They say laughter is the best medicine. They’re wrong. That’s Tylenol. But laughter helps and we got a little of it back last night with the de-suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. As you might imagine, an attack on the freedom of expression by someone critical of the administation who interjects humor into the day’s headlines is of particular importance to me. But, given America’s slide toward the kind of authoritarianism that silences dissent, it should be of particular importance to everyone. As Kimmel explained: “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and spend time with comedians and talk show hosts from countries like Russia, countries in the Middle East who tell me they would get thrown in prison for making fun of those in power. And worse than being thrown in prison. They know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country.” We’re losing our collective grasp on a lot of America’s most admirable characteristics. Saving, at least for now, the voice of one late night talkshow host on broadcast TV might seem like a small win. But seeing artists, viewers, colleagues, competitors, and a massive corporation like Disney stand up for an American value is a big deal. It’s also proved to be a rare fight in which people across the political spectrum seemed to find some common ground. “I definitely don’t think that the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or cannot say in a monologue. That’s f-cking crazy.” That’s what I think. It’s also what Joe Rogan said. Maybe the combination of protests, pressure, and corporate spine-showing has the makings of a playbook that can be replicated. That’s the hope, anyway. I don’t know how this fight will play out. Maybe Kimmel’s return will mark one of American democracy’s last stands, or maybe it will be a meaningful step in a broader movement to safeguard democracy’s most precious attributes. That part isn’t up to Disney or Kimmel. It’s up to you and me. If we don’t rise to the occasion, well, then the joke will be on us. 2Science FictionIt’s nice to have Jimmy back, but we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Actually, on our current trajectory, the ocean might fry them for us. “In a remarkable United Nations address, the president lashed out at wind turbines, environmentalists and allies around the world while dismissing the dangers of climate change.” NYT(Gift Article): Trump to World: Green Energy Is a Scam and Climate Science Is From ‘Stupid People.’ 3America First (Degree)“Stockpiles of food and medicine are running out here. Village health workers who used to provide inexpensive preventive care have been laid off. Public health initiatives like deworming and vitamin A distribution have collapsed. Immunizations are being missed. Contraception is harder to get. Ordinary people are growing weaker, hungrier and more fragile. So as months pass, the crisis is not easing but growing increasingly lethal — and because children are particularly vulnerable, they are often the first to starve and the first to die. It’s difficult to know how many children are dying worldwide as a result of the Trump aid cuts, but credible estimates by experts suggest that the child death toll may be in the hundreds of thousands this year alone — and likely an even higher number next year.” Nick Kristoff in the NYT (Gift Article): Trump’s Most Lethal Policy. 4Strike That, Reverse It“President Trump reversed himself on one of the key foreign policy issues of his presidency on Tuesday, abandoning his insistence that Ukraine give up land to strike a peace deal with Russia and instead declaring that Ukraine, with the support of Europe, was ‘in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.’ His turnabout on social media shortly after a meeting in New York with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was a head-spinning pivot.” (Now we just have to find a way to make sure he doesn’t talk to anyone else about this issue until peace is secured...) NYT (Gift Article): In a Sudden Shift, Trump Says Ukraine Can Win the War With Russia. (Ukraine can win, but it will take more than words from America.) 5Extra, ExtraICE Facility Shooting: “A shooter opened fire on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas on Wednesday, killing two detainees and critically wounding a third, investigators said. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and left behind ammunition with what officials described as anti-ICE language.” Here’s the latest from CNN and NYT. 6Bottom of the NewsThe attack on carbs is getting real. The number one beer in America today is Michelob Ultra. At least until someone comes out with protein-infused beer.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Does Anybody Remember Laughter?
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