Madman theory, AI haggis, Elon has your number
February 3, 2025
David M. Shribman wrote in the Sunday Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Donald Trump is employing Richard Nixon's madman theory of foreign policy. Nixon wanted to make countries think he was irrational and volatile, so that they would avoid provoking the U.S. in fear of an unpredictable response.
A strong case can be made that Trump is currently employing the madman theory domestically as well.
Of course, the problem is he isn’t pretending.
Steve Bannon: The opposition party is the media. And the media can only, because they’re dumb and they’re lazy, they can only focus on one thing at a time. …
All we have to do is flood the zone. Every day we hit them with three things. They’ll bite on one, and we’ll get all of our stuff done. Bang, bang, bang. These guys will never — will never be able to recover. But we’ve got to start with muzzle velocity. So it’s got to start, and it’s got to hammer, and it’s got to —
Michael Kirk: What was the word?
Bannon: Muzzle velocity.
"What Trump wants you to see in all this activity is command. What is really in all this activity is chaos. " (New York Times gift article.)
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, but the mutant rodent leaves a lot to be desired as a weather forecaster. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association crunched the numbers, and over the past 20 years, Phil has been correct only 35 percent of the time, tying him with Michigan’s Woodie the Woodchuck but ahead of Nevada’s Mojave Max (25%), who is actually a tortoise. Still, none of the other pretenders to the throne have had a Bill Murray movie featuring them. And Phil’s been around since 1887, so he’s the OG .
Scotland tourists pranked by AI generated “haggis”.
(Click photo)
Trump Tariff Fallout
Trump’s trade war among allies triggers retaliation from Canada and Mexico
Canadian PM candidate calls Trump tariffs ‘a betrayal of America’s closest friend’
Tariff hikes unnerve Wall Street, markets prepare for fresh jolt
Watch: Fans boo US national anthem at NHL game in Canada amid trade war
(New York Times gift article) Elon Musk’s team now has access to Treasury’s payments system.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich also responded with shock to the news: "An unelected billionaire, with no actual congressional authority or government experience, now has access to Treasury payment systems and sensitive information about millions of Americans who receive Social Security checks, tax refunds, and other payments. What could go wrong?"
Want to give your grown children a good scare? Tell them if the Republicans cut Social Security or Medicare, you’re moving in with them.
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On This Day:
Among other things, today is- in no particular order of importance- American Painters Day, Doggy Date Night, Elmo's Birthday Four Chaplains Memorial Day, International Golden Retriever Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Cordova Ice Worm Day, National Missing Persons Day, National Patient Recognition Day, National Wedding Ring Day, National Women Physicians Day, and Take a Cruise Day.
Some persons born on February 3 who said interesting things:
James A. Michener (1907), American author and philanthropist (d. 1997)
Shelley Berman (1925), American actor and comedian
Other birthdays:
Henry Heimlich (1920), discoverer of the Heimlich Maneuver (d. 2016)
Joey Bishop (1918), American actor and producer (d. 2007)
John Fiedler (1925), American actor (d. 2005)
Victor Buono (1938), American actor (d. 1982)
Melanie (1947), American singer-songwriter (d. 2024)
Morgan Fairchild (1950), American actress
Nathan Lane (1956), American actor and comedian
On this date in 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect an income tax.
On this day in 1979, "YMCA" by Village People peaked at #2 on the pop singles chart.
On this day in 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash along with the pilot near Clear Lake, Iowa, an event later known as The Day the Music Died.
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