Politics Plus

Yesterday, I got to see Virgil, and we got to play cribbage. The cards were still elderly and not in good shape,but Virgil managed to get three triple runs of three, and one quadruple run of three, and I managed to get a couple of quadruple runs of three, over the course of the afternoon. I also got a hand which consisted of only 3s, 6s, and 9s (IIRC it was one 9, one 6 and three 3s – it was a beast to count but a nice score.) Lona, Virgil loved the photo you sent for him (the same one you put in a comment ast weel. He is allowed to tape a few things up on the wall and it is now one of them. Thank you so much! And of course he returns everyone’s greetings.  My main computer has been dragging all day,so I was late getting out the newsletter, and even later posting this. I had to run CCleaner – once in the “Health Check” mode and once in the regular cleanup mode just to keep going. And I think I forwarded the letter for the Substack I am using today out yesterday by mistake. So if you get that, check to see where the quotes fit. At least today is Monday, and I’ll be sleeping in hard.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Letters from an Americn – July 29, 2023 (Saturday)
Quote – I had intended to write about Bacon’s Rebellion today, since on this date in 1676, Nathaniel Bacon published the Declaration of the People of Virginia, outlining the rebels’ demands —and, let’s be honest, also because I am giddy with relief at finishing the final stages of the new book and eager to be doing actual history again—but President Joe Biden gave a surprisingly interesting talk in Freeport, Maine, yesterday that hit my in-box today just as I was sitting down to write about Bacon…. As he spoke informally to a small audience, he seemed to hit what he sees as the major themes of his presidency so far. The talk included an interesting twist…. “We’re seeing changes… across the world in fundamental ways. And so, we better get going on what we’re going to do about it, both in foreign policy and domestic policy.” … If I were writing a history of the Biden administration 150 years from now, I would call out this informal talk as an articulation of a vision of American leadership, … So I guess I got to write about history today, after all.
Click through for full column. Yes, it’s long. But it’s possible to skim it and then go back to particular points. And if it’s going to be important in 150 years – it’s important now.

The Hill – Here are the Republicans who have met requirements for the first debate
Quote – But before candidates can get on the Aug. 23 debate stage, they must first qualify by meeting several requirements set by the Republican National Committee (RNC). Candidates need at least 40,000 unique donors to their principal presidential campaign committee, including at least 200 from 20 or more states and territories each. The presidential contenders also must be polling at 1 percent or higher in at least three authorized national polls — or at 1 percent or higher in two national polls together with one “early state poll” from two separate “carve out” states recognized by the RNC: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Perhaps the most contentious requirement is the RNC’s ask that candidates sign a loyalty pledge to support whomever becomes the eventual Republican nominee.
Click through for those who have, and a few that have not. I’m almost sorry that Pence hasn’t made it (at least not yet) I have a couple of barrettes, each with a fly on it, and that would be an occasion to wear one or the other.

Food For Thought