Eveything matters when this thing is going to be….the weather in Maricopa County is going to possibly decide who the president of the United States is. Over an eight-hour period on one of 365 days of the year, that weather could decide who the president of the United States is.
— Dan Pfeiffer, Pod Save America: Harris Denounces Trump’s Pet-Eating Conspiracy
[The] “sanewashing” of Trump’s statements isn’t just poor journalism; it’s a form of misinformation that poses a threat to democracy. By continually reframing Trump’s incoherent and often dangerous rhetoric as conventional political discourse, major news outlets are failing in their duty to inform the public and are instead providing cover for increasingly erratic behavior from a former—and potentially future—president.
— “How the Media Sanitizes Trump’s Insanity,” The New Republic
[The online class] is convinced they need to save America from itself, and specifically, that they need to save America from 50% of its citizens… Those people are America! You can’t save American democracy from half the electorate. It doesn’t work that way. You have to deal with your fellow citizens. There’s no shortcut. There’s no one final victory where the music swells and lights come up and we all clap.
— Megan McArdle, “No, You Stole the Election! (Part 3),” Reflector
“You read all these wonderful books as an undergrad, and then you graduate and you read newsletters.”
— John Dubuque, founder of Rebind, quoted in “I Am Laura Kipnis-Bot, and I Will Make Reading Sexy and Tragic Again,” Wired.com
A scientific study published in May 2023 projected that a blackout during a five-day heat wave would kill nearly 1 percent of Phoenix’s population—about 13,000 people—and send 800,000 to emergency rooms.
— “What Will Become of American Civilization?,” The Atlantic
Now that the uncertainty around Mr. Biden’s candidacy has been resolved, the campaign will begin anew. With Mr. Trump sure to ratchet up his falsehood-laden rhetoric, it’s a good time to review his recent record of dishonesty [by looking at the actual data compared to his claims].
— “Don’t Take Trump’s Word for It. Check the Data.,” Steven Rattner in the NY Times
Democrats and Never-Trump Republicans argue that Donald Trump’s potential return to the presidency poses a dire threat to American democracy. Some advocate drastic measures to prevent it, but true democracy demands nonviolent persuasion, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.
“You don’t stop being a fascist because you don’t get everything you want in your first term because you’re surrounded by people who aren’t fascists. They’re right-wing Republicans, they’re craven, but they’re not going along with fascism. You don’t get to do full fascism until you’re surrounded by fascists.”
“There is no comparison between Donald Trump and any previous president…in terms of selling access to him, his family, and of course, his administration, and selling out American policy in the process. If he wins again in November, if he’s back in the White House, everything in terms of American foreign policy will be for sale to the highest bidder.”
This month’s playlist includes both new sounds and old favorites. From the groove-heavy jazz to the bluesy nostalgia, there’s something in September for everyone.
In our two-party system, tough decisions must be made. Vice President Kamala Harris isn’t my ideal candidate, but here’s why I’m casting my vote for her this November, and why I want you to as well.
August saw my music library expand with new releases, classic gems, electrifying live performances, timeless rock-and-roll, and meditative jazz soundscapes. Dive into my month in music and discover what made each album stand out.
This post explores why I won’t be voting for Donald Trump in 2024, focusing not on his character, but on the policies and agenda he’s promoting.
As we approach the election, it’s important to recognize that, alongside the major party candidates, a variety of third-party contenders will also be vying for your vote. Here’s a brief overview of the six appearing on Vermont’s ballot.
Imagine my small town embracing a reusable container system, inspired by a simple yet brilliant idea. I’m excited about this little entrepreneurial fantasy that could bring sustainable change to my community.
The music slowed down in July, but new albums from two of my favorite artists, combined with some mind-blowing surprises, made it a July my music library won’t forget.