Eugene Joseph McCarthy was a liberal Senator from Minnesota who was the first to challenge President Lyndon Johnson for the Democrat party's nomination in 1968. Joseph Raymond McCarthy was the demagogic Republican Senator from Wisconsin who helped foment the Red Scare panic in the 1940's and 1950's and was toppled by the CBS reporter Edward Morrow and the lawyer Joseph Welsh.
"Better to acknowledge that Hollywood, like Wall Street, is run by weak-kneed corporations all too eager to cut deals with autocrats." The corporations aren't weak-kneed; the people who own and run them are weak-kneed.
Fortunately, millions of Americans will be standing straight at NO KINGS protests on Saturday, October 18 in this nationwide mobilization. Find one near you - or get tips on how to organize one - at www.nokings.org.
I don’t lay claim to an adequate amount of wisdom for myself but I do recognize pearls of wisdom when I see them. Two fundamental truths for me are that “the love of money is the root of all evil” and, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Sadly, far too many corporations and politicians are willing to twist and turn in any way required simply for more money and power.
I’ll be at the Genesee overpass protest in Golden, Colorado on October 18th adding one more voice to the chorus.
Corporations exist to make money, and those who run them focus primarily on that goal. That automatically means they will shy away from controversy with the powerful, who can effect their bottom line. It's up to stock holders and employees to exert influence on them from the other perspective (oh, and customers). The current capitulation of Disney about Jimmy Kimmel is a prime example.
Just to clarify, corporations exist to make money for stock holders. Once the executives started receiving compensation via stock options, corporations change from "the customer is always right" to "how best to increase stock value". As Gordon Gekko said "greed is good".
The assassinations of Mr. Mangione and Mr. Kirk are abhorrent. I didn't know Mr. Mangione, so I have no opinion as to his character. Mr. Kirk was a racist, horrible human being; and the fact, Congress wanted to honor his legacy was disgusting.
mangione was the shooter...the victim was CEO of united health care. I was just agreeing corporations exist to make money for stockholders...even when their product is healthcare.
Yes, it is VERY helpful to remember that corporations (despite the root meaning of the word) are not in fact separate entities but a legal association of humans. That is one reason the Citizens United decision astonished me. A corporation is NOT a person, and should NOT get either a vote or a right separate from the individuals' who own and operate it. Corporations aren't greedy or even cruel. The people who run them are the humans who have human qualities. Especially greed.
Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Disney, which owns ABC, issued a statement: "we have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."
I haven't heard such Jimminy Cricket, Pinocchio's wooden-nose-growing-by-a-mile chickenshit in a long time. Thoughtful, my ass. The only "thought" they had was their reaction to the mountains of cancellations to their subscription service. And that thought was done without Jimmy, but in private, like masturbation, and all about the 💰 💵 💰.
Hello, It's Come to This. Although I'm late to registering my disdain (and fear), I'll go to my cable provider today and cancel my package that includes Disney and other offenders. These cowards need to know that we're not standing for their complicity with the criminals. Can't wait to see how Jimmy handles his return.
You wrote, "Without the complicity of studios, Sen. Eugene McCarthy (R-Wis.) would not have been able to harass, blacklist, and even lock up actors and writers accused of being “communists.”
You meant Joe McCarthy. As those of us who got clean for Gene can certainly testify Eugene McCarthy, the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin was no Joe McCarthy.
Hurrah! A targeted boycott that worked. A good first step. But if you start boycotting all the corporations that are enabling the fascist takeover of the country, soon you’re at a general spending strike, which is a good thing. Let’s do it!
We, the People, can’t easily or safely withhold our tax dollars that are allowing this corrupt government to function. Our tax dollars fund the fascist takeover.
But as consumers we can indirectly withhold our tax dollars. Consumer spending is about 70% of the economy. That spending ends up as tax dollars. Stop unnecessary spending and the money funding the fascist takeover will disappear.
As I mentioned before, the regional Labor Tribune newspaper publishes a list entitled "We Do Not Patronize", listing businesses that have gone afoul of unions. A similar list might be helpful to avoid fascist-supporting brands and corporations.
I keep wondering why we can't legally withhold our taxes, the same way one can legally withhold rent payments, until they get rid of drumpf and his minions and start anew with someone who actually knows how to run this country, not run it into the ground. There has to be a way. We could each open up a savings account and put what we owe to Uncle Sam into it; make a little bit of interest on that savings; and use it ONLY to pay our required taxes when we get our country back. Any legal experts out there????
This could be the Mother of All Spending Strikes. The looming government shutdown is an opportunity to hold His Royal Heinous accountable and stop his atrocities, and the fascist takeover of the country. We, the People cannot easily withhold our tax dollars from HRH, but the Dems in the Senate have that opportunity.
A U.S. president cannot spend money without an appropriation from Congress, which holds the "power of the purse".
Direct spending is prohibited.
Constitutional power: The Constitution's Appropriations Clause states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law".
The Dems in the Senate must have a list of demands under which they would vote to keep the government running. Such as, the Congress sets tariffs, ICE only goes after violent convicted felons, no one is deported to a third party country, and so forth. And that willingness to fund the government would be on a week to week basis, to prevent HRH from going back on his commitment.
If congress refuses to authorize appropriations, HRH will not have money to operate his corrupt, inept, sadistic government. A chance for the Dems to prove they’re not the feckless cowards they’ve been up until now.
I recommend targeting Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. They should give Trump a list of non-negotiable demands immediately on the budget OR resign and let special elections take place to replace them. I support AOC and Bernie Saunders to take their place in the leadership.
I agree with you, which is why I won't act on that impulse. Any interest you get on a savings account would not come close to covering the penalties the IRS would impose.
What the heck does that mean? I just meant your suggestion is not practical. The IRS will come after you and fine you. I am not a tax expert but I am a lawyer. The fines they levy are not insubstantial. But hey, go for it.
We as Democrats with 'Liberal' leanings have allowed Republicans to assign 'words' in derogatory tones to Democrats without 'pushback' ..........being 'Liberal' shouldn't be derogatory. Here's one definition: "Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded. synonym: broad-minded.' There's nothing negative in that definition.....it's time we stand up to anyone using it as a negative.
The Republicans have been negatively defining liberal at least since Dukakis. I recall a Doonesbury cartoon, where the Republicans were chanting "Liberal!" and while another character shook, Michael Doonesbury said, "Don't they know there are children watching?"
I second this. I recently saw a post in which someone earnestly shared an explanation that a person who is "Liberal" is a person who is 100% focused on capital as the highest value. Now most RW folks I see use "Liberal" as a derogative mostly meaning "stupidly compassionate" (AKA "bleeding heart Liberal", a common epithet used when I was young.) However recently it seems that "Liberal" is being used by LW people to refer to (I think) the LW capitulation to capitalist demands by compromises such as Obamacare and Medicare "Advantage".
I have to watch him on YouTube. The closest ABC affiliate is owned by Sinclair. I plan to spend time today finding out who their biggest advertisers are and sending the advertisers emails about how I am boycotting them.
Excellent. That’s the secondary action we should do beyond boycotting directly. Find out who’s spending money on those stations. They’re been several lists in comments under many sub stack Columnists. It’s out there.
Analyst consensus ratings on Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) vary, but most recent analyses indicate a consensus rating of "Hold". This suggests that investors should generally maintain their existing positions in the stock rather than buying more or selling off their shares. Google.
According to AI : As of the last reported data for late August/early September 2025, there were approximately 3.18 million shares of Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) shorted, representing about 8.16% of the company's public float, with a "days to cover" ratio of 6. This signifies a recent increase in short interest, which suggests a negative sentiment from investors regarding SBGI's future performance.
I’m often asked by conservative friends about the liberal agenda in Hollywood. I tell them the only agenda in that town is money. I say the minute people stop buying tickets or watching programs, they’ll switch to whatever the public craves. Having worked for 30 years in TV, I can honestly say if dancing pigs brought in an audience, that’s what we’d be watching 24/7.
As it is, stories of police, crime, and violence have always sold well on both the large and small screens for years. Dancing pigs might be a buffering improvement.
I'm a little confused as to what happens next. Is all forgiven now that Disney felt the financial blowback and is putting Kimmel back on the air? I was boycotting them before they cancelled him, and I think I'll continue. I've never understood the attraction in taking your kids to Disney World for a vacation that the majority of middle class Americans can't even afford in order to see a cast of cartoon characters who offer no moral or educational benefits.
Sinclair is still refusing to show the Jimmy Kimmel show in many outlets. Although I read in some other comments in another column that they said they were not going to but they have backed off that but are now going to show game shows or something along those lines. Still not Kimmel but not quite news picked by them. Keep up the pressure on Sinclair they are vulnerable because they’re a corporation also and they depend on money. Unfortunately in the markets where they exist, people may not know how much power they have.
In this area, it appearst that the Sinclair affiliate on ABC has teamed up with FOX for their news broadcasts. Talk about a double whammy. Broadcast television is limping in general, but this gives it a rubber crutch. In short, it doesn't help.
The recent events since January 2025 have certainly dispelled any doubts we had about the “liberal” nature of tech, media giants, and business. Money always seems to be the sting that gets their attention. We aren’t buying from “friends,” rather from companies that see us as markets to be exploited. Oh wait, isn’t that how Trump et al see us too?
Your points are very well taken Jennifer. The motivating driver of entertainment producers is their return on investment, and not their dedication to principles. Under Trump, there is a fierce tension between the dynamics of that return. Trump threatens to reduce the return unless the industry subjugates their content to his pro-Trump and far right-wing will. The public threatens to reduce that return unless the industry acts responsibly in recognizing and supporting democratic principles. It is up to "We the People" to reduce that return unless the industry acts responsibly and recognizes its commitment to the rule of law rather than to the rule of men.
I think you mean Joe McCarthy, not Eugene
Eugene Joseph McCarthy was a liberal Senator from Minnesota who was the first to challenge President Lyndon Johnson for the Democrat party's nomination in 1968. Joseph Raymond McCarthy was the demagogic Republican Senator from Wisconsin who helped foment the Red Scare panic in the 1940's and 1950's and was toppled by the CBS reporter Edward Morrow and the lawyer Joseph Welsh.
Maybe it should be corrected in the post? I spit out my tea when I saw « Eugene »!
Well, it could have been Charlie McCarthy... 😆
That's who we have right now: a dummy sitting on Putin's knee, saying whatever Putin wants.
Not Eugene who was US Senator (D) from Minnesota.
My very first vote (in Yosemite Valley, where I'd just turned 21) was for Eugene McCarthy for president!
👍
Unless this article has been edited. Ms. Rubin did refer to Joe McCarthy
I assume it’s been edited because the “Eugene” jumped out at me.
I was not trying to be mean spirited. I was sure it was an inadvertent mistake and meant only to point it out so it could be corrected.
She said Joseph McCarthy.
I believe a correction was made.
I wonder who changed it to “Eugene”? Weird!
"Better to acknowledge that Hollywood, like Wall Street, is run by weak-kneed corporations all too eager to cut deals with autocrats." The corporations aren't weak-kneed; the people who own and run them are weak-kneed.
Fortunately, millions of Americans will be standing straight at NO KINGS protests on Saturday, October 18 in this nationwide mobilization. Find one near you - or get tips on how to organize one - at www.nokings.org.
I don’t lay claim to an adequate amount of wisdom for myself but I do recognize pearls of wisdom when I see them. Two fundamental truths for me are that “the love of money is the root of all evil” and, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Sadly, far too many corporations and politicians are willing to twist and turn in any way required simply for more money and power.
I’ll be at the Genesee overpass protest in Golden, Colorado on October 18th adding one more voice to the chorus.
What, corporations don’t actually have knees? They’re not really people?
The supine court would differ. In the Citizens United decision, they are, they just don't pay the individual income tax rate that we do.
"Supine Court" -- love it.
Thank you. They appeared to have earned the title as well as the lack of capitalization.
And it’s harder to hold them accountable for anything.
Like " Supine Court".
Will use it from now on :-)
why not ? they have assholes.....
I had not considered this, but it’s true!
Corporations exist to make money, and those who run them focus primarily on that goal. That automatically means they will shy away from controversy with the powerful, who can effect their bottom line. It's up to stock holders and employees to exert influence on them from the other perspective (oh, and customers). The current capitulation of Disney about Jimmy Kimmel is a prime example.
Exactly, and pension fund investors can make a big difference if members pressure them to do the right thing.
Just to clarify, corporations exist to make money for stock holders. Once the executives started receiving compensation via stock options, corporations change from "the customer is always right" to "how best to increase stock value". As Gordon Gekko said "greed is good".
yes, the CEO luigi mangione shot was on his way to an investors meeting not a customer service meeting...
The assassinations of Mr. Mangione and Mr. Kirk are abhorrent. I didn't know Mr. Mangione, so I have no opinion as to his character. Mr. Kirk was a racist, horrible human being; and the fact, Congress wanted to honor his legacy was disgusting.
mangione was the shooter...the victim was CEO of united health care. I was just agreeing corporations exist to make money for stockholders...even when their product is healthcare.
Yes, it is VERY helpful to remember that corporations (despite the root meaning of the word) are not in fact separate entities but a legal association of humans. That is one reason the Citizens United decision astonished me. A corporation is NOT a person, and should NOT get either a vote or a right separate from the individuals' who own and operate it. Corporations aren't greedy or even cruel. The people who run them are the humans who have human qualities. Especially greed.
How about doing away with "thoughtful"?
Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Disney, which owns ABC, issued a statement: "we have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."
I haven't heard such Jimminy Cricket, Pinocchio's wooden-nose-growing-by-a-mile chickenshit in a long time. Thoughtful, my ass. The only "thought" they had was their reaction to the mountains of cancellations to their subscription service. And that thought was done without Jimmy, but in private, like masturbation, and all about the 💰 💵 💰.
Hello, It's Come to This. Although I'm late to registering my disdain (and fear), I'll go to my cable provider today and cancel my package that includes Disney and other offenders. These cowards need to know that we're not standing for their complicity with the criminals. Can't wait to see how Jimmy handles his return.
I had heard that Gavin Newsom will be his first guest.
Thanks, ICTT. Can't wait for the snark. Your info seems to be an indicator that Jimmy will not arrive with his tail between his legs. Makes my day!
I definitely hope he won't (have his tail between his legs). I just wonder if his humor will be as pointed as it's been. No capitulation, Jimmy!
Can't wait to see his demeanor. I'm guessing he won't disappoint.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for this gem of a comment. Made my day!
Me either
LOL
Well said, indeed! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You wrote, "Without the complicity of studios, Sen. Eugene McCarthy (R-Wis.) would not have been able to harass, blacklist, and even lock up actors and writers accused of being “communists.”
You meant Joe McCarthy. As those of us who got clean for Gene can certainly testify Eugene McCarthy, the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin was no Joe McCarthy.
Eugene McCarthy was a Minnesota Senator known for his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Yes, and I campaigned for him back in NY!
You're absolutely correct. Tunnel vision strikes again.
I also worked for Gene in Chicago in 1968, among many other places. I continued to work for Gene until he left politics.
Boycott Disney
Hurrah! A targeted boycott that worked. A good first step. But if you start boycotting all the corporations that are enabling the fascist takeover of the country, soon you’re at a general spending strike, which is a good thing. Let’s do it!
We, the People, can’t easily or safely withhold our tax dollars that are allowing this corrupt government to function. Our tax dollars fund the fascist takeover.
But as consumers we can indirectly withhold our tax dollars. Consumer spending is about 70% of the economy. That spending ends up as tax dollars. Stop unnecessary spending and the money funding the fascist takeover will disappear.
As I mentioned before, the regional Labor Tribune newspaper publishes a list entitled "We Do Not Patronize", listing businesses that have gone afoul of unions. A similar list might be helpful to avoid fascist-supporting brands and corporations.
I keep wondering why we can't legally withhold our taxes, the same way one can legally withhold rent payments, until they get rid of drumpf and his minions and start anew with someone who actually knows how to run this country, not run it into the ground. There has to be a way. We could each open up a savings account and put what we owe to Uncle Sam into it; make a little bit of interest on that savings; and use it ONLY to pay our required taxes when we get our country back. Any legal experts out there????
This could be the Mother of All Spending Strikes. The looming government shutdown is an opportunity to hold His Royal Heinous accountable and stop his atrocities, and the fascist takeover of the country. We, the People cannot easily withhold our tax dollars from HRH, but the Dems in the Senate have that opportunity.
A U.S. president cannot spend money without an appropriation from Congress, which holds the "power of the purse".
Direct spending is prohibited.
Constitutional power: The Constitution's Appropriations Clause states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law".
The Dems in the Senate must have a list of demands under which they would vote to keep the government running. Such as, the Congress sets tariffs, ICE only goes after violent convicted felons, no one is deported to a third party country, and so forth. And that willingness to fund the government would be on a week to week basis, to prevent HRH from going back on his commitment.
If congress refuses to authorize appropriations, HRH will not have money to operate his corrupt, inept, sadistic government. A chance for the Dems to prove they’re not the feckless cowards they’ve been up until now.
I recommend targeting Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. They should give Trump a list of non-negotiable demands immediately on the budget OR resign and let special elections take place to replace them. I support AOC and Bernie Saunders to take their place in the leadership.
So everyone should begin to bombard the Dems in Congress to do their jobs!!
You are inviting a world of hurt in the way of non-payment penalties. And fighting that will sap your energy and pocket book.
I agree with you, which is why I won't act on that impulse. Any interest you get on a savings account would not come close to covering the penalties the IRS would impose.
And, your tea party point would be?
What the heck does that mean? I just meant your suggestion is not practical. The IRS will come after you and fine you. I am not a tax expert but I am a lawyer. The fines they levy are not insubstantial. But hey, go for it.
We as Democrats with 'Liberal' leanings have allowed Republicans to assign 'words' in derogatory tones to Democrats without 'pushback' ..........being 'Liberal' shouldn't be derogatory. Here's one definition: "Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded. synonym: broad-minded.' There's nothing negative in that definition.....it's time we stand up to anyone using it as a negative.
Ditto ‘Woke’ — being aware & attentive is a positive attribute.
The Republicans have been negatively defining liberal at least since Dukakis. I recall a Doonesbury cartoon, where the Republicans were chanting "Liberal!" and while another character shook, Michael Doonesbury said, "Don't they know there are children watching?"
I second this. I recently saw a post in which someone earnestly shared an explanation that a person who is "Liberal" is a person who is 100% focused on capital as the highest value. Now most RW folks I see use "Liberal" as a derogative mostly meaning "stupidly compassionate" (AKA "bleeding heart Liberal", a common epithet used when I was young.) However recently it seems that "Liberal" is being used by LW people to refer to (I think) the LW capitulation to capitalist demands by compromises such as Obamacare and Medicare "Advantage".
And watch Kimmel whether you usually do or not. As someone said give him Super Bowl ratings!
I have to watch him on YouTube. The closest ABC affiliate is owned by Sinclair. I plan to spend time today finding out who their biggest advertisers are and sending the advertisers emails about how I am boycotting them.
And do the rest of the People who are in the same boat a favor by commenting back about what you found. The more the merrier right?
Excellent. That’s the secondary action we should do beyond boycotting directly. Find out who’s spending money on those stations. They’re been several lists in comments under many sub stack Columnists. It’s out there.
I have googled this multiple times with different phrasing and can't pull up a list....
I just read a comment on Sykes comment section by a reader who said Facebook has a list on indivisible Facebook page
I have refused to do Faceborg from the get go. Maybe hy I cannot see it.
Please post the list.
I would have to go back to comments on the multitude of substacks I read, Sorry ! But the readers comments on most of them are so informative!
see above. I am open to suggestions.
See Robert Reich's substack post today!! Over 650 comments. People shared lists galore!
Or maybe it was yesterday...The point is that hundreds of commenters shared lists and organizing tips and buoycotting ideas.
Thanks!
You have a say. https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
Sinclair stock was up. https://www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/SBGI:NASDAQ
Analyst consensus ratings on Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) vary, but most recent analyses indicate a consensus rating of "Hold". This suggests that investors should generally maintain their existing positions in the stock rather than buying more or selling off their shares. Google.
According to AI : As of the last reported data for late August/early September 2025, there were approximately 3.18 million shares of Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) shorted, representing about 8.16% of the company's public float, with a "days to cover" ratio of 6. This signifies a recent increase in short interest, which suggests a negative sentiment from investors regarding SBGI's future performance.
History of shareholder derivitive suit. https://www.fcc.gov/document/sinclair-pays-48-million-and-settles-all-pending-investigations
I’m often asked by conservative friends about the liberal agenda in Hollywood. I tell them the only agenda in that town is money. I say the minute people stop buying tickets or watching programs, they’ll switch to whatever the public craves. Having worked for 30 years in TV, I can honestly say if dancing pigs brought in an audience, that’s what we’d be watching 24/7.
As it is, stories of police, crime, and violence have always sold well on both the large and small screens for years. Dancing pigs might be a buffering improvement.
Joseph McCarthy, not Eugene
Eugene was from Minnesota. Joe was from Wisconsin.
In defense of Wisconsin we also had William Proxmire! I lived in both states!
And Robert LaFollette, and Russ Feingold.
One the other hand, Wisconsin (I was raised there) also had Tommy Thompson, and Scott Walker.
And now has one decent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin and one god awful right wing blowhard Senator, Ron Johnson.
Funny place!
You meant Joseph McCarthy, not ’Clean Gene’ Eugene.
Here s a phrase we can dump, "He/she/they said the quiet part out lloud", why, because there is no more quiet part.
And I've heard tell that then-SAG president Ronald Reagan held the union door open for McCarthy.
So many of our problems today can be traced back to Reagan.
A few more can be traced back to Richard Nixon.
👏🏼 Definitely. Thanks, Ish!
I'm a little confused as to what happens next. Is all forgiven now that Disney felt the financial blowback and is putting Kimmel back on the air? I was boycotting them before they cancelled him, and I think I'll continue. I've never understood the attraction in taking your kids to Disney World for a vacation that the majority of middle class Americans can't even afford in order to see a cast of cartoon characters who offer no moral or educational benefits.
I can't speak for anyone else, but we're done with Disney and the associated businesses. No Disney, Paramount, ESPN, Hulu anymore. To hell with them.
Sinclair is still refusing to show the Jimmy Kimmel show in many outlets. Although I read in some other comments in another column that they said they were not going to but they have backed off that but are now going to show game shows or something along those lines. Still not Kimmel but not quite news picked by them. Keep up the pressure on Sinclair they are vulnerable because they’re a corporation also and they depend on money. Unfortunately in the markets where they exist, people may not know how much power they have.
In this area, it appearst that the Sinclair affiliate on ABC has teamed up with FOX for their news broadcasts. Talk about a double whammy. Broadcast television is limping in general, but this gives it a rubber crutch. In short, it doesn't help.
The recent events since January 2025 have certainly dispelled any doubts we had about the “liberal” nature of tech, media giants, and business. Money always seems to be the sting that gets their attention. We aren’t buying from “friends,” rather from companies that see us as markets to be exploited. Oh wait, isn’t that how Trump et al see us too?
Your points are very well taken Jennifer. The motivating driver of entertainment producers is their return on investment, and not their dedication to principles. Under Trump, there is a fierce tension between the dynamics of that return. Trump threatens to reduce the return unless the industry subjugates their content to his pro-Trump and far right-wing will. The public threatens to reduce that return unless the industry acts responsibly in recognizing and supporting democratic principles. It is up to "We the People" to reduce that return unless the industry acts responsibly and recognizes its commitment to the rule of law rather than to the rule of men.