When I was just out of high school I had a job as a bike messenger on Capitol Hill. I was the in-house messenger for the Congressional Budget Office. I would spend a good part of my day wandering the halls of the House and Senate Office buildings. Back then, in 1989, there was no email and no cell phones.
Just getting caught up on some of your older posts and my observation is your writing is getting better and better and always but always informative and thought provoking. Never stop. Unfortunately, I feel we are in for the long haul. Even if Trump's voice was somehow silenced we would still be left with the ideology that permeates the right. I only hope that the sane right wing finally see the light and begin to drown the misfits out. They all are being duped and don't even realise it.
Every time you post something, I know it will be informative & perfectly written. You have a wide range of experiences, for certain. Thank you, for your writings. When you were writing about the various strategies of the MAGAt Repugs, it reminded me of the time when they were all carrying around pocket Constitutions, as if that meant anything other than they are all hypocrites. It was nothing more than performance art, b/c none of hem have read it, or even pretend now to care about what it says. This is a scary time, but I am holding out hope that the majority of Americans will rise above this charade.
Again Noe, your essay is spot on and oh so worrying.
I live in the UK but am an American and everyday I vex and worry over what is happening in the States. My late Father was a Republican, but a Teddy Roosevelt one..I can honestly say he would have been apoplectic seeing how the Republican party has turned out. Let alone Donald Trump being the absolute worst President. It would have given him a heart attack.
Myself, I am a registered Democrat and will vote again for President Biden.
Love this so well written, perfectly observant of past and current times. Hur has made those of us who are paying Attention want to hurl, With his awful and out of line assessment of Joe Biden which probably was a directive by Trump himself seeing how Trump appointed him has, his finger in everything ugly mean spirited not to mention all the blood that Trump he has on his hands. Thank you for the wonderful post Noel
Vivid story telling and imagery, I was with you at every stop in DC. Thanks for the ride and reminding us of what’s at stake. Getting back to where we were, while it was not always perfect, is our first stop on achieving a better country and not only for a select group.
As a non-American I watch with horror and bafflement what’s happening in your country. I’m sure many Americans feel the same. The thing is, it’s also creeping into Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Especially the places serviced by NewsCorpse and its evil minions. I’m finding myself in despair and rage a lot trying to understand how so many people have given up all their critical thinking skills to be conned into believing that they will be better off under the rule of conniving would be despots.
Thanks again Noel. I agree with everything you said including "Trump likes to surround himself with sick people because it makes him feel better about his own damaged psyche." I also think he surrounds himself with bad actors cuz it affords him the ability to mine their prior bad acts for blackmailing purposes as well as ensuring their future bad act collusion. 😣
I review a lot of this stuff. Well? Log into any website, social network especially and you will have crammed into your eyeballs ad nauseum even if you aren't looking for it. People are morbidly fascinated and then some. I think you can look at all American media and entertainment in my lifetime and conclude it easily. They love horrible stuff especially if it is being done to someone else. And the media happily provides the product they seek.
I went through the proper reviews of the Putin interview, would not give it the real view. Boring imo. Putin droned a revisionist history, maybe what's taught in Moscow schools, and the only entertainment was whenever Tucker Twitter Personality Carlson attempted to speak Vlad spanked him and berated him. Not the kind of thing an American audience would consume short of the handful of polibeat heads that float around Twitter and quite frankly seem to be talking to no one but themselves and each other.
Media is entertainment again. Mostly a way to waste spare time for people. An outlet when it comes to the internet but then people are more concerned with themselves. Or pretending they are tv stars, interactive tv as it where. A few numbers I will crunch here that are worth thinking about alongside media being a product above all else that appeals to it's consumer demographics.
Under 2 million people watch cable news programs. That is a varied demographic including people who are not registered nor eligible to vote, children for example. Average primetime views are 200k give or take. Also a varied demographic. Fox News Primetime for example holds one of the largest registered Democrat audience in cable news. It's part of why they are so successful. A lot of Dems hate watch it, well you can see they are utterly obsessed by their social network accounts. But they are paying for and supporting it nonetheless and that is all the people that run the network care about. All Elon and Tucker care about is people look at and talk about their interview, the nature of their opinions do not matter.
Under 2 million of a varied demographic. Add American's statistically do not display an ability to retain information they consume. Nor at least agree with it, case in point the Democrats that watch Fox Primetime shows. It is safe to say they all are already decided in their own opinions and otherwise seeking out affirmation or contradiction of them for entertainment reasons. It is very safe to say most American voters are already of a decided mind regarding Biden and Trump.
The amount of eligible voters in 2020 was approx. 239 million. The amount that did vote was approx. 159 million. That is set to increase in 2024 especially with the incoming turning of age voters. Less than 2 million of more 200 million. 2 million is 1% of 200 million. That's how many people watch these cable shows before subtracting those who do not vote.
On X users are reported to view news related subjects. That is again it is shoved in their face so they do scroll over it. And some engage with people but typically for their own reasons, trolling or fawning over I suppose. X has about 50 million US based users of a variety of demographics and interests. Typically the minority is only shown to engage in politics. Mostly younger go to social networks in the first as an alternate to syndicate media.
It comes down to who is person X speaking to? Pick a Congress person for example. Are the people engaged, not views but engaged with, registered undecided voters in their district which happens to be on a thin margin? The answer is probably no every time. I often wonder why politicians even waste their time with that site vs say going out and talking to their voters.
Maybe something reassuring for you. There is a whole world outside of this inane, ugly, abusive spectacle. In fact it happens to be the solid majority of the world. And Americans and registered voters. Who have lives, thoughts and concerns beyond glaring mindlessly at blatherskite from failed entertainers with caked on oil-makeup on a lit screen. Really given lay-off projections those dopey entitled kids in the news media ought to be more concerned about whether they will have a job by 2026 imo.
Anyway I hope that makes you feel better. Best to you and yours and same to all your readers. Peace, love and killer whale.
Why is everyone still on Twitter (X) and supporting Elon and his xenophobic army? There’s now several viable alternatives. We need to pick one and get the hell off Twitter (X) now! Elon has ruined it and it’s no longer worth bothering with.
I’m New to Substack so i’ll mess things up but you can find my Posts on the election, Israel and Politics at Elliot’s Window & at Elliot’s Substack. Not sure why there are 2 but i’ll soon combine both into Elliot’s Window. See you there?
Just getting caught up on some of your older posts and my observation is your writing is getting better and better and always but always informative and thought provoking. Never stop. Unfortunately, I feel we are in for the long haul. Even if Trump's voice was somehow silenced we would still be left with the ideology that permeates the right. I only hope that the sane right wing finally see the light and begin to drown the misfits out. They all are being duped and don't even realise it.
Every time you post something, I know it will be informative & perfectly written. You have a wide range of experiences, for certain. Thank you, for your writings. When you were writing about the various strategies of the MAGAt Repugs, it reminded me of the time when they were all carrying around pocket Constitutions, as if that meant anything other than they are all hypocrites. It was nothing more than performance art, b/c none of hem have read it, or even pretend now to care about what it says. This is a scary time, but I am holding out hope that the majority of Americans will rise above this charade.
Again Noe, your essay is spot on and oh so worrying.
I live in the UK but am an American and everyday I vex and worry over what is happening in the States. My late Father was a Republican, but a Teddy Roosevelt one..I can honestly say he would have been apoplectic seeing how the Republican party has turned out. Let alone Donald Trump being the absolute worst President. It would have given him a heart attack.
Myself, I am a registered Democrat and will vote again for President Biden.
Love this so well written, perfectly observant of past and current times. Hur has made those of us who are paying Attention want to hurl, With his awful and out of line assessment of Joe Biden which probably was a directive by Trump himself seeing how Trump appointed him has, his finger in everything ugly mean spirited not to mention all the blood that Trump he has on his hands. Thank you for the wonderful post Noel
Vivid story telling and imagery, I was with you at every stop in DC. Thanks for the ride and reminding us of what’s at stake. Getting back to where we were, while it was not always perfect, is our first stop on achieving a better country and not only for a select group.
Omg I love your stories! You have had such a fascinating life so far.
Spot on every single time Noel, thanks!
Yes, we all must move forward together and pass this acid test once and for all.💙
This = perfect: ”caustic voice that could kill mold.”
As a non-American I watch with horror and bafflement what’s happening in your country. I’m sure many Americans feel the same. The thing is, it’s also creeping into Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Especially the places serviced by NewsCorpse and its evil minions. I’m finding myself in despair and rage a lot trying to understand how so many people have given up all their critical thinking skills to be conned into believing that they will be better off under the rule of conniving would be despots.
Thanks again Noel. I agree with everything you said including "Trump likes to surround himself with sick people because it makes him feel better about his own damaged psyche." I also think he surrounds himself with bad actors cuz it affords him the ability to mine their prior bad acts for blackmailing purposes as well as ensuring their future bad act collusion. 😣
Beautifully written, as usual, Noel. And exactly right, sad to say.
I review a lot of this stuff. Well? Log into any website, social network especially and you will have crammed into your eyeballs ad nauseum even if you aren't looking for it. People are morbidly fascinated and then some. I think you can look at all American media and entertainment in my lifetime and conclude it easily. They love horrible stuff especially if it is being done to someone else. And the media happily provides the product they seek.
I went through the proper reviews of the Putin interview, would not give it the real view. Boring imo. Putin droned a revisionist history, maybe what's taught in Moscow schools, and the only entertainment was whenever Tucker Twitter Personality Carlson attempted to speak Vlad spanked him and berated him. Not the kind of thing an American audience would consume short of the handful of polibeat heads that float around Twitter and quite frankly seem to be talking to no one but themselves and each other.
Media is entertainment again. Mostly a way to waste spare time for people. An outlet when it comes to the internet but then people are more concerned with themselves. Or pretending they are tv stars, interactive tv as it where. A few numbers I will crunch here that are worth thinking about alongside media being a product above all else that appeals to it's consumer demographics.
Under 2 million people watch cable news programs. That is a varied demographic including people who are not registered nor eligible to vote, children for example. Average primetime views are 200k give or take. Also a varied demographic. Fox News Primetime for example holds one of the largest registered Democrat audience in cable news. It's part of why they are so successful. A lot of Dems hate watch it, well you can see they are utterly obsessed by their social network accounts. But they are paying for and supporting it nonetheless and that is all the people that run the network care about. All Elon and Tucker care about is people look at and talk about their interview, the nature of their opinions do not matter.
Under 2 million of a varied demographic. Add American's statistically do not display an ability to retain information they consume. Nor at least agree with it, case in point the Democrats that watch Fox Primetime shows. It is safe to say they all are already decided in their own opinions and otherwise seeking out affirmation or contradiction of them for entertainment reasons. It is very safe to say most American voters are already of a decided mind regarding Biden and Trump.
The amount of eligible voters in 2020 was approx. 239 million. The amount that did vote was approx. 159 million. That is set to increase in 2024 especially with the incoming turning of age voters. Less than 2 million of more 200 million. 2 million is 1% of 200 million. That's how many people watch these cable shows before subtracting those who do not vote.
On X users are reported to view news related subjects. That is again it is shoved in their face so they do scroll over it. And some engage with people but typically for their own reasons, trolling or fawning over I suppose. X has about 50 million US based users of a variety of demographics and interests. Typically the minority is only shown to engage in politics. Mostly younger go to social networks in the first as an alternate to syndicate media.
It comes down to who is person X speaking to? Pick a Congress person for example. Are the people engaged, not views but engaged with, registered undecided voters in their district which happens to be on a thin margin? The answer is probably no every time. I often wonder why politicians even waste their time with that site vs say going out and talking to their voters.
Maybe something reassuring for you. There is a whole world outside of this inane, ugly, abusive spectacle. In fact it happens to be the solid majority of the world. And Americans and registered voters. Who have lives, thoughts and concerns beyond glaring mindlessly at blatherskite from failed entertainers with caked on oil-makeup on a lit screen. Really given lay-off projections those dopey entitled kids in the news media ought to be more concerned about whether they will have a job by 2026 imo.
Anyway I hope that makes you feel better. Best to you and yours and same to all your readers. Peace, love and killer whale.
Truth as always. Makes me wanna cry that so many just don’t fukin get it !!! Thank you for your words and knowledge ❤️
What a ride Noel. Thank you for taking us along. It’s good to remember the not-so-olden days. Tip chatting with you at a light is definitely an image!
There’s more of us than them. Thanks for reminding us.
Why is everyone still on Twitter (X) and supporting Elon and his xenophobic army? There’s now several viable alternatives. We need to pick one and get the hell off Twitter (X) now! Elon has ruined it and it’s no longer worth bothering with.
I’m New to Substack so i’ll mess things up but you can find my Posts on the election, Israel and Politics at Elliot’s Window & at Elliot’s Substack. Not sure why there are 2 but i’ll soon combine both into Elliot’s Window. See you there?