Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

The revolution will be supervised.

No one could have predicted…

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Their freedom requires your slavery.

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

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Consistently wrong since 2002

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

This blog will pay for itself.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

Republicans in disarray!

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

You are here: Home / Food & Recipes / Cooking / Thursday Night Open Thread

Thursday Night Open Thread

by | 290 Comments

This post is in: ,

mycats

I’ve been informed that I should post the Thursday night open thread early because all the geeks are going to rush off to watch Flash Forward. Duly noted.

Here is the Thursday Night recipe:

1. Greek Pasta w/Shrimp
2. Salad – add some black olives, feta and Greek dressing to continue the theme
3. Greek Style Green Beans
4. Honey of a Pie

Keep the dictionary entries coming.

Reader Interactions

290Comments

  1. 1.

    General Winfield Stuck

    I’m trying a new dieting technique. It’s called not eating. At least a supper, and only breakfast of Quick Oats, with crushed pineapple and a soy protein shake. And a snack just before bedtime. I will call it Stuck’s Jiffy Diet or Die Tryin’

  2. 2.

    jl

    For a moment I thought that cat was Tunch, but it couldn’t be, since it looked like he was interacting with mortal beings on a fairly equal basis, which he rarely deigns to do. And, in the close up, yep, it is some other cat.

    So, what pet pick is this? There a story, or is it just a random cat shot for our enjoyment?

  3. 3.

    demimondian

    Randoid — a true follower of the 20th century disciple of Nietzsche, Ayn Rand. So named due to the almost robotic loyalty these people exhibit towards Rand’s memory. Can be distinguished from Glibertarians by believing that “They’ve got theirs and you’ve got yours, thank you,” instead of the more expansive Glibertarian philosophy “What’s yours is mine; what’s mine’s me own.”

  4. 4.

    Delia

    Well, finally. I haven’t been able to reach this site all day. That’s a pretty impressive pile of kitteh there. I have one on my lap. I think she’s trying to push the laptop off.

  5. 5.

    cleek

    i thawed a pork tenderloin for tonight. when i opened the baggie, the thing smelled like ass.

    so, instead, we had What Else Is In The Fridge Fried Rice !

    mmm… adequate.

  10. 10.

    demimondian

    Conservative–a hypocritical Glibertarian adherent of the philosophy “All taxes are bad unless the Republicans can take credit. All perversions are perverse unless a Republican is engaging. Our troops lives are sacred except in a Republican war.”

  14. 14.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Tokyokie:

    Haw! you read my mind, I was going to say that pile of cat could be a good brain teaser. I say 3, but maybe 4/

    And for Ash Can,. I think, just got Tarvosky make of Solaris in mail from NF . Some weirded out movie viewing tonight.

  16. 16.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @cleek:

    He was asphixiated though and likely cheap rope caused it to slufff some. Doesn’t mean much I think..

  19. 19.

    ellaesther

    Well, I see that “We’re doing it live!” isn’t in the dictionary…!

    We’re doing it live: Said in expression of mock rage over real technical difficulties; see: Bill O’Reilly’s all too real rage over telepromter problems that led to much cursing and repetitive shouting of the words “We’re doing it live!”

  21. 21.

    abo gato

    Yay Fall!! **Does the happy dance around the kitchen** FINALLY, some relief here in South Texas. First day of Fall and we got a cool front and RAIN! Can’t believe the difference it makes in everyone’s attitudes. It’s been cool since then and rainy everyday.

    Here’s what I’m making for dinner tonight:

    Tortilla Soup

    1 medium onion, chopped
    4 or 5 cloves garlic, chopped
    a bit of olive oil

    Saute the onion and garlic in the oil for a few minutes till soft.

    Add 1 quart carton good chicken stock
    1 can diced tomatoes with the juice
    1 small can diced green chilies
    3 boneless skinless chicken thighs
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    a bit of salt

    Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for maybe 20 minutes. Take the chicken out and roughly chop, then add back into the soup. Keep it on a low heat.

    Take 3 corn tortillas and just shred them with your hands and drop the pieces into the soup. They will melt into it and give it a great flavor and a little thickening.

    Take another 4 corn tortillas and cut them into strips about 3/8 of an inch wide or so. Fry them in batches in about an inch of oil heated in a saucepan. They will crisp up very quickly if the oil is hot. Drain them on paper towels.

    Take an avocado and remove the peel and pit and chop into a rough dice.
    Chop some cilantro.

    Serve the soup in bowls with the fried strips, avocado and cilantro as add-ins.

    Yum. Cool weather makes me want soup everyday.

    Now, once you’ve got the chicken chopped and added back in and before the tortilla pieces get put into the soup is the time I sit back here and look at the laptop, do a crossword, have a cocktail. The soup is just in a waiting phase that can last as long as I want it to. So, no rush is needed to make this happen.

  22. 22.

    smiley

    @cleek:

    i thawed a pork tenderloin for tonight. when i opened the baggie, the thing smelled like ass.

    Sounds perfect for a Greek-themed meal. (sorry Greeks)

    @Punchy:

    Why in hell is Ole Miss ranked FOURTH?

    Thanks for reminding me. I take it they’re getting their asses kicked?

  23. 23.

    SiubhanDuinne

    I am having spinach and roasted garlic pizza (why yes, I AM single, why do you ask?) washed down with some tasty, albeit cheap, red wine with a cute name and cuter animal on the label.

    I am aware of all oenophilic traditions.

  24. 24.

    lamh31

    Things to make you go hmmmmmm????
    Bet that dumbass Gregory on Meet The Press won’t ask Patterson about that.
    New York Democrats urged W.H. to push David Paterson

    Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27511.html#ixzz0S4bYF9Em

    The White House asked New York Gov. David Paterson to step aside at least in part because the administration was asked to intervene by members of Congress and state legislators who raised serious alarms about a potential Paterson drag on the ticket in 2010.,,

  29. 29.

    Keith G

    Flash Forward is looking good for a TV adaption that only uses the book as an inspiration. But can ABC keep itself from making this into an elaborate soap opera.

  32. 32.

    gnomedad

    Re: “Some people say”

    I still maintain that, whatever the origin, it was most significantly used by W to attribute straw man arguments to “libruls”.

    Also, I think it should be noted that the object of “nutpicking” was typically to imply that extreme, offensive, or crazy views were mainstream “librul”.

  34. 34.

    kommrade reproductive vigor

    Canuckistan – Canada.

    FEMA Internment Camps – The supposed destination of all those who don’t fall down and worship Obama.

    fReichtard – A fear-driven (or mongering) right winger. Uses threats of terrorist attacks to justify the suspension of civil liberties, reason and logic.

    If You’ve Done Nothing Wrong You’ve Got Nothing to Hide! – One of the many mantras favored by neo-cons. Used to justify G.W. Bush’s policy of undermining the U.S. Constitution. i.e., “So what if the government taps your phone? If you’ve done nothing wrong you’ve got nothing to hide.”

    TalEvangical – An evangelical Christian who is one HEX vest short of being impossible to distinguish from a member of the Taliban.

    If you do[n’t] ______, the terrorists will win! – A mocking reference to GOP claims that failing to support President Bush would result in the U.S. being invaded and defeated by 5,000 Taliban members who sail across the Atlantic in rubber life boats. See also: Sharia Law.

    Two kinds of fruit – From Rush Limbaugh’s imaginary Gitmo menu.

    Why do you hate America/the troops? – Originally a mocking reference to right wing accusations. Later used as all purpose random snark. i.e, “I had a really rough commute today.” “Why do you hate America?” Rapidly being replaced by random accusations of communism/s o c i al ism.

  35. 35.

    General Winfield Stuck

    Looks like the House is shaping up nicely for passing a good HC Reform bill with a robust Public Option and Blue Dog whip counts less than a dozen who will vote nay.

    “There was some suggestion that there were 20,” Herseth Sandlin said. “There clearly are not. From the numbers that I have seen, although not everyone has submitted the surveys, even if they had and they all said yes it wouldn’t be 20. Right now it’s less than a dozen.”

    The Great Red Queen has put her foot down and the troops are falling into formation. On to the Senate. Then conference and presto. Hopefully.

  37. 37.

    uila

    Am loving the dictionary. In regards to “Big Media Matt”, how about a cross-reference to “trust fund scumbag“.

    Nothing against Matt of course, just a nod to some quality trolling.

    Also: “What digby said”

  38. 38.

    burnspbesq

    @Makewi:

    Can convicted felons be elected to Congress?

    Trafficant needs to get over himself. He was caught dead to rights, got a fair trial, and was convicted by a jury of his peers. He did it. He cheated on his taxes, which means that he screwed every one of us chumps law-abiding citizens who don’t cheat.

    He’s a gallon of despicable in a quart container. Fuck him. I would support Michelle Malkin if she were running for Congress against Trafficant.

  40. 40.

    RedKitten

    I made chili with turkey, black beans and corn, and a side salad. Not bad for 15 minutes’ work. :)

    I’m now debating whether to stay up to watch the Thursday night NBC lineup, or go to bed, as my tiny, angry overlord will probably be awake in another 2 hours, seeking his next offering.

  42. 42.

    JK

    Flash Forward is looking good for a TV adaption that only uses the book as an inspiration. But can ABC keep itself from making this into an elaborate soap opera?

    NO

  45. 45.

    tc125231

    @uila: Actually, I liked a lot of these terms better before I looked at the definitions. The whole thing reminds me of a Wallace Stevens poem:

    “I do not know which to prefer,
    The beauty of inflections
    Or the beauty of innuendoes,
    The blackbird whistling
    Or just after”

    Wallace Stevens, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird “

  46. 46.

    asiangrrlMN

    Tuna sammich on spelt bread. Kale. The best gluten-free mini chocolate cookies evah. And now, grapes. That, my friends, is the dinner of champions.

    By the way, I was gonna save this for the late night open thread, but since SOMEONE has been lax about those lately, I’m going to ask here:

    Anyone NOT like Taxi Driver?

    Ducks and flees the room

  47. 47.

    John Cole

    So ABC is remaking V. You know you are getting old when all the songs you used to listen to while drinking as a teen are in car commercials and networks are remaking shows that you watched as an original. Wasn’t V on NBC, though?

    Also, isn’t that the hooker from Firefly in the new V?

  48. 48.

    WereBear

    My best to your little guy, RedKitten.

    Don’t know if it’s dictionary material, but the famous Rumsfeld line: “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you wish you have,” has had many wonderful changes on it as a riposte for many uses.

  49. 49.

    smiley

    @Punchy: To answer your question more directly, it’s because of the coach’s reputation at Arkansas (wide-open offense, lots of points), the players they’ve recruited, and the QB, Jevon Snead, who is widely thought to be the second best QB in the SEC, behind Tebow . (Interestingly, some people say that the third best QB in the SEC is Florida backup John Brantley).

  50. 50.

    Comrade Jake

    Is it just me or are we actually seeing something resembling leadership from Nancy Pelosi on HCR?

  51. 51.

    Warren Terra

    Oh, one more definition:
    Whitey Tape A videotape that Agent Flowbee promised would emerge in the 2008 primary campaign, and then in the 2008 general election, and that he promised would reveal the hatred Michelle Obama secretly harbors for White people, from an outburst she allegedly made at a Trinity Church conference. The existence of the tape was much disputed, but when an example did eventually emerge it was found not to be that shocking..

  54. 54.

    Betsy

    @RedKitten:
    Glad to hear that you’re all well. Congrats on the 7-hour stretch! That is a major accomplishment. I hope it is the only the first of many that will happen this fall and winter.

  55. 55.

    Warren Terra

    Is it just me or are we actually seeing something resembling leadership from Nancy Pelosi on HCR?

    This isn’t really fair. Nancy basically gets what needed out of the House, and has done so fairly consistently. She has to be careful not to get too far ahead of the Senate, is all, and the Senate is just a disaster. But what has she failed to get done that, had she delivered it, had the remotest chance of passing the Senate?

    I mean, I wish she’d done better (or, heck, much of anything, and I still wish she would do better) on FISA, on Habeas, on State Secrets Privilege, and while I’m at it on impeaching Cheney and Dubya, but the rate limiting step was always mutually reinforcing obstruction from the Senate and the Village, not any spinelessness she might suffer from.

  57. 57.

    RedKitten

    @John Cole: I’m rather intrigued by the remake of “V”. Hell, it could wind up being as decent as the remake of BSG, if we’re lucky.

    Mind you, I was 9 years old when “V” first aired, and I remember having nightmares for a week when I saw one of the aliens eating a live mouse.

  58. 58.

    kommrade reproductive vigor

    Also:

    “If only they had guns” – Confederate Yankee’s response whenever some one flips their wig and shoots up a store, school, mall &c.

    Lapel Pin – A source of great obsession on the right. On an elected Republican, it is the equivalent of a brown hanky in the back pocket.

    Liberal Plant – The perpetrator of any misbehavior at GOP gatherings.

    Liberal Setup – Whenever an elected Republican is caught doing something bad, he was set up by the liberals. (See Foley, Mark.)

    Lord of the Stance – Former U.S. Senator Larry Craig (see Wide Stance)

    Red State Strike Farce – Coined by DougJ[?] so he needs to define it.

  59. 59.

    Common Sense

    Not impressed. The best part of the pilot was the first ten minutes, followed by the preview of next week’s episode.

    FWIW the V preview looked kickass. Never seen the original though.

  63. 63.

    Svensker

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Anyone NOT like Taxi Driver?

    Ducks and flees the room

    Me, me and me. I loathe almost everything Scorsese’s ever done, including breathing. Except the Last Waltz.

  64. 64.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Comrade Jake: It’s not just you. I think she’s had it up to here and is not going to take it any longer. Good for her.

    Svensker, oh, thank god, I could kiss you–in a strictly platonic way, of course. I just watched it for the first time, and I was… underwhelmed, to say the least.

  65. 65.

    smiley

    @RedKitten: I love corn in chili. I’ve only started adding it recently (~last 2 years) but it really adds. Corn also adds well to okra and tomatoes, and even meat loaf. I love corn and I’m not even from corn country. I love the favor and sweetness. I’m tempted to make a peanut butter and creamed corn sandwich. Or maybe a corn omelet. Or maybe spaghetti and corn….

  66. 66.

    Svensker

    OK, I heard there was an edit button. ‘pparently not.

    Also, anybody else blaming GOS + Sully’s for the site being down?

  69. 69.

    pattonbt

    Had another dictionary thought…..

    “5 Years Alan!!!!! 5 Years!!”

    I am not smart enough to come up with a snarky definition, but I love that phrase and its idiocy.

  70. 70.

    Svensker

    @smiley:

    I love the favor and sweetness. I’m tempted to make a peanut butter and creamed corn sandwich. Or maybe a corn omelet. Or maybe spaghetti and corn

    One of the most delicious things I ever ate was coconut-corn ice cream at a Thai restaurant in L.A. It was basically a coconut sherbet with occasional frozen corn kernels. Sounds very odd, but the little textural surprise whenever you got one of the kernels was really fun, and the corn taste went beautifully with the coconut. Whodda thunk?

  72. 72.

    Tommy

    If you enjoyed “The Corner” and “The Wire” be sure to check out the five-part documentary “Brick City” on Sundance. It offers a real-life look into the challenges faced by the residents of Newark NJ and the efforts of a Mayor and Chief of Police who are determined to turn the city around.

  73. 73.

    Punchy

    Wow, KIA motors is now naming cars after top fantasy football players. Talk about marketing genius.

    I give you…(drum roll)……the KIA Forte. I wonder if it runs for 3 yards than stops, and asks for water.

  79. 79.

    A Thousand Faces

    So, lurker here. Used to randomly blog/motly lurk at Kos, circa 2003ish onward, but that place is mostly just full of a-holes who want just want to argue with someone! anyone! Good for election coverage though.

    This place is more my speed. Relatively smartass and lighthearted and focused on the absurdity of politics/media/conservative asshatery. Though sometimes (just sometimes, take it easy) a little too glib… like the folks at Reason… but not fucking dumb and assholey.

    Anyway, that’s a long intro. I usually breeze by posts this long. The reason I lurked for so long is that I was too lazy to “register” which I assumed was a drawn out process. Finally scrolled ALL the way to the bottom. Ha.

    So the reason I decided not to lurk anymore is because a. I’m drunk. b. I don’t like the definition of Burkean Bells. It’s oft used and the definition doesn’t capture any of the irony or hypocrisy at its core. I’ve always interpreted it to be used mostly ironically, when conservatives like Brooks are being hypocrites in invoking Burke to have a bullshit hissy fit over some “radical” thing a liberal is doing, while not having batted an eye at the far more radical undertakings during the Bush Presidency. So, yeah. That’s it. Your Burkean Bells definition is inadequate.

  81. 81.

    demkat620

    Never seen the original though

    Here’s a tip. It was bad but I’m sure the Wolverines will like it.

  83. 83.

    JK

    Happy Birthday F. Scott Fitzgerald
    September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940

    Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning ——
    So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

  87. 87.

    demimondian

    Correctin for the dictionary:

    FYWP- Fuck You, WordPress. Usually indicates that the writer has just lost a long and tedious screed that he or she viewed as a long, well-thought-out, incredibly witty post to the vagueries of WordPress Error. A particularly severe period of such posting failures will lead to remarks about “my favorite blog, WPE”, or “Wordpress ⟩ Error = Balloon Juice’s default front page” as well as long a tedious screeds directed to the blogpowers-that-be.

  90. 90.

    SiubhanDuinne

    O/T (oh wait, this is Open Thread, right?)

    Did anyone listen to Fresh Air today? Did you find it too disturbing to stay with? My carpool passenger insisted on listening but I would have turned it off in the first 5 minutes. Very graphic about dog fighting. The guys talking had history with this quote sport unquote and are now working for ASPCA, Humane Society, PETA etc. but their descriptions may give me nightmares. Sorry if I upset anyone but I can’t shake the images. I turned it off the minute I dropped my colleague so only heard the first 15-20 minutes.

  93. 93.

    minachica

    @kommrade reproductive vigor:

    If You’ve Done Nothing Wrong You’ve Got Nothing to Hide! – One of the many mantras favored by neo-cons. Used to justify G.W. Bush’s policy of undermining the U.S. Constitution. i.e., “So what if the government taps your phone? If you’ve done nothing wrong you’ve got nothing to hide.”

    Scary Childhood Flashback/Epiphany: Also favored by my scrupulously apolitical father (Jehovah’s Witnesses must not hold political opinions, or really any opinions at all). No wonder I loooove Russ Feingold for voting against the Patriot Act.

  97. 97.

    parksideq

    True story: one of the guys arrested in the Denver/NYC terror sting owned the bagel cart around the corner from my office building. I’ve been buying coffee there every morning for a year and a half, and the big joke around the floor this week is how we’ve all been aiding al-Qaeda, one bagel at a time.

    It’s a small world, after all.

  101. 101.

    Mike S

    Re: the dictionary. Shouldn’t there be quotes bracketing newsperson in the Tweety definition?

    Tweety- “Newsperson” Chris Matthews.

  105. 105.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @parksideq:

    It likely will, and ditto for the final bill the Senate passes. Then it will likely get put back in in conference, maybe with a trigger of sorts, and pared back some. It will pass the House again, and then the all out war in the Senate/ Dems will have back their 60 votes with the new Mass. Senator, and there will be great pressure on the Senate dems who oppose the PO to at least vote yes on cloture/ They will be forced to decide on whether the bill will go the reconciliation route that no dem wants, because it will likely blow up the Senate for some time to come and could also damage the final bill with all the points of order. But who knows, and I think that dems will have the 50 votes to pass it, if it comes to that. And maybe, though unlikely Sen. Snowe.

  117. 117.

    amorphous

    Also “center-right nation” isn’t yet appropriately mockdefined, nor is “Big Media Matt,” “West Fucking Virginia” (just cuz), or “Heh, indeedy.”

  118. 118.

    Max

    Question for the Group –

    I don’t normally read Digby, but I ended up there via a link. I thought my computer was jacked because of the weird margins in his/her blog.

    Can someone explain the background to the very unfortunate formatting on the Digby site?

    I’m sure it’s an inside the intertubes thing that I don’t know.

  122. 122.

    John Cole

    Pearls of wisdom from the Elder John Cole-

    Me: Did you watch Flashforward?

    Dad: No, I wasn’t interested. If I flash forward I’ll be dead.

    Guess we know where I got the fatalism.

  123. 123.

    WyldPirate

    ummm…whole kernel corn in chili.

    Kernel Corn is great in everything. It adds color and texture to all sorts of foods when added with the added benefit of seeing it again the next day….adding color and texture to the remnants of the previous meal.

  124. 124.

    JK

    @burnspbesq:

    I would support Michelle Malkin if she were running for Congress against Trafficant.

    YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS. Trafficant is a crook and an egomaniac, but Malkin is a malignant media carcinogen who is every bit as repulsive and toxic as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity. If I had to choose between Malkin and Traficant, I wouldn’t vote for either of them.

  129. 129.

    General Winfield Stuck

    I think we should call the dictionary – Balloon Juice Lingo.

    Somewhere between less formal and Whaaa…..?

  134. 134.

    General Winfield Stuck

    I am just not into gangster/mobster movies.

    Me neither, with the major exception of the first two Godfather movies.

  137. 137.

    Laura W

    @Comrade Kevin: I Little Bitsy LoVeS YoU!
    This was her best week yet in the first half, peoples, but she is slowing down now. 50 hours left in this voting week. We have to get her over 2,000, at the very least.

    Many factors bode well in her favor, esp: disqualification of those coughcheaterscough who vote from multiple email accounts and use all of those other newfangled corrupt ACORN voting methods. She is so close, and yet still so far away. Thanks for remembering her and the cause she represents and for reminding each other to vote every day (Demo Woman, SGEW and Violet!)

  138. 138.

    freelancer

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Erick, the son of Erick, should, indeed, have his own entry.

    His entry would require another page. You can’t mention him and not go through the litany of stupidity that is Erick the Red.

    From Coffee Mugz, to Operation Leper, to Silly Putty, to RSSF, to Running his car in his driveway on Earth Day just to be an asshole.

    Oh, and Scorsese’s alright, his older movies, I have trouble watching them, Raging Bull in particular, but I think you might like Shutter Island if it stayed close to the book.

  139. 139.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Sarah in Brooklyn, General Winfield Stuck, AsiangrrlMN: y’all are doin’ it rong. Just count paws and divide by ±4.

  143. 143.

    Comrade Mary

    @Trinity: John, if we can’t see any fresh pictures of His Tunchness tonight, could you please dig up some kitten pictures? I thought you’d posted some a while back, so they shouldn’t be hard to find, I hope.

    Aww! Search just gave me this and this. But no pictures! (The link to a promised picture is dead).

    I am Now the Proud Father … Of an 8-month old cat/kitten whom I have named Tunch (after Tunch Ilkin, a former Steeler lineman). I had played with him for an hour last week while I was at the pound, because I wanted to make sure I got an ornery fellow. I also have to have ‘the look’ (pet owners know what I mean) from an animal, to know we are gonna be a good fit. At any rate, Tunch is now tear-assing around my house like he is hopped up on something. I guess the first time out of a cage is kind of liberating. … And he is ornery. I never knew I had so many fun things in my house until I brought him home.

    … I have been spending a lot of time with the new addition to my family, my cat. I love animals, all kinds and all types, and I have always had a soft spot for the little critters. At any rate, it is amazing how different my house is since I got Tunch- I can not get over how a 7 pund cat/kitten just changes the dynamics.

  145. 145.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JK: Oh, I meant the clip from Mean Streets.

    All right. I’m just going to say it. I don’t like De Niro. Man could act–especially back in the day, but I just don’t like his style.

    Gah.
    @freelancer: Shutter Island looks more like my kind of movie. You say it’s based on a book? Wait, it has Leo in it. I don’t like Leo. And I much dislike Dennis Lehane. Never mind.

    @sarah in brooklyn: Thought so. They are all soooo cute.

  146. 146.

    burnspbesq

    I am not much of a Speve Sturrier fan, but he has his team ready to play tonight. Ole Miss is looking like le suck.

  155. 155.

    Brachiator

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Anyone NOT like Taxi Driver?

    I admire it, but don’t like it. But I had that ambivalence about a lot of Scorsese, even though I have seen most of his work, including his earliest films.

    I loved Goodfellas, though. And I think that his Age of Innocence is a near masterpiece, marred by the miscasting of Winona Ryder.

  156. 156.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I don’t like De Niro… I just don’t like his style.

    In that case, you can scratch The King of Comedy. It stars DeNiro.

    Of the feature films I recommended to you several days back, I think only one was a mob/gangster film. Plus, you can always check out a foreign language film or a documentary.

  158. 158.

    Comrade Jake

    I assume everyone caught the latest installment of Steve King asshattery today?

    Actually lots of interesting updates at Josh’s site tonight. New poll has solid support for the PO (which continues to be the MOST undercovered story in this whole media suckfest), and Obama’s numbers are solid.

    Peak wingnut cannot be far away.

  159. 159.

    JK

    @Brachiator:

    Have you ever seen A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies? I saw it a long time ago and found it very interesting to see Scorsese discussing movies that impressed and inspired him.

  160. 160.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JK: Yes. True. I am just a tad discouraged because so many people think Taxi Driver is brilliant. I really am nervous about watching the Godfather movies now, more so than before.

  162. 162.

    wasabi gasp

    One of my picks for best De Niro performances is Midnight Run. I’d probably put it right after Taxi Driver, The Godfather II and Raging Bull.

  163. 163.

    Skepticat

    @JK: Reminds me of the Louisiana primary when corrupt former governor Edwin Edwards ran against racist David Duke, giving rise to the bumper sticker “Vote for the crook, it’s important.”

  164. 164.

    JK

    @burnspbesq:

    At the end of Jim Traficant’s appearance on Hardball yesterday, I was wishing that he still had 10 years left to serve in prison. The guy is an unrepentant, delusional jackass.

    Malkin is in my pantheon of truly repulsive, nauseating wingnuts. I hope she gets her own special wing in Hell.

  167. 167.

    Warren Terra

    there’s a lot of stuff we’re still missing.

    I tried to put together list earlier today, although (1) I’m sure it missed a lot, and (2) many of the things on my list are now in the Dictionary/Lexicon/Wordz.

  169. 169.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JK: She’s not allowed in Hell. That’s where I’m spending the rest of eternity, and I don’t want to be anywhere near her. Then again, it is my definition of hell to be surrounded by rightwingnuts, so….

  171. 171.

    kindness

    Another dishonorable mention – Atlas Juggs. I’ll leave it to someone clever to say something really biting & cruel or uproriaous about Pammycakes.

    I don’t know why I find it so much easier to make fun of ’em but I do. Must be a gift from the FSM.

  173. 173.

    dsc (Unreasonable liberal)

    Tarvosky –uhh that would be Tarkovsky–one of the greatest 20th century filmmakers

    Solaris is a mediation on the way humans find meaning and are unable to communicate feeling–brilliant–just that opening shot of the waters filled with the green of spring–if you knew today that this would be your last time to look at the Earth before leaving, possibly forever, what would you look at?

    his best sci-fic film, however, is STALkER (imo) a film of faith and fear and the inability to have believe even when you see it with your own eyes, but for me his finest films are his meditation on art, ANDREI RUBLEV, and his last film (only the 7th) THE SACRIFICE which he made in exile in sweden (with Sven Nykvist as DoP) while he was dying of brain cancer at age 56, what deal would you make with God?

    An amazing filmmaker in every respect.

    TAXI DRIVER is a film of its time–I love to look at it, but it loses a lot because of its rootedness in the 70s. GOODFELLAS, AGE OF INNOCENCE, and RAGING BULL are his best, but I gotta admit I have a big soft spot for AFTER HOURS

  174. 174.

    Genine

    @Corner Stone:

    Actually I really liked this first episode. I hope it continues along the same lines or better.

    I was surprised to see a remake of V. I loved both mini-series (though I feel the first was better than the second).

    Here’s to hoping they do a good job with it!

  177. 177.

    freelancer

    @kindness:

    I’ll leave it to someone clever to say something really biting & cruel or uproriaous about Pammycakes.

    How dare you! Pamela Geller is a natural beauty and a valued thinker on the American Right. Her prose has the passion of Hitchens and the wit of Taibbi. She is always very thorough, and never publishes anything speculative that she might have to issue a correction for and then walk it back. She is a kind, sensitive soul who has the utmost respect for the world’s many religions, especially Islam, and yet she retains the objectivity of a true journalist. She always asks the brutal, honest questions when interviewing like John Bolton, and, erm, when she went on Redeye that one time. In short, Pamela Geller is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.

  178. 178.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I am just not into gangster/mobster movies.

    I really am nervous about watching the Godfather movies now, more so than before.

    This could pose a serious problem. If I had previously known that you weren’t into gangster/mobster movies, I would have refrained from recommending the Godfather films several days ago.

    On the other hand, the acting is stellar across the board in both movies. The Godfather Part II, in particular, has 3 standout supporting performances for me -Lee Strassberg, Michael Gazzo, and G.D. Spradlin.

    From a techincal standpoint, both films have great editing and cinematography.

    There are scenes in both films that I think can be appreciated aesthetically, even if you don’t like the gangster genre.

  180. 180.

    Genine

    John: I vote for “Lexicon”. It just has a certain flair…

    Cornerstone: I saw Glee once, it didn’t really appeal to me. I have heard good things about “Modern Family” and so I will check it out.

  182. 182.

    Brachiator

    @JK:

    Have you ever seen A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies? I saw it a long time ago and found it very interesting to see Scorsese discussing movies that impressed and inspired him.

    Yep. Good stuff. Scorsese and his long-time editor Thelma Schoonmaker not only both love film, but are illuminating when they talk about film.

    Along these lines, Francois Truffaut contributed two great books about film, his interview with Alfred Hitchcock often sold with the title Hitchcock/Truffaut, and The Films In My Life, which reprints some of Truffaut’s great film reviews and essays from the 50’s and early 60’s from Cahiers du Cinema.

    Both books are currently available at amazon and other sellers.

  183. 183.

    Warren Terra

    @ Freelancer, #177
    Do people think we need a definition for kindest bravest warmest most wonderful human being i’ve ever known in my life, to clue people in?

  184. 184.

    Jason Bylinowski

    Fade in to closeup of shotgun shack, evening crickets chirping, one light on in the bedroom of the house:

    “Wyatt?”

    “What the hell is it now, Mable? And by the way pass the Maalox.”

    “Lean over a bit and look at this here blogpost. What the hell is this young John Cole talking about, ‘Whitey Tape?’, ‘Burkean Bells’, ‘the Matthews Tingle’….whaaaaaa? I tell you, Wyatt, it’s all a bit much for me.”

    “Oh hell, do you think I keep up with that upstart? All I know is they finally posted an explanation for it….It’s over there in yon Concordance of Balloon-Juice, top-right of the page. Ooooow & speak of the devil!! Where is sam hell have you put the witch-hazel, my hemorrhoids are starting up again.”

    This message brought to you by People In Favor Of “Concordance”.

    Jason bylinowski: I approve of this message.

    And……….scene!!!

  185. 185.

    ellaesther

    @cleek: @Jason Bylinowski: @asiangrrlMN:

    I am quite enjoying the fact that we are getting nerdy and self-referential as we seek a title for a list of our nerdy and self-referential terminology!

    I vote for: “The Balloon Juice Big Book of Hot Air: A Layperson’s Lexicon of All Things Consistently Wrong, or Teh BJ Wordz”

  187. 187.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Warren Terra: Yes. I thought freelancer was +15 and remembering a passing encounter with Ms. Juggs. I had no idea that there was an oblique reference in his comment.

    @JK: I have had several people tell me to watch ’em (Godfathers). Now, I don’t think I will.

  188. 188.

    JK

    @Skepticat:

    Reminds me of the Louisiana primary when corrupt former governor Edwin Edwards ran against racist David Duke, giving rise to the bumper sticker “Vote for the crook, it’s important.”

    I would vote for a crooked politician over a bigoted politician in a nanosecond.

    Political corruption and bigotry will outlive all of us, but bigotry offends me more at a visceral, gut level. I’m not condoning political corruption but I think it’s a lesser evil than bigotry.

    We can’t outlaw bigotry but we have to give it no quarter. I don’t know how to get rid of bigotry, but I know that placing bigots in elective office is dead wrong.

  190. 190.

    freelancer

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Nope, sober as a cobra.

    @Warren Terra
    And we can’t define every reference, just internet generated ones. That line is from a movie from 1962. Maybe CERN had the internet around then, perhaps Al Gore, but us?

  191. 191.

    BDeevDad

    For the scientists and those that just want to watch a pretty girl lay the smack down on Kirk Cameron over his edition of Darwin’s Origin of Species, this was awesome.

    Best idea was the Richard Dawkin’s Annotated Bible

  192. 192.

    asiangrrlMN

    @ellaesther: Very nice! How about Balloon juice Intellectual Thoughts Even Mood-Evoking, or, BITE ME.

    No? Then, I like Cole, The Elements of Bile, a la Shrunk and White.

    Or, Balloon Juice Vocabulary for Dummies.

  193. 193.

    Jason Bylinowski

    @JK: Yeah, good point, and I feel pretty much the same. Besides, sometimes you get a good crook in there like LBJ who can actually get something accomplished.

    In other news, how sad is that everytime someone says “no quarter” in a sentence I still think of Agent Flowbee?

  194. 194.

    wasabi gasp

    While watching FlashForward, I got the impression (or fear) that they may pull a Lost and spend each episode detailing the endless minutia of each character. I can’t handle spending any more years of my life wading through that kind of crap.

  195. 195.

    JK

    @Brachiator:

    I’m familiar with Truffaut’s books, but I haven’t yet read them. Beyond his individual films, I’ve always been impressed by Scorsese’s love and passion for the history of film.

  198. 198.

    Santiago

    @A Thousand Faces:

    …definition of Burkean Bells… used mostly ironically, when conservatives like Brooks are being hypocrites in invoking Burke to have a bullshit hissy fit over some “radical” thing a liberal is doing, while not having batted an eye at the far more radical undertakings during the Bush Presidency

    This.

  200. 200.

    Warren Terra

    @ Molly, #189
    It’s a quote from (at least the original) Manchurian Candidate. It’s the description the surviving platoon members are programmed to use, verbatim and without any affect, to describe Raymond Shaw, no matter that they don’t actually think any of that about him.

    The phrase is always used insincerely, usually sarcastically, and a Google search finds its often used in politics, including some rather ugly sentiments.

    Sorry if there were spoilers there, but the film was from 1962 and I think the statute of limitations has lapsed.

  209. 209.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I have to plead ignorance here. I haven’t seen anything you’ve written that paints a portrait of someone who’s going to Hell. You’re being too hard on yourself.

  212. 212.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Santiago:

    …definition of Burkean Bells… used mostly ironically, when conservatives like Brooks are being hypocrites in invoking Burke to have a bullshit hissy fit over some “radical” thing a liberal is doing, while not having batted an eye at the far more radical undertakings during the Bush Presidency

    This.

    Seconded.

    And while Concordance makes a strong case, I’m going to toss my lot in with lexicon.

    But shit is indeed “getting literary as hell” up in here. (h/t: Mr. Bylinowski)

  213. 213.

    asiangrrlMN

    @ellaesther: Which would be my vision of hell! (No carbs).

    @JK: Well, I mean according to the fundies, I am the poster child for hell. Bi, agnostic, unmarried, no children, free-lovin’, pacifist, sockulist-capitalist, all that jazz. I was raised Evangelical, and my whole family thinks I’m going to hell. They pray for me, in fact. It hasn’t worked thus far.

  215. 215.

    tripletee

    More defs:

    Jesus, NTZYM: used to indicate when you are referring to the Biblical Jesus, rather than commenter ThymeZone’s yardman.

    Turning a corner: a meaningless phrase meant to convey a false sense of progress. Used extensively by Bush administration officials and war cheerleaders in reference to Iraq (see also Friedman Unit).

    Cheerleader Outfit: A reference to conservative commentator Michelle Malkin’s infamous cheerleader video. More generally, it can refer to someone going to ridiculous, painfully embarrassing extremes to defend an obviously failed policy.

    Re: V – The original miniseries and its sequel haven’t aged all that well, but I loved them when I was in junior high. The less said about the weekly series that followed, the better. The remake (which also stars Alan Tudyk -Wash on Firefly) looks pretty decent, and if they keep the allegorical tone of the original it could be interesting.

  216. 216.

    JK

    @Warren Terra:

    Thanks for the link. Sinatra was an extremely talented actor as well as being a great singer. In addition to The Manchurian Candidate, I really enjoyed his performances in The Man With the Golden Arm and Some Came Running.

  217. 217.

    Jay in Oregon

    Still looking for arguingwithsignposts. Anyone seen him in the past day or two? C’mon, man, speak to us.

    My day was good but my wife’s was not. Some poorly-thought-out decisions on my part over the past few weeks are coming back to make her life difficult, and that reflects on how things are between us.

    Basically, I told some friends what was going on in an effort to get their support for both of us, but the husband has decided that my wife just needs to get over it because I’m unhappy; this has put some strain in their relationship because he thinks his wife is enabling my wife. Had I known that was going to happen, I wouldn’t have said anything.

    I can only apologize and try to make amends to them later, but she wasn’t in much of a conversational mood so far. I’ll make one last attempt before she goes to bed.

  219. 219.

    Fulcanelli

    Lexicon is so much more elitist. Good choice, Cole.

    You guys watch way too much TV.

    Hey, who can provide the link to the Jane Hamsher thread yer all chuckling over. Help a brother out, ovah heah.

  224. 224.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Jay in Oregon: He was with us last night. I haven’t seen him today, though. arguing! Come out!

    As for what you told your friends, you can’t control what they do with the information. Apologize once more, and then let it go. Keep on posting, and keep on hanging in there.

    @wasabi gasp: Heh. Yeah, that would be the worst part of Hell for me. No snow and no sub-zero temps!

  225. 225.

    shoutingattherain

    @JK:
    I missed Jim Traficant on Hardball yesterday. Does he still have that, er, hair-thing workin’?

    Worst. Rug. Ever.

  228. 228.

    Warren Terra

    Hey, who can provide the link to the Jane Hamsher thread yer all chuckling over. Help a brother out, ovah heah.

    In case tripletee’s hint wasn’t sufficiently helpful, it’s linked from the Lexicon entry.

    I suppose given all the fun people are having with the nostalgia, the next thing after the dictionary lexicon will be a greatest hits page?

  229. 229.

    ellaesther

    @asiangrrlMN: Ah yes, there is that — no carbs is a very cruel and unusual punishment.

    But also: Who’s to say that “Bi, agnostic, unmarried, no children, free-lovin’, pacifist, sockulist-capitalist, all that jazz” isn’t the answer to prayer? (I mean, other than your mother. She would probably say that it isn’t).

  230. 230.

    freelancer

    @asiangrrlMN:

    My parents flatly deny my disbelief. It’s the weirdest thing. Like earlier this summer when they asked about my dating life, and I mentioned Wilma Flintstone (a fundie pentacostal who was very swoony over me) and how she discriminated against me and drew a line saying “I can’t date an atheist!”.

    My mom, completely missing the point of ‘oh, I was dating this girl but then she stopped for the most retarded reason ever and I felt bad at the time’, she just frowned at me and said, “You’re not an atheist!”

    *facepalm.

  233. 233.

    JK

    @shoutingattherain:

    Yes, Traficant still has that thing. Putting aside Traficant’s actual crimes, he should have been censured by Congress for having one of the worst hairpieces of the 20th century.

  234. 234.

    Loneoak

    “I Am Aware of All Internet Traditions”- Originating from a stupid comment at Lawyers, Guns and Money (“I am aware of all internet traditions, but… “), it has been subsequently popularized as a satirical term that makes fun of right-wing stupidity.

    I think this should read “makes fun or right-wing obtuseness and inflated self-importance.”

  235. 235.

    asiangrrlMN

    @ellaesther: That’s true. It’s just not the answer to HER prayer. She finally gave up nagging me to have kids on this visit (I AM on the wrong side of 35, remember), but she did manage to slide in a paean to marriage. Feh.

    @freelancer: Wow. Your mom said that to your face? I remember your dalliance with the “I can’t date an atheist unless I’m really really drunk” fundie chick. Sorry it didn’t work out. Well, actually, no, I’m not. Dating is hard enough without throwing rigid religion into the mix.

    JK, there’s the rub, isn’t it?

  238. 238.

    Warren Terra

    I’m in the “teach a man to fish” school of thought, WT.

    My level of generosity varies dramatically, and often I’d agree with you, but you’ve got to figure that some of the people commenting here might be a bit too drunk to figure out a hint that’s even slightly obscure.

  239. 239.

    freelancer

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Yeah she said it to my face, completely not self-aware. But we get along okay, cause my dad’s the religious hard-liner. Funny thing is he’s generally more fun than my mom, he’s just the kind of Christian I wish most people were, it’s a private thing with him and he doesn’t talk about it with other people.

    I think “The Futon” needs it’s own entry, too.

  240. 240.

    Warren Terra

    Then go with us Jews, we don’t believe in hell.

    Heck, lots of us Jews don’t even believe in God.

  242. 242.

    wasabi gasp

    @asiangrrlMN: Years ago, my mom would give me those little magnetic saints (for luck or to keep bad spirits away or to make pizza taste better or whatever they do) and because I love her so, I put them in the places where she said they belong. They are still there. I dust those damn things when I clean the house. When one of them accidentally broke, I crazy glued it back together. Nutty. I bet she would’ve flipped it.

  245. 245.

    ellaesther

    @freelancer: If it is any comfort WHATSOEVER, it is my experience that many people flatly deny the disbelief of anyone. It is buckets and pails worse when the denier is your own mother, but at the very least, you know you’re in good company. I’m a believing Jew, but I’m married to a very, very non-believing Jew, and it has been a humbling journey of discovery to realize how tough it is out there for an atheist.

    (Hey! It occurs to me [really, I just remembered!]: I even wrote a little something about it! Here’s a link, for your reading pleasure: “On godless heathens.” If you’re so inclined).

  246. 246.

    Midnight Marauder

    @JK:

    Was just browsing the Lexicon. It makes for a truly fascinating read doesn’t it?

    It does indeed. I have to say, my favorite part for some reason is this:

    Q definitions here.

    I kind of don’t want that to ever change.

  247. 247.

    asiangrrlMN

    @BDeevDad: Cool. I can dig it.

    @Warren Terra: I can dig it even more. And, I am NOT drunk–just a bit tipsy now.

    @JK: I am up to the Rs. Yes, it’s amazing. They have done a good job with it.

    wasabi gasp, the things we do for our parents, eh?

    freelancer, yeah, I hear that. My mom is actually pretty much like that–except when it comes to me. We used to get into awful fights because of it, but I have gotten past it. Now, I just nod and smile for the most part.

  249. 249.

    Cat Lady

    @JK:

    Having lived through all teh crazee the lexicon covers, and then ending up with Obama – I’m gobsmacked. There’s some ridiculous fucking shit in there. Future historians will consult the BJ Lexicon like runes, while shaking their heads in disbelief. Great job everyone, and great idea John Cole.

  252. 252.

    freelancer

    @Warren Terra:

    Sounds awesome, but I’m afraid the only person who knows less about Jewish Culture and traditions than myself would be George Bluth:

    George, Sr.: Tonight? No, it’s Yontif, the first night of Yom Kippur.
    Michael: Dad, that’s just one night, and it’s back in September. That’s okay. You’ve only been a Jew for about two days.

  253. 253.

    asiangrrlMN

    @ellaesther: That is a wonderful essay, ellaesther. Thank you so much for linking to it (and more so for writing it). I agree with your hubby. There is little room in America for those of us who say we are godless–only room for those who act as if they are godless.

  255. 255.

    Fulcanelli

    Another epic thread link that should make it into the BJ Lexicon is that middle of the weekday, #500+ post Andrew Sullivan/Abortion smack down that transpired earlier this summer. The resident BJ femmes were in fine form that day, if memory serves me. My BJ search-fu skillz are weak and I’m too tired to find the link. Anybody remember?

  257. 257.

    bago

    [email protected]John Cole:
    lexicon would be more appropriate because these notes aren’t providing diction cues, but it’s not quite a collection of lexemes. Much closer, IMHO, but if you look up the definition of a “gloss” you might see why I find glossary more appropriate. Of course we’ve only been consistently wrong since 2002, so have it your way.

  260. 260.

    Tattoosydney

    All good – it’s Friday afternoon, the dust has cleared, I have two bottles of exceptional Portuguese red wine breathing in the office kitchen to celebrate the end of the week, no work to do this weekend ….

    How are you?

  261. 261.

    wasabi gasp

    My mom denies my mentions of non-belief by laughing at it, like I told a funny. I can live with that. But, I’d probably be able to live with any reaction short of preaching. It’s easy to imagine the stresses on a believer who truly loves and cares for a blasphemous hellbent sinner.

  263. 263.

    gyma

    @asiangrrlMN:

    As a true blue American atheist, the thing that gets my goat is:

    atheist = amoral

    As if only religious folks have morals. Just because I don’t believe in god doesn’t mean I lack a moral compass.

    /rant

  266. 266.

    JK

    asiangrrlMN, Midnight Marauder, Cat Lady

    I don’t mean to get all glass half-empty here, but the flipside of the Lexicon’s high quality is that we’re facing a totally insane opposition who are hell bent on destroying Obama by pursuing a scorched earth policy and employing slash and burn tactics. If I had to choose, I’d rather have a much shorter, duller Lexicon. That would mean we’d be dealing with a more rational, reasonable opposition who wouldn’t be employing all this incendiary rhetoric or concocting fake controversies to fire up the hatred.

  267. 267.

    ellaesther

    @asiangrrlMN: Thank you very much! Every once and awhile I’ll start writing something here, there, or somewhere and think “hey, I’ve already written about this!” I’m glad that you read it, and that you liked it.

    @freelancer: Sometimes, my family is a meeting.

  268. 268.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Tattoosydney: Not bad. I’m imbibing Maker’s Mark, working on some fiction, and responding here at the same time. Sounds like you have a lovely weekend planned. Good for you.

    @freelancer: You crack me the fuck up. Really. You do.

    @gyma: I hear you. I’ve blogged about how, despite my agnostic beliefs (or non-beliefs, if you will), I am probably one of the most ethical people I know. It really chaps my hide to hear mealy-mouthed so-called Christians (especially in politics) spout off righteously how us unwashed nonbelievers are teh evilz. Whatever.

    JK, I LIVE in glass half-empty world, and I agree. I would much rather have a shorter lexicon if it meant a more reasonable opposition party. Sigh.

    ellaesther, hey, blogging about something in the past doesn’t stop me from blogging about it again!

  269. 269.

    JK

    @Tattoosydney:

    Good to clear that the conditions have improved in your area. Those pictures of the Sydney Opera House obscured by dust clouds were very eerie. Have you ever attended any performances there?

  271. 271.

    ellaesther

    @asiangrrlMN: Crap! Now I’ve clicked on your blog and there are so many things grabbing my attention there — and I have no time to read! Indeed, it’s already midnight and I still have so many things on my plate that I was just kicking myself for spending time having fun over here….

    Like Arnold, I will be baaaaack. It looks like a cool joint!

    And with that I bid you all good night.

    And to the Jews who fast, I say: An easy fast! And again, shana tova, to you, and you, and also you — all you atheists out there, have a great new Jewish year!

  274. 274.

    auntieeminaz

    @Laura W: There is a springer spaniel named Glory that has been running just ahead of Little Bitsy. As of 10:30 PM Arizona time Bitsy has 1279 votes and Glory has 1352. Juicers need to step it up. Si se peuede. (Whatever) Also.

  275. 275.

    Tattoosydney

    @JK:

    I have – it’s an amazing building, and pictures of it don’t really do it justice…

    Up close, it’s a towering, otherworldly thing, which glistens in the sun. Inside it’s ribbed with concrete and very much like being inside an enormous shell.

    I have the great joy of being able to look out my window every day at work and see it 200 metres away – approximately like this.

    The only drawback is that the acoustics are a bit shit.

  276. 276.

    JK

    @Tattoosydney:

    The Sydney Opera House is one of my favorite buildings. The first time I saw a photo of it I was completely blown away. It’s one of the most amazing designs anyone has ever dreamed up for a building. The first time I saw it, I thought it looked like something designed by extraterrestrials.

    I don’t know how much you know about Jørn Oberg Utzon who designed the Sydney Opera House, but I was very happy to learn about this:

    When the Sydney Opera House was declared a World Heritage Site on June 28, 2007, Utzon became only the second person to have his work recognised as a World Heritage Site while he was still alive.

    Thanks very much for the photo. The Sydney Opera House is one of those structures that, like the Guggenheim at Bilbao, the Taj Mahal, St Basil’s Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle and the monastery at Mont Saint-Michel, always mesmerizes me whenever I see a photo of it.

  277. 277.

    Midnight Marauder

    @JK:

    I don’t mean to get all glass half-empty here, but the flipside of the Lexicon’s high quality is that we’re facing a totally insane opposition who are hell bent on destroying Obama by pursuing a scorched earth policy and employing slash and burn tactics. If I had to choose, I’d rather have a much shorter, duller Lexicon. That would mean we’d be dealing with a more rational, reasonable opposition who wouldn’t be employing all this incendiary rhetoric or concocting fake controversies to fire up the hatred.

    You are, of course, very much so correct. However, just to represent the half-full side of the equation, having such a thorough collection of all things wingnut/Obstructionist Asshole is certainly a very resourceful guide to have for dealing with them from the present onwards (since they’re not going anywhere for a while, not until the demographics finally catch up with them, that is).

    Besides, I think having such a lexicon for all the batshit insane things they’ve done/said over the years is a very positive step in the never-ending quest to prove to the rest of the somewhat dubious population that “no, these people are not serious” and “yes, they are fucking crazy.”

    It reminds me of a quote from tonight’s episode of Community:

    “I tell you what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna take this, and we’re going to put it in a museum for crazy people.”

  280. 280.

    Anne Laurie

    @John Cole:

    Anyone else watch Fringe? I bought season 1 and kind of like it, even though it is an X-Files ripoff.

    Meee! I started watching it part-way through, via Hulu, and got completely hooked even before the big season finale. The second season has started off even stronger. Just started watching the first-season DVDs with the Spousal Unit, and it’s worth re-watching to pick up all the little clues and details I missed the first time.

    Fringe certainly owes a great debt to the X-Files, but John Noble at least is a better actor than either Anderson or Duchovny, and the Fringe triad is much more entertaining than the X-team. I also appreciate the Fringe “mood” — the X-Files had a very pre-Millenial They-are-out-to-get-Us ambience. Fringe, on the other hand, has its version of Cigarette-Smoking Man stationed right at the heart of the ‘mystery’, and the mood is much more despairing; ‘We’ are the ‘They’, and the crimes we have committed will break us as badly as we have broken any of our victims…

  281. 281.

    freelancer

    Also,

    As an aside, either an addendum to Talevangelicals or its own entry:

    Fatwa Envy – Rhetorical reposte in which any criticism of Christianist behavior or vile dogma is countered with a sense of faux oppression, as if to say, “If we were Muslims, you wouldn’t be criticizing us (because they burn down buildings and kill people over cartoons and shit, like we wish we had the courage to shut you heathens up)“.

    or as Urban Dictionary puts it:

    Wishing you had the power, ability, and above all the cultural approval to kill or torture someone who offends their religious sensibilities.

  282. 282.

    Tattoosydney

    @JK:

    The Sydney Opera House is one of my favorite buildings.

    Same here… the only other buildings I have been to that compare are Sagrada Familia and the Mosteiro Dos a href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cX0p8y9040k/SbqhkCLLuGI/AAAAAAAACa0/Qv1OvYrTVN4/s400/jeronimos+e+jardim.jpg
    ” rel=”nofollow”>Jeronimos in Lisbon….

    Just a sense of awe at being next to something so amazing that was actually created by human hands….

  286. 286.

    EnderWiggin

    I screwed up, and the screw up made it to the dictionary:

    Attack used to defame any whistle blower, insider account or opponent of one’s own worldview, if said opponent has authored a book. The fact that in general the method for spreading an idea or allegation in modern society is by first authoring a book or magazine article, and then being interviewed in the press. Useful for simply disregarding an argument, not matter how factual or valid, simply by implying a profit motive. Considered a valid attack even if the author already has substantial personal wealth.

    should read

    Attack used to defame any whistle blower, insider account or opponent of one’s own worldview, if said opponent has authored a book. The fact that in general the method for spreading an idea or allegation in modern society is by first authoring a book or magazine article, and then being interviewed in the press is not relevant. Useful for simply disregarding an argument, not matter how factual or valid, simply by implying a profit motive. Considered a valid attack even if the author already has substantial personal wealth.

  290. 290.

    Mitch

    Also, if we’re going with the Mustache of Understanding, Bobo, and Jokeline, Tweety deserves a spot.

Comments are closed.