The Friday Brief

The Friday Brief will be a quick assessment of the week we’ve just experienced, a look ahead, stories I think you might find interesting, what I’m reading, and who knows what else.

I’ve never done a product like this, so I hope you’ll bear with me as we develop it together. As always, let me know what you find most interesting and compelling and what we need to ditch. I’m confident it will be something you’ll value, which brought to mind a bit of dialogue from Shakespeare In Love:

Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.

Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?

Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.

Hugh Fennyman: How?

Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.

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The Big Story

Yes, the grinding horror show of Jim Jordan and House Chaos Caucus, as noted in Failed State, was big, noisy, and potentially horrifying, but the real story this week was President Biden’s Trip To Israel. I’ve been in politics longer than almost anyone still sane (and in my case, that’s arguable) has, and I’ve rarely seen a more flawless trip by a President.

First, Biden showed moral, political, and physical courage in one moment. It was inspiring, American as hell, and starkly contrasted to what would have happened under Donald Trump’s regime.