Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 30, 2024 in Blog |
If you’re lucky, there are people in your life who make a difference.
Linda Johnson has made a huge difference in my life in a positive way.
This week, the first week of August 2024 is an anniversary for me, or sorts. Thirty years ago, back in August 1994, Linda was the co-owner and editor of Card Player magazine, then the biggest publication in the game. Writing for Card Player was both prestigious and an honor. I had few, if any credentials to join the staff based on my limited poker background or as a regular columnist. But Linda took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity.
Card Player was looking to hire a part-time writer to cover the Atlantic City poker and gambling scene. New Jersey had just legalized live poker. So, I started going to the Jersey Shore on weekends to play. When I saw an advertisement for a poker writer for Atlantic City, at best, I figured I was drawing to an inside straight. But Linda dealt me a winning hand into a whole new world, instilling within me the confidence to learn and grow, and ultimately prosper.
Seemingly insignificant moments in life and small changes can lead to much bigger things, that is, if we play our cards right.
For several years, going to Atlantic City, meeting new people, attending big events, and learning more about poker and gambling provided street smarts and new perspectives. It also led to many more personal and professional opportunities as the game expanded elsewhere. Eventually, it motivated me to leave my previous career and move to Las Vegas, when and where the “poker boom” was about to explode. One thing led to another, and another. Writing those columns for Card Player in the ’90s led to executive positions with Binion’s Horseshoe casino, Poker Stars, the World Series of Poker, and took me on so many adventures. It also introduced me to some great people along the way who became many of my closest friends. They say, if you love what you do for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s true!
It’s remarkable to think that perhaps *none* of this would ever have happened had Linda not said “yes” to hiring a new unknown writer 3,000 miles away whom she had never met back in 1994. I suspect my life would be very different and I would have gone down some other path. I wouldn’t know many of you. I certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed myself as much.
I’ve now been blessed to know Linda for three decades, which is half of my life. No doubt, I’m not alone. She has given so many others — including some of you reading this now — their own new opportunities. Sometimes, a hand up makes all the difference in the world. Maybe it’s en encouraging word, or a phone call, or a text. Linda has been there for all of us, and been there most when it mattered.
Linda sent me this picture yesterday. It was taken of us together in 2007. It’s wonderful.
Yes, indeed — if you’re lucky, there are people in your life who make a difference. And, I’m really extra lucky.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 28, 2024 in Blog |
MY MESSAGE TO CHRISTIANS “OFFENDED” BY THE PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING
Many Christians say they were “offended” by a short skit performed during opening night of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The fallout still continues a few days later and has even triggered an unnecessary apology by the International Olympic Committee that was released today.
Never mind that so many Christians somehow worship an Italian painting that was completed in the year 1498 which absurdly portrays European-looking White people feasting smack dab in the middle of the Middle East roughly 1,470 years earlier. I’ll skip that for now.
Also, never mind that so many Christians lack any knowledge whatsoever of ancient mythology and global history–more specifically the celebration of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, food, and merriment, which was the real intent of portrayal. I’ll skip that for now, too.
Also, never mind that so many Christians are upset and angry about a short performance and joyous imagery lasted for all of about two minutes during a four-hour long opening night extravaganza filled with music and celebration considered by many all over the world as the greatest Olympic opening ceremony of all time. I’ll skip that, as well.
Oh, and I’ll also skip over tireless and never-ending Christian obsessions with superstition, ritualized threats of punishment and damnation, preposterous teachings designed to stoke fear and chisel out the obedience of followers, unparalleled graft and corruption, unspeakable abuses of every kind, overt sexism, historical justifications for racism and military conquests, open collaboration and endorsement of slavery, propaganda use for wars and killings, prophesies and promises of mass destruction, and its grotesque own internal history of hypocrisies. Please, yes, by all means — go ahead and be offended about something you don’t understand and don’t care to learn about. Oh look, there’s another meme. Oh look, there’s another post. Someone else pledged to boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As if anyone fucking cares.
Well, in fact, I’M OFFENDED too!
— I’m OFFENDED that so many Christians are not offended by decades and centuries of sexual abuse inside churches and covered up by clergy, numbering in the millions–all over the world. Fact: Far more children have been abused by ministers, priests, church counselors, and flocks of Christians than trans people or other groups often demonized by religion. Where’s the outrage over that in conservative religious circles? Where are those memes?
— I’m OFFENDED that American Christians overwhelmingly support and vote for a serial lying, adulterous, felon and traitor who relishes acts of cruelty, revenge, and retribution and is the very antitheses of every lesson and commandment taught by religious scripture.
— I’m OFFENDED that as a taxpayer I’m forced to pay my money for churches that do not pay any taxes. I’m offended by having to subsidize the construction and upkeep of their roads, electricity, sewer lines, safety, fire protection, and other government services for churches and religious followers, who demand and receive total tax exemption for their hundreds of thousands of temples of superstition. If Christians want to get all sanctimonious and rally around a painting that looks to me like a picture of the Allman Brothers Band, be my guest. Just don’t ask me to pay for it.
— I’m OFFENDED that Christians are determined to indoctrinate young minds with forced prayer in schools, Bible scripture posted on the walls, and forced coercion and blind obedience to such a cruel, and often indifferent “god.” I mean…seriously. Have you looked at this guy’s record? Fuuuuuck!
— I’m OFFENDED that Christians have largely dominated our daily lives for centuries, including marching and praying along to the well-documented historical imposition of unspeakable horrors, discriminatory practices, prejudices, wars of invasion, forced conversions, and so many other evils and human suffering — yet when a short alternative artistic display of inclusion is showcased at the Olympics which includes members of a group they don’t like, that triggers so much hate and threats of a mass boycott.
Go ahead, be offended.
Actually, It’s YOU so-called fundamentalist Christian believers who are offensive to so many of the rest of us. The undeniably gory history and inexplicable practice of Christianity is what’s truly offensive.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 26, 2024 in Blog |
IS THE GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
While dining out last week in downtown Las Vegas, I got into a friendly but serious discussion with someone about how cocktails are frequently served in many bars and restaurants. Bruce Kramer, my longtime associate visiting Las Vegas from Philadelphia was on the other side of the argument.
We both ordered a Manhattan. When the cocktails arrived, they were served in oversized glasses. In fact, the glass was twice the size of the liquid content. A standard Manhattan is about 3-4 ounces, and it was poured into what looked to be a 6-7 ounce glass.
I was perfectly fine with this. Looked very normal to me. However, Kramer was visibly annoyed with the liquid to glass ratio. He thought the drink looked “cheap” — like he was getting shafted. In fact, Kramer then summoned over the bartender and lectured the cocktail master on his selection of glassware for this type of drink. And yes, while listening to Kramer’s impromptu TED Talk, I did several eye rolls as I enjoyed sipping my Manhattan.
I know I can be ridiculous, at times. We all have our biases and weirdnesses. A psychologist could have a field day explaining some of my odd proclivities, including a fear of rabbits. But I also thought Kramer’s argument was ridiculous. Absurd, even. The bartender realized he couldn’t win and replaced Kramer’s Manhattan and brought him over a” new” cocktail (probably the exact same contents) poured into what I call a baby glass. That glass was filled to the brim, which meant picking it up severely increased the chances of spillage. Well, that’s then our back-and-forth arguing began, ending with no resolution. Bored bystanders in our party refused to take a side, realizing the futility thereof, presumably not wanting to get in the middle of two junkyard dogs fighting about alcohol on a busy Friday night.
To me, this is a no brainer. I don’t care for stemmed glassware when it comes to cocktails. Again, this is a higher-risk spillage issue. However, with the liquid contents only about half full, it’s much easier (less risky) to transfer the liquor from the glass down the hatch, with a little swirl-play involved. It’s a bit like wine, which is always poured into an oversized glass, and the more empty space there is, usually the better the wine and more exclusive the establishment. The same thing goes for cordials and brandies, which are also served in large goblets, and take up no more than perhaps a quarter of the glass. So, why would anyone want, let alone demand their cocktail be filled to the brim of the glass?
I once thought Kramer knew his stuff and was the ultimate functional pragmatist. Proper glassware with cocktails is like architectural drawings and house designs, and I want to drink like I’m Frank Lloyd Wright. Simply put, Kramer is wrong. I must now re-asses my evaluation of his judgement and avoid oversized glassware with him. It’s like drinking with Monk.
Seriously, who would want a cocktail served in a glass all the way to the top? Isn’t the empty space much more practical, especially given many bars are crowded, and you often get bumped, especially at or near the bar where there are usually people around and drinking? I sure as hell don’t want to hoist tiny glassware while trying to navigate an $18 beverage from my hand to my mouth.
Pet Peeve: Small glassware (and small plates, for that matter). I want to enjoy the food and drink, not end up wearing it. Next time I’m with Kramer and they serve baby glassware, I’m sending my drink back. I’m sure that will thrill the bartender.
JOIN THE FUN DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK HERE
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 24, 2024 in Blog |
DO VICE PRESIDENTS “ACCOMPLISH” ANYTHING?
My rankings of Vice Presidents — from best to worst — may surprise you.
My friend, Arbella Azizian raised an interesting question with me in a discussion recently about Vice Presidents — both past and present. She shared her perspective that most Vice Presidents don’t do much in terms of either policy or leadership. Hers was a non-partisan point of view, meant to apply to the Vice Presidents of both political parties.
I pondered this point of view. This topic is certainly timely, because it came up right after J.D. Vance was chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate. And soon, we’re likely to learn who Kamala Harris (and Democrats) will select as their veep candidate. It also matters because the current serving VP is now running for President.
Have any Vice Presidents really mattered? Does the office weild any power or mean anything? It’s easy to say — no. However, some Vice Presidents have wielded significant influence. A few have altered history in a negative way.
Let’s ignore the obvious fact that Vice Presidents are only a heartbeat away from the top job and that several have moved into the Oval Office when Presidents died.
Accordingly, what follows are my rankings of Vice Presidents of the modern political era, listed best-to-worst.
Important: These rankings have nothing to do with policies or partisanship, or my opinions thereof. I’m ranking accomplishments and impacts while serving as Vice President only, irregardless of the positives or negatives of their decisions and actions. These rankings also don’t take into account what Vice Presidents did either before or after serving in office.
Note: Before proceeding, here’s a recent ranking by historians (CLICK LINK HERE TO READ MORE):
Now, here’s my list and analysis:
1. Dick Cheney — George W. Bush’s veep from 2001-2009 was the most powerful and influential Vice President in history, and it’s not even close. Cheney was a virtual “Co-President” given the enormous role in played in personnel decisions and executive policies–both domestic and foreign. Cheney was one of the key architects of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars (and subsequent occupations). Insiders also point to Cheney assuming the role as Bush’s “filter,” a virtual gatekeeper of information and staff that ultimately went to the President. He was Bush’s primary public spokesman on all matters of policy. He was on the news talk shows more than any other public figure. Cheney’s background as Congressman, Chief of Staff, and Secretary of Defense made him an essential component of the Bush Presidency who, history shows, was heavily involved in every decision that came out of the Oval Office.
2. Al Gore — Bill Clinton’s veep from 1993-2001 ranks high as an effective and influential second-in-command. Like Clinton, Gore was an energetic and youthful leader (43 when he assumed office) who was very active in advancing the Administration’s agenda. Gore previous role as Senator combined with a lifetime of Washington experience made him Clinton’s second-closest advisor (behind Hillary), going after issues including government waste and fraud, promoting the development of information technology, and advancing environmental initiatives. Gore also came out of the Clinton scandal’s unscathed which is also worth noting.
3. Richard Nixon — Dwight Eisenhower’s veep is tough to rank for obvious reasons. But let’s dismiss Nixon’s obvious baggage, and focus instead on his eight years within the Administration — 1952-1961. It’s important to remember Eisenhower suffered a heart attack that left him unable to perform his duties. So, Nixon stepped in and showed quiet leadership during the nearly two months of recuperation. Impressed, Eisenhower who had considered dropping Nixon off the ticket in the 1956 re-election, decided to keep him. In his second term, Nixon was tasked with roles varying from goodwill ambassador abroad to campaign advisor at home. Nixon also developed relationships with Soviet leaders that would be important years later during Detente (he was the first top American official to visit the USSR, and later welcomed and hosted Nikita Khrushchev when he toured the US in 1959. Also recall Nixon’s meeting with Fidel Castro that same year, right after the Cuban Revolution that might have altered history had Nixon won the 1960 election. I say Nixon is tough to rank because Eisenhower didn’t like Nixon, and insulted him on occasion — which either elevates or reduces Nixon’s place in 1950’s American politics, depending upon one’s perspective.
4. Mike Pence — Donald Trump’s veep is another who’s difficult to judge. Operating within the non-stop chaos of the Trump White House must have challenging, so credit Pence who provided some degree of sanity and normalcy. Pence’s public role during the COVID crisis was also admirable, juggling Trump’s inane lies and lunacy with actual governance and leadership behind the scenes. Pence was tasked with searching for and implementing COVID treatment and appeared to carry out his duties admirably. Let’s also remember Pence’s commitment to Constitutional principles when things mattered most, on the day of Trump’s Jan. 6th insurrection. It might not be a stretch to say Pence helped to save American democracy.
5. George H.W. Bush — Serving in Ronald Reagan’s shadow for two terms could not have been easy. Bush Sr. was clearly capable of wielding the levers of power, but never allowed his ambition or ego to outshine the President. Bush Sr. was a near perfect support staffer and advisor, though it’s also difficult to point to any specific accomplishments or policies he advanced in the period 1981-1989.
6. Joe Biden — When Barack Obama was initially elected in 2008, he didn’t have much Washington experience. Hence, he picked an established 35-year veteran insider legislator as his veep choice and Biden turned out to be an ideal pick over two terms. Much like Bush Sr., Biden wasn’t going to ever outshine the President, nor be credited with much other than personal loyalty by serving strictly in an advisory capacity.
7. Walter Mondale — The former Minnesota Senator served as Jimmy Carter’s veep 1977-1981. Like many other ex-governors (who had been outsiders), Carter pegged an experienced legislator as his running mate, who presumably would be helpful in navigating the political scene. Remembering anything specific from Mondale’s service as Vice President is difficult, especially in light of Carter’s Administration shortcomings, which was fraught with challenges–both domestic and foreign. An average midddle-of-the-road grade seems appropriate here.
8. Lyndon Johnson — LBJ was one of the great Senate Majority Leaders in history and later one of the most consequential Presidents of the 20th Century who posted a stellar record of achievements on domestic policy. However, his three-plus years as Vice President during the Kennedy Administration were a self-described wasteland. This was the most depressing era of Johnson’s political career, excluded from most Kennedy policy decisions. LBJ was selected to the national ticket strictly as a political compromise, and given the Kennedy Administration’s relatively few accomplishments (I rank JFK as the most overrated President of all time), pointing to any accomplishments by Johnson as veep is futile. Johnson was a great leader in so many ways, but clearly the wrong man for this job.
9. Hubert Humphrey — Given LBJ’s sweeping mid-1960’s domestic agenda, which was the most impactful presidency of my lifetime (civil rights, immigration reform, introduction of Medicare, etc.), one would expect the Vice President to receive some of the credit. However, most historians note that LBJ personally was the driving force behind the Great Society (just listen to the tapes of countless phone calls from the Oval Office). VP Humphrey played only a minimal role in crafting and advancing Johnson Administration policy and probably would have been far more effective had he continued serving in the Senate, where he was widely respected as a leader on progressive causes.
10. Gerald Ford — Ford ranks low on this list, not because of any personal misdeeds. Rather, he simply did play much of a role as he was in office only eight months and his entire tenure was consumed by the Watergate scandal and constant scrutiny of President Nixon. Fortunately, Ford remained unscathed by Watergate and historians praise him for his calmness and stabilizing influence following Nixon’s resignation. That said, it’s impossible to think of a single accomplishment or much of anything from Vice President Ford.
11. Nelson Rockefeller — Many Americans forget “Rocky” was Ford’s veep for nearly two years, 1974-1977. Rockefeller’s selection was largely viewed as a political payback for many years of public service. Rockefeller served as New York Governor for four terms, which were tumultuous times, but his tenure as Vice President is now largely forgotten. Also note that Ford later picked Robert Dole as his veep in the 1976 election, discarding Rockefeller who was politically inconsequential.
12. Dan Quayle — Vice President Quayle gets maligned for a number of gaffes and public missteps, which provided lots of fodder for comedians during 1989-1993, when he served. Quayle was initially selected for his youthful energy but never gained much traction as a communicator or someone with enough experience to advance Bush Administration policies. Some of the criticism is probably unfair, but Quayle was clearly a drag on Bush Sr.’s presidency and ineffective in the role as veep.
13. Spiro Agnew — Nixon’s veep was one of only two in American history to resign from office in disgrace. He was charged and convicted of bribery and tax evasion, in crimes unrelated to Watergate. Agnew was a puzzling Vice Presidential choice from the start, bringing no constituency, political contacts, knowledge, or experience to the Nixon presidency. Review the infamous Nixon tapes, containing hundreds of hours of recorded conversations, and Agnew’s voice is barely heard on any of them. He had virtually no influence nor advisory capacity to Nixon, even on his accomplishments. Utterly without charisma, politically dumb, inconsequential, and corrupt, by any measure Spiro Agnew ranks as the worst Vice President in history.
In summation, returning to the original question — I hereby conclude the answer as to Vice Presidential “accomplishments” varies widely. Most terms are indeed inconsequential, but there are also a few who have been quite impactful on history–both positively and negatively.
__________
Note: Current Vice President Kamala Harris is not ranked.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 23, 2024 in Blog |
“DEI”
We’ll be seeing and hearing three letters a lot in the coming weeks and months ahead.
“DEI” is an acronym. It means: (D) diversity, (E) equity, and (I) inclusion. Yet oddly enough, “DEI” is intended by some as a derogatory term. It’s the new hate bait. It’s yet another ultra-conservative dog whistle. It’s MAGA red meat. It’s dangled to trigger sexism and racism. It’s designed to trigger fragile White male egos who simply can’t cope with positions of power and authority going to women or minorities.
— When a plane crashes with a female (or minority) pilot, it must have been a DEI hire.
— When a female Secret Service agent’s actions in the line of fire are misunderstood and get misinterpreted, it must have been a DEI hire.
— When the female head of the U.S. Secret Service messes up (and she did mess up), it must have been a DEI hire.
Yeah, like White men have a great historical record sans any mistakes or mess ups.
Now, it’s Vice President Kamala Harris getting the DEI tar and feather treatment. She’s become the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president, promoted due to gender and race. according a class of self-entitled fossils of privilege who are pretty much responsible for the most of the world’s fuck ups. It can’t possibly be because of her numerous qualifications, right?
Earlier today, a MAGA Republican congressman and Trump-backer, Rep. Tim Burchett, called Vice President Harris “100 percent….a DEI hire.” The Tennessee good old boy who continues to deny results of the 2020 presidential election and often sounds a few brain cells short of a possum calls Harris “unqualified.” [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE]
Hmmm.
Serving as a courtroom prosecutor, then the Attorney General of the largest state in the nation, then a U.S. Senator, then four year’s a Vice-President of the United States apparently doesn’t meet Rep. Burchett’s MAGA litmus test. But hey, Tennessee Timmy, let’s give the reality TV star so dumb he bankrupted three casinos a pass. Trump’s his guy!
Yesterday, I wrote about the fight to come. It’s going to get rough and tough. Let’s prepare ourselves for the sexualization of Kamala Harris and the overt misogyny to come. We’ll also see and hear the term “DEI” tossed around in the upcoming campaign. Presumably, MAGA Republicans don’t believe in DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION.
Next time you hear a Trumper blowhard spewing “DEI,” consider the source. Remember, the intent is to demean accomplished women and minorities despite their qualifications, usually coming from insecure fragile men who prey upon fear and hate. We must not let them succeed.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 22, 2024 in Blog |
UGLY MAGA MISOGYNY AND THE SEXUALIZATION OF KAMALA HARRIS
The vicious attacks based on sex have begun.
It’s been fewer than 24 hours since Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Yet already, the MAGA slime machine is kicking into overdrive.
MAGA ugliness is real. No surprise, because this is an ugly political movement littered with ugly people.
Note the flood of memes all of the sudden splattered all across social media (and shred by millions) going after Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the favorite to win the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Donald Trump in November. T-shirts and other memorabilia are being hawked and sold to the rubes. We all understand the reason why. There’s a huge market for hate, because inside MAGA America — hate sells.
But this brand of hate is different, and quite revealing. To me, what’s most striking about many of these attacks on Harris — her character, her personality, her qualifications, her mannerisms — is the overt misogyny behind them. We are witnessing the deliberate sexualization of a highly-accomplished woman. These aren’t isolated incidents, rather it premeditated targeting that’s become way too common on the far-Right. This happened for many years with Hillary Clinton, once the political Right’s favorite target. Now, Harris is the latest prey in the MAGA hate hunt. Then, add the fact that Harris is of mixed race, from Oakland, California, and childless by choice, and MAGA misogynists are really about to lose their shit.
Whether intentionally by design or subconsciously, Incel Nation has constructed a mass pathos to subjugate and vilify women, whether it’s raising doubts as to their qualifications when in positions of authority (“she slept her way to the top”) or ambushing the dating history of a powerful female executive (“Harris got her start in politics dating a married man”). It’s not just words that hurt people. Let’s also remember — MAGA is the driving force behind overturning Roe v. Wade and passing Neanderthal state laws restricting women’s reproductive freedoms. It all fits.
I fully concede that Harris should be fair game as a presidential candidate. Clearly, she has vulnerabilities. Her record as attorney general, senator, and vice-president should be questioned. But this garbage is something else — it’s personal. She becomes the new poster girl. Prepare yourself for the worst. We’ve already seen a dramatic uptick on “camel toe” references, usually spread by porn-addicted salivating losers who obsess over women as objects for sexual gratification. The term is childish word-play on Kamala Harris’ unusual first name, which they often intentionally mispronounce. I have no idea why anyone finds this sexualization funny, but it’s real and it’s pervasive.
Indeed, we about to be bombarded with an onslaught of non-stop hate and recycled lies about Harris, especially should she become the nominee. Whenever Harris gets mentioned as a future President, 30-year-old stories about her past relationship with San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown get rehashed. Unfortunately, it’s mostly exaggerations and selective use of a distorted timeline. As proof, a Reuters News fact check confirmed the political pair did date from 1994 through 1995, the year before Brown became mayor. At the time, Brown was a legally a married man. However, records also show he’d been separated from his wife for more than a decade (a decade!) by the time he began a relationship with Harris. Their relationship was never a secret and they made frequent public appearances as a couple. Facts be damned, MAGA nation will twist and falsify what happened. Count on it. Harris, involved in a relatively short romantic relationship, gets painted as a whore. Meanwhile, MAGA hero Trump is a stud. What hypocritical slut shaming.
The real irony here is — those who are spreading and will share the lies about Harris had no issue with Trump’s lifetime of infidelities, multiple rape allegations (including a legal judgement), countless perversions of misogyny (‘you can grab them by the pussy”), and sleazy behavior (including lots of free time spent hanging out with sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein–which is well documented with photos and videos). Gee, why would MAGA women-bashers be bothered by any of this? They are Trump. Trump is them.
For those who point to Trump’s own private life (and sexual escapades) which has been the subject of attacks by Democrats in recent years, let’s be clear about the vast differences. Trump brought all those charges and scrutiny upon himself. He broke the law. He paid a bribe. He’s a felon. He willingly committed all those acts, said those despicable words, and often bragged about his many dalliances. This is all a matter of public record. Had Trump been, let’s say, squeaky-clean Mitt Romney, his past sexual history would never have come up in the election. So, let’s squash the “whataboutism.”
In American politics, the gender gap is widening. Now, we begin to see why. Recent polls show women supporting the Democratic nominee 58 to 38 pct., which reveals a whopping 20-point gap. Yet, Trump also leads in those same national polls among men, earning male support by slightly higher than 20-points. just wow — what an embarrassing indictment of American men. Shameful, in fact. Misogyny isn’t just alive, it’s thriving.
Perhaps this is why MAGA misogynists will continue using Vice President Kamala Harris’ gender against her. Because — sexualization against successful women works. Hate is powerful. Projecting hidden resentments and deeply concealed psychological complexes onto famous women through political attacks, and memes, and cruel bar talk becomes the ugliest of comfort zones.
Remember all this in the days, weeks, and months to come when you see Kamala Harris portrayed in overtly sexualized terms.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 21, 2024 in Blog |
PRESIDENT BIDEN DROPS OUT
After a very bad month, this is a very good day.
Here’s a short list of thoughts off the top of my head, for now.
1. President Biden made the right decision. It’s the right decision for the country, the party, and ultimately for Biden.
2. Even in his diminished capacity and some risks going forward, President Biden should be capable of completing his term through January, 2025.
3. Vice President Harris becomes the instant and obvious Democratic front-runner, especially with Biden’s endorsement contained in today’s official statement of withdrawl.
4. The Democratic National Convention must be an open process. It must not be a coronation. We should force VP Harris to win the nomination with her own talents and efforts, not hand it to her simply as a political inheritance. Pressure testing is good. A more challenging process (now) will make her stronger and better as a candidate in the national election (later), should she become the nominee.
5. I hope other qualified Democrats will enter the race. An ideal number of serious candidates would be 3 or 4. I also hope the competition will be respectful of one another. Democrats can’t be tearing each other down at this point. The singular focus must be on defeating Trump, reducing the dangers of MAGA, keeping control of the Senate, and winning the House.
6. This is the time for the DNC to take full command and announce some agreeable nomination process. Ultimately, it’s up to the party, collectively speaking, to pick the ticket and all delegates should be empowered freely with a vote at the convention to make the best selection. Forget about holding rushed primaries at this point. However, a couple of debates (if needed) would be ideal leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August.
7. The Biden campaign should free up all money and pledge it to the Democratic nominee. Period. End of story.
8. I don’t want to see Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, Hillary Clinton, or even Barack Obama puling the levers and making decisions. This time should be a complete reboot and total restart with new faces and energy. I realize this point is impractical and unlikely. However, the last thing Democrats should be wanting to see during this revamped nomination process is previous generations of leaders like Pelosi, Clyburn, etc. seeming like the real power brokers. Do not make this mistake!
9. This is very good news for Democrats. This is bad news for Republicans, who have concentrated most of their attacks and slime tactics on Biden. However, it’s far from a game-changer. I expect the odds on Trump winning will drop somewhat, though he’s still a solid favorite until a Democratic nominee is determined. Also, this is great news for down-ballot Democrats, who now won’t be dragged down by the top of a limp ticket.
10. Finally, President Biden should have handled this differently, or certainly better. I won’t dwell on the appalling mistake he made running for re-election in the first place. However, announcing his withdrawl from the race with a letter doesn’t make an impact on history nor advance the cause of preserving democracy. President Biden should have taken his moment in a nationally televised address, and like LBJ, Nixon, et. al. made a clear statement talking directly to the American people. This was a missed opportunity.
Still, we’re getting a new deal. We’re not drawing dead anymore. We’re live. Good news.
This is a good day.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 21, 2024 in Blog |
Some years ago, if you’d told me I’d change my preferences and habits to this extreme, I’d have said you were crazy. But indeed–I have changed my preferences and habits, and I suspect so too have many of you.
There are lots of things we used to do with some frequency that we simply don’t do anymore, or — we now do them far less often. Many of these things were once pillars of our identity. Now, they’re no longer (as) important.
I don’t share this with any sense of pride, nor do I believe I’m better for the omission. In fact, in each of the examples here, I’m losing something by not doing these same things. However, I also can’t force myself to go back to the way life was before.
Feel free to comment and share. Am I alone in my changing habits and preferences?
(1) Going out to the movies — I grew up on movies, and going to movie theaters. Ever since I was a kid, movies always meant something to me. I also loved the shared experience of a live audience, which when we all laughed together at the screen, seemed to make the jokes even funnier than when we were watching alone. Going to a movie theater was an experience. But now, it’s all too much of a hassle. Getting dressed, driving, parking, buying a ticket, sitting in an uncomfortable seat for two hours, and then not knowing if the movie is any good. It’s not like I can change the channel, or turn it off. At a movie, we’re stuck. Why did this change happen? I think enduring the COVID phase and altered lifestyle changed my viewing habits, and many others too. We became more comfortable with other entertainment platforms like Netflix which are much cheaper and far more convenient. I used to go out and see one movie a week (and that was for over 50 years). Since COVID, I’ve seen just one movie inside the theater. Now, I can’t go back to the way it was.
(2) Reading the daily newspaper — As a dedicated news junkie, I never missed reading my hometown paper. The Dallas Morning News and The Dallas Times Herald….then The Washington Post….then The Las Vegas Review-Journal. When I flew all the time, I always bought local newspapers in whatever city I was in for the plane and then read them all the way through. If somehow I missed reading the daily paper, I felt empty. Like I wasn’t getting my news fix. Even when news organizations shifted more to online delivery, I still cherished holding newspaper in my hands. Maybe the habit of riding the Washington Metro and being stuck in tunnels underground for many years commuting to work embedded the comfortable habit of never being bored because I had something to read in my hand. What changed? I moved to Las Vegas, which isn’t a culture that reads or follows current events–and when far-Right winger Sheldon Adelson bought the LV Review-Journal, I cancelled my daily subscription. I suffered withdrawls for a time, but eventually got over it. I stopped reading the daily paper, breaking a lifetime habit.
(3) Never missing CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday nights –– Sunday nights were always the same for me. In the fall, it was NFL football, then 60 Minutes. From 1970 to the modern day, the last few hours of every weekend were spent with Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer, and Andy Rooney. It was one of the top-ranked shows on television for decades (imagine that–a news show!). But the TV news magazine gradually diminished in quality and faded in influence, especially in recent years. The newer lightweight reporters don’t seem like they’ve earned their status, and the subjects have often become a bore. There’s little that’s groundbreaking anymore, or particularly newsworthy. It’s a shame the country doesn’t come together to follow one news source at least once a week if for no other reason than to bond with a shared reality, if only temporary. Now, 60 Minutes seems like a dying dinosaur. I’m sad about this. I still tape all the shows, but may watch them only half the time, and then I’m often hitting the FF button.
(4) Buying music — I once had a huge collection of record albums. My spare money was often spent scouring record stores and buying music, new and old. Today, I can’t remember the last album I purchased (in any form, even downloadable). It’s been several years. The explanation here is probably mostly due to age, but advancing technology and free online access also plays a significant role in changing this lifetime habit. Most modern music doesn’t appeal to me, and I can’t name a single song on whatever the Billboard chart is today. Anything I want to listen to is probably posted on YouTube in some form, and with so many subscriber platforms like XM Radio and Pandora (both active in my home and cars), I can’t even fathom buying an album or CD or making a download purchase. I do miss the excitement of buying an album, studying the cover, unwrapping the cellophane, dropping the needle on the turntable, then following along with the liner notes. Those were great experiences. Mental therapy. But that’s now an ancient practice and a time gone by–a distant memory.
(5) Playing poker — I used to hyperventilate on the weekend drive to Atlantic City to play poker. Even when I moved to Las Vegas, the thrill of sitting down at the table in a game was both an adrenaline rush and a comfort zone. It was a sense of belonging–being at the perfect place and time. And when I worked as an executive at the World Series of Poker or was with Poker Night in America TV, I never dreaded going to work and never hated my job (that’s really saying something). I studied the game, knew all the top players, and made a great living from that experience. I also played nearly every day for two years. Then bam! COVID hit in 2020, and — cold turkey — I stopped playing. Even when things went back to “normal,” I could never muster up the enthusiasm as before. Four years have since passed, and except for BARGE (a poker gathering with many friends once a year) I have not played a single hand of poker since then anywhere–and I don’t miss it at all. The thought of sitting in a packed poker room, in uncomfortable chairs, spending hours with mostly boring non-talkative grinders playing poker and struggling to win maybe a few hundred dollars isn’t just unappealing–it’s repulsive. Working in the yard seems more interesting. I just have no interest. Perhaps the love for poker (the game and the players) I once had may return at some point. But it’s all a huge bore to me now.
Now, it’s your turn…….
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 19, 2024 in Blog |
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EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY:
REMEMBERING THE 1984 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
It’s hard for me to believe this photograph was taken exactly 40 years ago. Here’s a pic of me outside the Dallas Loews Anatole Hotel, a short time after the presidential limo pulled up and dropped off Ronald Reagan. He made a speech inside the atrium to a packed audience of supporters.
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