Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

Text STOP to opt out of updates on war plans.

The unpunished coup was a training exercise.

This blog will pay for itself.

Oh FFS you might as well trust a 6-year-old with a flamethrower.

Celebrate the fucking wins.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Consistently wrong since 2002

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

They are not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

Do we throw up our hands or do we roll up our sleeves? (hint, door #2)

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97Comments

  4. 4.

    Jim D.

    Off? Really? What are the stats these days for the private sector being off on MLK Day? Almost no one I know who works for something other than the government has the day off. Not as I would like it, of course, but there it is.

  5. 5.

    pharniel

    bastards with your government holidays!!! get off me damn lawn!

    anyway, enjoy those who are not working.

  7. 7.

    John Cole

    Well, if it makes you fell better, I feel like shit, having only slept from 3 am to 7 am. Just was too amped up to fall asleep last night.

  8. 8.

    Libby Spencer

    And I know John hates the pomp and circumstance, but watching the pure joy in Pete Seeger’s face made me weepy. It’s not just the black community that worked so hard for this moment in history. Seeger was also fighting all his life for this. How cool that he lived to see the fruits of his labors realized.

    (direct link, not even I would b/w twice in a row).

  11. 11.

    pharniel

    @John Cole:

    We’ll that’s full of suck, but completely warrented. I watched both games and was pretty amped as well so I understand.

    I’m just hoping for a good super bowel full of good football that goes down to the wire (since i have no horse in this race).

  12. 12.

    Punchy

    True fact: a co-worker on Friday half-joked to a very important customer that the reason our company makes us work on MLK was "becuz they’re slave drivers". The uncomfortable silence was neauseating.

  13. 13.

    Laura W

    @John Cole: Advil PM, John. Although sometimes you still feel like shit the next day if you don’t take it until after tossing and cursing for three hours.
    A visit with a friend an hour away just got called due to chance of snow, so I’m "off" today. Why the hell did I get up at dark o’clock.
    NP: kd lang All You Can Eat. Gorgeous.

  14. 14.

    Zandar

    Hell, I work for a bank and I’m at work today. Such is the reign of the IT professional: your ones and zeroes wait for no man, not even the great Dr. King. Somebody has to keep the networks going so all the folks who do have the day off can check their e-mail.

    The good news is days like this I can get quite a bit of actual work done as few people if any will have any emergencies.

  16. 16.

    Saragon

    People get MLK day off? Yeesh. Not around here – I’m working an hour early. (Of course, a co-worker got called up by the National Guard for Inauguration security work, so that’s one reason I’m in early.)

  18. 18.

    R-Jud

    No day off over here. Though I do know a surprising number of Brits knocking off work early tomorrow to make sure they can watch the main events at the Inaugural starting from about 5 pm our time. I’ve invited a few expats I know over to have snacks and booze.

    Today is Mr Jud’s birthday (also my Dad’s– but that, and being white and wearing glasses, is all they have in common, so hush).

    I’ve got dinner and his present sorted out but have no idea what to make for dessert. He isn’t keen on cake or even chocolate, really. Any Balloon Juice foodies out there with ideas; I’d appreciate it.

    Dinner is:

    1. Baked herbed camembert w/ fresh bread, various other dippy things
    2. French onion soup
    3. Filet mingnon w/ stilton & cognac sauce
    4. Green beans w/ slivered almonds, baked potato
    5. ???
    6. Profit!

  21. 21.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    The only time I get excited about a game is if I was on the right side of the money and the bet was big enough to celebrate.

    BTW I just found out Joe Scarborough is pulling for Steelers. I can’t tell you how much joy that brings me, but it does.

  23. 23.

    Punchy

    @Face: Rereading my own comments from last nite, and all I can say is….alcohol does nasty things. Drunk posting is not advised.

  24. 24.

    El Cid

    Interestingly enough, we’re working today, but the boss is basically giving us all the day off tomorrow so that we can watch the Inauguration.

  25. 25.

    englischlehrer

    it is not a holiday here in germany, I have another 90 minutes of teaching a group of 30 students in their early 20s about job interviews and shit like that. Much love from Old Europe!

  26. 26.

    zzyzx

    Hee hee, day off today. Yeah right.

    I think I’m going to root for the Steelers just because it’ll piss me off if the Cards don’t have the same disadvantages that the Seahawks did.

  27. 27.

    BruceK

    Not a holiday for those in foreign lands, but a good excuse to raise a glass to the memory of the man who knew we’d all get there some day, and would probably have been happy to know that "someday" is tomorrow.

  28. 28.

    DecidedFenceSitter

    Here at work with 4 other people. I could have burnt one of my floating holidays for today, but decided tomorrow (I work just outside of Washington DC) was a far better day to stay at home.

    Getting home is going to be fun, they’ve totally fubared the commuting situation with the HOV lanes.

  32. 32.

    John Cole

    Obama inaugurated followed by a Steelers SB win two weeks later would be a sure sign I am going to win the powerball and Rosario Dawson loves me.

  33. 33.

    J.

    As it is supposed to be a day of service, I am doing TWO, that’s TWO, large loads of laundry in honor of MLK, though I guess I still have a ways to go as I am washing the whites and the coloreds separately.

    I also put up a new blog post, all about my "official" invitation to the inauguration, which includes a response from my cat, Felix.

  35. 35.

    kay

    I took the day off. I’m going to a lunch where I’m supposed to (I think) join with local Republicans so we can work together, on some local issue, in the future. The email was a little sketchy.
    I accepted because I know and like the woman who planned it. I’m curious if it’s tied to Powell Day Of Service. She was a Republican Obama voter, and she’s sort of stridently civic-minded. That service idea might appeal to her.
    Republicans hold every local office save one, so they don’t really need my support, or our tiny coalition of "activist" Democrats. It might be interesting, anyway.

  37. 37.

    Laura W

    @John Cole: I’d say someone needed a big hug and 20mg of valium yesterday.
    I hope that does not portend the mood around here for the next two weeks.
    I hope you will be taking the edge off with lots of pet photos, for all of our sakes. Yours especially.

  40. 40.

    Punchy

    Well, other than I am right about the hit not being spearing.

    I call Uncle. Too much emotion and White Russians clouds the NFL penalty rulebook interpretive section of my brain.

    ION, the "Is Kurt Warner a 1st-round HOF candy?" talk has already began. As if those horrible years in NY and AZ never happened. Kevin Harlan (sp?) actually had the stones to suggest he’s not really HOF material at all. I’m sure his email box will be full of hate mail from Jesus.

  41. 41.

    peach flavored shampoo

    As it is supposed to be a day of service, I am doing TWO, that’s TWO, large loads of laundry in honor of MLK, though I guess I still have a ways to go as I am washing the whites and the coloreds separately.

    For the win.

    /reaches for monitor wipes

  44. 44.

    The Other Steve

    As it is supposed to be a day of service, I am doing TWO, that’s TWO, large loads of laundry in honor of MLK, though I guess I still have a ways to go as I am washing the whites and the coloreds separately.

    Racist.

  45. 45.

    harlana pepper

    Be glad if you have a job to bitch about. Getting holidays off kind of loses the glamour when you’re unemployed.

    So true. However, for me, to bitch is to live. Ergo, "Holidays, vacation? What are those?"

    ;)

  47. 47.

    vishnu schizt

    As a person who has unwillingly followed the Cards since 1988. I lived in Phoenix and went to ASU. I’m not sure what is more surprising;

    1. A Black Man is elected president.
    2. The Cards go to the Super Bowl.

    Neither of which I would have given a snowball’s chance in hell on this date last year.

    Given the confluence of events in the past twelve months, I might dump a load of cash on the Cards to win.

    If there is any justice in the world the Cards will be handed the game by the refs.

    Go Zebras!

  49. 49.

    Michael D.

    @Jim D.:

    Off? Really? What are the stats these days for the private sector being off on MLK Day? Almost no one I know who works for something other than the government has the day off.

    Ditto here, though I know the folks who work for Turner Broadcasting and its deritivates have the day off. That’s the only one I know.

  50. 50.

    zzyzx

    "If there is any justice in the world the Cards will be handed the game by the refs."

    Since when does justice mean giving Seattle sports fans the most pain possible.

    Although looking back on 2008, it sure looks like it’s written there somewhere…

  51. 51.

    Libby Spencer

    Harlana Pepper @ #46: I think he’s 90. That’s someone said last night. I suppose I should check to be sure before I make that claim on the inter-tubes.

    By the way, I don’t know to make that cute @link that everyone else is using.

  54. 54.

    Punchy

    @John Cole: The Big Lebowski’s had quite the influence. Besides, what else can you make with Kaluha?

    OT: this headline slays me. He apparently has no name, other than Iraqi Shoe Thrower (wilfred’s brother?). You just know that if he were in the US, they’d go all William Hung on the guy and ask him to throw shoes at targets during halftimes at Hofstra games, followed by a Letterman shoe-throwing appearance, closing with a starting his own brand of "aerodynamic shoes, bitches!" or some such shit.

  56. 56.

    DecidedFenceSitter

    And Virginia.

    As my soon-to-be ex-wife says that she has "tomorrow off to celebrate dead racists."

    Oh, and white-russians are my "I don’t feel like getting trashed" drink.

    Black russians or whiskey for the other times when I want to hurt.

  57. 57.

    TheHatOnMyCat

    I am thinking of buying a Kindle. Does anyone have one, and if so, what do you think of it?

    Also, does Kindle get PJ or BJ? If not, is there a plan to make that happen?

  59. 59.

    J.

    @Laura W: Too funny! Just left you a couple comments on your great cat blog.

    White Russians… Definitely not a Communist drink. ; ) And quite yummy.

  60. 60.

    Comrade Darkness

    Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s … two …. thousand nine…

    (If you didn’t bring craft-brewed beer, don’t bother knockin’ on my door…)

  61. 61.

    zzyzx

    I am thinking of buying a Kindle. Does anyone have one, and if so, what do you think of it?

    Don’t have one but I was talking with someone on a plane a few weeks ago who had one. He felt compelled to tell everyone who asked about it just how cool it is. When you have someone that excited about the technology, it’s hard not to become tempted yourself.

  62. 62.

    Laura W

    @J.: Hey, thanks! The blog has been great fun, cats as alter egos and all. I especially love the GOTV KITTIES! post of Nov. 4. Will always love that one, I suspect.

    BJ seems to have sucked up (oops. Ha.) all of my wasting-time-on-a-blog energy since last summer. At least we get the occasional cat blog vibe going here. Plus, there is just not enough snark in the cat blogosphere for my tastes. Everyone’s so damn nice and supportive.

    Edit: you gotta see Obama rolling blue paint onto a wall in his white dress shirt. Sexy.

  63. 63.

    D-Chance.

    Day off??? Hardly.

    Double-duty last night, double-duty tonight.

    Not much interesting going on anyway…

  65. 65.

    Fulcanelli

    @Laura W: Indeed! Although I too will be working tommorrow, I’m self-employed and will be enjoying the proceedings on the ‘intertubes, savoring my Irish coffee which will segue nicely into spiked Red Bull. Now if I could only rustle up a fattie… Additionally I will likely be taking advantage of the fact that on the other side of the wall directly behind my office chair is a liquor store. Booyaa. Congrats to all the Steelers fans! Sweet!

  66. 66.

    South of I-10

    I am glad I am not the only one at work today. It is pretty much impossible to get anything done since all the clerk’s offices and courts are closed.

  67. 67.

    Fulcanelli

    @kay: Beware if they offer any purple or red soft drink type refreshments from a pitcher, I suspect there are pockets of them still, here and there.

  69. 69.

    Rainy

    If I wasn’t on a week vacation, I’d have to work. But as for college, I wouldn’t have to go to class, if I hadn’t graduated in December.

  70. 70.

    harlana pepper

    Are we going to be allowed to get all giddy & squishy and stuff on here tonight (bev in hand, of course) or do you think John will declare a moratorium on any expressions of pre-inaugural tinglies? (I feel it moving up my leg) ;)

  71. 71.

    Mary T

    Uh, no, I don’t think I’ve ever worked anywhere they gave us MLK day off, though that bothers me. At least they could recognize the day in some way.

    However, I *did* get laid off from my job this morning! I want to make a free at last joke, but I am going to try to stay positive in light of historic events.

  72. 72.

    DonnaInMichigan

    Countdown:

    12.5 hours, to the End of an Error.

    I was sitting here trying to think up anything positive to say about George W. Bush. So here goes my thoughts:

    1.

    (hold on I am still trying to think of something)

  73. 73.

    DecidedFenceSitter

    Kindles – I have a couple friends who have them and love them. Especially if you do a lot of travelling or want to have a lot of large heavy books. They do not handle graphics all that well. (I have friends who use it for their text books, so this is why it came up.)

  74. 74.

    canuckistani

    No, it’s a work day up here by the North Pole. Looking forward to see who gets pardoned today, though. Should be good for a larf.

  75. 75.

    lovethebomb

    On the subject of the Kindle, a photo of the 2.0 was leaked and is much slimmer and better designed. I was very tempted to buy one, but as w/ most new tech, the early adapters get burned. There have been a lot of complaints about the placement of the "next page" buttons and other details which, I’m sure, will be fixed in 2.0. I decided to wait.

    About the whole inuaguration hoopla. Since when did this become the black people’s inauguration? I appreciate the significance, but Obama never campaigned on that. It should be for everybody. This smacks of orders handed down by the same corporate overlords who managed the last 8 yrs. Play up the historic black angle big. Make America look good again. Right. Like there will be more job opportunities for blacks after what just went down. One black guy makes it and racism is solved. Maybe people will forget about the whole invading Iraq thing.

    The only thing to celebrate is getting rid of republicans, but w/ the media and dems, they are sure to be back soon. They represent big money, i.e. the shadow govt, so, of course they’ll be back. Handing Obama the smouldering ruins of an economy, 2 destructive elective wars and a shredded constitution is not cause for celebration, but trails.

  76. 76.

    Fritz

    Do you think most of your readers are government employees? Most everyone else is working (modulo having a job, of course).

  77. 77.

    Punchy

    Are we going to be allowed to get all giddy & squishy and stuff on here tonight (bev in hand, of course) or do you think John will declare a moratorium on any expressions of pre-inaugural tinglies? (I feel it moving up my leg) ;)

    Do people really get misty-eyed during these things? I’ve never paid attention to ’em before.

  80. 80.

    Laura W

    squishy and stuff

    As tempting as it is to join you in the squish pile tonight, I’m stickin’ to my "on the wagon till Jan 20" NY’s vow. If I broke it tonight, I’d be miserable tomorrow, and I am not willing to be miserable tomorrow. I have scheduled Wednesday for Misery Day.
    I expect to be very squishy and stoopid tomorrow, esp. if I start with champers and nibblie bits on a near-empty stomach.
    I hope John will be sitting on his email in case "some of us" post things we wish to delete outside the 5 min. window. Or maybe just delete the whole thread at dawn on the 21st.

    what else can you make with Kaluha?

    A lot of trips to the toilet to vomit so the room stops spinning?
    Shudder.
    No can do sweet liqueurs.

  81. 81.

    Zuzu's Petals

    @Libby Spencer:

    I agree. I teared up as well when I saw Seeger. In fact, the look on all their faces at the end … Springsteen, Jamie Foxx, etc … you just saw the incredible joy of the event.

    (Not to throw a blanket on it, but anyone care to guess how long before the wingnuts are outraged because a, a, a communist! was onstage that day?)

  83. 83.

    Mike in NC

    On the subject of the Kindle, a photo of the 2.0 was leaked and is much slimmer and better designed.

    Conventional Wisdom on the Kindle is to wait for v2.0, which will hopefully be a bit more affordable and less buggy than the current version.

  84. 84.

    OriGuy

    It’s a paid holiday for HP employees. Some of the other Silicon Valley companies have it off, too. I’m in Las Vegas until tomorrow night. I want to find a place to watch the inauguration tomorrow morning.

    Oh, and there’s a Krispy Kreme across the street at Circus Circus. I’m going to risk my life crossing the Strip on foot to get one tomorrow.

  85. 85.

    Libby Spencer

    @Zuzu’s Petals:

    (Not to throw a blanket on it, but anyone care to guess how long before the wingnuts are outraged because a, a, a communist! was onstage that day?)

    I’m shocked that hasn’t already happened. But then they’ve been rather pre-occupied with flags and donuts. Maybe then didn’t notice. Or possibly they don’t know. Historical reference isn’t their strong suit. They specialize in hysterical references instead.

  90. 90.

    TenguPhule

    BTW I just found out Joe Scarborough is pulling for Steelers

    Hear that John? Your team is fucked.

  92. 92.

    Fritz

    re Seeger and communism:

    I don’t have (all that much of) a problem with communists. I do with Stalinists. For public figures of that generation, if the person was anti-war when the Nazis invaded Poland but suddenly became pro-war when the Nazis invaded Russia, that is pretty good evidence for being Stalinist. Pete Seeger met that bar (i.e. for being Stalinist, not communist).

  93. 93.

    demimondian

    @Fritz: Of course Seeger was a Stalinist — the Weavers really were what they were made out to be. Just because Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Lee Hayes were (or in Seeger’s case, still are) absolute treasures of American music doesn’t mean that they were anything other than fifth columnists.

    It also doesn’t mean that the McCarthyites were right to persecute them.

  95. 95.

    demimondian

    @Libby Spencer: As far as I can tell, Pete Seeger has never believed in anything in his life. Don’t pretend — he followed Moscow’s orders to the letter for as long as Moscow mattered, and he believed in whatever CPUSA told him to believe. As far as combating racism was concerned, if fomenting race war in the US would help The Cause, then that’s what he would do. As soon as it would no longer serve that purposes…uh, look, Riverkeepers on the Hudson! Nuclear freeze! Jackalopes!

    Pete Seeger is an American treasure. He, along with Lee Hayes, Woody Guthrie, and Ronnie Gilbert, should be political anathema, no more acceptable than Michelle Malkin, Michelle Bachmann, or Jonah Goldberg.

  96. 96.

    Laura W

    oooooooo….lookit all the pretty pretty green and black H&R ads framing the blog.
    I miss Joe’s bald head spontaneously combusting, but the lovely shades of green with the floating dollar signs really class this joint up.

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