The reckless Minneapolis killings perpetrated by ICE and Border Patrol have angered many people.
Several congressional Republicans have even spoken out publicly against these incidents!
I previously mentioned that I believed the Trump administration would go too far and the country
would then reach a tipping point.
Are we approaching the tipping point now?
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/americas-tipping-point
Comments
sadly no.
10s of millions of MAGA support trump though any crime\disaster. trump has dismissed all their concerns save for entertainment value, and doesnt need them until prison may again be a real threat.
each blue state is on its own. corporate america (e.g., minnesota HQed) is silent\neutral.
worst of all, the gop has funded too many project2025 type initiatives to be retrieved before 2028.
But, would trump win a POTUS election if it were held tomorrow? Highly unlikely IMO. And highly unlikely that he can change that dynamic by mid-terms. I suspect that more economic hardship is percolating and will continue to surface.
Definitely not true of the head rodent though... the coverage of the television establishment is just about ALL that he cares about.
They all would have lasted about one episode in "The West Wing".
One very major difference in comparing the two operating environments, though: in "The West Wing" the president has the normal "checks and balances" of a reasonably strong opposition party in Congress, and a reasonably balanced Supreme Court. The current rodent has absolutely no viable major opposition.
But in my older years with more available time I've come to admire some of the older television productions. I especially admire many of the technical aspects as well as the actors- by "technical" I don't mean the computer generated explosions and such, but the actual camerawork and directing. For example, the camera work in establishing the ambiance in the French production of the Jules Maigret detective series with Bruno Cremer is just fascinating and lovely. I've watched that entire series over and over just to immerse myself in the atmosphere, even though the plot is already well known. No explosions or car chases, and almost no gunplay.
This has led me to do a little reading of books authored by actors in a few series. And one thing there comes through loud and clear- the great admiration that actors have for each other, the profession itself, and for the huge number of supporting crafts, technicians, and people who make the whole thing work. And one other thing that I've noticed: the respect and admiration that so many actors have for other actors who have come from the stage background. That made a real impression, because many of the specific stage actors that were mentioned were also some of my favorite performance characters in the TV work.
No wonder you enjoy this stuff so much.
"And one other thing that I've noticed: the respect and admiration that so many actors have for other actors who have come from the stage background. That made a real impression, because many of the specific stage actors that were mentioned were also some of my favorite performance characters in the TV work."
Yep. Big difference. I'd think stage work more difficult and more rewarding. I do appreciate it more than film. No second chances, cuts, edits. Your bare ass in public and often several shows a week. Don't know how they do it.
Yup. Scratch a good/great British actor on BBC, & you'll frequently find Royal Shakespeare Company in their background.
Suggested edit: Two Federal Immigration Officials Fired
Shots at Alex Pretti, DHS Report SaysKristi Noem claimed Mr. Pretti brandished a gun and attacked officers which contradicts available video footage.
The Trump administration's numerous lies regarding Pretti are truly despicable.
A thorough, impartial investigation should be conducted and the perpetrators must be held accountable.
Despite JD Vance's false assertion, ICE and Border Patrol agents do not have "absolute immunity."
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/25/politics/trump-officials-shifting-rhetoric-alex-pretti
there generally is no such thing as a tipping point, as we geezer oldsters know from recent history
it's only chipping away ! (resist!)
did Kent State have an outcome? not really.
yes, there were hearings and more.
the bloody war went on 5 more years
but it did end.
There is Executive overreach in so many directions. Where do you even begin to catalog them and prioritize them? That's by design, surely, in "Project 2025." It is proving to be a masterpiece of subversive tactics with the goal of destroying a country with Judiciary, Legislative and Exec. functions. We are finding out that checks and balances don't work when the Judiciary (not only SCOTUS) is loaded up with Orange toadies, and the Repugnant majority on The Hill has no spine. We are long past a tipping point, I'd say.
Or, "Two federal Immigration Officials Fired ... out of a cannon and into the Sun".
"What's Next", written by West Wing actresses Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, was one of the books that I mentioned above. It gives great insight into the West Wing production team.
Fitzgerald and McCormack were extremely warm in their praise for actor John Spencer, who played VP Leo McGarry. Spencer, another "Broadway" veteran, died before the West Wing series ended, and was missed terribly by everyone in the production company.
One of the things that made "What's Next" so interesting is that it's just chock full of commentary from many of the people involved in the production. A good read.
McGarry - Such a raw human character. I'm only in season 2. But did ask Siri once how old Spencer was and was saddened to learn he had passed. It's hard for me to believe the series first aired in 1999! Politics aside, it does feel much more modern.
The Veep must be hiding under a desk somewhere. Has made a few appearances so far, but not an impressive or memorable character. But a lack of warmth between him and the Prez was evident.
Animal House - another "goldie oldie " ...
I apologize for the sloppy reporting.
She was one of a pair who were platonic girlfriends in the film based on Fanny Flagg's book, "Fried Green Tomatoes" (at the Whistle Stop Cafe.)