Caulfield reminds me a little bit of my darling mama, who was the same age as she.
I also happened to come across this 2023 performance, which is not bad, not bad at all. I don't know who these youngsters are, but they ought to keep on practicing: they just might reach the bigtime.
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I also endorse Pete's clearheaded strategic vision as explained in this brilliant New Yorker interview:
What I Say:
My papaw, who died 60 years ago last summer, used to say, "The Democrats are for the little man." That’s as true today as it ever was. The Democrats are still the Party of the People (i.e., the bottom half), while the Republicans are the Party of Business (the top half). The sane, sensible middle way between the two extremes is the path of wisdom and moderation.
Through the midterm miracle of a Blue Wave, Democrats now control both houses of Congress -- an epochal turn of events, and a once-in-a-generation chance to rewrite the script. I hope the wise old heads and the bright young faces now blessed with this rare opportunity to turn the country around will make the best use of it. How? Give the People what they want, pronto: Prices down, paychecks up. And 86 Trump’s private army!
Congressional Democrats should hold a confab long before swearing-in day to formulate a clear, definite strategy to accomplish these things ASAP. Even without the support of the executive branch, there must be ways and means to do it. And while you're at it, point out just who is responsible for the People’s financial distress, and do it loudly. Go on the offensive and take the battle to them. Stand up and fight for the People!
Which if you do, will give you greater support for the other things the People have voted for -- such as restoring healthcare funds, STOPPING THE UNHOLY WAR, eradicating ICE, liberating the prisoners, and closing all the detention centers - i.e., the horrendous CONCENTRATION CAMPS and who knows what tortures happening there, which are a filthy blight on this country and all that we stand for.
Also, repairing our friendship and alliances with Canada, Europe, and all the other countries that shithead has pissed on. Revoking all his STUPID TARIFFS. Clamping down on data centers, AI, and surveillance cameras. Strict regulation of campaign finance, and very careful surgery on executive power and supreme court reform. And in general undoing all the multitude of harms the orange ape and his billionaire buddies have inflicted on our country and the world, and a host of other things I can't begin to list here.
Yes, he and his lickspittle lackeys must answer for their crimes. But there is a difference between Justice and Vengeance. Justice is patient and composed; Vengeance is hurried and sloppy. There is time enough to assemble a case, or should I say, cases with which to prosecute the guilty. Whether to start with the big boys at the top of the pile or the small fry at the bottom is a question for the shrewd and savvy to ponder.
But I am pretty sure that the People did NOT vote for wholesale prosecutions in all directions, endless hearings, political carnage. That might feel good at the beginning, but it might also backfire bigtime in the end.
Moreover, a majority is not all-powerful; you Democrats will need Republican votes to achieve a two-thirds majority whenever that is needed; that means you must all work together for the good of the whole nation and build cooperation in Congress. Compromise is not necessarily a bad thing; and no doubt you will find some Republicans are in a conciliatory mood, now that the dread power of the dictator has been shaken.
But first help the People! Congress has the mighty power of the purse; and beyond that, the power of public opinion; and even beyond that, the ennobling power of a Good Cause. So hit the ground running and overcome the evil with the good.
This is the bright, shining moment when Democrats can be the saviors of this country and guardians of all that is good. If you don't do that, and are not SEEN to do that, well guess what? That big blue wave can easily roll right back out to sea and leave all you politicos high and dry. I'm an old man who has seen it happen several times before. So do the right things to earn the trust and support of your fellow citizens who sent you to Congress.
As Pete said in his interview, this is a chance for a New Deal moment that will bring good and lasting change for the benefit of all Americans, not just the rich and powerful. Indeed, the whole world wants America to be a shining light, a force for good again, not a den of thieves and warmongers.
The red wall has been broken down, the corrupt and callous are on the run. Now fight the good fight and keep the faith! Every Democrat elected last week has a rendezvous with destiny and a part to play in the great political drama of our time. What will the history books of the next century say about you? What will your children and grandchildren think? And what will be left of you but the record of your deeds at this momentous time?
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| The NY Post is a right-wing newspaper and was Trump's favorite. |
What a day! What a night! I have never been so shocked by an election result in my life -- except once, when Trump won his first term in 2016; but that was a horror. This was like a glorious dream come true. A miracle. Nobody predicted this breathtaking revolution.
I had kept my expectations low -- we've had our hearts broken so many times here in Texas, crossing our fingers for a blue wave that never came. I did dare to hope that Talarico would win his Senate seat, but I didn't give a thought to the entrenched Texas regime. They have been in power since before Dubya got elected president - and believe it or not, they eliminated, with voters' consent, the term limit for state offices. Which is SO fucking wrong: an invitation to perpetual dictatorship. And in what until now has been called a "ruby red" state, I never expected that mountain of corruption to crumble in my lifetime.
But how delighted I was to find out I was wrong. The Democrats swept ALL the statewide offices in Texas for the first time since 1961 -- governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, etc. There is a God. And even more amazing is that they all made a particular point of saying in their concession speeches that it was a fair election and they accepted the results. EVEN MORE stunning was that shithead in D.C. chimed in with a similar statement. No fuss and furor about a "stolen election" and all that rot. "Pinch me," I said to M.P., "and tell me I'm not dreaming."
So we were not only ecstatic over Talarico's win, but also delighted that we will soon have a new Latina governor, Gina Hinojosa. (The Latin vote in Texas was massively Democratic this time around.) And right next door in New Mexico, Deb Haaland, a native American woman who was Secretary of the Interior under Biden, was elected governor. And of course there were several other women governors elected, and at least two black governors in Georgia and in Florida. And the first openly gay man was elected to the Senate, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire; Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was the first lesbian, elected in 2012. So the face of American politics will be different from now on - viva la diversidad y la unidad!
Well, I can't possibly cover all the election news in a blog post, but for the record - and perhaps the enlightenment or amusement of my truckbuddies - here are some short videos that tell the story across the nation and specifically here in Texas, where many people were shouting, crying, and dancing in the streets last night, just as when the Berlin Wall fell. It's a bright new day in Texas, boys! I tell you what.
But if you have the time, please scroll on down and watch Talarico's deeply moving victory speech - the same political sermon he's made at countless appearances all across Texas. The metaphor of David and Goliath is very apt - an inspiration to us all. And Hinojosa also gave a beautiful speech, full of sunny smiles and blue skies of hope.
ABC News (4:05) -- Democrats take back Congress and flip the South in big blue wave:
' CBS Texas (2:39) -- Talarico, Hinojosa celebrate historic Texas wins at Whataburger (a beloved Texas institution, open 24/7):
Reuters (3:30) -- Seven numbers that explain Democrats' US midterm triumph:
NBC News (1:59) -- Election results yield historic firsts:
C-SPAN (3:13) -- Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (a moderate Republican who voted to convict Trump after his second impeachment) has some damn good advice for Democrats:
Guardian News (UK) (3:07) -- People and politicians across the world react to the US midterm results:
ITV News (UK) (5:06) -- Watch as Donald Trump reacts to defeat in US midterm elections:
Gina Hinojosa also gave a beautiful and memorable speech last night:
N. B. -- "No te dejes" = don't back down, stand up for yourself.
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| Cheers! |
Here's a live report on election results from the Associated Press:
PBS:
NBC:
M.P. and I are especially interested in the Senate race between James Talarico and that corrupt Paxton. WFAA/ABC Dallas reports on the Texas races:
And then there's that Trumpian insult that backfired and became a T-shirt and an anthem:
As far as I know, Kinzinger still identifies as a Republican, but not a MAGA man, and he despises Trump's political perversion and corruption. He was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for instigating the attack on the Capitol, and later was one of the two Republicans, along with Liz Cheney, to serve on the January 6th Committee that recommended criminal charges against Trump.
Kinzinger is a real man: he had the balls to go against his party and speak the truth, even though it cost him his seat in the next election. Whatever label he identifies with now, Kinzinger certainly talks like a sane and sensible Democrat. He endorsed Biden and later Harris in 2024, and this year endorsed Talarico's Senate bid.
What I Say: The Democratic Party needs more butch white men like Kinzinger, a lot more, if it wants to regain power and keep it. There, I said it -- a simple demographic truth, whether anybody wants to hear it or not.
Bonus: Kinzinger tells it like it is at the 2024 Democratic Convention. "Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong, a small man pretending to be big . . . ."
He had nothing to gain from this speech, but he made it anyway, for the love of his country. Goddamn, that's brave. To tell you the truth, I'd vote for Kinzinger for President any day of the week, if there weren't a better Democrat on the ballot.
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The beloved old hymn as performed by Sean Dietrich, prolific novelist, columnist, musician, and humorist:
Actually, the hymn is about Christian faith, not the Civil War. Complete lyrics can be found here.
For a bit of inspiration, read today's story from Sean's blog:
The Only Prayer You'll Ever Need.
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| Boo! |
For an even bigger scare, see this interview by Ezra Klein on Elon Musk's endgame, which I haven't finished watching yet.
What I Say: Trump and his deranged doppelganger Musk, and some other henchmen and hussies I could name, ought to be sent in a big, beautiful, gold-plated rocket to Mars, where they would have a whole planet to rule and ruin and fight over with robots. No return fuel, though, and no radio to disturb the rest of us with. Just eternal silence - no adoring audience - it would drive them both mad in no time.
Bonus: Obama provides some comedy relief and straight talk at a rally in Atlanta:
FYI: All 435 House seats are up for election every two years. Senators serve six-year terms, but one-third of the 100 Senate seats are up for election every two years. Here are two graphics showing the current membership of both houses of Congress, from Wikipedia:
The six non-voting delegates in the House (not included in the graphic) are from the District of Columbia and five overseas territories: Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas. They can participate in debate but cannot vote.
For more graphics, maps, and the latest polling data, see 2026 United States elections at Wikipedia.
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In this 2008 BBC documentary, Barrowman consults with doctors and scientists to find the true origin of gayness: a fascinating journey.
Unfortunately, Barrowman was not as put-together as he seems in this video: he seems to have sabotaged his career with "exuberant behavior," as you can read about in his wikiarticle. Poor fellow. It just goes to show that people who seem to have it all may not know what to do with it.
Bonus: There's a definite gay vibe when Barrowman and Kevin Kline sing "Night and Day" in the Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely (2004):
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