OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter

OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter discusses current political challenges and personalities in the U.S. with a focus on democracy, election integrity, the Trump presidency, and its legal repercussions. It features interviews and reflections on historical and cultural influences on politics and societal trends, emphasizing accountability and the impact of influential figures.

U.S. Politics Legal Cases and Trials Democracy and Accountability Election Integrity Influential Political Figures Media and Technology Impact Cultural and Historical Reflections

The hottest Substack posts of OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter

And their main takeaways

Surviving Biden's Brain Freezes

1454 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Strategy Political Messaging Debates Justice Department
  1. No Excuses: Biden should avoid making excuses for his mistakes and instead focus on moving forward.
  2. The Old Shoe Strategy: Embrace Biden's imperfections and increase public appearances to show his resilience.
  3. The Nikki-Nancy Defense: Biden should address concerns about his brain freezes confidently by pointing out others' mistakes and highlighting his own emotional responses.

The President is a Murderer? No Problem!

864 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidential immunity Judges Constitution Legal Proceedings
  1. A three-judge panel heard oral arguments about Trump's immunity from prosecution, revealing potential weaknesses in his legal arguments.
  2. The jurisdictional issue over Trump's immunity appeal could complicate the case and delay the legal process.
  3. If Trump loses with the three-judge panel, he may seek an en banc review, potentially further delaying the case and involving the Supreme Court.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

RFK Jr.: Pedigreed Menace

982 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Figures Conspiracy Theories Public Health Political Campaigns
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for President and could potentially be used by the right to attack Joe Biden.
  2. Despite his troubled past, Kennedy's candidacy is gaining some support, particularly from conservatives and younger voters.
  3. Kennedy's controversial views and history may make him a disruptive and polarizing figure in the upcoming election.

Trump in the Dock

805 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal issues Media influence Political Campaigns Judiciary
  1. Fewer people protested than expected at Trump's arraignment, potentially due to deterrence from aggressive prosecution of insurrectionists.
  2. Trump's dwindling support is reflected in his fundraising challenges, which could impact his future campaigns.
  3. Judge Cannon's actions in the Mar-a-Lago documents trial could significantly influence the outcome, with potential for a change in venue.

Are We Finally Curtailing Cancel Culture?

550 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. Historical figures with flaws should be viewed in context of their achievements.
  2. There is a growing shift towards reevaluating the concept of cancel culture.
  3. Drawing distinctions between individuals and consequences for their actions is becoming more common.

Jimmy On The Farm

471 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency Family Childhood Relationships Character
  1. Jimmy Carter's relationship with his father shaped his values and work ethic.
  2. Growing up on a farm in Georgia during the Great Depression, Carter learned the value of hard work and self-reliance.
  3. Carter's experience on the farm instilled in him a deep connection to nature and a strong work ethic that he carried throughout his life.

Will 2024 Be Rigged?

412 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Presidential Campaign Debates AI
  1. The 2024 election's fate involves legal vs illegal rigging, with the former almost certain and the latter less likely but still a concern.
  2. The Republican nomination race for 2024 may heavily favor Trump due to his strategic advantages in party rules and potential court cases lingering.
  3. Positive signs for democracy in 2022 elections, but challenges remain, including concerns about AI spreading misinformation and potential for political violence in 2024.

What's Next for Affirmative Action

196 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Education Race Diversity Legislation
  1. The Supreme Court decision outlawed race-based preferences in college admissions, leading to a need for class-based preferences for maintaining diversity.
  2. Justice Sotomayor's dissent highlighted the importance of affirmative action programs for first-generation and low-income students, finding common ground among liberal and conservative justices.
  3. Class-based affirmative action solutions aim to achieve both racial and economic diversity in colleges, with examples from various institutions showing positive results.

The 'October Surprise': Inside Carter's Grueling 1980 Iran Hostage Crisis

255 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💾 History Political History Conspiracy Theories
  1. The 'October Surprise' in 1980 involved efforts by Ronald Reagan's campaign manager to delay the release of American hostages until after the election.
  2. Despite the alleged interference, the hostages were eventually negotiated for release by Jimmy Carter in late 1980 and early 1981.
  3. The October Surprise theories extended to later scandals like Iran-Contra and involved complex international dealings that were closely intertwined.