Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Every reporter and pundit should have to declare if they ever vacationed with a billionaire.

We still have time to mess this up!

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

The lights are all blinking red.

T R E 4 5 O N

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

It’s not hopeless, and we’re not helpless.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

Dead end MAGA boomers crying about Talyor Swift being a Dem is my kind of music. Turn it up.

There is no compromise when it comes to body autonomy. You either have it or you don’t.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / A Breather

Reader Interactions

115Comments

  5. 5.

    Joshua Norton

    this post is a slap in the face, under the bus.

    Well pass the popcorn while I watch the circular firing squad.

  7. 7.

    TheFountainHead

    On the night of the lepus you’ll pay.

    Wow, ten points for that if it’s a reference to the movie, five points for the etymology if it ain’t.

  11. 11.

    r€nato

    pet blogging has jumped the shark, and I fucking hate your choice of browser and computer platform.

  15. 15.

    Joshua Norton

    five points for the etymology if it ain’t.

    Isn’t that the study of fat-free coffee cake?

  16. 16.

    Tim (The Other One)

    You know, it might be acrimonious in comments but I just spent the better part of 20 minutes reading through them and actually got a lot out of most of the exchanges.

    I got me to re-thinking my knee jerk pissed-offness about the Warren announcement.

  21. 21.

    TheFountainHead

    Isn’t that the study of fat-free coffee cake?

    Errr, I think your etymological take on the word etymology is flawed.

    But I sawed wut u did thar.

  25. 25.

    Tymannosourus

    Just finished "the forever war," and I loved it. Anybody got any (not too politically focused) book recommendations for me now that I have some time to kill? I’ve been out of the Barnes and Noble loop for awhile.

  27. 27.

    The Moar You Know

    Just finished "the forever war," and I loved it.

    @Tymannosourus: Are you referring to the Haldeman sci-fi book? I would recommend that to anyone, it’s fantastic.

  29. 29.

    jake 4 that 1

    It appears that cat has opposable thumbs so it is likely it isn’t sitting on a person’s lap. It is sitting on a dead stuffed person who has been made into a chair.

    You know that’s their goal in life.

  31. 31.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    Whoever claims those adorable puppies, could you tell me what kind the one on the left is?

    And that cat? Can’t decide if I’m totally in love or completely terrified.

    I’ve totally turned out the news these days. The talking heads are all going to explode (oh, that would be a great Christmas gift – or Hanukkah or Solstice, depending on your preference). The world is ending! The world is ending! Obama’s in trouble! Obama’s in trouble!

    And then to back it all up they quote polls and surveys – not once considering their screaming could have anything to do with the results.

    This will all work itself out, it will be painful and difficult, but we’ll get through it. It would be a lot less ugly if all the various forms of media would show some restraint. Baaawaaahaaa!

  32. 32.

    Jeff

    @Tymannosourus: The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-Secret NSA from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America by ]ames Bamford

    I’m only on chapter 2 and I am already pissed off. Downloaded from my library’s online audiobooks for free for the audiobook lovers.

  33. 33.

    The Moar You Know

    You know that’s their goal in life.

    @jake 4 that 1: Wrong, my friend. Cats love living human beings. Who would feed them otherwise?

    I’ve figured it out, although I’ll probably be killed by catkind for exposing their plan I’ll share it with y’all anyway. A cat’s goal in life is to show all people their anus, thereby grossing them out and making them turn away, whereupon the cat can then steal food.

  34. 34.

    Montysano

    Been a pretty acrimonious day in the comments, so time for a breather:

    IMHO, it’s been a great day in the comments. It’s why I come here.

    That cat is pure evil.

  35. 35.

    Comrade Kevin

    @Jeff: I haven’t read that one, but I did read, years ago, his previous book on the NSA, The Puzzle Palace, which is more of a history.

  39. 39.

    Keith

    I missed a great photo op this morning due to grogginess, as I went into my bathroom only to see my biggest cat peeing in my sink. He had an incredibly content look on his face, and I found out 15 minutes later when I went to take a shower and realized he also had taken a dump in my bathtub.

  40. 40.

    The Moar You Know

    Sorry, should have specified; "The forever war" by Dexter Filkins from the NYT.

    @Tymannosourus: Alrighty. Well, if you do sci-fi, Joe Haldeman’s "The Forever War" is a masterpiece. One of the best of the genre.

  42. 42.

    Zifnab

    @Tymannosourus:

    Just finished "the forever war," and I loved it. Anybody got any (not too politically focused) book recommendations for me now that I have some time to kill? I’ve been out of the Barnes and Noble loop for awhile.

    I’m finally getting around to "I, Robot" and enjoying it immensely. I plan to pick off "Foundation" next. That said, "The Forever War" was a great read, but I’m not sure if I follow the extended logic of "everyone in the future will be gay". The full circle bit with clones at the end was pretty funny, though. "It’s a clone thing, you wouldn’t understand." :-p *sniff*

  44. 44.

    demimondian

    @Zifnab: If you’ve just read _I, Robot_, you ought to read Asimov’s great dystopias, either the *original* version of _The End of Eternity_, or, even better, _The Caves of Steel_.

  45. 45.

    demkat620

    Just finished "the forever war," and I loved it. Anybody got any (not too politically focused) book recommendations for me now that I have some time to kill? I’ve been out of the Barnes and Noble loop for awhile.

    If you haven’t read Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Wapo’s Rajiv Chandresakaran, I highly recommend it.

    You will want to set your hair on fire.

  46. 46.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @Keith: Did you hide his litterbox? Or something more egregious, like pet a dog? You know, he might be a good candidate for toilet training, bet he could even flush.

  47. 47.

    demkat620

    Well, if you are not seeing Duncan Hunter on Hardball, don’t watch.

    Now Lyndie Englund and her "boyfriend" also tortured themselves in Abu Ghraib. It just never stops with these people.

  48. 48.

    Keith

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: No, but I really need to replace the litter badly (got a Litter Robot and a regular bin, but both are past due). The others pee in my atrium when the litter needs changing, but the overlord insists on sinks and tubs.

  49. 49.

    Montysano (All Hail Marx & Lennon)

    @John Cole:
    Damn, John. You say "Take a breather", then you drop this bomb. That’ll kill the puppeez talk for sure.

  51. 51.

    smiley

    @Tymannosourus: If you’re interested in non fiction and cultures, I recommend the "lay audience" books of the late anthropologist Marvin Harris. Cannibals and Kings and Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches come to mind. Very interesting. Not his classic, though, Cultural Materialism : The Struggle for a Science of Culture, unless you’re into anthropological theory.

  52. 52.

    Montysano (All Hail Marx & Lennon)

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    @Keith: Did you hide his litterbox? Or something more egregious, like pet a dog?

    My son’s obnoxious dog (every apartment-dwelling college student needs a dog, right?) has come to live with us, and our cat is so offended that she’s begun leaving little surprises around the house.

  53. 53.

    weinerdog43

    Nothing like a thread opening the door about which kind of dog/cat/critter is the best kind of pet. (Obviously Dachshund)

    Thanks John! (no sarcasm!….seriously!)

  54. 54.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @Montysano (All Hail Marx & Lennon): I had a wonderful cat who lived through great danes, greyhounds, a chinchilla and a duck, and handled it well. But when I married my now ex-husband, she insisted on peeing on his pillow.

    Always listen to your cat.

    FYI: Hydrogen Peroxide works best on cat stains of any variety, followed by white vinegar. ;-)

  55. 55.

    J. Michael Neal

    Wrong, my friend. Cats love living human beings. Who would feed them otherwise?

    Wrong. Your cat hates you. Food is only a small part of what we owe them, AND YOU’RE SLACKING RIGHT NOW.

  57. 57.

    demimondian

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: The parallel is completely nonsensical. I’ve spent a lot of time at kitchen tables with Mormon friends, and — hey, wow, what a SHOCK, they’re a lot like me, and understand the arguments I present, particularly since devout Mormons have lives focused around their families. I’m sure you’re stunned, stunned, simply stunned.

    That’s what "three cups of tea" is about. And it works, as John himself points out. But there’s no reason to believe that reaching out to Warren will make a difference; it doesn’t short circuit the hard work of sitting at kitchen tables, or make that any easier.

  58. 58.

    The Moar You Know

    @John Cole: Great article. BTW, while we’re also recommending books in this thread, Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea (which John’s linked post references) is incredible. Shows you what can be done if you don’t go barging into a potentially hostile land and act like an asshole.

  62. 62.

    demimondian

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I’m sorry — I didn’t mean to direct any hostility at you; it’s just the comment I was responding to. (That’s not to say that your reading was unreasonable at all. It’s merely that I expressed my intent poorly.)

    I’m not hostile to you, but to the original article, which I think is…bogus.

  66. 66.

    smiley

    Sorry to go so OT but this is really a breather.

    NEW YORK — Burger King has launched a new men’s body spray called "Flame," which it describes as "the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat." the fast food chain is marketing the product through a Web site featuring a photo of its King character reclining fireside and naked, except for an animal fur strategically placed to not offend.

    So, ladies, does the scent of flame-broiled meat turn you on? (And, no, not that meat.) Should I get this for my little brother?

  69. 69.

    The Moar You Know

    OT: This is so appropriate it hurts.

    Bush carrier to be commissioned before sea trials
    The Associated Press

    2:19 p.m. December 18, 2008

    NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Navy will hold a commissioning ceremony next month for the nuclear-power aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush before they have had a chance to make sure everything on it works.

    The carrier will be commissioned Jan. 10 before sea trials and formal delivery to the Navy, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding said Thursday.

    The $6.2 billion carrier named after the 41st president is scheduled for commissioning just days before the elder Bush’s son, President George W. Bush, leaves office. Both Bushes are expected to attend the commissioning at Naval Station Norfolk.

    Typically, before the Navy accepts a vessel into active service, it undergoes sea trials – the nautical equivalent of test driving a car.

    In a statement, Northrop Grumman said it has been working with the Navy to determine "the right time to take this ship to sea and the ensuing time to deliver the ship."

    The planning "has put us in the position where we have just ‘run out of days’ on the calendar to accomplish this before the commissioning ceremony," Northrop Grumman spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell-Jones said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

    The Navy said it will stick with the Jan. 10 commissioning because of the long planning leading to that date. The secretary of the Navy will waive the usual timeline involving a commissioning, Navy spokesman Lt. Clayton Doss said.

    Bush and his military-industrial bestest friends – consistent to the end.

  70. 70.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    @John Cole: While liberals scream like WATB over Rick Warren, the Christianists do what?

    Liberals and gay activists aren’t happy with Barack Obama for choosing pro-life and prop 8 supporting pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama’s inaugural. But pro-life readers seem to be equally upset at Rick warren for agreeing to it.

    Whinge like a bunch of WATB’s.

    I am personally upset because no Pastafarian will be part of the clergy present on that stage. Outrageous!

  72. 72.

    Laura W

    @smiley: Not that my opinion carries a lot of weight, necessarily, but that was linked on a thread the other morning and I watched it for many, many minutes that I will never get back. And I mean, I hung in there to see the revolting king go through several seduction attempts.
    I believe my words in response were:
    That is SO fucked up.
    Hope that helps!

  75. 75.

    Luddite

    If you haven’t read Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Wapo’s Rajiv Chandresakaran, I highly recommend it.

    You will want to set your hair on fire.

    It is simply an AMAZING book! You will simply not believe the cluster fuck that was Iraq immediately after the invasion. The only requirement for re-building Iraq was the you were a Republican who cheerfully drank the Kool Aid. No other experience required.

    I didn’t want to set my hair on fire (as I am bald). However I did constantly curse and say "Oh My God" out loud over and over while reading the book.

  76. 76.

    Laura W

    @demimondian: From me? No sir. I don’t drink wine in the morning. I believe you have me confused with someone else.
    Edit: I believe my close to exact words were what I wrote above, and (I paraphrase myself): "I’d love to meet the advertising executives who threw that (up) together."
    I have many faults…a poor recall not one of them.
    Unless I have misunderstood your point.

  79. 79.

    smiley

    @Laura W: Thanks. I don’t/can’t follow all of the threads. Today was the first I heard of it.
    @Laura W:

    That is SO fucked up. Hope that helps!

    Um, yeah, that helps.

  80. 80.

    John O

    You’re a good man, John Cole, and you host a great site.

    Passion is good. People should try not to take things so personally. It’s a big crazy infinite world out there.

    Happy Christmas and New Year to all.

  82. 82.

    Reverend Dennis

    In a statement, Northrop Grumman said it has been working with the Navy to determine "the right time to take this ship to sea and the ensuing time to deliver the ship."

    The "right time" to take an aircraft carrier to sea? Knowing Bushco, they agreed to pay full price for a carrier made out of cardboard.

  85. 85.

    smiley

    @Tymannosourus: Sorry dude, those weren’t recommendations. They were assignments. Your report is do (as the kids these days spell it) before the end of the semester (tomorrow at 8:00 am). You better get going.

  88. 88.

    Laura W

    @Jeff: Done! Thanks. Did I do it right?
    PTC
    Peeing The Couch
    Example: Your post was so funny, Just Some Fuckhead, I’m PTC!
    Tags: peeing, pissing, couch, sofa, divan, urinating, losing bladder control, soiling myself, wetting myself, Depends!

  89. 89.

    Tymannosourus

    @smiley:

    No deal, I’ve got buffalo wings and 2-for-1 Summit Pale Ales to attend to this evening. I’ll have my report on your desk after winter break.

  90. 90.

    Dreggas

    Won’t let me edit but in regard to my comment with the link. Some scientists believe that a person infected with this parasite/symbiote is more likely to take care of the cat because the symbiote/parasite needs the cat too.

  91. 91.

    Dreggas

    my parents are trying to get a pic of their Kitteh that has a penchant for getting into the dogs water dish, literally sitting in the water and splashing/bathing itself.

  92. 92.

    Reality-based

    Barack Obama is Smarter than I am, Chapter 1,456

    well, every time I get all pissed about something Obama has done, or not done, and send frantic emails to friends and family – "Why didn’t he punch back harder in the debates?" "Why is he wasting time in Virginia and Indiana?" – etc. – it becomes clear, about a week later, that the guy knew exactly what he was doing and is a strategic AND tactical genius.

    Then I end up sending sheepish "OK, he’s smarter than I am" emails.

    On this one – after my first outrage, I saw this great diary on Kos –

    about how the WINGNUTS are Really Pissed about this – I decided, you know – the guy is just smarter than I am. (thank God. )

    And that is one SERIOUSLY relaxed cat.

  93. 93.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @Dreggas: Presently I have a cat who likes to do ‘laundry’. Whatever piece of clothing doesn’t make it into the laundry hamper, she drags to the water dish and ‘washes’ it. Now if I could just teach her how to fluff and fold, there’d be more tuna.

  95. 95.

    Some Guy

    I am late to this, so sorry if no one sees this, but I am one of the proud owners of the kitty. His name is McLovin’ and he is still growing into those paws. He is adorable. Deep down, I know he would eat me if he was really hungry. He would be sad for a few minutes and then play with a stray wine cork to console himself.

  96. 96.

    Laura W

    @Some Guy: Are you kiddin’? We’ve been waiting for you.
    McLovin’. Now there is a name for that cat.
    Wine cork toy? Now there is my kind of cat.

  98. 98.

    Some Guy

    @Laura W: Wine corks are McLovin’s very favorite toy. He also has a strange fondness for sitting on the back of the toilet while one is indisposed, batting at the toilet paper and purring. I think he is a struggling cat poet trapped in a cuddly, walnut brained, love monster.

  102. 102.

    J. Michael Neal

    Presently I have a cat who likes to do ‘laundry’. Whatever piece of clothing doesn’t make it into the laundry hamper, she drags to the water dish and ‘washes’ it. Now if I could just teach her how to fluff and fold, there’d be more tuna.

    One of mine likes to take stray socks to the litter box.

  106. 106.

    Delia

    @Dreggas:

    Won’t let me edit but in regard to my comment with the link. Some scientists believe that a person infected with this parasite/symbiote is more likely to take care of the cat because the symbiote/parasite needs the cat too.

    I think I have seen at least two, and more likely seven or eight, different sci fi TV shows based on this premise.

  108. 108.

    ScreamingInAtlanta

    Those dogs would be mine. Left to right: Woofie, male, terrier mix, vet said some shepherd also, Mickey, female part dachsund and god knows what else, and Maggie, golden/great Pyrenees.

    Love the cat.

  111. 111.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @ScreamingInAtlanta: Love the dogs! I think your part terrier is part soft coated wheaton terrier. It’s the ears that are wrong….I mean for a Wheaton, not for your beautiful dog.

  112. 112.

    ScreaminginAtlanta

    Some Guy, Scruncher, and Filly, thank you very much. I will look up Wheaton terrier. Someone suggested Irish border terrier. I do see some shepherd in him in some of his poses but with 2 of the 3 dogs, will never know the mix.
    (sorry don’t know how to do the @_____ name link if anyone can tell me it would be appreciated so I’ll be up to speed)
    Cheers all.

  113. 113.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @ScreaminginAtlanta: It’s that little grey arrow next to the time stamp in the comment you want to respond to. When you look at Wheaton pix, try to find one where they are uncut, because the stupid grooming they give them changes their look completely.

  114. 114.

    ScreaminginAtlanta

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: Filly, I think you might be right! The face and personality is definitely like a Wheaten Terrier. I looked at all the terriers on Animal Planet and Wheaten was definitely the closest. The only difference is they describe the coat as being very soft, but Woofie’s is rough. But that could be the influence of the other genetic pool…Anyway, thank you! And also thanks for the tip on the name link, I do appreciate it.

Comments are closed.