Desk Notes | Shutdown Meme Wars 2025 (And Other Signs The Simulation Is Broken)
Inside the backwards shutdown where Republicans want clean funding, Democrats filmed a livestream for 36 viewers, and Bad Bunny discovered principles have a Super Bowl-sized price tag
Another Friday rolls around, and while we’re supposed to be focused on serious things like whether Hamas accepts the proposed peace deal or when the government will reopen, I’ve been having a ridiculous amount of fun following the "Shutdown Meme Wars 2025." More on that below.
Quick life updates: Daisy is back to her regular self, which means she desperately wants to wrestle with the pack despite being on restricted activity. Sorry, girl. I’m not willing to risk another vet bill. Also, who else still has tomatoes ripening? Last year, we were done by July. This year, I’ll be picking them until first frost in November, which honestly feels like a metaphor for 2025.
I got a new toy that exposes just how much of a news nerd I am: YouTube TV’s multi-view feature. I can now watch all the news networks simultaneously, tracking who’s reporting what and how. It’s either a dream come true or a nightmare, depending on the day. Today? Both.
Finally, a reminder that next week, Rachel and I will be doing some traveling, and Rivera and Reeves will be off for the week. But keep an eye on our socials!
Anyway, let’s get into it.
From the Archives
Unpacking the Biggest Lies About Dangerous" Trump: How Democrats and the Media Twist His Words to Scare Americans
On Wednesday, Kamala Harris walked out of the Vice Presidential residence at the Naval Observatory and stood behind a podium displaying the Vice Presidential seal.
In Desk Notes
The Main Event: We dive deep into the most backwards government shutdown in recent memory, where Republicans are pushing a clean CR and Democrats are blocking it. Yes, you read that right. Plus: the language games both sides are playing on the healthcare debate, Chuck Schumer’s political survival instincts, and why the "Shutdown Meme Wars 2025" might be the most 2025 thing that’s ever happened.
Also Featuring:
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Hypocrisy: As a fellow Puerto Rican who’s watched his career from the beginning, I have thoughts on boycotting America until the check is big enough.
Emma Watson’s Weak Olive Branch: J.K. Rowling’s 700-word response to Watson’s attempt at reconciliation is a masterclass in calling out fair-weather principles.
Random Observations: Mexican sombreros as Halloween costumes? ICE protesters in character onesies? My beverage opinions? It’s all here.
Plus: What I’m reading, watching, and rage-consuming this week, and what’s coming down the pipeline next week.
Grab your coffee (with proper creamer, not that flavored nonsense), and let’s get into it.
Quick Question
The Politics of a Shutdown
Well, we made it to the weekend with the government officially shut down, and honestly? This one’s hitting different.
I’ve covered shutdowns before. They follow a predictable pattern: Republicans demand cuts, Democrats dig in, both sides blame each other, federal workers miss paychecks, and eventually someone blinks. Rinse, repeat. It’s a political dance with real consequences for real people, and it’s exhausting.
But this shutdown? This is something else entirely.
