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James Benton

@jamesbenton.bsky.social

880 followers 540 following 3.9K posts

Tall, white male working on my privilege, listening more. Father of 3 boys, married to a genius academic. I like efficiency, but also like caring about people. Both are possible! Gen Xr who resents needing "readers" or "my" music labeled "classic!"

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 10m

Somehow they kept our espresso beans the same price.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 8h

This is the Law School of Law and Order 101. Don’t talk to defendants outside of counsel.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 10h

It was supposed to tell us that the too good looking even for a TV cop is actually tough.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 11h

I half seriously think they might get bonuses for selfies. Helps with recruiting.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 11h

This needs to be a website. And without digging into your methodology, the rankings “feel” right. Not sure if folks like Bernie and Warren should get a generational curve.
How would Mamdani rank? Swalwell would probably get a D. Miskito too. Crockett? Murphy.
I think this is a great project.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 11h

Seriously. You had me with the rankings. But the excel sheet told me this thread was for me. Now graphics!!!

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 13h

Born in California. Lived in Chicago. Currently live in Texas. I support all of the states. Even Mississippi. I do not support fascism.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 14h

Melanie Stansbury.

Love this idea. Wouldn’t be the worst nonprofit. Like the Brady Campaign grading politicians on policy positions.

I wonder if @democracydocket.com would do something like this. Call it the Buckle Scale.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 15h

And maybe the dumbest Cabinet. No backstop. The dumbest kids in school making the biggest decisions.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 15h

I swear Putin is just trolling him and knows Trump won’t even know it.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 22h

His doctor actually seems very qualified. But he is only allowed to reveal so much anyway because of HIIPA. So the letter is a joint effort.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 22h

Steven Cheung probably wrote this.
Is the signer really Dr Barbarella?

After the Epstein files, I’d love to see his actual
Medical records.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 22h

Sometimes humor can take the awful truth, boil it down to its essence, and help you consume it better than a 2500 word think piece ever will.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 22h

If you haven’t seen the movie The Apprentice, it’s a very good little piece. Not meant to be comprehensive, but capture the sadness and cruelty. Great performances.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

Message me if you can. We are wanting to do something similar in my town and would love a model to replicate.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

bert from sesame street is wearing a striped shirt and a scarf around his neck

ALT: bert from sesame street is wearing a striped shirt and a scarf around his neck

media.tenor.com

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

Very few movies get the reporter life accurately. The best may be Spotlight. Worst may be never been kissed. I remember a movie critic remarking about how Drew Barrymore was a copy editors assistant!! with her own desk.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

This is really revealing how many billionaires were “liberal” more as a social scene choice. Like in high school.

I admire the rich folks and celebrities who are truly speaking up. Ruffalo. DeNiro. Springsteen. And many others.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

My first thought is always AOC. She seems “next in line” for his political approach. Who else? Garcia?

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

It’s a question you ask a close friend. The very best answer you get when asking if they have kids is going to be “oh, we didn’t want any”. After that it’s a quick, polite answer masking some kind of painful truth.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

We are basically in a Bond movie now. Except Dr No would tell Trump to tone it down a bit. Even Dr Evil would say over the top.

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James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

Most things in Texas are illegal. Except guns. And racism. And misogyny.

But be careful being reasonable or rational.

Ugh.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

It doesn’t align with their overtly greedy capitalist, performative Christonationalism, and general privileged white male view of the world.

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

Thune is about 6’4”. More like the tall bias depicted on Veep. Johnson is also pretty short. So the contrast!

James Benton @jamesbenton.bsky.social · 1d

Jury is literally still out on that one?