I think the comparison to, say, Mike Lee is a bit unfair. Many on the right abandoned all of their stated principles to become windsocks inflated by and pointing in the direction of Trump's hot air, whichever way it was blowing on any given day. Graham, however, stuck to his guns on foreign policy, never abandoning Ukraine even when it would have been convenient to do so.
Trump is a man who drains the honor out of everyone around him, and sometimes I wonder about the honor in sacrificing your honor to defend what's right. Graham tarnished his legacy by befriending Trump, but used that friendship to steer Trump in small ways toward supporting Ukraine, and Israel, and the free people of the world against the illiberal enemies of humanity. It looks a lot like tarnishing his legacy to maintain power. Maybe it was a bit of both.
Re: Platner and the reaction to Platner, I think it’s very fun to see how willfully credulous these people can be—they’re basically admitting that if you utter the magic phrases the way they like, they’re as gullible as the unwashed upon whom they look down. I hope these folks do the work to become less easy marks for con artists.
I find (found?) Platnermania mystifying. That guy? Really? I like Junger's writing and thought he was thoughtful and smart during his appearance on TFC but that quote Matt pulled is almost juvenile in its naiveté and wishful thinking.
Reminds me of how they were canceling everyone for everything, yet somehow Kimmel and Trudeau got away with blackface when no one else got away with shit, because they are part of the inner circle of whatever group determines the rules.
I often wonder the same thing -- then I get emails from emeritus staff who are still doing a lot of the same work they did before they retired, and I realize that for them, this *is* fun.
Me? Maybe I'll feel differently when the time comes, but right now, at 42, I look forward to retiring as early as I responsibly can.
Same age, and I'm starting to think irresponsibly. Maybe I really fucked up by falling into a good paying career that I'm good at but extremely cynical about.
I could take a few years off and find a new career, I guess. Is this a midlife crisis? But I'm only halfway through living! That's for old people!
I’m almost 46. I can retire with full pension at 51 and clear $65k a year until I die with no debt and all my kids out of the house. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet- but I’m definitely going to take my sweet assed time figuring it out.
I think people get stuck on the same set of tracks and just keep going forward. But I say the same thing regarding these 80 year olds who are still doing their insider trading and crypto scams. Guys, you’ve made hundreds of millions and you’re going to die any day now, fucking call it good and ride off into the sunset. Wtf.
Perhaps what separated Lindsey from the rest of the neck snapping turns towards Trump, was that he was always conservative but before he seemed truly decent - regardless whether one's own political ideologies aligned.
Given the many warm stories told by democrats who served with him post Trump, I think the decency persisted. Lindsey didn’t chase wealth, personal prestige, power, nor any of the typical trappings you would expect from politicians. He truly was committed to doing what he thought was best for our country and South Carolina regardless of the personal toll it took. You don’t have warm regards from Cory Booker, and Donald Trump for no reason.
Everytime a famous person dies, there's always this sort of person online who will rave about their death like it is deserved. I wonder if this is a young person's thing, or maybe generational, as, since I am a late Gen Xer, I've always found such expressions disgusting. I don't know how much of that has gone on about Graham because I haven't really looked. It seems like he was well respected among his peers, so I'll leave it there.
Matt thanks for including the links to previous podcasts with Mike Pesca. I listened to the first episode with you guys talking about how he was bringing back the Gist on his own after the Slate nonsense so now listening to his last episode signing off will be especially poignant. I look forward to his next guest spot on the Fifth. p.s. I met him at the live show in NYC and he was so nice!
Regarding Matt's complaint about how journalists won't just wise up and stop falling in love with politicians...No. They will not "just." No one will ever "just," and if your plan to redeem the world depends on people "just"-ing, then your plan is doomed.
The Hormuz situation is still maddening. Still annoyed that Trump would have ANY negotiations with the goons who executed tens of thousands of its own people. I think it’s important to get the timeline on this correct.
Mid 2025 OEF buries a good portion of Iran’s nuclear program.
Late 25 into Jan 26 Iranians are protesting in the streets, shutting bazaars, etc. West sends some weapons intended for the protesters to one of the groups of Kurds
1/8-9 IRGC/Batij execute thousands after quelling the street protests. Intertubes get clipped. This would last for sometime like 87d.
Late Feb US and Israel kill the Ayatollah and a number of his cohorts.
This was not a *snark*WAR OF CHOICE*snark*
The Europeans and East/South Asians are the ones who need the oil.
As for LadyG, the pro-Pahlavi outlets I frequent call him, “Uncle.” They absolutely love the guy. His clarity on some of the Party of The Klan’s moves on the cabinet and judiciary were impressive. I wonder if the blood pressure spikes over the USAF major who was preaching on the steps might have sparked it. There’s a bunch of Graham-inspired AFJAG lawyers dreaming of the coming trial. (It’s also fascinating to see how quickly his adoration has evaporated..)
But, to me, the biggest legacy is the massive expansion of debt that occurred while he was in the Senate. Yes, many other countries have been similarly-reckless, but the massive expansion of debt is a huge reason inflation is out of control. It’s not just because Hormuz is closed.
Audio articles would be great!
I think the comparison to, say, Mike Lee is a bit unfair. Many on the right abandoned all of their stated principles to become windsocks inflated by and pointing in the direction of Trump's hot air, whichever way it was blowing on any given day. Graham, however, stuck to his guns on foreign policy, never abandoning Ukraine even when it would have been convenient to do so.
Trump is a man who drains the honor out of everyone around him, and sometimes I wonder about the honor in sacrificing your honor to defend what's right. Graham tarnished his legacy by befriending Trump, but used that friendship to steer Trump in small ways toward supporting Ukraine, and Israel, and the free people of the world against the illiberal enemies of humanity. It looks a lot like tarnishing his legacy to maintain power. Maybe it was a bit of both.
Aural jackassery is always appreciated from you
Hear, hear!
You could hire Peter Meijer as a cheap Matt Welch substitute.
There voices are interchangeable. Thank God for video
It's not like he's busy. But he also doesn't need the money. Give him an internship
Re: Platner and the reaction to Platner, I think it’s very fun to see how willfully credulous these people can be—they’re basically admitting that if you utter the magic phrases the way they like, they’re as gullible as the unwashed upon whom they look down. I hope these folks do the work to become less easy marks for con artists.
I find (found?) Platnermania mystifying. That guy? Really? I like Junger's writing and thought he was thoughtful and smart during his appearance on TFC but that quote Matt pulled is almost juvenile in its naiveté and wishful thinking.
Yeah, but Economic Justice!
Exactly!
Reminds me of how they were canceling everyone for everything, yet somehow Kimmel and Trudeau got away with blackface when no one else got away with shit, because they are part of the inner circle of whatever group determines the rules.
Definitely endorse the audio articles!
Apparently director David O Russell and George Clooney had a fight on the set of Three Kings, with one report saying Clooney headbutted him.
I can’t understand people like Graham and McConnell. Don’t you want to spend the last years of your life having fun?
I often wonder the same thing -- then I get emails from emeritus staff who are still doing a lot of the same work they did before they retired, and I realize that for them, this *is* fun.
Me? Maybe I'll feel differently when the time comes, but right now, at 42, I look forward to retiring as early as I responsibly can.
Same age, and I'm starting to think irresponsibly. Maybe I really fucked up by falling into a good paying career that I'm good at but extremely cynical about.
I could take a few years off and find a new career, I guess. Is this a midlife crisis? But I'm only halfway through living! That's for old people!
I’m almost 46. I can retire with full pension at 51 and clear $65k a year until I die with no debt and all my kids out of the house. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet- but I’m definitely going to take my sweet assed time figuring it out.
I think people get stuck on the same set of tracks and just keep going forward. But I say the same thing regarding these 80 year olds who are still doing their insider trading and crypto scams. Guys, you’ve made hundreds of millions and you’re going to die any day now, fucking call it good and ride off into the sunset. Wtf.
Power is a rush
Perhaps what separated Lindsey from the rest of the neck snapping turns towards Trump, was that he was always conservative but before he seemed truly decent - regardless whether one's own political ideologies aligned.
Given the many warm stories told by democrats who served with him post Trump, I think the decency persisted. Lindsey didn’t chase wealth, personal prestige, power, nor any of the typical trappings you would expect from politicians. He truly was committed to doing what he thought was best for our country and South Carolina regardless of the personal toll it took. You don’t have warm regards from Cory Booker, and Donald Trump for no reason.
Everytime a famous person dies, there's always this sort of person online who will rave about their death like it is deserved. I wonder if this is a young person's thing, or maybe generational, as, since I am a late Gen Xer, I've always found such expressions disgusting. I don't know how much of that has gone on about Graham because I haven't really looked. It seems like he was well respected among his peers, so I'll leave it there.
Yes please to audio versions of your articles and thank you in advance!
Audio article would be a dream.
Matt thanks for including the links to previous podcasts with Mike Pesca. I listened to the first episode with you guys talking about how he was bringing back the Gist on his own after the Slate nonsense so now listening to his last episode signing off will be especially poignant. I look forward to his next guest spot on the Fifth. p.s. I met him at the live show in NYC and he was so nice!
Regarding Matt's complaint about how journalists won't just wise up and stop falling in love with politicians...No. They will not "just." No one will ever "just," and if your plan to redeem the world depends on people "just"-ing, then your plan is doomed.
Not really a plan, tbf.
Fine, more a dyspeptic grumble then. And it's certainly understandable. But unfortunately I don't think it's actionable.
The Hormuz situation is still maddening. Still annoyed that Trump would have ANY negotiations with the goons who executed tens of thousands of its own people. I think it’s important to get the timeline on this correct.
Mid 2025 OEF buries a good portion of Iran’s nuclear program.
Late 25 into Jan 26 Iranians are protesting in the streets, shutting bazaars, etc. West sends some weapons intended for the protesters to one of the groups of Kurds
1/8-9 IRGC/Batij execute thousands after quelling the street protests. Intertubes get clipped. This would last for sometime like 87d.
Late Feb US and Israel kill the Ayatollah and a number of his cohorts.
This was not a *snark*WAR OF CHOICE*snark*
The Europeans and East/South Asians are the ones who need the oil.
As for LadyG, the pro-Pahlavi outlets I frequent call him, “Uncle.” They absolutely love the guy. His clarity on some of the Party of The Klan’s moves on the cabinet and judiciary were impressive. I wonder if the blood pressure spikes over the USAF major who was preaching on the steps might have sparked it. There’s a bunch of Graham-inspired AFJAG lawyers dreaming of the coming trial. (It’s also fascinating to see how quickly his adoration has evaporated..)
But, to me, the biggest legacy is the massive expansion of debt that occurred while he was in the Senate. Yes, many other countries have been similarly-reckless, but the massive expansion of debt is a huge reason inflation is out of control. It’s not just because Hormuz is closed.
Could you translate some of your jargon to English for those of us without access to your decoder ring?
LadyG?
Party of the Klan?
USAF major preaching on the steps?
Coming trial?
Does Vegas have a line on Michael Tracey being correct and not composed at SoHo?
When do they announce the fight lineup? I can't place bets til I know who he's calling out that day.
He was on second Sunday yesterday, and did a thing with Josh Szeps today. Seems almost happy. It's concerning.