DramatistDreamer

Oh , I have been reading about the U.K. for a number of years now. I have family living in the U.K., a few of whom have worked for NHS, who told of how bad Brexit was going to be for NHS, and that was before the pandemic even emerged. I have noticed that the countries with the shakiest governance are the ones struggling to cope with this pandemic, either because of arrogance, incompetence, indifference or some lack of connection with reality, or a combination of these factors. In some way, poor governance seems to be at the root of it all.

I really enjoyed the layers of subtext in many of those two person scenes in the December 1985 episode. Jack and John, with Jack trying to fish for information under a layer of guilt, while appearing to be as cool as a cucumber. Oh what could have been between John and Johanna. And the tease of the possibility of a reconciliation between Dina and John. The subtext and subtle digs, verbal offense and defense between Nikki and Ashley, that starts out with subtle until it bursts into the open when Nikki decides to 'take the gloves off' and Ashley's steely veneer dissolves once Nikki has left her office. I also love the twist of Esther playing the "Devious Maid" in that tiny bit of reversal. Too often, the writing relied on making Esther into a dingbat but I much prefer her as a somewhat cunning figure, trying to look out for her own interests. The scenes between Casey and Brock were well done, light-hearted at the outset but eventually went into deeper concerns. I couldn't help but think of what a shame it is to have neither character on the canvas now. It was always nice to see Brock come for visits, here and there. There are times that Nikki has clearly needef her sister-- the MS story might have had more depth with Casey around, although I shudder to think of other possible ways that Casey might have been used in Newman storylines. MAB or Mal might have orchestrated an affair between Casey and Victor while Nikki battled MS, ugh! And in this episode, signs of a growing bond between Traci and Brad. This is kinda the beginnings of the 'corporatization' of the Y&R canvas, isn't it? With a greater emphasis on the wealthy and the well-heeled of Genoa City, and the strivers (Brad) trying to get in and (Jill) others trying to cement their place. Speaking of Jill, I giggled a little at Jill literally ball dressed up with no place to go, wearing sparkles and spangles as she sits around in her hotel suite.

It seems almost completely anti-climactic that people are belatedly realizing how terrivly destructive this man is, when I think about how some of us knew from before he was elected just how much we stood to lose, and I mean human life, at that. I try not to contemplate this too often because when I do, it causes all those feelings of anger and betrayal that I felt the morning after the election to come flooding back. This Op-Ed written by Michelle Goldberg perfectly encapsulates my thoughts on this very belated judgement and meting out of consequences.

It probably helped that, even though Paul and Andy owned the detective agency where Amy, Jazz and Tyrone worked, there didn't appear to be much of a hierarchy. Also, they were pretty much in the same age group and with the exception of Lauren, mostly either middle class or aspiring to the middle class. Things evened out a bit more when you think of the fact that, if Paul was Amy's boss, Amy's father was Paul's father's boss, which sort of had an equalizing effect. Contrast that to Neil Winters, who, even as he became Victor's right hand man, Victor was very much Neil's boss for many years. Even Brad Carlton, who supposedly was on a similar level, really wasn't, since he had already married into the Abbott family and had his status elevated. I enjoyed when the Winters family celebrated Christmas as a family, even if they had those celebrations in that kitchenette, as VR referred to it but, at times, it just seemed as if integration of the Black characters onto the canvas became plodding at times, sometimes feeling a little contrived. The actors handled those situations pretty well though, filling in the gaps, finessing the deficiencies

This whole entire vaccine rollout has been an unmitigated disaster. Now, we have the very real aspect of the most vulnerable and in need of vaccination having to wait behind scores of rich and well-heeled people who cut in front of the line. More of America's vast inequality on display. Other than Brazil, who got the Chinese-made vaccine that's only half effective, I don't think another country has handled this pandemic more poorly than the U.S.

I definitely don't believe that there was any deliberate attempt to mislead but I do believe that the messaging got muddled along the way, perhaps a lack of communication in the midst of a harried, long and fraught election season. I do agree that they really just need to bump up the individual relief payments to 2K. It would be better than having to explain and over explain how and why their messaging went sideways to befuddled and possibly irritated Americans expecting $2,000. About Politico, I probably read 5 articles of theirs per year (if that), so I doubt that anything they say, or write permeates much of the consciousness of the average person. It all feels a bit too "Inside Baseball" to me.

How could I have forgotten that Lauren Koslow was on Y&R?? I know I was really young but that's crazy! The first time I remember having seen her was on B&B. One of these soap podcasts really needs to find Alex Donnelly and ask her about her time on Y&R. I'm intrigued by her chemistry with Terry Lester and wonder what it was like to work with him. Controversial take, but I think that Y&R was much better at organically intermingling their Black characters with the rest of the characters at this time, even with the few Black characters that the canvas had back then, compared to what they would become in future.

Even though I figured out about a month ago that the individual relief payments would be cumulative (with the $600) and add up to $2000 total, I agree that this is misleading messaging, as it clearly became muddled. I do believe that Kamala and Bernie's bill originally called for a 2K payment but Joe, as the incoming POTUS is the final arbiter of what ultimately gets put forth and he seems to be making a declaration of $1400. It will be interesting to see what ultimately gets put in the bill, as the political calculus seems to change daily, based on the reality of the situation in the U.S.

Seriously, what's wrong with Yastremka? Gets a provisional ban, yet still gets on a plane and flies all the way to Australia? Like I said before, girl just doesn't make good choices.

A second impeachment is the least of what that man deserves. What an entirely disgraceful and disastrous administration.

Prof. Hill has built an esteemed career, while Mrs. Thomas will always be known as the desperate housewife who left a harassing message on Hill's answering machine. She/they can't hurt Prof. Hill anymore. LMAO, he lives in Cleveland?? Well, he can never go home again. Those former Young Lords in NYC wouldn't have it.

The wife if Clarence Thonas should be investigated for her possible ties to funding buses as well.

If the GOP is truly about "turning the page", then they'll vote to convict and move on. It's unlikely that most want to yoke their careers to a sinking ship. Trump, in all likelihood will try to loom large over the GOP for as long as possible. Most won't want that baggage, especially if it loses them corporate backing. It'll be interesting to see how many try to wash the stench of Trumpism off themselves. It is unlikely that most rank and file GOP relish the prospect of another Trump run in 3.5 years (Personally, I think he'll be tied up in litigation but he needs to be stamped out from any possibility of another run for office). The GOP will seek to 'rebrand', which may not be successful with all those Trumpists still out there. The ones who backed overturning the election results ought to be expelled. Impeachment is really good only half the necessary work.

Oh helllll no at Yoo trying to launder his sullied name and reputation on the back of this! Are people really trying to give GOP operatives credit/cover for doing the most basic?

Tomorrow the impeachment process begins. Tonight is when what's his name gives his formal reply regarding the 25th Amendment.

So Belichick turned Trump down flat, huh? One thing you know a NFL coach is concerned with protecting is gis legacy. They're not going to waste a storied HOF one on the likes of Trump.

I never expected much to come from Andrew Yang's mayoral campaign (I was as surprised as anyone that he's even running) but I never expected it to diminish this quickly.

It wouldn't surprise me if both Fudge and Haaland wanted to give Biden a 'heads-up' first, before going on the record.

Telegram offers the possibility of a tantalizing "backdoor" to the Russian FSB. I expect Vladimir Vladimirovic to be doubling up on applying the pressure to jimmy that backdoor open.

Remember when the Republicans railed for years, it seems about Benghazi? Well now, there has been a loss of life in this insurrection that has exceeded that of the attack on the diplomatic compound in Libya and all of a sudden, Republicans are eager to heal and turn the page.

No harm, no foul. It wasn't meant as any type of reprimand or anything, I just thought I'd introduce the idea to see if maybe there was concensus and I am relieved that we (the collective) agree, so far Funny thing about that Arnold Schwarzenegger post...it has a very Hollywood quality about it. I can't help but think that Trump must be seething, as Arnold is the action adventure star that Trump has often wished he could be.