When I look back at the Veep Debate, there are only two things that stood out for me. Well, three, really. The third was that Vance and Walz agreed with each other on more than one occasion. The agreeing just got to be annoying.

Can’t we all just disagree?

One other thing on JD was not on any of my bingo cards.

From the debate transcript:

“JDV: Margaret. The rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact check, and since you’re fact checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on. So there’s an application called the CBP One app where you can go on as an illegal migrant, apply for asylum or apply for parole and be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand. That is not a person coming in, applying for a green card and waiting for ten years.”

“MB: Thank you, Senator.”

Two things come to mind.

1. JD objected when he intimated that the Springfield Haitians were in the country illegally, and the moderators clarified that the Haitians were not undocumented workers. He thought it unfair that the truth got out after all he did to besmirch his fellow Ohioans.

2. The word salad that followed was such a “deep in the weeds” explanation of the Haitian’s status that I’m sure he lost his supporters’ trains of thought. It reminded me of something we Democrats are prone to do from time to time.

The other one, also a JD production, is aptly summarized by a meme posted by the MSNBC control room in their post debate deliberations.

For those under 40, the photo on the left is from the Dramatic Prairie Dog video clip that expressed sudden surprise. On the right, that is JD being suddenly surprised that the 800 pound gorilla in the room was mentioned: January 6th.

All of that debate prep and no one showed ol’ JD how to react when asked whether the 2020 election was stolen. One thing. He only had to do one thing when asked “Did [Trump] lose the 2020 election?”

Caught in the headlights.

JD parried with a “whatabout” and Walz lunged for the kill with “That is a damning non answer.”

Touché, Coach.

I’ve been thinking about yesterday’s AI experiment, maybe a little more than I thought I would. I was struck with how easy it was for the algorithm to support Harris, given the extra detailed information that I provided. It would seem reasonable that “alternative facts” provided in the extra details from a Trump supporter would deliver to us a pro-Trump essay. So I asked a Trump supporter that I know (yes, I know a few that I still talk to) to provide three facts they know about Harris, and three that they know about Trump. Then I submitted them to the very same algorithm that I used yesterday. Here are those extra details:

Trump is trying to save America
Harris wants open borders
Trump cannot be bought
Harris supports abortion rights
Trump wants to secure the border
Harris flips on her opinions

Everything else I submitted was identical to what I provided yesterday. After about half the time that was previously noticed, the essay below was generated (again, italics are for effect).

In the upcoming presidential election, the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump presents voters with starkly different visions for the future of America. Trump is positioning himself as the savior of the nation, promising to secure the border and protect American interests. Harris, on the other hand, advocates for open borders and supports abortion rights.

One of Trump’s key strengths is his reputation for being unbuyable. He has long touted himself as a self-made billionaire who cannot be influenced by lobbyists or special interests. In contrast, Harris has faced criticism for changing her position on key issues, showing a lack of consistency that may raise doubts about her sincerity.

When it comes to immigration policy, Trump’s focus on securing the border resonates with many Americans who are concerned about national security. Harris’s support for open borders, however, raises questions about her commitment to protecting American sovereignty.

On the issue of abortion, Harris’s stance aligns with liberal values, advocating for a woman’s right to choose. Trump, on the other hand, supports restrictions on abortion and has voiced his opposition to late-term procedures.

In conclusion, the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump represents a clear contrast in ideologies. Trump’s promises to save America and secure the border appeal to those who prioritize national security, while Harris’s support for open borders and abortion rights may resonate well with liberal voters. It is up to the American people to carefully consider these competing visions and make an informed decision at the ballot box.

See what they did there? Mr. AI didn’t pick a side this time even though both essays were designed to be persuasive. Why is that? The only thing I can come up with it that some of the extra details are more opinion than fact, and a check with internet content that did not agree with the “alternative facts” altered the persuasive aim from voting for one candidate over another to an exhortation to Americans to “consider competing opinions” when voting.

Or as TFG would say: “It’s all rigged!”

I’ve been reading about the advent of AI technology for a while now, and I’ll bet that Salon customers are equally curious about what is all the hubub and ado about this matter. So, I launched a small investigation. I found several websites that will construct written essays when given some prompts and selected one for a test.

At this site, I provided the following information:
Subject: Kamala Harris versus Donald Trump
Grade level: Undergraduate
Type of essay: Persuasive
Length: 1 page (250 words)

I entered the following “extra details”:
– Trump is a convicted Felon
– Harris is a former prosecutor
– Trump is in cognitive decline
– Harris is a former US senator
– Trump botched the COVID pandemic
– Harris supports women’s rights

Then, 20 seconds after pressing the “Generate” button, I got my AI-written essay which I provide below for your information, amusement, and, shall I say it, astonishment (In italics for effect).

In the upcoming election, the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is clear. Trump, a convicted Felon, has a tainted past filled with legal troubles. On the other hand, Harris, a former prosecutor has dedicated her career to upholding the law and seeking justice.

Additionally, Trump’s cognitive decline is becoming more evident, raising concerns about his ability to effectively lead the country. Harris, as a former US senator, has demonstrated her intelligence and sound judgment, making her a strong and capable candidate for the presidency.

Furthermore, Trump’s handling of the COVID pandemic has been widely criticized as a failure. His lack of leadership and misinformation have cost countless lives. Harris, on the other hand, supports women’s rights and has a clear plan to address the ongoing pandemic and rebuild the economy.

In conclusion, the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is a choice between a qualified and experienced leader and a convicted felon in cognitive decline. Harris has the skills, values, and determination to lead our country with integrity and compassion. It is time for change and Harris is the candidate to bring about that change. Vote for progress. Vote for Kamala Harris

They also have a button to press to make the essay “folksier” but that seems to be a work-in-progress because the result has the look and feel of an assembly instruction manual written by a person who took an ESL class once.

I was particularly struck by how the algorithm took the prompts and put them in context with other information that could be gleaned from other internet news sources.

It extrapolated.

I’m just glad I don’t get paid for doing this. Move over, blacksmiths and barrel makers. And I wouldn’t want to be a high school English teacher right about now.

While I’d prefer to see a Harris/Orange Guy II debate – which would be much more fun – we have to play the debates that we are dealt. So when Tim “Coach” Walz takes on JD “Barbecued Cat Lady” Vance this Tuesday we simply must play debate bingo once again. This time, I found two debate cards on the San Francisco Chronicle website.

HERE is Card 1

HERE is Card 2

Just click the links and print the images.

Alternately, you can find these three cards at the League of Women Voters website. They’re a little more serious, but the black and white version is the low-carbon footprint green alternative.

Same rules as before. Find a subject broached and mark your card’s square. Five in a row across, down, or diagonally, and you win. What you win is up to whatever you and your players can agree on.

My suggestion this time is to bet with your old campaign buttons. However, not all buttons are of equal value, so haggling before the debate would be a wise activity.

No way I’m betting my 1960 Kennedy button. That one stays in the family.

I get a whole buffet of feelings every time I hear Melania Trump speak. Everything you hear from her creates simultaneous feelings of schadenfreude, condescension, but then equal amounts of pity, and abject horror. The horror comes in repeatedly subjecting this woman to the public eye. She clearly doesn’t want to be there to the point where you sometimes feel that you are watching a hostage video.

It’s when conservatives describe her that you start having those angry emotions. You see memes where she is described as a first lady that “finally has some class.” I’m sorry to curse, but that exchange often invokes the question, “what in the hell are you talking about?”

You are comparing her directly to the last four first ladies that all had advanced degrees and professional careers in their own right. Whatever she might be, she is definitely not that. This isn’t to say that she is not intelligent or not accomplished in her own way, but to say she is while the others weren’t is beyond ludicrous.

Yet, that sympathy and empathy has to kick in at some point. She clearly does not want to be here and doesn’t want any part of this whole thing. That includes the normal charitable stuff that spouses of politicians normally do. I’m sure she never wanted to be a political spouse and yet the official word from the Trump campaign is that she will be an active participant. This is in spite of the fact that she hasn’t been seen in public with him in quite some time.

This all came to a head this week when she called her husband “caring” and a “family man” in an interview about her upcoming book and the recent assassination attempts. This is also a complex thing with a complex emotions surrounding it. Obviously, most of us feel that he is a hateful man that has brought much of this on himself. Yet, everyone must at least feel sympathy for his family and friends as they try to process all of this.

There is a ton of snark surrounding these quotes alone. It was noted by even some in the media that they aren’t living together. As millions of people will attest, there are all kinds of family situations with dynamics unique to every family. Not every couple sleeps together and not every couple lives together. One is not necessarily proof of the other. However, the idea of calling him “caring” and “a family man” runs counter to the image he has built for himself.

My feelings on Melania might be nuanced, but I think it is fairly simple. She is a private person who deserves to live the life she wants to live. Maybe that is being a trophy wife. Maybe that is being out of the public eye and supporting her son. She doesn’t need to be compared to Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, or Hillary Clinton. The worth of a person is not necessarily tied up in how educated or accomplished they are.

She isn’t as accomplished. She isn’t as educated. She hasn’t done as much as those other first ladies. She also doesn’t have to. It’s not a moral imperative. She also shouldn’t be put out there to lie for her husband. That’s beyond cruel in my opinion. She is going to be the one that takes the brunt of that snark and she’s just taking one for the team. It sounds like it’s not a team she ever really wanted to be a part of.

have to hand it to Tim Walz. He managed to peg the MAGA conservatives in a very clear and accurate light. I never would have thought of characterizing it this way, but these folks are just weird and downright goofy. Enter Josh Hawley. You might remember him as one of the senators that was spearheading the effort to subvert the election following the 2020 election.

However, Hawley has seemingly volunteered some stuff that really makes you wonder. I am attaching this photo not to make fun of the man. I’m really not no matter what the attached tweet might say. I neither endorse nor second the notion here but to make another obvious point.

I’m not going to share the tweet because I am not here to poke fun at Hawley for the visual here. He originally sent this out as a way to prove that he is heterosexual. It was even associated with some kind of comment to the effect of “see, I really am a heterosexual.”

Do I really need to be here for this? I don’t ever remember wondering if Hawley was secretly gay or not. This is literally an answer to a question that I never asked. Of course, in the way these things go, it raises more questions than it answers, but maybe that is just me.

Here’s the point. Your marriage is none of my business. I have my own marriage to worry about. Imagine how stressful it would be if I had to worry about how we were coming off in pictures to someone else. I don’t know what is going on in the Hawley household and I really don’t care.

This is the weird. It is weird to be excessively worried about what is happening in other people’s homes. It’s weird to be excessively worried about what other people may think about the way you are living your life. This is giving it away. Hawley is worried about what people think because that is how he thinks. Maybe there were isolated voices on the left that are poking fun at Hawley before this, but most of it never really gave it a second thought.

We don’t care what is going on in your private life. We want to know that you aren’t breaking the law. We want to know that you aren’t robbing us blind. Beyond that, it really doesn’t matter until you become overbearing and start trying to limit the lifestyle choices of others. I don’t care if Josh Hawley is really gay. I only care if he is trying to prevent other people that might be gay from living the life that they want to live.

As I have said before, the self-own is the cruelest own of all. Hawley is owning himself with this picture. He is showing himself to be weird and goofy even before we critique the actual contents of the photo. The fact that he feels the need to justify anything is weird. It is equally weird to judge him based on this photo. I really don’t care what he does on his own time and I suspect most people don’t either.