ChicagoCita

This, I believe, is her grief. I have said here before, when my best friend died after a long two years of illness (AIDS), and I needed him so much, I was LIVID for a good two years afterwards. I was slightly older than Meghan, and I was just so angry (at the world, at the disease, at God) that he was gone. But tears, tantrums, stomping around, getting irate that a certain subject is even discussed -- in front of an audience? Holy cow. I've always maintained that Meghan seems to have no idea what kind of show The View is. This is not a Sunday morning policywonk discussion. It's an on-air kaffee klatch, it's supposed to be fun. Even when Joy had her show on Current TV, which had people from different political and religious worlds interacting, I can't remember anyone getting worked up anywhere near the way Meghan is on The View. Intense, maybe, at times. But mostly, it was fun, it was thought-provoking. She had the execrable Boris Epshteyn on regularly and even then no one took it as seriously -- or PERSONALLY -- as Meghan seems to take things on The View. Maybe she thinks any criticism is personalized toward her. Meghan's behavior is verging on unbearable to watch. She's acts like she's playing baccarat for her life's savings while everyone else is laughing over a game of penny gin rummy.

I always know it's going to be a fun read when there are 40 new comments by 3pm. Brava to you all, and especially to our undercover reporter, @WonderWuman73!

Here are a couple articles about Meghan's appearance in London, expanding on what she said today. I'm embarrassed to say I had never heard of Magnitsky before, so this is all new to me. In a weird way, I appreciate Meghan for being so concise and passionate about this subject matter, and it furthers my good opinion of Sen. McCain for being so supportive of the US passing it in 2012. Washington Post Voice of America News

This Meghan, the one who's not on the defensive, and who's passionate and knowledgeable about a subject, and not trying to parrot anyone else's viewpoints -- this Meghan, I like very much (also echoes of her eulogy for her dad). She was clearly very informed and heartfelt about the subjects of Magnitsky and Russians attempting to infiltrate other world governments, and she made sense, and got her point across clearly. I didn't see her trying to be anyone except Meghan, which is rarely the version of her who shows up at the table. I've noticed a lot less of the cray-cray and crosstalk since early last week, when Meghan came down from a three-day bender of insanity. I could get used to this. Sadly, I don't think it will last. But I'm enjoying it while I can.

Now that's a cute outfit. Why can't she go on The View wearing something sassy like that? Much more flattering than a lot of looks we see her wearing on the panel.

Funny they would have a Libertarian... oops, an Independent... oops, a free-thinker... host Fox & Friends. I think Jed just confirmed she's a Fox Republican. (As if the many articles for Breitbart didn't give it away!)

I liked Joy's blazer - she knows what colors complement her red hair. Abby always looks good (either they are working on having her shiny hair be less of a distraction or I'm used to it). I hated what Sunny had on; it's one of my key rules that no one (NO ONE) looks good in shiny materials. On heavier women, it accentuates their weight, and on women like Sunny, it makes them look heavy. Just say no! I saw WIDOWS last night, and I have to say I was shocked to hear Elizabeth Debicki speaking on the show with a slight Aussie accent. She was amazing in the movie as a Polish-American Chicagoan. I've heard that accent so often in my life: just a slight way of pronouncing certain words that tells you the person comes from a Polish family. It's so rarely done right, or done at all, in movies. I've known so many women -- Beata, Janina, Paulina -- who speak just as her character did. It was an amazing portrayal. (Oh, and the coffee shop they show in the movie is a block from my house. In fact, they were shooting the last scenes there as recently as last August!)

It's so much more relaxed with Ana there. I think it's because -- unlike Meghan -- Ana has a sense of humor and doesn't come out spoiling for a fight. You can tell Meghan is poised for battle every single day. It must be exhausting to be out there with her. I also liked that Ana referenced "my Republican party" in talking about Congress's shortcomings with regard to checks and balances. A lesson for all home-teamers (big, big side eye to Meghan): You can be part of a group, and still acknowledge its imperfections. A Republican criticizing other Republicans doesn't make her a Democrat or a RINO. It makes her someone who wants to see things improve.

Kenny Rogers said he decided to go country after his rock career because the fans are forever loyal. I'd like to add to that: As long as the performers toe (tow?) the line as far as loving country and God. Remember the reaction to the Dixie Chicks dissing Bush? Would Abby love an atheist singing country-tinged protest songs? I am happy to hear the ladies at the table (and Stormy Daniels) say they all hope the charges against Avenatti aren't true, but they will disavow him if they are. I am keeping an open mind. I like the guy, and I fully acknowledge that he would be a big trophy for the Right to take down. But if nothing else, #metoo has shown me that "nice guys," as well as scumbuckets, do heinous things. I hope it's not true. I've enjoyed the last two shows. What is happening?!?!

She went bonkers when Joy said, "Happy Birthday, Melania." Totally nuts to see that happen. But then, she later said, after the "I don't care, do you" jacket, that she was finished defending Melania, that the jacket's message was so inappropriate that she could no longer defend FLOTUS.

I actually enjoyed today's show. Very little crosstalk, no Meghanmonologue. She had to have been spoken to about being insanely rude and hogging the table; there's been a huge change the past couple days. I didn't feel like I was watching Meghan McCain's View today, and I haven't been able to say that in a while. I'd love to meet her brother Jimmy, the "fun one." Abby said her name today, and she said normally, rhymes with Tabby, not Ahhbee. I don't know why the show's announcer says it so weirdly. And, sucking one's thumb until 13? I've never heard of that. Is it relatively common?

I found Meghan's remarks today about Arizona and the newly elected senator frighteningly rational and calm. No cross-talk, no screeching. Either she was heavily medicated or someone had a talk with her about her insane and boorish behavior the last few days. My ears are still burning from her shrilly repeating that she wanted to know who her senator was going to be (squawk, squawk, squawk!) Today was a welcome respite. I have no hopes that it will last, but it was enjoyable by contrast.

Today's note to ABC Programming Feedback, to whom I vow to write every day Meghan is annoying (so, yeah, probably every weekday):

She also said Donnelley was going to win in Indiana. Sadly, he did not, and it wasn't close.

But she's so abysmally BAD at the "gotcha" stuff. She tries, I gotta give her that. But with little to no success. She's the living embodiment of the Dunning-Kruger Effect: she has no idea she's nowhere near as smart or politically savvy as the guests she so desperately wants to "fillet." And they so sweetly and effortlessly swat her away each time.

For the second day in a row, Meghan made me go to the ABC Programming Feedback page and complain about her "performance" on The View. I'm going to do so every day she acts insane. Heck, I might as well bookmark it.

She's saving face. A very red Facebook friend in California went silent for a few days after the election, and now she's back trying to convince herself and all her FB friends that the results of the election worked out best for the GOP. Whatever. It's trying not to be dismayed that 100% of the reins of power are no longer in the hands of one party. You know it can't be fun for Meghan to have to continue to defend a party that got trounced, esp. because her personality is one that can never admit defeat or facts that don't appeal to her.

You can tell it was a humdinger of a tantrum because .... has anyone mentioned the Pepto-Bismol pink fluffy monstrosity that Meghan was wearing? I don't like her, but I think she's a very attractive woman. Why they don't seem to manage to dress her in a flattering way is perplexing. They've got her in the least flattering clothes for her body type. It honestly looks like she orders from mail-order catalogues.... i.e., sometimes the fit isn't right.

When my best friend died, I was about Meghan's age, a couple years older. All I can remember from that part of my life was unrelenting fury. I think Meghan may be going through a bit of that along with her grief. I get it, losing someone you love deeply is difficult. But, wow, seeing the barely contained rage she brings to what should be a fun hour, a literal kaffee klatch, is really difficult. She shouldn't be on the air; she's uncomfortable to watch. I am halfway waiting for her to shove the table away and start screaming profanities.

She's rambling on and not letting anyone else speak about how it wasn't a Blue Wave. She's so shrill that dogs are barking all over the country.

Gosh, Meghan, SHUT UP. She just won't let anyone else speak. She's like one of those dolls where you pulled the string on her neck and she babbles until the string runs out. I hated that about Jedidiah. I hate it even more about Meghan. SHUT UP.

That's right! No blue cards.

I'm embarrassed for her. She said someone had the support of Trump and her mother, like that means something, and everyone laughed. You could tell she wasn't trying to be funny. Also, why is she the only one at her table with a laptop?

I really don't know where Meghan gets off thinking she speaks for "the middle of the country." Arizona is NOT the Midwest, or a Plains State. I live in "the middle of the country," both in Chicago and in a small town in Western Illinois, and she does NOT speak for me. I bet she can't find Chicago on a map, and I know for dang sure she can't find my small town on a map because literally no one can unless you happen to live in the county (which has 15,000 residents). Now that's "the middle of the country," girlfriend. Sedona is NOT.

Lots of politics this week, fitting for what many have said is the most important midterm of our lives. Anyone have any idea who the Friday guest is? "retired U.S. Army Capt. Florent"