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David Berger

@davidberger.bsky.social

created August 13, 2023

179 followers 255 following 415 posts

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Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I'd say it's at least equally about the American decline of vigorous exercise.

2/9/2025, 3:36:46 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

1/9/2025, 3:44:09 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

And a mule, Josh. They'll all get a mule.

31/8/2025, 7:49:40 PM | 4 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Plus a mule.

31/8/2025, 1:48:34 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Or sleep together for real just once.

30/8/2025, 4:37:03 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Ron, you may want to confiscate the President's Motorola for "repairs" this weekend.

30/8/2025, 12:00:41 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Soon to be a major motion picture!

29/8/2025, 7:47:37 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Surprised he's getting into the minutiae of the prices behind the allegation rather than standing on the pretextual argument...

29/8/2025, 3:10:16 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Nostalgia is a powerful and brain-warping drug, man. A step away from "Make Bluesky Great Again."

29/8/2025, 2:23:18 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Bill Clinton wasn't President in 1992, unless he was a guest of President GHW Bush.

28/8/2025, 2:50:38 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

It's an ancient Chinese secret.

26/8/2025, 4:26:24 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

We should consider the idea that POTUS received some back-channel assurance that SCOTUS won't block him from doing this.

26/8/2025, 1:29:02 AM | 22 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

When you have a cameo in "Inglorious Basterds"...

25/8/2025, 9:01:22 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social)

Caught a screening of "The Roses" last night. An interesting departure from the DeVito version; much less dark but the relationship is far more layered. My dark heart prefers the original but I get what this one is trying to do. Lightly recommend.

24/8/2025, 7:29:41 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Ask yourself, "What would Dave Roberts do?"

21/8/2025, 11:28:19 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Payoff didn't quite live up to the buildup IMO, but endorse this completely. A great time at the movies.

21/8/2025, 8:36:09 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

They've agreed on the shape of the table?

21/8/2025, 11:01:50 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

If given his druthers, Trump would definitely not ask to be called"Mr. President."

19/8/2025, 8:11:55 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Agree with Zellweger - good call. Disagree with the others.

18/8/2025, 5:41:38 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Trying to think of an actress who's had legit on screen chemistry with him, and coming up empty.

18/8/2025, 5:25:50 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

You're presuming something not in evidence.

18/8/2025, 4:48:10 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Everyone's got a nut.

17/8/2025, 6:02:37 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

youtu.be/wRWCK9zGynA?...

17/8/2025, 2:26:42 AM | 2 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Roland, the headless Thompson gunner.

17/8/2025, 2:24:05 AM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

As my mother once told me long ago, "Growing old sucks. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise."

15/8/2025, 1:43:55 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Tea is VERY slippery.

15/8/2025, 3:35:11 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

He's a pig. But it should've been a decision they all made.

15/8/2025, 3:29:22 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

The credulous framing of this article is like believing those hotel cards that say they didn't want to wash your towels daily because it's better for the environment.

13/8/2025, 1:54:28 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social)

Slightly diminish a band: Teal Day.

13/8/2025, 2:02:49 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Where have you gone, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young?

12/8/2025, 4:03:07 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I think about the line in the (very bad) Twilight Zone episode "The Brain Center at Whipples" - "When you're dead and buried, who do ya get to mourn for you?"

11/8/2025, 7:54:17 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

"These new tariffs set the table with a new way to fine China."

10/8/2025, 8:07:21 PM | 43 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Constitutionally, the SoS is the "keeper of the seals of office." It's not dissimilar to how a corporate Board chair resigns to the corporate secretary. This is a great party trivia question...

10/8/2025, 3:51:47 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

It's my favorite piece of trivia... and even more interesting is why.

10/8/2025, 3:48:14 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

9/8/2025, 2:52:56 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes, but what's the password to the (White) HOUSE?

8/8/2025, 8:55:21 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Wondering if there's actually LESS here than meets the eye - an email encouraging IRS employees to leave an hour early is practically begging to enrage/ bait Trump - and especially Vought.

8/8/2025, 7:39:19 PM | 3 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Just wait until that new Murdoch rag gets going...

6/8/2025, 2:12:18 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Why couldn't it? And don't underestimate how much street cred a D candidate would get in a primary by pledging to tear down BOTH the physical and legal pillars of Trump's moral and political corruption. What an image that would be - those wrongly detained in ICE camps taking a sledgehammer to it.

5/8/2025, 5:19:57 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Mamdani made sure Slim Slicker was locked down before he made the deal.

4/8/2025, 9:40:42 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Even better, pledge to have all those wrongly incarcerated by ICE take the ceremonial first whack at it with a sledgehammer.

4/8/2025, 2:57:57 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

ADP.

4/8/2025, 1:43:46 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

image
4/8/2025, 1:30:48 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

3/8/2025, 4:18:33 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

There's a hamburger stand on Pico what r the owner doubled as the Westside's bookie. If you asked for a "special order" he'd pull you over to the side of the counter to book the action. And he fried up perfect golden crispy steak fries too.

2/8/2025, 4:09:19 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Everyone's fighting to win the immunity speedos in the first elimination game.

2/8/2025, 2:28:10 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

It's like the Doonesbury Watergate-era "ah, the People's business" strip come to life.

2/8/2025, 2:30:18 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes! Pledge to tear down both the legal AND physical manifestations of this presidency.

1/8/2025, 12:29:17 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

An opening for a D candidate to pledge to tear down both the legal AND physical manifestations of this presidency, at least.

1/8/2025, 12:27:16 AM | 10 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

What an act!

27/7/2025, 12:53:54 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I say "sorry Mom, the mob has spoken" at least once a week.

25/7/2025, 1:41:24 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

As long as the erst is first the while goes to trial.

23/7/2025, 10:51:06 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

"I've seen the future. It's a bald man from New York!"

23/7/2025, 2:15:33 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Roman Hruska

23/7/2025, 12:10:54 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Roman Hruska.

23/7/2025, 12:09:21 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

The last time I was truly awed by aCGI special effect was probably the city street-bending scene in Inception, and that was 2010. We're all pretty jaded by now.

21/7/2025, 9:15:32 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I keep thinking of the video of the 1979 Baath Party Conference when I watch these people.

21/7/2025, 8:11:51 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Those poor soldiers were standing around the Federal Building in Westwood in full gear, looking completely bored out of their minds. I felt sorry for them.

21/7/2025, 7:01:39 PM | 0 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

IOW, "In my mag, I'll lede the article with a Rounders quote WHENEVER THE FUCK I PLEASE."

17/7/2025, 4:26:09 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

This pretty much describes my approach to every blind/first date I've ever been on.

17/7/2025, 4:03:02 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Only if he looks and sounds like Paul Giamatti.

16/7/2025, 5:23:46 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Well, *theoretically* Roberts carved out a specific exception for firing the Federal Reserve chair, so it would take something special for the majority to weasel out of that language. Likely what the pretextual cost overrun stuff is for.

16/7/2025, 4:18:09 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

As a practitioner or patient, sir?

14/7/2025, 11:41:49 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I think Lynch tried to pass off The Straight Story as "experimental" to sustain his rep as boundary-pushing, but in truth it's closest to his actual aesthetic and worldview.

12/7/2025, 2:54:36 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Agree with that... and today-though without a doubt it's not at all what they intended while making it-you can find interesting and relevant political/social subtext in their music.

11/7/2025, 1:23:10 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Trump has been saying aloud "I fixed the border" and that's what R's hear.

11/7/2025, 1:15:42 PM | 8 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Without a doubt their eponymous debut is the most underrated album of the'80s and feels shockingly current and alive even today.

11/7/2025, 1:04:34 PM | 6 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Sincerely, The American Association of Cardiac Surgeons.

11/7/2025, 3:38:34 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Didn't you know that when police fire tear gas at you it's your patriotic duty to just stand there and take it.

8/7/2025, 4:30:32 PM | 25 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I asked an LLM about that, noting that it's incentived by the token model to produce lengthy responses. Let's just say it got defensive...

8/7/2025, 4:26:09 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Sir, on a separate point, did your staff and cabinet ever consciously try to ape your own words and mannerisms like Trump's do? It's one of the low-key most unnerving parts of watching this farce play out.

8/7/2025, 3:22:21 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

The second act showstopper is "Don't Forget to Duxelles!'

7/7/2025, 4:58:30 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Rhodesian Finback.

7/7/2025, 3:14:05 AM | 1 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

image
3/7/2025, 6:20:25 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes. I'm surprised more literary academics aren't focusing on his work. His short stories, too, are remarkable - "War Fever" has stayed with me for nearly 40 years.

3/7/2025, 3:55:56 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

How did they know my ex-wife's nickname for me?

2/7/2025, 9:59:16 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I believe in the potential of AI, but after spending the day today in a frustrating back and forth with Claude around code that generates original-sounding synthesis from the answers to 10 basic questions, that faith has been tempered a bit... let alone AGI.

1/7/2025, 12:32:19 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Along with Damnatio Memoriae. Delete his name and works.

30/6/2025, 9:02:26 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social)

@nathantankus.bsky.social declares something to be an immutable truth, insults someone who respectfully disagrees in good faith, and then blocks them from engaging. Classy. I'll try to remember him for his good investigative work around the Treasury payment system and forget that he's a jerk.

29/6/2025, 10:51:47 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Allah Only Knows What I'd Bomb Without You...

26/6/2025, 10:16:35 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

25/6/2025, 8:09:34 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Sir, I was wrong thinking that Cuomo support was under-reflected in polls, because I applied 2016-2024 general election logic to a primary. Mamdani has room to grow with independents, if he makes some visible overtures to the business community. Also, why WOULDN'T AOC challenge Schumer now?

25/6/2025, 4:37:49 PM | 17 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

25/6/2025, 3:39:29 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I have a vewwy gweat fwend in Wome called Biggus Dickus!

25/6/2025, 12:37:15 AM | 8 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

His cousin Florence, who has lived with the Lovelady family since her parents died of influenza, is bedridden with polio and spends her nights writing short stories even as she and Dicky date whisper about the future.

24/6/2025, 2:45:21 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

He's Elmer J. Fudd, President, he owns a White House and a yacht.

24/6/2025, 11:10:59 AM | 9 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

I still find subtleties in MC even after multiple viewings. Just an astounding screenplay. TWBB alternates wildly between scene-chewing and somnambulance.

24/6/2025, 3:12:36 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Muuurrrrph!

23/6/2025, 1:34:58 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes. They're instead laying the groundwork for a suspension of habeus corpus for deportation.

23/6/2025, 1:34:24 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

The maneuvering is around suspending habeus corpus for the deportation drive. One attack and it'll happen.

22/6/2025, 11:28:55 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Why did MAGA get the works? That's nobody's business but the Young Turks.

22/6/2025, 9:13:01 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

My ex-wife and I watched "Before Midnight" while on a last-ditch let's-save-the-marriage getaway weekend. Poor choice.

22/6/2025, 1:11:08 PM | 5 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Sir, have you been in touch with Prime Minister Meir about today's events? Perhaps the two of you can jointly offer counsel on the best path forward.

22/6/2025, 1:29:12 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

21/6/2025, 3:57:43 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Molly, I think the WH has designs of disrupting, if not outright denying, the LA World Cup hosting next year and the Olympics in 2028.

21/6/2025, 1:19:36 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Good review and agree that MacFarlane's writing has become increasingly difficult to digest as he disappears into his own soul. It's why I still like "The Old Ways," which had a wonderful economy and practicality to the writing while still connecting to the spiritual.

20/6/2025, 5:19:01 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

The Bad News Bears had two terrible sequels, a terrible TV series and a terrible remake, so I think that wins the reverse-EGOT.

20/6/2025, 4:28:01 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

This was a core Lee Atwater principle - go after your opponents' strengths, not weakness.

20/6/2025, 2:11:26 PM | 14 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Lee Atwater knew enough to go right at an opponents political strength.

20/6/2025, 2:03:39 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David Berger (@davidberger.bsky.social) reply parent

Sir, I believe the WH has designs on disrupting, if not outright denying, L.A.'s World Cup next year and the Olympics in '28.

19/6/2025, 8:05:35 PM | 8 0 | View on Bluesky | view