First debate between VP Harris and Trump...The only one? Tues 10 Sept 2024, 9pm EDT

how long have you been waiting to post something like that?

jesus man, grow up ffs.

 

I won't share any personal opinions I may have about Harris' appearance, other than to say that she looks the part. Very presidential, in control, a leader.

She also has her own, sincere way of connecting with people, and there's an undeniable, physical aspect to that. I mentioned Clinton, above. Not sure if it was the 'boxers or briefs' town hall, but I recall watching one where he was simply masterful in how he'd connect with people in the room, look then in the eye, make them think and feel as though he was speaking solely to them, and yet simultaneously he was obviously aware that he was speaking to the camera. I think Harris would knock it out of the park in such a debate setting.

And then there's the natural, caring way she interacts with people. In one recent video, she was in a Penzeys in Pittsburgh, just connecting with the customers and people who work there. It was planned, to an extent, but the grace and warmth she showed as she met these people, hugged a few of them, sure as hell felt natural to me. Four years ago, I thought Biden showed a similar, honest capacity to connect like that, albeit via a very different physical style (they both seem to be huggers, however). I've not forgotten about that hand-held video of him meeting in a crowd a little boy who stuttered and who's father brought him to an event to see Biden. A totally unscripted moment. He crouched down and talked to the boy about his own stutter, just looked him in the eye and boosted his boy's self-confidence; asked his father if it was okay with him if he could write to his son. I'm absolutely convinced he'd have had the same interaction if no camera were present.

Obviously, there's a difference between connecting with someone emotionally and physically, and doing so in a way that's somehow tinged with sexuality. So there's a difference. But sometimes both aspects are present (personally, I think it's pretty common). I doubt that really comes as a shock to anyone. Nor is it, in most cases a bad thing. Newsflash: People are sometimes attracted to other people. I hope no one in here would ever argue that such an attraction eliminates the possibility that the person feeling the attraction might also be able to appreciate that individual in other, deeply meaningful ways.

 

I just remind you all that a (or is it the only) female poster has called someone out for sexualizing comments in the last week or so. Just because straight males aren't offended when comments about females are made, does not mean those comments are appropriate.

 

Vance worked with David Frum from around 2008, impressing him enormously with his intelligence, self-discipline, hard work, etc. Frum's take, which is eeriely similar to his college room mate's, is that Vance is "a mimic and a mirror, refracting back to you what you were saying to him, only a little better than how you had said it to him in the first place."

Vance isn't the only enormously impressive individual Frum has worked with, sometimes even for on the conservative side down the years. Almost to a man they folded for Trump, saying and then voting for things by 2017 that they'd rather have stuck needles in their eyes than say or vote for in, say, 2012.

That they knew what they were doing was both wrong and dangerous is a given and for Frum it was tragic to witness. What he found truly frightening, however, were the ones who began that way before they became defensive about it, then aggressive before becoming true believers -- and how little time it took.

Because it demands so much emotional self-discipline, long-term conscious hypocrisy is actually quite rare. People may start as hypocrites, but in most cases, their thoughts fall into line with their words. In Nietzche's words:

“I have done that', says my memory. 'I cannot have done that' says my pride, which is unshakeable. Memory yields.”​

Vance is bankrolled by Peter Thiel so he hangs around with guys like Sacks, incElon, etc. A lot. He's mirroring back to them what they have in mind for America and the world, only he's doing it in public. That's what scares me. It should scare the bejesus out of everyone.

 

Sorry My Dude -- that statement needs no qualifiers.

She's smokin'.

While I am not gay myself, I can totally see why a Dude or Dudette might find Kinzinger smokin' too.

 

or necessarily inappropriate.

 

Man, nobody on here said anything like that.

You really want to be horrified, you should see the names of rock climbing routes. Or climbing terms. Or go climbing with a very lesbian climber. That was fun but she would've mortified most.

 

It was at this moment; former president Donald Trump was cooked…….. 🫡🇺🇸👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/wDO8eHNmSS

— Kenny Akers (@KeneAkers) September 11, 2024

 

"Why weren't the ABC moderators more indulgent of the mentally deteriorated, emotionally fragile, moronically ignorant, compulsively untruthful racist bully whom we voluntarily nominated for president of the United States?"

— David Frum (@davidfrum) September 11, 2024

 

The only sexual comments were made by you.

 

My daughter (21):
Kamala Harris is kinda hot. She's pretty cool too.

 

The only one eating dogs is RFK Jr. #Debate2024

— Al Franken (@alfranken) September 11, 2024

 

Tell me more.

Sounds like I have some competition in the nasty barb stakes.

@Q*bert Jones III Bring it on

 

Probably my favourtie debate meme

 

When a picture paints 1,000 words.

 

One of the first laws the next congress ought to pass, is stronger punishment for stochastic terrorism:

And this morning, a bomb threat was sent to multiple city agencies and media offices https://t.co/TwHddWoUBu

— Evan Hill (@evanhill) September 12, 2024

 

from the political cartoon thread ...

 

What kind of heat we talkin ‘bout here? Like “Damn bro…nice one” ? Or are we talking losing an Olympic medal situation?

 

If I knew that I forgot it. I know early on in her fame I googled around to see if she might be related to the only other person in my life I’ve ever heard of with the last name Alcindor.

She is night.

 

How did what started with this

produce an exchange that ended with this

 

Not sure which is the best thing Matthew Sweet has done…that unmasking of a charlatan live on the air, or “Girlfriend.”