Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

It looks like winning debates is a black job!

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

People are complicated. Love is not.

I desperately hope that, yet again, I am wrong.

We’re not going back!

Everybody saw this coming.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

I am pretty sure Katy Tur wasn’t always such a bootlicking sycophant.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

Never forget that he train is barreling down on Trump, even as he dances on the tracks.

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

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147Comments

  1. 1.

    Spork

    I don’t really know why, other than that a friend is a die hard Colts fan, but that’s as good a reason as any. Go Colts! And ha! Frist post. Suck it. Also, too.

  2. 2.

    Andy K

    Rooting for the Jets because of David Harris, a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, my alma mater. Nice to see him get a sack in the first series!

  3. 3.

    You Don't Say

    I made a very small friendly wager on the Colts and have a sick feeling I’m going to lose.

  5. 5.

    RSR

    I guess I’m pulling for the J-E-T-S a little. My brother-in-law is a fan, and he’s a Mets fan, too, so that’s been a little cruel (and enjoyable for me!) to him lately.

  7. 7.

    Glocksman

    They’ll probably revoke my Hoosier credentials for this, but I kind of hope the Jets win.

    It’d make a nice Cinderella story for the Jets and a reminder to the Colts that you shouldn’t throw away your chance for a perfect season like they did.

    Jets/Vikes SB.

  8. 8.

    Spork

    I forecast a good game to watch people getting smacked. The scoring will apparently have to wait until this afternoon.

  9. 9.

    Kryptik

    Wow. This is shaping up to be the mirror opposite of what the NFC Championship game is likely to be. I’m wondering if either are gonna be in double digits at this pace.

  10. 10.

    Joey Maloney

    I butted into the previous thread to ask: can anyone point me at a (free) audio stream to today’s games? Thxbai.

  14. 14.

    Glocksman

    The Onion had some commentary on last weeks Cowboys game.

    Onion

    MINNEAPOLIS—All corners of the sporting world sounded off against the Minnesota Vikings this week for their conduct at the end of their divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, saying that even after a late touchdown made the score 34-3, the Vikings were obligated by general principle to humiliate the Cowboys further by attempting to score even more points. “As far as I’m concerned, by holding back against Dallas, the Vikings showed a complete disregard for gamesmanship,”said ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth, adding that, when a team has the Cowboys down, stomping on their throats and trying to win by 50 or even 60 points is the classy thing to do. “How about a long bomb to Rice while Terence Newman is half-assing it and looking ahead to next season? Maybe a fake punt? Maybe rubbing their noses in it by sending eight men to cripple Tony Romo? All I have to say is that [Vikings coach] Brad Childress should be ashamed of himself.” Vikings quarterback Brett Favre responded to the controversy by saying that no team wants to be on the same field as the Cowboys any longer than they have to be.

    Farve has a point.

  16. 16.

    Joey Maloney

    I found this one – it’s a Canadian station streaming the Westwood One feed: http://www.teamradio.ca/player/1410_listen.htm.

    Fucking NFL, like the last thing they’d want to do (as I said in the other thread) is make it easy for their fans to consume their product. And no, I don’t much feel like schlepping to the sports bar to watch a game that starts at 10 pm local time.

    Greedhead nutlickers.

  17. 17.

    Corner Stone

    @Glocksman: I’ve never understood this complaint in the Pros. In college, sure I get it.
    But I would argue that the ultimate respect to be paid to another professional is to never let up, never slow down. I would think it’s a way to say, “If there is one tick left on the clock I will fight you to win this game, and I know you feel the same way. So, I will not give you the chance because I respect your ability and desire.”

  21. 21.

    ChrisB

    I like what an Indianapolis columnist said about the first Jets-Colts game in week 16, when the Colts rested their starters and lost, helping the Jets into the playoffs:

    G – I – F – T

    GIFT

    GIFT

    GIFT

    The Jets talk way too much.

  22. 22.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Joey Maloney:
    Well, I went ahead and ponied up the $15 for the “playoff pass.” I’ll get to listen to today’s games and the SB, if I’m not at someone’s house who has a TV. Probably wasted money, but i figure maybe having some people pony up for the feed will convince them to start allowing video next year. (I can dream)

  24. 24.

    Glocksman

    @ChrisB:

    If the Jets pull it out and win today, it’ll be Indy’s gift that keeps on giving.

    IOW the NFL equivalent of herpes. :)

  27. 27.

    Corner Stone

    I hate, hate, hate the whole “Undercover Boss” TV show coming out soon. A CEO isn’t the same guy/gal I would hire to do 95% of the jobs in a large company and other way round too.
    If a CEO can’t pick trash out of a moving production line does that mean he shouldn’t be CEO?
    Really just not a good concept in any way. Probably be a new number 1 show.

  32. 32.

    Corner Stone

    If I never see someone “crump” ever again for the rest of my life I can live with that.

  35. 35.

    justme

    Heh. I thought the Colts were going to walk over the Jets. I have to say, I’m liking how the Jets are playing.

    Long way to go, though.

  38. 38.

    danimal

    Thanks for the thread. I needed another reminder that the Chargers lost to the Jets, starting an absolutely craptacular week.

  39. 39.

    Kryptik

    @justme:

    If Colts lose this, it’ll be the ultimate validation of the “Play Out” school of thought. Because hey, they let Jets walk in through the backdoor.

  40. 40.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @justme:
    I never thought the Colts would “walk over” the Jets. Even when the first team was playing in week 15 (?), the score when Manning, et. al., left the game was 15-9.

    I think it will be tight. We’ll have to see how well the colts move the ball. If they can keep the defense on the field, they could pull away in the late quarters.

  42. 42.

    arguingwithsignposts

    Whether they score from the red zone will be the key, IMHO. The colts seem to be moving the ball well.

    ETA: OTOH, the real key to the game will be whichever team is able to score the most points (before someone else makes the smartass comment).

  47. 47.

    Corner Stone

    @MikeJ:

    On the other hand, The Devil and Miss Jones with Jean Arthur as the shopgirl and Charles Coburn as the CEO was an excellent movie.

    Well hell. I think you may have me there.

  48. 48.

    Loneoak

    @Andy K:

    Andy, I’m from Grand Rapids, too. Would’ve ended up at Ottawa (or maybe City), but my parents moved us to East Grand Rapids.

  49. 49.

    Andy K

    Listening to Randy Cross on Westwood One…Would someone please give that guy a tutorial on adverbs. Teams don’t play “rabid” or “excited”. Ad the -ly, Randy.

  50. 50.

    Andy K

    @Loneoak:

    I caught the EGR part a few weeks back. I’ve got a lot of Eastie friends. My kid graduated from EGRHS two years ago. What year did you graduate?

  53. 53.

    Corner Stone

    God I hate Rex Ryan. Of course, I hate the useless Bengals more for taking a shutout the last week of the regular season.

  58. 58.

    arguingwithsignposts

    Smudge is hijacking this open thread. Look at those eyes. Right now, she’s got a ladybug in one of her water dishes, and she’s fascinated.

    On topic: 3:41 left, the Jets score again before halftime, and the Colts will have to do some serious lifting in the second half.

  59. 59.

    Loneoak

    @Andy K:

    I graduated in ’98. We lived around Easttown most my life. Now I’m a Californian, after graduating from Kalamazoo College and heading off to grad school. Never thought I would say this, but GR actually seems to be livable these days as long as you avoid the wingnuttier exurbs. It’s a much more interesting place than it was even 10 years ago. I would consider moving back just to have easy access to Founders and the Hop Cat beer bar.

  61. 61.

    Mark S.

    When you’re a Jet,
    You’re a Jet all the way
    From your first cigarette
    To your last dyin’ day.

    (Not a Jets fan or anything. I just always think of that song when I see them play)

  63. 63.

    dj spellchecka

    if the jets win after the colts took a pass at knocking them out of the playoff picture..indi will never hear the end of it..i’d go watch them on the road just to chant 16 and 0, 16 and 0…

  64. 64.

    D-Chance.

    Great game, so far.

    The NFL has to be salivating at the prospects of a New York vs New Orleans, or a Favre vs former teammates storyline. Tons of drama with either scenario.

    But, 30+ minutes, Peyton, still a long time to go.

  66. 66.

    demkat620

    I’d like to see the Jets win this only because I am really tired of commercial boy.

    If I can’t have my Iggles win then let it be the Saints. That city could use it.

  67. 67.

    justme

    Damn. Colts have their work cut out for them.

    It’s not like they’re rolling over, either. The Jets are just managing that extra bit.

    I are imparesseed.

  71. 71.

    justme

    @Mark S.:

    Well, I was a Jets fan as a kid, but have yet to forgive them for moving to New Jersey without changing the name.

    Also, damn. that was quick. Indy ain’t out of it yet by any means.

  73. 73.

    Andy K

    @Loneoak:

    Oh, a lot younger than me, though I probably know a few of your friends. I was a fixture at The (old) Intersection and Mulligan’s up until about five years ago (when I hung up the drinkin’ shoes).

    The near-southeast side of GR, EGR and Ada/Cascade have always been decent, imo. But the ‘burbs, sub- and ex- , have always been wingnutty bad. What’s worse about them now is that they’re no longer just Calvinist nutty, but now they’re every other kind evangelical Protestant nutty, too.

    And K College? You must be double-extra smart. First you go to the best high school in Michigan, then to the best liberal arts college in the state. Bravo! Sincerely!

  74. 74.

    Lisa K.

    I hate the Colts, I hate the Jets. Wuusy classless pansies, all of them. Hate them both with a purple passion, so no matter how this game turns out, it is a win for me.

  79. 79.

    Svensker

    I can not take this. If you don’t hear from me in the next 4 hours you know I’ve gone and died of a heart attack.

  81. 81.

    Loneoak

    @Andy K:

    LOL, how smart can I be if I hang out at this dump? Maybe I should head over to Obsidian Wings.

    BTW, how fucked up was that tasering incident in EGR? I was in marching band with that kid, he was my girlfriend’s music stand partner way at the back of the clarinet section. And the guy who tasered him was the school-police liaison while we were there and he was by all accounts a decent guy. That was some weird small town shit.

  83. 83.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Loneoak:

    how smart can I be if I hang out at this dump?

    Scientists have shown that reading and commenting on Balloon Juice raises your IQ by a full 100 points. Plus, you have access to the full range of asianGrrlMN’s Rusty Gardens(tm) garden implement set. An all-around win, if you ask me.

  84. 84.

    Andy K

    @Loneoak:

    Matt- the guy who died after he was tasered- was one of those people, roughly your age, that I knew! That was a seriously fucked up incident. I sent something about it to Cole right after it happened, but i don’t know if he got it.

    It really surprised me that it happened in EGR, and it surprised me more that it happened to an EGR native, rather than someone who was pulled over for Driving While Black (or Latino), or some other non-native who was driving a car with a burned out license-plate light (GR cops always have a chuckle when they hear stories about EGR’s vigorous enforcement of pedantic traffic laws).

  86. 86.

    asiangrrlMN

    YAY Colts! Offense came to play in the second half.

    @arguingwithsignposts: That’s right. And for a limited time, just for BJ readers, I will include a full set of Ginsu knives absolutely free for first time buyers! Of course, the knives will be rusty as well….

  87. 87.

    justme

    Ah, there’s the Indy I thought I was going to see.

    Those last two series were a smackdown.

    Jets need to step up and not get comfy.

  90. 90.

    Lisa K.

    Jets need to step up and not get comfy.

    They are clearly not as good as they (and their coach) thought they were.

    Still, hate them as I do, I cannot be happy about that. Because I hate the wussy obnoxious Colts as much.

  92. 92.

    Loneoak

    @Andy K:

    I sent that story to Pam Spaulding of Pandagon/Pam’s House Blend because she consistently pushes the anti-taser line. She didn’t post it either. I find it impossible to swallow the coroner’s line on the incident. Matt was obviously altered because he was ill and there is no way that the tasering did not do something terrible and unnecessary to his system. I don’t care that he punched a cop—before tasers cops did not have a problem subduing aggressive but unarmed people without killing them. Especially two big male cops. Matt was a pretty small guy, if memory serves me right.

    We’ll have to do a BJ meet up in GR next time I visit, even if it’s only the two of us. I’ll be back in June for an obligatory family hullabaloo. We make fun of how fat Tunch is or something.

  94. 94.

    Andy K

    @Loneoak:

    Sounds good to me! :D

    And you’re right, he wasn’t a big guy. I’m 5’10”, and he was shorter than me, and didn’t weigh much more than my 155 lbs..

  97. 97.

    Corner Stone

    @Lisa K.:

    Have your kids close their eyes, is all.

    I’m not worried about R-rating – now I have to brain bleach the visual of Nantz taking a shot in the mouth.
    Hello friends! ***gurgle***

  98. 98.

    Lisa K.

    @Corner Stone:

    Honestly, with the quantities he and Simms have been swallowing, I am not sure either of them will want dinner tonight.

    If anything will tilt me from bitter neutrality to lean Jets, it is the nauseating Manning fawning.

  99. 99.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @JenJen:
    Well, it does say AFC Championship Open Thread.

    And lest anyone think the Peyton Manning fellatio is disgusting, you haven’t seen nothing compared to the Brett Favre fellatio that is going to happen in a couple of hours.

    This is actually a very good game. Tight, close score, both teams operating at pretty much peak efficiency. Nail biter. Will the NFC game be a blowout?

  100. 100.

    Andy K

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Just letting you know now that I’m going to be pulling hard against your ‘queens tonight, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t like you. So don’t take it personally if, at any point during that game, I wish you DIAF or something.

  101. 101.

    Lisa K.

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    And lest anyone think the Peyton Manning fellatio is disgusting, you haven’t seen nothing compared to the Brett Favre fellatio that is going to happen in a couple of hours.

    This. I may have to turn the sound off.

  102. 102.

    Bob In Pacifica

    I’ve been a Niners fan for 35 years but I rooted for the Jets before that, back when they were the New York Titans.

    Of course, this is the time of year that you end up cheering for the team you hate less. So I’m going against the Colts because of Peyton Manning’s many TV commercials. Looks like he’ll be making a lot more commercials for next season, though.

  103. 103.

    Corner Stone

    @Andy K: I like this tactic, and wholeheartedly support it.
    Me: “It’s not that I don’t like you, I just wish you would kindly DIAF.”
    You: “Oh, well that’s ok then.”

  106. 106.

    Bob In Pacifica

    Lisa K.: Early in the season when the Niners played the Vikings I thought the play-by-play guy was anouncing the game without any pants on he was so excited every time the camera went to Favre.

  107. 107.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JenJen: I guess. You are correct. I just need to figure out for whom I will be rooting in the second game–it’s a tad bit preoccupying at the moment.

    @Andy K: That’s OK. I am still not sure I am rooting for the Vikes myself. But if I do, then pardon me ahead of time if I try to shove my rusty pitchfork up your urethra through the magic of the intertoobz.

    @arguingwithsignposts: Don’t know what that is, but I will include a Swiss Army Knife for $4.99 with each implement lovingly rusted by hand by moi!

  110. 110.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @asiangrrlMN:
    The pocket fisherman, one of popeil’s earliest tv infomercials.

    BTW, can we ask about your rustification process, or is that a closely guarded industrial secret?

    ETA: I like the idea of the Swiss Army knife with rusted implements. High quality there.

    ETA II: Dallas Clark is a heckuva tight end. Just sayin’ for that wicked TD pass.

  111. 111.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JenJen: I probably will, but the stadium thing is weighing heavily on my mind. I am pretty sure if the Vikes make it to the SB, they will parlay that into a stadium paid for by the taxpayers of MN. That’s $800 M that we can ill-afford to lose to such a frivolous cause.

    Having said that, go Vikes. I guess.

    @arguingwithsignposts: Oh, sure! I can rust that thing, too. No can tell you. All I’m going to say is that you don’t want to be around when I start the rustification process if you have a keen sense of smell, and it has to start after midnight. Anything more than that, I cannot say.

  114. 114.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @asiangrrlMN:

    All I’m going to say is that you don’t want to be around when I start the rustification process if you have a keen sense of smell, and it has to start after midnight.

    Well, that’s sufficiently vague that it could be exciting or revolting, depending on the frame of mind. ;)

  115. 115.

    asiangrrlMN

    @arguingwithsignposts: No. I am prepared to be properly enraged. But, I will note that I will not talk about the stadium during the game. I figure if I am going to root for the Vikes, then I really have no room to talk.

    @arguingwithsignposts: I will leave it to you to decide which is the proper response.

    And because this is nominally about the Jets/Colts game, looking good, Colts.

  117. 117.

    Andy K

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    The Colts, unfortunately, took Indy to the cleaners a couple of years ago.

    Maybe so, but the RCA Dome was horrible. Built on spec, and you could tell. Horribly small concourses and restrooms. Very uncomfortable to watch a game there. This from a guy who sits in the bleachers (that compose most of the seating) at Lambeau, in the south end zone, and usually late in the season, when the winds are blowing from due north.

  119. 119.

    Kathy

    OK my son, who gets despondent easily, said the game was over at 17/27 with 9 minutes left. I told him to get a grip. However, if Indy scores now, I will have have to agree. Sigh!

  123. 123.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I will leave it to you to decide which is the proper response.

    Since it’s a Sunday with NFL football, I will choose to go with the more exciting option. I hope you don’t mind. In three weeks, we will be awaiting August, with nothing to comfort us but some NHL and … i got nothing.

    From the smudge Flickr stream: It’s me, smudge. Feel free to comment, anyone. This is a new experience for both smudge and myself, being on Flickr.

    ETA: here’s the full photostream. (also just enjoying the edit function)

  126. 126.

    Andy K

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Remember this: When Indy- the City of Indianapolis- built that dome, they had no plans for regular occupancy by a team in any sport. They had to steal the Colts from Baltimore in order to do that. So what they had built ended up being a bit less than what any NFL team with input in designing their own stadium would have, at the time.

    Not saying that ripping off tax payers is dismissible, but from an operational stand point the colts needed a new stadium.

  127. 127.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Lisa K.:
    Seconding Chris B. I hope everything is okay. Fires are not good when not contained. Lose everything, all your keepsakes, etc. I’ve helped a couple of people with painting after a fire. It’s no fun. Killz does the job, but doesn’t replace what was lost.

  128. 128.

    Lisa K.

    @ChrisB:

    It seems, at least, that there will be no lives or significant property lost, but still…

    Oh, well. Nothing I can do about it right now, that is for sure.

    GO SAINTS!!!!!!

  130. 130.

    Lisa K.

    @Andy K:

    Not saying that ripping off tax payers is dismissible, but from an operational stand point the colts needed a new stadium.

    And of course it had to be a wussy-ass dome…

  132. 132.

    M. Bouffant

    OK, if the “heartland” wins this one, we coastal elitists at least won’t have to choose between NJ & NO. We can be behind the Ain’ts all the way in the big game.

  133. 133.

    asiangrrlMN

    No, Jim Nantz, it will not be Green Bay. What an idiot.

    OK. I have decided. GO VIKES!

    @arguingwithsignposts: Yup. I don’t give a shit what the teams ‘need’ if they can’t pay for it themselves. Isn’t that supposed to be the American way?

    Oh god. The hagiography to Favre is already starting. Gaaaah!

    Oh, and NFC Championship Open Thread, plz? kthxbai.

  134. 134.

    arguingwithsignposts

    So I’m still torn between the Vikes and the Saints. Obviously, both teams deserve to be there. I’m leaning against the Favre factor, but it’s a tough call.

    ETA: I haven’t heard the Favre hagiography yet, thank FSM, but I’ll hear it soon enough.

  135. 135.

    JasonF

    So the Colts outscored the Jets by 13 points. Who’s going to explain to Harry Reid that this means the Colts won?

  141. 141.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @drillfork:
    bold prediction, sir(?). We’ll see. this is one in which I have no emotional investment, so either one will be a good win, imho. Although the favreiography will be strong if the Vikes win, which will temper my enthusiasm.

  147. 147.

    Svensker

    @ChrisB:

    Hey, its a dang good team. Rookie QB, rookie coach, get to the championship? Sad the Jetties didn’t win but they should be proud of themselves. Look out next year.

    Meantime, I’m rooting for the Saints to win. Still like Jonathan Vilma, too.

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