Monthly Archives: July 2024

Hey Joe


Joe Biden’s decision to exit the presidential race is nothing short of profound, the rare relinquishment of American power that not only kept the implied promise he made four years ago, but offers a true alternative to the GOP’s loathsome sausage party.

The decision stunned because it was selfless, a trademark of a president who spent his life in public service.

Though he never publicly declared it, Biden’s role as a transitional president was evident, and stepping aside now reaffirms his dedication to that mission.

Whaddya, know, a president who was true to the pledge.

Biden’s term has been marked by achievement: The unemployment rate has fallen to 3.6%, a robust recovery from the pandemic-induced economic crisis. His administration saw over 200 million Americans fully vaccinated against Covid.

On the legislative front, Biden oversaw a Recession recovery that led all developed nations, as well as a bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Plus, he kicked Trump’s fat ass in 2020, a highlight for any human being.

Most important, Biden was a president we need not be embarrassed by.

That probably won’t be the case in November, as Trump and his slackwits try to celebrate his ear piercing to high office. And America has shown, again and again, how far it will go to NOT elect a woman as president.

But, finally, high ground has become visible.

By choosing to step down, Biden diffuses some of the bile that has become American politics.

And we could all use some diffusion.

Biden has honored his implicit promise to be a bridge to the future. We stand on that bridge now, and his decision to step down now is a final act of service to the nation he loves.

Thank you for your service, Mr. President.

Jojo Rabbit: We Could Be Heroes


Usually, Deja Vieweds are reserved for classic, under-the-radar gems.

Consider this aspirational, because it deserves discovery.

“Jojo Rabbit” is a daring tightrope walk across the chasm of history, and writer-director Taika Waititi never loses his footing. It’s funny, tearful, and lyrical as all get out.

This audacious satire of Nazi Germany, seen through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy, manages to be simultaneously hilarious, heartbreaking, and profoundly human.

Waititi’s film is a masterclass in tonal balance. It mocks the absurdity of fascism while never diminishing the real horrors of the era. The laughs come fast and furious, particularly from Waititi himself as an imaginary, buffoonish Adolf Hitler, but they’re always tinged with an undercurrent of darkness.

Young Roman Griffin Davis is a revelation as Jojo, a Nazi youth whose world is upended when he discovers his mother (a luminous Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Davis carries the film with a performance that’s both achingly vulnerable and wickedly funny.

But it’s Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa, the hidden Jewish teenager, who truly steals the show. Her quiet strength and sardonic wit provide the perfect counterpoint to Jojo’s misguided fanaticism.

“Jojo Rabbit” is that rarest of films – a comedy about one of history’s darkest chapters that never feels exploitative or disrespectful. Instead, it uses humor as a tool to dismantle hate, showing how even the most indoctrinated can learn to see the humanity in others.

Waititi has crafted a modern classic that will be studied and debated for years to come. It’s a film that dares to find laughter in the depths of human cruelty, all while delivering a powerful message about love, acceptance, and the absurdity of hate.

“Jojo Rabbit” is nothing short of triumph.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​