I read the news today…Oh boy.

A post about nothing in the news or boys. Just the earwig that inspired the following.

So on this, my sunday,…A somewhat navel gazing post…Please forgive and feel free to consider it an open thread…Is Provider using ellipses paranthetically, well yes he is…I ran into a conservative at breakfast, a self identified republican, who deigned to dither libertarian when I admitted to being an unabashed Marxist, in other words a decent sort, a member of the Clinton/DLC/Obama/Eisenhowerian side of the ledger (though I doubt that he would admit his existence in that continuum.) In other words, not a ratshit craze-ball.

As I was just looking for breakfast I did not push as much as I might under other circumstances. And to make this perfectly clear, I was not the one who started the discussion, well, actually, I did, in my usual fashion, asking for the sports page, sensing a genuine conviviality and after shitting about some random things, he felt comfortable enough to bring up the fact that he was a Republican.

I run into this on occasion as I tend to be, in the main, a guy who gets along easily with people and with whom people, who regardless of viewpoints, generally trust (as a result, I have on no fewer than three occasions, have had it explained to me that while a particular person might have black friends and therefore is not a racist, turn on a dime and explain that they are not OK with inter-racial marriage, which has always left me with the thought of “what do you think I am the product of?”)

My breakfast companion would probably only need a four hour course to come around to our side, rather than the 12 year remedial education focusing on Civics, History, and what it might mean to be in possession of the privilege inherent, when one, by dint of birth, finds themselves in the possession of a pale penis, than most of the petard hoisted bastards that we usually poke fun of around here.

As is my wont, I did feed food for thought, or at least, I would hope so…Though he did object to my characterization of his party as a bunch of bomb throwing, hostage taking, terrorists, (he wasn’t having any of that, though the fact that the exchange made it to that point without the spilling of blood, is telling.)

In other-words I met the very [something] model of a modern Major [Something], and by the cut of his cloth I suspect a person of middle management at a major corp, or someone near the top of the dogpile at a smallish regional situation, and speaking of dogpile, I don’t believe that I have mentioned Vera in this space…

Put the head of a chihuahua on the neck of a smallish Basset or Dachshund, lengthen the legs and neck and one would end up with one of the cutest beasts in creation. I promise pictures.

Back to which seems to be a point that I had been planning to make. The fellow in question seems to represent a member of the 13-20% that when added to the famed 27% makes it difficult for us to have nice things. The sad thing is that he actually appears to have a semblance of a brain and appears to pay a pittance of attention…We did not spend enough time together, and I was not pressing the point, but I suspect that our Major could fly anything though one of his blind-spots.

Just to prove that you all can talk about anything, I was just enjoying my post post smoke and watching a butterfly work around the margins of a fence when it occurred to me that in a previous (and possibly future) life as a lawn care specialist (Dixie Choppers Rule, save the name) that I may have taken down some four leaf clovers. At least I am pretty certain that I managed to avoid taking out any rabbit warrens…

[update]

From the comments Dragon delivers the word:

Dragon-King Wangchuck said,

October 3, 2013 at 21:52 · Edit

OBS had an interesting link downstairs. That guy is saving $13K annually and getting better coverage – so he’s quite aware that the GOP is just plain outright lying on the ACA. He’s got obvious data staring him in the face – $35 bucks a day, 365 days a year. He knows that the Republicans are straight up full of shit on Obamacare. And yet that is the thing that the crazy-ass teatards have shut government down for.

So how does he describe himself?

I still am a very strong Republican, but this… I’m so happy that this came along

Obamacare is making a very significant improvement to his quality of life. He’s retired and living off his nest egg – possible because his mortgage and car are all paid off. He’s achieved his own slice of the American Dream – a comfortable life, free and clear. Well almost, he still had the one major monthly expense, an expense which had quadrupled over thirteen years – an 11% annual rate of increase. Obamacare has taken that worry away. Obamacare has relieved him of the threat of the $10,000 deductible. And he knows that others will see similar effects. He knows that there are people who, like him, had been grossly misinformed and outright lied to by the Grand Old Party.

Obamacare is the mortal enemy of the Republican party – something they see as an existential threat to America (as opposed to an existential threat to the greedy fuckwad mentality that has come to define them so very well). Even the non-teatard Republicans who are for ending the shutdown are only saying that because they think there are better ways to destroy Obamacare. But that guy is still self-described as “a very strong Republican.”

Why? Is it because he’s got the intellectual curiosity of a bag of rocks? Is it because he’s greedy? Is it because he’s dumb?

What’s the ask here? That we keep in mind that despite being Republicans, these people are still people? A “love the sinner but hate the sin” approach? I dunno. I mean it’s true that we all have blind spots. Getting up and out of bed every morning is an exercise of faith – one that experience ought to have taught us was hardly worthwhile. And yet here we are.

This should occur more frequently…

 

Comments: 111

 
 
 

frost! no, srsly…we could get some frost this weekend…if it ever stops with the mofo-ing rain…

 
 

Crap, I forgot to finished reading the comments of the last thread afore posting which might have adjusted the navel gazing and possibly caused me to push my breakfast companion further.

New rule…

And as the comeliest lass has left the room and my coffee is at an end, I think it time to make my departure.

 
 

I hate grass. Lawns, that is. Can’t keep those damn kids off ’em.

 
 

“90 feels like 110” here. Um, yay?

 
 

Yes I’m going to forget about this craziness and enjoy the stylings of nick offerman tonight at the chicago theatre. I sure hope he brings Megan.

 
Pupienus Maximus
 

he felt comfortable enough compelled to bring up the fact that he was a Republican.

Nicht wahr?

 
 

Previous post leads me to a query: if wingnuts can joyously embrace their Inner Bakunin, why the hell can’t lefties ever seem to steal the non-evil tactical stuff that is proven time & time again to work from them?

Dude’s right, by the way – they’re not ALL Bible-humping foamy-mouthed windowlickers. Trouble is, that lot are plainly running the circus … & there’s plenty of Just Plain Folks like him still willing to give said windowlickers their votes, mainly because that’s the brand they’ve always bought in the Pol-Mart™ & changing brands means you’re Judas times a zillion.

 
 

Dude’s right, by the way – they’re not ALL Bible-humping foamy-mouthed windowlickers. Trouble is, that lot are plainly running the circus … & there’s plenty of Just Plain Folks like him still willing to give said windowlickers their votes, mainly because that’s the brand they’ve always bought in the Pol-Mart™ & changing brands means you’re Judas times a zillion.

yeah, but i’m still agog at persons whom i previously took to be sane to actually say things such as, ‘i like the cut of that michele bachmann’s jib and think she’d make an awesome president’

how insane is too insane?

 
 

…why the hell can’t lefties ever seem to steal the non-evil tactical stuff that is proven time & time again to work from them?

Provide examples of non-evil tactical stuff.

 
 

Put the head of a chihuahua on the neck of a smallish Basset or Dachshund, lengthen the legs and neck and one would end up with one of the cutest beasts in creation. I promise pictures.

I will hold you to that promise. We used to have a dog, a whelp of a dachshund and a mutt, who had some chihuahua in her background. We could see the chihuahua part if she was on her back, causing her ears to go from flop to point. She was a nice little dog. Not yappy.

 
 

One of the nicest guys I knew at a job long ago, he even sat at my table at my wedding, much later in life (after we’d long fallen out of touch) took a high-level position at the Heartland Institute.

Yes, the “If you believe in global warming, you’re just like the Unabomber” Heartland Institute.

There’d been warning signs, like an odd enthusiasm for George “Women are for Making Babies and Dinner” Gilder, but it was still a shock.

 
 

OBS had an interesting link downstairs. That guy is saving $13K annually and getting better coverage – so he’s quite aware that the GOP is just plain outright lying on the ACA. He’s got obvious data staring him in the face – $35 bucks a day, 365 days a year. He knows that the Republicans are straight up full of shit on Obamacare. And yet that is the thing that the crazy-ass teatards have shut government down for.

So how does he describe himself?

I still am a very strong Republican, but this… I’m so happy that this came along

Obamacare is making a very significant improvement to his quality of life. He’s retired and living off his nest egg – possible because his mortgage and car are all paid off. He’s achieved his own slice of the American Dream – a comfortable life, free and clear. Well almost, he still had the one major monthly expense, an expense which had quadrupled over thirteen years – an 11% annual rate of increase. Obamacare has taken that worry away. Obamacare has relieved him of the threat of the $10,000 deductible. And he knows that others will see similar effects. He knows that there are people who, like him, had been grossly misinformed and outright lied to by the Grand Old Party.

Obamacare is the mortal enemy of the Republican party – something they see as an existential threat to America (as opposed to an existential threat to the greedy fuckwad mentality that has come to define them so very well). Even the non-teatard Republicans who are for ending the shutdown are only saying that because they think there are better ways to destroy Obamacare. But that guy is still self-described as “a very strong Republican.”

Why? Is it because he’s got the intellectual curiosity of a bag of rocks? Is it because he’s greedy? Is it because he’s dumb?

What’s the ask here? That we keep in mind that despite being Republicans, these people are still people? A “love the sinner but hate the sin” approach? I dunno. I mean it’s true that we all have blind spots. Getting up and out of bed every morning is an exercise of faith – one that experience ought to have taught us was hardly worthwhile. And yet here we are.

 
 

yeah, but i’m still agog at persons whom i previously took to be sane to actually say things such as, ‘i like the cut of that michele bachmann’s jib and think she’d make an awesome president’

I know, right? It really is amazing how many people I had assumed were sane and/or paying attention will come out with stuff like that, or “that Paul fellow sure has the right idea,” something I’ll sigh about in anyone under, say, 23 and want to facepalm in anyone old enough to know better.

I think it’s because most people get their news from TV, which just doesn’t have the time to do the in-depth reporting needed. Even assuming there are still enough actual journalists (as opposed to stenographers) with actual research support (libraries are expensive, and it’s all on the net anyway-not), 22 or 43 minutes just aren’t enough time. Plus, broadcast is an expensive enough investment that no one’s going to take any chances about pissing off the Owners.

In 2002-2003, I knew, just from reading the paper (I didn’t have internet access), that the “reasons” being given for war on Iraq were a tissue of lies. I suspect that reading information opens it up to more critical thought than seeing it, since reading is something that must be learned and until (relatively) very recently what you saw with your own eyes was likely to be true, because it was happening in front of you.

 
 

here is what maeve was up to last night:

ran wildly in circles…went outside and dug in some fresh black dirt necessitating a bath and upholstery cleaning…ate some peanut butter…ripped her new toy to shreds…figured out how to sneak into the dogfood cupboard…pestered lucy no end…kept sneaking stuffing out of her crack pillow (dog bed)

this morning she was still a bit wound up…hubbkf and i were doing stuff in the next room on our respective computers when maeve came in quite docilely and laid at my feet looking completely adorable…i looked into the next room to find the crack pillow completely torn apart and scattered across the entire living room…

if this is a weather system thing, it’s going to be a long freaking winter with her…

 
 

I’m so happy that this came along.

“Came along” my ass. It “came along” because the Democrats dragged their opponents kicking and screaming into it. And they’re still kicking and screaming. Some fucking people…

 
 

Yay, puppy update! How was your trip to Chicago (aside from Delta putting some suck in your visit)?

 
 

Yay, puppy update! How was your trip to Chicago (aside from Delta putting some suck in your visit)?

all in all it was pretty awesome…meeting up with von was definitely the highlight. only wish i would have had the ambition/time to go out and about…planned giving specialists really aren’t people who like to gad about in the same way i do…but i had ALONE TIME!!! i also drank a pretty spendy glass of wine at harry caray’s which i didn’t know was a pretty spendy glass of wine…they had a 1/2 off glass special one night and since i was doing italian, i ordered a chianti, of which they only had one kind, so i was like sure…when i got the bill i was rather surprised to see that at half off, the wine was $24…i almost shat…if i would have known that it was a $48/glass wine, i might have savored it a bit more…

 
 

He knows that there are people who, like him, had been grossly misinformed and outright lied to by the Grand Old Party.

Compartmentalization? Not being willing to acknowledge that he’s being outright lied to by the people he identified with back when he first started voting? He’s 61, and the GOP of 40 years ago, while being racist, classist, misogynist, etc. was still nowhere as outright antiAmerican as today’s GOP.

Also, the Democrats, with a few notable exceptions, aren’t out there calling the lies lies. This gives people the very reasonable impression that the lies are not, in fact, lies.

The Dems seem to have bought into the bipartisan (the earth is round -no it’s flat -opinions differ) and compromise (you want this, I want that. How ’bout we agree to give me that) shit that’s being sold, not noticing it’s only one group being held to it.

Ironically, it’s the authoritarian Rs who are totally refusing to do what they’re told and obey the rules and the anti-authority Dems who are doing what they’re told and obeying the rules. Totally supporting my theory that the Dem PTB are really Republicans escaped from the nuthouse the GOP has become.

 
 

Shutdown related blogwhore.

♫…He came in like a wrecking ball…♪

(no actual Miley Cyrus music at the post)

 
 

if this is a weather system thing, it’s going to be a long freaking winter with her…

I dunno. Marlowe, my 14 year old cat (with kidney disease for the past 7) has taken to running about for no apparent reason (it’s called “the wilds” in cats). She’s also learned a new trick from Nani Wai, the young (3 years) cat in the household – she’s taken to pulling a lot of paper towels off the roll, which accordions into a nice comfy pad for her. Yes, I’ve had her checked, and she’s now taking meds for hyperthyroidism. But she still gets the wilds. And we’re far enough away not to be getting the same weather.

 
 

Gee, I’m glad all the sturm und drang of the last thread is over! I feel sorta sorry for having triggered it all. Well, almost sorry… because I think it valuable to challange conventional assumptions from time-to-time.

The underlying structural problem, of course, is not having a parliamentary democracy. I recognize that the Two-Party system is more a symptom than a cause. Anyway, I’ll dial back my admittedly unusual political curmudeonhood, in the interest of Sadlyburg harmony. Does everyone feel better now?

Now you kids get offa my lawn!

 
 

Gee, I’m glad all the sturm und drang of the last thread is over! I feel sorta sorry for having triggered it all. Well, almost sorry… because I think it valuable to challange conventional assumptions from time-to-time.

well, you aren’t being kicked out of the hot tub yet, but you better quit farting in it…jklol…

also, some good ol’ debate once in a while is energizing…it’s good to ruffle the feathers every so often and see what shakes out…

I’ve had her checked, and she’s now taking meds for hyperthyroidism. But she still gets the wilds. And we’re far enough away not to be getting the same weather.

we always seem to end up with slightly neurotic dogs…what’s up with that…i know it can’t be their owners…

 
 

OBS had an interesting link downstairs. That guy is saving $13K annually and getting better coverage – so he’s quite aware that the GOP is just plain outright lying on the ACA. He’s got obvious data staring him in the face – $35 bucks a day, 365 days a year. He knows that the Republicans are straight up full of shit on Obamacare

Maybe. Repubs are remarkably indifferent to facts, even when they are staring them in the face. Also, “confirmation bias” too. And such as.

 
 

if this is a weather system thing, it’s going to be a long freaking winter with her…

Possibility: She was overjoyed that you were back after disappearing. The docile laying at yer feet and looking adorable might support that. If it IS a weather thing, I hope you have a mud room…

 
 

Provide examples of non-evil tactical stuff.

Personally, I’d love to see some doubling down done. “What’s that? You’re concerned about our Nation’s solvency, and are willing to shut the government down/default on our loans? Well, then. I think we could raise some nice revenue by adding another tier to our tax structure, and making the top rate 40%. What’s that? You don’t like that? 60%, then, and remove some loopholes. You still don’t like it? 80%.”

I don’t see the Dems doing it, because it might work. But it would sure be fun to watch.

 
 

Sometimes I think that people stay with the Republicans out of inertia and for professional / social reasons: My daddy and grandaddy and all my kin are Republicans, and so are all my friends, and pretty much everybody in town. Also there is the Echo Chamber / Wurlitzer effect of Faux News to validate what they already believe to be the case.

(Of course, the same inertia and social reasons can be found among True Blue Democrats, like my brother in Eugene. Most of the faculty are Democrats, his friends. And he’s passed that on to his kids.)

Same thing with the word ‘conservative’: It became a Badge during the Raygun years, and ‘liberal’ was demonized (and undefended): it became Something Simpleminded and Gullible. I actually remember when Liberal was a badge to be worn proudly. (God, I feel old.) In the Raygun years it morphed into ‘Moderate’ to avoid the stigma of ‘Liberal’.

Back in the Cretaceous there was even a respectable and responsible species known as Moderate Republicans: Everett Dirkson, Lowell Weiker, Lincoln Chaffee, Nelson Rockefeller, John Lindsay, Mac Mathias.

God, I feel old.

 
 

Should have used quotes: “My daddy and grandaddy…”

 
 

Personally, I’d love to see some doubling down done. “What’s that? You’re concerned about our Nation’s solvency, and are willing to shut the government down/default on our loans? Well, then. I think we could raise some nice revenue by adding another tier to our tax structure, and making the top rate 40%. What’s that? You don’t like that? 60%, then, and remove some loopholes. You still don’t like it? 80%.”

have you seen the ashley banfield clip that’s going around wherein she asks two legislators from cali if they would (for the greater good) call themselves non-essential employees? if you haven’t, i’m sure you can imagine their responses…

 
 

Provide examples of non-evil tactical stuff.

Change the filibuster threshold. 60 isn’t carved in stone. It can be reset by the Majority at the beginning of each legislative session.

Or at the very least, require a filibuster to be REAL. Make the bastards actually stand and speak.

 
 

Also stop electing Senate Majority Leaders from ‘shakey’ small-population states … where they are easier to target and more easily upset (e.g. Tom Daschle and Harry Reid).

 
 

Or at the very least, require a filibuster to be REAL. Make the bastards actually stand and speak.

I’m all for that. Not as punitive as that required in TX, but a requirement that the filibusterer be as upright as reasonable (for the wheelchair-bound, frex), and they must actually speak should at least be the minimum.

 
 

have you seen the ashley banfield clip that’s going around wherein she asks two legislators from cali if they would (for the greater good) call themselves non-essential employees? if you haven’t, i’m sure you can imagine their responses…

I haven’t, and I imagine their answer was they are, too, absolutely essential.

It should be a given that anything bad Congress votes for/allows to happen, like Federal employees not getting paid, applies to Congress first and goes on longest. I don’t think any of them are living as close to the bone as many Federal employees are

Of course, I also think that if Congress won’t share the sweet deal (coverage and cost) in health insurance they get (once vested) with the rest of the country, they (and their dependents) should have to take the worst plan available to their constituents that their pay rate entitles them to for the rest of their lives.

 
 

And while I’m wishing for sparkleponies and magic rainbows, some things should not be privately owned: the USPS, prisons, armies (I’m looking at the company formerly known as Blackwater, for example), highways, just for starters.

Schools. If you’re getting any public help, you have to take the public, and meet public standards, at a minimum. Personally, I’d like to see the portion of property taxes a district says they’re allocating to schools go into a federal pot, supplemented with DoD money if it falls short of the funds necessary, and see all public schools taken to basic standards of hygiene, structure, infrastructure, worst schools first. Teachers paid according to what they really contribute, not the current it-used-to-be-a-job-only-women-did-so we-don’t-need-to-pay-or-respect-much rate we’re using. Again, worst schools first, of course.

No way, no how, should people’s health be a profit center, frgawdssake.

If a bank’s too big to fail, it’s obviously too big. Break it up or federalize it.

There. I feel better.

And I hope we could harvest some of the angular momentum coming from Ronnie’s grave.

 
 

Has any Republican tried to defend the old “denied due to a pre-existing condition” practice that’s been outlawed by Obamacare? I’d like to see them try and do it very publically.

 
Every gun fetishist
 

That lady was armed with a car so let’s outlaw cars! HURRR!

Or at least register them! HURR HURR!

Oh wait…

 
 

have you seen the ashley banfield clip that’s going around wherein she asks two legislators from cali if they would (for the greater good) call themselves non-essential employees? if you haven’t, i’m sure you can imagine their responses…

Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois actually tried withholding the salaries of the legislature after it refused to pass pension reform. The courts slapped him down.

(Personally, I agree with the courts. Quinn is kind of a weenie who can’t seem to get along with anyone.)

 
 

Has any Republican tried to defend the old “denied due to a pre-existing condition” practice that’s been outlawed by Obamacare? I’d like to see them try and do it very publically.

Some jerkoff mumbled something about how the “free market” could set up “high-risk exchange pools” or something. Then he accused the questioner of being biased against him (didn’t see that one coming).

 
 

Here’s a loopy suggestion: I’d like to a law that requires all registered lobbiests to wear distinctive headgear: Sombreros For Lobbiests

Also NASCAR suits for Congress with the logos of the corporations that sponsor each Senator or Rep.. Position and size of logos based on size of donations. Required in the House and Senate and on TeeVee talking-head shows. Also, imagine how colorful the State of the Union speeches would be with wall-to-wall day-glo colors!

Also I’ve got a truly insane plan to Take the Government to the People. It’s sort of involved, so I’ll save it a seperate comment.

 
 

‘see a law’

 
 

Also NASCAR suits for Congress with the logos of the corporations that sponsor each Senator or Rep.. Position and size of logos based on size of donations. Required in the House and Senate and on TeeVee talking-head shows. Also, imagine how colorful the State of the Union speeches would be with wall-to-wall day-glo colors!

I like that one, with the stipulation that they would also be required to wear them in all their interactions with their constituents. Any mailings would have to have a footer on each page with the source and amount, over some amount, and multiple donations from the same source (or family, or family of companies) would be totaled.

I mean, while I’m wishing for sparkleponies and magic rainbows.

Pretty pathetic, when I feel I have to add that kind of disclaimer to what should be pretty much givens (OK, except for the NASCAR suits, but it’s still a cool idea).

 
 

Oh FFS! Bem Domenesch is on “all in” on msnbc right now. My TV may not survive.

 
Pupienus Maximus
 

And THAT is why we do not watch teevee. Well, one of the many reasons.

 
 

something they see as an existential threat to America

I think they see it more as an existential threat to their reelection hopes. They know they’re about to be exposed as the lying sacks of weasel shit they are. Once the angry old cranks start dying off and the working poor are constantly being reminded who provided them with (arguably) affordable health insurance for their kids, the future will start looking a bit bleak scumbags like Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor.

 
 

That lady was armed with a car so let’s outlaw cars! HURRR!

Or at least register them! HURR HURR!

And make people pass a test before they’re allowed to have one. And they would have to carry insurance before they could drive one. And there would be a public record of when they were bought and sold.

 
 

I think they see it more as an existential threat to their reelection hopes. They know they’re about to be exposed as the lying sacks of weasel shit they are. Once the angry old cranks start dying off and the working poor are constantly being reminded who provided them with (arguably) affordable health insurance for their kids, the future will start looking a bit bleak scumbags like Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor.

Their greed might have been their undoing (or so I hope). They’ve probably gotten used to thinking of the AARP set as “the dependable conservatives,” ready to send their dollar bills to that nice Pastor Joyce on the teevee (you know, the one advocating s military coup), but the AARP membership has changed, what with people getting older and all. Just about all the Boomers are AARP-eligible now, and a whole bunch of us got canned as being too expensive. Those who could find work found work at much lower pay (there was an engineer in my placement group who wound up taking a draftsman position because his unemployment was running out – also sucks for the new grad who might have gotten the job otherwise), and health insurance is something more and more of us have to pay ourselves. And we’ve just gotten into those awkward, expensive years (another reason we got canned – group health insurance rate calculations take the average employee age into account). Plus, the retirement accounts we’d been paying into in lieu of the pensions we would probably been cheated out of lost much of their value. So big whoop if Teh Market’s recovered – the value we lost didn’t recover – that’s gone. Our parents are dying, and we have to swing their long-term care, too (not covered by Medicare) – in addition to putting in extra FICA to cover them and us.

Added to that, we’re pretty computer savvy (my Mother was a programmer/analyst), and you have a big bunch of people waking up to the realization that those fuckers are trying to ensure that we and our kids (or nieces and nephews) and everyone else we’re connected to will be living in penury, if something previously avoidable doesn’t kill us first. All so they and their fatcat buddies on the Street can add another billion or two to their fortunes.

So they’ve created a whole bunch of new angry old cranks, who, I fervently hope, will be mad at them.

 
 

Just about all the Boomers are AARP-eligible now, and a whole bunch of us got canned as being too expensive. Those who could find work found work at much lower pay

*meekly raises hand*

Plus, the retirement accounts we’d been paying into in lieu of the pensions we would probably been cheated out of lost much of their value.

*raises hand again*

So they’ve created a whole bunch of new angry old cranks, who, I fervently hope, will be mad at them.

From your lips to God’s ears, brother.

 
The Senator from Du Pont Chemicals
 

Also NASCAR suits for Congress with the logos of the corporations that sponsor each Senator or Rep.. Position and size of logos based on size of donations

Pay no attention to the Senator from. Nash-Kelvinator; he only has 6 votes.

 
 

Bem Domenesch is on “all in” on msnbc right now.

Whose script has he plagiarised?

 
 

And make people pass a test before they’re allowed to have one. And they would have to carry insurance before they could drive one. And there would be a public record of when they were bought and sold.

You monster, that’s the first step down the slippery slope to banning and confiscating them!

 
 

Previous post leads me to a query: if wingnuts can joyously embrace their Inner Bakunin, why the hell can’t lefties ever seem to steal the non-evil tactical stuff that is proven time & time again to work from them?

And Jim begs the appropriate question.

/shakes fist in his general direction.

🙂 and grrrrrrr.

Short answer: lefties have nothing in relation to institutional power.

 
 

No way, no how, should people’s health be a profit center, frgawdssake.

this…a zillion times, this! i am using this line on my mom the next time she starts up about her ‘good health insurance’ and how bronco better not ruin it! i actually don’t know what she would do if she couldn’t go to a doctor every other day or so…

also, the nascar suit is possibly the best suggestion i’ve heard in a long while…make those bastards show to whom their true allegiances lie…

hubbkf has a big art show coming up starting today…and we have company coming in…big weekend! wish us luck…

 
 

big weekend! wish us luck…

Your awesomeness trumps luck. GET EM, GIRL!

 
Pupienus Maximus
 

FYI: Credo Action will send a pacifier to little Johnny Boner for each signature.

I signed. And posted the link on reddit. 😀

 
 

also, the nascar suit is possibly the best suggestion i’ve heard in a long while…make those bastards show to whom their true allegiances lie…

The idea has been around a while. An image search reveals several designs even.

 
 

ASSFUCKINGHOLE

They never fucking learn.

 
 

ASSFUCKINGHOLE

They never fucking learn.

So, we have “man on dog” Santorum, now we have Corbett. What is it with RW PA pols and gay marriage? Their minds seem to go to the … oddest places when contemplating gay marriage.

 
 

oddest places when contemplating gay marriage

I don’t know what it is with right wingers. If you’re someone who identifies with Fred Phelps, you should go ahead kill yourself now.

 
 

The Republican was asked about a statement by state lawyers in a recent court filing that likened same-sex couples to 12-year-olds who wished to wed but couldn’t under Pennsylvania law.

“It was an inappropriate analogy, you know,” Corbett told the anchor on WHP-TV in Harrisburg.

“I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don’t you?” he added, with a smile.

…………

He said he was just trying to explain the law.

“I explained that current Pennsylvania statute delineates categories of individuals unable to obtain a marriage license,” his statement said.

“As an example, I cited siblings as one such category, which is clearly defined in state law. My intent was to provide an example of these categories.

‘kay, this is just me brainstorming here, but wouldn’t a better way to say it be something like: ‘right now, gays aren’t allowed to marry…much like underage couples or siblings…it’s not allowed under current law.’

that (and this is just me, again) would find that to be an example of how the law currently works. however, using 12-year-olds or ‘brother and sister’ in such a glib and vague manner, certainly implies the ‘wrongness’ of gays being allowed to marry…but that’s just me…

 
 

Nymjacking jackoff troll leaves dribble of jizz in comments.

 
 

Your awesomeness trumps luck. GET EM, GIRL!

heh…if only this were true…but thanks! he’s made a couple of sales already 🙂

 
Pupienus Maximus
 

Re Santorum, bestiality is legal in more states than have marriage equality. Yep.

 
 

Re Santorum, bestiality is legal in more states than have marriage equality. Yep.

Oh, that’s just wrong.

 
 

FYI: Credo Action will send a pacifier to little Johnny Boner for each signature.

Speaking of which – has he appeared yet on the “embarrassing boner” page?

 
 

Speaking of me saying incredibly insightful shit[1]:

Even the “ Pelosi made Speaker” point has going for it that she can reliably muster more votes than SprayTan McCriesALot.

One week later…

But the numbers are theoretically there. All 200 House Democrats would likely support bringing the Senate bill to the floor. According to the Washington Post’s tracking, at least 20 House Republicans have said they support the “clean” Senate bill. Add those numbers up and you have enough signatures to bring the bill to the floor. So the math in theory is clear, but the politics is not.

[1] Really, I’m taking this opportunity to quote myself for the purposes of fixing the typo.

 
 

A university where love and knowledge intertwine.

holy crap…wonder who got the lucky job of writing up that history…

 
 

But that guy is still self-described as “a very strong Republican.”

Much like being a Leafs fan.

They know their team sucks and will continue to do so indefinitely, but then again, youve always been a Leafs fan, and hey! there’s always that slim chance that pigs WILL fly…

 
 

Well, guess what? I didn’t give up.

And I won’t give up on you guys.

We’re grateful for that!

(Reminder to turn on your nym again so it leads to yer site.)

 
 

Fuck off, Dennis. Your nymjacking isn’t fooling anyone.

 
 

angriest man in the world…he’s also one of the tannest…

 
 

Your nymjacking isn’t fooling anyone.

But nymjacking is so clever and original. Never been done before. Guaranteed hilarity. Yep. Funny stuff. Ha.

Ha.

 
 

When I returned to Sadlytown, I noticed at once the B4 and his friend N_B no longer comment here. Can anyone fill in the backstory? I liked their wit and miss it.

 
 

Fenwick said,

October 4, 2013 at 23:09

dude, we need to all chip in and buy you a troll detector…

 
 

he’s also one of the tannest…

Oh, I dunno, lately he’s looking a little more pale..

 
 

Poor Dennis. I wonder if he’ll ever realize that S,N! can delete ’em faster than he can post ’em.

 
 

dude, we need to all chip in and buy you a troll detector…

I’m so ignorant of computer-y things, I prolly wouldn’t be able to figure it out.

I think the big bad bald bastard gave up.

So is this what happened? B4 became a moderator, but wasn’t vigilant and trolls slipped through? Or did he just resign? Whatever happened, I’m still mystified why he and N_B stopped commenting. Was there bad blood?

I don’t mean to open old wounds; I just want to understand what happened…..

 
 

When I returned to Sadlytown, I noticed at once the B4 and his friend N_B no longer comment here. Can anyone fill in the backstory? I liked their wit and miss it.

B^4 has his own blog and also posts at Rumproast. N_B has his own blog too and comments at LGM frequently. Not sure why they don’t hang out here much — you could ask them.

 
 

So is this what happened?

That was nymjack troll trying to be clever.

 
 

I think the big bad bald bastard gave up.

So is this what happened (snip)

Failing the invention of a troll detector, if someone makes a comment you think is a little “off,” assume troll. Or check back in a bit to see if the remark’s still there. If not, it was trollspoor. Today, our resident obsessive seems to favor an “OBS” disguise. It’s been B^4 and TGOT in times past.

 
 

Not sure why they don’t hang out here much — you could ask them.

yeah, me either…although why anyone would want to leave captivating company such as this, i will never know…maybe we just started taking each other for granted…maybe they grew tired of the same old, same old…maybe other snark sites seemed more appreciative and alluring…perhaps we weren’t putting out enough…sigh…dammit! i miss them too! now i might have to go home and bite my pillow…

 
 

So is this what happened?

That was nymjack troll trying to be clever.

I don’t understand. I’m the real Fenwick, not some scumbag nymjacker. I posed the question as the real Fenwick.

Gee, this is all too complex for my simple brane. Anyhoo, thanx for the tip about where to find B4.

Dennis must be one REALLY fucked-up person, or else he wouldn’t keep slamming his head against a brick wall. Perhaps he’s been slamming against the wall so much that he’s brane-damaged? Is he the same dork who thought that Tintin was actor212?

 
 

So is this what happened?

That was nymjack troll trying to be clever.

I don’t understand. I’m the real Fenwick, not some scumbag nymjacker. I posed the question as the real Fenwick.

Nonono. I was telling you that you had responded to the nymjacker. Sorry for the confusion. And then to make it even more confusing, it just tried to nymjack you too. Fun.

 
 

Is he the same dork who thought that Tintin was actor212?

No, I think that was The Donalde. Can’t be arsed to find the thread right now.

 
 

The Donalde at americanpowerblog, iirc.

 
 

Thanx to all for yer patience and for ‘splaning this stuff. We now return you to your regularly-scheduled wackiness…

 
 

 We now return you to your regularly-scheduled wackiness…

Scheduled? We’re on a schedule? Why didn’t anyone tell me?

 
 

So, I got my knee surgery on Monday, and I am finally off the prescription painkillers. I am doing PT at home 3x daily and will be seeing a physical therapist 2x weekly for the rest of the month. I can totter around the apartment without crutches or knee brace, but I wear both when I leave the apt. Our sick little doggie is settling down, so she’s getting used to the anti-seizure drugs, although the nasty brain growth, that caused them in the first place is still there.

In summary, knee surgery sucks and I hate it, and strong painkillers also suck, and I hate them.

My mood will improve when I go back to work on Monday, I was so out-of-sorts, even computer games were no fun. Also I hate being dependent on other people so its hard for me stay positive, when I feel I should be contributing instead of being bedridden. My wife, my father in law and my mom have been invaluably helpful to me and I am very grateful for their patience.

 
 

In defense of Leafs fans, we mostly inflict damage upon ourselves.

 
 

Helmut: Musta been substantial surgery to require a week of recovery! (Don’t spare us the gory details.) Glad to hear the pooch is adapting.

((Fwiw, I take an anti-seizure medication, too. By sheer accident, researchers discovered that lamotrigine–developed for eplileptics–also works as an anti-depressant. It’s one of three AD meds I take))

May you both recover rapidly. I hope you’ll be off the crutches and brace soon. But if not, perhaps you can work them into some nifty Halloween costume….

PS: If you don’t want the strong painkillers, I will be GLAD to take them off your hands…

 
 

We’re on a schedule? Why didn’t anyone tell me?

Telling you is next on the schedule!

So…. HEY, GUESS WHAT?!!

 
 

So…. HEY, GUESS WHAT?!!

Lalalalalalala- I’m sorry, did you say something? Lalalalalalala (cough cough)

 
 

Helmut-

Glad you’re on the road to recovery, and your little dog, too.

Josephine Tey, in one of her books -I’ve looked it up, it was The Daughter of Time, referred to them (or Alan Grant did) as “the prickles of boredom.” But you don’t have to solve a mystery.

 
 

Also I hate being dependent on other people so its hard for me stay positive, when I feel I should be contributing instead of being bedridden

Don’t you HATE that feeling?

I remember that with my attacks of gout (haven’t had a real one in ages… knock on wood) – you’re lying there and other people are doing stuff and you would get up and help but for this DAMN FOOT and they’re so understanding and you feel like such a freeloading schmuck.

Interesting to hear that lamotrigine is good for depression – I’ve been looking for The Med that will help me; Prozac no longer seems to work, I just started back on Effexor, and I’m having to take a Xanax at work just to deal with the monotony and frustration and bullshit.

 
 

BTW – I was meaning to ask – WTF happened to actor212? Who’s going to understand my obscure Firesign references now?

 
 

Speaking of recoveries, we’re in Chicago this weekend to visit my father. He was in the hospital for a month after his appendix burst.

 
 

Let’s get the band back together, again.
.

 
 

Who’s going to understand my obscure Firesign references now?

I’ll do that for you.

*Offer not good after curfew in sectors R or N

 
 

They never come up into the hills!

 
 

New post is new.

 
 

Pere Ubu: In some cases it’s not THE med, but a combination of meds. It took over a decade of trials before the doc (*) hit the right combination for me. Effexor (venlafaxine) was the baseline for me; started in the ward in 2001. Added Lamictal (lamotrigine) in 2005. Added Wellbutrin (bupropion) in 2011. All are low dosages. I feel fine (at last!).

(*) I was very fortunate in being treated in the Johns Hopkins system. The prescribing pyschiatrist–a specialist in mood disorders–was on the Hopkins faculty, and spearheaded the creation of a Mood Disorders Clinic.

I’ll catch yer Firesign references, too.

 
 

I also self-medicate with the sweet smoke. I know I derive benefits from it. I strongly believe it should be available as medication. (Also for recreation, but mos def as a med.)

 
 

Major: Hope he recovers more fastly. A month is a l-o-n-g time to be subjected to hospital grub! I didn’t realize how long it takes to recover from an appendectomy…until I saw a ballplayer go on the 60-day disabled list after one. Oh wait. Maybe your father is already out of the hospital and you’re visiting him at his home in Chicago? Wherever he is, hope he’s resting easy.

 
 

Also, before I forget. I enjoyed your Cold War planes series at the Great Orange Satan. Ah, such memories….

 
 

Let’s get the band back together, again.

Jeffraham: Joey’s already working on possible names….

 
 

Navel Gazing Post
Inner Bakunin
Bachmann’s Jib
Smallish Basset
Bag of Rocks
Neurotic Dogs
Indifferent to Facts
Simpleminded and Gullible
Nasty Brain
Lalalalalalala

 
 

Oh noes! There’s a new post! No wonder it felt lonely in here….

 
 

This is the Hour Of The Wolf News [ howl ]

Big light in sky slated to appear in east —

Sonic booms scare minority groups in Sector C —

And there’s hamburger all *over* the highway in Mystic, Connecticut

 
 

Heavy on the 40-wt., Ma!

 
 

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