16 Comments
User's avatar
Kiwiwriter47's avatar

Who plays the Attorney General?

He was standing there when Garfield was shot.

He was also standing there, watching, when Abraham Lincoln died.

He was also standing there, watching, when McKinley was shot.

Because of this, the AG refused to run for president, believing he carried a curse: "There is a certain fatality about presidential functions when I am present," he said.

His name?

Robert Todd Lincoln. Abraham's son.

Fantastic column throughout. I have to get the DVD and watch the mini-series.

Expand full comment
David Hopper's avatar

I had forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder. A great bit of political trivia.

Expand full comment
Janet Frohnmayer's avatar

Trump says he has ended six wars. So wanted a member of the press to ask, so tell us which six. They didn’t. Do you know and can you separate fact from fiction on this?

Expand full comment
susanus's avatar

The best security guarantee for Ukraine is membership in NATO. Russia’s aggression has demonstrated that it is sorely needed. As for land, it’s up to Ukraine to decide whether to cede Crimea or not. And if I were in their shoes I would demand a very high price for that.

Expand full comment
Michael Cunningham's avatar

You're not the only commentator who said something along the lines "while Russia allows the West to provide security guarantees to Ukraine" although some have replaced 'the West' with 'the U.S.' Why does the West or the U.S. have to be allowed to do anything they want. Doesn't this make the U.S. and the West sound weak? Or am I being naive?

Expand full comment
Jackie Jo Fastenow's avatar

What are the 6 wars Trump is talking about???

Expand full comment
Rosemary Ford's avatar

Another recommendation for Destiny of the Republic, better title might have been Tragedy for the Republic. The only security Z should accept is trip wire troops from all the countries who showed up yesterday, including the U.S..

Expand full comment
David Hopper's avatar

Thanks for another great newsletter. Had Trump really been involved in ending six wars? Somehow I doubt it.

Also, I have read “Destiny of the Republic” & thoroughly enjoyed it. It was part of a hobby to read at least one biography of each President, starting with Washington. I am currently reading a very detailed one on Gerald Ford. I’m looking forward to the miniseries on Garfield.

Expand full comment
Ray Pass's avatar

Never thought I would be disagreeing with you about anything, but I find that I must do so now. You wrote this about "Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard - "which is one of my all-time favorite books on presidential history." Had I written that sentence, I would have ended it after the word "books". I have lent it to various friends, always with the admonition to treat it well and to remember to return it upon completing it. I so look forward to the Netflix series.

Expand full comment
Finn Frock's avatar

Biden could have stopped the invasion, but he was a senile pussy. Last two presidents let Russia crawl out of their hole and here we are. Lots of blame. They are the fucking (Russia) enemy.

We have let trump control who sits in the executive briefings and journalists won't stand up and say, " that is a lie." Also, plenty of right-wing sycophants lobbing softball questions.

What are the 6 wars that trump stopped and what exactly did he do? (example).

I propose the Democratic Party set up the same venue indicating the lies and reveal the truth in their own President's Briefing. We need to prosecute these people in the press, every day. No one is refuting the lies, other than on this Substack venue and other non-mainstream press. Hell, use YouTube to tell the truth. Embarrass the right wing into failure. Shout out to Steve Schmidt, Tim, Bernstein and others.

Expand full comment
Barbara Fox's avatar

Putin played Trump like the empty shell of a man he is ; Trump dumbly announced there was no need for a cease fire until the German chancellor spanked him verbally, suggesting there will not be another meeting without a cease fire. Also Trump was heard saying on a close open mike that Putin wanted to end the war and an agreement because he wants to do it for ME; the narcissism rearing its ugly head. What a joke.

Expand full comment
Mary P Davis's avatar

I also loved "Destiny of the Republic". Candice Millard has written some other excellent books, too.

Expand full comment
Online Safety Zone's avatar

If Trump could actually broker an end to the war, a return of prisoners, and a return of seized land, with terms completely acceptable to Zelensky, I would actually not mind if Trump got the Nobel Peace Prize.

Expand full comment
Online Safety Zone's avatar

I'm surprised Trump didn't go over to the big map with a Sharpie, and circle the parts of Ukraine Putin will be allowed to keep.

Expand full comment
William m Gaffney's avatar

In the time since you wrote this Trump has said no troops on the ground. Captain bone Spurs and King Taco at work

Expand full comment