From 1986 TNR: Shut Up Senator Biden!

March 2, 2020, Brit Hume tweeted:

My article on Joe Biden as he was about to run for president 33 years ago, in which I told him he’s a “windbag.” He took that with good humor. I think it’s a balanced piece, though the editor promoted it on the cover with the line: “Shut up Senator Biden.”

I remember that essay. It shook me up that a national political correspondent for ABC News could write something so lively. It left an indelible profession. I never forgot the headline. It has been the primary prism through which I understand Joe Biden and it has never been refuted.

Another TNR article that stick in my memory from this time was on the idiocy of urban life and then a rejoinder on the idiocy of rural life.

Here are some excerpts:

the rhetorical fervor of his stump speeches and debating style have earned him the reputation of a man whose mouth often runs—and runs, and runs—well ahead of his mind.

Indeed, Biden gives the impression of utter spontaneity. It is an uncommon and in some ways charming quality, but it frequently gets him into trouble in the Senate.

… when he first learned this article had been commissioned, to a reporter not known, as his longtime press secretary Pete Smith put it, “as one of Biden’s greatest fans,” the senator telephoned the editor in chief of this magazine and tried to have the assignment called off. When that failed, he at first refused to sit for an interview, agreeing only to a preliminary informal chat over coffee, after which he would decide whether to cooperate. “I just want to find out why you don’t like me,” he said at the beginning of that chat in the Senate dining room. It was an awkward and extraordinary conversation, in which Biden finally asked if the reporter harbored any “deep personal antipathy.” He was assured that there was none. “Then what is it you don’t like?” he asked. “Senator,” came the reluctant reply, “I think you’re a windbag.” Biden seemed greatly relieved, laughed, and said he thought there was truth to that. He agreed to cooperate fully.

Biden has long had a considerable reputation among Capitol Hill reporters for enjoying the sound of his own voice. On the first day of the highly publicized confirmation hearing of Alexander Haig as secretary of state, for example, Biden took his entire first turn—ten minutes—to ask a single question, and when he was finished it was unclear what the question was. Everyone laughed, Biden included. In another Foreign Relations hearing a year later, he went on at such length late in a long session that broadcast correspondents at the press table fashioned a white flag from a napkin and a microphone pole and waved it in the air. The chairman, Charles Percy, howled with laughter, as did Democrat Alan Cranston. Biden seemed not to notice. Reminded of the incident, Biden said he knew he had a tendency to go on too long but had now curbed it.

… the impression of Biden as a man who does much of his thinking out loud and sometimes has difficulty figuring out what he thinks. And that, ultimately, is the most enduring impression Biden leaves. It suggests that a Biden campaign for the presidency would be colorful, newsworthy, and, unlike his oratory, brief.

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Decoding Unlimited Intimacy (6-5-24)

01:00 New fungus attacking gay men, https://nypost.com/2024/06/05/lifestyle/new-sexually-transmitted-fungal-infection-detected-in-nyc/
02:00 Unlimited Intimacy: Reflections on the Subculture of Barebacking, https://www.amazon.com/Unlimited-Intimacy-Reflections-Subculture-Barebacking/dp/0226139395
05:00 Video: How I Treated HPV – Full Timeline
16:30 WHO recommends gay and bisexual men limit their sexual partners amid the Monkeypox outbreak
18:30 Why Are Gay Men at Greater Risk for HIV?
28:00 The secrets of the Stasi, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/03/piecing-together-the-secrets-of-the-stasi
32:20 WSJ: Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping, https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/joe-biden-age-election-2024-8ee15246?mod=hp_lead_pos7
37:00 When whites are the other, objects rather than subjects, https://www.aporiamagazine.com/p/the-white-man-has-no-friends
1:01:30 Donald Trump is asked about his relationship with God
1:03:40 WSJ: Biden’s Border Election Gambit, https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-biden-border-executive-order-immigration-b1d681f8?mod=opinion_feat1_editorials_pos1
1:06:30 WP: Rep. Byron Donalds says Black families were stronger during Jim Crow era, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/05/byron-donalds-black-families-jim-crow/
1:09:00 Black economist points out the black family was stronger under Jim Crow, https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/walter-e-williams-blacks-of-yesteryear-and-today/article_054c3856-c5b0-5c29-943d-112307d2e072.html
1:11:00 Hakeem Jeffries LIES About Byron Donalds “Jim Crow” Comments!
1:12:00 Dr Delgado’s anti-White scholarship, https://www.aporiamagazine.com/p/dr-delgados-anti-white-scholarship
1:13:50 The Coming Race War: And Other Apocalyptic Tales of America after Affirmative Action and Welfare by Richard Delgado, https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Race-War-Apocalyptic-Affirmative/dp/0814718779
1:18:00 What Is Critical Race Theory?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zy6DQoRYQw
1:22:10 Is Fascism Right Or Left?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bSsaVL6gA
1:23:40 ‘2000 Mules’ distributor pulls the plug on election conspiracy movie, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azG5AeiITVc
1:29:45 TOTAL SHAM! Conservative Studio FORCED to Retract 2000 Mules!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pDFPrBsBFY
1:31:50 WP: Israeli detention center faces legal challenge after ‘unimaginable abuses’, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/05/sde-teiman-israel-detention-palestinian-detainees/
1:33:20 WSJ: Psychiatrist Henry Jarecki Says Relationship With Epstein Accuser Was Consensual, https://www.wsj.com/us-news/psychiatrist-henry-jarecki-says-relationship-with-epstein-accuser-was-consensual-30b21790
1:36:00 FT: Nationalism threatens the world order, https://on.ft.com/4ca1HDI

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Decoding The Lab Leak (6-4-24)

01:00 Three anecdotes
07:00 Unlike the fall of 2000, Republican legal elites are lined up behind Trump
13:20 Steve Sailer says this is his best interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fitLTIwao3Y
16:20 Women questioning their sexuality, https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/am-i-ok-review-dakota-johnson-tig-notaro-max-7ec20ba2?mod=arts-culture_lead_pos2
18:30 Joe Biden’s border crackdown
29:00 Paul Gottfried talks to Joseph Cotto about the Trump conviction, https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1rmGPMgEnydJN
31:00 The Atlantic: Pat McAfee and the Threat to Sports Journalism, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/05/pat-mcafee-threat-sports-journalism/678480/
33:45 Why are the experts arguing for natural origins of Covid?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/03/opinion/covid-lab-leak.html
1:05:45 Alina Chan on the lab leak, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC-eQmzZnqM
1:28:00 Elliott Blatt joins to discuss the lab leak
1:46:40 Republicans have lined up behind Trump regarding his felony convictions

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Decoding Reactions to the Trump Conviction (6-3-24)

01:00 Young men looking for a fight
05:00 One moron destroys the public space
08:00 Caitlin Clark getting pounded by the lesbian WNBA
17:45 Why is the left more effective than the right?
21:30 ‘War will break out’ | Alan Dershowitz reacts to Trump’s felony
23:30 Pride month in the U.S. military
54:00 The Unprotected Class: How Anti-White Racism Is Tearing America Apart by Jeremy Carl, https://www.aporiamagazine.com/p/call-it-anti-white-racism-jeremy
1:46:00 The devastating impact of disparate impact ruling and legislation
https://www.vox.com/world-politics/353134/israel-gaza-rafah-argument
https://www.richardhanania.com/p/how-maga-enables-corruption
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/03/opinion/mexico-new-president-violence.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/03/us/politics/medicaid-reenrollment-black-hispanic.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/03/world/americas/mexico-election-morena-results.html
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-03/do-you-return-your-shopping-cart-this-psycologists-answer-enraged-thousands
How is the Trump trial different from Watergate? It wasn’t televised live. https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=143174
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/is-israel-defensible/
The naked state, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=140282
https://www.latimes.com/la-influential/story/2024-06-02/the-creators
Science Envy in Theories of Religion, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155267
Max Weber and the Two Universities, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155263

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Decoding The Trump Conviction, Ukraine, Israel, Science, Liberalism, Academy (6-2-24)

01:00 Liberal catharsis after law does what politics can’t — constrain Trump, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NweVBH_QLtg
07:00 Male sex drive is stronger than the female sex drive, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/15/well/family/sex-myths.html,
21:00 More Americans identify as Republican than Democrat
31:00 Robert Barnes on the Donald Trump Conviction, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB0UtOpoq8A
37:00 Hitler and Abductive Logic: The Strategy of a Tyrant, https://www.amazon.com/Hitler-Abductive-Logic-Strategy-Tyrant/dp/0739194615
40:00 Science Envy in Theories of Religion, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155267
Is a Second Civil War INEVITABLE?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCogKGV2NDw
The Axis of Chaos, with Matt Pottinger, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhL1kV1EeQ
Prof. John Mearsheimer on the Israel Lobby’s Grip on U.S. Politics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKXSReKRWaQ
Hypervigilance and diversity, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py0lBpkSyHM
Secure attachment, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd6SyKLFH4
Why Civilisations Collapse Into Dust, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd6SyKLFH4

01:00 My livestream keeps getting shutting down after I make a point about politicians and public officials lying
03:00 The Axis of Chaos, with Matt Pottinger, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhL1kV1EeQ
11:45 Israel enters Rafah
15:00 How do RW academics make it? Should they diversify to podcasts?
18:00 Prof. John Mearsheimer on the Israel Lobby’s Grip on U.S. Politics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKXSReKRWaQ
25:00 Vali Nasr: Iran, Israel, and America’s Future in the Middle East | Foreign Affairs Interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVM0HRx5Wss
36:00 Christopher Caldwell: Is Israel Defensible? The cruel geostrategic logic of the Holy Land, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155305
55:00 Unanswered Threats: Political Constraints on the Balance of Power by Randall Schweller, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155281
1:02:00 CRITICAL THINKING – Fundamentals: Abductive Arguments, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflZuk-_Hz4
1:09:00 Max Weber and the Two Universities, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155263
1:13:50 Why Civilisations Collapse Into Dust, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd6SyKLFH4
1:20:20 Sometimes dictatorship is the most effective way to get things done
1:28:00 NYT: Extremely Inappropriate, A Show That Makes Young Japanese Pine for the ‘Inappropriate’ 1980s, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/29/world/asia/japan-extremely-inappropriate.html
1:35:00 The naked state, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=140282
2:04:00 Young men tilt conservative
2:15:20 Is a Second Civil War INEVITABLE?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCogKGV2NDw
2:30:40 Big Tech Bans Alex Jones, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4C9k06jcs
2:32:00 Elliott Blatt joins
2:50:00 The dissident right has become tedious
3:11:45 The adaptive use of illness and depression
3:18:00 Colds v flu, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm
2:29:40 Big Tech Bans Alex Jones, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4C9k06jcs
3:33:25 The Atlantic: Why Is Charlie Kirk Selling Me Food Rations?, https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/05/charlie-kirk-podcast-ads/678450/
3:35:00 The Long Con by Rick Pearlstein, https://thebaffler.com/salvos/the-long-con

Full transcript.

From the Podnotes AI summary: Matt Pottinger, who served in Trump’s administration and is discussing Cold War similarities with China, emphasizing the need for a strong strategy to prevent escalation into World War III. He highlights that we’re facing challenges due to China’s aggressive stance as they exploit our weaknesses.

Pottinger also talks about Taiwan and the possibility of conflict there. He argues that deterrence requires showing hard power and not revealing what we wouldn’t do strategically. The debate on whether America should defend Taiwan alone continues while considering other countries’ roles in their defense spending compared to Israel’s higher budget allocation post-Yom Kippur War.

In academia, PhD students are advised to focus on education quality and diversify beyond traditional career paths due to changing academic landscapes. However, one must be cautious not to compromise academic integrity when engaging with broader audiences through various media platforms.

Lastly, support for Israel within American politics is complex; it involves campaign contributions from donors committed unconditionally and influences from both Jewish communities and Christian Zionists. As conflicts continue in Gaza, opinions on US-Israel relations vary across political parties creating tension regarding foreign policy decisions.

Israel is grappling with being labeled an apartheid state, a term even some Israeli leaders acknowledge. Vali Nasr, an expert on Iran and professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses the complex relationship between Israel and Iran. Historically, they’ve had periods of silent cooperation; however, as Arab states opposed Iran and supported American containment strategies, Iran began to exploit anti-Israel sentiment strategically.

Iran invested in groups like Hezbollah because it saw them as part of its own security concerns. Now, Israel and Iran are the two main powers in the region vying for influence over Saudi Arabia – not as a threat but as a potential ally or neutral party.

On campuses across America and beyond, discussions about Israel’s actions towards Palestinians have become more prevalent due to diverse student populations from around the world. This has led to increased scrutiny over Israel’s policies and military actions in Gaza.

The tension within Israel itself lies between maintaining its Jewish identity versus economic prosperity through global relations. Netanyahu’s government focuses on sovereignty while secular Israelis prioritize international business ties.

In conclusion, despite their power struggles both internally and regionally with neighbors like Iran, Israeli society remains largely united when facing conflict – illustrated by high reservist turnout during crises. However, challenges persist regarding how they manage Palestinian territories without exacerbating accusations of apartheid or genocide.

Few third-world countries have waged wars against each other, a contrast to Europe’s historical interstate conflicts led by powers like the Habsburgs and Napoleon. Today, nations such as India, China, and Brazil remain potential rather than actual regional hegemons. This could be due to various reasons including intergenerational trauma affecting political maturity.

Western societies face issues of hyper-vigilance and social distrust partly due to massive immigration. Emotional intelligence is crucial for children’s development but requires secure attachments that are often disrupted by emotionally immature caregivers. Such inconsistency in caregiving leads to insecure attachment styles in children – avoidant, anxious, or disorganized – which can impede their ability to learn and adapt.

Children with insecure attachments may become hypervigilant and unable to regulate emotions effectively. They struggle with identifying feelings like anger or anxiety, leading them into a state of constant alertness that hinders learning new skills.

Supporting channels like Dr. Sn’s helps provide practical tools for dealing with emotional immaturity in caregivers and its consequences on children’s development.

Moving on to politics: Fascism differs from realism by rejecting balance-of-power concepts while embracing racist ideologies capable of mobilizing masses—something pure realism fails at since it lacks moral appeal necessary for large-scale mobilization efforts.

In academia today there is an ongoing crisis involving freedom of speech versus harmful opinions; this has been exacerbated by recent events around the world including controversies over academic integrity and affirmative action policies following Supreme Court rulings.

Finally, societal divisions based on education levels create competing interests between college-educated elites who advocate for diversity roles (which may disregard merit) versus non-college-educated groups whose priorities lie elsewhere. These tensions reflect the scarcity of rewarding jobs leading both sides into a fierce competition influenced more by group identity than individual abilities or achievements.

The parliament and royalty historically had conflicts with the landed gentry. During tough times, populations often divide and engage in civil wars to advance their interests. However, there have been periods of high social trust and cohesion, such as America in the mid-20th century after immigration laws were passed in 1924.

A documentary on Manchester United’s successful season under Alex Ferguson highlights how fear can drive success; it demonstrates that sometimes authoritarianism is effective for achieving goals. This idea extends beyond sports into business where hierarchy can lead to higher performance.

Economic stability is linked to a society’s ability to support families. In the 1950s, many Americans could afford three children—a benchmark for family sustainability—unlike today. Various factors like globalization and automation have reduced labor value over time despite occasional wage increases like those seen during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Cultural shifts are also evident through media portrayals. A Japanese TV series set in the 1980s showcases societal changes regarding wages, prices, and political correctness compared to today.

Ultimately, individuals’ well-being is influenced by both subjective perceptions of wealth and objective measures like marriage rates or health indicators. Group survival often takes precedence over liberal individualistic values when nations make strategic decisions for self-preservation—even if these choices contradict public statements or liberal norms.

Discussions about group interests versus individual rights reveal philosophical differences about whether groups or only individuals possess consciousness—and thus interests—or not. Emergencies can prompt governments to suspend rights temporarily but raise questions about who defines an emergency situation’s legitimacy.

Language is essential to our identity; without it, we can’t fully be ourselves. Steven Turner’s analysis explores normality and emergency states, highlighting that experts often dictate when a state of emergency exists. In emergencies, normal legal rules are suspended to preserve the state—revealing the “naked state,” where force enforces order.

David Brooks suggests scientific experts determine emergencies, leading to temporary rule by decree. Emergencies reveal the fragility of normalcy and democracy’s inability to self-perpetuate in crisis without adapting governance systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic showcased this dynamic as public health officials wielded significant power based on their expertise. The interplay between government reliance on expert advice and public acceptance or enforcement of such guidance became evident.

However, disagreements among experts typically remain private but were publicly aired during the pandemic—exposing conflicts within science and policy-making. This led to questioning trust in authorities as divergent views surfaced online.

In times of crisis like COVID-19, rapid decisions overshadowed traditional slow scientific processes. Experts’ political affiliations influenced policies adopted across regions with varying severity levels impacting outcomes differently—a stark reminder that crises test all societal structures’ resilience and transparency.

One reason to question liberalism is its focus on the individual as an autonomous political agent, which seems at odds with the interconnected nature of society. Every action has ripple effects, impacting others in various ways – from personal choices affecting the dating market to behaviors influencing social dynamics.

This interdependence challenges liberal ideology’s core principle of individual autonomy. Even if we accept this framework for argument’s sake, it inevitably leads us to recognize that every personal act influences society as a whole.

The contradiction within liberalism becomes apparent when considering group interests and societal impacts. For example, libertarianism struggles because it fails to acknowledge how individuals’ actions affect their community.

Discussions about civil unrest often point out that radical minorities can sway public opinion and lead revolutions; history shows us numerous examples like the Bolsheviks in Russia or radical Republicans during the American Civil War. Such movements demonstrate that small but determined groups can have disproportionate influence over larger populations who may not initially seek conflict.

Current debates around U.S. politics touch on concerns about division and potential conflicts akin to those seen in Northern Ireland rather than another full-scale civil war. Many Americans just want normalcy despite ideological divides suggesting otherwise.

In conclusion, while some advocate for more government intervention based on our societal interdependence, there remains debate over whether such measures would be beneficial or exacerbate issues further. The complexity of these discussions reflects deep-seated tensions within modern political thought and practice.

I struggle to pay attention to him, especially about exercise. He suggests it’s okay after a week of flu, but I’ve been too tired. My social life is minimal, though I did run into a friend and now have some unwanted social obligations.

I’m not thrilled by the idea of socializing; it often leaves me drained. There are exceptions—like steam rooms at spas—but my upbringing doesn’t quite approve of such indulgences. Speaking of which, I tried a spa that could’ve been mistaken for something else entirely!

With 30 radio stations and nothing to listen to, I find myself often just looking for dull content to help me fall asleep. Currently, I’m listening to Richard Ben Cramer’s book “What It Takes” about the ’88 election. It plays in the background as I drift in and out of sleep while struggling with my CPAP machine. Sometimes it feels like a battle keeping it on; other times, its air helps clear my nasal passages.

Despite mild sleep apnea, losing weight has helped reduce its severity. Health insurance doesn’t seem worth it since dental care – what I really want – isn’t covered adequately. Plus, past experiences with prescribed medications weren’t helpful.

I’ve been reflecting on life choices during illness; considering how diet and lifestyle impact health is key. Avoiding unnecessary comments can be wise too; silence might serve better at times.

The healthcare system seems flawed, catering more towards unhealthy lifestyles subsidized by those who live healthily but occasionally need medical attention for accidents or rare conditions.

Lastly, being sick reminds us of our vulnerability and dependence on others sometimes—a humbling experience that can lead to personal growth and reassessment of priorities in life.

Right-wing talk radio and podcasts are filled with a particular kind of discourse, often promoting products like gold investments and food rations. For example, Kirk’s ads for My Patriot Supply offer 90 meals for $150, claiming it’s a good deal. Similarly, Patriot Mobile positions itself as America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider and claims switching supports various conservative values.

Kirk also promotes charitable causes; he advocates for donations to provide ultrasounds to prevent abortions. These podcasts have gained immense popularity; Kirk’s show is the twelfth most popular news podcast on Spotify and has a significant YouTube following.

However, not all conservatives agree with these advertising methods. Stephen Crowder has openly criticized the promotion of unnecessary or low-quality products that don’t genuinely benefit consumers.

Advertising now targets specific demographics through analytics—brands like Blackout Coffee reach niche audiences via shows like Kirk’s. But these ads aren’t just commercial—they reinforce the narrative presented in the podcasts themselves about societal instability and conservative values.

Ultimately, this creates an echo chamber where listeners are surrounded by reinforcing messages and products vetted by their trusted hosts—a self-contained world free from external moderating influences.

Posted in America | Comments Off on Decoding The Trump Conviction, Ukraine, Israel, Science, Liberalism, Academy (6-2-24)