Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

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

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

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

This fight is for everything.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Their freedom requires your slavery.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

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

Tick tock motherfuckers!

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Reader Interactions

184Comments

  9. 9.

    Nicole

    I am extremely concerned that, upon this Valentine’s Day, I may have acquired a horse. I’ll know for sure tomorrow. Eek.

  15. 15.

    Keith G

    @General Winfield Stuck: Neil Diamond? Really? Has/had great pipes, but I never really got hooked by his stylings. I always thought he took the easy route in his vocal interp.

    Did like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, tho.

  17. 17.

    hal

    Is Aaron Schock the one who was the leading pre-Scott Brown himbo?

    Oh yeah. I think this is the first time I’ve seen anything about him discussing policy in depth and not his abs or hair, or just how gosh-darned hot he is.

    What kills me is this line, (clipped from Huffpo): “With all due respect, Rachel, does that mean you are going to give back your Bush tax cuts that you continue to rail against.”

    Last I checked, and correct me if I’m wrong, but Maddow isn’t an elected official, and you can’t “give back” taxes. Maybe donate them, but still…Silly Schock.

  21. 21.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @jeffreyw:

    Hey Jeff can you help with an ID of a “thrush” that has been baffling me?

    Linky in the sig, I haven’t heard from Cornell yet. It is a life lister for sure, just want to make sure I ID it correctly.

  23. 23.

    Nicole

    @General Winfield Stuck: Heh. May I say, I was one of those who fell for the “He was really a zebra!” hoax.
    @jeffreyw: And heh again. I wish I could keep him in my apartment! FYI, the riding stable I used to frequent (I started learning to ride in my 30s) is closing and I made the fiscally fatal mistake of getting emotionally attached to one of the horses. The horses there aren’t particularly attractive or talented horses; they’re trail horses, and some of them aren’t likely to find homes. The thought of this one going off to the auctions makes me sick to my stomach, so I’m taking a big leap of faith and made an offer for him.

    My uncle, (bless his right-wing Republican self- reminding me you can hate the politics but love the person), has a couple of empty stalls and will board the horse for me for cost. Can you imagine? I wait 20 years to once again own a pet, and it’s a 1000 pound beast I’m going to see maybe 8 times a year. Yeesh. But, if this goes through, at least I’ll know he’s safe.

    Hey, John- does this count as a rescue? If it all works out, can I submit a photo when my new dobbin is settled in?

  24. 24.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Calling Laura, I have a boat load of unexpired dog/cat food coupons that I need to donate to a worthy cause. Would Little Bitsies group like them? (I tried my local rescue group and can’t get anyone to return my call).

  26. 26.

    Laura W

    I welcome our new Chinese Pair Skating Short Program Overlords.
    Fucking Flawless.
    Lovely Valentine’s Day celebration.
    Feeling lighter suddenly.

    LittleBrit: and here I am. You are powerful, woman! I’ll bet they would love them. If not, TAAG sure would. (The other local rescue group here in town.) Can you click thru the BJ store’s home page link to Charlie’s Angels where you’ll find Evelyn Bridges’ mailing addy? Will that work? That’s really nice of you.

  29. 29.

    DougJ

    As a contemporary of Diamond, the lesser known Bj Thomas I liked much better Rain Drops Keep Fallin’ On My Head

    I only like that when Paul Newman is riding around backwards on a bike to it.

  38. 38.

    Citizen_X

    Wow, I love the Handsome family. But it’s not exactly the most lightweight song:

    This is why people OD on pills
    and jump from the Golden Gate Bridge
    anything to feel weightless again

    And I had to love this:
    @Nicole:

    wait 20 years to once again own a pet, and it’s a 1000 pound beast I’m going to see maybe 8 times a year.

    Damn, that’s wonderful. But do NOT try to carry him on icy ground!

  42. 42.

    Mike Kay

    All this talk about Neil Diamond is heavy. I mean, wasn’t seeing The Who hobble on stage in walkers sad enough!

    Think of the children! What about the children!

  43. 43.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @jeffreyw: I rarely see white breasted, maybe once or twice a year, but my brown headed is a thriving population for which I am grateful.

    @Laura W: Will do. I am sure they can come in useful for some of the foster parents, I hate to throw them away, its like throwing money away.

  48. 48.

    gwangung

    @JGabriel: Now, dang, that’s a nice spread (though I’m partial to Hartman/Coltrane).

    However, just on general principles (and personal circumstances):

    Valentine’s Day–Bah, humbug!

  54. 54.

    gbear

    Today at Walgreens, I ran into a lady that John Cole should meet. I was picking up some of the almond-oatmeal bath soap that I like, and a lady walking past started telling me how much she likes those Yardley soaps. Her favorite scent was Lavender, and she spent some time trying to talk me into switching because she thought Lavender was such a masculine scent. I didn’t follow her advice, but immediately thought of Johns candle thread. Weird.

    Listening to Buffalo Springfield’s greatest hits right now. I may have to break out the Hollies’ ‘Evolution’ lp later. I can’t bear to click on that Osmands’ link.

  57. 57.

    John O

    For those of you who enjoy these things, and at the behest of AL, “>more pictures of Dweezil.

    He’s adorable. Today we played with my nephew and nephew dog, a very Marleyesque huge yellow lab with no manners whatsoever.

    Dweezil and Stella (very fun to yell at, of course) got along splendidly. One cat is completely comfortable with Dweezil, the other getting there. It’s a lot of fun, and like our host, I don’t care: I love him.

  58. 58.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    BTW for anyone interested dinner tonight was an apple wood smoked turkey tenderloin (Jennie-O brand) done on the rotisserie, fat free mashed taters and gravy, fat free mashed rutabega and carrot, and whole wheat rolls. I cannot say enough how absolutely delicious the Jenni-O apple wood smoked turkey tenderloin is, it really, really is beautiful.

  59. 59.

    mr. whipple

    @Litlebritdifrnt:

    “A long one! ”

    I sort of figured(haha) from the EXIF data, and was wondering if you were maybe using an old Minolta. I have the same camera. Love it, mostly. :)

  61. 61.

    John O

    @JK:

    I have an uncle that saw THE WHO at Rand Roller Rink, no longer in existence, in 1965. I saw them in…’79? ’81? First tour with Kenny Jones.

    They were good. I wonder if the fact that I have really good A and decent V, and used especially A, made any difference. I enjoyed the light show, and didn’t think they mailed it in, obvious age-issues aside.

  69. 69.

    Annie

    @General Winfield Stuck:

    Thanks. Reminds me of my high school days. I loved the Blue album. Also Carole King and several others that I am kicking myself because I can’t remember their names, even though they were a core part of my self-absorb existence at that point in time!

    Also, the early years of Genesis. I still listen to Selling England by the Pound while driving to work.

    It’s going to drive me crazy until I think of all of them. I have some major googling to do….

  72. 72.

    JK

    @John O:

    I saw the Who at Shea Stadium when they were promoting It’s Hard. I don’t care for that album or Who Are You or Face Dances, but I think their albums from My Generation up through Quadrophenia are flawless.

    I wish they hadn’t performed at the Super Bowl Half Time Show because they’re way too old, but in their prime they were amazing.

    I had nosebleed seats for the Shea Stadium concert, but the performance was fantastic.

  73. 73.

    asiangrrlMN

    @John O: Awwww, love him. He’s such a doll!

    I am skimming the thread because I DVR the Olympics and have not started tonight’s ep yet, but I have a serious question. Sorry to ruin the ‘light’ thread.

    I don’t normally wear these, but I can’t resist anything Tunch. So, which one should I get?

    Option #1: FEED
    Option #2: OBEY

  83. 83.

    gbear

    @DougJ:

    It may be a BoB-like story, but it has the distinction of being true. I don’t know if I should feel insulted or scared.

  84. 84.

    John O

    @JK:

    I watched ’em both all the way through, JK, thanks.

    One of the great tragedies of my life on the planet is that the Leeds show of album fame was not videotaped.

    I still consider Live and Leeds one of the finest live mega-jams ever performed by a rock band.

  85. 85.

    asiangrrlMN

    @MikeJ: Sorry! I was going for the obvious–99 balloons.

    @JK: Still love Father and Son. Great song.

    @gbear: Ha! I didn’t think that the first time I read it, but after I saw DougJ’s comment, I reread your story. I can see the resemblance.

  88. 88.

    JGabriel

    @DougJ: Damn, I was just thinking of Joan Osborne earlier. That’s what made me pull up Tupelo Honey, Joan used to do an awesome cover of it.

    She used to play every week, literally, at a bar around the corner from here. I even have her first CD, Soul Show , bought from her at one of her shows and autographed “From one poet to another” — which was kind of sweet. She’d seen me reading at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe and remembered, which surprised me.

    I kind of lost track of her after Relish and “One of Us” came out.

    There’s one song she used to perform at just about every show, but I can’t find it anywhere. The chorus went, “Jesus loves you, even if I don’t.” Maybe she never recorded it, or maybe it’s under a different name. Do you recognize it?

    .

  90. 90.

    arguingwithsignposts

    BTW, I played a whole series of Canadian artists earlier tonight on blip.fm – user 2liveis2fly.

    Smudge update: she gets really mad if I leave for a couple of days. Been vocal all day again.

  92. 92.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    “Father and Son” and “I Got a Name” sound as great to me now as they did when I first heard them at the age of 8 or 9.

    @John O:

    Agree with you about the tragedy of The Who’s Live at Leeds not being available on film. I also wish that Rock and Roll Animal by Lou Reed and Live at the Fillmore East by the Allman Brothers Band were available on film. The Who’s Live at Leeds is my favorite live album. I can listen to it straight through anytime.

  94. 94.

    Steeplejack

    @DougJ:

    I like early (pre-Vegas, pre-Streisand) Neil Diamond a lot. He had a good string of non-saccharine hits: “Kentucky Woman,” “Thank the Lord for the Night Time,” “You Got to Me,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Solitary Man,” etc. And he wrote “I’m a Believer” for the hapless Monkees.

    A personal favorite: “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon.”

    (Urge Overkill version from Pulp Fiction for the yoots.)

  96. 96.

    JGabriel

    LM:

    JGabriel: Have you seen the Peter Bjorn and John’s video of Objects of My Affection?

    No, I hadn’t, LM. Thanks for the link, it looks good.

    .

  100. 100.

    JGabriel

    Delia:

    I also went off looking for Astral Weeks and then got sidetracked.

    Heh, “sidetracked” pretty much describes what I’ve been doing all night. Once you start digging around in youtube for music videos, it’s pretty easy to get lost …

    .

  102. 102.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @RedKitten: You all are no longer the Chicago Cubs of Canadian hosted olympics. Kudo’s to our Commie Canuck neighbors in the attic ice box.

  109. 109.

    Annie

    @JK:

    Absolutely. Still digging —

    Fleetwood Mac
    Jethro Tull
    Moody Blues
    The Pretenders
    Lynryrd Skynyrd
    Led Zeppelin
    The Pretenders

    But I still can’t remember the women artists in the same vain as Carole King and Joni Mitchell. It’s going to be a long night..

  111. 111.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Annie: Well, there is Linda Rondstadt. Carly Simon, but they were just singers. Carole and Joni were pretty much in a class by themselves at that time, for being female all around singer song writers of prolific hits that went on to be covers for many other singers.

    though I would add Bonnie Raitt to that class level as well.

  112. 112.

    Steeplejack

    @Cat Lady:

    You want astral traveling? You got it–Fleetwood Mac’s “Hypnotized” (written by Bob Welch):

    They say there’s a place down in Mexico
    where a man can fly over mountains and hills
    and he don’t need an airplane
    or some kind of engine and never will
    now you know it’s a meaningless question to ask
    if those stories are right
    ’cause what matters most
    is the feeling you get when you’re hypnotized

    Tried to find a good live clip, but they all suck.

  119. 119.

    Delia

    @Annie:

    But I still can’t remember the women artists in the same vain as Carole King and Joni Mitchell. It’s going to be a long night..

    How about Lucinda Williams?

    Blue

  120. 120.

    gbear

    I’ve just got to say that ‘The Floaters’ is one of the most ill-advised band names I have ever heard.

  122. 122.

    Annie

    @JK:

    You are brilliant…Laura Nyro is exactly who I was thinking of and never would have figured it out in a million years…Thank you, thank you, thank you…

    Also, Rickie Lee Jones and Bonnie Raitt (thanks GWS)…I just listened to Angel from Montgomery (sp) in the car the other day and almost cried…

  126. 126.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Annie: Yes, I forgot about Ricki lee Jones, singer songwriter. I loved her album that came out around 1980, though all my friends hated it. Some of latest stuff is great too, kink of dreamy folk rock, or something like that.

  127. 127.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Annie:

    Also, Rickie Lee Jones and Bonnie Raitt (thanks GWS)…I just listened to Angel from Montgomery (sp) in the car the other day and almost cried…

    Just a reminder that it’s a John Prine song. His version with Bonnie Raitt is awesome. Unfortunately, youtube is filled with a bunch of wannabe’s recording their cover versions, so I can’t find the original. I suggest his live CD for the version.

  128. 128.

    Grumpy Old Man

    For those of you a little older – that song title has roots that go back to the 40s and Boy’s Town:

    The first editor of Kiwanis Magazine, Roe Fulkerson, published a column in September 1924 carrying the title “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”. The phrase is also associated with Father Edward J. Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. Flanagan came across a line drawing of a young boy carrying his brother in the Christmas 1941 edition of the Louis Allis Messenger. The caption read “He ain’t heavy Mister — he’s m’ brother!” It was created by Mr. Van B. Hooper who later became the editor of Ideals magazine. The drawing was reprinted in the first issue of Ideals in December 1944. Flanagan felt that the drawing illustrated the work done at Boys Town and received permission from the company in August 1943 to recreate the drawing in color with the caption “He ain’t heavy, Father . . . he’s m’ brother.” The phrase became the motto of Boys Town (now Girls and Boys Town).

  133. 133.

    Annie

    @Delia:

    Thanks. I don’t know her, but will listen to Blue…

    PS. LOL. As someone who consistently finds herself in moderation purgatory, I do feel your pain…

  136. 136.

    Nicole

    @Citizen_X: Hee hee. I’ve actually related a few times verbally the tale of M. Cole’s accident, just to see the horrified expressions, followed by the “awwww, but the dog was okay, right?”

    All right, my Valentine’s Day offering:

    My Valentine– Rhett Miller

    (The only version I could find on YouTube featuring the original recording is apparently a fan-made montage video for “McSheppers” of some TV show of which I’m unaware. So sorry for that.)

  138. 138.

    Annie

    @JK:

    “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic” is another favorite…

    I have to start a new list so I can start reconstituting my collection…

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Yes, the John Prine version is awesome.

  139. 139.

    Delia

    @asiangrrlMN:

    She’s kind of a country-rock ‘n’roll crossover. I think her album, Essence, (which Blue is from) is her best, though a lot of people like an earlier one called Carwheels On A Gravel Road. She’s had two or three more recent ones. I saw her on a double bill with Willie Nelson four or five years ago and she was really phenomenal.

  140. 140.

    JGabriel

    @General Winfield Stuck:

    Yes, I forgot about Ricki lee Jones, singer songwriter. I loved her album that came out around 1980, though all my friends hated it.

    Pirates. I loved that album too. I was just looking for “We Belong Together” on youtube, but no joy there. Nor is there “Juke Box Fury” from The Magazine.

    Update: Oh, wait, here’s something interesting. A live version, from 1985, in Paris, of Last Chance Texaco.
    .

  143. 143.

    DougJ

    @Annie:

    “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic” is another favorite…

    Believe it or not, there is a good Rickie Lee Jones cover of this.

  149. 149.

    Anne Laurie

    @Nicole:

    Hey, John- does this count as a rescue? If it all works out, can I submit a photo when my new dobbin is settled in?

    Heck, if Mr. Cole won’t post it, I will. Good luck with your new ‘pet’, Nicole — and I’m not sure whether I should be wishing for you to acquire a permanent dependent, or just that your personal circumstances might change enough for you to spend more time together!

  151. 151.

    JGabriel

    Annie: Having just gone through RLJ’s youtube oeuvre, I’ll spare you the trouble of looking: no.

    There is, however, this, from — go figure — the really rare 10″ vinyl EP Girl at her Volcano: a cover of Tom Waits’ Rainbow Sleeves.

    .

  152. 152.

    SIA

    “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic” is another favorite…

    so many memories with that one.

  153. 153.

    Nicole

    @Anne Laurie: Thanks! Fingers crossed it all works out- I’ll believe it when I have the owner papers in my hands and am following the trailer to his new (permanent) home.

  160. 160.

    Delia

    somebody mentioned this lala song player. If you still want to hear Van Morrison singing Astral Weeks, you can go here and click on the correct song next to the album photo at the top of the page.

  163. 163.

    JK

    @Delia:

    Can’t get much closer to heaven than that

    It’s pretty damn close for me.

    My personal heaven is a front row center seat at Madison Square Garden for a Beatles reunion concert in the late 1970’s that runs close to 4 hours and closes with an 18 minute version of The End that includes guest solos from Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, and David Gilmour.

  165. 165.

    Yutsano

    @Nicole: My dad finally gave in to my mom’s longtime wish to be a horse owner, and they seriously have never looked back. They now have seven in their corral with the potential to swell to ten. They just bought some property to move the horses to and my mom is going to quit her job to devote her time to raising and training them full-time. They are more than pets, as you will soon discover. Your horse will learn to read you, you two will learn to communicate on levels that go beyond human understanding, and you two will appreciate each other more and more. It’s a big committment, but worth every moment if you ask my mom. I get the feeling you’ll be sneaking down more than eight times a year just to see your new baby.

  169. 169.

    Annie

    @Delia:

    Loved the Sugar Mountain.

    I just went to one of my ultimate favorites — Genesis Selling England by the Pound.

    Early Genesis is just awesome.

  171. 171.

    Annie

    @JK:

    Thanks for the link.

    Another concert I just remembered — thankfully — but in a completely different vain is Keith Jarrett’s Koln Concert. I haven’t listened to it in years, but just thinking about it gives me chills…

    The thing about Jarrett is that he did not play what he wrote prior to a concert. He sat at the piano and played what he felt. It is almost unbelievable with the Koln Concert — that he could be so inspired.

    Once in a concert, I think in New York, he sat down, tried, had no inspiration, and walked off the stage…

  172. 172.

    JK

    @Annie:

    I’ve never listened to Keith Jarrett’s Koln Concert, but anything I’ve ever read about it praises it to the sky, so I have to make time to check it out.

  173. 173.

    J. Michael Neal

    @Annie:

    I just went to one of my ultimate favorites—Genesis Selling England by the Pound. Early Genesis is just awesome.

    That’s actually the point at which I start to like Genesis. Selling England by the Pound is really hit and miss, though I love “Firth of Fifth.” The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is very good, though I still have no idea what it’s about. My favorite Genesis period starts right after that: the two albums between Gabriel leaving and Steve Hackett’s departure, then skip an album, to Duke, which is one of my all-time favorites.

    Then again, I like late Genesis, too, though it’s very different. Really, given the solo careers they all carved out, I think Gabriel and Hackett moving on was for the best all around. If you aren’t familiar with Hackett’s solo work, I recommend it very highly.

  174. 174.

    Annie

    LOL….The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is also a favorite, and, I don’t think it matters what we understand! I do stand by my love for Selling England. While I am still trying to figure out Creepy Crawlers, I do love the song…

    I don’t know Hackett’s solo work, but I will check it out. Thanks…

  175. 175.

    Annie

    @JK:

    Do check it out. It is intense, and you have to listen to the whole concert, to get all the changes, passion, and his utter joy and creative genius. The timing has to be right — time, quiet, wine (if you drink), and relaxation…Because I used to listen to it a lot, tomorrow I am going to put it on in my office…and enjoy. I really have to thank you for helping me remember lost music!

  177. 177.

    J. Michael Neal

    @Annie:

    I don’t know Hackett’s solo work, but I will check it out.

    I started with Live Archive: 70s 80s 90s, a 4-disc set of three concerts played in the respective decades that I found in a used CD shop. I didn’t realize he had a solo career before that. I also highly recommend Spectral Mornings, which is a good example of his 1970s work, a double set of Guitar Noir and There Are Many Sides to the Night, from the 90s. The first is the album he was touring for in the Live Archive, and is very atmospheric. The second is is a live recording of Hackett’s acoustic work on a nylon guitar. Both are fabulous. My last top recommendation (though I haven’t heard an album of his I don’t like) is his most recent rock album, Wild Orchids, which is a dark fantasy, almost horror, album. It has a great cover of Dylan’s “Man in the Long Black Coat”*, and the sequence of “The Fundamentals of Brainwashing,” “Howl,” and “A Dark Night in Toytown” is amazing.

    *Like all covers of Dylan tunes, it is vastly better than the original. Dylan is a hell of a songwriter, but a terrible performer.

  178. 178.

    Cat Lady

    I just saw Rickie Lee Jones in October. She sounds just as great as she did back in the 80’s. If she’s touring near you, don’t miss her.

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