Trump Is Humiliated and More Dangerous Than Ever, William Rivers Pitt

[Beringia]

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2020, 12:19 PM - Edit history (1)

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-is-humiliated-and-more-dangerous-than-ever/

EXCERPTS (edited, I shortened the excerpts)

Why is Trump’s humiliation the worst part of all this? Surely, if any human being ever deserved a dollop of comeuppance on their menu, it is this small fraction of a man.

It is the worst part because of who and what we are dealing with. Trump will continue to be among the most powerful people on Earth for three weeks and a day. He has been publicly shamed and routed off the field, and all for absolutely nothing except a few days of bad attention. People of his bilious temperament are not known for going quietly under the best of circumstances, and for Trump, these circumstances are intolerable.

Compounding this defeat, the House and Senate have returned to Washington, D.C., and their first order of business is an override of Trump’s veto of the defense authorization bill. They have the votes, and most congressional Republicans are not willing to mess with military money, even if it means defying Trump.

If the veto override succeeds on the heels of his disgraceful behavior with the stimulus bill, Trump will not sit still and take his medicine. He will see betrayal on every Republican face and react like Vesuvius. There are still many ways for him to pull the building down before he’s gone, and if I know the man like I think I do, he will try every one of them before he leaves or is removed. That cramp in your stomach (and mine) is going to be there for a little while longer.








Except Trump has no conscience

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

1. I miss WillPitt being here...

Most of the time he posted thoughtful opinions.

[Squinch]

2. But other times he was disgusting and creepy.

[Auggie]

4. I don't remember them being disgusting and creepy

[CatWoman]

61. nor do I

[ProfessorGAC]

79. Cat, You Must Have Missed...

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2020, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)

...when he told me I didn't know what I was talking about when his wife was diagnosed with MS. AFTER I said I had MS for 20 years.
Obama was a POS used car salesman, and I was an idiot who didn't know what I was talking about with regard to a disease I already had for 20 years.
From the early days, I didn't care for his overwrought writing style and his absolutism turned me off. But, there was no ill will.
Until that thread.

[shrike3]

87. Wow. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

90. Yeah. Not my favorite

Didn’t know he was still writing. Usually he’s annoying like an bad over-actor.

You know, I forgot about your MS. My husband and youngest daughter both have it. Hubby’s going on 30 years with it. He’s on Tysobry, daughters on the newer infusion, forgot the name. Anyway, Best of health to you

[SidDithers]

94. Nailed it, Professor...

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Sid

[ProfessorGAC]

100. Back At You, Sid!

BTW: the "you don't know what you're talking about" was in far more colorful language.

[Hekate]

121. That remains an unforgettable episode in DU Chronicles, for those of us who were there

Happy New Year, Prof.

[ProfessorGAC]

126. You Too, Hekate

Oddly enough, a COVID new year's eve is no big deal.
Between 1979 & 2009 the band played every new year's eve, but 1. And we had a party to introduce folks to the new band. (That lasted the next 23 years!)
The party at our house STARTED at 3am for about 15 years.
We're "New Year's Eved" out!
Just a normal night is what we've had anyway.
Maybe we'll watch an NYE video of the band! Just like being there. Wait...we were there!

[grantcart]

146. He made me nauseous

[sheshe2]

158. ...

[Cha]

164. That was a Horrible OP by Pitt.. I'm so

so sorry for what he said to you, Prof GAC

This is what I just wrote that I remember about Pitt..

He wrote Crap pieces like calling President Obama a POSUCS.. "Piece of shit used car salesman".

& he got banned for insulting Hillary & saying he wouldn't vote for her..

Pitt is part of the Problem Why we have trump NOW & for the last 4 Fucking Years.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=14781182

And, he fucking stupidly called President Obama "a Trojan Horse"..

[sheshe2]

167. +++++++++++++++++1000000000000000000000000000

I remember it well, Cha.

[Cha]

170. Like it was Freaking yesterday.. Pitt was Fucking

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2020, 09:05 PM - Edit history (1)

with our Democracy with his Gaslighting Bullshit. It was that bad.

[sheshe2]

172. Yup.

Like it was Freaking yesterday.

I will never forgive or forget what he said about Obama and his refusal to vote for Hill. He said he lived in a blue state and his vote did not matter. What if the rest of us thought that way? We would lose even more elections. FFS!

[Tarheel_Dem]

180. I remember. What I don't understand is if Pitt is banned from this site, why is his crap work....

still allowed to be posted here?

[JonLP24]

181. Being a member is different than sharing someone's work

People here promote The Lincoln Project even though they said horrible things about Democrats & Obama but they didn't come to DU and say those things (because they are Republican strategists) so people here don't hold a grudge.

Unlike those Will Pitt has been on the side of Dems for years even if he made mistakes and has a bad temper.

I knew this thread would turn out like this as soon as it was posted but people should be allowed to share articles from liberal sources & writers.

[Tarheel_Dem]

183. I didn't ask you, but thanks anyhoo.

[Cha]

182. Well whenever he does get posted here..

he Always gets Exposed for what he did & why he was Banned.

It has been awhile since we've had to bring up all those bad memories of his Gaslighting Bullshit about President Obama & Hillary.

Aloha, Tarheel!

[Tarheel_Dem]

184. I despise him and his ilk. His crap shouldn't be allowed here. And Happy New Year dear Cha!

[Cha]

189. Same page, Tarheel!

Happy New Year 2021!! 💙

[William769]

193. And I had a friggin post hidden

When I showed How Will Pitt was a used car salesman.

Thankfully another one bites the dust.

[Cha]

199. I can imagine Whoa! But

look who's left standing & who is Banned forever This Time!!

Happy Healthy New Year, William!

[Vivienne235729]

243. hi Cha! I remember him but I didn't realize he got banned.

[Cha]

257. YES!! Have a HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR

2021, Vivienne!

[Vivienne235729]

260. Thank you! Happy New Year's to you and your family too!

Wishing you a year of joy and happiness....esp Jan 5, 6 ,and 20th.

[still_one]

190. +++

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Yep.

[essme]

6. Other times, many old DUers were disgusting and creepy-

There were times I did not agree with Will- I will say that I was pretty upset when he questioned the money that was raised for Andy's surgery. I will always wonder if that delay killed him.

I can't remember Andy's last name for the life of me; and I don't have time to look it up right now.

DU has always been an interesting place; we have had many passionate Dems/ Liberals on board....that maybe we wouldn't like in "real life."

[Shrek]

18. Andy Stephenson n/t

[essme]

39. Thank you

Oh, that seems like such a long time ago.

Andy was an awesome poster, with a good future. Damned cancer- damned health policy crap in the US.

[obamanut2012]

59. The delay almost defintely shortened his life

And made the quality of the rest of his life worse. Pancreatic cancer isn't like needing to have a non-cancerous thyroid taken out, or most gall bladder operations, where you have some time to delay if needed. That disease is like the Concorde of cancers -- just a terrible disease.

[DFW]

102. It took my father 20 years ago

Along with Glioblastoma (which took his sister and one of her sons), pancreatic cancer is one of the worst diagnoses anyone can receive. Like "the murderer" that my wife had 4 years ago, it is a cancer that almost never shows until it is too late to do anything about it.

[obamanut2012]

104. I wish there was a test for early detection

A family friend died of it many years ago when I was a senior in college -- they gave her three months, she lived 13, but the last three weeks were terrible. She literally begged her husband to shoot her. He told my ;parents that he almost did, even though he knew he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

There is a reason why people don't live long with it, it is unbearable at the end if you live too long with it.

[DFW]

117. My father survived ten months after detection.

Since he was pretty advanced by the time it showed (in the form of jaundice), he wasn't expected to last three months. Luckily, he was pain-free, but since he was jogging and beating guys 20 years younger at tennis less than a year before he died, it still came as quite a shock.

The pain-free part was important, as it left him lucid to the end. He was diagnosed in January of 2000, died in late November of that year. In July, while he was receiving a desperate effort at chemotherapy, there was a money-saving bill suggested in Congress to reduce the amount covered by Medicare for outpatient day visits from 95% to 85%. As someone who would be directly affected, he arranged, with some of the last of his waning strength, a conference call between Sen. Moynihan of NY, the Clinton White House and himself at home, telling Moynihan and Clinton's staff that if they pushed this bill though, it would just force people who would normally be out-patients to check in to the hospital overnight to get the higher coverage, and thus be a huge economic drain with no reason. Both Moynihan and the White House immediately realized he was right, and scrubbed the bill.

It didn't save him, of course, but I'll bet a couple of million Medicare outpatients benefited from his action.

[obamanut2012]

122. Oh well done him

What a wonderful legacy, DFW.

[DFW]

125. One reason why I never considered going into journalism

His shoes were so big to fill, I never wanted to be measured by his standard, so I didn't even try. He got along with almost everyone*, was cited in the Congressional Record by strongly partisan members of BOTH parties and was just about the only journalist from a newspaper in a one-horse town ever elected president of the Gridiron Club in recent times. He organized a weekly breakfast with the Canadian ambassador at the Canadian Embassy for correspondents from papers from border areas, and that group still bore his name for many years after he passed (might still, I don't know).

*There was one Secret Service guy who probably still harbors a grudge. The year my dad was president of Gridiron, for the annual bash in March, they said he had to be the one to select a code name for the agent guarding President Clinton, who was placed right between my dad and Clinton at the podium. My dad had no idea what code name to give a Secret Service Agent. They said it didn't matter, he just had to pick a name. So my dad called him "Plácido Flamingo." The guy grimaced, but he didn't say anything (i guess they are trained to suffer worse).

[shrike3]

62. Yes, I remember Andy Stephenson, the delay with the money, the whole awful experience

I contributed to the effort, never once questioned where the money went. Terrible time, felt so sorry for Andy's partner. The reason I have such a low post count: I was locked out after the 2016 hack and only recently decided to re-up. Glad I did, DU was so useful during the election.

I, too, wondered if the delay killed Andy.

[Tink41]

118. Me Too!!

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2020, 08:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Ive been questioned and badgered over low post count, and locked out in 2009?? wasn't so politically furious then so didnt take the time to re-do it all but came here everyday just the same. I believe I found this place halfway into Bush presidency not sure if halfway into first half, second half or half-half. Been a long time!!!

[essme]

150. I laughed- a "newbie" who has only been here a few years

accused me of lying about how long I have been here.

I really need to email EarlG and go back to my old name- my husband did.

[Tink41]

168. Oh!!!

I don't think I heard of being able to reclaim your old credentials!

[shrike3]

174. I had an encounter with one such poster Christmas Eve. Having a low post count makes you a target

Gets you the "enjoy your stay" line.

[Crunchy Frog]

139. It was mostly the Freepers who killed him. I remember.

[obamanut2012]

8. Most of the time

When he wasn't threatening to kill a homeless, female DUer or calling Obama pos used car salesman.

Oh, and encouraging folks not to vote for Hillary in 2016.

He isn't even a great writer.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. "He isn't even a great writer."

[NurseJackie]

16. A master at purple prose.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_prose

n literary criticism, purple prose is prose text that is so extravagant, ornate, or flowery as to break the flow and draw excessive attention to itself.[1] Purple prose is characterized by the excessive use of adjectives, adverbs, and metaphors. When it is limited to certain passages, they may be termed purple patches or purple passages, standing out from the rest of the work.

Purple prose is criticized for desaturating the meaning in an author's text by overusing melodramatic and fanciful descriptions. As there is no precise rule or absolute definition of what constitutes purple prose, deciding if a text, passage, or complete work has fallen victim is a somewhat subjective decision. According to Paul West, "It takes a certain amount of sass to speak up for prose that's rich, succulent and full of novelty. Purple is immoral, undemocratic and insincere; at best artsy, at worst the exterminating angel of depravity."[2]

That describes his writing perfectly.

[Cirque du So-What]

23. Mark Twain quote:

When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them--then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are far apart.

[PatSeg]

28. What a great quote

Such a brilliant mind.

[lunatica]

171. Twain would find it very amusing that

we all threw out that singularly cogent advice during the Trump Era. So many of us trashed all pretense at good writing and opted instead to express our outrage, fear and loathing with as many adjectives as we could string together in our attempt to express our rage.

It’ll be nice to try writing well again.

[NNadir]

56. Hey! That's me!!!.

[Hekate]

116. That's a wonderful quote

And so apropos of Will.

Happy New Year, Jackie.

[sheshe2]

160. It is the new year...almost.

This fits.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?

My answer to this is yes. He should be forgot. He ripped out many heart and souls here and was allowed to stay. I will never forgive him for his words about Obama. He is gone and forgotten, please people stop bringing him back here.

[obamanut2012]

27. Yup, exactly wwhat Nurse Jackie says below

[niyad]

19. I remember that threat. She was terrified.

[obamanut2012]

30. And, he STILL wasn't banned for that

[PatSeg]

35. I think I know the woman you are

talking about, but I wasn't aware he had threatened her. That is really disturbing.

[obamanut2012]

51. He threatened to kill her

I think beat to death, but take that last part with a grain of salt.

Skinner removed all the posts, then allowed Pitt to "apologize," so all was well. I believe the same thing happened after he called Obama a POS.

[PatSeg]

57. I took a lot of breaks from DU over the years

so I missed all of that. Do you know whatever happened to her? Can't remember her name now, but we used to interact frequently. A lot of the old timers are gone now, but I am in contact with a few on Facebook who left for various reasons.

[obamanut2012]

58. She disappearred off of here soon after

I know a few other folks like you were in contact with her, too.

Was it Bobbi? My mind still has some lingering Covid brain fog.

[PatSeg]

63. Whoa

Just before I clicked on your comment, "Bobbilink" popped in my head. Something like that and I think her profile pic was Harriet Tubman. Apparently we were on the same wave link. It is hard when someone is homeless, as they can just disappear overnight and it takes awhile before anyone knows they are gone. The invisible people. I remember her posting something about "useless eaters" that really hit home for me.

My daughter says she has experienced Covid brain fog as well, though not sure if it was from the virus or the quarantine.

[tblue37]

74. Bobbolink.

[PatSeg]

75. It finally dawned on me a bit ago

though I'd remembered it as Bobbilink, but I was close. And her profile pic was of Harriet Tubman. Her life was really hard and I often wondered what happened to her. When you are homeless, you become invisible to most people. So many die on the streets all the time with barely a recognition that they had ever existed.

[shrike3]

86. I remember the name Bobbolink. Didn't recall she was homeless. Then again

I wasn't on DU all that much back then. Hope she's okay. This site was probably important to her, some sort of home. Too bad it was spoiled for her.

[PatSeg]

109. I think it really was

She spent a lot of time here and got very involved in the discussions.

[obamanut2012]

76. Thank you

to everyone who reminded me of her name. Her name deserves to be remembered.

[PatSeg]

113. There are so many DU names that I can't remember anymore

even though I remember the interactions. After awhile, my memory banks get full and can't hold anymore information.

[tavernier]

258. I was keysdisease back then.

I left for a while when Kerry lost. I drove my family crazy and they suggested I get away from politics for a while. It was helpful. I can recommend that from time to time.

[PatSeg]

261. I've taken quite a few breaks over the years

though I never actually left. I couldn't have a balanced life if it was all politics, all the time. I remember when they let us change our names - one time thing. I used to be tsegat, which was a very old and impersonal leftover from my Sprint days and had no real significance.

I'm looking forward to not worrying about Trump every waking moment.

[tblue37]

73. Dupe. Self-delete.

[Crunchy Frog]

141. I got together with her once back in '04.

I didn't know about the threats either.

[PatSeg]

142. Did you meet her in person?

Some of us are wondering what happened to her.

[Crunchy Frog]

147. Yes. We were both in Colorado at the time,

and I believe she had housing then. We went to a Kucinich event together.

I think Bobbi was her actual name, and Bobbolink was a later username. I think she had a different username at the time I met her.

I don't know what ultimately happened to her. I know she ended up homeless in a different state, and I remember her posting about being really sick but not wanting to see a doctor.

Memories are very vague as it was such a long time ago.

[PatSeg]

154. Thanks

It is always so sad when people just disappear and if it is an online friend or acquaintance, we often have no idea that they aren't even around anymore.

One of my DU friends became one of my Facebook friends, so when he died suddenly, I did hear about it, as his sister posted something. I would have said something here, but he hadn't been on DU for quite some time. Poor guy was only in his forties.

[PatSeg]

24. Really?

I didn't realize he was still at DU in 2016. I don't read Truthout because of the anti Biden tone. A little too extreme for me, but I did like him back in the early days at DU. He was the first person to welcome me to DU.

[obamanut2012]

29. That was on FB

He spent months telling people not to vote for Clinton in the GE, and stated he was voting for Jill Stein.

[PatSeg]

38. Oh okay

Thanks. I didn't realize he became that extreme. I come across him occasionally when someone posts an article by him from Truthout, but I haven't seen any posts or comments from him in a very long time.

[NNadir]

55. Anyone who voted for Jill Stein when Trump was a candidate lacks a shred of decency.

I remember there was a time that he was prominent here, but I can't say that I was tremendously interested in what he had to say.

I may have picked up at some point that he was a Michael Moore type, a person so absorbed in his own holiness that he becomes evil.

[NurseJackie]

263. Last sentence... PERFECT!! I wish I'd said that! You nailed it!

That is the distilled essence of it.



Happy New Year!

[cwydro]

32. Thank you.

This.

[PatSeg]

45. I just found an article from 2015

where he accused President Obama of being a "Trojan Horse". I don't remember him being so extreme in the early years, but back then everything was anti-Bush. Once a Democrat is in the White House, a lot of self-described liberals often show an intolerance for any politician, left or right, because none of them can pass their purity test.

[obamanut2012]

54. Yes, exactly -- terrific post

Yeah, he was (maybe still is) pretty bad on FB.

[PatSeg]

60. I guess

we learn the hard way during really contentious primaries. That is when emotions run high and many show their true colors. I avoided the Primary forum in 2016 because of that and my DU experience was much more pleasant. Several of my friends left back then for good. I got a bit more involved this time because of my support for Biden, but had to bite my tongue a lot.

Democrats during a primary are quite the sight to behold! It can be a real test of one's tolerance and patience. Fortunately, we tend to come together once it is over. Well, there are a few exceptions, but I suppose that is inevitable.

[Hekate]

119. Interesting comment about us all being anti-Bush. I had a long-lost cousin ...

We emailed quite a bit during the Bush years (well, he did; I was on his list) and if he was over-the-top, well I hated BushCheney too.

Then Obama ran for president, and from then on I was subject to every wild conspiracy theory and vile rumor about a man born in my home state whose parents had met at my university ... Nothing I could say made a difference, so I just had to delete everything on arrival until he got bored and dropped me.

[PatSeg]

173. I know what you mean

For some people, it had nothing to do with party politics or ideology. They were just ready to latch on to anything contrary or conspiracy theory oriented. I remember even Alex Jones was against Bush and Cheney, but actually he was selling controversy, any controversy, as that's what people were buying. People who weren't buying the government's version of 9/11 often were very receptive to people like Jones. Many of them took the bait and stayed hooked for years.

I've begun to realize that there are some people who want to be outraged primarily for the sake of being outraged. It seems to feed them. They'll never be satisfied because that isn't what they want.

[Hekate]

176. I think you are right about that. Some people feed on outrage. nt

[PatSeg]

178. Its addictive

On one hand, it can energize you, but it also can be exhausting. I've even caught myself looking for outrage, but there is just too much for any one person to absorb and stay somewhat sane. I have to ration my outrage these days. Meanwhile, there's more than enough to go around.

[Cha]

162. I remember that Crap piece, too, Pat..

this is what I know about pitt..

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=14781182

[PatSeg]

177. Democratic Underground

was a lot different back then. It was more like the Wild West, and many of us were a bit naïve and easily intimidated. I didn't know about professional trolls or just nuisance trolls, and I often took attacks personally. The Internet was still fairly new, untamed territory to most people and the rules were a bit vague. People like Pitt came in, pushed boundaries and tried to dominate. I think we were all learning together.

It has become so much more sane and civil here, thanks to the rules and oversight.

[we can do it]

41. More often than not.

[Skittles]

110. OMG so he wasn't perfect

ENOUGH already

[cwydro]

133. Threatening to kill a poster here? A homeless woman?

Calling Obama a POS?

That is just not “perfect” in your opinion?

Oookay.

[George II]

3. I can't miss anyone who called Obama a piece of s* used car salesman. I guess that's just me.

[Solomon]

7. +1000

He burned his bridges here.

[obamanut2012]

9. Then doubled down

[Phentex]

71. he double downed on sexist remarks too. And then he had a daughter...

he tried to back-slither a little bit then but it was too late. For her sake, I hope he became more aware.

[obamanut2012]

77. Oh yes

He and his cadre were pretty bad that way.

[Grasswire2]

91. come on now

"back-slither"???

Really?

What a disgusting term. And I'm speaking as both an editor and a friend of WP who has watched him cherish his daughter in the finest fatherly tradition.

[Withywindle]

123. Not commenting on WRP specifically but

Women are right to be suspicious of men who appear to only start taking sexism seriously when they have a daughter.

It looks like they only started caring about it when they think about potential harm done to their own female Mini-Me. Doesn't speak well of the awareness of ALL women being people, not just the one they made.

I'm not saying this one man specifically really is like this. But that sure is how it looks to the rest of us.

[obamanut2012]

128. Yup, Jay-Z did that when Beyonce had their daughter

He said he wouldn't use "bitch" and other language anymore, and then started being really vocal against Chris Brown. My wingnut sexist cousin did the same.

FOR ME, changing because you had a daughter (or "changing&quot makes it worse for some reason.

[Grasswire2]

135. who is "the rest of us"?

I'm not sure who you mean. Or how you can speak for them (whoever they are).

[Withywindle]

157. I'm a woman speaking for women who notice patterns of behavior

in men who have a history of sexism. Not all will agree with me of course. But the particular pattern of behavior I pointed out is very common and wide-spread.

[betsuni]

161. She speaks for me.

[wnylib]

11. OMG! He did that?

It would have been before my time here.

I used to read Pitt's articles at TO during the Bush II years. I liked him then, but after reading this about him, I am appalled.

[obamanut2012]

31. Yup, I'm one of the ones he attacked for calling him out on it

Very verbally violently attacked.

[Texasgal]

132. I've been on the underside of his

attacks as well. Specifically, for once pointing out a discrepancy in one of his posts. From then on he followed me, said shitty things in my threads... sent nasty PM's to me all while trying to get me banned.

I'm glad he's gone.

[obamanut2012]

134. Ugh

I'm sorry that happened to you, that sucks.

[PatSeg]

145. Oh, I wonder if he might be the reason

for some of the stricter rules here. The stalking and nasty PM's?

[GusBob]

155. You too huh?

Lemme guess late nite drunken rage

[Texasgal]

166. Yup!

Or rather a series of late night drunken rages.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

12. Not going to defend that ...

Bothered me also there are other ways to get a point across without name calling.

[obamanut2012]

33. His "point" wasn't even true

[mcar]

64. I was one of several DUers who tried to help him with the problem he was having

He had no point; he made a choice to relocate to a rural area without first checking on the ACA health coverage options in the new place.

Once there, he discovered that the plans offered didn't cover his wife's expensive medication. So he freaked out and blamed President Obama.

I suggested he contact the pharma company that made the med(s) since most of them have programs for people who can't afford the cost. Within a very short time, he had gotten his wife's meds for free.

The OP was up for weeks, IIRC, and got many hundreds of replies - many from the same purity patrol who had started criticizing PBO within minutes of his 2008 inauguration. He didn't apologize for the OP until much later - and never took it down.

[NurseJackie]

15. And he's an awful writer too. Unless one likes word-salads... so many words, but not much content.

[mtnsnake]

67. Awful writer? No, not by a long shot, not according to the reviews of the books he's written.

[NurseJackie]

82. Well, I guess I just have much higher standards than the reviewers or his fans.

Awful writer? No, not by a long shot, not according to the reviews of the books he's written.

Well, I guess I just have much higher standards than the reviewers or his fan-reviewers. I've read his writing, and by all reasonable measures, he's absolutely dreadful. It's fingernails-on-a-chalkboard awful. It's biting-down-on-aluminum-foil awful. I think it's fair to say that the most likely explanation for any "good reviews" were based on a shared political philosophy, rather than on any objective critique or analysis of his writing style and abilities.

[mtnsnake]

84. I've never bitten down on aluminum foil

but it does not sound good!

[Grasswire2]

138. LOL

He leads a lovely and admiring community on FB of thousands of friends plus more than three thousand followers. (A good number of DU members are there.)

His lengthy creds include NYT best-selling books.

Where did you get your fine education as a critic of literature and writing? I missed your bio.

[NurseJackie]

148. I have higher standards. I'm not easily impressed with his purple prose.

His lengthy creds include NYT best-selling books.

You know who else has "best-selling books"? Literary greats such as: Trump, Trump Junior, Sarah Palin, L.Ron Hubbard.

I missed your bio.

Sorry, this is not about me. But I can tell you that I don't have fawning groupies and then try to pass that off as proof of a skill that doesn't exist.

All I'm trying to say is that I have higher standards. I'm not easily impressed with his purple prose or his ego... or his temper and lack of good judgement. He's a clown.

[Grasswire2]

188. LOL nt

[NNadir]

156. It is a huge mistake to misconstrue popularity either as talent or integrity.

Neither does anyone need to share a "bio" to have an opinion. Bus drivers, shipping clerks, and for that matter, homeless people, are not precluded from having valid opinions, nor are college professors, CEOs or newspaper columnists precluded from having nonsensical opinions.

Bill O'Reilly's books have been on the New York Times best sellers lists, and O'Reilly is about as muddled brained a thinker as one can imagine.

Maureen Dowd is a long time New York Times Columnist, but is clearly, on inspection, a trivializing fool.

The point is that one's presence on a best sellers list, or a presence in the New York Times has no relevance to value. Claiming that it does is simply an evocation of the logical fallacy of Appeal to Popularity. (I once owned a Mercury Sable, the cousin of the Ford Taurus, which was correctly advertised as the "Best Selling Car in America." It was also the worst car I ever owned.)

Writing well, if it is true that Pitt could write well, on which I offer a comment on very narrow exposure below, does not mean that one is worthy of attention, or that one is entitled to a measure or respect.

William F. Buckley could write well, but the message he offered was pernicious.

I really don't remember much about William Rivers Pitt. I recall him only vaguely, but recognize that at one time he was a prominent poster here. I may have opened some of his posts, but they were hardly memorable. Apparently, from what's been stated in this thread by people who were more interested in what he had to say than I was, he was something of a creep.

I did take a look at the writing linked in the opening post of this thread. In this case it's generic, and expresses no deep or original thinking. Whether his books are better than that, I will never know. I'll take my fellow DUers word for it.

A person who has behaved in the way he is alleged to have behaved here is not worthy of this community. I can be harsh and dismissive myself of certain ideas, and I've been called out for it, but I have never been in favor of physical threats, sexist rhetoric, and opposition to Democratic candidates, in particular, Hillary Clinton. I may not have agreed with everything that Secretary Rodham Clinton may or may not have done, but I am convinced she would have been not just a better president than the racist seated in the office, but would have been an honest broker of the American system of Government.

A person who voted for Jill Stein over Hillary Clinton and then has the temerity to complain about Trump is, in a metaphor I often use in another context, the equivalent of an arsonist who wants to be praised for fire fighting.

One needed to be nearly devoid of either or both sense or integrity to have not voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. If it is true that William Rivers Pitt did this, or advocated it, then he is of no more value than a garden slug, not that I wish to demean garden slugs with the comparison.

[obamanut2012]

163. Well, bravo

[MrsCoffee]

195. And a masters degree in alcoholism.

That’s how he fucked his reputation up so bad here.

[Grasswire2]

200. You know his mother posts here, don't you?

And is a long-time member with a fine reputation and many friends.

[MrsCoffee]

202. No one is talking about his mother.

But I’d bet she already knows.

[cwydro]

203. It would seem very likely.

Well, let’s hope he’s got a grip on that now that he has a child.

[Grasswire2]

214. What a ridiculous statement.

His mother is reading lies and rumors written about her son here. Shame on those who continue this attack.

[MrsCoffee]

216. Lol. I imagine his mother knows the truth about her son.

Sorry, can't shame me over this shit.

[Grasswire2]

217. As Rick Wilson says: "You sound nice." nt

[sheshe2]

219. She was one of the people that wanted him to take down his POSUCS Op.

[mtnsnake]

205. Unbelievable isn't it

how callous some people can be, especially when the guy is no longer here to defend himself.

[MrsCoffee]

207. As callous as he was, I'm sure he could take it.

[Grasswire2]

215. +10 nt

[Skittles]

231. they make me sick

[MrsCoffee]

235. Oh please.

right back at defenders of the indefensible.

[betsuni]

169. He's a terrible writer.

That's clear from his online articles. People forget that books have editors.

[mtnsnake]

206. I'm not sticking up for Pitt, but instead of insulting him behind his back

why not contact him and tell him to his face if it bothers you so much? Maybe you can give him some hints on how he can improve his writing skills.

[MrsCoffee]

209. To his face? After he threatened to kill a member of this forum?

Lol.

Maybe don’t give people advice on the internet.

[mtnsnake]

211. To "contact him" means to do so online, not in person, as if you didn't know what I meant

Good grief.

[MrsCoffee]

212. Good grief indeed.

[betsuni]

213. "Behind his back" the way he called Obama a POS used car salesman and Trojan horse?

I wonder why Pitt didn't contact him and tell him to his face if it bothered him so much.

[sheshe2]

220. For the win!

[mtnsnake]

221. you again

I guess I'll just consider the source and let it go at that....

[sheshe2]

222. Excuse me?

mtnsnake

221. you again

I guess I'll just consider the source and let it go at that....

If you have issues with me then ignore me. I wasn't responding to you, you sought me out.

[mtnsnake]

223. No, you weren't responding TO me

You were responding ABOUT me, and it's far from the first time in case you thought I wouldn't notice.

[sheshe2]

224. No I was not responding TO YOU or ABOUT YOU..

213.
Betsuni
"Behind his back" the way he called Obama a POS used car salesman and Trojan horse?

I wonder why Pitt didn't contact him and tell him to his face if it bothered him so much.

I responded to betsuni and said "For the Win" That wasn't about you at all. Reminds me of a song...yet will leave it at that.

[mtnsnake]

225. Oh come on, sheshe2

You responded with "For the win!" to the person who had responded to me, did you not? If someone won, then there has to be a loser, and if that wasn't about me, then who was it about?

[sheshe2]

226. My for the WIN was for this comment.

I wonder why Pitt didn't contact him and tell him to his face if it bothered him so much.

This comment alone was why I said it was for the win. You want to read deeper things into this, that is on you. He could have contacted Obama and explain that he effed up in not researching his wife's insurance. I am very sure he could have gotten help. Instead he blamed Obama when he alone was to blame. He could have gotten help, instead he called him a POSUCS.

Please leave me alone now. We are done.

[mtnsnake]

227. OK

I'll take your word for it that your "For the win" comment had nothing to do with me. I figured it did because of who that other person was responding to....and because you responded to him or her with that comment.

My bad, then. I apologize.

[betsuni]

230. No more book, movie, music, art critics! No pundits! No comment sections!

Someone might say something uncomplimentary (but true) about someone's work and that would be going behind their back.

[lapucelle]

194. He was before my time, but gosh, that is awful writing...

.. studied, self conscious, and artificial, like a bad sermon o̶n̶ ̶a̶ ̶h̶a̶z̶y̶,̶ ̶h̶u̶n̶g̶o̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶S̶u̶n̶d̶a̶y̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ .

He needs to learn restraint.

[Hortensis]

40. Nope. Zero tolerance. There's something really wrong with

people who'd think those things, and even more with the lying liars who take to the web to poison minds.

Admiring Pitt because some selection of his writing sounded good is like admiring Trump because some piece of his rhetoric sounded good. They're both #TheRealNastyWankers.

[PatSeg]

47. Well Hortensis

In all fairness though, NONE of Donald Trump's rhetoric ever sounded good! But I get your point. Some things just cannot be tolerated and he crossed the line far too many times.

[Hortensis]

65. :) Well, gotta agree.

[PatSeg]

66. Gotta keep our sense of humor!

Happy New Year and this year it isn't just a perfunctory greeting!

[Hortensis]

70. 2021!

On the sense of humor side, I've splurged on two thick pork chops to try out the $250 sous vide set our lovely daughter gave me for Christmas. She enjoys cooking and has a very large kitchen, so over the past few years mine has been slowly filling up with special appliances she thinks her mom also needs. She's going to turn out to be right again, no doubt, and I do already know its hard boiled eggs are unsurpassable.

[Upthevibe]

130. Hortensis....

Your daughter sounds like a Gem! So long 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello 2021!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hortensis]

143. Hello, 2021!!!! How strange that fighting a raging pandemic

is going to be a great positive change, a return to who we are doing what we've never had to.

[efhmc]

48. Was not that attentive around here at that time but wondered what happened.

[Skittles]

112. OMFG

He lost it when his wife was diagnosed with a serious illness, and some people feel the need to hold that over his head the rest of his LIFE

ENOUGH ALREADY

[cwydro]

179. That's what made him vote for Jill Stein?

[kcr]

175. Same n/t

[Turin_C3PO]

14. I liked his writing

and agreed with many of his opinions but he did some pretty bad stuff here on DU.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

17. He did snap and go downhill fast...nt

[mcar]

25. He started out good but went downhill

He threatened other DUers, encouraged people to vote against Democrats and, oh year, called President Obama a piece of s#it.

No thanks.

[malaise]

69. Ditto

[Cha]

159. No he did NOT.. he was all about

Crap pieces like calling President Obama a POSUCS.. "Piece of shit used car salesman".

& he got banned for insulting Hillary & saying he wouldn't vote for her..

Pitt is part of the Problem Why we have trump NOW & for the last 4 Fucking Years.

[Owl]

197. Same here.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

13. True. nt

[stonecutter357]

20. William Rivers Pitt is a piece of shit used car salesman . fuck him !

[housecat]

21. This is about Trump not Pitt.

What can we do with Trump now? Anything? We really need to STOP HIM not watch and talk. If he is nothing more than a dangerous insane criminal what is stopping us from acting? Somebody said a sitting president blah blah blah. Fuck that.

[MineralMan]

22. On January 20, he will no longer be President.

We can't do anything about him until then, I'm afraid.

[housecat]

52. Maybe give him a head start to leave the country and try to stay out of prison?

[Hortensis]

131. For some reason, the "Lock her up!!" chants are coming to mind,

though those people were too busy trying to destroy a Democratic candidate any way they could to worry about Trump. In any case, we're a nation of laws, not a mob.

[PatSeg]

26. "What is stopping us from acting?"

And what do you propose that we do? I really don't understand what you are suggesting.

[housecat]

43. Indict him and get him off the golf course

[ProfessorGAC]

80. You Sure You Want Him Off The Golf Course

The more he's out there, the less time he has to do damage.
Geez, I'm a better player than him. I'll give him free lessons if it keeps him off his phone!

[housecat]

93. Good point, but his "work" probably takes place on the golf course too.

[ProfessorGAC]

111. Doubtful

First, his method of cheating takes concentration.
Second, the amount of business actually done on the golf course is a myth.
I've been in those golf dates. Business is barely discussed on the course, and minimally in the clubhouse.
That myth is rooted on the ability for a company to take going golfing as a legitimate business expense.
One could ask "How's your company's stock price?", in the restroom, at the turn you've now made this a business affair.
Those of us who were in those groups know that business had almost nothing to do with the day.

[housecat]

120. I'm sure you are right. I don't golf so I was probably guessing

[ProfessorGAC]

127. It's An Enduring Myth

I think many people trust that it's true.
Also, I was on the BoD of a $3-4 hundred million dollar CCU.
5 or 6 golf outing a year for 20 years. (CU board member don't get paid. Free golf was a perk)
So, 100-120 golf outings. Never heard banking discussed!
Add to that working for multinational and playing golf another 30-40 times, "for business", it's hard for me to believe my experience is not representative.
Business done on the golf course is an excuse, not a valid reason.

[fescuerescue]

247. "Business being done" is indeed a myth

But really it's an oversimplification.

The best explanation I've heard, from perhaps the best salesman I've ever know is that is really about "building and strengthening relationships". And that all business is really just done on relationships.

I'm not a golf guy. Can't stand the game.

But I think the point I heard about relationships is spot on.

[ProfessorGAC]

251. Still Think That's A Myth Too

Just a way to explain away the obvious BS.
As I said, I've been on over 100 of these affairs.
Not once was it conducted with anyone with whom the relationship didn't already exist.
Is it schmoozing? Yes.
But, the relationship was already extant.
Think about it. One already has to know the other person is into golf. Meeting someone in the board room doesn't allow that. It's getting to know them first.
Then, you find out they play golf, they'd be someone you could spend 4 or 5 hours with, and then you bring up business golf.
Given my experience, I don't buy any piece of this as other than having fun on the company dime.

[cwydro]

34. What should we be doing?

Wondering what your suggestions might be.

[housecat]

49. Stall

Ok technically he can continue killing and carrying out Putin's wishes for another three weeks wile we watch him and fill the air with commentary. I'll bet some clever legal minds could keep him out of trouble for that long. Ignore his tantrums and orders. Give him a diversion he can't resist. Arrest his kids. Seriously. Depose him. Anything to keep him focused on his own skin and not on more destruction.

[obamanut2012]

36. Such as?

[housecat]

44. Dunno. Ignore him? Indict him?

[Wicked Blue]

78. Give him a fake reality TV show

and make him think it's the hit show of the year. Give him a mike in a fake studio and let him rant and rave for hours on end, and have paid actors call in and praise him bigly.

[housecat]

97. Exactly! There is always a way.

[obamanut2012]

108. lol good idea

[Turin_C3PO]

37. We can't do anything until he is gone.

A Republican Senate continues to enable him and there's really nothing we can do.

[housecat]

50. Nothing? if he puts his miniature finger on the nuclear button?

[Turin_C3PO]

53. He can only give the order to launch,

not actually launch them himself. I’d hope that the people in charge of firing the nuke would refuse the order. I believe they would.

[housecat]

95. My point exactly. Ignore him. Make him irrelevant with more than just the code.

[bdamomma]

88. so unfortunate

that we cannot get him out sooner. He is extremely dangerous at the moment.

[housecat]

96. Yes but we can behave as if he is out now.

[Aristus]

42. "Small fraction of a man." Good quote.

[Upthevibe]

85. Aristus.....I wish I had watched The West Wing....

I know the show helped get my sis and a lot of people through the Bush years. I think it's on Netflix and I'd binge it but I think there's like a million seasons and like a million episodes per season.

Is it a show that I could watch the first few seasons and end at a particular season?

I ask because ************SPOILER ALERT*****************DEXTER*******************

I LOVED the first four seasons. In fact, season four may have been one of the best seasons of any T.V. show ever! IMHO it kind of went downhill from there (although it probably would've been impossible to get close to the perfection of the fourth season); and, the series finale was HORRIBLE!

As far as William Rivers Pitt goes, I knew there was some controversy about him but I don't remember the details. I will say this, the "purist" have cost us big time. I have NO patience for the so-called "progressive" contrarians who have effed things up more often than not. And, as a DU'er from the very beginning, I have one name that'll push just about everyone's button:

RALPH NADER

[Aristus]

89. The West Wing was taken off NetFlix on the 21st. It's on HBO-Max now.

As luck would have it, although there are seven seasons total, only the first four are really worth watching. Creator and head writer Aaron Sorkin, and director Thomas Schlamme produced an incredibly well-written, fascinating, engaging show. They were forced off the show after its fourth season. Fans like me point out that the remaining three seasons may as well be a different show. Same characters, same setting, but none of the quicksilver dialogue or fascinating stories.

Right-wingers and other critics called it 'liberal porn'. But it only seems like that because the show starts with the premise that most people are basically good and decent, and government workers are dedicated to serving the public and the country as a whole. That flies in the face of everything modern American conservativism is all about.

Each season clocks in at 23 or 24 episodes. And they are so fast-paced and driven that each hour goes by very quickly. It's the most binge-able series ever.

[PatSeg]

152. I can't count how many times I've watched

The West Wing all the way through. Recently I decided to watch it again, as it has been quite awhile. There was a notification that it was only available until December 24th, so I kind of binge watched all but the last episode. Then it turned up on HBO Max. I had a feeling it would, but pushed myself to watch them anyway. Meanwhile, I did have that last season on DVD, so I didn't have to hurry. I just don't like dealing with DVDs anymore.

Anyway, I have to say that the show was a real education for me and I learn something new every time I watch it. I agree that the first four seasons were the best. I liked the last season the least. All the campaigning got tedious and redundant and I never found Matt Santis believable as a candidate. If the election was in real life, I am afraid Arnold Vinick probably would have won. Alan Alda was really good in that role. Sadly, there are no real life republicans like that anymore and if there are, the base would turn on them.

[azureblue]

46. SO how do we get Don to focus

his ire onto Mitch?

[housecat]

99. Wicked Blue has a very good idea.

[tritsofme]

68. Pitt is an absolute trash human, fuck him and the horse he rode in on.

DU is a much better place without him, and his slanders of President Obama.

[SidDithers]

98. +1...nt

Sid

[Skittles]

115. I can think of a few others who fit that description

yes indeed

[Autumn]

250. Yep. Some much worse.

[Skittles]

254. oh yes

indeed they are

[bdamomma]

72. there are so many speculations about tRump will do

Last edited Wed Dec 30, 2020, 02:21 PM - Edit history (1)

in his last days. Stories are coming out in abundance. Here's another one


Clinical psychologist breaks down the final, desperate days of our psychopath-in-chief: How bad will it get

snip of article

Written by
Alan D. Blotcky and/
Salon |December 29, 2020
  

https://www.alternet.org/2020/12/donald-trump-psychology/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6241


We must face the alarming truth. Our irrational and reckless president will spend his last 23 days in office harboring the hope that a military coup in our country will allow him to remain in power. Or that Congress will overthrow the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6. Donald Trump is totally preoccupied with his existential survival as the walls of reality are closing in on him. He has been repudiated in the election. His psyche cannot comprehend how he could have lost to such an ordinary, mortal man. He is beside himself with embarrassment and humiliation. He is driven by revenge. He wants to settle scores. His thin veneer of greatness and superiority is crumbling away. He is desperate and flailing.

Trump is a psychopath. He has all the defining characteristics in spades: narcissistic, sadistic, antisocial, paranoid. This is malignant psychopathology in the embodiment of our president. He has the kind of personality pathology that should be unacceptable in our top public servant. Trump should have been rooted out in 2016. A psychopath should never have been elected to the highest office in the land. We have been suffering for it ever since: division, tribalism, hostility, racism, xenophobia, terrorism and more.

[tblue37]

81. You need to post just 4 paragraphs, to avoid violating copyright laws.

[bdamomma]

83. thanks will revise

nt

[SidDithers]

92. Will Pitt. LOL...

Sid

[grantcart]

149. Didn't he used to be someone?

[mtnsnake]

101. This is not addressed to the OP, but I thought it was against DU rules to trash another DUer

like what's been going on here in this thread with the bashing Pitt is taking in the form of some serious insults. He still has a profile here.

[obamanut2012]

103. No he isn't -- He has been FFR for literal years

ie he is a disavowed user and is no longer a member of DU.

[mtnsnake]

107. So if he still has a profile but is flagged for review, people can flail away at him? Pretty low to

see someone get pounded like that when he can't even defend himself here. I don't agree with what he said about Obama, but I remember him coming up with plenty of amazing posts otherwise, posts that seemed to thrill most DUers.

[obamanut2012]

114. He is no longer a member here

He can ask EarlG to be reinstated.

He was an extrememly problematic poster for a long time, and was horrible to many of us, including the poor woman he threatened to violently kill. He continued being problematic when he left here.

No one in this thread has said one false word about him, and most have been remarkably restrained.

on edit: Also, many folks do not enjoy his writing, but while he was here actively posting what he wrote, most folks were polite.

[Hekate]

105. I thought he was PPR'd, finally. But apparently he simply refused to sign the TOS.

I think that makes him not-a-member. He has a blank profile.

He’s not playing in this sandbox anymore, but the kiddies still here are actually grownups with long memories for the way he lashed out at everybody, called Obama a POS used car salesman regarding the ACA and refused to take responsibility for having moved his chronically ill wife to a different state without first checking how that state handles the ACA, instead blaming us all for being heartless.

If you think we’re bashing a member, by all means check in with the Admins.

[obamanut2012]

106. He was -- that's what FFR means

They do it to folks and keep them there -- they are a disavowed user ie they are no longer a member. It's been years now, since he was in that status. Posters in this thread are not bashing a member.

[Hekate]

124. Yep

Happy New Year.

[obamanut2012]

129. You too, Hekate!

Hoping 2021 will be better -- at least we will have Biden and Harris soon!

[Grasswire2]

136. How do you know he refused to sign the TOS? nt

[Hekate]

137. I checked his Profile....

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=115040

[Grasswire2]

140. That does not mean he REFUSED to sign it.

It means he neglected to do so because he had no desire to return.

"Refusing" implies an action.

[Hekate]

144. Get serious. If he "had no desire to return" he's still not a member...

Perhaps being FFR’d and/or PPR’d put him in a sulk and he didn't wanna play any more.

In addition, the Big Sort of 2016 where everybody had to choose whether or not to sign the revised TOS is probably what is reflected in his Profile — there’s a lot of them out there: all the notifications went out automatically and are only removed when someone consents to sign the new TOS. I went through it, you went through it, and so did everyone else here. It’s a choice.

[Grasswire2]

187. yes

You only "refuse to sign it" if you want to come back but don't want to agree to TOS.

If you simply don't want to be here any more, you just don't come back. That's not a refusal of TOS.

[gldstwmn]

151. I will take a pass on WRP.

I'm not sure why it's okay to even post that here. The fawning that went on here over him was nauseating. And then there are all the things others have mentioned. I'll never forget Andy Stephenson.

[GusBob]

153. The fawning lol

He is catching well deserved shit in this thread

My how times have changed. If you crossed him, he and his sycophants would flay you and troll you mercilessly.

When I was a new poster it was harsh

I’m still here he’s all gone. Some of his fawns are still here.

[obamanut2012]

165. ....

(some in this thread)

[gldstwmn]

185. I've been through two major hacks

on this site. There were some great folks who are no longer here. But there are great folks still here too.

[kcr]

186. I think DU has mellowed out a bit

Plus I don't think many of his fans have stuck around.

[AwakeAtLast]

191. Agreed!

It's like we've aged 20 years or something....

I miss the epic flame wars - sometimes.

[Skittles]

232. I'm not a fawn

not an a****** either

[GusBob]

242. You claimed an untruth already in this thread

You claimed WP lost it when his wife was diagnosed with a life threatening condition

That’s not what happened. He lost it because he messed up on their health insurance coverage for her medication

Nothing whatsoever to do with a diagnosis

He took the vow, better or worse, sickness and in health richer or poorer.

He tried to blame the POTUS for his own in capabilities

What really bothered me at that time: my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer just before this whole episode. Without full coverage I took a second job to pay our bills.

Vow honored without complaints or passing blame

[Skittles]

255. he lost it

GET OVER IT ALREADY

and here's an idea: if people don't like William then DON'T CLICK ON THESE THREADS.....how hard is that?

DONE HERE

[mtnsnake]

246. +100,000

[MrsCoffee]

237. Yes, they are obviously still here.

Kinda gross, but to each his own fawning I guess.

[cwydro]

239. Yes indeed

[AwakeAtLast]

192. Came for the comments

Was not disappointed!

[NurseJackie]

196. "EXCERPTS (edited, I shortened the excerpts)" --- Too bad Pitt didn't also self-edit.

EXCERPTS (edited, I shortened the excerpts)

Too bad Pitt didn't also self-edit. He could certainly used a good editor. Someone (anyone!) who could tighten things up and get rid of all the distracting prose and superfluous verbal decoration.

I do know that it's difficult to self-edit one's own words. There's a strong instinct to not cut anything... usually related to one's firm belief (and ego) that if they wrote it, then surely it MUST be important. That's why a 2nd or 3rd set of eyes is important.

Some writers assume that the reader knows NOTHING and therefore everything must be over-explained. They get so bogged-down in the minutiae that the reader's eyes glaze over. Other writers assume the opposite and write things with such brevity that it becomes useless. And then there are writers like Pitt who has never met an adjective or simile that he didn't like. Sophisticated readers see them for what they are, and if not annoyed, they find them unintentionally humorous. Other readers are more impressed with this type of gimmickry.

All I'm trying to say is that if he'd taken advantage of an experienced editor's eyes, then these ego-related writing flaws can be corrected (and sometimes the writer can learn how to avoid them.) I think everyone can agree that editors perform a useful function, right?

[Grasswire2]

201. I have been an editor for thirty years.

At the highest level of NGO work in Washington, and then as a book editor.

Surely you understand the difference between reporting and writing.

And surely you understand the concept of "style" and have some understanding that your particular taste may not be superior to that of any other person. Taste is subjective. Perhaps there's little subjectivity about nursing practice, but then that is a science, not an art. Writing for publication is not a science, no more than painting or singing could be a science. Will is a fine, fine writer. That is my professional and educated observation.

[NurseJackie]

204. LOL nt

[MineralMan]

210. +100!

He is NOT a fine, fine writer. Nope.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

262. If you actually believe that he is a fine writer ,

than you must know he is of a type that should do all his writing far far away from people in person or by way of the internet.. , you know, a shut in. I say so because he is in fact his own worst enemy. Oh but his mother will back him up to the hilt. I mean seriously, where else but the internet can one read a writers mother defending a very militant man child's rantings . By the way, has he made his way to the lecture circuit ?
He has serious issues , and the way he lashs out at people when what is said as it seems causes him personal discomfort, is the very same problem Trump has ,isn't it ? And same as Trump you cannot tell him anything because he thinks he already knows, isn't that true ? Capable he may be but he lacks people skills in the worst ways.

[JCMach1]

198. Iran...

That is all peeps

[MineralMan]

208. William Rivers Pitt Is Not a Reliable Predictor of Anything.

Period.

[betsuni]

233. +1

[Autumn]

218. Nice to see Will's excellent writing. That has been missed.

[MrsCoffee]

228. Lol.

[Autumn]

241. Lol. Back atcha.

[leftstreet]

229. +1 He's from a different DU era

He posted along with many other oldtimers who are no longer here. The TOS were different, allowable content was different, there were moderators not juries, etc.

DU was a pretty provocative forum back then.

He gave as good as he got, and it's nice to see his work here.

[Autumn]

240. Yes he was, a lot of the good ones are gone. But damn he can write.

[BumRushDaShow]

234. I'll just leave this here.

http://web.archive.org/web/20140322185944/http://www.democraticunderground.com:80/10024685964

It stayed up for several weeks before he finally climbed down from the carousel pony and self-deleted - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

[GusBob]

244. I believe it was NanceGreggs who solved the puzzle

If I recall correctly it went something like this:

WP did a write-up praising BO after one of his speeches, a SOTU I believe.
It didn’t get much attention.

Then by happenstance he did a piece critical of BO and it went flamefest (back then viral was flamefest)

And truth be told, he was a better writer when it came to attacking his subject than lauding it

He figured out how to get clicks and attention

[BumRushDaShow]

245. He had several

flame fest click baits along with Manny. But in the end, the grave-dancing threads were epic.

I am trying to move on past that dark period of DU, although it seems a 2nd verse, same as the first, may be developing.

[SidDithers]

253. Man, lotsa tombstones, FFRs and "Has not agreed to TOS" in that thread...

The Obama years were such a shitshow at DU. I was happy to see Admins bring down the banhammer with the new TOS.

Sid

[Beringia]

236. Hang in there Will Pitt, Cancel Culture Sucks Sometimes

[MrsCoffee]

238. That can happen when you hit the self-destruct button.

Will Pitt’s fall from grace is all on Will Pitt.

[SidDithers]

252. Oh FFS...

take Will off the cross. We need the wood.

Sid

[Cha]

256. No.. Will Pitt posting "President Obama is a POSUCS"

SUCKS!

& Encouraging People Not to Vote for Hillary FUCKING SUCKS!

[fescuerescue]

248. In 18 business days, or 432 business hours

Trump won't be President anymore.

[Ellipsis]

249. Tough crowd.

[treestar]

259. Most posts are about Pitt rather than Trump being humiliated and dangerous

the last paragraph has panned out - the override occurred. Trump did come back from Mar-a-Loco. He has Jan. 6. When that fails, what?