Stream of Reading (Prepare to be Forwarded) – An Archive of What I'm Reading
The presidential nominating process is the most intricate and arcane part of our political system, perhaps because it’s the only bit not addressed in the Constitution. The two major parties have held national conventions to choose presidential and vice presidential nominees for more than 150 years, Democrats starting in 1832 and Republicans in 1856. But…
The concoction of the “Bernie Bro” narrative by pro-Clinton journalists has been a potent political tactic — and a journalistic disgrace. It’s intended to imply two equally false claims: (1) a refusal to march enthusiastically behind the Wall Street-enriched, multiple-war-advocating, despot-embracing Hillary Clinton is explainable not by ideology or political conviction, but largely if not exclusively by sexism: demonstrated by the fact…
They’re so vain; I bet they think this article’s about them SOME PEOPLE DESPAIR of the young. Books such as “Generation Me” by Jean Twenge and “The Road to Character” by David Brooks describe young Americans as deluded narcissists. Having constantly been told they are special, they are now far more likely than their elders…
The next president will need “more than tough talk or calls to carpet-bomb civilians,” declared President Obama in his final State of the Union address this month. He delivered a few well-placed barbs aimed at Republican presidential candidates and slammed Ted Cruz for his hard-line position on ISIS. After deflating the Texas senator’s call to…
If you disrespect Bernie Sanders, you’re going to get a visit from his social media goons. They are passionate about campaign finance reform, staying active in one’s 70s, and being very, very manly. They are the Berniebros. The Atlantic’s Robinson Meyer first coined the phrase in October, describing your typical Berniebro as someone who is…
On Monday, Iowans will flock to their local churches and school gyms to participate in the Iowa Caucus. By day’s end, both Democrats and Republicans will have a winner, and a bona fide frontrunner for their party’s presidential nomination. Some candidates’ chances will essentially be cooked. But it’s safe to say that the day will not end…
Image copyright Getty Images Passionate support for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has propelled him into a close race with fellow Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. But some say that support has turned aggressive and abusive online. After the 25 January Democratic town hall, Emily Nussbaum, television critic for the New Yorker magazine, tweeted some positive feedback…
Photo Donald J. Trump at the University of Iowa in Iowa City on Tuesday night.Credit Eric Thayer for The New York Times It was a blustery and dramatic move, 48 hours before the final Republican debate until the Iowa caucuses: Donald J. Trump stormed out in a rage at Fox News, jeopardizing the network’s ratings…
Candied yam riddled with moldy spider carcasses Donald Trump managed to involve himself in yet another controversy this weekend, when he claimed to have seen footage of huge crowds of New Jersey Muslims cheering wildly on September 11, 2001. Those Muslims were imaginary. Even the most conservative news outlets can’t quite get with Donald on…
Photo Credit Eric Thayer for The New York Times The mixed martial arts fighter Ronda Rousey is “not a nice person.” The golf swing of the actor Samuel L. Jackson is “not athletic.” A lectern in the Oval Office “looks odd” and the mobile carrier T-Mobile’s service “is terrible.” These comments are not private thoughts,…