Waze tells me I’m 1,438 miles from Austin, Texas, a drive that would take me 23 hours and 24 minutes. That distance won’t stop me from offering an opinion on the likelihood of James Talarico being the first Democrat from Texas to be elected to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen (“I knew Jack Kennedy…”). His willingness to wear his religion on his sleeve, often a turn-off for Democrats when Republicans do it, is now a significant asset especially in the minds of Hispanic voters, which will offset concerns among Independents when Republicans uncover past statements that portray him as just another Beto O’Rourke. (No BS: A chyron that just flashed on Fox News literally as I am typing said something about Talarico believing there are 6 genders, so it begins.) The only thing I know for sure is that this race will set $$$ records.
Secretary Hegseth’s Wednesday comments about the press only wanting to make the President look bad, and the exchange it then precipitated between Caroline Levitt and Kaitlan Collins, has only heightened my interest in the dignified transfer of remains for those we have lost so far in the war in Iran and the Middle East. My refresher on the history of media access in Dover (notwithstanding that Google Gemini gave me some alarming, bogus information) reminds of how years post 9/11, the public access was blocked. This gives rise to today’s poll question: Who should determine media access to the Dignified Transfer of remains at Dover, DE: families of the fallen or the press?”
We still don’t have a clear answer as to whether Israel forced American action against Iran, as Secretary Rubio said Monday on Capitol Hill, which was contradicted on Tuesday by the President and then walked-back by Rubio himself. The idea that the U.S. would have let Israel call this shot is troublesome, but the larger danger is the way it will be used to further a trope that fosters anti-semitism.
Still unclear to me is what the Iranian people are thinking after last Saturday. Which is why I want to see the attendance at Khamenei’s funeral…assuming there ever is one. Presumably, the Iranians, like we Americans, want to know if there is a legitimate plan for their future.
The only thing worse than the Pentagon using artificial intelligence is the Pentagon not using AI.
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