The double standards, the legacy media pile-on, and why a landslide primary victory tells you everything about who the billionaire class is actually afraid of
Sigh. I really don’t want to wade into this, but I’m going to. Everything you say is on point, Qasim. The Democrats want perfect candidates. Platner has lots of problems, and I would prefer that he were not the candidate. He is, however. This is the same bullshit as saying you’re not going to vote for Democrats because AIPAC, etc. I’m an Independent now, despite having voted for Democrats my entire life. As disappointed and infuriated as I am with corporate Democrats, I will still vote for whomever the Democratic Party runs. Do I wish it were different? Do I wish that the Democrats had consolidated behind one candidate for the California governorship? Does the fact that Democrats never seem to be able to organize or get on a winning message infuriate me? Yes, of course.
Here’s the thing, though: as you often say: the Republicans are obviously a lost cause. They’ve gone full fascist. I think they always were. They just hit it better. The Democratic Party is deeply flawed. But saying the parties are the same isn’t true. Part of the reason we’re in the position we are is so many Democrats stayed home because of “genocide Joe.“ Obviously, what’s happening in Gaza’s genocide. We have genocide happening in this country. Concentration camps, anyone? I grew up outside the country and I’ve lived outside the country as an adult. The US has never been exceptional and it’s no shining city on the hill. It’s an imperialist, fucked up country. Most Americans have no idea that the US has meddled in and or overthrown the governments of foreign countries since forever. Unfortunately, I’m it’s my home, which is partly why I returned to the US in 2023.
Just to be clear, I’ve been a feminist since the early 80s, when I was in my 20s. I consider myself a Democratic socialist. I love the patriarchy and fight against it. Every chance I get. I stand up for trans people. I am not straight, although I am cis-appearing and white, which gives me great privilege. I don’t minimize the things that Platner has reportedly done. But as he said talking to Mika, and I can’t stand Morning, Joe, does any of this equate with the man we have sitting in the oval office? His cabinet? The three evil men destroying the world? The purity tests on the part of the Democrats is exhausting.
As you’ve said many times, we will wait to see what he does. And be ready to criticize him if he doesn’t fulfill his campaign promises.
Used to live in Maine. Now in Illinois. Sent $$ to his campaign. We all have histories. I just want to hear remorse and a promise to do the right thing. We will hold him to task.
Thank you, Qasim for addressing this. We need many like you addressing the blatant hypocrisy, distortion of facts that will be coming our way as we approach the mid-terms. I cannot thank you enough!
Bravo, Qasim!! Your analysis lays bare the hypocrisy, corruption, and naked power politics behind mainstream political posturing about the senate race in Maine. If only there were more commentators as principled and focused as you.
This is excellent! And so thorough. Thank you so much, Qasim. This post reminds me why I am a paid subscriber and I’m so glad you mentioned Shay Stewart-Bouley as I follow her also as a paid subscriber I hope others well as well if they’re not already. And finally thank you so much for calling out Susan Collins and David Brooks as well for their incredible hypocrisy!
I am far from sold on Platter, but the man could fly a Nazi flag and expose himself to little girls and the MSM would be fine with that, as longas he had the right attitudes towards Israel and the oligarchy.
Thank you Qasim. This is the clear reporting that everyone needs to hear. John McCain also had serious PTSD after retuning from prison in VietNam. He was roundly condemed for his sexual misconduct, while married, and was later the upright and moral GOP's presidenial contender. Neither man created the situation that caused their PTSD, but each, as many others did, behaved in a manner they would come to regret, as a consequence. If there is anyone to blame, let it be the ones who caused those illeagal wars to happen in the first place.
This is not an election battle like we've ever fought before. It won't be as simple as winning the Midterms. As we've seen with Sherrill and Spanberger, candidates win then fall-in in the legacy politician column. It's going to take candidates with the guts and staying power to turn things around. The system that is devouring us right now has been in place and building for a long time! We have to rely on independent journalists, like you, Qasim, to inform us. Mainstream media is completely beholden to the system that is eating us alive. "Fact checking" means nothing when the words they choose to use are the language of propaganda. We're going to be in the trenches a long time--be warned Sherrills and Spanbergers.
I love you and your fine brain and heart, Qasim, but I find your take on Platner really upsetting. He has apologized? Really? When are men gonna wake up and realize that an apology does not undo the harm they’ve done and that repair involves more than spouting a few empty words of regret. I implore you to listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/live/MDXOD2kbvGw?si=4EJ7lCyUWQc09uZN
Violence against women is never appropriate. I am going to give Platner some grace and consider his PTSD and his apology. Corporate Dems want to destroy him because of his progressive polotics--just as they went out of their way to ignore NYC Mayor Mamdani during the campaign.
I am sorry you were in a situation that caused PTSD. I don't know very much about PTSD. I searched the website of Cleveland Clinic. (I live outside of Cleveland and know many people who are patients at CC.). According to that website PTSD can result in "excessive reactivity to negative emotional stimuli with anger and aggressive behavior." Is it possible that PTSD can present differently in people? In your case it made you more compassionate. In Platner's case it resulted in anger and aggressive behavior?
I’m curious about those of you denouncing Platner due to the Nazi tattoo. Did you know that a black skull and crossbones was worn by some Nazi troops? I didn’t. I’ve read many books about the horrors of the Nazi era, watched many documentaries and films, but never knew that a black skull was associated with the Nazis. I’m guessing I’m not the only one. I find it entirely believable that a soldier on leave with his friends could get this tattoo and not know it was a Nazi symbol. In a recent interview, the Jewish political analyst/filmmaker David Sirota said that he scoured Platner’s social media and background and didn’t find a hint of Nazism. If he had, he would oppose Platner, but instead, supports him.
I'm desperately hoping that important independent media will recognize two very real, very progressive candidates in Mississippi, of all places. We get pennies from the DNC, if that much, yet Democratic candidates have done progressively better in each successive election cycle of recent years. Scott Colom, who has won his primary and is facing invisible Trump-kissing Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Cliff Johnson, who has won his primary and is facing the equally invisible Trump-stamp Representative Trent Kelly, deserve support. We're working hard on the ground level, but some national recognition would be amazing.
Sigh. I really don’t want to wade into this, but I’m going to. Everything you say is on point, Qasim. The Democrats want perfect candidates. Platner has lots of problems, and I would prefer that he were not the candidate. He is, however. This is the same bullshit as saying you’re not going to vote for Democrats because AIPAC, etc. I’m an Independent now, despite having voted for Democrats my entire life. As disappointed and infuriated as I am with corporate Democrats, I will still vote for whomever the Democratic Party runs. Do I wish it were different? Do I wish that the Democrats had consolidated behind one candidate for the California governorship? Does the fact that Democrats never seem to be able to organize or get on a winning message infuriate me? Yes, of course.
Here’s the thing, though: as you often say: the Republicans are obviously a lost cause. They’ve gone full fascist. I think they always were. They just hit it better. The Democratic Party is deeply flawed. But saying the parties are the same isn’t true. Part of the reason we’re in the position we are is so many Democrats stayed home because of “genocide Joe.“ Obviously, what’s happening in Gaza’s genocide. We have genocide happening in this country. Concentration camps, anyone? I grew up outside the country and I’ve lived outside the country as an adult. The US has never been exceptional and it’s no shining city on the hill. It’s an imperialist, fucked up country. Most Americans have no idea that the US has meddled in and or overthrown the governments of foreign countries since forever. Unfortunately, I’m it’s my home, which is partly why I returned to the US in 2023.
Just to be clear, I’ve been a feminist since the early 80s, when I was in my 20s. I consider myself a Democratic socialist. I love the patriarchy and fight against it. Every chance I get. I stand up for trans people. I am not straight, although I am cis-appearing and white, which gives me great privilege. I don’t minimize the things that Platner has reportedly done. But as he said talking to Mika, and I can’t stand Morning, Joe, does any of this equate with the man we have sitting in the oval office? His cabinet? The three evil men destroying the world? The purity tests on the part of the Democrats is exhausting.
As you’ve said many times, we will wait to see what he does. And be ready to criticize him if he doesn’t fulfill his campaign promises.
Used to live in Maine. Now in Illinois. Sent $$ to his campaign. We all have histories. I just want to hear remorse and a promise to do the right thing. We will hold him to task.
Thank you, Qasim for addressing this. We need many like you addressing the blatant hypocrisy, distortion of facts that will be coming our way as we approach the mid-terms. I cannot thank you enough!
I hope every election that brings dems to take rape-uplicans seats gives them the headaches and stomachache that we get from them.
Bravo, Qasim!! Your analysis lays bare the hypocrisy, corruption, and naked power politics behind mainstream political posturing about the senate race in Maine. If only there were more commentators as principled and focused as you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, the hypocrisy in the Republican Party is mind blowing.
Awesome that you recognized Shay Stewart-Bouley who writes from an island in Maine, I hope she continues to be a voice for us in New England.
This is excellent! And so thorough. Thank you so much, Qasim. This post reminds me why I am a paid subscriber and I’m so glad you mentioned Shay Stewart-Bouley as I follow her also as a paid subscriber I hope others well as well if they’re not already. And finally thank you so much for calling out Susan Collins and David Brooks as well for their incredible hypocrisy!
I am far from sold on Platter, but the man could fly a Nazi flag and expose himself to little girls and the MSM would be fine with that, as longas he had the right attitudes towards Israel and the oligarchy.
Thank you Qasim. This is the clear reporting that everyone needs to hear. John McCain also had serious PTSD after retuning from prison in VietNam. He was roundly condemed for his sexual misconduct, while married, and was later the upright and moral GOP's presidenial contender. Neither man created the situation that caused their PTSD, but each, as many others did, behaved in a manner they would come to regret, as a consequence. If there is anyone to blame, let it be the ones who caused those illeagal wars to happen in the first place.
This is not an election battle like we've ever fought before. It won't be as simple as winning the Midterms. As we've seen with Sherrill and Spanberger, candidates win then fall-in in the legacy politician column. It's going to take candidates with the guts and staying power to turn things around. The system that is devouring us right now has been in place and building for a long time! We have to rely on independent journalists, like you, Qasim, to inform us. Mainstream media is completely beholden to the system that is eating us alive. "Fact checking" means nothing when the words they choose to use are the language of propaganda. We're going to be in the trenches a long time--be warned Sherrills and Spanbergers.
Very disappointed that Alexander Vindman accepts AIPAC money. Guess he doesn't need any more of mine.
This is why I am a subscriber. Wish this country had more like you.
Go Graham Platner!
I love you and your fine brain and heart, Qasim, but I find your take on Platner really upsetting. He has apologized? Really? When are men gonna wake up and realize that an apology does not undo the harm they’ve done and that repair involves more than spouting a few empty words of regret. I implore you to listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/live/MDXOD2kbvGw?si=4EJ7lCyUWQc09uZN
Violence against women is never appropriate. I am going to give Platner some grace and consider his PTSD and his apology. Corporate Dems want to destroy him because of his progressive polotics--just as they went out of their way to ignore NYC Mayor Mamdani during the campaign.
Ptsd does not make you a racist or a misogynist. I have ptsd. It's only made me more compassionate, not less. This is toxic masculinity
I am sorry you were in a situation that caused PTSD. I don't know very much about PTSD. I searched the website of Cleveland Clinic. (I live outside of Cleveland and know many people who are patients at CC.). According to that website PTSD can result in "excessive reactivity to negative emotional stimuli with anger and aggressive behavior." Is it possible that PTSD can present differently in people? In your case it made you more compassionate. In Platner's case it resulted in anger and aggressive behavior?
I’m curious about those of you denouncing Platner due to the Nazi tattoo. Did you know that a black skull and crossbones was worn by some Nazi troops? I didn’t. I’ve read many books about the horrors of the Nazi era, watched many documentaries and films, but never knew that a black skull was associated with the Nazis. I’m guessing I’m not the only one. I find it entirely believable that a soldier on leave with his friends could get this tattoo and not know it was a Nazi symbol. In a recent interview, the Jewish political analyst/filmmaker David Sirota said that he scoured Platner’s social media and background and didn’t find a hint of Nazism. If he had, he would oppose Platner, but instead, supports him.
This 👆
I'm desperately hoping that important independent media will recognize two very real, very progressive candidates in Mississippi, of all places. We get pennies from the DNC, if that much, yet Democratic candidates have done progressively better in each successive election cycle of recent years. Scott Colom, who has won his primary and is facing invisible Trump-kissing Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Cliff Johnson, who has won his primary and is facing the equally invisible Trump-stamp Representative Trent Kelly, deserve support. We're working hard on the ground level, but some national recognition would be amazing.