Evening Roundup, October 13
Featuring Jennifer Rubin, Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Sheldon Whitehouse, "Offsides with Pablo Torre," Austin Sarat, "Talking Feds," The Democracy Movement, and RJ Matson
What now for Israel and Gaza?
The end of fighting in Gaza and the return of the remaining 20 live Israeli hostages are cause for joy and celebration. But there is also grief—grief for those Israelis whose loved ones will return in body bags (if at all), grief for loved ones of Israeli soldiers killed in battle or who committed suicide after serving in an interminable war…
The Boiling Frog Theory: Adam Kinzinger on ICE, Trump's ego, & the shutdown saga
Remember the boiling frog theory? As the frog rests in increasingly warmed water, it becomes harder — impossible, even — to jump out before boiling to death. In this snapshot sit-down with Jen, Adam Kinzinger, former Republican congressman from Illinois, uses the boiling frog theory to explain Trump’s horrific ICE policies and raids…
Russell Vought is the tool of a dangerous elite
By Sheldon Whitehouse
He wields his budget hammer not in service to the people or the Constitution, but for the billionaire class.
Offsides with Pablo Torre: Where is the David and Goliath moment this sports season?
Another Monday, another episode of Offsides with Pablo Torre! This week, Pablo and Jen discuss the pervasive culture of mediocrity haunting the NFL this season. Yes, it’s exciting to watch the games when both teams are just ‘meh’ and any outcome is possible, but there’s no underdog to root for either. Bill Belichick’s lackluster performance leading the …
The danger of letting a delusional president send troops to American cities
Portland, Ore., is not on fire. It is not in the throes of an out-of-control, anarchist mob. And it does not need federal troops patrolling its streets to keep citizens safe.
Ceasefire and Crossfire
Three top-notch journalists—Emily Bazelon, Susan Glasser, and Kristen Holmes—join Harry to analyze the stunning news of a ceasefire in Gaza, the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Trump’s latest attempts to put troops on city streets. Will Trump have the attention span to ensure his deal endures, and why did he lash out at Kriste…
The Contrarian covers the Democracy Movement
Nationwide protests are planned for Saturday. Find a protest near you here. And tune in to Jen and Norm and special guests that evening for coverage and analysis.
Order in the court
RJ draws several editorial cartoons each week for his substack, e pluribus cartoonum, and for Roll Call, the newspaper of Congress and Capitol Hill. His work is widely syndicated to print newspapers by Cagle Cartoons.
ON the DEEP STATE Orwellian name: I posted this in the Sheldon comments, but here it is again:
Remember the idea of a "deep state"? The term was used as a way to smear basic government workers and the services they provide with taxpayer money. Whereas, in fact, the deep state is, and always has been, the billionaires, corporate thieves, and polluters--and killers of all things public, along with their army of lobbyists, that is the real deep state.
. . .and 40 percent of "the people" apparently still think, that's okay.
Excellent writing for October 13 in The Contrarian! Jen has two excellent columns here on the fate of Israel and Gaza and the sports world interview with Pablo Torre. Austin Sarat and his piece on allowing a dangerous president sending troops to American cities was so spot on as was Sheldon Whitehouse’s article on Russ Vought.