Bob’s Hailstone 08‑04‑25
Bob’s Hailstone [08‑04‑25]
By Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com
GROOK
Truth’s a fossil buried in post-election spin;
Investigations stall, finger‑pointing wins.
While blame ricochets off echo chambers—
Only digestion cures the wounds of voters.
[Note: Today we welcome our old friend Larry to the commentary panel. You’ll notice his worldview diverges—rather spectacularly—from that of Bob and Jim. That’s because Larry holds two master’s degrees from a prestigious East Coast university… and still can’t seem to find a job. He has time to reflect, protest, compost, and compose spirited letters to the editor—usually while perched in a redwood or campaigning for whale suffrage. He’s earnest, a little exasperating, but he means well. And we’re glad to have him aboard for this issue. Buckle up.]
INTRO
The Biden years have been a national misery tour—missteps by the dozen, excuses by the dozen more. Now the dossiers roll in, scandals pile high, and yet the donor class still claps for the illusion of competence. Nobody woke up empowered; they woke up furious—and still waiting.
Stories
When Will Democrats Learn From the Biden Debacle?
Timothy Ash, The Guardian
An excoriating look at Biden’s 2024 collapse, arguing the Democrats refuse to read the room. The essay alleges the party hierarchy is trapped in a fantasy of identity politics while working-class voters slip away.
Lean: smug‑Left sanctimony
Bob: They finally figured out they lost, but still can’t see why.
Jim: Democrats keep blaming everything except their policies—and voters tuned out years ago.
Larry (🌱): I mourn the tragedy of overlooked environmental funding in these failures—Biden could have raised climate ambition while winning votes!
Russiagate Crimes Exposed—and Everybody Is Watching
Miranda Devine, NY Post
Claims that ongoing legal proceedings in New York/Newark are finally revealing a Russiagate cover‑up, implicating the FBI and DOJ in political manipulation. Frames this as vindication for Trump‑aligned conservatives who’ve long claimed bias.
Lean: unapologetically solid‑Right
Bob: Yeah, looks like we are finding more there … there.
Jim: The deep state cover‑up narrative remains thin but politically potent—especially in red districts.
Larry (🌱): While investigating, shouldn’t we consider the human cost of such politicization on justice institutions?
Trump's Third‑Country Deportations Explained
James Zirin, Washington Monthly
A thoughtful legal take on Trump-era immigration policy, especially the controversial “third-country” deportation accords. Points out constitutional ambiguities and risks to asylum law integrity.
Lean: center‑leaning, institutional critique
Bob: Deporting people via third nations? That’s like outsourcing babysitting—but the kid is crying.
Jim: The legal groundwork looks shakier than the policy promise. Are we making up the rules as we go along?
Larry (🌱): But hey, shouldn’t refugees have safe passage and humane processing first?
Another 80/20 Issue: Prescription Drug Prices
Derek Hunter, Townhall
Argues that liberal politicians love to rant about drug pricing, but do nothing substantial. Claims GOP legislators could easily neutralize the issue by pushing Republican-led reforms—if only they’d try.
Lean: crisply pro‑market Right
Bob: Why wait for Democrats to lead when GOP can sprint to no‑market‑intervention nirvana?
Jim: Rhetoric without legislation is just noise—and voters know it.
Larry (🌱): Let’s push universal price transparency! It would help patients across party lines and cost less than debates.
Democratic Brand in the Basement, Total and Complete Garbage
Harry Enten, CNN
Presents polling data suggesting the Democratic brand is hemorrhaging support—especially on economic issues—and argues internal realignment is overdue.
Lean: smug‑Left data‑fixated critique
Bob: Garbage brand? Yeah, like sour milk—it curdles before expiration.
Jim: Why are the two most popular guys on CNN either conservative or shouting about how poorly the dems are doing right now? CNN bosses: take note. This could be a clue to get better ratings.
Larry (🌱): I’d add: investing in public transit and green jobs would rebuild that brand—and save whales, too.
GOP Should Make Midterms a Presidential Election in Disguise
Alex Castellanos, X
Urges GOP strategists to treat midterms as a surrogate presidential campaign—centralizing Trump-style messaging and national fundraising. Strategy hinges on personality over policy.
Lean: unapologetically right
Bob: So they just repeat the same act and hope for a bigger crowd? Sure.
Jim: Personality politics again stamps over substantive strategy—risking long-term credibility.
Larry (🌱): Couldn’t the GOP also run on climate resilience and education? Pretending people only care about one face is lazy politics.
Cuomo Can Still Save New York City
Penn & Stein, Wall Street Journal
Opines that Andrew Cuomo, if bold, can reclaim leadership in NYC by leveraging recovery funds, securing federal support, and restoring public safety. Paints Cuomo as scrappy redeemer—if allowed back on stage.
Lean: center‑leaning technocratic
Bob: Cuomo? Really reaching for that redemption arc, aren’t we?
Jim: If only local voters cared about competence over headlines. No evidence of that.
Larry (🌱): Why not also champion urban parks and green infrastructure while you’re at it? Save the city—and trees.
A Playground, Not a Fortress
Amity Shlaes, Coolidge Review
An imaginative plea for America to re-embrace openness—cultural and economic—arguing overly securitized borders and isolationist policies betray national ideals.
Lean: classy center‑right libertarian
Bob: Sure, until the playground becomes a no‑man’s land.
Jim: Opening doesn't mean naive—the border debate needs nuance, not extremes.
Larry (🌱): Surely encouraging immigration and environmental stewardship is possible? Let's build playgrounds that are green too!
‘So, This Is What Heroin Addicts Feel Like?’
Grey & Ungeldi, RealClearDefense
Reports on war journalists who embedded with drug addicts to understand overdose crises—arguing it humanizes both addicts and war reporting alike. Connects substance abuse empathy with empathy for conflict zones.
Lean: center‑leaning human‐interest
Bob: War addicts are tragic, but journalistic junkies? That’s edgy.
Jim: This human bridge between addiction and war reportage breaks clear narrative ground.
Larry (🌱): We must lift both addicts and war‑torn communities—with rehab AND reconstruction funding!
Israel's Last Chance
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic
Foer warns Israel is at a geopolitical tipping point: internal divisions and strategic missteps risk existential crises. Recommends diplomatic recalibration and domestic unity.
Lean: center‑Left reflective
Bob: Last chance? Sounds like another doomsday headline—I’ll consider it when my coffee gets cold.
Jim: Israel’s leaders may need guts over grudges—peace is not guaranteed in any timeline.
Larry (🌱): Peace includes justice for Palestinians—and environmental cooperation in the region.
It Isn't So Easy After All To Find 'Proof' of Israel's 'Crimes'
Seth Mandel, Commentary
Critiques recent efforts to document Israeli wrongdoing toward Palestinians, highlighting methodological gaps and political bias in human rights reporting. Argues that earnest critique has been delegitimized by sloppy scholarship.
Lean: sober‑Right legal realism
Bob: Proof is hard to come by when you're bench‑marking by Twitter outrage.
Jim: This piece defends legal rigor—but must avoid dismissing all critique in blanket terms.
Larry (🌱): Well, solid scholarship matters—but shouldn’t we also uphold compassion when documenting conflict?
END NOTE
Bad actors, bad ideas, and bad polling result in one thing that still matters: politics without consequence. The electorate isn’t fooled by glossy optics—only action. So sit tight, the next wave doesn’t come from excuses.
Source Note: All stories from the RealClearPolitics homepage on Monday, August 4, formatted for satire and strategic insight.