Trump's handshake is such a perfect microcosm of everything Trump is. It's amazing how character filters down into the smallest: gestures, looks, mannerisms.

We're mostly agreed. There are people who would come into watching such a thing (Milo on Real Time, or whatever) with their minds made up for Milo, right or wrong… and some for Maher, right or wrong. The irrational, on whatever side of the aisle, cannot be helped.

I don't expect to see Maher buddy up to Milo. It should be interesting to see the primary angle Maher takes (if he has one; if he isn't scattershot).

I'm not very familiar with Spencer, I'm afraid, so I can't comment on him directly. But in general I'm deeply committed to the principle of discussion/debate/argument. I think that the best way to deal with a bad idea is to expose it and replace it with a good one.

I'm not outraged at Scahill. I agree with you that anyone should have the right to decline to participate. That's an individual decision I respect, even if it isn't the one I would make in his place.

People like that are going to lie regardless. We have to deal with it, and I continue to believe that the best way is head-on. (We don't have to deal with every lying jerk out there necessarily, but once things reach a certain stage, it becomes important.)

I don't like Yiannapoulos, but I admit to being interested in seeing him talk with Maher (who I do like; I've been a fan since his first season of PI).

In the end it's either persuasion or violence. There are nuances to either, but that's the fundamental divide on how we coexist with the people we disagree with.

It's been a while since I've seen B5 — and I'm just now watching through DS9 for the first time — but a few things have jumped out at me. There's the space station aspect, obviously… and a nearby wormhole/jumpgate. There are the religious themes with the leaders of the space stations becoming messianic figures; and…

I would also accept Lex Luger. Maybe he didn't turn out so well (given expectations), but young Luger as one of the Horsemen seemed for a minute like the face of the future…

Barone's Pizza in the San Fernando Valley. I've had pizza in lots of places, including NYC, and many are great — but I'll always crave a slice of Barone's.

Sorry. I know none of this is popular. But I love the Olympics. I think NBC does a fine job (the prime time broadcasts serve a particular, ratings-driven need, but NBC's total coverage is fairly comprehensive), and Bob Costas has been an extraordinary host. I'll be sad to see him go.

That kind of thing always tweaks me the wrong way. Perhaps we disagree, but surely you can afford a minute or two to try to understand what I'm saying/why? (Or do you think there's something meritorious in not understanding the folks who disagree with you?)

You know what? Actually… what is Donald Trump, except Tony Clifton with worse hair and politics?

Wouldn't it be nice to find an easily digestible scapegoat? Jimmy Fallon, Lorne Michaels, sure sure, they fucked up in their own small ways. Plenty of folks did. The newsmedia fucked up by giving him so much damned coverage, first making a joke out of Trump's campaign, and then talking about how it was destined to…

But do they have… pop?

His appearance on the rebooted BSG was a bit of stunt casting that worked.

Hmm, I don't think that's quite what I am saying. Rather, that the more powerful the government is, the more it entices would-be tyrants like Donald Trump to try to grab the reins. And the more damage a Donald Trump can do while in office.

What you're describing has been the most alarming thing for me personally to witness (especially over the 2016 election cycle, but going back much further than that). Our ability to argue in reason and fellowship, to disagree with one another in civility, appears to be dying. It doesn't even seem like a reputable goal…

You best believe I didn't type that originally without hearing Dark Helmet in my mind…