Mr.TaterSalad

I was thinking this morning about why Republicans are able to be so successful with their negative, hate-filled, disinformation brand of politics. Yes, the phobias and isms help them. Yes, the anti-science rhetoric riles people up. As does the us versus them mentality. But I think at it's core, what really makes them so successful versus the Democratic messaging, is that they have an entire media ecosystem with which they can manufacture what they want their voters to care about, think about, be outraged about, and respond to. Normally, it's the voters telling the politicians what they are upset about. With the right and Republicans, its the party and the media apparatus telling the voters what to think about and care about. And it is this way because they've been dumbed down and stripped of any ability to think critically. Worse or just as bad as that, they have created a culture where decent is shunned and scorned. The voters on the right and Republicans have built an innate trust in that everything they see and hear on and from Donald Trump, Fox News, OAN, NewsMax, Rush Limbaugh, Dan Bongino, Steve Bannon, conservative Facebook and Twitter must be true. If they say something than I am going to believe it. The thought of even questioning what you see every night on Tucker or Laura, even questioning what comes out of Trump's mouth, has been erased from their minds. They've been worn down to a nub, erased off all critical thinking skills due to terrible education system, and are following the Pied Piper straight off the bridge without question. Xenophobia, homophobia, anti-science, extreme religiousness, and all the other jargon that comes along with being on the right are themselves effective messaging tools to keep people constantly interested and motivated towards a goal. However, it's the dumbing down of society, the wearing down of any ability to think critically, and the shunning of those who do that is at its core, that has allowed their media ecosystem to take hold and dictate to the voters what they need care about. Does this make any sense haha?

The Hockey Writers: Marco Kasper Scouting Report

Elite Prospects: Marco Kasper scouting report

Ha! I'm not in love with Kasper as I'd ideally like to see more scouting prowess. That said, from scouring reports I've read and highlights I've seen, he's a 200ft player who plays well with the puck and displays good discipline.

Wooooooohoooooo!!!!! Kasper is great with the puck and is great with controlling the puck. Love the pick!

Would you be against taking a flyer on Kasper? Seems like a boom/bust pick.

I think Marco Kasper is the guy I want at this point.

And Winnipeg lost their team and got it back. So can and so should Quebec before Houston or Kansas City.

Atlanta ended up in Winnipeg. So being in a big media market, especially one that has never been a hockey market, isn't a guarantee for success.

Wright to Seattle, oh well. Woulda been nice.

In Houston 800 people will buy season tickets, in Quebec tens of thousands will get season tickets. Houston will look like Florida Panthers games. Quebec will sell out.

By Houston you mean Quebec.

Arizona picks Logan Cooley. GO GET WRIGHT!!!

Devils pass on Wright. I'd love to see Stevie Y get aggressive and move up to get him.

Would the Devils take Larkin as the anchor of a trade package to move off #2? Would you give up a proven commodity in Larkin to get an unproven commodity in Wright?

I would offer a haul to move up and get Wright, but I highly doubt New Jersey is moving off #2.

Still one of the greatest versions of a song there ever was.

This Herschel Walker story gets crazier and crazier and of course exposes the blatant hypocrisy of the moral majority and the party of family values. Remember, that gay marriage is eroding the moral fabric of society and damaging the family. Herschel Walker will potentially win though because they love SEC and Bulldogs football down south, see him as a God in Georgia, inflation is high, gas prices are high, and Biden is unpopular. Unlike most Republican candidates, Walker has the added benefit of being a football God down there in Georgia.

Boris Johnson resigned. We should throw a party!

I'd want a Rossi-level Centre prospect if we are going to trade Larkin. So if I can't get a prospect at that level, I'm probably keeping Larkin.

Salon: Trump-backed Michigan Republican warns of “demonic possession” through sex From Michigan Republican Secretary of State candidate Kristina Karamo . . .

Connie Corleone turned out to be not that much smarter than Fredo. So . . . . . . . . .

I am not terribly familiar with the Wild farm system, but going off rankings and scouting reports I read through at lunch, it looks like Left Winger Matthew Boldy is their next best prospect in the Top 100 list of NHL prospects. Larkin for Rossi, Boldy, and a 2nd Rd pick maybe? That nets you potentially 2 top 25 NHL prospects and 1 who is a top Center prospect.