You Can’t Touch This

This week, the audacity of grope — can Uncle Joe survive the woke warriors? We (along with Bethany Mandel who sits in for Peter) ponder that question with our guest, Commentary’s Christine Rosen. Also, have the Democrats gotten too far out over their skis with the Mueller Report? Survey says…YES. And what the heck is going on across the pond with Brexit? We call on Quillette’s Toby Young to explain it all to us (and more important issues like Megan Markle’s lack of popularity). Finally, Bethany (home) schools us on her NYT piece on the politics of measles immunization. It’s a very…sharp conversation.

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There are 51 comments.

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  1. Peter Meza Member
    Peter Meza
    @PeterMeza

    Surely you taped the whole encounter (dinner) with Buck Dharma for use in a special Lileks podcast?

     

    • #1
  2. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Peter Meza (View Comment):

    Surely you taped the whole encounter with Buck Dharma for use in a special Lileks podcast?

    That’s yet to come, tonight.  But I hope he can have SOME recordings.

    Oh you meant dinner that was LAST night.

    • #2
  3. filmklassik Inactive
    filmklassik
    @filmklassik

    Exit music:  “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult.

     

    • #3
  4. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    If I see “Mueller Report” in any headline, I know to skip over the article.

    • #4
  5. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    I think that the photoshopped picture with Biden is unfair.

    The Murdoch New York Post writes in part,

    “A viral image of then-Vice President Joe Biden giving a woman a seemingly creepy embrace in 2015 was taken wildly out of context, the woman says — as the potential presidential hopeful is facing accusations from another woman that he got too handsy during a 2014 campaign event.

    “Stephanie Carter, the wife of Obama-era Defense Secretary Ash Carter, says Uncle Joe did nothing untoward when he planted his hands on her shoulders and whispered something in her ear during her husband’s swearing-in on Feb. 17, 2015.

    “‘The Joe Biden in my picture is a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful. So, as the sole owner of my story, it is high time that I reclaim it — from strangers, Twitter, the pundits and the late-night hosts,’ Carter wrote in a Medium post.

    “Carter said she had slipped on some ice at Arlington National Cemetery earlier in the day and was feeling particularly self-conscious about the fall — and concerned about her husband’s high-pressure new gig — when Biden comforted her.

    “The image became part of what Biden critics call a pattern of creepy behavior.

    “‘After the swearing in, as Ash was giving remarks, [Biden] leaned in to tell me, “Thank you for letting him do this” and kept his hands on my shoulders as a means of offering his support. But a still shot taken from a video — misleadingly extracted from what was a longer moment between close friends — sent out in a snarky tweet — came to be the lasting image of that day,’ she wrote.”

    There are plenty of other Biden pictures.  Use them.  But don’t use the specific picture where the woman objects to it.

    • #5
  6. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Gary Robbins: I think that the photoshopped picture with Biden is unfair.

    Life in politics is unfair. Hell, life in general is unfair. Get used to it. 

    • #6
  7. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins: I think that the photoshopped picture with Biden is unfair.

    Life in politics is unfair. Hell, life in general is unfair. Get used to it.

    Life is unfair.  But we should not be advocates on behalf of the unfairness.  

    • #7
  8. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins: I think that the photoshopped picture with Biden is unfair.

    Life in politics is unfair. Hell, life in general is unfair. Get used to it.

    Life is unfair. But we should not be advocates on behalf of the unfairness.

    Maybe that shouldn’t be done on this website but Alinsky tactics work, and the Democratic Party uses them reflexively. 

    • #8
  9. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago.  I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

     

     

    • #9
  10. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Biden is a big boy. He plays dirty. He stabbed Clarence Thomas in the back. He deserves what he gets. 

    This ain’t tiddlywinks and those that treat it as such deserve to be in the permanent minority. 

    • #10
  11. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Biden is a big boy. He plays dirty. He stabbed Clarence Thomas in the back. He deserves what he gets.

    This ain’t tiddlywinks and those that treat it as such deserve to be in the permanent minority.

    He’s supposed to be very pleasant and fun in person, but politically he deserves as much grief as the right can give him. He’s just another lying politician.

    • #11
  12. Kim K. Inactive
    Kim K.
    @KimK

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago. I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

     

     

    I used to feel that way about the flu shot. Then I got the flu. Wished I could die and be out of my misery.

    • #12
  13. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    filmklassik (View Comment):

    Exit music: “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult.

    Too bad they cut it off right at one of the best parts.

    • #13
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago. I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

    Where did you get the idea that the flu is only for a few days?

    • #14
  15. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    kedavis (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago. I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

    Where did you get the idea that the flu is only for a few days?

    Ive never had a flu that lasted for more than 3 days.

    • #15
  16. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    The EU is a constraint on socialism.

    I think living in Europe is a really bad idea.


    Not triggering article 50 until you are prepared. 

    Cameron was a remain-er. May is a remain-er. Swell.

    • #16
  17. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Contrary to what the guest said, I’ve heard that Pete Buttigieg has plenty of socialistic positions including single-payer. It’s going to be pretty interesting to watch him lie about the ACA.

    • #17
  18. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    filmklassik (View Comment):

    Exit music: “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult.

     

    What else would it be?

    • #18
  19. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago. I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

    Where did you get the idea that the flu is only for a few days?

    Ive never had a flu that lasted for more than 3 days.

    There’s the flu, and then there’s the flu.

    I’ve had a couple mild cases the last few years (despite getting the shot) that only lasted a day or two, but I had a case many years ago that was bad.  Like couldn’t make it from the bedroom to the bathroom without stopping halfway there to lie on the floor and rest for five minutes – and they were only about 10 feet apart.  That one sent me to the emergency room for a couple IVs after I got really badly dehydrated.

    • #19
  20. Lance Inactive
    Lance
    @Lance

    How was the concert James?   While attending a recent dance competition with my girls in Downey, CA, I noticed on the big billboard outside that Blue Oyster Cult was performing at the same theater later in the week.  I found it equally humorous that they were still performing and impressive that they were doing so.  It was the least glamorous place to play a show…the theater shares a parking lot with an Embassy Suites and a Mimi’s Cafe.  But how cool is it that they are earning new income from fans excited to see them.  I’m also hearing that lots of these bands playing the  nostalgia circuit are actually performing better than ever, bringing a life a real craft and musicianship to the stage.  Perhaps less energetically, but probably tighter and more consistent.  (Vocals notwithstanding?)

    So how were the cowbells all these years later?  

     

    • #20
  21. Peter Meza Member
    Peter Meza
    @PeterMeza

    Blue Yeti (View Comment):

    filmklassik (View Comment):

    Exit music: “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult.

     

    What else would it be?

    We would have also accepted “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll”.

    • #21
  22. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    Peter Meza (View Comment):

    Blue Yeti (View Comment):

    filmklassik (View Comment):

    Exit music: “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult.

     

    What else would it be?

    We would have also accepted “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll”.

    Was actually thinking about The Police’s Don’t Stand So Close To Me or the song that shares the title. But when Lileks did his (not planned) BOC riff, that made it he decision obvious. 

    • #22
  23. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Lance (View Comment):

    How was the concert James?

    Fantastic. Really impressive. 

    I’m also hearing that lots of these bands playing the nostalgia circuit are actually performing better than ever, bringing a life a real craft and musicianship to the stage. Perhaps less energetically, but probably tighter and more consistent. (Vocals notwithstanding?)

    Certainly true in this instance – I mean, Buck was always a great guitarist, but there’s something added I can’t quite described. What was always rich and interesting and different is now richer and more interesting without being different from his style. 

     

    • #23
  24. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Wow informative talk.

    I havent had a vaccination since grade school – maybe 40 years ago. I thought vaccines where for children.

    I opposed the flu vaccine for myself, because I am a healthy man, who doesnt have anyone in my life who’d be at risk from the flu. And frankly Id rather risk getting the flu and being sick for a few days against the risks of the (very rare) side effects of the flu shot.

    Where did you get the idea that the flu is only for a few days?

    Ive never had a flu that lasted for more than 3 days.

    First guess: that wasn’t really the flu.

    • #24
  25. John Russell Coolidge
    John Russell
    @JohnRussell

    Inquiring minds want to know:

    How is it that Christine Rosen gets a picture at the Ricochet site for this podcast (in which she is a guest) while she get no picture at the Ricochet site for The Commentary Podcast (where she is one of the regulars)?

    • #25
  26. John Russell Coolidge
    John Russell
    @JohnRussell

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Ive never had a flu that lasted for more than 3 days.

    Think of the recent example of Bre Payton

    or the great influenza pandemic of 1918–1919.

     

    • #26
  27. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    John Russell (View Comment):

    Inquiring minds want to know:

    How is it that Christine Rosen gets a picture at the Ricochet site for this podcast (in which she is a guest) while she get no picture at the Ricochet site for The Commentary Podcast (where she is one of the regulars)?

    We shall address this unforgivable oversight (actually, it’s because our host bios pull from Twitter, and she’s not on Twitter. But we’ll fix it manually.). Thanks for the heads up.  

    • #27
  28. Max Ledoux Coolidge
    Max Ledoux
    @Max

    John Russell (View Comment):

    Inquiring minds want to know:

    How is it that Christine Rosen gets a picture at the Ricochet site for this podcast (in which she is a guest) while she get no picture at the Ricochet site for The Commentary Podcast (where she is one of the regulars)?

    Just oversight. Noah didn’t tell me when she joined the podcast so I never set it up to list her as a co-host. I’m not able to listen to all the podcasts we distribute (even if I wasn’t always busy, we just have so many), so I didn’t know she was a regular.

    • #28
  29. Max Ledoux Coolidge
    Max Ledoux
    @Max

    It’s amazing to me that Christine (and Rob) still thinks, at this late stage, that Trump has no “impulse control.” It’s hard to take seriously the political prognostications of someone who is so inobservant. Christine also intoned that Trump is going to “over play his hand.” Gee, if only Trump had listened to people like Christine, maybe he would have won the election in 2016!

    • #29
  30. rdowhower Member
    rdowhower
    @

    How about not letting Bethany back on this podcast until she learns not to say “like” every other sentence and to control herself better by not blurting out “for Christ’s sake”?  Jonah and JPod are kings of “like”, but I’ve never heard them use that particular phrase when they’re exasperated.  Perhaps they’re smart enough to know that it’s still not polite to be so specific in one’s disregard for another person’s religion.

    • #30
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