It’s one of the crucial notorious misquotes of all time: Aristotle’s supposed assertion that, “It’s the mark of an informed thoughts to have the ability to entertain a thought with out accepting it.”
One blogger notes that the misquote seems to have first surfaced in Lowell Bennion’s 1959 e-book “Faith and the Pursuit of Reality” and that he “can solely assume it’s a fairly radical paraphrase of the particular sentence that seems in Aristotle’s ‘Nicomachean Ethics.’”
Nonetheless, the thought itself — even when it’s a “radical paraphrase” and doesn’t seize Aristotle’s actual that means — will not be a foul one. It’s definitely a heck of a greater sentiment than this nameless quote about what occurred to Vice President Kamala Harris when she was uncovered to media the place she wasn’t portrayed in a good gentle: “It obtained in her head and precipitated excessive nervousness.”
That quote comes from an Axios article revealed Friday, titled “Inside Biden’s obsession with ‘Morning Joe.’” Apparently, the president simply can’t get sufficient of the MSNBC weekday morning show that typically praises his administration and the Democrats so effusively Biden actually couldn’t do a greater job if he have been doing it himself.
And I don’t imply that as in “figuratively, however in bolded italics” actually, however actually actually — contemplating this is what happens when America’s chief tries to self-praise:
JUST IN: President Biden appears like he’s talking a special language whereas giving a speech on the Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wisconsin.
Don’t fear… The media has assured us that he’s sharper than ever!
“The beer brewed right here. It’s used to make the brewed beer.… pic.twitter.com/UeJ3zf2ZXX
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 25, 2024
What he mentioned. 4 extra years! 4 extra years! 4 extra beers!
For a media that so typically fretted in regards to the media eating regimen of former President Donald Trump, the Axios report ought to increase extra alarms about what the current occupant of the White Home and his backup are watching.
“Biden’s years-long love of MSNBC’s staple morning present impacts how the White Home runs — and who Biden listens to,” Axios reported.
“The president typically calls co-host Joe Scarborough — a former Republican congressman who’s now a harsh critic of Donald Trump — to get Scarborough’s tackle points and typically vent about media protection, in accordance with individuals conversant in the connection.
“Throughout the day, Biden has lengthy requested his employees whether or not they noticed a narrative, a ballot, or a section that had been on the present. He’s included present regulars in off-the-record conversations with coverage specialists.”
As a result of there’s no one who I feel ought to be setting coverage like “Morning Joe” Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and their merry troupe of standard friends. Different present regulars talked about as being in on international coverage discussions embody journalist Mike Barnicle, former Council on International Relations president Richard Haass and anti-Trump historian Jon Meacham, who as soon as mentioned after a 2020 presidential debate that assist for the now-former president proved “there’s a lizard mind on this nation,” regardless of the heck meaning.
In different phrases, the White Home is now a real-life model of the 1979 film “Being There” — solely with the fool savant character performed by Peter Sellers answerable for the nation in addition to giving the recommendation:
And but, that’s in some way not essentially the most worrying a part of the Axios report. Kamala, it was additionally reported, is an ardent “Morning Joe” fan, natch, and hosted a dinner for the married co-host couple final month on the vice presidential residence.
However she additionally goes to totally different elements of the cable dial — and when she ventures from the safe confines of MSNBC and its fawning protection, she doesn’t like what she comes throughout.
“Aides have famous that Harris additionally tunes into Fox Information, and infrequently watches ‘The 5,’” Axios reported. “Some aides have felt that Fox Information’ relentlessly detrimental protection — first casting her as Biden’s omnipotent puppeteer, then later portraying her as incompetent — can drive Harris to distraction.”
“It obtained in her head and precipitated excessive nervousness as a result of they have been consistently hammering her,” a former aide to Harris mentioned.
In different phrases: Kamala Harris is one heartbeat away from the presidency in an administration the place that coronary heart has beat for 81 years and — if it’s as regular because the mind that regulates it — may not be essentially the most dependable half within the bin.
But, when she comes throughout “The 5,” which is generally a comedy present with jocular, if largely conservative, takes on the day’s information, she apparently will get herself in such a state the place a Valium could be so as.
Axios’ Alex Thompson, considerably unbelievably, simply moved the heck on from this, noting but extra love from each president and veep towards “Morning Joe.” President Biden additionally likes “Fareed Zakaria GPS” on CNN, too! There’s a scoop for you.
“Aides say Biden respects these voices on cable TV, and loves after they applaud his actions,” Thompson wrote. “Some White Home aides have bristled at Haass’ nuanced public critiques of Biden’s international coverage.”
Former presidential media habits are additionally touched upon: “Donald Trump is obsessive about Fox Information, together with ‘Fox and Buddies’ and ‘Hannity,’” Thompson wrote. “Barack Obama was extra attuned to magazines, together with The New Yorker and The Atlantic.”
Wow, Barack was a reader. Fairly the on-brand revelation for a president the media likes to painting as having a bearing and wit on par with Aristotle, with a little bit of Cincinnatus thrown in.
However let’s again up a bit. Kamala Harris often tunes in to Fox Information — and their detrimental portrayal of her offers her “excessive nervousness?” What bubble does this girl reside in? I’m undecided, however no matter it’s insulated with ought to be studied to be used in navy functions, as a result of nothing appears to pierce it.
For example: Her approval rankings are within the tank, together with these of her boss — and in an interview with even-softer-than-“Morning Joe” Katie Couric, she mentioned the rationale for it was that they weren’t taking “adequate credit” for the job they have been doing:
Kamala Harris explains why she and Biden are traditionally unpopular: “We haven’t taken ample credit score” pic.twitter.com/Ofzi0Krsxd
— RNC Analysis (@RNCResearch) January 25, 2024
Why trouble? They’ve “Morning Joe” to provide them that ample credit score — whereas leaving out all of the nasty bits about inflation, ballooning debt, American weak point and world instability.
No, Aristotle didn’t say that it was “the mark of an informed thoughts to have the ability to entertain a thought with out accepting it.” I’m fairly positive that, when you obtained a maintain of a time machine and introduced him ahead a cool 2,300 years or so, he’d most likely say it was a worthwhile thought.
I’m additionally pretty sure he wouldn’t approve of getting the second-in-line to the manager seat of a nation-state be despatched right into a state of “excessive nervousness” by a bunch of individuals making jokes about her on Fox Information. However then, I’d conjecture that’s only the start of the issues the traditional Greek thinker would have with the state of the Biden administration in 2024.
This text appeared initially on The Western Journal.