I think we all know that if Biden had a lavish birthday celebration this exact same schmuck with the New York Times would be complaining that it’s insensitive to throw a wild party what with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Yep. Sadly, the old adage about good news is no news at all is true, at least in the practice of modern journalism. Tapping into people’s negative emotions and grievances evidently is proven to be more effective than inspiring hope. Fox News is the extreme example, the National Inquirer of the cable tv era. Information need not be true, it simply must provoke people. For some odd reason, people like being provoked. Fox is an obvious example, but the msm does it too. They don’t simply report what Biden did on his 81st bday. They talk about how somber the day must be, and how subdued his celebration is. And I agree, if he had thrown a party, it would have been criticized as being inappropriate for the moment, as wars rage in Ukraine and Israel and Americans are worried about $90 turkeys and their kids reading books about diversity.
Or they'd spin it as some sort of "whistling past the graveyard" thing -- "Biden Throws Celebration to Distract Voters from Age Concerns -- Will It Backfire?"
I have come to expect the New York Times to show its reactionary conservative side. That is why I cancelled my subscription. I would do it again. The Washington Post shares in my distaste as well. The papers job is to tell us the news. If they want to do commentary, that is what the Opinion section is made for. Of course, there is always that old saw, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink." A few years ago, my favorite retort to idiots was, "Eat shit, fuck off and die." It must be time to bring that moldy oldie back.
I'm headed to 80 at the end of this year. I am ever surprised when I realize that now I have to remember that I am in that elderly "high risk" category. When our 100 year old next door neighbor passed, suddenly we were the elderly folks you should check on in bad storms.
Yeah, I know it isn't 81, but I celebrated my 67th birthday on Sunday by running a cross-country 5K and coming in 4th in my division. Don't tell me jack shit about inevitable decline. Age is a number.
Leave it to the NYT to clue us in that 81 is a milestone birthday! Here I thought it was 16, 21, 25, 30, 50- I guess 81 is the new 16? Biden’s age isn’t lost on anyone and it’s not like Trump is some spry 46 year old. They need to stop trying to make fetch happen and cover Mar A Lago Mussolini a bit more carefully. Or just do what Medias Touch does. Show a split screen of public statements made by Biden with those made by Trump. Then let the viewers decide. It’s better than their pretending to be impartial while writing a news narrative that skews rightwing.
Peter Baker is desperately jonesing for a Fascist Daddy to come and thrill him with all the fascist trappings of performative cruelty and spank him like the bad boy he desperately wishes he was.
What he doesn't know is he'll also end up hanging by his thumbs in a trump gestapo black site until he gets the one-way helicopter ride.
Yeah, and isn’t it funny how a dude who hasn’t asked President Biden question number one about his birthday plans is so chock full of information? Someone in the newsroom, please slap a KICK ME sign on Peter Baker’s back.
Any year after about 30 that doesn't end in 0 or (in some but not all decades) 5 is what I call a math birthday, because the number is so intrinsically unmemorable that I have to figure out the answer every time someone asks my age.
People always seem weirded-out that I have to think about my age when asked. I've contemplated counting on my fingers, just for extra effect. I'm not even 50 yet.
First of all, Peter Baker suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks -
Second of all, please people, stop putting Peter Baker on my TV-
Third of all, the Insta pic of Biden with his birthday cake almost consumed in fire was hilarious in the very best way. I'm thrilled to vote for the guy again.
I have been far healthier, happier, and more effective in my 50s and 60s than ever before. As G. B. Shaw said once: "Youth is wasted on the young."
Biden may be like that man old man driving the sedan slowly in the fast lane with a blinker on, but he’s driving in the right direction.
Next November will be a test of intelligence and true patriotism.
Oh, FFS. Ta, Stephen. I. Just. Can't.
I think we all know that if Biden had a lavish birthday celebration this exact same schmuck with the New York Times would be complaining that it’s insensitive to throw a wild party what with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Yep. Sadly, the old adage about good news is no news at all is true, at least in the practice of modern journalism. Tapping into people’s negative emotions and grievances evidently is proven to be more effective than inspiring hope. Fox News is the extreme example, the National Inquirer of the cable tv era. Information need not be true, it simply must provoke people. For some odd reason, people like being provoked. Fox is an obvious example, but the msm does it too. They don’t simply report what Biden did on his 81st bday. They talk about how somber the day must be, and how subdued his celebration is. And I agree, if he had thrown a party, it would have been criticized as being inappropriate for the moment, as wars rage in Ukraine and Israel and Americans are worried about $90 turkeys and their kids reading books about diversity.
Fuckin' A, Bubba!
Or they'd spin it as some sort of "whistling past the graveyard" thing -- "Biden Throws Celebration to Distract Voters from Age Concerns -- Will It Backfire?"
Guaranteed.
I have come to expect the New York Times to show its reactionary conservative side. That is why I cancelled my subscription. I would do it again. The Washington Post shares in my distaste as well. The papers job is to tell us the news. If they want to do commentary, that is what the Opinion section is made for. Of course, there is always that old saw, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink." A few years ago, my favorite retort to idiots was, "Eat shit, fuck off and die." It must be time to bring that moldy oldie back.
“Hello, Times? I’d like to cancel my subscription please.”
“Sir, we do not have a subscription on record for you.”
“Is it necessary for me to have a subscription in order to cancel it?”
Schrödinger's Customer Service
Making it to 81 is something not so many younger people may accomplish, mortality rates are increasing among younger people. Who are the smart ones?
I'm headed to 80 at the end of this year. I am ever surprised when I realize that now I have to remember that I am in that elderly "high risk" category. When our 100 year old next door neighbor passed, suddenly we were the elderly folks you should check on in bad storms.
Yeah, I know it isn't 81, but I celebrated my 67th birthday on Sunday by running a cross-country 5K and coming in 4th in my division. Don't tell me jack shit about inevitable decline. Age is a number.
Leave it to the NYT to clue us in that 81 is a milestone birthday! Here I thought it was 16, 21, 25, 30, 50- I guess 81 is the new 16? Biden’s age isn’t lost on anyone and it’s not like Trump is some spry 46 year old. They need to stop trying to make fetch happen and cover Mar A Lago Mussolini a bit more carefully. Or just do what Medias Touch does. Show a split screen of public statements made by Biden with those made by Trump. Then let the viewers decide. It’s better than their pretending to be impartial while writing a news narrative that skews rightwing.
Peter Baker is desperately jonesing for a Fascist Daddy to come and thrill him with all the fascist trappings of performative cruelty and spank him like the bad boy he desperately wishes he was.
What he doesn't know is he'll also end up hanging by his thumbs in a trump gestapo black site until he gets the one-way helicopter ride.
Yeah, and isn’t it funny how a dude who hasn’t asked President Biden question number one about his birthday plans is so chock full of information? Someone in the newsroom, please slap a KICK ME sign on Peter Baker’s back.
if biden threw a massive party NYT would be all 'he's in denial about being old'
Fuck the NYT, they just have a negative view on birthdays because I refuse to bake them a birthday cake as a matter of principle.
Good on you, Cakes! Also, I'm making a Yule Log for Turkey day- My first!!!!
Well done you. Be very careful rolling it, those things can be tricky. I wish you every success and hope you'll post pics of your finished creation.
Sadly the cake came out dry and cracked - the cream inside and the ganache were perfect though. So ugly, but tasty
Sounds like it might have been over-baked. Those kind of sponges are tricky, don't give up trying because eventually you will master it.
OHJB is more than nine years older than I am. I sincerely hope, and expect him to outlive me.
I turned 81 once. But then I got better.
Any year after about 30 that doesn't end in 0 or (in some but not all decades) 5 is what I call a math birthday, because the number is so intrinsically unmemorable that I have to figure out the answer every time someone asks my age.
People always seem weirded-out that I have to think about my age when asked. I've contemplated counting on my fingers, just for extra effect. I'm not even 50 yet.
I was saying I was 40 years before. I'm sure I'll do the same at 45, 50, etc.
Just as long as you stop at the fingers, or at least the toes. Something I learned on my 21st birthday.
He should want A PAWADE!!
Wif tanks!
First of all, Peter Baker suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks -
Second of all, please people, stop putting Peter Baker on my TV-
Third of all, the Insta pic of Biden with his birthday cake almost consumed in fire was hilarious in the very best way. I'm thrilled to vote for the guy again.
I. Love. Him. He's had such an astonishing career and I wish his PR would emphasize that more. Best President in my lifetime (I'm 58.)
P.S. What is Peter Baker?
I'm 65 and the same. By far the best.