Powderhorn

I was trying to think about why today has significance, and then it hit. History may not repeat, but it rhymes.

Today, U.S. voters determine the future direction of the entire world. We shouldn't have this power, but that is irrelevant. Do we explore the world of authoritarianism, with major powers all falling under despots, or do we stand alone?

There is no way to overstate the stakes here. This is not hyperbole; this is simply the truth.

There's only one thing you can do. This election is not about you (though you count); it is about what we leave to posterity. An unlivable world? Permanent oligarchy? For those with kids or those who want them, do you want them to grow up with clean air and water?

And do not do this third-party shit. We got Bush instead of Gore because of 700 votes for Nader in Florida. Harris isn't perfect, but don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. A vote for Stein is a vote for Trump unless you're in a ranked-choice locale.

Yes, we have a broken system, but now is not the time to lament it by further fucking things up. We can eventually have that conversation as a nation, but in the '90s, when I lived in Germany, it was still considered gauche to be proud to be German. Is that the 50 years you want going forward here?

Buckle up folks, here we go!

What's interesting here is not that Buttigieg is thoughtful and introspective. I mean, he is, but what strikes me here is the extent to which Hasan Minhaj has grown. Jon Stewart is some sort of journalism whisperer. Bring in comedians, then teach them news.

Who doesn't watch John Oliver every week? Who doesn't watch Stephen Colbert? Dude fucking found people who weren't ready yet but saw potential. I didn't like any of them on The Daily Show, but he's doing something we don't see.

Wow, is this cycle doing some interesting things. I've never really much cared one way or the other about Schwarzenegger, but this impressed me, as it meets me where I am:

“I will always be an American before I am a Republican,” he wrote. “That’s why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. I’m sharing it with all of you because I think there are a lot of you who feel like I do. You don’t recognise our country. And you are right to be furious.”

Some days, continuing to read the news can be stressful.

It's always weird trying to determine if things like this will be a flop or a serious societal issue.

Full disclosure: the author is a colleague I've known for almost two decades. But his takes have often inspired mine: There's always someone who knows more than you.

Just did a rewatch. Absolutely everyone is exactly who they need to be for the story to make sense. I've been aware awhile that Billy Crystal basically ad-libbed for several years, but everyone else, well, they needed to be there.

I first watched it on a TV rolled out in ... what, 1987? I was at choir camp and thought it was on the level of "Mary Poppins" with it being years old. To learn that it had just come out was surprising.

And of course, that made "House of Cards" far more interesting to watch. Robin (I'm intentionally skipping her last name here, as it could be misconstrued) being just as shifty as Spacey has pretty amazing, and knowing she's had that range as opposed to Cary Elwes who plays the same guy every time has been fun to watch.

Archive link

I struggled with which community to put this in, but ultimately: When a presidential candidate tries to stop a movie about himself from being released, that's politics.

I've got my ticket for the first showing in town!