@johndbecker.bsky.social
If you were a songwriter and Ms. Ronstadt decided to cover a song you wrote, you'd feel like you'd died and gone to heaven.
December 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
If you were a songwriter and Ms. Ronstadt decided to cover a song you wrote, you'd feel like you'd died and gone to heaven.
Hey, Ms. Burns, where I can I buy my "holiday presidents"? I'm ready to pay good money for a new one.
December 9, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Hey, Ms. Burns, where I can I buy my "holiday presidents"? I'm ready to pay good money for a new one.
I remain astonished that many in MAGA, who must be aware that Trump is lying about grocery prices, don't take the next step -- i.e., asking, If Trump is lying to us about this, what else might he be lying about? In fact, that might be an effective election tactic for '26; ask the Q, over and over.
December 9, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I remain astonished that many in MAGA, who must be aware that Trump is lying about grocery prices, don't take the next step -- i.e., asking, If Trump is lying to us about this, what else might he be lying about? In fact, that might be an effective election tactic for '26; ask the Q, over and over.
I love (not really) how Trump doubles down in the face of Ms. Burns' doubtful response by adding more "pluses" to his already "A+" self-awarded grade. This sad little part of the interview is a smaller example of Trump's obsessions with fake grandeur, e.g., the WH ballroom.
December 9, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I love (not really) how Trump doubles down in the face of Ms. Burns' doubtful response by adding more "pluses" to his already "A+" self-awarded grade. This sad little part of the interview is a smaller example of Trump's obsessions with fake grandeur, e.g., the WH ballroom.
This is a fair point, of course. But there are people on the outside who are sympathetic to at least Trump's efforts to lower interest rates, but who strike at least me as having a clue, unlike Hassett. I am thinking of people like Rick Rieder or David Zervos.
December 9, 2025 at 11:31 PM
This is a fair point, of course. But there are people on the outside who are sympathetic to at least Trump's efforts to lower interest rates, but who strike at least me as having a clue, unlike Hassett. I am thinking of people like Rick Rieder or David Zervos.
One of many reasons to despise Trump, and to be angry that anyone supports him, is that he seems to have no grasp of the weight of things, their cosmic importance. The awesome power of being able to pardon someone? Reserved for those who are useful to him. Absolutely no principle involved.
December 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
One of many reasons to despise Trump, and to be angry that anyone supports him, is that he seems to have no grasp of the weight of things, their cosmic importance. The awesome power of being able to pardon someone? Reserved for those who are useful to him. Absolutely no principle involved.
You know, a contractual promise is different from a "goal". And even the gushed-over goal is going to happen only ... well ... later. And even if the goal is met, it is far less than China had been buying under -- yes -- Biden. This isn't the "art" of the deal; add an "f" to "art" and we're closer.
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 PM
You know, a contractual promise is different from a "goal". And even the gushed-over goal is going to happen only ... well ... later. And even if the goal is met, it is far less than China had been buying under -- yes -- Biden. This isn't the "art" of the deal; add an "f" to "art" and we're closer.
Belarus, per Lukashenko: "ready to defend every patch of our land." This might be correct, but maybe not in the way he means. Increasingly, Belarus appears to be getting ready to defend its land from Lukashenko himself, and from his Sponsor in Russia.
December 9, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Belarus, per Lukashenko: "ready to defend every patch of our land." This might be correct, but maybe not in the way he means. Increasingly, Belarus appears to be getting ready to defend its land from Lukashenko himself, and from his Sponsor in Russia.
Watching people under his control struggle appears to be all he has left to sustain him. He kind of sucks the life out of them. Have people considered that their president might be a vampire?
December 9, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Watching people under his control struggle appears to be all he has left to sustain him. He kind of sucks the life out of them. Have people considered that their president might be a vampire?
Maybe it's good if Walmart can take away some of Amazon's profits and thus power. But I wish the business world would stop giving me nightmarish echoes of Orwell's "1984".
December 9, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Maybe it's good if Walmart can take away some of Amazon's profits and thus power. But I wish the business world would stop giving me nightmarish echoes of Orwell's "1984".
No surprise. For Trump and his allies, the only people who deserve due process are Trump and his allies. And that "allies" group is fluid, e.g., Marjorie Taylor Green.
December 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
No surprise. For Trump and his allies, the only people who deserve due process are Trump and his allies. And that "allies" group is fluid, e.g., Marjorie Taylor Green.
Oh, be true! Make this be true! It's not the best way for the world to "work", to say the least, but I'll take my good news where I can get it.
December 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Oh, be true! Make this be true! It's not the best way for the world to "work", to say the least, but I'll take my good news where I can get it.
You know, Europe has caught on to the necessity of working around Trump, since, sadly, they've discovered that they can't work with him. There are some sharp folks in the GOP; how about catching on to what Europe already knows (not to mention what GOP folks say behind closed doors)?
December 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
You know, Europe has caught on to the necessity of working around Trump, since, sadly, they've discovered that they can't work with him. There are some sharp folks in the GOP; how about catching on to what Europe already knows (not to mention what GOP folks say behind closed doors)?
The disturbing possibility is that the problem is far bigger than Trump. Anyone should have been aware before the '24 election that his mind was going -- as if we needed further reason not to vote for him. I am unsure that the American voting public is intelligent enough even to deserve the vote.
December 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The disturbing possibility is that the problem is far bigger than Trump. Anyone should have been aware before the '24 election that his mind was going -- as if we needed further reason not to vote for him. I am unsure that the American voting public is intelligent enough even to deserve the vote.
Why is Sec'y Rollins so often presented? I cringe every time I see her. Even before she speaks, she has that clueless smile, suggesting that any higher-order functioning has been removed from her brain. (Hardly unique: e.g., Bondi, Patel, and the whole economic team.) See through this, folks!
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Why is Sec'y Rollins so often presented? I cringe every time I see her. Even before she speaks, she has that clueless smile, suggesting that any higher-order functioning has been removed from her brain. (Hardly unique: e.g., Bondi, Patel, and the whole economic team.) See through this, folks!
We can all figure this out. The dismal problem is that this makes no difference. We're stuck with Trump and soccer is stuck with those who run FIFA. Anyone who sees a way out of either of these, please reply. (And I know about the 25th Amendment; I'm not sure Vance would be better.)
December 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
We can all figure this out. The dismal problem is that this makes no difference. We're stuck with Trump and soccer is stuck with those who run FIFA. Anyone who sees a way out of either of these, please reply. (And I know about the 25th Amendment; I'm not sure Vance would be better.)
It's hard to contain my disgust. "What we truly need are market-based solutions." Well, sure, but what gave you the idea that Trump would seek such? You saw him in action in his first term, and had to plead for a bailout then. Then you heard him praise tariffs during the campaign. Slow learners!
December 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
It's hard to contain my disgust. "What we truly need are market-based solutions." Well, sure, but what gave you the idea that Trump would seek such? You saw him in action in his first term, and had to plead for a bailout then. Then you heard him praise tariffs during the campaign. Slow learners!
Gosh. It's almost as though many of the folks Trump pardons commit other crimes. Imagine that. The GOP at least used to bill themselves as "law and order" folks. Every GOP member of Congress should be asked what they think of the pardon of this guy.
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Gosh. It's almost as though many of the folks Trump pardons commit other crimes. Imagine that. The GOP at least used to bill themselves as "law and order" folks. Every GOP member of Congress should be asked what they think of the pardon of this guy.
Somehow, ICE agents are "endangered" by being less able to sneak up on people? (I am pretty irritated at Apple caving here.) And is any attorney worth their salt impressed or intimidated by reading that "Pam Bondi said" something? Does anyone have any evidence that she has a keen legal mind?
December 9, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Somehow, ICE agents are "endangered" by being less able to sneak up on people? (I am pretty irritated at Apple caving here.) And is any attorney worth their salt impressed or intimidated by reading that "Pam Bondi said" something? Does anyone have any evidence that she has a keen legal mind?
Maybe the best strategy is to "engage" in what feels like talks, but stall until the Supreme Court finally puts an end to at least most of the tariffs, deciding, at long last, to vindicate the Constitution. I'm sick of Trump and his pretend leverage.
December 9, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Maybe the best strategy is to "engage" in what feels like talks, but stall until the Supreme Court finally puts an end to at least most of the tariffs, deciding, at long last, to vindicate the Constitution. I'm sick of Trump and his pretend leverage.
OK, MAGA folks. Let Trump's whopper lead you to ask a question, to help you get off the Trump train. It's this: If T lies constantly about inflation, what else is he lying about? There are folks who can help you escape. And then maybe start talking with others who might also be sadder but wiser.
December 9, 2025 at 5:23 AM
OK, MAGA folks. Let Trump's whopper lead you to ask a question, to help you get off the Trump train. It's this: If T lies constantly about inflation, what else is he lying about? There are folks who can help you escape. And then maybe start talking with others who might also be sadder but wiser.
OK, be honest: was this article just to give yourselves a chance to include a steamy photo of its subject?
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM
OK, be honest: was this article just to give yourselves a chance to include a steamy photo of its subject?
OK, but don't let the rest of us just skate by ("Oh, look how cleverly they are adapting to our abominable behavior!") The watchword coming out of the Jewish experience in WWII was "Never again." Let's make reminding each other of that a thing.
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 AM
OK, but don't let the rest of us just skate by ("Oh, look how cleverly they are adapting to our abominable behavior!") The watchword coming out of the Jewish experience in WWII was "Never again." Let's make reminding each other of that a thing.
Well, sure, but it's even worse. Libraries are not "the lefty version" of selecting (only) a right-wing group people might join. No other option is available. (How about, say, the Sierra Club, or even ACLU?) A healthy library gives myriad options, no required allegiance, only an open, curious mind.
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Well, sure, but it's even worse. Libraries are not "the lefty version" of selecting (only) a right-wing group people might join. No other option is available. (How about, say, the Sierra Club, or even ACLU?) A healthy library gives myriad options, no required allegiance, only an open, curious mind.
But courts: why leave vital, productive industry hamstrung by exec orders based on only animus? The status quo ante is restored by the final order today, but with both harm and likelihood of prevailing vs. exec order decided in the TRO, why give Trump's order any time to be sand in the gears?
December 9, 2025 at 4:33 AM
But courts: why leave vital, productive industry hamstrung by exec orders based on only animus? The status quo ante is restored by the final order today, but with both harm and likelihood of prevailing vs. exec order decided in the TRO, why give Trump's order any time to be sand in the gears?