that would bury any other president or politician. But, as we know, the committed Trump Cultist hears and sees only what its Dear Leader wants them to. However, the average Joe Lunchbucket taxpayer should be bristling at the thought that the supposed billionaire paid ZERO taxes for many years and only $750 in 2016. In other words, he's paid more in hush money to his porn star hookups than he has in taxes. His enormous debt, with payments coming due, and the real prospect of undue influence by foreign debt holders is a huge national security red flag. Needless to say, this is a huge story with major on- going implications.
File under "I Hire The Best People":
Brad Parscale, the former campaign manager for Donald Trump who was replaced by the President less than four months before the 2020 election, was armed with a gun and threatening to harm himself at his Fort Lauderdale home on Sunday afternoon, according to police and campaign officials.
Police responded to a home in the upscale Seven Isles neighborhood around 4 p.m. in reference to a man barricaded inside a house. When officers arrived on the scene, they made contact with the woman, the man’s wife, who had called 911. She told police that her husband was armed, had access to multiple firearms inside the house and was threatening to kill himself. (our emphasis)
What a collection of crooks, psychopaths and traitors.
No surprise here. The Washington Post endorses Joe Biden for President this morning:
In order to expel the worst president of modern times, many voters might be willing to vote for almost anybody.
Fortunately, to oust President Trump in 2020, voters do not have to lower their standards. The Democratic nominee, former vice president Joe Biden, is exceptionally well-qualified, by character and experience, to meet the daunting challenges that the nation will face over the coming four years.
Those challenges have been, to varying degrees, created, exacerbated or neglected by the incumbent: the covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed more lives in this country than anywhere else in the world; rising inequality and racial disparities; a 21st-century, high-tech authoritarianism ascendant in the world, with democracy in retreat; a planet at risk due to human-caused climate change.
Underlying them all is the question of whether U.S. democracy is any longer capable of meeting even one such challenge, let alone a host of them. Here is where Mr. Trump has done the most damage — and where Mr. Biden is almost uniquely positioned for the moment. He would restore decency, honor and competence to America’s government.
The Post led up to this endorsement in an eight- part series they called "Our Democracy in Peril."
Biden also got endorsements over the weekend from former Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Ridge, who served as the first Secretary of Homeland Security under Dumbya, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (14.8 million Twitter followers).
Moody's Analytics has a message for voters who still think Mango Mussolini and Republicans would be better for the economy:
Moody’s Analytics, an economic-research firm, has published an economic forecast weighing the effects of Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s proposals. It finds Biden’s plan would produce dramatically faster job growth and higher wages for most workers.
Biden’s proposals would lead to 18.6 million new jobs during his first term, and the average American’s income (after taxes) would increase by $4,800. Trump’s policies would lead to an increase of 11.2 million new jobs by 2025, with minimal real income gain for average households.
The main reason Biden’s plan would produce a faster recovery is that it would increase short-term deficit spending. With interest rates very low and demand depressed, an infusion of deficit spending can accelerate growth quickly. (our emphasis)
Here's how they chart out job and GDP growth under several scenarios (click on images to enlarge):
As always, we strongly recommend heading over to Infidel 753's latest link round- up for many more roads to enlightenment (or at least some finely curated links to posts on multiple topics from around the Internet).
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Across The Universe, Cont. -- Abundant Dark Matter
(click on image to enlarge)
The many stars, and dust and gas clouds that make up NGC 5585, shown here in this Hubble image, contribute only a small fraction of the total mass of the galaxy. As in many galaxies, this discrepancy can be explained by the abundant yet seemingly invisible presence of dark matter.
The stellar disc of the galaxy extends over 35 000 light-years across. When compared with galaxies of a similar shape and size, NGC 5585 stands out by having a notably different composition: Contributing to the total mass of the galaxy, it contains a far higher proportion of dark matter.
Hotspots of star formation can be seen along the galaxy’s faint spiral arms. These regions shine a brilliant blue, contrasting strikingly against the ever-black background of space.
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. TullyAcknowledgement: Gagandeep Anand
BOMBSHELL -- Trump The Tax Dodger
The New York Times has obtained tax-return data for President Trump and his companies that covers more than two decades. Mr. Trump has long refused to release this information, making him the first president in decades to hide basic details about his finances. His refusal has made his tax returns among the most sought-after documents in recent memory.
Among the key findings of The Times’s investigation:
Mr. Trump paid no federal income taxes in 11 of 18 years that The Times examined. In 2017, after he became president, his tax bill was only $750.
He has reduced his tax bill with questionable measures, including a $72.9 million tax refund that is the subject of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service.
Many of his signature businesses, including his golf courses, report losing large amounts of money — losses that have helped him to lower his taxes.
The financial pressure on him is increasing as hundreds of millions of dollars in loans he personally guaranteed are soon coming due.
Even while declaring losses, he has managed to enjoy a lavish lifestyle by taking tax deductions on what most people would consider personal expenses, including residences, aircraft and $70,000 in hairstyling for television.
Ivanka Trump, while working as an employee of the Trump Organization, appears to have received “consulting fees” that also helped reduce the family’s tax bill.
As president, he has received more money from foreign sources and U.S. interest groups than previously known. The records do not reveal any previously unreported connections to Russia. (our emphasis)
Some initial reactions --
Holy crap.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) September 27, 2020
The New York Times got its hands on Trump’s long-hidden tax info. Blockbuster reporting.
The punchline:
Trump is in bad financial shape, is in massive debt, may owe the federal gov $100 million, and shows all kinds of tax fraud red flags.
https://t.co/YJlFhNV5q8
Federal income taxes paid in 2017 (jointly with spouse):
— Max Kennerly (@MaxKennerly) September 27, 2020
Joe Biden - $3,742,974
Kamala Harris - $516,469
Bernie Sanders - $343,882
Elizabeth Warren - $268,484
Donald Trump - $750 https://t.co/1KkuViDUCe
.@JoeBiden & @DrBiden paid 6160% more in federal income taxes in ‘08 than pretend billionaire @realDonaldTrump did in ‘16.
— Kevin Cate (@KevinCate) September 27, 2020
How do you lose 915.7 million dollars in a year?
— Molly Jong-Fastš” (@MollyJongFast) September 27, 2020
No wonder he didn’t want to release his taxes
— Molly Jong-Fastš” (@MollyJongFast) September 27, 2020
The inability to run a casino was perhaps a clue.
— Richard M. Nixon (@dick_nixon) September 27, 2020
Old enough to remember when John Edwards’s $400 haircut was a huge scandal in American politics.
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) September 27, 2020
Guessing Donald Trump writing $70,000 off his taxes for hairstyling won’t even register, let alone him not paying taxes most years in the last two decades! https://t.co/Co3OwAjJkg
This has to come up at Tuesday's debate. When and if it does, there'll be flop sweat rolling from Mango Mussolini like a waterfall. This throws him off any script he might have right before this critical head- to- head with Joe Biden. Biden should definitely pound him and remind taxpayers what he must think of them ("suckers" and "losers") at every opportunity.
SCOTUS Vacancy Motivating Democrats More
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) righteously flays Sen. "Tailgunner Ted" Cruz (Bearded Weasel-TX), and reminds us what's on the line in the election and the Barrett SCOTUS nomination:
Watch my entire response to Senator Ted Cruz about the Supreme Court vacancy: pic.twitter.com/HxSCZKHMhR
— Senator Amy Klobuchar (@SenAmyKlobuchar) September 25, 2020
To prove her point, here's polling from two battleground states on the difference the rush to confirm another Mango Mussolini nominee is making in firing up our voters:
Sunday Reflection: A Blues Milestone
"Life is something like a trumpet. If you don't put anything in, you won't get anything out." Legendary African-American musician and composer W. C. Handy, who considered himself to be the "father of the blues." Credited with self-publishing the first blues song, his "The Memphis Blues" on this day in 1912, Handy brought Mississippi delta blues / Southern rag music to wide public attention as a distinct musical genre. He followed up with "St. Louis Blues" in 1914, and continued to blaze a trail for blues artists that followed him. Handy once defined the blues this way: "The blues. The sound of a sinner on revival day." That's about as close as comes.
Today's Cartoons
(click on images to enlarge)
(Nick Anderson, Washington Post Writers Group)
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