It takes a while to understand the meaning of events. It seems to me that it takes even longer in the places where our immediate knowledge of the facts is the quickest. The relentless updates from ESPN on the tv in my office breakroom probably have the lowest signal to noice ratio, even though, if you want to know the latest about sports, you'll want to watch ESPN. Journalism may be the first draft of history, but it's not that great of a draft. What makes the first draft so rough is its vastness: immediate and omnipresent reaction from all journalists (and pundits) to everything in real time. With the basic facts of events seemingly up for dispute, it can take years for the dust to settle and our understanding to become clear.The three interesting political reads are ordered from longest to shortest since the events. George Floyd's murder was five years ago: the piece here shows what has happened since and thus illuminates what happened in the immediate aftermath. It's been about a year since we saw former president Biden to be as old and infirm as he was: we're just beginning to recognize the degree of the coverup. While it's been a little longer since Senator John Fetterman's campaign-halting stroke, as his politics are evolving, there's a lot of dust flying. Former staffers are blaming his (ongoing?) mental health struggles for his politically independent stances.
The pieces seem more authoritative the more time its been. I'm left wondering if the instant, omnipresent news-analysis machine acts to obscure our vision. It's a sobering thought: if it takes us a long time to understand events, neither we nor the events of the world adjust—events keep happening apace.
Reading
Still seeking justice for George Floyd
Five years after an infamous murder, George Floyd Square in Minneapolis remains a site of protest, lament, and mutual aid.
How Joe Biden Handed the Presidency to Donald Trump
At a fateful event last summer, Barack Obama, George Clooney, and others were stunned by Biden’s weakness and confusion. Why did he and his advisers decide to conceal his condition from the public and campaign for reëlection?
All By Himself
John Fetterman faced serious mental health challenges after being hospitalized for clinical depression in March 2023, leading to concerns from his staff about his well-being. His chief of staff resigned due to alarming behavior changes and isolation, while Fetterman himself denied any issues. Despite some improvements, Fetterman's struggles continued to raise questions about his fitness for office.