Not a huge Chris Cillizza fan, (see https://pressthink.org/2012/08/everything-thats-wrong-with-political-journalism-in-one-washington-post-item/
and
https://www.pastemagazine.com/politics/chris-cillizza/chris-cillizza-milquetoast-hack-and-enemy-of-truth )
but he gives this about the Montana race
https://youtu.be/vTBcfv55twQ?si=tjkYL94FzQevEzcz
From a thousand miles away, and general ignorance: it seems like the key to the Democrats winning in Texas is the Latino vote. And, from what little I've read, Talarico seems to have better prospects on that front.
And it has to help that the Democrats are already rallying around. As for Cornyn and Paxton, I'm not much on the "bantam roosters" analogy. I yhink I'd rather go with "rabid weasels.". Just a personal preference, but I think it suits the participants better.
I know it says Texas, but in Montana... Daines, the incumbent US Senator up for reelection this year withdrew from the Republican primary today. The US Attorney for Montana filed for the Republican Senate primary at the last minute. Sheehy, the other Republican US Senator from Montana reportedly broke the hand of a uniformed Marine veteran as the vet was removed from a committee hearing room this afternoon.
There were about 100,000 more total votes in the D US Senate primary than there were in the R US Senate primary. Texas is still very red, but even with some election ratfucking going on, the Dems managed to turn out in competitive numbers.
Crockett has come out already for Talarico, trying to use her own momentum to boost him for the general election. Talarico still needs to go to the districts where Crockett won big and make sure to do some listening and show that he'll fight for them as well, but I'm sure he will be on that soon. The big difference between those two is more one of tone and emphasis than of any substantive policy difference.
Talarico did especially well in latinx border districts, which could be a promising sign for how latinx Trump voters might break now that it's clear that the R economic promises were bunk and their communities are a target.
Harris, who had endorsed Crockett, is already starting to reach out to her supporters to rally their support for Talarico.
...I hope Cornyn and Paxton go after each other like bantam roosters, and that both leave indelible marks on each other in the process.
I like the Jon Stewart line that "Our bombs are smarter than our President", which rivals CharlesWT's comment for sheer truthiness.
But seriously: I wonder what the polls in either country would show if China, say, were to launch decapitation strikes aimed at regime change in the US.
This may be a rare instance in history where a greater percentage of the people in a country being bombed are pro bombing than the people in the country doing the bombing.
It's perfectly possible to be knowledgeable, hardworking and sensitive about music, while also being such an unreflecting product of the patriarchy that it never occurs to you that you are not entitled to comment on a talented young female musician's lack of "gravitas" and "modest" clothing. Pro Bono's link absolutely shows why she had had enough.
I don't like Lebrecht's personality and business model - it seems like he fashions himself as the Hedda Hopper of the classical music world. However, I really liked his Mahler biography, he is certainly knowledgeable and hard-working and can be sensitive writer about music:
Not sure, but hasn’t Congress passed a law to forbid the president to do that (i.e. rendering US citizens to foreign courts, the ICC in particular)?
The ICC's jurisdiction is restricted to crimes committed in places under the jurisdiction of countries that are bound by the treaty that set up the court. The US is not a signatory, so is unlikely to extradite a US citizen. Iran has signed, but not ratified, the treaty.
Extradition to individual foreign countries is controlled by individual bilateral treaties. The US has treaties with something over a hundred countries. Dual criminality is a keystone -- whatever crime the individual is charged with has to also be a crime in the US. This creates headaches for the US sometimes, as "conspiracy" is not a crime in many countries. Eg, Julian Assange was extradited to the US on relatively minor charges -- the big charges were all conspiracy. And of course, under a recent SCOTUS decision, it appears that all acts committed by a US President are lawful.
Not sure, but hasn't Congress passed a law to forbid the president to do that (i.e. rendering US citizens to foreign courts, the ICC in particular)? Apart from that, that's not how US politics work. Alas, I fear it would be political suicide.
Perhaps more than you care to know about Norman Lebrecht.
"Ultimately, Norman Lebrecht’s reputation reflects the divided nature of classical music commentary today: a once-dominant voice whose sharp style secured attention and influence but whose methods have increasingly drawn scrutiny, culminating in the loss of his long-standing BBC platform. The evidence from peer reviews, legal records, artist statements, and public reactions points to a figure who remains widely discussed—yet more often as a cautionary example of boundary-pushing journalism than as an unchallenged authority."
But there is the 'Invade the Hague' Act, so one should use a different location.
The Nuremberg court room (Saal 600) is available (and has been reconstructed in its form used for the trials). The gallows was makeshift, so it does not exist anymore. It was a faulty construction anyway.
I would propose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowing_from_a_gun as more suitable. What about quartering by use of 4 Hellfire missiles?* Or the major Kong exit (bunker buster or MOAB, not nuclear).
For others nibbling to death by rabid chihuahuas or starving naked molerats could be an idea.
*expulsion from the forces has to happen before since quartering soldiers is unconstitutional
There are people who can't do an art but set themselves up as keepers of standards about that art, standards they present as Truth, rather than their own perspective. The same thing happens with visual art. The gatekeeper gets legitimacy by upholding convention and, thereby, the establishment (or those who consider themselves to be the establishment and have the power to act that way). The establishment that the gatekeeper represents probably has expectations for women which are in the standard. There may be more of a tolerance of men who deviate from the standard than women.
Interestingly, in terms of visual art, the convention is to be seen as unconventional, and the establishment loves the "outsider" that has been taken in as an insider.
I know I am over-simplifying. I think the dynamic I described exists but there are other dynamics as well. One is all the fans who ignore the gatekeepers and love the artists of their choice anyway. Another is commerce and marketing which can shower vast rewards on someone who is hated by the gatekeepers.
And, of course, there is such a thing as good and bad in any art. I just don't think clothing choices count as part of the evaluation.
No reason to disrupt the tranquility the good people of Nuremberg. A simple transfer to the Hague and the ICC will do.
Granted, the US has declined to join the ICC. But as I recall, all it takes is getting the defendant to a country which is a member to get them arrested and sent for trial. ("Extraordinary rendition" anyone? Best use for it ever!)
Should we applaud the mini star of whore for his honesty to publicly state that the US military will not feel obliged to obey any laws of war, that there will be no rules of engagement or any other woke or leftist stuff and that this war is definitely not about a changing Iran towards democracy?
A few more thoughts, with pro bono's link, it certainly pushes it over to sexism, had it only been the reposted message by Wang, I might have hesitated, but reading his wikipedia page, he seems like a real jerk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lebrecht
(don't know why my wikipedia always has each reference on a different line)
Mentioned in the wikipedia page, but worth a read on its own is Hurwitz's piece about him.
https://www.classicstoday.com/journalist-norman-lebrecht-dead-at-61/
She doesn't need him. He needs her. He's a gossip and a hanger on, much like Jann Wenner.
I propose the portmanteau "gatecreeper" for this particular combination of self-importance and sexism. I do think he's being sexist in his assumptions about Wang's popularity and need for his legitimation.
Must hurt to both be this wrong and get sacked over it.
I know what to call it: contempt for the recipients of this ridiculous farrago of an excuse. It's like a truculent 15 year old coming up with an absurd explanation for his appalling behaviour, and daring the listener to prove it isn't true. As if everybody in the world doesn't know that if the US forbade Israel to attack Israel would have no choice but to obey. And, since Trump likes to act the irresistible hard man, it has no internal coherence or consistency either. It's pure contempt, for Congress, the American public, and the other nations of the middle east.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “The ides of Texas”
Not a huge Chris Cillizza fan, (see https://pressthink.org/2012/08/everything-thats-wrong-with-political-journalism-in-one-washington-post-item/
and
https://www.pastemagazine.com/politics/chris-cillizza/chris-cillizza-milquetoast-hack-and-enemy-of-truth )
but he gives this about the Montana race
https://youtu.be/vTBcfv55twQ?si=tjkYL94FzQevEzcz
"
I saw a bare mention of that, but no details. Any idea why?
"
From a thousand miles away, and general ignorance: it seems like the key to the Democrats winning in Texas is the Latino vote. And, from what little I've read, Talarico seems to have better prospects on that front.
And it has to help that the Democrats are already rallying around. As for Cornyn and Paxton, I'm not much on the "bantam roosters" analogy. I yhink I'd rather go with "rabid weasels.". Just a personal preference, but I think it suits the participants better.
"
I know it says Texas, but in Montana... Daines, the incumbent US Senator up for reelection this year withdrew from the Republican primary today. The US Attorney for Montana filed for the Republican Senate primary at the last minute. Sheehy, the other Republican US Senator from Montana reportedly broke the hand of a uniformed Marine veteran as the vet was removed from a committee hearing room this afternoon.
On “As it all falls down around our ears: An open thread”
On PredictIt, I bet on Crockett, so no joy. I bet against Paxton, so I'm still in the game on that one.
"
We've got some Texans here, so opening another post to talk about it.
"
Other hopeful signs (from TX):
There were about 100,000 more total votes in the D US Senate primary than there were in the R US Senate primary. Texas is still very red, but even with some election ratfucking going on, the Dems managed to turn out in competitive numbers.
Crockett has come out already for Talarico, trying to use her own momentum to boost him for the general election. Talarico still needs to go to the districts where Crockett won big and make sure to do some listening and show that he'll fight for them as well, but I'm sure he will be on that soon. The big difference between those two is more one of tone and emphasis than of any substantive policy difference.
Talarico did especially well in latinx border districts, which could be a promising sign for how latinx Trump voters might break now that it's clear that the R economic promises were bunk and their communities are a target.
Harris, who had endorsed Crockett, is already starting to reach out to her supporters to rally their support for Talarico.
...I hope Cornyn and Paxton go after each other like bantam roosters, and that both leave indelible marks on each other in the process.
"
Open thread, so: this is cheering:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/opinion/elections-college-crisis-democracy-summer.html?unlocked_article_code=1.QlA.ymem.uzB0QrJw98CR&smid=url-share
On “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran”
I like the Jon Stewart line that "Our bombs are smarter than our President", which rivals CharlesWT's comment for sheer truthiness.
But seriously: I wonder what the polls in either country would show if China, say, were to launch decapitation strikes aimed at regime change in the US.
--TP
"
This may be a rare instance in history where a greater percentage of the people in a country being bombed are pro bombing than the people in the country doing the bombing.
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
It's perfectly possible to be knowledgeable, hardworking and sensitive about music, while also being such an unreflecting product of the patriarchy that it never occurs to you that you are not entitled to comment on a talented young female musician's lack of "gravitas" and "modest" clothing. Pro Bono's link absolutely shows why she had had enough.
"
I don't like Lebrecht's personality and business model - it seems like he fashions himself as the Hedda Hopper of the classical music world. However, I really liked his Mahler biography, he is certainly knowledgeable and hard-working and can be sensitive writer about music:
https://welltempered.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/classical-music-review-mahler-is-the-new-beethoven-critic-norman-lebrecht-argues-in-his-new-book-%E2%80%9Cwhy-mahler%E2%80%9D/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/sep/04/mahler-lebrecht-memoir-beethoven-ninth
On “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran”
Not sure, but hasn’t Congress passed a law to forbid the president to do that (i.e. rendering US citizens to foreign courts, the ICC in particular)?
The ICC's jurisdiction is restricted to crimes committed in places under the jurisdiction of countries that are bound by the treaty that set up the court. The US is not a signatory, so is unlikely to extradite a US citizen. Iran has signed, but not ratified, the treaty.
Extradition to individual foreign countries is controlled by individual bilateral treaties. The US has treaties with something over a hundred countries. Dual criminality is a keystone -- whatever crime the individual is charged with has to also be a crime in the US. This creates headaches for the US sometimes, as "conspiracy" is not a crime in many countries. Eg, Julian Assange was extradited to the US on relatively minor charges -- the big charges were all conspiracy. And of course, under a recent SCOTUS decision, it appears that all acts committed by a US President are lawful.
"
Not sure, but hasn't Congress passed a law to forbid the president to do that (i.e. rendering US citizens to foreign courts, the ICC in particular)? Apart from that, that's not how US politics work. Alas, I fear it would be political suicide.
"
I'm guessing that any President sending miscreants to the ICC would decline to invoke the ‘Invade the Hague’ Act.
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
Perhaps more than you care to know about Norman Lebrecht.
"Ultimately, Norman Lebrecht’s reputation reflects the divided nature of classical music commentary today: a once-dominant voice whose sharp style secured attention and influence but whose methods have increasingly drawn scrutiny, culminating in the loss of his long-standing BBC platform. The evidence from peer reviews, legal records, artist statements, and public reactions points to a figure who remains widely discussed—yet more often as a cautionary example of boundary-pushing journalism than as an unchallenged authority."
Norman Lebrecht: Polarizing Classical Music Figure
On “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran”
But there is the 'Invade the Hague' Act, so one should use a different location.
The Nuremberg court room (Saal 600) is available (and has been reconstructed in its form used for the trials). The gallows was makeshift, so it does not exist anymore. It was a faulty construction anyway.
I would propose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowing_from_a_gun as more suitable. What about quartering by use of 4 Hellfire missiles?* Or the major Kong exit (bunker buster or MOAB, not nuclear).
For others nibbling to death by rabid chihuahuas or starving naked molerats could be an idea.
*expulsion from the forces has to happen before since quartering soldiers is unconstitutional
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
There are people who can't do an art but set themselves up as keepers of standards about that art, standards they present as Truth, rather than their own perspective. The same thing happens with visual art. The gatekeeper gets legitimacy by upholding convention and, thereby, the establishment (or those who consider themselves to be the establishment and have the power to act that way). The establishment that the gatekeeper represents probably has expectations for women which are in the standard. There may be more of a tolerance of men who deviate from the standard than women.
Interestingly, in terms of visual art, the convention is to be seen as unconventional, and the establishment loves the "outsider" that has been taken in as an insider.
I know I am over-simplifying. I think the dynamic I described exists but there are other dynamics as well. One is all the fans who ignore the gatekeepers and love the artists of their choice anyway. Another is commerce and marketing which can shower vast rewards on someone who is hated by the gatekeepers.
And, of course, there is such a thing as good and bad in any art. I just don't think clothing choices count as part of the evaluation.
On “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran”
No reason to disrupt the tranquility the good people of Nuremberg. A simple transfer to the Hague and the ICC will do.
Granted, the US has declined to join the ICC. But as I recall, all it takes is getting the defendant to a country which is a member to get them arrested and sent for trial. ("Extraordinary rendition" anyone? Best use for it ever!)
"
"Should we applaud the mini star of whore for his honesty to publicly state that the US military will not feel obliged to obey any laws of war,"
It'll make the war-crimes trials easier, it's true.
Hartmut, could you check if the Nuremberg courtroom/gallows are available? Danke!
"
Should we applaud the mini star of whore for his honesty to publicly state that the US military will not feel obliged to obey any laws of war, that there will be no rules of engagement or any other woke or leftist stuff and that this war is definitely not about a changing Iran towards democracy?
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
A few more thoughts, with pro bono's link, it certainly pushes it over to sexism, had it only been the reposted message by Wang, I might have hesitated, but reading his wikipedia page, he seems like a real jerk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lebrecht
(don't know why my wikipedia always has each reference on a different line)
Mentioned in the wikipedia page, but worth a read on its own is Hurwitz's piece about him.
https://www.classicstoday.com/journalist-norman-lebrecht-dead-at-61/
Ouch!
"
Interesting pro bono. It looks like it was before the email tantrum and none of the pages I saw mentioned it. Makes it look even more egregious.
"
She doesn't need him. He needs her. He's a gossip and a hanger on, much like Jann Wenner.
I propose the portmanteau "gatecreeper" for this particular combination of self-importance and sexism. I do think he's being sexist in his assumptions about Wang's popularity and need for his legitimation.
Must hurt to both be this wrong and get sacked over it.
What a self-important little man.
On “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran”
I know what to call it: contempt for the recipients of this ridiculous farrago of an excuse. It's like a truculent 15 year old coming up with an absurd explanation for his appalling behaviour, and daring the listener to prove it isn't true. As if everybody in the world doesn't know that if the US forbade Israel to attack Israel would have no choice but to obey. And, since Trump likes to act the irresistible hard man, it has no internal coherence or consistency either. It's pure contempt, for Congress, the American public, and the other nations of the middle east.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.