It may be the bottom of the barrel, but I’d give him that one. For a culture that encourages alcohol abuse as relentlessly as ours does, I think temperance could be considered “self control”.
Agent Orange has no virtues (classical or measured by common sense), but he has some skills--every successful demagogue has. Heaven help this country and the world if he and his gang of scoundrels, racists, conmen and conwomen, and bullies win in November.
I liked the AI one in particular. I'm finding myself using it more in place of google and I like how it it summarizes the answers and the tone it uses, but once in a while it'll come back with a doozy!
Looks like Google is promoting their Gemini AI engine and supplies a Gemini-generated summary at the top of searches now. I haven't seen that before. I use DuckDuck Go for web searches (I said "google" above more as a generic term), just for a bit more privacy. I use the Windows Copilot AI, although I think Microsoft collects that data same as Google does with Gemini.
The gallery joke would have been a lot funnier in my opinion without the commentary which got me back to my confusion about people who believe that a purportedly loving Supreme being is so thin skinned as to torture people for doing silly fun things that bring no harm to anyone whatsoever but apparently hurts the being’s delicate feelings?
I absolutely abhor everything that Trump is and represents, but if forced to name one or two admirable qualities he has, I'd say confidence and resilience. He is the epitome of a confidence man, with complete lack of any semblance of shame or even a capacity to accept being wrong, so maybe at that level it crosses into vice territory. But having that confidence in the reality that he makes up in his mind and the ability to stick with it and promote it regardless of it's disconnect from the actual world is amazing. If only people of better character and with better intentions had those qualities.
I don’t think confidence is a virtue. Maybe resilience is a virtue but not his. He crumps every time he thinks someone has a leg up or the appearance of that, and it’s back to confidence to save the day. I was wondering about loyalty but he is only loyal to someone currently benefiting him, so the virtuous piece of loyalty would also not hold up.
I did mean "confidence man" as in "conman", of which confidence is a required ingredient. Like I said, I absolutely hate him with a passion, but he's been able to convince half the country that the sky is green and water is dry and objectively that's impressive and I only wish Democrats had some of that ability, with reality on their side they should be doing much better than they are.
A Bertrand Russell quote comes to mind: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”
Al Capone had confidence. Adolph Hitler had confidence. Outward confidence can also be used to mask inner lack of confidence. It could be a virtue. But as I lack ESP and Trump lacks so many other virtues, I can easily discount that one.
Finding Trump’s hidden virtues may be an amusing parlor game, but I want no part of it as we sit here three weeks from possibly electing a man who would turn the military against its own citizens. This is not a drill.
And it doesn't speak well of the reporter who thought to ask Harris that question. I get that it's a relatively normal question that gets asked of politicians, but read the room already...
It’s really more of a test for the candidate being asked the question — do you have the grace, humility and perspective to see the good qualities even in those with whom you disagree?
I understand that, but Harris probably should have just turned the question right back to the reporter: "Can you see any redeeming qualities about Trump? Because I can't."
The last time I can recall a presidential candidate honestly saying their opponent was a good person with whom they simply disagreed was John McCain. It certainly exposed his overall decency in the face of the pre-Trump nastiness the GOP was harboring.
Maybe fair when asked of Hillary Clinton years ago, but now that his personal track record of insults and illegal chicanery is well established, it’s a lame-at-best gotcha we’re all warned about before every job interview. I do think it’s fair to ask why Trump’s followers continue to support him — they are the ones she’ll need to govern despite disagreements with them.
If I recall correctly, when she was asked that question she said something about how he loves his children.That turns out to be a lie, he hates his own kids & treats them like shit!
I agree with you Eric. She was quick on her feet (likely lawyer practice) and diplomatic. Honestly, I wonder how much he really does care about them or any of the previous wives but he can't publicly argue with her on that one as he does most everything else. Virtues, um no
Please note my comments made earlier on Harris and her answers. It may be, as you say, a test of the candidate and how they answer questions. It's an appropriate reason. But, as I said earlier, the real test is how voters take it. It's election season. Be careful about praising opponents, otherwise some might wonder about why to vote for you.
Trump has no virtues. I thought of going line by line through the Big List and saying what I feel he lacks on each one but I'd be beating a dead horse. There is simply nothing positive about him, though it seems that 80 million or so voters seem able to see something in him which in my opinion says as much about his supporters as it does him.
Ok, I'll be the one to say I don't get the art gallery visual joke. But I'll say that I can't think of either the pepper spray or the dressing ones without laughing.
Eric, you use old fashion definitions of virtue. In America, suspicion or even hatred of strangers and immigrants has long been seen as a good quality by large numbers of Americans.
Being rich is also viewed by many, especially if it self made wealth as a virtue.
Finally, being self assured to the point of fanaticism is viewed as being strong if your views are “right”.
So Trump’s virtues:
1. Hatred of the stranger/ immigrant.
2. Being rich
3. Being fanatical in a “just” cause.
I expect both you and others will say, hold on those are not virtues. I agree that these are not true virtues. However, they are virtues to large groups of Americans which explains his popularity and the millions of votes he has received..
My hope is enough Americans still have a grasp of what true virtues are and will vote against him this November.
I liked both of the visual jokes this week. I liked the three screenshots of written, aka verbal, jokes too. I'd really like five trivial jokes per week.
Trump virtues. He has his own truth. He has followers that believe his truth. I supposed those would say he has virtues. I'm not sure "virtues" can be described as absolutes - maybe they are. AP Question: Trump likely couldn't/wouldn't have been able to answer the virtues question for Harris.
Courage defined “Strength in the face of pain or grief”. Your TDS Trump Derangement Syndrome is out of control. I respect commentators, liberal or conservative, that sometimes surprises me with diversity of opinion. I listen to podcasts and read information from sources I don’t usually agree with so I can keep informed.
Donald Trump was shot in the head. He immediately got up, raised his fist in the air, and said “fight, fight, fight.” Anyone who says he does not have courage has lost the ability to think and judge. So, their opinions, statements, and judgement are brought into question.
I believe your fine newsletter and other local news outlets would have a wider audience if you would show SOME objectivity towards the other side.
PS I think that legacy media including our local newspapers are writing their own obituaries when they are silent about Ms. Harris’s abandonment of them in her campaign. They are proving their own irrelevance in today’s world. Joe ODonnell (long time reader- recent subscriber)
He was not shot in the head. No-one who has studied this awful man doubts the strength of his lizard brain--you call it courage..btw, fight what? whom?
I suppose Churchill suffered from Hitler Derangement Syndrome.
The TDS talking point might have been apropos during his term as President (let the man do his job), but after his antics post-election loss and constant rants about fighting the enemy within, I’m quite sure we’re not imagining his dangerous ideas and behavior.
I think there’s a difference between a bullet grazing one’s ear and being “shot in the head”. You make it sound as if he’s the Boogeyman from Halloween, or Jason from the Friday the 13th flicks. Which, now that I think about it….
Grape is solid. I am also fascinated on this thread on whether the ear is part of the head. Head definition: “ The part of the body above the neck where the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brain are.”
Don’t go after a DDS on anatomy questions above the neck!
Temperance? Trump apparently doesn't drink alcohol. For a very narrow definition of temperance, alas.
It's not a virtue any more than not sticking up banks is a virtue.
<snort>
I was scrapping the bottom of the barrel, admittedly.
It may be the bottom of the barrel, but I’d give him that one. For a culture that encourages alcohol abuse as relentlessly as ours does, I think temperance could be considered “self control”.
Given the rumors of Adderall abuse (and other substances), is it really so virtuous that he abstains from alcohol?
Would you prefer that he abuse both?
Yes, but only for the most selfish of reasons...
I would rather people drink than abuse women. At least they would be doing it to themselves.
That's okay. It's an appropriate place to seek Trump.
Agent Orange has no virtues (classical or measured by common sense), but he has some skills--every successful demagogue has. Heaven help this country and the world if he and his gang of scoundrels, racists, conmen and conwomen, and bullies win in November.
Excellent set of Visual Jokes this week, and a tough choice for me to vote.
Agree!
indeed
I liked the AI one in particular. I'm finding myself using it more in place of google and I like how it it summarizes the answers and the tone it uses, but once in a while it'll come back with a doozy!
I've noticed just lately that when I look up information on Google, the first citation is AI generated. What's up with that? Our brave new world?
Looks like Google is promoting their Gemini AI engine and supplies a Gemini-generated summary at the top of searches now. I haven't seen that before. I use DuckDuck Go for web searches (I said "google" above more as a generic term), just for a bit more privacy. I use the Windows Copilot AI, although I think Microsoft collects that data same as Google does with Gemini.
Me too!
The gallery joke would have been a lot funnier in my opinion without the commentary which got me back to my confusion about people who believe that a purportedly loving Supreme being is so thin skinned as to torture people for doing silly fun things that bring no harm to anyone whatsoever but apparently hurts the being’s delicate feelings?
My first thought when seeing it was, "Young man, hanging up on a cross..."
Trump’s virtues? Um…
I absolutely abhor everything that Trump is and represents, but if forced to name one or two admirable qualities he has, I'd say confidence and resilience. He is the epitome of a confidence man, with complete lack of any semblance of shame or even a capacity to accept being wrong, so maybe at that level it crosses into vice territory. But having that confidence in the reality that he makes up in his mind and the ability to stick with it and promote it regardless of it's disconnect from the actual world is amazing. If only people of better character and with better intentions had those qualities.
I don’t think confidence is a virtue. Maybe resilience is a virtue but not his. He crumps every time he thinks someone has a leg up or the appearance of that, and it’s back to confidence to save the day. I was wondering about loyalty but he is only loyal to someone currently benefiting him, so the virtuous piece of loyalty would also not hold up.
His loyalty only goes one way.
He isn’t loyal to anyone. He demands loyalty, but he never reciprocates. That’s why his supporters strike me as being such sycophantic chumps.
Are you sure you are not confusing "confident man" with "confidence man"?
I did mean "confidence man" as in "conman", of which confidence is a required ingredient. Like I said, I absolutely hate him with a passion, but he's been able to convince half the country that the sky is green and water is dry and objectively that's impressive and I only wish Democrats had some of that ability, with reality on their side they should be doing much better than they are.
A Bertrand Russell quote comes to mind: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”
Al Capone had confidence. Adolph Hitler had confidence. Outward confidence can also be used to mask inner lack of confidence. It could be a virtue. But as I lack ESP and Trump lacks so many other virtues, I can easily discount that one.
It's a power that I wish was more frequently and effectively wielded by the good guys
Agreed. But remember that confidence can also be seen as braggadocio. It's something that good guys often avoid.
Finding Trump’s hidden virtues may be an amusing parlor game, but I want no part of it as we sit here three weeks from possibly electing a man who would turn the military against its own citizens. This is not a drill.
And it doesn't speak well of the reporter who thought to ask Harris that question. I get that it's a relatively normal question that gets asked of politicians, but read the room already...
It’s really more of a test for the candidate being asked the question — do you have the grace, humility and perspective to see the good qualities even in those with whom you disagree?
I understand that, but Harris probably should have just turned the question right back to the reporter: "Can you see any redeeming qualities about Trump? Because I can't."
The last time I can recall a presidential candidate honestly saying their opponent was a good person with whom they simply disagreed was John McCain. It certainly exposed his overall decency in the face of the pre-Trump nastiness the GOP was harboring.
Maybe fair when asked of Hillary Clinton years ago, but now that his personal track record of insults and illegal chicanery is well established, it’s a lame-at-best gotcha we’re all warned about before every job interview. I do think it’s fair to ask why Trump’s followers continue to support him — they are the ones she’ll need to govern despite disagreements with them.
If I recall correctly, when she was asked that question she said something about how he loves his children.That turns out to be a lie, he hates his own kids & treats them like shit!
Trump loves his kin when they love him first. Look up what he says about his niece who has said he is nutter than a nutty fruitcake.
Garry, wait a minute, I believe Trump has said if Ivanka wasn’t his daughter, he would “date” her, if that isn’t love…wait ick…no double ick.
You are right and that seems to be one reason she is giving him a wide berth.
Just another illustration of Family Values as portrayed by Donald (grab them) Trump…ick again.
I agree with you Eric. She was quick on her feet (likely lawyer practice) and diplomatic. Honestly, I wonder how much he really does care about them or any of the previous wives but he can't publicly argue with her on that one as he does most everything else. Virtues, um no
Please note my comments made earlier on Harris and her answers. It may be, as you say, a test of the candidate and how they answer questions. It's an appropriate reason. But, as I said earlier, the real test is how voters take it. It's election season. Be careful about praising opponents, otherwise some might wonder about why to vote for you.
I’m sure that Orange man would say that his best virtue is his modesty and humbleness.
Trump has no virtues. I thought of going line by line through the Big List and saying what I feel he lacks on each one but I'd be beating a dead horse. There is simply nothing positive about him, though it seems that 80 million or so voters seem able to see something in him which in my opinion says as much about his supporters as it does him.
Ok, I'll be the one to say I don't get the art gallery visual joke. But I'll say that I can't think of either the pepper spray or the dressing ones without laughing.
Jesus is the Y, the others are MCA
Make that “why” and you’ve improved the caption!
Thank you. Still a distant 3rd to me!
Y M C A
Eric, you use old fashion definitions of virtue. In America, suspicion or even hatred of strangers and immigrants has long been seen as a good quality by large numbers of Americans.
Being rich is also viewed by many, especially if it self made wealth as a virtue.
Finally, being self assured to the point of fanaticism is viewed as being strong if your views are “right”.
So Trump’s virtues:
1. Hatred of the stranger/ immigrant.
2. Being rich
3. Being fanatical in a “just” cause.
I expect both you and others will say, hold on those are not virtues. I agree that these are not true virtues. However, they are virtues to large groups of Americans which explains his popularity and the millions of votes he has received..
My hope is enough Americans still have a grasp of what true virtues are and will vote against him this November.
TFG is not as rich as he wants you to believe. I would pay real money to see an honest accounting of his assets.
His shares of DJT are worth quite a lot if he can liquidate them.
Are you kidding me, the fat traitor is without a doubt, the Greatest Of All Times conman!
It's not a virtue, but it is the truth.
Charles Ponzi & Bernie Madoff, if they were alive would be worshiping him as the god of conmen!
I liked both of the visual jokes this week. I liked the three screenshots of written, aka verbal, jokes too. I'd really like five trivial jokes per week.
For some reason, I read the headline as “Does Donald Trump have three viruses?” 😂😂😂
Ken, we will never know. Donald Trump will never release an accurate account of his medical condition.
I wonder if they ever do an autopsy after his death what they will find.
Bone spurs? Advanced dementia? Hair plugs? Proof that he was in fact a human reptile?
Jewish laser burns? Tiny white supremacy tattoos? Catsup stains?
Nah, bet he has some kind deal where they cremate him and sell his ashes for the benefit of his sons.🤪
All at one time
"There’s still time to vote in the conventional Quip of the Week poll!"
Am I missing the link to that poll?
Yes! Once again I failed to include a link in the emailed version! I would fire my quality control team, but ….
https://poll.fm/14474067
Trump virtues. He has his own truth. He has followers that believe his truth. I supposed those would say he has virtues. I'm not sure "virtues" can be described as absolutes - maybe they are. AP Question: Trump likely couldn't/wouldn't have been able to answer the virtues question for Harris.
Courage defined “Strength in the face of pain or grief”. Your TDS Trump Derangement Syndrome is out of control. I respect commentators, liberal or conservative, that sometimes surprises me with diversity of opinion. I listen to podcasts and read information from sources I don’t usually agree with so I can keep informed.
Donald Trump was shot in the head. He immediately got up, raised his fist in the air, and said “fight, fight, fight.” Anyone who says he does not have courage has lost the ability to think and judge. So, their opinions, statements, and judgement are brought into question.
I believe your fine newsletter and other local news outlets would have a wider audience if you would show SOME objectivity towards the other side.
PS I think that legacy media including our local newspapers are writing their own obituaries when they are silent about Ms. Harris’s abandonment of them in her campaign. They are proving their own irrelevance in today’s world. Joe ODonnell (long time reader- recent subscriber)
He was not shot in the head. No-one who has studied this awful man doubts the strength of his lizard brain--you call it courage..btw, fight what? whom?
I suppose Churchill suffered from Hitler Derangement Syndrome.
The TDS talking point might have been apropos during his term as President (let the man do his job), but after his antics post-election loss and constant rants about fighting the enemy within, I’m quite sure we’re not imagining his dangerous ideas and behavior.
Well, you are not well versed in anatomy apparently. My brain is inside my skull. My ear is outside of my skull.
TFG's ear was grazed with a bullet. Whatever brains he has we're untouched.
I think there’s a difference between a bullet grazing one’s ear and being “shot in the head”. You make it sound as if he’s the Boogeyman from Halloween, or Jason from the Friday the 13th flicks. Which, now that I think about it….
What is your favorite flavor of Kool-Aid?
I’m a traditionalist, Cherry! But Blue Raspberry Lemonade is moving up the charts…
Not grape
Grape is solid. I am also fascinated on this thread on whether the ear is part of the head. Head definition: “ The part of the body above the neck where the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brain are.”
Don’t go after a DDS on anatomy questions above the neck!