The Pessimistic Gardener

Oct. 31 2024. Trump sues CBS News for "deceptively doctoring" their interview with Kamala Harris July 7 2024. Skydance (owned by the Ellisons) announces deal to buy Paramount, owner of CBS News and 60 Minutes. Deal requires FCC approval Jan 20 2025. Trump inaugurated as 47th President Jan 28 2025. Jim Acosta announces departure from CNN after network proposes to move his 10am show to midnight. Trump had called Acosta a "rude, terrible person" and an "enemy of the people" July 2 2025. Paramount/Skydance settles Trump lawsuit, will give $16M to Trump library and $20M in what Trump calls "Advertising, PSAs, or similar Programming." July 2 2025 (evening). CBS News anchor John Dickerson denounces settlement, warns of loss in public trust. "Can you hold power to account after paying it millions?" he asks July 17 2025. Paramount cancels The Late Show with Stephen Colbert July 22 2025. In letter to FCC Chairman, Skydance promises to hire an "ombudsman" to "evaluate" and address "complaints of bias" July 24 2025. FCC approves Skydance acquisition of Paramount Mid-Sept 2025. According to the NYT, David Ellison meets with CEO David Zaslav to propose that Paramount buy Warner Brothers Discovery, owner of CNN and HBO Oct. 6 2025. Paramount/Skydance announces acquisition of Bari Weiss' Free Press. Names Weiss "editor-in-chief" of the company Oct. 27 2025. CBS News anchor John Dickerson announces he will depart network after the holidays Nov. 20 2025. The Guardian reports that Larry Ellison called White House and discussed pulling CNN’s Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar off the air if Paramount bid went through Dec. 7 2025. Trump says he would “be involved in” decision of who will buy WBD, signaling that he will tell his DOJ which bid to allow Dec. 8 2025 Trump blasts Paramount for airing 60 Minutes interview with “low IQ traitor” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Dec. 8 2025. (later in the day) WSJ reports that David Ellison is promising White House sweeping changes to CNN programming if its bid wins out Dec. 8 2025. Paramount's Securities and Exchange Commission filing discloses that $24 billion of its offer to buy WBD will come from sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar & Abu Dhabi Dec. 10 2025. Trump says “any deal” should involve restructuring CNN because leaders are “corrupt” (Paramount’s bid includes CNN; Netflix doesn’t) Dec. 21 2025. Bari Weiss tells 60 Minutes to drop its segment on CECOT (it airs weeks later) Jan. 3 2026. US military seizes Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, later arragined on drug trafficking charges in federal court Jan. 5 2026. Tony Dokoupil starts as CBS News anchor Jan. 6 2026. On air, Dokoupil calls architect of Maduro raid, Sec. Marco Rubio, "the ultimate Florida man," lauds his "impressive resume," and ends broadcast by saying "Marco Rubio, we salute you." Feb. 16 2026. Anderson Cooper confirms he is leaving 60 Minutes. Status reports that this came after Weiss stalled his segment on Trump's decision to admit South African refugees & put it through "abnormal" edits (segment airs Feb. 22) Feb. 16 2026 (contemporaneous). CBS tells Colbert to kill his interview with Texas Dem (and Senate candidate) James Talarico Feb. 27 2026. Paramount and WBD announce $110B merger agreement, including $78B in debt to be held by combined entity Feb. 28 2026. U.S. launches military strikes against Iran March 12 2026. CNN reports that Trump "underestimated" Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz March 13 2026. DefSec Pete Hegseth calls CNN report "patently ridiculous." "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” he says March 14 2026. Trump posts graphic on Truth Social headlined "PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RESHAPING THE MEDIA," taking credit for firings/departures of Acosta, Colbert, & Dickerson, "new ownership" at CNN, "new bias ombudsman" at CBS April 14 2026. The Wrap reports that Paramount is pulling all ads from The Ankler after columnist Richard Rushfield hands out "Block the Merger" pins at film convention April 23 2026. David Ellison to hold dinner "in celebration of the First Amendment" and "honoring the Trump White House" at the rebranded "Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace" in downtown Washington, DC

All of my 53 years on this planet Israel itself has conflated the two as one in the same while reserving the "right" to accuse non Jews who do the same of being antisemites. Can't have it both ways. Unless there's complete decoupling of Israel from Judaism there is no delineation

I hate to give this mind-numbingly stupid tweet more oxygen, but it's a perfect example of the cluelessness of anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionists often say they want to separate Jews and Judaism from Israel. But Zionism, and an emotional, cultural, and spiritual connection to Israel, are essential to Diaspora Jewish identity. Jews can no more easily renounce Zionism or their connection to Israel than an Irish American can turn his or her back on the Irish nation, or Indian Americans can negate their Indian heritage. Anti-Zionism, by denying the connection between Diaspora Jews and Israel, casts Jewish peoplehood and Jewish identity as suspect or, in some settings, morally disqualifying. When you say you're not sure why Israel has a role to play in Jewish faith, you're not only exposing yourself as a schmuck, but you're invalidating Jewish self-identity.

The pre internet progressives of which I was one make these idiots look like MAGAts. They're so insufferable I've left the Democratic Party, now (I). Establishment Dems would be wise to avoid nominating progressives unless you want more former progressives to flee the party.

Chris Rabb, PA-03 candidate, calls out the Obama administration for not prosecuting anyone in the 2008 financial crisis "The biggest financial theft in history! And we ceded our responsibility as Democrats and as public servants to do the right thing when it mattered most. Whatever authority we have, we gotta fully use it. When we normalize evil and corruption—if we cede that authority—we're complicit."