Wisconsin

LIONEL PODCAST: The Destruction of Critical Thinking in the Name of Gawd

It’s the quiddity of human nature. To think and to dissect and to parse that which is apparent and real and not which is gift-wrapped and force-fed via mythology and folklore. While the world burns, while terrorism infects humanity, while hate and dissension and distance rule the day you can always post some syrupy and saccharine pic about peace and sunsets and bunnies and feel like you’ve done something. Forget historicity, e.g.

LIONEL PODCAST: On Bad Plastic Surgery, Psychotics on Buses, Pathetic Media Coverage on Everything, Incredible Brazilian Music and Myriad Miscellany

Stream of unconsciousness. No précis or proem or prolegomenon or introduction or summary or adumbration or skeleton or outline or pithy phrase or reference can or could possibly describe what this podcast is all about. But Charles Manson comes to mind. “Look down at me and you see a fool, Look up at me and you see a god, Look straight at me and you see yourself.” See?

In The Midst of The Wisconsin Presidential Primary-- The Milwaukee County Executive Election

Shepherd Express, I feel your pain. In 2006, Blue America was tricked into endorsing a reactionary posing as a real Democrat, Chris Carney. He won-- with our help-- and as soon as he did, he pulled off the mask and exposed himself as a bigot, a Blue Dog and one of those "Democrats" who vote more with the GOP than with the Democrats. We apologized-- and then raised and spent over a quarter million dollars to defeat him in a subsequent election.

LIONEL PODCAST: Lionel In “House of Cards,” Mentulate References on the Campaign Trail and the Demise of Relevant Politics

Lionel is in Season Four of “House of Cards.” It’s classy, brilliantly written and possesses one of the most diabolically elegant plot lines ever to grace any screen anywhere. And then it occurred to me – If it actually contained a character portraying the GOP candidate for POTUS who held up his hands and assured the world that his phallus was indeed gargantuan, no one would believe it. It would be too low brow and coarse for fiction! Think about it; this is what we’ve become.
SPOILER ALERT. Behold.

LIONEL PODCAST: Chris Christie’s Silent Scream and Nationwide Self-Immolation

Chris Christie. I’ve seen hostage videos that looked more expressive and inviting than this poor schmuck’s. Relegated to DT’s rear, starting distantly, cluelessly and wondering, “What the hell have I done?” Soon, Double-C, you will find out.Charles Manson said it best. “You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody’s crazy.” A long time ago elections meant something also.

LIONEL PODCAST: Super Bluesday, Illusion of Choice, Mindless Sycophancy, Patellar Obeisance and a Multi-Dementia-nal Electorate

Super Tuesday. Bluesday. A sad day. Distorted and disconnected. The worst popularity contest in the world with no bases of platform or positioning. The politics of entitlement and obfuscation. Wall Street shills and warmongers. Egomaniacs with an ax to grind and a chip on their soldiers. (You read that right.) Go ahead, Murica! Vote, select. Enjoy this twisted franchise. You’ll see. You’ll be sorry. You’ve been duped again by the illusion of choice.

This Week's Progressive Victory In Wisconsin-- And What Comes Next

Tuesday night I went to sleep thinking that Wisconsin's most progressive state Senator, Chris Larson, made it into the run-off by coming in second in the race for Milwaukee County Executive (arguably, the second most important elected official in the state after governor). At 4am my phone rang and it was an excited NY-based operative telling me that with all the precincts counted, Larson had won a stunning victory over billionaire right-of-center incumbent-- he inherited the money-- Chris Abele.