Hannity and Carlson Admit Lying to Audience (Then Try to Fire Fact-Checker), DeSantis Hires Sexist Educator, NYT Writers Protest, Roald Dahl Gets Sanitized, Roberto Clemente Bio Banned, and More
Hannity and Carlson Admit Lying to Audience (Then Try to Fire Fact-Checker), DeSantis Hires Sexist Educator, NYT Writers Protest, Roald Dahl Gets Sanitized, Roberto Clemente Bio Banned, and More
kareem.substack.com
My thoughts on the top--and top-ish--stories in this week's political, sports, and pop culture news.
This is one of your best columns, and makes me so happy to subscribe. The Billie Eckstein was sublime. If you haven’t already done, so, read J. K. Rowling’s comments on the oppression of women. She has been the target of so much misogyny and ageism.
Kareen, first of all, thank you for writing this wonderful blog! And thank you for displaying the class you did when you congratulated Lebron on the court after he broke the record.
Your summary of "The Traitor" TV show reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode called "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street".
Rod Serling's closing narration say it well:
The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices... to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill... and suspicion can destroy... and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own—for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone.
Thanks Kareem. I found your comments about the re-writing of books, of Dahl and others, to be especially helpful. Amen. Let the original texts be, but discuss them, critique them, understand what is not helpful or healthy about them. And thanks too for the video of the infant and the eye glasses. Yes, we often resist seeing clearly at first, but when we do we are amazed at what we see. Chris
On a visit to Salem, MA, my wife and I attended a re-enactment of one of the Salem witch trials. We heard the real testimony which was really crazy and then served as jurors. Some people actually voted to convict. One of my wife's co-workers, attended a Christian academy that actually took a field trip to Salem, a town delightfully tricked out in witch kitsch. My wife was dumbfounded when she told her about our trip to hear the reply that it was awful that they had witches there. Bertrand Russell's famous quote that "many people would rather die than think, and in fact do," understated the case.
The sad part is I know nothing will change when it comes to Fox News. Even though it will be written in transcripts, submitted at trial that they knew the election fraud was a lie and then pivoted to endorsing the lie when ratings were suffering, nothing will change. Those people that only watch Fox News will never know of this and will immediately dismiss what others say since it doesn't fit their needed narrative that Fox News can be trusted on everything.
I think the most frustrating thing about Fox News, DeSantis, MTG, etc and their obvious lies and ovious attacks at democracy is that no-one is holding them accountable and it appears no one can or is willing to.
Kareem - I'm mad as hell about what is going on in this country today - especially with the moves to stop more African American history education. I am a white 75 year old woman raised in Atlanta and happily was able to participate in the civil rights marches in the 60s just wish I could get out and march today but sadly I have become handicapped and am unable to walk but oh how I wish I could get out there and march and let my voice be heard. What is going on in this country today is abominable and it scares me to think that we may wind up with a president the likes of desantis or worse trump. I am a happy democrat living now in the red state of Alabama but I try to make my voice heard as much as I can and wish I could march with Al Sharpton and any other movement concerning the travesties being committed today. There is just too much happening and we need a leader to come to the forefront and lead us in the right direction again. Thank you for your column and for taking the time to research all your write. Sadly I think you are too smart to get into politics but we sure could use you. God bless you for all you do.
Kudos to NJ's governor. Friends of mine have done an unbelievable job of researching the history of racism in New Jersey. It might surprise a few folks. Even more important, they and their collaborators are working to include this true history in NJ high school curricula. https://fridaytruehartconsultants.com/about-us/
It is interesting you are talking about two sides of a coin today: editing Roald Dahl for modern sensibility and outright removing books in Florida and elsewhere. I, like you, think that books written in the past are going to contain things that may offend our modern sensibilities. We have to remember when in history they were written AND we don’t exactly know the thinking of the author at the time. I can imagine Samuel Clemens thinking I’ve got to use these words so people can realize how awful they are. Maybe not. When I think about things I read as a child it’s amazing I don’t spew more racist stuff. Then there’s the Florida trash can removing legitimate books about real history for kids to read - kids who are white, black, Hispanic so they can read about real people and real things that happened but NO we can’t let that happen now can we? Interesting that DeSantis is allied with a man who thinks women belong in the kitchen what is DeSantis going to tell his wife? She is rather educated and well known after all. All of this just gives me a headache and a stomach ache. Just OY
As usual, insightful comment on several topics. DeSantis' continued trampling will continue until Floridians who are abiding his march to total autocracy realize that they are the next to be victimized. Only then can he be restrained.
As for Fox (Faux) News, I caught a bit of Carlson's rantings last night. He had MTG on with him - and of course her comments pridefully display her ignorance - as they rage that we shouldn't be supporting Ukraine. Maybe Putin owns some Fox stock???
Like so many, this letter opens my eyes on numerous fronts. 1. To the a**hole from Idaho: Humanity would be infinitely better off if most heads of state and heads of government were women. Male heads of state / government are responsible for 99.999% of the war casualties (and male perps for 99.999% of the mass murders) suffered by a few billion humans through history. Would a woman leader ever have launched a psychotic invasion of her neighbors as did Hitler and Putin? Would a woman leader ever have needlessly deployed the atom bomb against an enemy who was ready to surrender, as did Truman? Rhetorical questions, obviously. 2. The NYT is like the Greek shipping magnate whose futbol club played a friendly match vs a Ukrainian club to protest the war, then transports 25 tankers full of Russian oil to various buyers. NYT plays both sides, for commercial reasons. 'Republicans buy sneakers too' (Sorry MJ). Worse, the executive editor Joe Kahn is a tyrant, a bully and a retrograde. 'You will write and say what I tell you, and you will like it. Now, get off of my lawn.' 3. Tucker, Hannity, DeSantis et al... (fill in the blanks). 4. Clemente book ban: these a**holes are in a culture war arms race. Who can do something even more psychotic?! 5. Gov. Philip Murphy: a great leader and a great person. Thank you, Kareem and Phil.
Standing up for the truth takes courage. Refusing to go along with the majority that are nothing more than a mass of imbeciles can be stressful, but who cares? So tired of idiocy.
What I will never understand is who made up the rules about age appropriate books, movies, etc. Children are smarter than they are given credit. So glad my parents didn't restrict what I read.
Desantis & his braying & howling hyenas are not worthy to be seen or heard. They are no better than the rabble rousers at faux news. There should be a huge deep pit where they can all scream & yell & repeat their insanity until their breath runs out. And then let them dwindle down into the dirt & slime of their making. No one will miss these loud mouthed posers.
Oh Kareem. Keep up the postings on these criminals, because that's what they are. How dare they think they have the right to eliminate our freedoms.
I haven't finished reading the post yet, but you need to make people aware of Grady Judd. He's surely on DeSantis' radar for some sort of appointment. He and his deputies shot a man over 60 times, and when asked why so many rounds...Grady commented about running out of bullets. Unfortunately, Grady is one of Ronnie's sweethearts (I wonder why?), so it's almost inevitable that he will rise in the Florida political scene over the next few months.
As for Farce News (Fox News) - shut them down. You can't have people screaming "fire" in a crowded location when there's no fire. It's flat-out irresponsible. The Emperor has no clothes...it's plain to see.
I notice you haven't recommended any books lately. I'm sure because of lack of time with all that is going on in the world. I'd like to recommend one, it being Black History month, and with all the book banning going on, voter suppression and rights being taken away. How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith. I'm not far into this book, however, Smith visits Monticello and at the end of the tour talks with two women who were unaware of Jefferson's racism. My elementary school taught so little of Black history, that the only thing I remember of it is George Washington Carver finding 101 uses for the peanut. Much the same as the two women who speak with Smith. I also took the tour of Monticello some 60 years ago and am very happy to learn this particular docent doesn’t whitewash what went on there in Jefferson's time. What's going on in Florida is absurd and beyond my comprehension. Kareem, keep on writing and educating. I thank you. By the way, I do not think LeBron will hold the record for 39 years.
Finally found some time to finish reading the post - the weird thing is that I had to visit my eye doctor for...yes, glasses. I've worn them for reading, but now need them just to see clearly...so...the video of the toddler was both timely and priceless.
Billy Eckstine was a great singer, but also an excellent trumpet player. He and Johnny Hartman are two of my favorite male vocalists...Joe Williams too! Nice that you gave Billy a shout out!
As for Fox and all the other liars - what if their pants really DID catch fire? Or maybe their noses grow larger with each tall tale and twist of the truth? Nah, the best outcome for these folks will be their own personal judgement day(s) before whomever or whatever they bow-down to at the end of their pathetic existence. In the words of Sir Walter Scott - "oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
This is one of your best columns, and makes me so happy to subscribe. The Billie Eckstein was sublime. If you haven’t already done, so, read J. K. Rowling’s comments on the oppression of women. She has been the target of so much misogyny and ageism.
Kareen, first of all, thank you for writing this wonderful blog! And thank you for displaying the class you did when you congratulated Lebron on the court after he broke the record.
Your summary of "The Traitor" TV show reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode called "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street".
Rod Serling's closing narration say it well:
The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices... to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill... and suspicion can destroy... and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own—for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone.
Thanks Kareem. I found your comments about the re-writing of books, of Dahl and others, to be especially helpful. Amen. Let the original texts be, but discuss them, critique them, understand what is not helpful or healthy about them. And thanks too for the video of the infant and the eye glasses. Yes, we often resist seeing clearly at first, but when we do we are amazed at what we see. Chris
On a visit to Salem, MA, my wife and I attended a re-enactment of one of the Salem witch trials. We heard the real testimony which was really crazy and then served as jurors. Some people actually voted to convict. One of my wife's co-workers, attended a Christian academy that actually took a field trip to Salem, a town delightfully tricked out in witch kitsch. My wife was dumbfounded when she told her about our trip to hear the reply that it was awful that they had witches there. Bertrand Russell's famous quote that "many people would rather die than think, and in fact do," understated the case.
The sad part is I know nothing will change when it comes to Fox News. Even though it will be written in transcripts, submitted at trial that they knew the election fraud was a lie and then pivoted to endorsing the lie when ratings were suffering, nothing will change. Those people that only watch Fox News will never know of this and will immediately dismiss what others say since it doesn't fit their needed narrative that Fox News can be trusted on everything.
I think the most frustrating thing about Fox News, DeSantis, MTG, etc and their obvious lies and ovious attacks at democracy is that no-one is holding them accountable and it appears no one can or is willing to.
Kareem - I'm mad as hell about what is going on in this country today - especially with the moves to stop more African American history education. I am a white 75 year old woman raised in Atlanta and happily was able to participate in the civil rights marches in the 60s just wish I could get out and march today but sadly I have become handicapped and am unable to walk but oh how I wish I could get out there and march and let my voice be heard. What is going on in this country today is abominable and it scares me to think that we may wind up with a president the likes of desantis or worse trump. I am a happy democrat living now in the red state of Alabama but I try to make my voice heard as much as I can and wish I could march with Al Sharpton and any other movement concerning the travesties being committed today. There is just too much happening and we need a leader to come to the forefront and lead us in the right direction again. Thank you for your column and for taking the time to research all your write. Sadly I think you are too smart to get into politics but we sure could use you. God bless you for all you do.
re: Faux News ... why isn't anyone suggesting a non-renewal of their broadcast license?
Kudos to NJ's governor. Friends of mine have done an unbelievable job of researching the history of racism in New Jersey. It might surprise a few folks. Even more important, they and their collaborators are working to include this true history in NJ high school curricula. https://fridaytruehartconsultants.com/about-us/
Sorry, hit send by accident.
Studies have shown that women are better suited to the practice of law than men.
It is absurd to stifle half of the country’s brain power (remember Marie Curry) with 1950s limitations on women’s role in society.
John Moshier
Phoenix, Az
It is interesting you are talking about two sides of a coin today: editing Roald Dahl for modern sensibility and outright removing books in Florida and elsewhere. I, like you, think that books written in the past are going to contain things that may offend our modern sensibilities. We have to remember when in history they were written AND we don’t exactly know the thinking of the author at the time. I can imagine Samuel Clemens thinking I’ve got to use these words so people can realize how awful they are. Maybe not. When I think about things I read as a child it’s amazing I don’t spew more racist stuff. Then there’s the Florida trash can removing legitimate books about real history for kids to read - kids who are white, black, Hispanic so they can read about real people and real things that happened but NO we can’t let that happen now can we? Interesting that DeSantis is allied with a man who thinks women belong in the kitchen what is DeSantis going to tell his wife? She is rather educated and well known after all. All of this just gives me a headache and a stomach ache. Just OY
As usual, insightful comment on several topics. DeSantis' continued trampling will continue until Floridians who are abiding his march to total autocracy realize that they are the next to be victimized. Only then can he be restrained.
As for Fox (Faux) News, I caught a bit of Carlson's rantings last night. He had MTG on with him - and of course her comments pridefully display her ignorance - as they rage that we shouldn't be supporting Ukraine. Maybe Putin owns some Fox stock???
Like so many, this letter opens my eyes on numerous fronts. 1. To the a**hole from Idaho: Humanity would be infinitely better off if most heads of state and heads of government were women. Male heads of state / government are responsible for 99.999% of the war casualties (and male perps for 99.999% of the mass murders) suffered by a few billion humans through history. Would a woman leader ever have launched a psychotic invasion of her neighbors as did Hitler and Putin? Would a woman leader ever have needlessly deployed the atom bomb against an enemy who was ready to surrender, as did Truman? Rhetorical questions, obviously. 2. The NYT is like the Greek shipping magnate whose futbol club played a friendly match vs a Ukrainian club to protest the war, then transports 25 tankers full of Russian oil to various buyers. NYT plays both sides, for commercial reasons. 'Republicans buy sneakers too' (Sorry MJ). Worse, the executive editor Joe Kahn is a tyrant, a bully and a retrograde. 'You will write and say what I tell you, and you will like it. Now, get off of my lawn.' 3. Tucker, Hannity, DeSantis et al... (fill in the blanks). 4. Clemente book ban: these a**holes are in a culture war arms race. Who can do something even more psychotic?! 5. Gov. Philip Murphy: a great leader and a great person. Thank you, Kareem and Phil.
Standing up for the truth takes courage. Refusing to go along with the majority that are nothing more than a mass of imbeciles can be stressful, but who cares? So tired of idiocy.
What I will never understand is who made up the rules about age appropriate books, movies, etc. Children are smarter than they are given credit. So glad my parents didn't restrict what I read.
Desantis & his braying & howling hyenas are not worthy to be seen or heard. They are no better than the rabble rousers at faux news. There should be a huge deep pit where they can all scream & yell & repeat their insanity until their breath runs out. And then let them dwindle down into the dirt & slime of their making. No one will miss these loud mouthed posers.
Oh Kareem. Keep up the postings on these criminals, because that's what they are. How dare they think they have the right to eliminate our freedoms.
Thank you for all you do.
Kareem,
I haven't finished reading the post yet, but you need to make people aware of Grady Judd. He's surely on DeSantis' radar for some sort of appointment. He and his deputies shot a man over 60 times, and when asked why so many rounds...Grady commented about running out of bullets. Unfortunately, Grady is one of Ronnie's sweethearts (I wonder why?), so it's almost inevitable that he will rise in the Florida political scene over the next few months.
As for Farce News (Fox News) - shut them down. You can't have people screaming "fire" in a crowded location when there's no fire. It's flat-out irresponsible. The Emperor has no clothes...it's plain to see.
Peace and Serenity
I notice you haven't recommended any books lately. I'm sure because of lack of time with all that is going on in the world. I'd like to recommend one, it being Black History month, and with all the book banning going on, voter suppression and rights being taken away. How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith. I'm not far into this book, however, Smith visits Monticello and at the end of the tour talks with two women who were unaware of Jefferson's racism. My elementary school taught so little of Black history, that the only thing I remember of it is George Washington Carver finding 101 uses for the peanut. Much the same as the two women who speak with Smith. I also took the tour of Monticello some 60 years ago and am very happy to learn this particular docent doesn’t whitewash what went on there in Jefferson's time. What's going on in Florida is absurd and beyond my comprehension. Kareem, keep on writing and educating. I thank you. By the way, I do not think LeBron will hold the record for 39 years.
Finally found some time to finish reading the post - the weird thing is that I had to visit my eye doctor for...yes, glasses. I've worn them for reading, but now need them just to see clearly...so...the video of the toddler was both timely and priceless.
Billy Eckstine was a great singer, but also an excellent trumpet player. He and Johnny Hartman are two of my favorite male vocalists...Joe Williams too! Nice that you gave Billy a shout out!
As for Fox and all the other liars - what if their pants really DID catch fire? Or maybe their noses grow larger with each tall tale and twist of the truth? Nah, the best outcome for these folks will be their own personal judgement day(s) before whomever or whatever they bow-down to at the end of their pathetic existence. In the words of Sir Walter Scott - "oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
Peace and Serenity