Bob’s Hailstone Chronicles (7-8-25 PM)
After the Shot, the Narrative Reloads
[Author’s Note]
As you know, we’re still at the beginning of this little literary adventure, and I’m genuinely grateful to have you along for the ride.
Many of you found your way here through my connection with Rip McIntosh and his excellent newsletter. My essays there often follow a familiar pattern—sharp takes and red meat for conservative, patriotic readers. But if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably noticed a few outliers—pieces that wander a little, experiment a bit, and try to do something new.
That’s where Bob’s Hailstone Chronicles come in.
The idea is simple but ambitious: take a dozen important stories from across the spectrum and boil them down into something coherent, readable, and maybe even entertaining. It’s part satire, part pattern recognition, and part dare. I’ve never seen anyone quite pull it off. So naturally, I had to try.
You may have noticed a few extra messages in your inbox this week—thanks for your patience. This is part of the experiment. I'm feeling out what works, what doesn't, and what might grow into something fresh and valuable.
Now I need your take.
Does this format speak to you? Are these daily snapshots worth continuing—or fine for a one-time novelty? If you enjoy the Chronicles, let me know. If it’s not quite clicking, I’d love to hear that too. I’m listening—and so is Bob.
And trust me, he has opinions.
Warmly,
Jim
Bob’s Hailstone Chronicles (7-8-25 PM): After the Shot, the Narrative Reloads
Grook:
The louder the news, the thinner the truth.
The faster the spin, the older the proof.
But the storm can’t fake what the damage reveals—
Bob walks the wreckage, counting the wheels.
Introduction: The Shot Heard Round the Newsroom
The gunfire is gone, but the spin machine hums louder than ever. Today’s round of headlines fuses solemn reflection with fresh salvos—on deportation, deregulation, party war chests, media makeovers, and even domes gilded in metaphor.
It’s a tale of two realities: the quiet gravity of a bullet grazing history—and the hysterical clatter of columnists trying to reclaim the moment. From energy booms to ESPN gloom, every outlet fires a flare to guide your emotions home.
But Bob’s not buying maps. He’s reading weather patterns.
Let’s walk into the eye.
Go to the RCP home page to read the entire articles.
1. Zito’s Call from the Bullet Trail
Salena Zito (The Free Press) offers a firsthand account of the moment Trump called her after surviving the assassination attempt. It's sincere, stark, and unfiltered—a rare dispatch from the emotional epicenter. No agenda, no framing. Just a reporter and a former president, both still processing.
Bob: “Sometimes the truth doesn’t need a spin cycle.”
Leans: Honest Center
2. Deportation Derangement Syndrome
Ed Kilgore (NY Mag) declares that Trump’s megabill is a blueprint for mass deportation. In his telling, America’s headed for cattle cars and jackboots. The tone is breathless, the conclusions apocalyptic. As usual, Trump governs in the progressive imagination like a Hollywood villain.
Bob: “Every bill is the apocalypse if you squint hard enough.”
Leans: Hysterical Left
3. The Money Trail
David Catron (AMAC) calmly explains why the GOP is crushing Democrats in both fundraising and party registration. The Left runs on narrative. The Right runs on receipts. 2024 might come down to who remembered to bring a wallet.
Bob: “Hope is nice. Checks clear.”
Leans: Strategic Right
4. Drill, Baby, Drill… And Export
Walter Russell Mead (WSJ) cheers the quiet energy boom sweeping the Americas. U.S. oil and gas production is surging. So is Mexico’s. Argentina’s making moves. Biden’s green mask is slipping. Fossil fuels still win in the real world.
Bob: “Turns out Mother Earth likes it rough.”
Leans: Pro-Energy Right
5. Intifada in Manhattan
JD Vance (Claremont) dissects the radical slogans creeping into U.S. protests. “Globalize the Intifada” isn’t just edgy rhetoric—it’s a call for ideological warfare. Vance links this movement to elite cowardice and progressive rot. You don’t have to agree with everything to feel the chill.
Bob: “The slogan may be foreign, but the cowardice is homegrown.”
Leans: Populist Right
6. Social Security Mirage?
Bill King (RCP) digs into whether the Big Beautiful Bill really eliminates taxes on Social Security. Short answer: Not exactly. King’s piece offers clarity without spin. It’s a policy explainer in a world that prefers panic. Bottom line? About 34 million seniors will save money on federal taxes due to the BBB.
Bob: “The devil’s in the deductions.”
Leans: Technocratic Neutral
7. CBS Gets a New Boss. And a Flame Thrower.
Charles Gasparino (NY Post) previews a looming shakeup at CBS News under David Ellison. Expect firings, format changes, and fewer tears for sacred cows. This is a takeover, not a transition. David’s dad? Larry Ellison, a long-time conservative, and friend of Donald Trump.
Bob: “Memo to anchors: update your résumés and alibis.”
Leans: Industry Insider Right
8. Human, All Too Human
Katha Pollitt (The Nation) argues that we shouldn’t expect moral perfection from great authors. Fair point. But in trying to defend literary giants from cancellation, she ends up reinforcing the idea that ideological policing is still the default.
Bob: “Permission to love flawed geniuses… granted by flawed ideologues.”
Leans: Academic Left
9. ESPN’s Political Penalty Box
Bobby Burack (Outkick) skewers ESPN for its open double standard: progressive hosts may opine freely; conservative ones get gagged or canned. The story’s not new, but it still reeks.
Bob: “If it’s not safe to say ‘common sense’ on a sports show, we’re already in overtime.”
Leans: Cultural Right
10. Rust Belt 2.0?
Jeff Bloodworth (RCPennsylvania) sees a tech renaissance brewing in Western Pennsylvania. High-speed rails, data centers, civic cooperation—ambitious but not delusional. Hope with boots on.
Bob: “When the Rust Belt starts rebooting, pay attention.”
Leans: Optimistic Center-Right
11. Dome, Sweet Dome
Riley Nork (Pirate Wires) marvels at the golden dome atop the new Trump courthouse—a monument, a troll, and a wink to Rome. The piece is fun, odd, and self-aware. Perfect for Pirate Wires.
Bob: “When architecture roasts the narrative, you know we’re back in business.”
Leans: Libertarian Mischief
Conclusion: What the Headlines Say Between the Lines
Today’s chaos offers contrast. You get raw truth (Zito), raw panic (Kilgore), and raw polling (Catron). You see what propaganda fears most: clarity. The closer Trump gets to solemnity, the louder the freakout grows. The stronger the right becomes financially, the more shrill the left becomes culturally.
And through it all, one question echoes like a drumbeat:
Who still believes the narrative?
Bob’s here to ask it. Daily. With a wink, a grook, and a flashlight.
You won’t get this synthesis from cable. Or Substack. Or the White House podium.
Only here. Only Bob.
Is this worth your time?
Tell us. Before the next hailstone hits.