I am planning on not paying attention to news for the next 4 years except for my local news. Ignorance is bliss and the nonsense that will transpire after Jan 20 will be ridiculous and scary. I'm still shocked that there were voters out there that just don't care how badly he behaves so I am done. My husband and I left the Republican party and are now registered as Independents.
We have to pay attention. Today his nominee for Treasury said it's crucial we extend the tax cuts for billionaires but he's absolutely opposed to raising the minimum wage which hasn't been raised at the Federal level since 2009.
I sympathize with wanting to turn out much of the bluster and nonsense but we can't afford to ignore it all.
Congratulations Cheryl on your principled reaction to the horrors of HIM. We all have a right to pay as much or as little attention to politics as we choose, though as the founders recognized, a healthy democracy requires an informed and thoughtful citizenry. I'd say generally America lacks this in spades, though the So What community is a healthy exception!
This is an honest question. There has been a remarkably negative attitude by your readers toward your snarky remark about Jen Rubin. Further, cursory examination suggests her new The Contrarian Substack is vastly outdrawing your much-longer established Substack and is getting vastly more reader interaction. Are you now willing to explain why you made the dismissive comment about Ms. Rubin, a writer whose writing career has, to this point, been significantly more successful than your own?
Help me understand WHY in the world do on-site news reporters (CNN being one of the worst offenders) covering the wildfires in California when doing live shots on air INSIST on walking out into the street - when there is LIVE traffic on the street??? This is nuts. WTF?
In a hypothetical world, if Kamala Harris had been elected, and she nominated a MSNBC host for SECDEF, and this host had similar military, managerial and work experience - without even the accusations of alcohol and sexual abuse - what would Republicans on the Armed Forces Committee be saying about the nominee's qualifications?
For those of us who get stressed out about the thought of the next four years (and beyond), how do you suggest we cope? What are some things we should remind ourselves?
You've criticized the Dems for being out of touch and not communicating well (along with lots of people). Should the Dems focus heavily on simply criticizing and blaming Trump for everything - like he did for Biden? For example, he had a list of things he will do on day 1, so do they start using their platforms and surrogates to pester him when those things don't get done. Every morning starting Jan 22 I would list what happened in the war he claimed he was going to end on Day 1. Just mock him mercilessly about his unkept promises.
Chris, I have a question about political appointments and their level of involvement/influence agency strategy and policies. A number of years ago I was at the pining on ceremony for a family friend who was pining on his 3rd star in the Air Force as the AF Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. General Schwartz, who was the Air Force Chief of Staff at the time, made a distinction between 3- and 4-star generals. General Schwartz said he’d much rather be a 3-star as they are the closers, i.e., the ones who get things done. So my question is, how much more concern should we be about the qualifications of the Under Secretary and Secretary positions in the various agencies, than the head of the agency.l? Granted, we want all to have some level of experience and qualifications, but it seems to me the ones we should be most concerned with are the Deputy and Under Secretaries.
Taxes 2: Which one is LEAST likely to happen in a first tax bill. (A) All income earned from law enforcement agencies is exempt from federal tax. (B) New taxes are established on interest income from bonds issued by municipalities. (C) All interest on auto loans becomes deductible. (D) Taxes are eliminated on disaster payments to individuals from municipalities (not FEMA, but the City of whatever).
Yes or No: As part of his first tax package, does Trump move to repeal Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act? Does he increase the State and Local Tax deduction for property held for personal use?
I became a subscriber in July 2023 and upgraded to a founding membership in May 2024. I think supporting what you are doing is important - independent, political analysis! I originally found you on CNN and was happy to see you back somewhere (anywhere). But, I see you do a LOT on YouTube - which is free (and I have subscribed to), but I don't go looking there - I like being notified by SubStack when you post. Seems to me you do more on YouTube than SubStack - so, I'm wondering what I'm paying for? I know - zoom call with you (which I haven't done and not that important to me) and weekly with Chuck Todd (interesting, but too long for me).......sometimes I see the YouTube posts and sometimes you mention them, but then I wonder - why am I paying on SubStack? Just curious - still gonna support you because I think it's important, but just wondering about all the free stuff you are doing on YouTube? Maybe I'm missing something? Thanks!
Tech time, Chris! Did you know that when you have a chain of text messages, you can now (and by now I mean I just learned this from my two 20-something year old kids) reply to an earlier message in the chain and that earlier message will appear in the background of your new reply?! You can either swipe right on the earlier message or click on the earlier message and select reply. Who knew?! My life has changed!!!
I am so disgusted by congressmen and businessmen bending the knee to Trump. Are we going to have 4 more years of this corruption and cowardice? I am a former republican who is worried about America
I am planning on not paying attention to news for the next 4 years except for my local news. Ignorance is bliss and the nonsense that will transpire after Jan 20 will be ridiculous and scary. I'm still shocked that there were voters out there that just don't care how badly he behaves so I am done. My husband and I left the Republican party and are now registered as Independents.
We have to pay attention. Today his nominee for Treasury said it's crucial we extend the tax cuts for billionaires but he's absolutely opposed to raising the minimum wage which hasn't been raised at the Federal level since 2009.
I sympathize with wanting to turn out much of the bluster and nonsense but we can't afford to ignore it all.
This is the absolute truth. We as a nation can’t afford to take our eyes off the ball!
Congratulations Cheryl on your principled reaction to the horrors of HIM. We all have a right to pay as much or as little attention to politics as we choose, though as the founders recognized, a healthy democracy requires an informed and thoughtful citizenry. I'd say generally America lacks this in spades, though the So What community is a healthy exception!
This is an honest question. There has been a remarkably negative attitude by your readers toward your snarky remark about Jen Rubin. Further, cursory examination suggests her new The Contrarian Substack is vastly outdrawing your much-longer established Substack and is getting vastly more reader interaction. Are you now willing to explain why you made the dismissive comment about Ms. Rubin, a writer whose writing career has, to this point, been significantly more successful than your own?
I think what you mean is you prefer Ms. Rubin's opinions better
If you define success as number of subscribers, that’s one measure. I suspect Chris has a different definition, like upholding his mission statement.
What executive orders do see Trump signing on Monday? And which will be the most disruptive, controversial, and damaging.
Or the most beneficial?
Help me understand WHY in the world do on-site news reporters (CNN being one of the worst offenders) covering the wildfires in California when doing live shots on air INSIST on walking out into the street - when there is LIVE traffic on the street??? This is nuts. WTF?
In a hypothetical world, if Kamala Harris had been elected, and she nominated a MSNBC host for SECDEF, and this host had similar military, managerial and work experience - without even the accusations of alcohol and sexual abuse - what would Republicans on the Armed Forces Committee be saying about the nominee's qualifications?
How much credit should Donald Trump get for the tentative ceasefire deal?
For those of us who get stressed out about the thought of the next four years (and beyond), how do you suggest we cope? What are some things we should remind ourselves?
You've criticized the Dems for being out of touch and not communicating well (along with lots of people). Should the Dems focus heavily on simply criticizing and blaming Trump for everything - like he did for Biden? For example, he had a list of things he will do on day 1, so do they start using their platforms and surrogates to pester him when those things don't get done. Every morning starting Jan 22 I would list what happened in the war he claimed he was going to end on Day 1. Just mock him mercilessly about his unkept promises.
Absolutely. Maybe a laundry list of promises made and promises broken will start penetrating the false reality he basks in.
Yes.
Chris, I have a question about political appointments and their level of involvement/influence agency strategy and policies. A number of years ago I was at the pining on ceremony for a family friend who was pining on his 3rd star in the Air Force as the AF Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. General Schwartz, who was the Air Force Chief of Staff at the time, made a distinction between 3- and 4-star generals. General Schwartz said he’d much rather be a 3-star as they are the closers, i.e., the ones who get things done. So my question is, how much more concern should we be about the qualifications of the Under Secretary and Secretary positions in the various agencies, than the head of the agency.l? Granted, we want all to have some level of experience and qualifications, but it seems to me the ones we should be most concerned with are the Deputy and Under Secretaries.
Taxes 2: Which one is LEAST likely to happen in a first tax bill. (A) All income earned from law enforcement agencies is exempt from federal tax. (B) New taxes are established on interest income from bonds issued by municipalities. (C) All interest on auto loans becomes deductible. (D) Taxes are eliminated on disaster payments to individuals from municipalities (not FEMA, but the City of whatever).
Yes or No: As part of his first tax package, does Trump move to repeal Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act? Does he increase the State and Local Tax deduction for property held for personal use?
I became a subscriber in July 2023 and upgraded to a founding membership in May 2024. I think supporting what you are doing is important - independent, political analysis! I originally found you on CNN and was happy to see you back somewhere (anywhere). But, I see you do a LOT on YouTube - which is free (and I have subscribed to), but I don't go looking there - I like being notified by SubStack when you post. Seems to me you do more on YouTube than SubStack - so, I'm wondering what I'm paying for? I know - zoom call with you (which I haven't done and not that important to me) and weekly with Chuck Todd (interesting, but too long for me).......sometimes I see the YouTube posts and sometimes you mention them, but then I wonder - why am I paying on SubStack? Just curious - still gonna support you because I think it's important, but just wondering about all the free stuff you are doing on YouTube? Maybe I'm missing something? Thanks!
Lightning Round — Percentage odds Biden pardons his brother Jim on Monday morning??
A great question. I'm surprised it's not been done yet. Hunter could at least claim addiction.
Tech time, Chris! Did you know that when you have a chain of text messages, you can now (and by now I mean I just learned this from my two 20-something year old kids) reply to an earlier message in the chain and that earlier message will appear in the background of your new reply?! You can either swipe right on the earlier message or click on the earlier message and select reply. Who knew?! My life has changed!!!
😆
I’m really curious about your spirituality journey. You said you’re a nonbeliever who wants to believe. What is it that makes you want to believe?
As a fellow nonbeliever yet former believer, this is of interest to me.
I am so disgusted by congressmen and businessmen bending the knee to Trump. Are we going to have 4 more years of this corruption and cowardice? I am a former republican who is worried about America