Wednesday’s Forum
Steven L. Taylor
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Wednesday, May 19, 2021
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70 comments
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored
A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog).
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Today in magical thinking
Breyer Worries Retiring Could Add to Polarization. Would It?
Justice Breyer, the ship has sailed on the question of the SC and the courts in general in having a partisan bent. Wake up, smell the coffee.
Get ready for the conservative freak out:
It’s obvious that Kevin McCarthy is terrified of having to testify about his phone call with Trump during the insurrection. And yes, Trump will make “the steal” the theme of his rallies this summer.
http://www.thebulwark.com/why-america-needs-a-january-6-commission/
“The NY Attorney General is now conducting a *criminal* investigation into Trump Org’s financial practices, in addition to its civil probe.
Also, the NY AG seems to working w/the Manhattan DA, as 2 long-running probes of Trump seem to be sharing info.”
h/t Balloon Juice
@Jon: D’oh, that WP link may be paywalled .. here’s the link to the post on Balloon Juice itself.
@Jon:
There’s a good piece about it at NPR as well.
Laugh of the day: Apparently some of OAN’s “top talent” has fled the the place for the saner realms of…Newsmax.
Water is wet: ‘They kill the person twice’: police spread falsehoods after using deadly force, analysis finds
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Is Manchin brain-damaged, or lying?
I am shocked, shocked I tell you.
Stop beating around the bush Carlette, and tell us how you really feel.
@Teve: Why not both?
Gee, what could go wrong?
…………………………….
It’s only a matter of time before the next Ahmaud Arbery, and when that happens can Citizen be held responsible?
Someone mentioned fusion yesterday. This is an interesting piece: Fusion & Magic.
@OzarkHillbilly:
This app should be very, very popular with hysterical busybodies who fantasize crimes where none are being committed and wannabe tough guys who flunked the psychological test to get into the police department.
Today’s paradox: I watch more TV now that my TV is broken.
My routine is to turn on the TV and the PC when I get home. I then do web browsing while the TV provides background noise, I half pay attention to the audio, and from time to time glance at it and watch a few minutes.
Now that the TV is broken, I tend to stream stuff on the PC, but that I have to watch (as mostly it’s things I haven’t seen before).
BTW, yesterday the TV decided to turn on. neat! I thought, maybe it could be repaired after all. But after a few minutes, the colors went all crazy, as if the tint and color saturation were out of whack. The settings were ok, though. Then the whole screen was possessed by a white-out, which subsided shortly. still, the image looks positively surreal, and too bright even with the back light turned all the way down.
In the immortal words of Dr. McCoy, “It’s dead, Kathy.”
There’s no rush to replace it until the NFL season starts, unless I can stream that (for free) as well.
To the Trump Cult anything resembling criticism of the Dear Leader is considered “radical left” socialism if not communism.
Similarly these Cultists consider any criticism of Israel or Israeli actions to be considered antisemitism.
There is a common theme here.
@Doug Mataconis:
I also see a very peculiar form of moral licensing. Yelling “antisemitism!” at every criticism of Israel, allows Cult 45* to either engage in actual antisemitism themselves, or to support, or take the support of, antisemitic organizations.
@Jon:
We’ve been disappointed before.
I’ll repeat Solon’s advice (paraphrased): Count no one happy until the Turd d’Orange wears the orange jumpsuit.
@Teve: Good news, the campaign commercials write themselves.
If you bought one bitcoin on April 15th, you paid $63,300, and today you can sell that bitcoin for $36,000.
@Teve:
Or possibly, is trying to find some way to be for voting rights, but not HR1. HR1 would require many, probably most states to make substantial changes in their election systems. And while the feds are willing to help pay for the initial changeover, they’re not providing ongoing funding for the larger staffs that will be required. Manchin may simply not want to go home and face a lot of WV election officials saying, “We did nothing wrong! Why are we being required to rebuild our election system?”
And it’s not just red states. As I understand Oregon’s vote by mail system and read HR1, Oregon’s counties will have to create a new parallel in-person voting system that doesn’t exist today. Also Hawaii, where with the new vote by mail system, there are only eight in-person polling places across all of the islands. Eight polling places for the state will almost certainly not meet HR1’s standards. And we don’t even want to start on how extensively New York’s system may have to change.
@Michael Cain: oh HR1 might be good or bad, I haven’t investigated. I was responding to Manchin’s insane claim that voting rights isn’t a partisan issue. That’s crack-brained.
The Tigers’ Spencer Turnbull strikes out the Mariners Mitch Haniger on 3 pitches to secure the first complete game of his career and the 5th no hitter of the ’21 season .
@Kathy:
Well… Yes. I am aware of such a website.
@Kathy: Oh for sure, I don’t think he’ll actually get arrested or suffer any real consequences. I made my (uneasy) peace with that. I enjoy it purely for the fact that I’m sure it is getting under his skin.
Democrats autopsy the 2020 election:
TL;DR: bad polling, money wasted on TV, lazy strategic thinking, ‘defund,’ and ‘democratic socialism.’ Charlie Cook says it was ‘defund,’ that killed Democratic momentum and now the autopsy agrees. Feel free to tell me I’m ‘hippie punching,’ @wr, but the fact is that progressives were very helpful in the voting booth and really un-helpful in messaging. ‘Defund’ was a big mistake. Live by meme, die by meme.
@Jon:
Obviously, being kicked out of office really bugs him. Otherwise he’d have stopped raving about it.
@Michael Reynolds:
I’ll agree with you and add that Dems have a voter participation issue. It is far too common for marginal Dem voters to cast ballots only for the federal races and at times only for the presidential race. Conversely, marginal R voters are happy to vote for the complete R slate. The Dem under vote is damaging the party’s prospects.
So much of the Dem GOTV rhetoric was vote against TFG. not vote against TFG and his R fellow travelers.
@Michael Reynolds: “Defund the police” was a terrible slogan because it required a lot of explanation as to why it didn’t actually mean what anyone who heard it automatically assumed it meant. If you have to spend time explaining a slogan, it’s a crap slogan.
“Democratic socialism” was terrible because it has the word “socialism” in it and that word is probably the single most poisonous word in American politics, and it also needs explanation of why the “democratic” gets stuck on the front of it (which a lot of Americans aren’t going to believe anyway).
Democrats need to stop preaching to the already-converted and understand how certain words and phrases will be received by those who may be receptive to the message but not wholly convinced.
@Teve: He may be reflecting the views of his constituency–who, just as likely as not, don’t give a flying fwk about voting rights of CLANGGGGGs and want big city folk and ACORN not getting away with voting fraud. I’ll admit that this is probably not what’s going on, but it’s still possible.
@Michael Cain: I’m a lot more skeptical than you. As far as I can tell, Manchin has never actually been for or against anything other than minutely calculating whether any given position will gain or lose more votes at his next reelection. From what I understand he has a history of promoting legislation and then a few years later promoting the repeal of that same legislation, supposedly even legislation he authored. Bottom line, he is a master of being both for and against things at the same time, and will never act willingly on anything controversial.
Some interesting comments from former President Obama regarding UFOs
I believe this is the first time that a sitting or former President has commented on the UFO, or as the military refers to them Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP), issue.
This comes at the same time the UFO/UAP story has become some the mainstream media is covering the issue and the Pentagon is dragging its feet on providing a report requested by two of the most important committees in the Senate. Even Republicans like Marco Rubio are talking about it.
Obama probably knows more than he’s saying because he was POTUS when military pilots were reporting these sightings and cameras were recording these encounters. There is likely more that is classified information.
What these phenomena are is unclear. Thet could be American experimental aircraft being tested by DARPA or some other agency, they coild be something developed by a foreign power, it could be some naturally occurring phenomenon, or it could be extraterrestrial in origin.
Whatever it is I would expect more open discussion of these phenomena in the media and elsewhere. We saw an example of this on the report on 60 Minutes this past Sunday.
https://hotair.com/jazz-shaw/2021/05/19/obama-we-dont-know-what-the-ufos-are-n390953
And from Nstuonal Review:
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/the-conventional-wisdom-on-ufos-is-shifting/
Finally here’s the report that aired on 60 Minutes thos past Sunday:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-military-intelligence-60-minutes-2021-05-16/
From an astrophysicist at my alma mater:
A Word about Those UFO Videos
@Teve: NC State … is that still a 4 year school? 😉
I enjoyed her (Katie Mack’s) b00k, The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking).
@Jon: hey, don’t mock it. I got an A+ in “Meat”.
@Teve:
He could also be counting the votes, seeing that Semina is not on board, and thinking “Well, why would I get in front of this?”
He is conservative, AND a Democrat, AND a shifty weasel trying to keep his seat by not getting ahead of his constituency.
Which is the operative part right now? It’s impossible for us to tell, and probably impossible for him to tell. But every time he can get the left to bash him, he thinks it plays well in West Virginia, so why would he give that up?
Part of HR1’s brilliance is that it is over-reach, so it gives Manchin the opportunity to smack something down, and then support a smaller bill much to the consternation of the left who will be very vocal.
It doesn’t matter at all if there’s no way to pass it though. We would need to get both him and Sinema on board simultaneously, as neither would stick their neck out for no concrete effect.
@Teve:
Manchin’s voting rights ideas explained.
The Assoc8ated Presz looks into the question of whether Hsmas, Israel, or both are committing war comes in their current conflict. It’s a complicated issue.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-percentage-of-covid-19-vaccines-administered.html
Posted the strong link.
Will tepost
The Assoc8ated Presz looks into the question of whether Hsmas, Israel, or both are committing war comes in their current conflict. It’s a complicated issue.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-explainer-87fc72d73fae1664d3a42a8bf79d10b5
Well, that was a relief. Preceded by a scare.
Over the weekend while showering I noticed what looks like a bump right over the site of the hernia. My first thought was “Oh. F**k! Not again!” The second was “This has to go in the same deductible as the previous problem.”
Anyway, I called the surgeon and he looked at it today. it’s nothing to worry about, he says, just tissue scarring and inflammation. He said, too, everything seems better than at our last appointment late in April. We’re still on for a followup early in July.
I still feel like I dodged a bullet.
@Gustopher:
Most likely w/o some voting rights bill, Semina will probably be former Sen. Semina, as the AZ legislature has already rigged the vote.
@Teve: “I was responding to Manchin’s insane claim that voting rights isn’t a partisan issue. That’s crack-brained.”
Unless he hopes ultimately to vote for it, and to claim he wasn’t making a partisan vote…
@Teve:
That’s interesting, if only because the dedicated Trumpkins really despise Mike Pence as a gutless backstabber for certifying the election.
Some others think that DeSantis should run in 2028, after Trump has served his second term.
@Teve: There you go again, bringing science and reason into a discussion about the inexplicable.
@Teve:
@CSK:
We’re just over three years away from the very early start of the 2024 primaries. I would say that’s an eternity in political time, but the interval seems far longer than that.
A lot can happen in that time. The GOP may wash out in 2022, Trump may die, Trump might finally implode, or the horse might learn to sing.
And we all thought herpes was bad…
@dazedandconfused: Who knew that herpes would be such a conversation killer around here?! Hmmm……
@Mimai:
Let’s return to a perennial favorite, then: vaccines.
Regarding yesterday’s controversy about how vaccinated people can go unmasked, I learned today my hernia surgeon got the vaccine early in February (somewhere in the US). I met him late in February, and have seen him through March, April, and May. He always wears a mask.
Speaking of vaccine tourism, I know a lot of people who got the vaccine in the US. I haven’t made a count, but it must be over a dozen. Most went in February and March, a few in April. Given that flights between Mexico and the US never stopped, I wonder just how many shots were given just to Mexican citizens.
Of those I know, all got Pfizer or Moderna, and just one intended to get the J&J jab, because it meant only one trip rather than two. In any case, she got caught in the pause after she’d booked a flight, so she took Pfizer and two round trips.
Oh, and they all wear masks.
Today marks two weeks sine my first Pfizer dose. I have to assume that if all worked well, my body must have begun producing antibodies to the trump virus. No clue when I’ll get the second dose. next week looks improbable. A reasonable guesstimate would be some time in June.
Before and after shots of Teve’s first homemade salsa roja
https://i.ibb.co/JHttY7s/4584-AA7-F-68-C5-4-FD8-BC0-E-CA095756-DD61.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/0Jd7srt/588-DB5-B0-9-BA3-4-C20-ABE2-D57-CD726-C958.jpg
@Kathy: I saw something the other day that with the Pfizer vaccine, delaying the second dose is actually beneficial to increased immunity. So you got that going for you!
Our school district has scheduled a vaccination clinic for middle and high school kids who want the vaccine (and whose parents are ok with it, I guess) on June 1st, right before school gets out for the summer. I assume Public Health will handle the second doses over the summer. Glad I don’t have to drive, at least!
@Teve: That looks pretty good!
@Michael Cain:
This would be a good thing. New York’s system is one of the worst in the country.
@Jax:
I do. Whether I want to or not 😉
As to teens, I’d treat the vaccine like abortion: a teen can get one without notifying their parents.
@Teve:
That first pic looks like it has a finger tip in the blender!
I’ve been meaning to crowdsource a venison recipe here, so forgive me if I highjack your post to do so. I’ve got some really nice venison from these good folks. Very much recommend!
I’ve already made several of the obvious items (eg, burgers, racks). Am now looking to branch out. I’ve got ground and stew meat (looking at you Teve, don’t let your alma mater down). Anyone got any unique recipes to toss my way. Note, I’ve got no restrictions or general food hangups.
Thanks in advance.
herpes -> vaccines -> salsa -> kids -> NY voting -> abortions -> venison
Now that’s what I call an open forum!
@Jax: it is very tasty. And very simple to make.
28oz can of peeled san marzano maters
3 jalapeños, with the white flesh stripped out, or 1 whole
1/3 white onion
Tsp sugar
Tsp salt
Tsp or so of lime juice
Cilantro
Pulse 10-15 times. Done.
Bonus: (and the reason I’m doing this, I’ve got high blood pressure)
Store-bought salsa can have 200mg of sodium *per ounce*. Mine has maybe 350mg *per quart* and it’s delicious. The American food system is almost Designed to kill you.
@Mimai: i had some venison chili last week cuz my boss is a hardcore bow hunter. It was good, though a little too chewy. Didn’t get the recipe from him though.
@Mimai: You can do about anything that you’d do with beef with ground venison or stew meat. A nice venison stew, heavy on the onions, with taters and carrots…..venison stroganoff with spaetzle noodles….
Antelope, now, that’s a tricky meat to handle, but delicious if you do it right.
@Teve:
@Jax:
Too warm for stew stuff now…..I’m craving more summertime fare. Teve’s salsa is pushing me towards carnitas, which I think the stew meat would be nice for. Of course that would obligate me to homemade tortillas. If I must…
Jax, I’ve eaten antelope (and most other game meat) but never prepared it myself. What’s your trick…..other than don’t overcook it?
@Mimai: It starts with the actual shooting of the animal. You can’t run it, AT ALL. One shot, lay it down, field-dress, and keep it as cold as possible til you can get to a refrigerator or cold storage. I have several extra refrigerators, so I generally quarter it and wrap it up good until I have time to start de-boning and processing. I soak all the steaks and roasts in sweetened, condensed milk for 3-4 days, then start packaging for freezing. The loins and some steaks, I wrap in bacon and freeze.
The sweetened condensed milk also works really well for sage grouse and such. Takes the gamey taste out.
@Mimai: My kids also love the jerky, I do the same process with the jerky, but instead of the freezer, it’ll get slathered in marinade and put in the dehydrator.
@Jax: Thanks. Re the soaking, it’s just like with liver and other minerally meat – good to know. And I’m with your kids on good jerky made with good meat. My venison source also does jerky, but I’ve got a South African friend who hooks me up with proper Biltong, so I’m all good on that front.
My vet buddy has a hookup for Akaushi beef (he did some consulting work for the TX breeder), so I’ve got a freezer full of that. Good stuff. Happy that it’s grilling weather again.
@Mimai: I have several neighbors that run Wagyu bulls on their angus cows. They’re some ugly bastards. My kids call them Wag-ewwwww. 😛
They get quite a bit more on contract with that cross, the guy owns the bulls, leases them out, then comes and picks up all the calves in the fall. They don’t save those crosses for breeding into their own herds, they all go straight to feedlots. The bulls don’t do well at this elevation and in the mountain country, though. Every single one I help bring home in the fall is broken down and angry.
I just bought myself some belted Galloways for my birthday! I’ve wanted them since I was a little girl. We have all red angus bulls this year, so my chances of a RED belted galloway is pretty good.
@Jax:
A red Scottish cow! I believe that could incite ethnic violence somewhere. Those Galloways are some cute buggers. And I get a kick out of this being your bday present to yourself!
Back in December, I helped my buddy do preg checks on a dairy that still had quite a few Swiss Browns. Those things really stand out among a herd of mostly Holsteins.
@Mimai: I’ve had two people drive out today and comment on my Oreo cows. They stick out like a sore thumb! 😛
They’re just yearlings, so it’ll make it really easy to spot what the naughty teenager cows are doing (they’re in with 50 others, red and black). We put their brands on, gave them new hot pink tags with their names (Gwendolyn and Gertrude, of House Galloway), and turned them out. They all did a celebratory run around the pasture, practiced some dry humping in front of the bulls 500 yards away, and all is well with the world now.
Cows, man. They drive sane people crazy, but provide a lot of laughter. 😉
Wow. Ford says that if you buy the extended range version of the new electric F150, it can go 300 miles.
@dazedandconfused: @Mimai:
Well, I, for one, always considered Herpes as a sign of virility.
Eh, you live, you learn.