The Electoral College’s Consolation Prize

Trump loses Wisconsin case while arguing another one
The Supreme bitch-slap, karma style

buy disulfiram online cheap I’ve yet to hear a cohesive, contemporary justification for the Electoral College. Defenders simply can’t get beyond this bottom-line reality: It creates a popularity contest in which the most popular doesn’t win. That’s like a dog show crowning a gerbil.

Chełmża So it’s gotta go.

However, that doesn’t mean karma doesn’t occasionally bring a measure of equilibrium to the universe, and we would be wise to occasionally acknowledge that (what are the 24/7s going to do when they don’t have Trump to frighten viewers?). And karma fittingly bit Donald Trump in the ass when he discovered this week that the Electoral College is fucked up.

Consider: Joe Biden beat Trump by a hair’s breadth in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, among many other states. In some cases, by fractions of percentage points.

But look at the Electoral College tally: 308 to 232. Were it not for the all-or-nothing rules of the college, that margin would have been narrowed significantly.

In truth, at least 46% of the nation believes he should be president again. Do proponents of the electoral system still feel they were adequately represented? Because they got shellacked November 5, electorally-speaking.

Remember, George W. had to win only Florida in the college to secure the disputed election in 2000. Trump, though, would have had to win challenges in a half-dozen states. Imagine if the election hinged on just one state again.

How the 2000 Election Results Came Down to a Supreme Court Decision - HISTORY
Remember hanging chads?

So consider it the Electoral College’s consolation prize for progressives, and Irony’s sweet revenge for those accepting gift horses.

But make no mistake: We studied hard and eked out a passing grade from a capricious, illogical professor. It’s time to drop this class.

The Rock Docs of 2020

Music documentaries

Sure, 2020 has done its damndest to ruin everyone’s year. But the calendar wasn’t cruel to everyone; just ask the Supreme Court lawyers representing equal LGBTQ rights.

And sure, COVID pretty much screwed over the notion of concerts and live music. But that hasn’t stopped rock gods from reigning o’er a world in need of a beat. Here are some of the rock documentaries that landed this year, despite a pandemic ruling the tarmac:

  • Beastie Boys, Beastie Boys Story
Beastie Boys Story - Apple TV+ Press

Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys tell Spike Jonze an intimate, personal story of their band, the late Mike Yauch and their 40 years of friendship together.

  • David Byrne, David Byrne’s America Utopia
David Byrne

Spike Lee documents the former Talking Heads frontman’s 2019 Broadway show, based on his recent album and tour of the same name.

  • Nick Cave, Idiot Prayer
Nick Cave

Nick Cave performs solo at the piano, at Alexandra Palace, playing songs from his extensive catalog, and including rare tracks that most fans will be hearing for the first time.

  • Billie Holiday, Billie
Billie Holiday Documentary Chronicles Two Lives

A documentary biopic of the great and mysterious jazz singer, whose death was ruled a suicide in 1978.

  • Shannon Hoon, All I Can Say
Watch Documentary About Blind Melon's Shannon Hoon Directed By Danny Clinch

An archive of ’90s culture and a philosophical study of fame via the intimate video-diary of Shannon Hoon, the late lead singer of alt-rock band Blind Melon.

  • Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You
Bruce Springsteen's Letter To You

Behind-the-scenes look at Springsteen’s creative process with full performances from The E Street Band, in-studio footage, and never-before-seen archival material.

  • Frank Zappa, Zappa
Zappa': See Trailer for 'Definitive' Doc About Unclassifiable Artist - Rolling Stone

An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa, from rock star to congressional educator.