SPOILER: NOTHING WILL HAPPEN UNTIL IT’S A CRISIS, AND THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE. Reforming Social Security Now, Before It’s Too Late.

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER ONCE WROTE: “If lying about authorship is now a hanging offense, there are not enough lampposts in Washington to handle the volume.”

But maybe you should at least review the stuff that goes out in your name: Kristi Noem and the open secret about the political publishing industry: Nobody writes their own books.

Now, there has been a noticeable distinction between how “insiders” and “outsiders” have interpreted the flaming dumpster fire that is the publicity tour related to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s upcoming book. The general public seems confused about the idea that Noem seemingly didn’t know about so many things that were in *her own book*. . . .

The Kristi Noem saga has exposed an open secret about the political publishing industry: a tiny percentage of “authors” in the space write their own books. And those real authors are often smothered by fake authors with a machine in place to promote their fake autobiographies, which take time and opportunity away from those who have put in the work.

For politicians, I would estimate that maybe 1 percent write their own books. Some spend occasional time with their ghostwriter in order to best express their personality and ideas. Others, like Noem, just mail it in entirely, and have the ghostwriter rely upon public material from speeches and appearances.

As for your favorite TV personality/social media influencer? It would be generous to say that 5 percent write their own books. It is very rare to hear about cable news talking heads with faces full of delicately applied makeup putting in that kind of hard work.

These tasks are usually delegated to an underpaid 20-something, who may or may not be in routine contact with the “author” during the writing process.

I write all of this to say that there is an incredible lack of authenticity amongst the political class, who attempt to give off the impression that they have the time, ability, intelligence, and fortitude to publish their own works. It goes without saying that their constituents deserve so much better than being suckered into financing this endless grift.

The fake authors acquire tons of money, a reputational boost, and sometimes, the prestige of being on the New York Times best selling author list. All for maybe doing a handful of phone calls with the real author, who usually receives a low-end five figure amount (think 10 to 20 grand) for six months of hard work.

The famed professional bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman famously commented that “everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights.” The same applies to publishing. Everybody wants to be an author, but very few in the political space want to put in the work to become one.

At least read the manuscript. Or at the very least, have a knowledgeable staffer do so.

GOOD, NOW REPLACE HER WITH SOMEBODY SENSIBLE: After increasing demands for her resignation, embattled president of Cornell announces retirement: Major policy reform can now begin at Cornell, alumni group says.

LOL: Princeton anti-Israel hunger strikers: University ‘forced’ us to do this: If Princeton ‘wants to let us starve, then they’re welcome to do that.’

SO MUCH FOR “DEFUND THE POLICE” AND “ALL COPS ARE BASTARDS,” I GUESS. Student complains that ‘anti-Jewish students’ didn’t get enough police protection.

THE BARBIELAND INTIFADA:

Research Discovers Women Will Support Any Cause No Matter How Murderous So Long As They Get To Wear A Scarf https://t.co/8RvHiIC7kF pic.twitter.com/AjGDW9ObR5

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) May 8, 2024

THE WORLD BANK WANTS THE ERA OF CHEAP FOOD TO BE OVER. Of course it does.

Remember, making ordinary people’s lives worse isn’t an unfortunate side effect of their policies. It’s the goal.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING: Fetterman commends University of Florida’s response to campus protests. I can’t wait until he switches parties.

MORE NEUROLOGICAL ACTIVITY, TOO:

Dead Worm Found In RFK Jr.’s Brain Already Polling Higher Than Biden In 11 States https://t.co/v1STabjycx pic.twitter.com/pABxmnMsgr

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) May 8, 2024

DAVID BARON, CALL YOUR OFFICE: Bear dragged Massachusetts car crash victim’s body from vehicle and into woods: cops.

IT’S HARD TO HAVE BALLS AND SWAGGER WHEN YOU’RE GENUINELY AWFUL AT YOUR JOB: Press Cowards’ Hypocritical Lament Over Media’s Lack of ‘Balls’ and ‘Swagger.’

WELL, YES: Ron Hart: Foolish College Antics Accelerate Downward Spiral Of Higher Education.

36,639 students attended Columbia in 2022, and 20,321 were foreign students in 2023. It crept up on the university. . . .

The “demonstrators” were given pamphlets on how to protest. If you know anything about 18- to 25-year-olds today, they couldn’t organize a one car funeral. They are lemmings, woke and entitled.

Lefties fell for Hamas. I thought the 9/11 attacks taught us all we needed to know about radical Islam.

Hamas members committed rape Oct. 7 when it invaded Israel. Yet the “MeToo” progressive women’s movements remain eerily quiet. Hamas is fortunate that it is not a Christmas song, Founding Father statue, syrup bottle or a male candidate for the Supreme Court.

It’s only rape if it’s done by a white frat guy.

OPEN THREAD: It’s that time again.

THE NEW SPACE RACE: Chang’e-6 enters lunar orbit ahead of far side landing attempt.

UPDATE: Link was bad before. Fixed now. Sorry!

BECAUSE IT’S A KANGAROO COURT RUN BY AN IN-THE-TANK JUDGE? Why Is the Judge in Trump’s New York Trial Muzzling a Key Defense Witness?

WELL OKAY THEN:

The Biden admin you guys. I just don't know. https://t.co/MOf7uLQ4hx

— Omri Ceren (@omriceren) May 8, 2024

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IS EVERYWHERE: Concerning Findings – This Severe Heart Disease Is Becoming Much More Common.

IN THE MAIL: Vows: The Modern Genius of an Ancient Rite.

WOEING: Boeing’s Starliner flight delayed again for oxygen tank valve replacement.

THE POWER SOURCE OF THE FUTURE! Fusion Breakthrough: 6 Minutes of Plasma Sets New Reactor Record.

HEH. WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING?

They're starting to panic about Biden's 2024 chances.
Jake Tapper on April 29: "When you look at these protests… do you think to yourself, 'Wow, this is a real in-kind contribution to Donald Trump'?" https://t.co/nKx5vj6S2y

— Bill D'Agostino (@Banned_Bill) May 8, 2024

SOME HAVE IT MORE THAN OTHERS: Research pinpoints ‘neural compass’ of brain activity used to orient people.

OUT: PRAY THE GAY AWAY. IN: Transing The Gay Away. “Gareth Roberts isn’t sure that ‘genderism’ will go away. At the end of Gay Shame, he presents two plausible scenarios. One depicts a world where queer theory and all its works and all its ways has gone down the long slide and all seems well. The other shows what things look like in the event of a genderist win. And in that world, the grim joke that emerged among staff at the Tavistock has come true. There are no gay people left.”

ED MORRISSEY INTERVIEW: Dr. Bhattacharya: Here’s Why the WHO Treaty Is Fauciism on Global Steroids.

These people should be in cells awaiting trial, not authoring new treaties to give them more power.

GOING TO THE CENTER: President Donald J. Trump to Speak at NRA Annual Meeting.