There's not much new to add here, since I'm said most of it twice, the last two days. But it bears finishing the tale in full as a trilogy. And so, to wrap things up -- yesterday, the chairman of NBC News Cesar Conde announced that Ronna Romney McDaniel would not be coming to NBC or MSNBC as a paid contributor. This is the note that Conde sent to the staff: Hey all, It's a very good, important action to take -- and gracious for taking full responsibility, even two others were the ones who pushed the matter for reasons unknown to Man, however I find the letter a touch disingenuous. It's when he writes -- "Our initial decision was made because of our deep commitment to presenting our audiences with a widely diverse set of viewpoints and experiences, particularly during these consequential times." The issue with former RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel was never about a "widely diverse set of viewpoints." After all, MSNBC already has a former RNC chair on staff, Michael Steele, who even has his own show. And has a former Republican White House Press Secretary, Nicolle Wallace, who not only has her own show, but has the only single-host show that runs two hours. And they have paid contributors who include former Republican governor John Kasich, active conservative journalist Charlie Sykes, active GOP operative Tim Miller and several others, including Republican strategist Susan Del Percio. That's a pretty widely diverse set of viewpoints for what is seen as a left-leaning news organization. (Granted, this is MSNBC, rather than NBC, but they overlap and all reporters are available between the two.) At issue is that Ronna Romney McDaniel, who is so heavily a Trump enabler that she liberally changed her name to be acceptable to him, is so involved with supporting the Insurrection to overthrow the U.S. government that she is at risk of being an indicted co-conspirator, having (among other things) been caught on tape with Trump trying to pressure Michigan Republican officials to not certify the state's legal election results, and referenced in two criminals indictments. That is the issue. And it is not someone you want on a news team. At least if the standard you're going for is honesty and, y'know, supporting democracy. Many on the far-right yesterday, and even some misguided others bending over backwards so ridiculously far that their noses nearly touch the ground, tried to position NBC's decision as cowardice, afraid of having "different voices" on the air. But as noted, "different voices" is not a problem on MSNBC and its parent NBC. (Especially, and laughably, when compared to the dittohead voices of the Stations of Choice for the far right -- Fox, Newsmax, and OAN, where even if you're a Republican, but dare be a moderate, you are at risk of being painted a RINO, not a Republican at all but a Republican in Name Only.) So, no, despite the efforts to make it seem other than reality -- which is a core trait of the Republican base these days -- the issue was one thing, and one thing only: Ronna Romney McDaniel was in the center of efforts to undermine democracy and overthrow the government, helping Trump pressure state officials to refuse to certify a legal election and push the Insurrection forward. All the while lying repeatedly and demeaning journalists, at the behest of her leader putting them in physical danger by calling them "the Enemy of the People" for doing their jobs pursing stories honestly. And now, Ms. McDaniel has every right to continue doing that. She just won't be doing it on NBC or MSNBC as a paid contributor. Whether or not she gets indicted, that's up to the Department of Justice. And just for fun, we'll add an addendum -- because after all this comes the report that Ronna Romney McDaniel says she may sue those she insists "defamed" her and have caused her mental distress. I am sure there are already lawyers lining up who would dearly love to do a deposition and cross-examine her on the stand under oath. Most especially about the statements she insists "defamed" her about how she pressured state officials with Trump to not certify legal election results (exchanges that are recorded and referenced in two criminal indictments), and ask her further about other conversations and meetings she had with Trump and his team, to support the claims that those she would be suing accurately made about her. Pro Tip: If you don't want to have mental distress, don't help enable an Insurrection and try to overthrow the government.
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For the finale, we have one more of the better “Strike Force Five” podcasts. They were all wonderful, but a handful stood-out, and this is one of them. It's a fine way to go out. For those new to Strike Force Five, the five hosts of talk shows – Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver – teamed up during the recent Writers Guild strike to do a weekly podcast. The point was to raise money for each of their staffs. As I’ve mentioned with the others I’ve posted, what stands out from the podcasts is how much the hosts seem to truly like and respect the others – though being comedians have no trouble ridiculing the others, at times mercilessly, including relentlessly bringing up past derision from previous weeks, not letting foolish misdeeds be forgotten. And that’s precisely where this fits it. The first of the podcasts I posted was when Jimmy Fallon hosted and decided to try to turn it into a sort of Newlywed Game-type episode, having asked question of the host’s wives, and seeing how their husbands’ answered matched up. The problem was that he kept repeatedly screwing up the questions and games so horribly, that the show went far off the rails. And he was so mercilessly ridiculed by the other hosts that he never had a chance to finish all the questions. This is the long-awaited sequel to that. (And I mean that literally. As they discuss at the beginning of the episode, the most email that the show received – and personal comments the hosts each got from others – the most-asked question…by far…was when would they be doing the Fallon follow-up. This is Episode 11, what they call “The Return of Strike Force Wives.” The WGA strike is over at this point, but the hosts felt they still had some unfished business to clear up, and so did three final ones. This is the penultimate. And if it isn’t as screwed up as the first Fallon attempt at a Newlywed-type game, that’s only because the bar was set so impossibly high – and it’s still great fun. I can’t embed the podcast – it was done for Spotify – but here's a link to the episode on the Strike Force Five website. If you didn't hear the original "Strike Force Five Wives" episode that preceded this and sets it up, I heartily recommend listening to it first. It's just too funny. You can find it here. This Episode 11 follow-up stands fine on its own, but the two together are a special joy. I was quite taken by all the MSNBC hosts yesterday -- every one of them -- doing blunt, excoriating segments lambasting their bosses at NBC for the disastrous decision to hire Ronna Romney McDaniel to a contract for commentary.
Starting with Morning Joe making clear that they would not have Ms. McDaniel on their show, including Rachel Maddow telling the story about how the MSNBC president Rashida Jones (no, not the actress...) backed down from her initial support of the hiring decision to sending an internal memo stating pointedly that MSNBC has no plans to have McDaniel on the channel and making clear that the former RNC chair will not be contributing. A point that Maddow reiterated bluntly, saying "Ronna McDaniel will not be on MSNBC. Which she repeated to make it absolutely clear -- "Ronna McDaniel will not be on MSNBC. And I say that and give you that level of detail because there has been an effort since by other parts of the company to muddy that up in the press and make it seem like that’s not what happened at MSNBC." Maddow added, "The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News, to me that is inexplicable. You wouldn't hire, like, a 'wise guy,' you wouldn't hire a 'made man,' like a mobster to work at a DA's office, right? You wouldn't hire a pickpocket to work as a TSA screener. And so I find the decision to put her on the payroll inexplicable and I hope they will reverse that decision." Lest my quoting Rachel Maddow obscure the point, every MSNBC host yesterday made the same point, from early through through The 11th Hour with Stephanie Rule. Of course, for the moment, McDaniel remains available to appear as a paid commentator on NBC, which has a much bigger audience than MSNBC. Though NBC has significantly less air time available. Rather than the 19 hours for MSNBC each weekday, NBC only has 30 minutes. And it's hard to see spots for McDaniel to fit on there very much. Though any time is too much. Of course, what would be the problematic Law of Unintended Consequences for Ms. McDaniel is if she has her NBC contract, cannot appear on any other network, and pretty much never -- or never -- gets on the air at NBC. Since "never" now appears to be the schedule for her at MSNBC. That said, even if she never gets on the air, it's a horrible look for NBC, just the mere act of giving Ronna Romney McDaniel a contract, since it sends a ghastly message to liars, fascist enablers and Insurrectionists at risk of indictment that you can be rewarded for your actions. And sends a terrible message to viewers about NBC commitment to tough, honest journalism. But at least not putting McDaniel on the air would be some solace. Greater solace would be if, indeed, NBC reverses its decision and parts ways with McDaniel. There has been a bit of pushback from some sources -- most of them Republican, though a few, surprisingly (and unfortunately) from a few new sources who seem to miss the point that for seven years Ronna Romney McDaniel has been excoriating them and supporting Trump who calls the "the enemy of the people." But what they all miss is the larger point -- This isn't about having "other voices" on the air. After all, MSNBC has a former RNC chair (just like McDaniel) under contract and even gave Michael Steele his own show. And has a former Republican White House Press Secretary under contract and gave Nicolle Wallace the only two-hour, single-host show on the network. And has a former Republican governor as a paid contributor, and Republican operatives paid as contributors. That's not the point -- The point is that for seven years, Ronna Romney McDaniel has enabled a fascist leader who attempted to overthrow the government and who herself is referenced in court indictments for pushing that effort to overthrow democracy by pressuring state officials not to certify the legal election and is at risk of indictment as a co-conspirator. So, again, great for every MSNBC host yesterday for pushing back on her hiring. For that reason. And more. Although the movies and plays that Mike Nichols and Elaine May directed, wrote or acted in separately -- and even on occasion, together -- are what they're likely best-known for among the largest part of today's audience, it's their time together as comedy team that began their fame, including an acclaimed Broadway production. This is on the list of among my favorite Nichols & May sketches, and may have been the first one of theirs that I ever saw. I don’t think it gets seen (or heard) as much of their other classic pieces. In some ways, it’s a precursor to Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine telephone operator character. Here’s it’s Nichols is trying to make an important call on a pay phone (which were then far more prevalent than today…), but has to call the Bell Telephone company operator to resolve an issue. It’s not just that the sketch is so funny – and filled with such angst for a comedy sketch – but the acting of each is seriously impressive for a comedy sketch. (It’s worth noting that the two actually starred in a 1980 limited-run production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the respected Long Wharf Theater, to rave reviews -- and May won a Tony Award in 2019 for Best Actress in a Play, The Waverly Gallery. And in 1996, Nichols starred in Wallace Shawn’s play, The Designated Mourner, in a limited run in London, to rave reviews.) For reasons unknown to Man, NBC News and MSNBC have hired former RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDanniel as a commentator. And no, this is not a parody article from The Onion. This is real, and it’s hard to imagine what NBC is thinking. The obvious attempt at an answer answer is that, her being a former RNC chair, this supposedly adds important and valuable substance to the network. Except that’s no answer. After all, MSNBC already has a former RNC chair on their staff, and Michael Steele not only does a solid job, but they even gave him his own show. And MSNBC also has a former Republican White House Press Secretary -- and not only gave Nicolle Wallace her own show, as well, but they even expanded to two hours daily, the only single-host show on their weekday schedule that long. And two regular MSNBC analysts are conservative journalist Charlie Sykes and conservative operative Tim Miller. All of them give significant insider analysis of today’s Republican Party. MSNBC even has former GOP Governor John Kasich on staff as an analyst. So, not only does NBC not need another Republican analyst – let alone show host – and not need another former RNC chair, but they absolutely don't need someone who enabled Trump and his fascism so much that Ronna (“Don’t call me Romney”) McDaniel literally changed her name for him! Even more to the point, no credible news organization needs to hire someone who very possibly could be indicted as a co-conspirator for Jan. 6 Insurrection to overthrow democracy. And no, that's not just me voicing a baseless opinion. Your honor, I offer Exhibit A -- The only positive part of this story is that a Wall Street Journal article says MSNBC president Rashida Jones "told employees the cable network has no plans to have McDaniel on the channel." This came about after MSNBC anchors and producers voiced concern. Though good for MSNBC, assuming this policy holds (and though there’s no reason to doubt it won’t, though no reason to doubt it will, it’s just wait-and-see) there is no similar disclaimer from the larger, more-watched parent division of NBC News. There are so many horrible problems with this “What on Earth were they thinking???) decision. But high on the list, even beyond credibility, is that when you reward someone who enabled Trump and his fascism so much that she changed her name for him – not to mention made phone calls with Trump to pressure Republican officials in Michigan not to certify the state’s election results -- it only encourages others, knowing there is a major $300,000 payday waiting for them to legitimize their actions. Do not expect one whiff of honesty on behalf of democracy from Ronna (Romney [sic]) McDaniel. That wasn’t her brand running the RNC, there’s no reason to expect her to change what’s worked for her now. When she appears in any segments on NBC News, I will be switching away when it is on the air. If it turns out that she does end up on MSNBC, the same holds. In fact, from all that I’ve been reading of the unbelieving outrage on social media, I’m far from alone. Indeed, some people have even written off the two channels until this disastrous hire is reversed. A friend wrote to me wondering if McDaniel is “ready to come over from the dark side?" I was surprised and disappointed by the naivety of the question, since he is a smart, insightful person, to whom “naïve” would never be ascribed. No, I don’t believe for one second that Ronna (Romney [sic]) McDaniel is planning to come over from the dark side. She has much, much, much too much personally invested in defending herself and her actions for the past seven years. You don’t suddenly flip 180-degrees overnight and say, “Erp, y’know, I was wrong enabling fascism for seven years and trying to overthrow democracy and the government, and should never have changed my name to appease Trump. Boy, was that stupid!!” Even if every rare while she said, “Well, on occasion, maybe Republicans possibly were somewhat a bit wrong on this point,” that would be meaningless, since it would overlook all the time she spent supporting fascism, lying and supporting the Jan. 6 Insurrection, to the degree of being at risk of indictment. Even if she spent 80% of her time on NBC criticizing GOP criminal actions and efforts against democracy, it still would leave enabling Trump and fascism 20% of the time. Which is 20% too much. Defending Trump and fascism to any degree is like being “only a little pregnant.” You refute fascism and you refute the racist, congenital lying, anti-Semitic, adjudicated rapist, adjudicated business fraud, malignant narcissist Trump, period, full stop, because otherwise you leave your support open, and allow it to fester, grown and infect. It’s like putting a bandage on someone’s broken arm and saying you fixed the problem. People don’t change what they’ve invested their life to, 180-degrees overnight – especially for something so devil” and dishonest. That’s something that takes many years of soul searching and introspection – or being in prison and having nothing to so all day but think, “Oh, my God, what have I done to my life?????!!” And then begin weeping uncontrollably. To think maybe, possibly, she will suddenly come over from the dark side overnight is having one’s “being polite” gene malfunctioning, And worse, this isn't just someone who enabled and defended Trump for seven years -- but someone who is at risk of being indicted as a con-conspirator for trying to overthrow the government, being caught on a recording with Trump trying to pressure the Republican chair in Michigan and another member of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers not to certify the results there. If she had even a whiff of thinking she’d should “come over from the dark side,” her first stop would be to knock on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office to be a cooperating witness and save herself from jail time. Not go on TV to admit her crimes. And this is who MSNBC hired as a commentator!! More to the point, if anyone had just the slight question whether Ronna (Romney [sic]) McDaniel might possibly “come over from the dark side,” all they need do is check out her appearance yesterday as a guest on Meet the Press. Come over from the dark side?? Oh, heavens, please. McDaniel wouldn't even acknowledge that President Biden won "fair and square," the best she could offer was only that the results were "certified." Worse, she then said “I must push back” and insisted there was on “uncertainty” about the results – sure there was, because Trump and his enablers lied to Republicans about it, and because she herself pressured state officials with Trump not to certify official results!! – adding that we must all agree that elections should be safe. Well…they are safe! Trump’s team tried to prove otherwise, and lost 60 court cases. Trump’s own head of election security told him directly how safe the election was. And Trump fired him. And she was just getting warmed up. There was this following exchange with host Kristin Welker – McDANIEL: Voters right now in this country are going to be making a choice is November, and they don’t care about 2020. WELKER: A lot of people say that it’s fundamental to our country’s democracy. McDANIEL: I think they’re thinking about inflation, the border, crime… Let that sink in a moment: McDaniel just totally dismisses Jan 6! Literally says the public “doesn’t care” about the Insurrection, storming the U.S. Capitol, about the violence, the deaths, the beating of police, the noose for vice president Pence, and about Trump and his conspirators, including herself, trying to overthrow the government!! Yet even at this, even putting aside the Insurrection to overthrow democracy as if it was unimportant, she goes into her default Lying Mode and tries to flim-flam viewers into ignoring the reality that inflation is down (in fact, lowest in the world), crime is down (in murders, violent crime and home crime), and House Republicans voted down a border bill. As she pushes the GOP lie. And this not even Day One yet, she’s just there on NBC as a…"guest". Following her appearance on "Meet the Press," Lynn Cheney posted a tweet which said, "Ronna facilitated Trump’s corrupt fake elector plot & his effort to pressure MI officials not to certify the legitimate election outcome. She spread his lies & called 1/6 'legitimate political discourse'” That’s not 'taking one for the team.' It’s enabling criminality & depravity. " Come over from the dark side??! Ms. McDaniel is like a possum. She’s a nocturnal animal. She lives on the dark side. And she’s already burrowing deeper to avoid the light. Ronna (Romney [sic]) McDaniel is an enabler and defender of fascism, who has regularly lied for seven years, pressured state officials not to certify the election at risk of being indicted as a co-conspirator, and bent over backwards so far for Trump that she changed her name for him. And the powers that be at NBC News, for reasons that are both inexplicable and reprehensible -- apparently blissfully unaware about her history defending fascism, lying and participating in the Insurrection -- because being aware and just not caring would be (even before the history of democracy in the United States is written) irresponsibly too pathetic... -- hired her as an analyst. From the archives. This week, the contestant is Joseph Gewirtz of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For the longest time, while I could tell where the hidden song was, I just couldn't nail it -- and then finally did. (It was quite clear, needless to say, when later played a second time.) My guess for the composer style was not only one of Mr. Gewirtz's guesses, but was born the same year as the composer who was the correct answer, and also the same year of a third even-more renowned composer. And all three wrote in somewhat the same style. The correct answer though is the least-famous of the three.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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