Yeah, couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person either – in today’s New York Times (paywall) we read Paul Manafort was jailed as a result of violating the terms of his bail agreement. What an idiot! OK, so now that he’s in jail, let’s hope he stays there for a long, long time!
Meanwhile, Scott Pruitt continues to demonstrate his talent as a petty grifter, with the New York Times (paywall) revealing even more illegal behavior, (this time favors for his ridiculously-named daughter, McKenna, and prized tickets to the Rose Bowl). OK, I have to pause and ask the question… Who the f*ck names their child McKenna? What kind of pretentious moniker is that? No, you don’t get to use daddy’s job to pave your way into law school. …and daddy needs to cough up some real cash for those tickets too!

I don’t typically cite buzzy, online news sources, but I’m going to make an exception today. First, an excellent piece from Slate, making the case for choosing one’s words carefully when objectively reporting on this pathetic administration’s numerous – and embarrassing – foibles. A few tips:

1. Don’t reinforce the message. Avoid the linguistic traps being laid down before you. No, you can’t substitute the word “tough” for “murderous”. Say “murderer” when referring to the tyrant running North Korea, not “tough guy”.
2. When an administration spokesperson spits another bald-faced lie out into the world, call it a “lie”. Better yet, stop repeating the lies altogether – remove some of the oxygen from the room, so-to-speak. If lies are all that’s coming out of the White House, then just go silent and rob those lyin’ sons-a-bitches of an audience.
3. This is an extraordinarily weak president. Weak, weak, weak. Overweight, out of shape, dim-witted, mean-spirited. Describe him that way. Besides, you’ll be doing everyone a favor by reporting the truth!

The second article appeared in New York Magazine – not one of my typical sources, to be sure, though I’ll admit to being mildly intrigued by the author’s claim we’re all living in some bizarre alternate reality. Consider:

1. The president* believes Canada’s milk exports are a national security threat.
2. The president* believes North Korea doesn’t present a nuclear threat any more.
3. The president* believes sabotaging the ACA will lead to lower premiums.
4. The president* believes climate change is a hoax.
5. The president* believes Democrats colluded with the Kremlin to rig the election.

Who in their right mind would agree with any of these ridiculous assertions? Nobody with an IQ above 80, that’s for sure…

Link to .PDF version of today’s poster here.