The Woke Pope
5.8.25
Good Thursday evening and welcome back to Common Sense, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment.
From Chicago’s South Side to Vatican’s highest post, Pope Leo XIV makes history as first American to lead Catholic church… NBC News reports, “For centuries, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church were largely Italians until a cardinal from Poland was elected pope in 1978 and then succeeded by a German and an Argentine. Now, for the first time, the pope's an American who has taken the name Leo XIV. And he's from the South Side of Chicago, home of the beleaguered White Sox, the Daley political dynasty and, until they decamped for Washington and eventually the White House, Michelle and Barack Obama.” Some users on X are already pointing out the Pope’s previous tweets criticizing JD Vance and Donald Trump’s immigration policy. Perhaps the Republican party has some reckoning to do……
Trump faces backlash from key business lobby… Politico reports, “A major American trade group flew company executives into Washington for its first weeklong trade campaign in an effort to stop President Donald Trump’s tariff plan — a rare direct pushback against the White House that could come with political costs. The Consumer Technology Association, a lobby representing both global tech giants and smaller device manufacturers, declared its first ‘fly-in week,’ with a reception this week at its Washington headquarters, visits to Capitol Hill and meetings with administration officials. It also launched a six-figure ad blitz in the Washington press and at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”
Cronyism rules as Trump appoints sycophant Judge Jeanine… GROAN. UGH. WHY?! ABC News reports, “President Donald Trump says he will appoint Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Trump announced the pick in a post on Truth Social. The selection comes as Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday that Ed Martin, who is currently serving as D.C.'s interim top prosecutor, would not be taking the position permanently after losing support among top Republicans in the Senate.” Yet another unqualified crony from Fox News central casting, and a very, very anti-immigrant one at that.
Democrats deny potential massive windfall to shady Trump side hustle… CBS News reports, “Senate Democrats sank a key procedural vote Thursday on a first-of-its-kind crypto regulation bill, after days of opposition amid growing ties between the digital asset industry and the Trump family. Known as the GENIUS Act, the legislation would create a regulatory framework for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tied to the value of an asset like the U.S. dollar. The measure advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support in March, but has since lost Democratic support amid concerns about President Trump and his family's business ventures involving cryptocurrency. In a 48 to 49 vote, the measure fell short of the 60 votes necessary to move forward. Two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Josh Hawley of Missouri, joined with all Democrats in opposition.”
Today’s Furry Friend
We have a soft spot for pitbulls here at Common Sense. Meet Blueberry…
Today’s Buzz
Showbiz CEOs rake in the big bucks… The Hollywood Reporter writes, “The top-paid Hollywood executive of the past year is one who actually left the entertainment industry scene more than a year ago. With his severance package alone worth $69.3 million, more than the total pay packages disclosed for any other industry player, Bob Bakish, the former CEO of Paramount Global, was catapulted to the top of the annual compensation list. The three co-CEOs who succeeded him — aka ‘The Office of the CEO,’ Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks and Brian Robbins — all received packages in the $20 million range. As co-CEOs, they made $6 million each, with the rest of their compensation being paid for their respective existing and continuing executive roles.” OUR TAKE: These are hefty sums for an industry in which writers are consistently shortchanged. These execs must prove they can compete sustainably with private content creators with growing audiences and producing at pennies on the dollar to big-name producers. If not, massive salaries like these shouldn’t hold up.
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When Dementia turns to Demonic we all see it. People have eyes to see and ears to hear as demented tRUMP lashes out against the people he has the responsibility to protect all us Americans. As he struggles he takes those he does not agree with as the enemy, Lost his grip on what it is to be someone for all the people.
It’s all about greed. Why on earth should anyone need $69mm let alone $20mm? Same surely goes with the Trump bros and their daddy. And the latter three are using the presidency and us to springboard their control of our society for decades. Pretty soon they won’t be needing Elon any longer.