2020 Election Results Part 8: Lawsuits, Qualified Biden Nominees, and a Pouty Toddler

[Ozlsn]

5 hours ago, kpmom said:

My understanding is the WSJ is owned by Dow Jones Corporation which in turn is owned by Rupert Murdoch.  So maybe that explains things.

The sooner he drops off the twig the better. Not that I'm sure Lachlan is any better. 

5 hours ago, GreyhoundFan said:

If you witnessed online outrage over this column, it was probably over these aforementioned paragraphs,

"If"? Outrage could loosely be termed an understatement in my case. I think a very large number of my friends are releasing some of the 2020 frustration in the author's direction. Hopefully his ears and other body appendages burn off.

As a side note a friend from uni was awarded her PhD today after a very, very long process of research. Her thesis is on something the dipshit who authored the article would undoubtedly consider trivial and not a "real" thesis. But she is a PhD and he isn't so he can STFU and get over it.

[fraurosena]

3 hours ago, Ozlsn said:

The sooner he drops off the twig the better. Not that I'm sure Lachlan is any better. 

"If"? Outrage could loosely be termed an understatement in my case. I think a very large number of my friends are releasing some of the 2020 frustration in the author's direction. Hopefully his ears and other body appendages burn off.

As a side note a friend from uni was awarded her PhD today after a very, very long process of research. Her thesis is on something the dipshit who authored the article would undoubtedly consider trivial and not a "real" thesis. But she is a PhD and he isn't so he can STFU and get over it.

WSJ is digging its heels in. This is an atrocious and clearly butthurt attempt at whitewashing the Epstein op-ed while attacking the Biden team at the same time.

The Biden Team Strikes Back

Quote

Joe Biden says it is “time to heal” America’s divisions after the Trump presidency, and The Wall Street Journal has praised him for saying so. Presumably he intends less rancor with the press as part of this mandate, but on that score my run-in with the Biden team this weekend was very Trumpian.

The catalyst was our Saturday op-ed by Joseph Epstein, “Is There a Doctor in the White House? Not if You Need an M.D.” Mr. Epstein, a longtime contributor, criticized the habit of people with Ph.D.s or other doctorates calling themselves “Dr.” as highfalutin, using Jill Biden as Exhibit A. Mr. Epstein can be acerbic, and his piece began: “Madame First Lady—Mrs. Biden—Jill—kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the ‘Dr.’ before your name?”

This has triggered a flood of media and Twitter criticism, including demands that I retract the piece, apologize personally to Mrs. Biden, ban Mr. Epstein for all time, and resign and think upon my sins. The complaints began as a trickle but became a torrent after the Biden media team elevated Mr. Epstein’s work in what was clearly a political strategy.

Mrs. Biden’s press spokesperson, Michael LaRosa, issued a tweet in early afternoon: “@jamestaranto, you and the @WSJ should be embarrassed to print the disgusting and sexist attack on @DrBiden running on the @WSJopinion page. If you had any respect for women at all you would remove this repugnant display of chauvinism from your paper and apologize to her.” James Taranto is the Journal’s op-ed editor, but I am responsible for the opinion pages.

Elizabeth Alexander, the soon-to-be first lady’s communications director, also chimed in: “Sexist and shameful. Be better @wsj.” Ms. Alexander called me after her tweet to register her disapproval personally, which is fine. Her job is to flack for her boss, and part of my job is to listen to complaints. We had a frank exchange of views, as the diplomats say, and I invited her to send in a letter for publication.

Meanwhile, Team Biden continued to push the sexist theme. Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, tweeted: “Dr. Biden earned her degrees through hard work and pure grit. She is an inspiration to me, to her students, and to Americans across this country. This story would never have been written about a man.”

Pete Buttigieg’s husband, Chasten Buttigieg, tweeted: “The author could’ve used fewer words to just say ‘ya know in my day we didn’t have to respect women.’ ”

Why go to such lengths to highlight a single op-ed on a relatively minor issue? My guess is that the Biden team concluded it was a chance to use the big gun of identity politics to send a message to critics as it prepares to take power. There’s nothing like playing the race or gender card to stifle criticism. It’s the left’s version of Donald Trump’s “enemy of the people” tweets.

The difference is that when Mr. Trump rants against the press, the press mobilizes in opposition. In this case the Biden team was able to mobilize almost all of the press to join in denouncing Mr. Epstein and the Journal. Nearly every publication wrote about the Biden response, reinforcing the Biden-New York Times line: “An Opinion Writer Argued Jill Biden Should Drop the ‘Dr.’ (Few Were Swayed.)” 

This strategy worked to protect Joe and Hunter Biden during the campaign, so it’s no surprise that they’re keeping it up as they head to the White House. Northwestern University, where Mr. Epstein taught for many years, did its part by denouncing him in a statement and appearing to purge his emeritus listing from its website. This is how cancel culture works.

The outrage is overwrought because, whether you agree or disagree, Mr. Epstein’s piece was fair comment. The issue of Jill Biden’s educational honorific isn’t new. As long ago as 2009, the Los Angeles Times devoted a story to the subject. From the piece by Robin Abcarian: “Joe Biden, on the campaign trail, explained that his wife’s desire for the highest degree was in response to what she perceived as her second-class status on their mail. ‘She said, “I was so sick of the mail coming to Sen. and Mrs. Biden. I wanted to get mail addressed to Dr. and Sen. Biden.” That’s the real reason she got her doctorate,’ he said.”

Many readers said Mr. Epstein’s use of “kiddo” is demeaning, but then Joe Biden is also fond of that locution. In his 2012 Democratic convention speech he even used it to refer to his wife in the context of his many proposals of marriage: “I don’t know what I would have done, kiddo, had you on that fifth time said no.” You can buy a T-shirt on the internet with Mr. Biden’s image pointing a finger saying “That’s where you’re wrong, kiddo!”

Mr. Epstein also infuriated dozens of educators defending their doctorates. (See the nearby letters.) But that status isn’t sacrosanct or out-of-bounds for debate. Mr. Epstein’s point applies to men and women and his piece also mocked men for their honorary degrees. Mrs. Biden is now America’s most prominent doctorate holder and is taking a leading role in education policy. She can’t be off-limits for commentary. 

By the way, the Journal editorial page’s longtime style is to use “Dr.” only when referring to medical doctors. Henry Kissinger gets a “Mr.” Lynne Cheney, wife of Dick Cheney, is Mrs. Cheney despite her Ph.D.

If you disagree with Mr. Epstein, fair enough. Write a letter or shout your objections on Twitter. But these pages aren’t going to stop publishing provocative essays merely because they offend the new administration or the political censors in the media and academe. And since it’s a time to heal, we’ll give the Biden crowd a mulligan for their attacks on us.

 

[AmazonGrace]

I don't remember anyone sending bomb threats to red states when Al Gore or the one with the emails lost.

[SeekingAdventure]

I really hope this day goes by relatively unspectaculary..

[Smash!]

18 minutes ago, SeekingAdventure said:

I really hope this day goes by relatively unspectaculary..

Don't count on it ?

As for the WSJ article, I directed my anger at buying one of the t-shirts. ?

[Howl]

There's gonna be some Depends-shitting rage tweeting this evening after the Electoral Votes are tabulated.  It takes a very long time for the last votes to come in from Hawaii, but they aren't the deciding factor.

And how come far-away Hawaii is a state but Puerto Rico isn't?

Also, which WH aide is tasked with telling Trump why he can't declare Martial Law?  

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Howl

[SeekingAdventure]

I'm not counting on it, just hoping.. counting on it would be expecting too much from, well, you know.. a bunch of asshats that try to pull bogus bullshit out of every hole they can find..

Has there been any posts from elected republicans about other countries elections and upholding democracy lately btw? I wonder if they would see the irony if it were dancing in front of them, naked?

[fraurosena]

Oh, good grief. That alternative group of electors has no power under the real Constitution, so pointless action, sweetie. 

 

[Howl]

I just came to post this @fraurosena.  It's actually a lot concerning that Stephen Miller is being trotted out on Fox with this level of crazy.  

It's slowly occurring to me that the Trump admin is actually going to attempt a procedural coup, and I don't mean at the Giuliani, Kraken nut case level of coup.   I mean a real procedural coup.  It's hopeless, of course, but I suspect there is going to be some major disruptive agitprop planned for when Congress meets the first week of January. 

One set of the electors' certified votes are sent to the president of the Senate (in this case, Chuck Grassley) and a joint session of Congress meets to count the votes on Jan. 5.  I fully expect Matt Gaetz, Gym Jordan, Doug Collins, Louie Gohmert and other members of the Axis of Idiocy to start acting out during the  proceedings.  

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Howl

[HerNameIsBuffy]

 

On 12/11/2020 at 9:00 PM, Cartmann99 said:

 

So they're flouncing from the country.  It's just like a forum flounce, but they can't actually leave and people still have to moderate their disgruntled, bigotted, asses.

On 12/12/2020 at 2:11 AM, fraurosena said:

Thought experiment. Let’s say they win this case. This would create precedence. Which, in turn, opens up the possibility to litigate anyone else for the same thing: when your parents aren’t US citizens, you can’t be (vice) president. Which would mean none of the founding fathers were  qualified as (vice) presidential candidates... and wouldn’t that that then also disqualify any bills they made? Like, uhm, you know, the actual Bill of Rights? Which then begs the question why the FF would write a Constitution that would disqualify their right to do so? 
 

 

My dad was born in Germany and my mom's maternal family came here on the Mayflower and other lines long before America was even a thing (my mom's paternal family came later from Ireland)...I have no idea what my dad's citizenship status was at any point in his life - if it was surrendered, dual?  No clue.  Guess I'd better never run for office.  

I always thought I came from various immigrant experiences, but clearly to some I may not even be an American.  But given as I don't look like Kamala I have a feeling they wouldn't be looking as hard at me to prove I had a right to be here.  How do they do this with straight faces?

On 12/12/2020 at 1:28 PM, Miranda said:

California birth index does list both Kamala D Harris and Kamala I Harris with the same birth date and parents and county of birth, so it looks like they may be correct. But like you said, it has nothing to do with anything. This is the same group of people who make a big deal about Barack Obama having gone by Barry at some point. In their tiny minds, changing your name in any way or going by a nickname means you have something to hide. 

Yes - what on earth is Michael Pence trying to hide by going as Mike?

These people are ridiculous.  

On 12/12/2020 at 3:41 PM, thoughtful said:

Great comments under the WSJ quote @AmazonGrace posted:

This is the first workplace where I haven't been called "kiddo" by someone and I didn't even start working until my late 30s.  In my early 50s now and it's been about a year and a half since someone has addressed me like that...and I was the director of three departments.  I need someone to explain to me why I'm supposed to feel bad about aging as a woman, when clearly my lack of penis having means I'll be infantilized by some until I'm dead.

[47of74]

10 hours ago, Audrey2 said:

So I'm just curious. Say some future president has a wife who has earned her m div and who has worked as a pastor. Would Epstein demand that she dropped the Rev title, too? Unfortunately, I fear that the answer is yes.

Yeah I get the feeling Epstein is one of those cannons of douche that would claim the first lady’s holy orders were not valid or some such. 

[AmazonGrace]

Alternative elections: you can vote if you like, they only count votes for Trump, and if you draw a flattering portrait of Dear Leader you can win a chance to  star in a  My Pillow ad (as a sleeper)

[GreyhoundFan]

[HerNameIsBuffy]

Just now, GreyhoundFan said:

Is that that country music guy who had one song years ago about a horse?

Why isn't the media asking us our opinions under the banner "FJ Poster bets a bottle of Xanax that Trump will have a poo on the resolute desk as he leaves the WH."  We're at least as relevant and famous as this guy.

[AmazonGrace]

Thread: a Trump elector tests positive for COViD and in MI a  GOP legislator threatened violence.

 

[louisa05]

1 minute ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

Is that that country music guy who had one song years ago about a horse?

Why isn't the media asking us our opinions under the banner "FJ Poster bets a bottle of Xanax that Trump will have a poo on the resolute desk as he leaves the WH."  We're at least as relevant and famous as this guy.

My last school had to ban that song at school dances. Girls “riding cowboys “ on the dance floor was deemed a bit too much. 

[GreyhoundFan]

4 minutes ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

Is that that country music guy who had one song years ago about a horse?

Why isn't the media asking us our opinions under the banner "FJ Poster bets a bottle of Xanax that Trump will have a poo on the resolute desk as he leaves the WH."  We're at least as relevant and famous as this guy.

I'm not up on a lot of country music, but I know he's fairly well known and has had a few hits.

I agree that FJ is just as relevant!

[GreyhoundFan]

The WaPo has a live update thread for the electoral college vote. It includes links to live streams from the states that provide them.

 

Five states have completed the votes. I'm sure Twitler would say that the current total shows he won bigly.

[Smash!]

They should all say out loud that they despise democracy and prefer an authoritarian state with a dictator on top.

I had a vague idea it was coming to this after the election but I'm still baffled how one major party has become so anti democratic.

[AmazonGrace]

5 minutes ago, GreyhoundFan said:

STOP THE COUNT!  Trump has a huge lead! Very suspicious if Biden gets a vote dump now. It's a quadrillion to one chance that Trump wins.

 

[church_of_dog]

1 hour ago, fraurosena said:

Oh, good grief. That alternative group of electors has no power under the real Constitution, so pointless action, sweetie. 

 

I'm sorry, I guess my laugh reaction was inappropriate (of course not aimed at you, @fraurosena) -- but their playing at having pretend electors sending pretend votes to Congress, as if Congress will do anything with them beyond post them on the refrigerator as cute childrens' art, just struck me as laughably ridiculous.

I know we won't know if today is a day of forward progress and relief, or of drama and violence, until later.  Holding my breath...

Edited December 14, 2020 by church_of_dog

[AmazonGrace]

Can you send in alternative senators? To replace, say, Mitch and Ted?

[HerNameIsBuffy]

28 minutes ago, GreyhoundFan said:

The WaPo has a live update thread for the electoral college vote. It includes links to live streams from the states that provide them.

 

Five states have completed the votes. I'm sure Twitler would say that the current total shows he won bigly.

I think the artist who drew the icons above is a Trumper.  Joe looks like he's been hit with a Mr. Freeze ray and Trumps hair color is more natural than any I've ever seen him sport irl.

[apple1]

1 hour ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

 

So they're flouncing from the country.  It's just like a forum flounce, but they can't actually leave and people still have to moderate their disgruntled, bigotted, asses.

My dad was born in Germany and my mom's maternal family came here on the Mayflower and other lines long before America was even a thing (my mom's paternal family came later from Ireland)...I have no idea what my dad's citizenship status was at any point in his life - if it was surrendered, dual?  No clue.  Guess I'd better never run for office.  

I always thought I came from various immigrant experiences, but clearly to some I may not even be an American.  But given as I don't look like Kamala I have a feeling they wouldn't be looking as hard at me to prove I had a right to be here.  How do they do this with straight faces?

Yes - what on earth is Michael Pence trying to hide by going as Mike?

These people are ridiculous.  

This is the first workplace where I haven't been called "kiddo" by someone and I didn't even start working until my late 30s.  In my early 50s now and it's been about a year and a half since someone has addressed me like that...and I was the director of three departments.  I need someone to explain to me why I'm supposed to feel bad about aging as a woman, when clearly my lack of penis having means I'll be infantilized by some until I'm dead.

I would be a wealthy woman with a big retirement nest egg (aside: that I'm old enough for using) if I had a $5 bill for every time I have been called "the lab girl". Noting that I have never heard anyone get called "the lab boy".

[onekidanddone]

Worked for a raging asshole years back. He referred to one of the PhD chemists as “doctor” using air quotes every time he said her name 

Edited December 14, 2020 by onekidanddone