96 Comments

Iid like to understand how endorsing a candidate who stands for democracy and inclusiveness contributes to division. Supporting Joe Biden is not the same as promoting the extreme fringe of cancel culture. Why doesn't Dwayne Johnson see that? And why choose Fox news, itself a platform for divisiveness, as the place to announce his decision?

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Happy birthday!

I’m troubled by Dwayne Johnson’s comments. Could he point to anything in Joe Biden’s words or acts that have been divisive. If Johnson is so concerned about “wokeness” or “cancel culture”, perhaps he should look at what is actually being canceled around the country, things like women’s reproductive rights.

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So many things wrong with the nursing home residents rant. There is an entire industry, a predacious one, making a lot of money off our elders. I guess he has never sat down and talked politics, life or love with one. We take every thing else away from them , let's take their vote too?

Disappointed in DJ too. How this whole cancel, woke culture projection scheme took hold is very sad. I would say controlling women's bodies, controlling what history gets taught, desires for a Christian nation are pretty darn cancelling. Maybe he won't "endorse" anyone, but he just did.

Incredible song, especially if you were a 20 something when it first came out. I think "It's a Heartache" should be tight up there with it.

Thanks for the great read.

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I’m not troubled by Dwayne Johnson’s comments, I’m disgusted by them. This guy is far too media savvy not to know that making these comments in Fox News is a signal to all of his fans to vote for Trump. And, as Kareem points out, siting divisiveness as your reason for disavowing his vote for Biden in 2020 is Rich given the fact that Trump is at the center of most of the division we are experiencing

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Give THANKS to the wise men who brought us your gift

Of wisdom and knowledge and music that riffed.

You give of yourself, so freely so kind

Amazingly honest, cerebral of mind.

We love you and bless you

And thank you and pray

Your life will be splendid

On this, your BIRTH DAY.

Susan Conner

April 16, 2024

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Kareem.

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When we give of ourselves freely to others, even in very small ways, it can make a huge impact on another person's life. One evening,I was riding home on the bus, a man boarded and didn't have enough change to ride. He looked rather desperate, homeless/addicted, etc. He was short 50¢ which I willingly gave him. He thanked me profusely and promised to pay me back one day. I told him no that it wasn't necessary. He sat down and then came back to me and said "I'm supposed to help someone else out when they need help, right?" I told him yes and he thanked me again.

The Republican party's descent into oblivion is so obvious. Lack of morals, lack of empathy and understanding and total irony. They are banning books that they haven't read because they probably can't. Isn't this the same as cancel culture? Hovde doesn't want seniors in nursing homes or senior centers to vote because they are the ones who still care about our country and democracy. And who was the obviously not so brilliant repub who was decrying $20/hour wage because it would mean that person would be making in the six figures annually. Not even close. These are the people who want to represent you and run the country. I shudder the thought. Enough of the stupidity. And that goes for The Rock also. If you are so downtrodden by your 2020 choice and don't want to do it again, then keep your mouth closed and stay the hell off FAUX! Have you suffered? Stop with your whining.

And to Wohl and Burkman. Can you look in the mirror now? Do you understand that you are the monsters hiding in the closet? You all should be taken to the public square every day in stocks and let the public have their way. You all are both traitors to America.

And to Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart. It's been a very long time since I've heard that song. Wild imagery. Passionate. Thank you.

A wonderful day to you Kareem and celebrate another year because you deserve it.

Peace and Love! 🌹

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Thank you, Kareem, for taking a stand. I’ve never seen any of The Rock’s movies but I certainly won’t bother now. I’ll take a hug from an elephant instead of a man who flip flops. For more discussion of abortion rights and our backsliding into handmaidens, please check out “Casey’s Catch” here on Substack. Maura Casey, a former NYT editor, makes a very poignant case for this issue. I told her I would spread the message far and wide. As 60’s activists, may I say WE SHALL OVERCOME.

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A sage, a seer, a muse, a wit, a comedian and a connoisseur of music. Thank you Kareem for your writings and Happy Birthday🎂.

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Dare I say, basketball made you "known". What you share with others will make you "remembered"! Happy birthday.

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Apr 16·edited Apr 16

Librarians, predominantly women, belong to one of those benign, essential professions. So, the thought of jailing them, for managing facilities that houses knowledge, is absolutely ridiculous! Missouri legislators put forth a law, to prevent “allowing sexually explicit material on bookshelves.” This resulted in the removal of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” book that depicted a rape scene. Contrast that to the 1864 Civil War law that bans abortion, but also made 10 years old, the legal age of consent for girls to have sex. Legalized Rape! So, they don’t care about rape, it just has to be at their behest!…Oh, yes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kareem!🎈🎉🎁

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It seems to me that there was no consent from women to be governed by this law in Arizona. Women couldn't vote in that time and place, and we recognize that as an injustice. Democracy should seek that consent. Falling to do so is tyranny. How to remedy? A referendum?

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I’m not a fan of Johnson and I don’t watch any of his movies. I am also not surprised that he would take such a stance. Kareem, that’s what’s called “straddling the fence”. Fence straddlers always have a covert reason for trying to stay in the middle, as if most of us don’t know what they are trying to do and what they are thinking.

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Good article as always, including your excellent commentary on Johnson's non-endorsement. My cynical take: Perhaps Johnson realized that a chunk of his fans were in the Trump camp, and it's about not alienating his paying customers.

I also still like the power pop song, but will stick to the audio only going forward. Had alternating OMG and LOL reaction on that video. What the heck was that? Somebody thought that song was best represented with a weird attraction to dancing demonic prep-school boys? Sheesh. 80's video sure could be WEIRD.

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Happy birthday, sir. Congratulations on another trip around the sun!

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"this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people." HER people? Hmmmm... Does this mean that Lake considers states to be feminine in nature? Some of them are pretty awful to women. OR does it mean that Lake considers that she IS the state of Arizona??! "L'Etat c'est moi."

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