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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

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

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

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Not rolling over. fuck you, make me.

If you still can’t see these things even now, maybe politics isn’t your forte and you should stop writing about it.

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Republicans in disarray!

Good lord, these people are nuts.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

I really should read my own blog.

The willow is too close to the house.

Their shamelessness is their super power.

The only way through is to slog through the muck one step at at time.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

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

Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread

Open Thread

by John Cole|  January 15, 20108:08 pm| 112 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Previous Site Maintenance

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Laura W. and I are working on a Cafe Press site, and we are going to send the proceeds to Evelyn, Little Bitsy’s rescuer, and the pound where I got Lily and Tunch. Here is another possible mug:

tunchobot

For those of you interested in contributing some graphics, just email them to me.

Also, has anyone watched Sanctuary?

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Reader Interactions

112Comments

  1. 1.

    Yutsano

    January 15, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    After seeing both graphics honestly I would buy them both!

  2. 2.

    Demo Woman

    January 15, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    It’s cute but my heart tells me to vote for Tunch is watching you.
    I would love to have a tee with that on the front and I could report back how many southern folks asked what it meant.

  3. 3.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 15, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    Well, I want both! In fact, I want a complete set!

  4. 4.

    Mary

    January 15, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    I love it.

  5. 5.

    IndieTarheel (mobile)

    January 15, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Sanctuary is the sole reason the SyFy channel ever graces my tv set. Just waiting for the brainiacs to screw that one up too.

  6. 6.

    donovong

    January 15, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Put that mug on a sweatshirt and I’m in fer shur. But, absolutely, positively must have a BJ logo one first! Although mine would do better with “Consistently wrong since 1974,” when Wifey and I were married!

  7. 7.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    Awesome )

    I saw “Sanctuary” once. It was pretty good.

  8. 8.

    Brien Jackson

    January 15, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    Heckuva job firebaggers:

    http://washingtonindependent.com/74105/did-firedoglake-take-out-vic-snyder

  9. 9.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    January 15, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    I told the wife (she’s the Photoshop nut) and she already has some ideas. Awhile ago she made one where Tunch is flipping the bird but I haven’t uploaded it yet.

    ;)

  10. 10.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Laura W. and I are working on a Cafe Press site

    Way to go Galt, John-O.

  11. 11.

    beltane

    January 15, 2010 at 8:19 pm

    That’s a good one. I’d buy that mug as a present for my mother’s 70th birthday coming up. She loves cats, and one of mine could be described as The Black Tunch, whose main hobby is eating.

  12. 12.

    demkat620

    January 15, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    I have watched Sanctuary. It annoys me. It seems like a good premise but not a good translation.

  13. 13.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    Three words;

    Fuck Jane Hamsher. I’m so looking forward to the Republican majority cause it means she is marginalized and so are her FireDogBrats.

  14. 14.

    beltane

    January 15, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    @Brien Jackson: I know I can’t get through a thread without complaining about these people, but really. This is too much. FDL is acting like a wing of the RNC. What are the real sources of their funding?

  15. 15.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Tunch looks more like a hungry Cougar in that pic. Might scare the kiddies, and one or two adults who are unaware of his majesty’s regal benignity.

  16. 16.

    Demo Woman

    January 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Good News and fuck rep. steve king
    The Obama administration extended a special immigration status on Friday to Haitians living illegally in the United States, protecting them from deportation for 18 months and allowing them to work here.

  17. 17.

    Mark S.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    I like that one better. Those bright yellow eyes on the last one creeped me out.

    God I’ve had a crappy last two days. I thought I was just getting an oil change but they found a fuel leak and had to order a part and my cat had a vet appointment and and and.

    I’m trying to get to my happy place.

  18. 18.

    Warren Terra

    January 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Santuary is watchable, but not great. The two main actors and the weekly villains are pretty good, though some of the supporting cast aren’t as good, the plots are usually quite predictable, the CGI sets are a good effort and sometimes great but by the same coin are sometimes a bit jarring, and (most irritatingly for me) they feel the need to sometimes make their magic sound science-ish and plausible, and it’s just not. If they just said it was all ooga-booga I’d never mind, but when they start talking about actual biology or physics and none of what they say makes any sense, that takes me out of my suspension of disbelief.

  19. 19.

    beltane

    January 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    @Nick: She wants a Republican majority because then “bold progressives” can exhibit “real leadership” by making a lot of tough sounding, though useless, speeches on the House floor. It is all about style over substance.

  20. 20.

    jeffreyw

    January 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Put me down for a mug, I liked the one with the “obey” caption someone worked up a few threads back.

  21. 21.

    calipygian

    January 15, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    I honestly don’t know what to think about this.

  22. 22.

    Dreggas

    January 15, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    @IndieTarheel (mobile):

    Actually I like Ghost Hunters and Ghost hunters International on psyfy. I even watch paranormal state on A&E although after this past week’s episode I am ready to write that show off for sheer lack of professional integrity.

    Oh celebrity ghost stories is good on A&E as well. Interesting to see the celeb’s they get telling about their encounters with the supernatural.

  23. 23.

    calipygian

    January 15, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    The Sarah Palin Gun-Toting Embryo Ornament.

    I have no idea what to think of this.

  24. 24.

    Betsy

    January 15, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    @jeffreyw:
    Oh me too, I totally want an OBEY TUNCH mug.

  25. 25.

    jeffreyw

    January 15, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    I brought out the appetizers a while ago, time for the entree.

  26. 26.

    Dennis-SGMM

    January 15, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    Interesting. I always thought that cats were created to justify the purchase of a good .22.

  27. 27.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    @demkat620:

    I have watched Sanctuary. It annoys me. It seems like a good premise but not a good translation.

    I figured it might be like that, or like all the other X file ripoffs that have come out the past decade. Too slick, chic, or whatever. I eagerly await the launch of Caprica however, the pilot movie was great, I thought.

    Tears of the Sun came on Netflix instant today. Reckon I’ll watch that. And maybe if the opportunity arises snap a pic of Charlie being his sweet lovable self. Man o man was I lucky picking that little guy. thanky you FSM!!

  28. 28.

    Cat Lady

    January 15, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    @jeffreyw:

    This. It totally should say OBEY.

    It just may work. Tunch is scary.

  29. 29.

    Dreggas

    January 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm

    the tunch pic needs to say “Fuck Morris” those old enough will get the joke.

  30. 30.

    Delia

    January 15, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    Both graphics are great. I sort of collect coffee mugs which means that one day they’ll probably have to dig me out from under a vast accumulation of same from all over the world. So I’d buy one with either pic.

    Sanctuary: I tried to get into it twice. Once last year and once this year, mainly because I liked Amanda Tapping from Stargate SG-1, which I think is a hoot. But Sanctuary just doesn’t do it for me. I watched three episodes this season and I just can’t start caring about the characters or what happens to them.

  31. 31.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    @beltane:

    They are going overboard but let’s not go over ourselves. They want to kill the health care bill, not destroy the Democrats. Let’s oppose them based on real grievances.

  32. 32.

    donovong

    January 15, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    @Brien Jackson: that is attributing a lot more influence to that idiot Hamsher than I am willing to concede that she has. If someone Hamsher doesn’t like loses, are we supposed to automatically give her credit? Not me. Although she is fast becomning the Rush Limbaugh of the left, she is nothing more than an opourtunistic hack with an internet soapbox.

  33. 33.

    Annie

    January 15, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    @Yutsano:

    Me, too.

  34. 34.

    Fergus Wooster

    January 15, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    “Tunch is watching you!” “Tunch is watching you!” “Tunch is watching you!”

    Big Brother style! Must have.

  35. 35.

    Cathyish

    January 15, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    @Dreggas: This week’s Paranormal State was the most self-indulgent piece of crap I’ve ever seen on TV.

  36. 36.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Although she is fast becomning the Rush Limbaugh of the left

    Again, she is doing wrong but she isn’t that bad. If she becomes a drug addict who marries 4 times while promoting traditional marriage, then we can call her a Rush Limbaugh clone. I’m not saying this against you, but because calling someone that is just about the lowest possible insult and should be saved for those who really deserve it.

  37. 37.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    @Cathyish:

    What happened?

  38. 38.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    @Notorious P.A.T.: Maybe. But what does it matter that much, when in practical effect she is being destructive of dems. It’s not the opposition but the tactics that are the problem. Whatever her personal intent is, politics isn’t or shouldn’t be personal. It is the behavior in question, and it is hard to fight that without it seeming personal.

  39. 39.

    mcd410x

    January 15, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    uh oh, someone take the twitter away from cole: here comes another assault.

  40. 40.

    Ailuridae

    January 15, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    @Nick:

    She’s going to pop out after this is all done full on the far right the same way David Horowitz did a couple of decades ago.

    The best part about the FDL coverage of the bill is that on the rare occasion Jon Walker engages the debate honestly the commentariat there totally lose their shit.

    Its interesting that the excise tax was completely unacceptable to them and then with some minor (and readily anticipated) tweaks its a fine compromise for every major union in the country. Yeah, that. I guess Jane’s well-heeled self will have to find a new proxy for her anger that Obama doesn’t know how to use the Green Lantern ring as well as they do.

  41. 41.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    How about a mug with simply “Also” on it? No punctuation or anything.

  42. 42.

    mcd410x

    January 15, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    “i always feel like, the tunch is watching me.”

  43. 43.

    calipygian

    January 15, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    It’s not the opposition but the tactics that are the problem.

    Anybody who proposes an alliance with Grover Fucking Norquist is a fucking moron of epic proportion.

    Grover Norquist once said that bipartisonship is like date-rape. Well, I don’t hear Jane screaming for help.

  44. 44.

    gwangung

    January 15, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Maybe. But what does it matter that much, when in practical effect she is being destructive of dems. It’s not the opposition but the tactics that are the problem.

    I’d get it if it were in the primaries to allow for a more progressive candidate (and even better for a more progressive candidate who can win in the general).

    But to undermine a Dem in favor of a Republican? And hoping for a total collapse of a system (pick one)? Um, no…particularly when history following a catastrophic collapse generally means a more fascist systems gets put into place…

  45. 45.

    mr. whipple

    January 15, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Here is another possible mug:

    Awesome. It’s all hopey, and half full, instead of half empty.

  46. 46.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    @General Winfield Stuck:

    I hear ya. Still, the Democrat who is retiring was probably going to lose, anyway. I bet that once health care reform gets passed, she will lose her issue and stop tossing monkey wrenches into the works.

  47. 47.

    Anne Laurie

    January 15, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    I like them both, but this graphic on a mug would be perfect as a gift for lots of cat-loving, non-political friends & relatives. (Says the woman with a cat-themed, blue-and-white kitchen.) There is not an ailurophile alive who can’t appreciate the FEED ME kitchen glare!

    If I understand Cafe Press, we can get multiple Balloon Juice logos, so I can buy this on some mugs and the TUNCH IS WATCHING on a nice Size XXXL shirt, possibly with a small “Consistently wrong since 2002” motto on the upper front?

  48. 48.

    Cat Lady

    January 15, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    @Notorious P.A.T.:

    She seems to think that she can get Rush to be known as the Jane Hamsher of the Right or something. Instead of Wolverines! it’s Ponies!

    She’s lost the plot and she’s totally just lost. Pathetic.

  49. 49.

    freelancer

    January 15, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Sweet, you got my email.

    Yeah I just took the illustration posted earlier and some of John’s remarks about Tunch and it practically did itself.

  50. 50.

    JenJen

    January 15, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I’m no graphic designer, but I’ll happily support any collaborative creative effort between Laura W and John Cole through the selfless act of buying their stuff.

  51. 51.

    mr. whipple

    January 15, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    The Obama administration extended a special immigration status on Friday to Haitians living illegally in the United States, protecting them from deportation for 18 months and allowing them to work here.

    I wanted Obama to give them all ponies.

    In every day, in every way, he disappoints me, and makes me want to pout.

  52. 52.

    eemom

    January 15, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    you know, this Massachussetts situation is some seriously depressing shit.

    If the unspeakable happens — if Ted Kennedy’s seat goes to this vacuous male whore and HCR goes down — I do think I’m done with politics.

    But most especially, if the people of this country are This. Fucking. Stupid, that they’d put the republicans back in charge, I’m done with THEM. They deserve whatever they get.

  53. 53.

    Laura W

    January 15, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    @Anne Laurie:

    If I understand Cafe Press, we can get multiple Balloon Juice logos, so I can buy this on some mugs and the TUNCH IS WATCHING on a nice Size XXXL shirt, possibly with a small “Consistently wrong since 2002” motto on the upper front?

    This.
    I’m advocating for the now-retired Hot Air And Ill-Informed Banter to make a reappearance on the upper left, over pocket position as well. Still as relevant as ever, no?

    Balloon Juice – Been there, done that, got the tote AND the mouse pad.

  54. 54.

    Anne Laurie

    January 15, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    @General Winfield Stuck: FRINGE is actually quite good, if you can overlook the handwavium/unobtanium attempts at scienterrificness and just enjoy the actors gradually unfolding a brilliant if heartbreaking character arc. As with the X-Files, it’s not the individual episodes, it’s the details of a universe where we’ve all sinned, some more greatly than others, and we’re all broken in various degrees as a result. (And last I looked, Sanctuary was available on Netflix Instant play.)

    P.S. Would you mind putting up a link to your Charlie photos here? Meant to ask you on the Artists thread, but didn’t get there in time.

  55. 55.

    Original Lee

    January 15, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    @Warren Terra: Exactly. Although I like the new-ish character – the former bounty/treasure hunter (I forget her name). I like that she still has smudges on her halo.

  56. 56.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Laura W. and I are working on a Cafe Press site

    Violins?

  57. 57.

    eemom

    January 15, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    @Notorious P.A.T.:

    um, she does deserve it. You’re missing the point. Nobody would give a shit how many times Limbaugh was married or how many pills he popped if he weren’t an evil, hate-mongering hypocrite. That’s exactly what Hamsher is, as otherwise un-Rush-like as she may be.

  58. 58.

    clonecone

    January 15, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    You need a “Tunch has a posse” graphic. It works because Tunch, like Andre the Giant, is 7’4″ and 520 lbs.

  59. 59.

    jl

    January 15, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    OK. I am in on some Tunchgear.

    I wouild like one item for sale with the original photo as unprocessed as possible.

    The samples shown in the posts are OK, but they have been heavily processed and the sheer irresistible strength of the TunchForce is diluted.

  60. 60.

    Anne Laurie

    January 15, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    @eemom:

    But most especially, if the people of this country are This. Fucking. Stupid, that they’d put the republicans back in charge, I’m done with THEM. They deserve whatever they get.

    Yeah, if only that didn’t mean dismissing all the innocents, little kids, who never had a chance to vote against their own interests…

    One advantage to having been raised Irish-American is that even when my side (the righteous one) loses, I can look forward to the consolation of hating my unrighteous opponents with an even greater depth and range of fury. The Aragorn who said “Then we must live without hope — there is always vengeance,” was JRR channeling the Celtic tradition at its finest.

  61. 61.

    Cathyish

    January 15, 2010 at 9:03 pm

    @Notorious P.A.T.: To summarize: Ryan yelled at his team for being unprofessional; Ryan yelled at a ghost that had scared him on a previous occasion; Ryan gave a monologue about Ryan. The end. Also.

  62. 62.

    jacy

    January 15, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Re: Sanctuary, first season was pretty good, the second season has been spiraling down until lately for me it has become nigh unwatchable. And this is coming from someone who will give a lot of leeway to sf/horror/fantasy just because there’s so damn little of it on the TV.

    The last two episodes I’ve fast-forward through the DVR and it’s on the verge of falling off my to-watch list if the season finale shows that it was written by overwrought 12-year-olds.

    Fringe, on the other hand, has been absolutely stellar this season. And I was lukewarm to it at first, but they’ve really picked up this season. Both the writing and Anna Torv’s acting skills seem to have been upgraded. I’m going to be very disappointed if it get’s canceled just when it found a rythym.

  63. 63.

    Ailuridae

    January 15, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    @Laura W:

    Can we get hoodies? Cafe Press is an internet tradition I am unaware of.

  64. 64.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    @Anne Laurie: The Flickr site seems to be down right now. I can’t get it to load. Will try again later. Just got a couple of Charlie pics too.

    I tried watching Fringe, but just didn’t register. The last metaphysical type program I liked was Surface, but it got canceled after a season. I liked Jericho too, though not syfy.

    There is really no series on teevee right now that I still like. I did House, but am tired of it.

  65. 65.

    Cat Lady

    January 15, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    @eemom:

    You know what the most effective talking point from Brown’s side is I think?

    “It’s not Ted Kennedy’s seat. It’s the people’s seat.”

    He didn’t come up with that I’m fairly sure, but it hits that spot. He also had one ad that I thought was genius. He’s driving around campaigning in his dirty pickup looking like your male-model-next-door talking to the camera/folks. He’s very pleasant. He pulls into the driveway of his house off Main Street USA in the dark after driving around talking to people, and the final shot is of the house door closing and you hear “Hi Dad!”.

    Don’t ever understimate the power of TV.

    I don’t even know if Martha has kids, and I don’t care. I’m voting early and often for her, but, I should know that.

  66. 66.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    @eemom: I agree, same with me. If Brown wins, I’m done. There’s no hope for this country or it’s people.

  67. 67.

    gwangung

    January 15, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    You know what the most effective talking point from Brown’s side is I think? “It’s not Ted Kennedy’s seat. It’s the people’s seat.”

    Why shouldn’t it be effective? It’s truth.

    Truth works well for any side, and I’d worry a lot less if Republicans used it more often.

    As it is…

  68. 68.

    Citizen Alan

    January 15, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    @eemom:

    Nobody would give a shit how many times Limbaugh was married or how many pills he popped if he weren’t an evil, hate-mongering hypocrite. That’s exactly what Hamsher is, as otherwise un-Rush-like as she may be.

    Dude, seriously. Rush Limbaugh is actively discouraging people from donating to Haitian relief because (he says) we already provide them with too much aid through our income taxes. As much as I disapprove of what Jane’s been up to recently, I believe that there is such a thing as proportionality when it comes to evil. With the possible exception of geriatric Satan-worshiper Pat Robertson, there is no one in America today who is more evil than Rush Limbaugh.

    Oh, and Sanctuary has some interesting ideas and a cool lead in the awesome Amanda Tapping, but it suffers from the bland banality that infects most Syfy original shows. (It’s the same effect that makes Warehouse 13 nearly unwatchable despite winning actors and a cool premise.) I liked SG: Universe but its grimness was getting to me by the end, and I am looking forward to Caprica and the American version of Being Human.

  69. 69.

    Citizen Alan

    January 15, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    Also, Ghost Hunters and its various clones annoy me more than I can say. Credulous Dolts with Night-Vision Cameras would be a better and more accurate title.

  70. 70.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    @jacy: Based on your review of Fringe, I might have to give it another go.

  71. 71.

    Paul Mitchell

    January 15, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    Speaking of Hamsher, I was going through the FEC reports for her Accountability Now PAC and was surprised to see that it spent $15,000 on the Ron Paul worshiping website ‘breakthematrix.’ More interesting was the $16,000 to DMDM Enterprises which appears to be a front company for Glenn Greenwald, who recently joined FDL in their attack on Gruber for not disclosing his HHS grant.

  72. 72.

    demkat620

    January 15, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    @General Winfield Stuck: I like Amanda Tapping but the fake british accent is not working.

  73. 73.

    Laura W

    January 15, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    @Ailuridae: There will most definitely be hoodies. And onesies, bibs, and if John has his way, thongs with Tunch’s face on the front.

  74. 74.

    demkat620

    January 15, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    @General Winfield Stuck: Can we get

    “The helicopters weren’t laughing” on one side and Tunch on the other. Cause that would be sweet.

  75. 75.

    MattR

    January 15, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    @jacy: re Fringe – Thanks for the reminder that I have a pair of episodes on DVR to catch up on tonight. I generally end up watching each episode a couple times; once to enjoy the plot and then once to notice the other details in the background (ie. find the Observer)

    I actually thought the first couple episodes were weak but they were forced into handling a casting change (trying to avoid spoilers just in case) But they have done a nice job getting things back on track. My biggest fear is that they will fall into the trap that affects similar shows where the writers seem to have a storyline that last one or two seasons but then the network wants to continue the show so they have to take some weird plot twist or make a change to the storyline. I’d much rather have only one or two more seasons worth of episodes if that is what it takes to bring the story to its natural conclusion.

  76. 76.

    Anne Laurie

    January 15, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    @General Winfield Stuck:

    I did House, but am tired of it.

    You might want to try MERCY, all 10 current issues of which are available on Hulu through the weekend. The main character is a nurse in a Newark hospital who’s just back from Iraq (the Army paid for her degree) and suffering from a combination of PTSD and the general misery of blue-collar life in modern America. It’s as much about living with her dysfunctional, undereducated, overamped working-class family as it is about the people who end up in a Newark ER — more saga than medical porn. I gotta love someone whose idea of a perfect birthday present for her angry, estranged husband is a whole precooked frozen suckling pig ordered off the internet… especially since he is totally charmed and impressed by her thoughtfulness…

  77. 77.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    @Anne Laurie: I look at my little nephew and a year or so ago I felt so good about his future and now, I feel like apologizing cause I feel that I fail him.

    Then I remember that he’s being raised in Smithtown, Long Island where he will no doubt grow up and learn that part of being an Italian-American man in Long Island is to vote for the latino-hating, war-loving, Jesus-freak Republicans. Doesn’t matter how much I influence him, I’m the freak.

  78. 78.

    General Winfield Stuck

    January 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    @demkat620:LOL. Good idea.

  79. 79.

    WereBear

    January 15, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    @Citizen Alan: SNL did a funny sketch about ghost hunting, with Hugh Laurie hosting.

    It’s the classic:

    “Feel that?”
    “No.”
    “Well, you’re not sensitive.”

    That silences dissent.

  80. 80.

    eemom

    January 15, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    @Anne Laurie:

    we Greeks are good at furious rages too. But what good does that do in a situation as fucked up as this one? Righteous rage seems incapable of being channeled into a productive force with a moronic electorate that votes against its own interests, a corrupted, filibuster spawning Senate, and an irresponsible circle jerk of a media.

  81. 81.

    Seanly

    January 15, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Watched Sanctuary in general or tonight’s episode? Yes to the first, no to the second. It’s a decent sci-fi show – episodes in the second half of last year were a bit better, whereas this year has been a little lighter.

    I’m looking forward to Stargate Universe coming back.

  82. 82.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    This guy

    Do the independents ever stop to wonder why they are always dissatisfied with American politics? Not 15 months after they helped Democrats gain great power, they are now almost 2-1 against them? They don’t have long-term view, no vision. They just keep reflexively and thoughtlessly changing their minds, not realizing that by doing this they are actually part of the problem. Part of the problem because the problem is that it is virtually impossible anymore to build a solid majority coalition for real change. Not when independents must be considered in every political calculus, lest they be swayed away by the out of power party’s negative attacks on the party in power.
    by Joshua Lyman on Fri Jan 15, 2010 at 09:11:38 PM EST

  83. 83.

    jacy

    January 15, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    @MattR:

    I know, I’m such a geek — I love finding the little Easter Eggs or details in shows. I was so tickled that I picked up the references to “Reanimator” in one episode that I excitedly told my S/O, who then shrugged and said “What’s ‘Reanimator’ again?”

    He was also unimpressed when spent an hour explaining to him about the Observers, and how that fit into the whole Men in Black mythos, and how that was like one my favorite short stories about “observing” called “A Vintage Season”… and well, his eyes kind of glazed over.

    Sigh.

  84. 84.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    @eemom:

    “Um” yourself. Obviously I was using a couple of signifiers to stand in for the total measure of one of the most heinous and despicable piles of festering human garbage waddling across the Earth today. We all know what a hate-mongering hypocrite Limbaugh is, and Hamsher is nowhere close to that. Where is her racism? Her love of torture or frankly stated belief that wealthy people have more right to be alive than everyone else? She has done a lot of good work for the progressive cause and fighting a bill because it isn’t progressive enough fits into that. She is wrong, but I know Rush Limbaugh*. I’ve seen Rush Limbaugh. She is no Rush Limbaugh.

    *I don’t, really. Thank goodness.

  85. 85.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    January 15, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    @Laura W: Can I get a faux aztec throw with cat hair on it?

  86. 86.

    MattR

    January 15, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    @jacy: I assume you know about the code in the glyphs that appear at commercial breaks.

  87. 87.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    January 15, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    @Nick:

    I like that guy.

    “Ghost Hunters” has to be the lamest show on TV. What else can you say about a show called “Ghost Hunters” where they never find any ghosts? “Whoa, I just heard a weird noise!” Well all I heard was 4 guys waving a tape recorder around a darkened room.

    @Cathyish:

    That is pretty lame too. Thanks ;)

  88. 88.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 9:55 pm

    @Notorious P.A.T.:

    She has done a lot of good work for the progressive cause and fighting a bill because it isn’t progressive enough fits into that.

    and helping to bring down good Democrats who fight alongside her, but remained pragmatic doesn’t make her a hero, it makes her a counterproductive jerk.

    Hamsher couldn’t care less about anyone but Hamsher.

  89. 89.

    Brien Jackson

    January 15, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    @beltane:

    What makes it annoying is that, as Weigel pointed out, Snyder is pretty progressive in relation to his district, and he’s not a Blue Dog. So FDL isn’t even directing their ire solely at Blue Dogs anymore. And Greenwald is calling Krugman a corrupt hack.

  90. 90.

    jacy

    January 15, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    @MattR:

    Yes, which goes to show why I can never effectively manage my time. :)

    Funny thing though, for someone who prides herself on detail, it took me the longest time to notice there were six fingers on the hand.

  91. 91.

    Laura W

    January 15, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    @Just Some Fuckhead: Oh Sweetie — that one-of-a-kind treasure will be going up for auction on eBay. You just gotta believe that the starting bid alone could knock Palin and Rove’s right out of the water.

    (Nuthin’ but net there, Mr. Fuckhead, nuthin’ but net!)

  92. 92.

    Brien Jackson

    January 15, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    @Nick:

    Reminds me of what an acquaintance of mine who worked for the Lamont campaign had to say about her.

  93. 93.

    Moonbatting Average

    January 15, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    @Nick: Where was that posted?

  94. 94.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    @Brien Jackson: Am I that acquaintance? Cause I tell you stories. We used her face as a place to store pushpins on the strategy room bulletin board.

  95. 95.

    Nick

    January 15, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    @Moonbatting Average: Great Orange Satan somewhere in the thread with this weeks’ R2K polls

  96. 96.

    WereBear

    January 15, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    @jacy: I lurve Vintage Season.

    In fact, whenever the weather is particularly lovely, I have a moment…

  97. 97.

    ondioline

    January 15, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    That graphic is like the best thing I’ve ever seen.

    I will buy them all so no one else can have any.

  98. 98.

    mclaren

    January 15, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    That FEED ME mug is classic.

    Sanctuary remains the best thing on TV. And it just keeps on getting better.

  99. 99.

    Tax Analyst

    January 15, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    That’s a fantastic graphic. Kudos to JC & Laura W –

  100. 100.

    daryljfontaine

    January 15, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    On SyFy I am quite fond of their summer shows, Eureka and Warehouse 13. Don’t know anything about Sanctuary but may have to give it a look sometime soon.

    Fringe is a good concept show — and how can you not love Walter as the truly mad mad scientist — with a strong, ass-kicking female lead, a decent mythology, and some truly killer plot twists. The big reveal at the end of Season 1 (no, not the guest star, but Walter’s dark secret) just floored me. The early episode this week was apparently aired out of order (as in, “didn’t that character die?”), and is definitely filler… haven’t seen Thursday’s episode yet.

    D

  101. 101.

    asiangrrlMN

    January 15, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    OK, I just have to leave something there. I will pay primo bucks for a thong with the real Tunch’s face on it. No, I actually wouldn’t, but I would for a t-shirt with the real Tunch’s face on it. I’m loving this idea. Tunch everywhere!

  102. 102.

    Cain

    January 15, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    @daryljfontaine: <blockquoteOn SyFy I am quite fond of their summer shows, Eureka and Warehouse 13. Don’t know anything about Sanctuary but may have to give it a look sometime soon.

    Same here. I also like Fringe. If you’re not watching that, something is wrong. Good stuff. I also like Castle even though it is not really scifi stuff.

    cain

  103. 103.

    trollhattan

    January 15, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Even though it’s the freaking ides of January I’m thinking Tunch beachtowel. I’m certain he’s very absorbent, and nobody is edging in on your spot with his mug en garde.

  104. 104.

    Comrade Mary

    January 15, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    Hmm. Tunch on a thong. Nanotechnology has progressed that much?

  105. 105.

    Shinobi

    January 16, 2010 at 12:09 am

    I watched Sanctuary on Season 1 instant play. I really like it, but it is not perfect. Sometimes I like it because it is good, and sometimes I like it because it is ridiculous. (Tesla? srsly?)

    Fringe I like, but never actually want to watch because it stresses me out. It is good though. Dr. Bishop had his own station on Slacker radio, this amused me.

  106. 106.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    January 16, 2010 at 12:38 am

    This one’s okay, but I really like the Tunch is Watching You on a coffee mug. I don’t often wear shirts with stuff on them (the boobs distort anything I wear, ahem).

    Besides, that first thing in the morning might just keep me on diet track all day (sorry Tunch, cheap shot, but I couldn’t help it xoxo).

  107. 107.

    auntieeminaz

    January 16, 2010 at 12:59 am

    I love this image.

  108. 108.

    Jill

    January 16, 2010 at 7:07 am

    That image is awesome. Want. Srsly.

  109. 109.

    p.a.

    January 16, 2010 at 10:38 am

    I like the Warhol effect on ‘Feed Me’. I know nothing about graphics but would like to suggest, in a poke at the ‘teabuggers’, Tunch’s face instead of the coiled serpent over the motto “Feed Me or Die”

  110. 110.

    Admiral_Komack

    January 16, 2010 at 10:50 am

    I like “Sanctuary”.
    Amanda Tapping is beautiful and I love the British accent.
    I enjoy the episodes.
    I think a previous poster said that episodes were with NetFlix; if so, check out season 1.

  111. 111.

    Zuzu's Petals

    January 16, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    I’d definitely pick up a kitty bowl with that “Feed Me” logo on it.

    Too literal?

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