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Culture War Roundup for the week of July 1, 2024

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I agree. I've been glued to the news after having been checked out for months. I recall a discussion on here several weeks if not months ago related to Biden and his age and competence. Someone said: "Call me when /r/neoliberal/ is ready to change horses". Well, that day has arrived.

The only observation I can offer that I havent seen discussed much is related to Jill and Hunter's role in all of this. It seems to be widely speculated that those two are the most vehemently against him dropping out. It would make sense considering those two perhaps stand to lose the most in the event of a Biden withdrawl. There was news today that Hunter is now sitting in on all of Biden's meetings. It seems very clear that Hunter's plan is to stick to his father like glue so that noone else can whisper in his ear that its time to quit.

What's been reported about Hunter's life is widely known, but it seems that Jill is being utterly exposed right now. There was another report that the Biden's have declined the White House mansion's resident staff. This is apparently extremely unusual. I dont know how this all works, but it sounds to me like this means that the Bidens do not let any cleaners or cooks into the residence, lest they might observe some damaging behavior by Biden.

I go back and forth on what I think will happen in the next few weeks, but as of right now, I think that Biden will not be withdrawing - mainly because his wife and son are making sure he stays on.

edit: here is a supposed internal poll showing stat of the race as of Sunday and alternative candidate polling. the full PDF is in the replies.

https://x.com/umichvoter/status/1808204695548448807

This is apparently extremely unusual. I dont know how this all works, but it sounds to me like this means that the Bidens do not let any cleaners or cooks into the residence, lest they might observe some damaging behavior by Biden.

Crazy story if true.

Since I gotta throw a Roman Empire reference into everything, this paranoia reminds me of the book "I, Claudius". Read it, if you haven't!

The emperor Augustus has had a long and prosperous reign, but his scheming wife Livia wants to kill him to ensure that her son Tiberius inherits the throne. Augustus is afraid of assassination so resorts to eating only fruit that he picks off trees in the garden himself. Ultimately, Livia offs him by poisoning a fig on the tree and convincing him to eat it.

Of course, in this case, it's not Biden's wife that wants him gone, it's a pack of hyenas in his own party. And instead of killing him, they just want him to be seen looking senile in public. Every public appearance from now until the nomination is a potential trap. Paranoia is warranted.

this paranoia reminds me of the book "I, Claudius". Read it, if you haven't!

Seconding the recommendation for I, Claudius.

I don't know if the book differs from the TV show here, but in the show she simply poisons all the figs. No special convincing needed.