Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

In my day, never was longer.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

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

“Facilitate” is an active verb, not a weasel word.

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

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

When we show up, we win.

Jesus watching the most hateful people claiming to be his followers

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

Giving in to doom is how authoritarians win.

Republicans do not trust women.

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

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

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

You are here: Home / Sports / Steelers Open Thread

Steelers Open Thread

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Steelers take on KC today, and hoping for a big bounce-back win this week after their loss to the Bengals last Sunday. Speaking of which, JenJen and I had a little wager. I lost, and unfortunately, there are no stores in the area that sell infant or cat-sized Bengals apparel, so I couldn’t follow all the way through with my bet, but I do offer this:

ochotuncho

The innocents always suffer the most. I just hope his namesake, Tunch Ilkin, never has to see this.

Reader Interactions

171Comments

  4. 4.

    Emma

    I hope you sleep with a cosh under your bed — because he will certainly try to murder you in your sleep!

  6. 6.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    Oh the humiliation!

    You guys can have your football. I have the turkey in the oven and need to continue with the cooking (loved CBS Sunday Morning today, great way to kick off the week).

    Also, totally OT, I’m very thankful my cousin is days away from being weaned off her drug-induced coma, one month after contracting H1N1. She has a long way to go, but this morning’s update was the best one yet. Go Katie!

  8. 8.

    JGabriel

    Emma:

    I hope you sleep with a cosh under your bed—because [Tunch] will certainly try to murder you in your sleep!

    You say that like it would be new behavior.

    .

  16. 16.

    Violet

    Awesome! I think poor Tunch is destined to become a popular internet avatar, a la the poor kitty with the fruit helmet.

  19. 19.

    GregB

    Joe the Putz Plumber gave an interview to Editor and Publisher wherein he stated:

    To those who charge Wurzelbacher has “capitalized on my 15 minutes of fame,” he disagrees, telling E&P, “I’m a year into this, and I am not rich by no means. My book is out of print. I’m selling the last remaining copies. I did not expect enormous dollars from it. It’s just what it is. I haven’t gotten behind any merchandise. I haven’t sold out.”

    Joe seems to be unable to tell the difference between trying to capitalize and being a failure at trying to capitalize.

    Yes, Joe books are also known as merchandise.

    Epah.

    E & P article, not that you really need to read it.

    -G

  21. 21.

    asiangrrlMN

    Cole, you KNOW JenJen isn’t going to accept this, right? Poor Tunchie. It’s OK, baby. Orange is a good color on you! And you can just pretend you are a real Bengal tiger.

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: Oh that’s good news for your poor cousin. Many fierce positive vibes heading her way–and yours.

    Go, Vikes. I can’t wait to taste Yutsano’s cookies!

  22. 22.

    Punchy

    I’d bet you on today’s game Cole, but we’d both want to take Worthlessberger’s team. Coulda got tix to today’s game for free, and STILL cant stand to watch the Chefs get cooked.

    This will be an extraordinarily one-sided game.

  25. 25.

    JenJen

    @asiangrrlMN: When I first caught wind of the Photoshop-wagering plan, I had my doubts. But after seeing the finished product, I’m really pretty sure it’s better than the real thing. :-)

  27. 27.

    JenJen

    I put this over in the CBS Sunday Morning thread, but in case anyone missed it… Chuck Todd sure is being a whiny little Sally about all of his critics today, on his Twitter feed. Do. Not. Miss. Just a taste:

    Even funnier already, how folks are so blind to their own rage, they are accusing me of whining. Apologies for trying to introduce nuance!

  28. 28.

    Seebach

    “I’m very disappointed. I think it was very rude. She could have at least apologized, and she didn’t even do that,” said Teresa Hedrick.

    Many of the unhappy people stood in the rain all day, bought the book from Borders and clutched their wristbands for their opportunity to meet Palin.

    “We bought two books from Borders to have our receipt and our wristband to get it signed tonight,” said one woman. “My books are going back to Borders tomorrow.”

    “We gave up our entire workday, stayed in the cold. My kids were crying,” said one man. “They went home with my wife. She was out here in the freezing cold all day. I feel like I don’t want to support Sarah.”

  30. 30.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Seebach: They didn’t already know she was a quitter? Seriously, have they seen her record? Anyone that stupid pretty much deserves being rained upon (not the kids, though, they can’t help having stupid parents).

    @JenJen: Yeah, that’s true. Tunch is gonna kill Cole for this, so it’s all good.

  32. 32.

    Athenae

    As a woman who has put reindeer antlers on ferrets (Christmas at First Draft is always classy), I cannot pretend outrage at this wrong done to the Glorious Tunch I, Emperor of All He Surveys.

    I do, however, STRONGLY suggest you never show him this.

    A.

  40. 40.

    JenJen

    @JGabriel: He is killin’ me with these tweets this morning! And now Marc Ambinder weighs in to lend him a hand:

    you will NEVER win this argument. But you’re a mensch for trying!

    These people are clueless. And considering their responsibility in our representative democracy, that’s frightening.

  41. 41.

    Violet

    @JGabriel:

    Bwahahaha. I can just see Chuckie getting hit on by some six-foot tall cross-dresser who calls herself Nuance.

    Okay, I just read Chuckie’s Twitter feed. Twitter fail. OMG, that’s so awful. Someone please tell him that if he wants to post on a blog he should do so, but please, please do not break up your blog post into five tweets (gawd, I hate that word). Sheesh, he’s just ridiculous.

  43. 43.

    dr. bloor

    Chuck Todd via JenJen: Apologies for trying to introduce nuance!

    He keeps using that word. I do not think it means what he thinks it means.

  44. 44.

    JenJen

    John, I just have to thank you for making good on our Bengals-Steelers wager. This is better than I expected, and as a bonus I’ve sent it to all my friends, who are sharing in the laughter this football Sunday!

    Let’s do it again for the playoffs, ok?

  51. 51.

    Svensker

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    Hooray for your cousin! My hub’s cousin got it while traveling in Europe and spent a month in a hospital in Athens, 2 weeks in ICU. Really scary stuff. Fingers crossed that all is well.

    John, if the Stillers can’t beat KC, then they might as well put on tutus and toe shoes and dance, instead of playing football. (But, gak, I would LOVE to see Big Ben in drag. )

  52. 52.

    JenJen

    Hey, John, … who was your Photoshop artist, anyway? That is some fine commissioned work, and I’d like to say thank you, and excellent execution!

  53. 53.

    burnspbesq

    MLS final tonight. Worrisome. Beckerman can neutralize Donovan if he brings his A game, and Findley is going to turn the G’s central defenders inside out at least once with his speed. Ricketts needs to continue to be the hottest keeper in the league, and The Real David Beckham needs to show up.

    Weather could also be a factor. The fake grass in Seattle gets really slick when it rains.

    C’mon you G!

  55. 55.

    Morbo

    I will add no adjective to the Lions playing the Browns as doing so against Seattle and St. Louis had disastrous results (yes, I know it didn’t really). Just win, guys.

  57. 57.

    burnspbesq

    @AhabTRuler:

    Sounders have the best fans in the league. They will provide a great atmosphere, even with their team not in the game. Rain or shine.

  63. 63.

    Interesting stat on the Steelers defense

    I read today that the Steelers defense has given up only four touchdowns so far this year. Having played nine games to date, it’s a pretty impressive statistic. The offsetting bad statistic is that they’ve given up touchdowns on three kickoff returns, two interceptions, and two fumbles.

  64. 64.

    James K. Polk, Esq.

    I saw the best football game ever last night.

    Cal vs Stanford, simply incredible. I was sitting in the Stanford alum section, and watching Cal beat Stanford surronded by glum Stanford fans was almost as good as watching Sarah Palin get booed.

    Almost.

  67. 67.

    JenJen

    As much as I dislike the Steelers, at least I can bring myself to root for them in postseason action. I could never, ever, ever say that about the Ravens.

  68. 68.

    Ash Can

    LOLZ @ the pic! Tunch looks suitably pissed off. Beautiful.

    As for the poor mopes who stood out in the cold and the rain for hours in Indiana (with small children? WTF??), I guess we’re seeing just what it takes for it to dawn on some people that Palin isn’t what they think she is.

  70. 70.

    Demo Woman

    @JenJen: lol.. I have a feeling that many folks are going to start cheering for the Ravens after the see The Blind Side. The NYTimes magazine did a story on Michael Oher and it is touching.

  71. 71.

    licensed to kill time

    Pero tu gato no parece muy feliz, senor Cole! HA!

    I was avoiding this thread (not a foozball fanatic) but had to cruise by and see if anyone was talking about cerveza Mexicana, with which I am familiar…..so glad I did, the pic of poor ochoTuncho suffering in his Bengals outfit is priceless.

    Pobrecito!

  83. 83.

    debit

    Now we’ll see if the Seahawks can adjust, and if the Vikings will come out so cocky and arrogant that they blow a 21 point lead.

  85. 85.

    gwangung

    @asiangrrlMN: I don’t bet against a sure thing.

    Now, if you had a bet for the Stanford/Cal game, I’da snapped that up (helluva game). But the Seahawks against the Vikes? Sorry, but momma didn’t raise THAT big of a fool…

  87. 87.

    asiangrrlMN

    @debit: Dee-fense!

    AP is just awesome. I will put up with his occasional fumbles.
    @gwangung: Heh.

    That’s pretty much how I roll, too. My fake-hubby #2 must have been feeling unreasonably optimistic to agree to the bet.

  91. 91.

    PattyK

    OK, so maybe this is hopelessly pedantic but isn’t Tunch Llkin not the namesake of your Tunch but rather his EPONYM while your Tunch is Tunch L.’s namesake?

  96. 96.

    asiangrrlMN

    I know I should know this, but I don’t remember. TJ is quarterback now. If Seattle creeps back in the game, can Favre go back in? I’m assuming he can, but I do not know for sure.

  98. 98.

    debit

    It’s nice to see Jackson getting some game time. I’m still not terribly impressed with him, but do think he’s grown.

  102. 102.

    debit

    @asiangrrlMN: I like him too. I was pissed for him when they reduced him to back up, but will admit that perhaps he had some maturing to do. I’m glad they’re putting him in.

    Man, to think I was a little concerned going in to this game. Sheesh.

  104. 104.

    debit

    And OT from football, my Lebanese deli has changed their recipe for tabbouleh. I am going to have to have a word with them. You don’t mess with perfection. Except to maybe add a little more lemon juice.

  107. 107.

    Punchy

    Ruh Roh Coleh! Your precious Steel’HERS could lose this. To the god damn Chefs. Ha!

    (“could” is a very important qualifier)

  113. 113.

    Punchy

    @JenJen: Cant believe Joe Fucco just chucked that pick. Looks like Indy is THE luckiest POS team in the league. That’s 2 games in a row they had no right to win.

    And the Chiefs have a decent kicker. If they can get to the Pitty 35, looks like we will be able to wipe off Worthlessberger’s eye black WITH HIS TEARS.

  115. 115.

    You Don't Say

    Anyone else hear the baby seal they must be torturing at the start of each play in the Ravens Colts game?

  118. 118.

    JenJen

    @Punchy: And there you go. Indy officially luckiest POS team in the league with that turnover, and the call by the officials in the booth.

    But they beat the Ravens, so yay!!

  121. 121.

    Punchy

    Coin-flip OTs tough to accept. Winner of coin flips must win at least 80% of the time…..

    Pitts wins due to the vagaries of a rotating coin interacting with gravity. Sigh……

  123. 123.

    CaseyL

    My CBS affiliate just switched over the Steelers/Chiefs game.

    Tie score? In OT?

    And the QB has to leave the game?

    Our host must be having angina.

  124. 124.

    Morbo

    Do mine eyes deceive me, or did the name CHARLIE BATCH just flash across the screen on Stat Tracker? ROFL.

  135. 135.

    ChrisB

    As a fan of the Giants who just won in overtime, I have to say that the NFL’s overtime rule sucks. Especially in a shoot out where neither team can stop the other. Frankly, ties are more fair.

  136. 136.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Haha. As inconsistent as we Ravens have been this year, we haven’t lost to a losing team yet. Cinci, you could make me happy again today.

  142. 142.

    Demo Woman

    @ChrisB: Duh! As a Falcon fan that was tough.. I grew up in MA so the Pats are my first team and the mutt, Miss Moxie, is already hiding.

  143. 143.

    Nethead Jay

    Fuck the goddamn Chiefs and the same to the Colts who should have lost both this game and last weeks

    Jay +5 (and going for another).

  149. 149.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    @JenJen: By making me happy, I meant they could lose. Last time I rooted for the Bengals, Wyche was the coach and Anderson was the QB.

  150. 150.

    CaseyL

    @Chuck Butcher: More like offended. Especially after today’s game.

    Why are the Ravens hated? Whatever the reason, I think they should always win against the stolen-from-Baltimore-in-the-dead-of-night Colts. Which they didn’t, today, which is a pity.

    Lots of exciting play today. My ‘Hawks lost, but that’s been a habit of theirs lately, as their motto for the last few years has been “Making you nostalgic for Chuck Knox more and more every year!”

  151. 151.

    Demo Woman

    @LittleBit: Somehow, I think that John would prefer Tunch in a hoodie rather than a KC outfit. I might be wrong though. It’s not a good day in the Cole household.

  152. 152.

    Joel

    @CaseyL: Ravens can only blame themselves for this loss (just like their loss to the Patriots in 2007).

    1) Ngata committed a blatant late hit penalty that gave the Colts what would be the game winning FG.
    2) Cundiff shanked his FGA.
    3) Ed Reed’s stupid lateral.

  154. 154.

    Morbo

    John, for the record: I’m not laughing about Charlie Batch out of schadenfreude; I’m laughing because as a Lions fan I can’t believe he’s still playing.

  156. 156.

    JenJen

    @CaseyL: But, but… the exact reason everyone hates the Ravens is the same reason you hate the current-day Colts. It’s just that the Ravens’ story involves the hideous, tragic city of Cleveland, and not the pretty, maritime (yay!) city of Baltimore. Elitist.

  158. 158.

    Joel

    @JenJen: The Ravens would be much cooler if they incorporated more Wire references in their team. They could even bring in Michael Vick to play Cheese Wagstaff.

  159. 159.

    Woodrowfan

    At least Cleveland got the “Browns” back, even if they were a new team. Baltimore didn’t even get to keep the name “Colts.” And Ravens is a great name for a team in Baltimore…

  160. 160.

    J.W. Hamner

    I almost got jumped, I was cheering so loud for the Chiefs at the end there. The Ravens may suck, but probably not more than the Squealers. We shall see shortly, I suppose.

  162. 162.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Who really cares who moves where? The Washington Redskins started in Boston. The Chicago Cardinals went from Chicago to St. Louis to Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs used to be the Dallas Texans. The Portsmouth, Ohio Spartans became the Detroit Lions. The San Diego Chargers started in Los Angeles which is where the Oakland Raiders wound up for a while. The Los Angeles Rams relocated to St. Louis the same year the Raiders blew town. Of course, the reason the Rams were in Los Angeles in the first place is because they relocated from Cleveland The Houston Oilers moved to Memphis, then Nashville as the Titans. And yeah, Baltimore’s beloved Colts got out of the corral but now they’ve got another storied franchise. Good for them.

    The Chicago Bears started in Decatur, Illinois and there’s prolly some crotchety 110 year old still complaining about it somewhere.

  164. 164.

    Demo Woman

    @Just Some Fuckhead: If memory serves me, that was about the same time they dabbled in silver and caused the price to go sky high. That did not serve them well.
    The Kansas City Chiefs used to be the Dallas Texans.

  165. 165.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    @Joel: Still, teams will continue to move as cities and communities wax and wane. They are businesses, not civic organizations. Consider the Arizona Cardinals whose ownership is pretty universally reviled and yet, the Cardinals have been around longer than any other NFL franchise.

  166. 166.

    Joel

    @Just Some Fuckhead: On one hand, I agree. But fans have a deeper connection with their professional sports franchises than they do with large, local businesses that don’t employ them, even if the latter are generally more important.

    What would be really nice is if cities just stopped subsidizing stadiums and the like.

  167. 167.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: And unlike John, my bet shall be completely fulfilled in that the cookies shall come from my own hand with my own ingrdients, no store-bought doughs or premade crap from the store. These shall be guaranteed homemade from my hand cookies. All that I need is your address that I shall obtain by the method we discussed earlier. Oh and I entered into this bet fully knowing I was most likely going to lose. But ya never know what’s gonna happen.

  170. 170.

    Steeplejack

    @Yutsano:

    Well, travel broadens the mind, they say. I think it would do us as a country a lot of good if Americans not only traveled more overseas but tried living overseas occasionally. I spent a third of my pre-college youth overseas (England and Japan) and feel myself the better for it.

    And if you do get to live overseas you’ll get a deeper perspective on America, and at some point you may find you want to come back. Not during the Palin-Huckabee administration, of course. That goes without saying.

  171. 171.

    Yutsano

    @Steeplejack: I have a severe love affair with Canada. My family has deep standing ties in Quebec (the Dionne quintuplets are distant cousins) and Vancouver is just such an amazing place. I can’t rule out other destinations should they come up, but considering my parents have sincerely considered retiring there, Canada looks more and more like the best place to end up.

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