Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

White supremacy is terrorism.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

He really is that stupid.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

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

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

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

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

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

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Spilling the end game before they can coat it in frankl luntz-approved dogwhistles.

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

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

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

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Chuck Open Thread

Chuck Open Thread

by | 209 Comments

This post is in: ,

Couple of quick things:

1.) Don’t forget to buy your Balloon Juice swag. All proceeds (and by all, we mean every single penny, unlike hucksters and frauds like Sean Hannity) goes to Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue.

2.) Remember the best way to support this website (other than the paypal button, which we only pimp once a year to raise some fat loots to send to the webmistress for a site redesign and to clear out all the gremlins that build up) is to always use the Amazon button before making purchases there. We get a small cut for every sale. Over Christmas, that added up to a couple hundred bucks! I generally use that cash to donate to other websites that are running fundraisers or to various charities that I like, and sometimes I spend it on expensive booze. In addition, we get a small stipend for every change.org petition you fill out.

3.) Traffic has been crazy the last couple months. We had close to 100k visitors yesterday, and I have been really happy with how the server has held up. There have been some hitches, and sometimes when we get slammed by a few links to a post with a picture, things grind to a halt for a little bit, but otherwise things have been really stable.

4.) Thanks again for all your calls to your congresscritters. I think it has helped.

5.) A big thanks to Eric DeHais for the new Obama/Pelosi Mallet o’Doom picture.

6.) Thanks to the new guys, Dengre and Mistermix for joining up with me, Tim, DougJ, and Anne Laurie. I really feel like the website has moved to the next level.

Obama Akbar!

Reader Interactions

209Comments

  2. 2.

    Dave C

    So. . .when do Dennis and Mistermix get their own contact email addresses up on the top right?

  4. 4.

    Warren Terra

    I know no Arabic, but I’ve seen the phrase you’re adapting and I used to know some Hebrew – are you sure it isn’t meant to be Obamahu Akbar?

    (Actual informed opinions fervently sought, of course)

  7. 7.

    Jim Once

    It’s been a kick to see your readership grow – I’ve been reading/commenting on this site for a couple(?) of years now, and still spend a ridiculous amount of time here. It’s where I go first every day, blogwise.

  8. 8.

    Ash Can

    I really feel like the website has moved to the next level.

    Does this mean I have to stop dropping f-bombs?

  9. 9.

    gogol's wife

    Thank you and everyone. I’ve learned so much here. (Today I learned where “your tears taste so sweet” came from — amazing!) And my husband looks so great in his “pet overlords” Lily apron.

  10. 10.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    things grind to a halt for a little bit,

    Shit, I remember a couple of years ago, I could write a comment, hit the submit button, do the laundry and go for a long walk before it would post. Every time.

    And yea, I guess kudos to you guys in the BJ front pager ivory tower. We minions have to keep the shine on this place, but you gize do a fair job, most the time. :-)

  14. 14.

    Jon H

    Shoot, I should’ve been using your Amazon link for work orders. I’ve been ordering tons of stuff via Amazon in the process of setting up a rig to study mice. (for example, about 6 22″ LCD monitors, etc).

    Sorry! I’ll try to do so in the future.

  15. 15.

    gbear

    It was actually a bit of nostalgia yesterday when, just as NANCY SMASH! started speaking, I couldn’t get onto the site. Not that I want to go back there…

  17. 17.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    I, for one, am totally grateful for this blog, especially today. A big thanks to everyone who wrapped me in Balloon-Juice love and got me through the day! I love you guys.

  18. 18.

    TR

    @Ash Can:

    Does this mean I have to stop dropping f-bombs?

    The fuckers can have my fucks when they fucking pry them from my fucking cold, dead mouth.

  19. 19.

    Little Dreamer

    @John Cole:

    Considering there’s a few up there already, it should be pretty easy to figure out how to add two more. You don’t read code, apparently.

  20. 20.

    Dave C

    @John Cole:

    So what you’re saying is that they’re second class Posters, who aren’t deserving of the same rights and privileges that exist for other Posters here? Have you no shame? At long last, have you no shame?

    Just kidding ;) I’m just stirring up bullshit for no apparent reason. Carry on.

  23. 23.

    gbear

    @Ash Can:

    I really feel like the website has moved to the next level.

    Does this mean I have to stop dropping f-bombs?

    It means you have to figure out the newest batch of enemies that need to be destroyed.

  26. 26.

    geg6

    KO is taking his own victory lap tonight. Say what you will about Keith, but he did go all out on HCR and shared his own personal pain to illustrate the problem and the start of a solution that is this historic bill.

  28. 28.

    blackfrancis789

    This is my first blog stop every day. Thanks for the high quality letter arrangement that keeps everyone coming back.

  29. 29.

    Dreggas

    This is one of only a few blogs I visit daily. Has been ever since I started reading here, I think it was in 06, about the time John got off the wing-nut wagon. Still one of the best and snarkiest. The people here rock.

  30. 30.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I read earlier on a dead thread what happened to you with your friend, and wanted to say he is no friend because you are one the nicest folks to grace this ornery blog, or anywhere else.

  33. 33.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Little Dreamer:
    Well, to be fair to JC, the code is probably in the sidebar.php or right-sidebar.php file (under the appearance tab in the wordpress backend). It can be a bit confusing if you’re not used to looking for HTML amongst the php commands.

  34. 34.

    FormerSwingVoter

    @gbear:

    It means you have to figure out the newest batch of enemies that need to be destroyed.

    Can we have some input on this? Like, have a poll for “Who Should Be John Cole’s Arch-Nemesis”?

    I nominate… ummm… OK Go. Discuss.

  35. 35.

    Mean Dean

    FDL seems to be laying the ground to support Michael Bennet’s primary opponent. Yay?

  36. 36.

    Genine

    I’ve read this blog for years and have been posting for the last 2 1/2. Balloon Juice is definitely my virtual online home. You guys rock!

    Though I should hang out at some of my (fiction) writer blogs as well to get my creative juices flowing…. but they’re not as fun as here.

  37. 37.

    gogol's wife

    @freelancer:

    You posted the clip from “South Park.” The story as a whole seemed to be based on the myth of Atreus, but the “tears” part I believe was probably original to “South Park.” I was referring to your post.

  38. 38.

    R-Jud

    @Genine:

    Though I should hang out at some of my (fiction) writer blogs as well to get my creative juices flowing…. but they’re not as fun as here.

    Eh, I get more ideas here, either in the things posted, the comments, or links from the comments, than I do anywhere else on the ‘tubes. Case in point: have just been sitting up to do a live chat with people in a screenwriting workshop I’m enrolled in. I spent more time refreshing this thread than reading the chat.

  39. 39.

    arguingwithsignposts

    Re: FDL and Jane Hamsher – I somehow get the sense that they are some sort of Weathermen or Black Panthers of the blogosphere (metaphorically speaking), i.e., they have a really “scorched earth” policy toward advancing their ideals. Really, threatening to primary Bernie Sanders?

    Of course, the Panthers would have never signed a letter with Pat Buchanan, so … i guess that analogy falls apart.

  40. 40.

    jibeaux

    @FormerSwingVoter:

    Aw, that’s kind of zero-sum, isn’t it? Those youtube videos make my day. And I really think there’s enough tubes to handle both. I say, put Sadly, No, in the crosshairs. They’re funny, but firebaggy, and sometimes the shtick runs thin.

  43. 43.

    Little Dreamer

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    I realize it’s not an index page. I was just saying that if he could find the correct location of the other 3 addresses, adding the two new ones should be a cinch.

  45. 45.

    geg6

    And John? I just had to come back and say that this is THE best blog ever, with the best frontpagers and best commenters anywhere. And, sir, and your lovely pets are national treasures. And now back to our regularly scheduled bitching, snark, LOLs, O-bots and Nancy SMASH, greatest post titles on the Nets, silly music threads, pet love, and seriously fucking awesome activism. BJ FOREVER!

  47. 47.

    CalD

    I’m jonesing for any reports of our esteemed political punditry turning their concern-trolling eye toward Republicans. Anybody got any?

  48. 48.

    Man Walking Against Wind

    200,000 people were out demonstrating yesterday TOTALLY unconnected with health care – but MSM and Fox Pravda carried tea partiers. Frankly this episode was more bizzare. Immigration Reform is going to be fun isn’t it? I mean with evil, liberal, socialist mimes and what not.

    Yesterday, approximately 200,000 people gathered at the National Mall to show their support of comprehensive immigration reform. Roy Beck, director of the immigration restrictionist group, NumbersUSA, decided to add himself to the mix and report on the event via a live stream that was available on the group’s website. According to Anne Manetas of NumbersUSA, a group of female mimes threatened Beck and his bodyguards with “constant efforts at crushing physical intimidation” instigated by “blowing hateful whistles” and waving balloons. Watch NumbersUSA’s video of the hateful mimes:

    However, that doesn’t explain why Beck’s bodyguard is the one who ended up being arrested and charged with assault yesterday. Lena Graber, one of the three mimes who pressed charges against Beck’s bodyguard, talked with Wonk Room this morning. Graber explains that she and four other mimes followed Beck and his crew around for four hours in an effort to prevent Beck from picking a fight with demonstrators. According to Graber, Beck’s bodyguard pulled out a pocket knife and started popping the mimes’ balloons. Graber cannot provide details on the assault charges filed by the other two mimes, but she did provide an account of what happened to her yesterday:

    They were pretty aggressive and they would sort of elbow us out of the way and say “Don’t touch me” as they were doing so. One of the bodyguards had white makeup all over his elbow and he was all upset that the mimes had gotten makeup on him…but our makeup was on our faces and I wasn’t face-bunting anyone so I felt like that was more incriminating evidence than anything else.

    We each started with about 15 balloons that were on ribbons and the taller bodyguard had a pocket knife and he would grab the balloons and pop them with the knife. And at one point when I still had a lot of balloons they were tied around my upper arm…and I felt this yank on my arm where they were tied around. And I turned and he was pulling on all of the ribbons…so that was the only time I talked, I said “OW, that hurts. That’s attached to my arm, stop that.” And he didn’t stop and so I screamed as loud as I could.

    To be fair to the bodyguards, they did keep their sidearms holstered.

  50. 50.

    barbara

    I’ve been a lurker for quite a long time, but what’s driving me to comment is my realization over the last few days that I feel at home here — that John and the other bloggers and most of the regular commenters feel like a community to me. And as I was biting my nails all day yesterday, it was here I returned to over and over again because I wanted to be among friends. Thanks, John.

  51. 51.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @CalD:

    I’m jonesing for any reports of our esteemed political punditry turning their concern-trolling eye toward Republicans

    I’m guessing they are wondering like the rest of us, if it’s possible to fit an entire political party with a straight-jacket.

  52. 52.

    TR

    @gogol’s wife:

    You posted the clip from “South Park.” The story as a whole seemed to be based on the myth of Atreus, but the “tears” part I believe was probably original to “South Park.”

    That’s bullshit. Everyone knows that reference was about the public option!

    /BTD

  55. 55.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @John Cole:

    I know how to get in the widget, I do not know what the numbers are for the letters in the email.

    Interesting. Just looked at the source code. Never seen that before. I suppose it’s some method to prevent mailto: spam. Also interesting to see the sidebar coding at the bottom of the html instead of at the top. Oh, well.

    Just did a google for one of the numbers and came up with this site, which is titled “Table 2.2.1. Character Repertoire — POSIX Portable Character Set”

    Perhaps that will help.

    ETA: Does anyone know where I can get the original of the “Chill the fuck out” photo? Because I have another Nancy Smash! photo I wanted to try to shop into it, but I can’t do it with the one that already has the text on it, and icanhazcheezburger.com’s search sucks balls.

  56. 56.

    Mike in NC

    Obama Akbar!

    Were I in Boehner’s or McConnell’s shoes last night, I’d have gotten seriously shitfaced sometime around midnight. But those two clowns always look like constipated undertakers, and bringing back Prohibition is just another GOP goal. So highly unlikely.

  57. 57.

    Anya

    John Boehner: Health care passing ‘over my dead body.’ – March 17, 2010

    You know, I’ve been telling my staff nine months, ‘They can’t pass this bill.’ And finally my staff wrestled me to the ground last fall and said, ‘Mr. Boehner, we have to quit saying this because they’re gonna pass this bill.’ And I looked at my staff and I said, ‘Alright, I’ll try to throttle it back a little bit. But it’ll be over my dead body.

    Aside from the spectacular FAIL, I am not sure if he means figuratively or literarily his staff “wrestled” him to the ground but after Massa’s tickle fight, I am wondering if he was the only one having these types of fights.

  59. 59.

    gwangung

    Re: FDL and Jane Hamsher – I somehow get the sense that they are some sort of Weathermen or Black Panthers of the blogosphere (metaphorically speaking), i.e., they have a really “scorched earth” policy toward advancing their ideals.

    Well, that’s what they THINK they are…but the Panthers were a HELL of a lot more effective and grassroots than Jane ever was…They did a lot of storefront activity, outreach, and so forth.

  60. 60.

    Linda Featheringill

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    I backtracked until I found your post about what happened today. That was terrible.

    I know this has caused you pain and I realize that you are very disappointed. But I suggest you cut this person loose and continue with your life – WITHOUT him.

    Do you remember the old song, “No way to treat a lady”? and the last line is “But it may be a way to say goodby.” I think that is what he did. Let him go.

    Link to the song. You might find it relevant.
    http://tinyurl.com/yann7du

  61. 61.

    ajr22

    This place has been great and has really been my go to place for all things internet related. Thanks to Tim F for everything he has done, this place did a great job helping push this bill. I’ll leave you with something my brother said today that made me laugh (he could be reading I can’t steal his line) GOP: “Dems ramming this down our throats.” Congrats, you guys have now reached Tobias Funcke levels of latent homosexuality!

  64. 64.

    me

    @John Cole: This in firefox when pasted into the address bar with the email you want encoded, should format the email correctly.

    javascript:var email='[email protected]';var encoded = '';var i=email.length;for(i--;i>=0;i--){encoded = '\u00'+email.charCodeAt(i).toString(16)+encoded;} document.write(encoded);

    edit: Make sure the page you have open is empty before you paste it.

  65. 65.

    gwangung

    Nelson to oppose reconciliation package, cites student lending bill

    …which puts it back the way it used to be, doesn’t it?

  66. 66.

    Cat Lady

    This is my happy place. Especially the last few days. Even in victory, there is a calm center (snarky on the outside, soft on the inside!) where it’s understood that we’re all in a long game, and that’s what our O-botness derives from. This is the only vantage point where I can survey the swirling madness in bemusement. Thanks to John Cole. Your journey has been remarkable.

    Read the post and the comments from January 21. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and most of all, you’ll be amazed.

  67. 67.

    Tommy

    Ten states plan to file a tenther federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new health care reform bill. Normally I would think that this doesn’t have a chance of working – but with SCOTUS stacked against us ….

  69. 69.

    Anya

    @Mean Dean: How could they support Michael Bennett’s primary opponent? Isn’t he Mr. Public Option? Shouldn’t he be their champion. These people are fraud.

  70. 70.

    Anne Laurie

    Actually, I’ve been getting quite a few “failure to load” messages on this site for the last few days (using Firefox). Thought that’d stop today, but FYWP is still timing me out about one refresh in four. Just for the statisticians, and so y’all know front pagers don’t get special privileges. :)

  72. 72.

    geg6

    Stuck @61: Fuck him. We don’t need him and I knew he’d do this because he’s owned by the fucking lenders, your most egregious example of corporate welfare ever. Fuck fucking Nelson and his bad rug. Larry O’Donnell just said they had 52 signatures on Harry Reid’s letter to Pelosi. We don’t need that fucking weasel.

  74. 74.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    I read a lot of blogs but this is the only blog I comment on. Too many pansy commentators and blog owners out there. John lets us fly our freak flag here and we get to stand or fall on our own comments.

    As it should be.

    This place can go nuts at times but there is a wildly diverse core group here from all walks of life that keeps the place humming (or brawling, depending on the day/issue) along. That core group has been growing over the years and there is nothing wrong with that.

    Not one bit.

    One more thing: FYWP.

  76. 76.

    Joseph Nobles

    Holy Canoli, Bill Kristol just gave Obama’s Waterloo a Friedman Unit!

    He can’t stop himself!

  77. 77.

    geg6

    We should have a thread some time where we can tell how we discovered BJ. I’ll bet we all have a story for that.

  78. 78.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:
    What a fuckhead. I hate to say this, but anyone who would make politics that personal and use the n-word is not your “friend” unless there’s one helluva apology. I am so sorry for your pain, and sending you best wishes for a resolution that leaves you at peace. This other person hopefully will come to realize the error of his/her ways at some point.

    Geez, sometimes I am so ashamed of the human race.

  79. 79.

    Anya

    Can the Senate tamper with the student loan reform elements of the bill or do they have to vote for the whole thing? I am hoping they will not double cross the House.

  80. 80.

    Omnes Omnibus

    I am looking forward to KO’s Special Comment tonight. Then, later, “The Maltese Falcon.”

  82. 82.

    bkny

    Obama Akbar!

    that’s excellent; what an awesome way to end an argument w/a wingnut…lol

  83. 83.

    Seanly

    I just spent a pretty penny getting a new camera on Amazon.com. I remembered to click on your link first. Is there any way we can check that our purchase is going to you?

  86. 86.

    gogol's wife

    @geg6:

    I hate to admit it, but it was through Andrew Sullivan. There was a video of a guy singing puppies to sleep.

  87. 87.

    Linda Featheringill

    Copy of the Filly’s post:

    I know you want to change the subject, but I did not see this coming:

    I’m sitting here in tears. XXXX came in this morning, yelled the n-word at me and said this was all my fault and the country is pretty much fucked because of it. Our political differences have never been personal before.

    This is my friend who just said this to me. I don’t know how he’s going to walk back from this. And I can tell you, while I understand what’s going on, I don’t see how, if (and it’s a big if) he apologizes how I move on from it. I have certain lines that can’t be crossed and he just crossed 2 of them.

    ***
    [I personally don’t see the necessity of forgiving EVERYTHING.–Linda]

  88. 88.

    Jimmm

    This is one of my happiest places, here on the tubes… Thank you, John, for making this place exist.

    And thank you to everyone else, for posting clever things so that I don’t have to – for years on end.

  89. 89.

    PTirebiter

    Just like to say thanks, and I appreciate the new additions as well. I’m sure it’s satisfying, it’s well deserved.

  90. 90.

    geg6

    Anya @78: They can amend, but then it goes back to the House. And to be honest, one of the reasons the student loan reform is in there was to get reluctant people to vote for it. Most reps and senators WANT this student loan reform. It’s Nelson who is the most rabid opponent because HE’S OWNED BY THE LENDERS. Fuck him.

  91. 91.

    scav

    and HA! Obama’s off to Iowa City on Thursday, Good ol gay marrying IA.

    EDIT. If nothing else, that must chafe TX summut fierce if they try to spin it that this is all over the danger of secession. :)

  92. 92.

    MikeJ

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck:

    Rep Steve King recommended secession today. Might be a hard sell for Iowa though.

    From Gibbs’ twitter feed:

    President will travel Thursday to the city where the grassroots campaign for health insurance reform started in May 2007 – Iowa City, Iowa

  94. 94.

    JGabriel

    @Jon H:

    I’ve been ordering tons of stuff via Amazon in the process of setting up a rig to study mice. (for example, about 6 22” LCD monitors, etc).

    Six LCD monitors?

    Okay, ‘fess up. You’re not really studying mice, are you? You’re just making 3D mouse porn. Right?

    .

  95. 95.

    South of I-10

    Thanks for the Amazon reminder. I need to order some birthday presents, I’ll be sure to click through. I don’t always post, but I’m always reading. Living in Greater Wingnuttia, I need a safe place to go sometimes. I did manage to wring some wingnut tears out of my Facebook feed this morning. I put them in my coffee, so tasty!

  96. 96.

    stuckinred

    Re: FDL and Jane Hamsher – I somehow get the sense that they are some sort of Weathermen or Black Panthers of the blogosphere (metaphorically speaking), i.e., they have a really “scorched earth” policy toward advancing their ideals.

    They go on and on about “pitchforks” and “taking to the streets”. Buncha fucking remington raiders.

  97. 97.

    jibeaux

    @Tommy:

    Ya know, if it came to that — pending before the USSC — and I don’t think it will — what a really excellent way to make the issue moot would be? Medicare for all, which can be done through reconciliation. If they have half a brain and we have half a Congress, they’ll think twice about that strategery.

  98. 98.

    Seanly

    @Bob K:

    Best use of mimes I’ve ever seen. And I hate mimes after being harassed by one in San Francisco in 1974. Hint for mimes – when a six year old screams at you to leave him alone, trying to continue bothering him will not lead to a good impression of your art.

  100. 100.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @JGabriel:

    Okay, ‘fess up. You’re not really studying mice, are you? You’re just making 3D mouse porn. Right?

    ToMAYto, ToMAHto.

  102. 102.

    Mike G

    every single penny, unlike hucksters and frauds like Sean Hannity

    4% of money donated to his charity actually supports the troops. To his credit, that’s better than the percentage of truthful statements on his show. The soft bigotry of low expectations.

  104. 104.

    stuckinred

    Re: FDL and Jane Hamsher – I somehow get the sense that they are some sort of Weathermen or Black Panthers of the blogosphere (metaphorically speaking), i.e., they have a really “scorched earth” policy toward advancing their ideals.

    They go on and on about “pitchforks” and “taking to the streets”. Buncha fucking remington raiders.

  109. 109.

    Anya

    @geg6: Who needs him. That doesn’t mean he won’t be appearing in-front of every camera. He joins Blanch Lincoln.

  111. 111.

    Madeline

    @geg6: I came because of Lily. A poster on GOS mentioned s/he was really enjoying reading the story of Lily’s introduction into the Cole household. Always a sucker for a story about anything furry, I came. And found a wicked smart and funny bunch of people. I never have much to add to the discussion, but BJ has also become my first stop. So thank you Mr. Cole – you done good here.

  114. 114.

    minachica

    @geg6: There is another important reason why the student loan reform is bundled with health reform: a small portion of the savings from yanking student loan profits from bank will be used to increase the health care subsidies (since the Senate bill’s subsidies are pretty anemic compared to the original House bill). Without that offsetting revenue, the really good stuff in the sidecar fix can’t pass reconciliation, since it needs to be deficit-neutral.

    Which is why I’m really pissed that Ben fucking Nelson (DINO) scrambled to be the first to float this meme : student loan reform is a GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF STUDENT LENDING. Oh noez!!

  115. 115.

    demkat620

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: Honey, I am so sorry a friend hurt you like this.

    No matter what that fuckhead said(sorry God) remember, today was a good day. A really good day. And we all own a piece of it.

  116. 116.

    Max

    Okay, girl talk for a moment…

    Ladies, on Saturday, I got a Brazilian Blowout, which is a keratin treatment for your hair that calms the frizzes and relaxes curly hair a bit. It is not a permanent thing, and fades after three months, when you get it again.

    I have very very naturally curly hair, which I flat iron every day to wear straight. Before the BB, it took me an hour to do my hair each morning. Today, it took 15 minutes, but I bet I can get it down to 10.

    The procedure was $350, which is pricey, but if it means more sleep and less time dealing with my hair for the next 3 months, it is worth it.

    Here’s more info if you are a fellow curly/frizzy hair sufferer.

    http://www.brazilianblowout.com/

  117. 117.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    That was my first thought but it didn’t make sense to me as to why OO would mention it. We don’t get into the deep geek here too often.

    @Omnes Omnibus: :

    Thanks, never heard of it. I read the script though, pretty damned funny…lol!

  118. 118.

    debit

    @ BHF: I am so sorry. These last few months have started the unhinging process for a lot of people who are unhappy and angry already, and are being told they aren’t angry enough. I know I don’t dare call my dad for a bit, lest he go off on me and my damned liberal ways.

  121. 121.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Max:

    Ladies, on Saturday, I got a Brazilian Blowout

    Not to get creepy here, but I’m glad you explained what a “Brazilian Blowout” means, because “Brazilian” usually has a different definition. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. Um, er. I’ll just stop here.

  126. 126.

    Evelyn

    This site has become a way for me to bond with both my father and my boyfriend who both live on the other side of the country, which I never would have expected when I first started reading. Lots of Skyping or emails about politics or Tunch as a result. Big thank you, John.

  127. 127.

    Joseph Nobles

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck:

    Yes, he’s got one of several Repeal the Bill bills out. Makes me laugh.

    I’ve got an idle ear on the House right now, and Michael Burgess (R-TX) doesn’t seem as crazy as the others. He’s talking through the repeal process right now. Let’s see if he points out that even if the Republicans win every Senate race, they still won’t have two-thirds of the chamber needed to overcome a veto.

  130. 130.

    Jim Once

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck:
    Hah! Exactly what I thought. This could be the statement that takes him down. Northwest Iowans might have the poor sense to vote for Steve King, but they would never. never. think of secession. That boy’s been hanging around Shelley B. a little too much lately.

  132. 132.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I know…lol! We see eye to eye on that as I’m the same way. :)

    Who says there isn’t a mind meld here at BJ? ;)

    The newcomers need to know that they have to pay the proper respect to the Cult of Tunch. Especially the FDL refugees. Tunch happens to tolerate one dog and that ain’t the one. ;)

  133. 133.

    Cat Lady

    @Madeline:

    OK, cool. There was an “r” in smart, which I guess they use in Wisconsin. We have a lot of extra r’s we’re not using here in Boston if you ever need any.

  134. 134.

    jeffreyw

    Like most others I first came to BJ after John’s conversion, saw a reference some where to the effect that Cole has seen the light and went from dickhead to raving liberal. Came over and read some posts. Read some comment threads. Not bad. A few days later I returned and saw that it was still not bad. Went to a chat room that some of us had maintained since the old days of gabbly during the Libby trial. Mentioned that BJ seemed sorta OK, was roundly booed. Pretty soon I was copying and posting comments to the chat that were funny or whatever, pretty soon some of the booers were posting excerpts too. Next thing I knew I had bookmarked the site. Now I’m here every fucking day, all fucking day. I keep a window open to BJ, refresh when I’m done cooking or whatever else I’m doing. Bless you John Cole, and bless us all, every one.

  138. 138.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    I posted this over at PJ (my other favourite haunt) BJ is like an English Pub, where you sit, with a beer, and just chat about stuff with people you like.

  140. 140.

    JCT

    @JGabriel:

    Okay, ‘fess up. You’re not really studying mice, are you? You’re just making 3D mouse porn. Right?

    The sad thing is that for those of us in biomedical research, when those little suckers decide to stop breeding we talk about showing mouse porn….

  141. 141.

    Jim Once

    @scav:

    Good ol gay marrying IA.

    Woohoo! Love to get my gay niece and her significant other to live here. NPR news mentioned that the Teabaggers have promised they’ll be demonstrating in I.C. – and every other place – Obama speaks. Demonstrate away, losers.

  142. 142.

    jl

    I see the sun has not exploded. A huge vortex if Maoist-Stalinist-Hitlerite sheer hatred of humanity has not appeared and swallowed me up and torn me limb from limb.

    At the dentists today, I actually got my teeth cleaned, rather than being stabbed through the back of the neck on the grounds of being having inefficient economic resource production/consumption ratio (In the central totalitarian healthcare universal eye data bank, I am officially an economist, so surely I do not score very high).

    I guess Obama has not signed the bill yet.

  144. 144.

    RedKitten

    @Max: Good to know. I tried an at-home Japanese thermal straightening process from Sally Beauty Supply. It was about $40, and took about 50% of the curl out. I probably could have gotten all of the curl out if I’d used the regular formula, but I was scared to fry my hair so I used the colour-treated version — turns out it wasn’t strong enough.

    I’m curious, though — why would you flat iron your hair every day? I flat iron mine, but usually manage to get about 4 days in before I have to wash it again. So it does take an hour to do, but amortized over four days, it pretty much evens out.

  145. 145.

    South of I-10

    @Max: Fellow curly hair here. I don’t have the patience to straighten every day and it is too humid here to bother with anyway. I probably do enough damage to my hair highlighting it, I don’t know how much more treatment it could take.

  148. 148.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @jl:

    I see the sun has not exploded. A huge vortex if Maoist-Stalinist-Hitlerite sheer hatred of humanity has not appeared and swallowed me up and torn me limb from limb.

    Well, the black helicopter aborto-death panel transports haven’t been cleared for takeoff yet.

    Here, let me get my chalkboard out so I can explain it to you …

  149. 149.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @Max: We have hair too. Though I have slimmed down my hair care budget by letting it grow long during the winter, and using shears I bought to nearly scalp myself in the summer. Learned it in the Army. Fixes split ends in a jiffy.

  151. 151.

    vheidi

    refugee from GOS- thanks everyone, and thanks TimF for the inspiration on calling.
    vh

  152. 152.

    Jon H

    @JGabriel: “Six LCD monitors?
    Okay, ‘fess up. You’re not really studying mice, are you? You’re just making 3D mouse porn. Right?”

    There’ll be four isolation boxes, inside each of which will be a mouse, a monitor, a video camera, an infrared illuminator, a tube providing sugar water or juice, and a tiny lever for the mouse to press when he sees the right thing on the monitor. (Typically a wavy blob oriented with lines going in one direction or another.)

    Additionally, one monitor each for four Mac Pro computers (one for each mouse setup, so each runs with two monitors, one in the mouse box, one outside). And a duplicate two-monitor & Mac Pro rig for testing and coding.

    (So actually I undercounted on the monitors.)

    This is a lot simpler than the five monkey rigs we have, which are similar, but much bigger. We sometimes show the monkeys pictures of other monkeys, from YouTube or Flickr, but nothing explicit. Not that they need porn. The monkey cage room is like 3D ChatRoulette.

  153. 153.

    freelancer

    This is gonna sound funny, but the two blogs I first started reading that I expanded from and eventually found my way here were Aravosis and C&L. Didn’t comment as I felt way to ignorant about politics, policy, and media to contribute. So I just read for years and tried to absorb everything.

  154. 154.

    RedKitten

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: Big hugs to you, sweetheart. It’s a damn shame that some people can be so goddamned ugly. Shame on him for treating you like that. He doesn’t deserve to lick the mud from your shoes, let alone get your forgiveness.

  156. 156.

    John Cole

    @RedKitten: Sarah is pissing me off. Now she is falling out of love with Chuck because he has done everything she asked of him?

    Can’t trust women. At least not the ones in tv shows.

  157. 157.

    Goblue72

    The less here is simple for anyone who grew up on Sunday morning action figure cartoons.

    In the eternal battle between the Obamabots and the DeceptiveCons, never bet against Barackius Prime. He may get knocked down a few times, but at the end of the day, he always kicks MegaDittoes ass.

    Obamabots, Roll!!!!

  158. 158.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Brian J:
    Right after he decided to support the bill w/o the public option, IIRC. I’m not going over there to search for it, because I don’t want to catch whatever festering virus they have, so you’re on your own to get out of the boat. It was discussed in the comments here at the time, though.

  159. 159.

    Madeline

    @Cat Lady: Ha! My high school French teacher was from Boston. Sistah Mahjahrie. Took great pains to assure us that her Rs wouldn’t affect our French pronunciation. She was great.

  161. 161.

    Max

    @RedKitten:

    @South of I-10:

    The BB is keratin, so the treatment actually improves the condition of your hair. My hair feels a lot better after than before.

    The problem with the japanese treatment is that it usually has to grow out, which can leave weird roots. This treatment fades away, so no weird root thing.

    I have to flat iron everyday because my hair gets greasy if I don’t wash it at least every other. I have very thin hair, so if I do a ponytail on day 2, by day 3, I need to wash and start over.

    The BB is humidity proof. A friend gets it done in Florida, and it’s been a blessing to her.

    I color my hair too (red) and colored it right before the procedure and my hair is so soft, I can’t stop touching it.

    And Arguing, I’m not even going near that comment. :)

  162. 162.

    Svensker

    @stuckinred:

    Re: FDL and Jane Hamsher – I somehow get the sense that they are some sort of Weathermen or Black Panthers of the blogosphere (metaphorically speaking), i.e., they have a really “scorched earth” policy toward advancing their ideals.
    They go on and on about “pitchforks” and “taking to the streets”. Buncha fucking remington raiders.

    My husband is one and it is seriously causing a strain. There is nothing more crushed and angry than an idealist who gets disappointed by other people’s fallibility.

  163. 163.

    Jim Once

    @John Cole:

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: Now that I have read what happened, that person was not your friend anyway.

    No shit. Look upon this as a wonderful new path in your life.

  164. 164.

    RedKitten

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck:

    Rep Steve King recommended secession today. Might be a hard sell for Iowa though.

    Kind of a shame that Steve King can’t be replaced by Stephen King…if nothing else, dealing with the political process would give him terrifying material for the next couple of decades.

  166. 166.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Max:

    And Arguing, I’m not even going near that comment. :)

    I didn’t figure you would, but I had to maintain the “high standards” of the BJ commentariat, lest we fall off the new plateau.
    @Svensker:
    So sorry to hear that.

  168. 168.

    Alice Blue

    I’ve been lurking here for a while, but even though this is my first comment, I feel like a long-time “Juicer.” BJ has been my go-to blog ever since the presidential primaries. Thankx and a tip of the hat from west central Georgia!

  169. 169.

    RedKitten

    @John Cole:

    @RedKitten: Sarah is pissing me off. Now she is falling out of love with Chuck because he has done everything she asked of him?

    I know, she’s pissing me off too.

    “Well, I can’t be with you unless you do X. But now that you’ve done X, that’s just completely changed my perception of you, so I’m gonna go make out with Superman now.”

    There’s being conflicted, and then there is just dicking a man around.

    @Max: Good to know — and yeah, I hear you about the weird growing-out bit. I was hoping that the hormonal wackiness after the baby would have changed my hair texture, but no go. (Don’t laugh — my sister’s hair went from picket-straight to quite wavy after she had her second.)

    I’ll keep an eye out for it. I don’t mind wearing my hair curly if I have the right cut for it, but then I DO have to wash it every day, or I wake up looking like Bob Marley’s love child from an affair with Anne of Green Gables. So I tend to just suck it up and straighten it, and then at least I don’t have to deal with it for a few days.

  170. 170.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @stuckinred:

    Shhh! If you have a d o g you are supposed to submit pics anonymously to John. Then you can show them off when he posts them, stay safe and John only does it to piss Tunch off. ;)

    @Goblue72:

    I’m kinda partial to the anime reference Big O… showtime!  though yours is pretty good too…lol!

  175. 175.

    Jim Once

    @RedKitten:

    I don’t mind wearing my hair curly if I have the right cut for it, but then I DO have to wash it every day

    Have had curly/wavy hair all 65 years of my life – not to mention super frizzy back in my young adulthood (except for a few months that I straightened it, and that was a disaster). I had to wash my hair every single, damn day – until five years ago. Suddenly, my hair actually looks better if I only wash two or three days a week. But I gotta say – it looks amazingly good for a woman of this certain age. And I’m kind of lucky that it’s a color that can’t be colored – so I’m saving tons o’ money each month.

  176. 176.

    sputnikgayle

    I am so grateful to have found this site and its community of commenters. It is lively. I spend my days tending to a chronically ill husband with constant pain. It would have been very easy to become isolated and self-centered had I not had this, and other, virtual communities to visit.

  179. 179.

    RedKitten

    @Jim Once: When I wear mine curly, I have to at least wet and re-style it every day. If I sleep on my curls, overnight I go from pre-Raphaelite to David Coverdale.

    It’s not a good look.

  181. 181.

    Jim Once

    @sputnikgayle:

    Oh, Gayle. So glad you found this place. Stay with us – talk with us. I cared for my father for seven years (Parkinsons), and know the love and challenges you are going through.

  183. 183.

    JGabriel

    @John Cole:

    Now she is falling out of love with Chuck because he has done everything she asked of him?

    Except run away with her and get married.

    People sometimes take that kind of rejection hard. Even if they know it was the right thing – make that especially.

    .

  185. 185.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @John Cole:

    Sadly I have to agree, a real friend would never do something like that to you BHF. When a ‘friend’ exposes a side of themselves like this they were more likely deceiving you. In this case, probably because they could then say that they have one of ‘those’ kind of friends so that means they aren’t racist.

    You were an excuse to this person, not a friend. I hate to say that bit but that is what it sounds like to me. If anything should make you feel better about it at least the asshole isn’t deceiving you any more.

    I am really sorry to hear this. Nobody deserves to be treated like that, nobody. I believe in karma and I hear it’s a bitch. Let’s hope so.

  186. 186.

    arguingwithsignposts

    Speaking as a member of the Club for Male Pattern baldness, all you curly hairs can take a long run off a short pier, as far as I’m concerned. (j/k)

    Seriously, curly hair may be an inconvenience, but you could *not* have that problem.

    ETA: discovery stories – I first started following BJ way back in the days when John was full wingnut, and so was I. I dropped out for a few years, found the site again a while back, and it actually saved my life. This is a caring community. People have their differences, but it’s a little more cozy than GOS or some of the bigger blog communities, and JC has a heart, as do all the commenters (well, BoB, Sanka, PaulL and a few others excluded).

  188. 188.

    Jim Once

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Speaking as a member of the Club for Male Pattern baldness, all you curly hairs can take a long run off a short pier, as far as I’m concerned.

    You’re right, absolutely. But you do know that men with less hair have more testosterone, right? I keep trying to remind my husband of that, in my own way.

  189. 189.

    Alice Blue

    I’ve got my mother’s hair–straight as a pencil. As luck would have it, my brother ended up with my dad’s wavy hair. Back in my high school years, I would be in the bathroom scorching my fingers on hot rollers in a futile attempt to get some curl into my hair, while my brother would be standing in front of his mirror frantically trying to straighten his hair with a blow dryer and brush.

  193. 193.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @Jim Once:

    I have MPB but am now adding that wild old man hair you get as you age. My hair has always been straight as a board and now I get the frizzies around my ears, temples and back of the neck. Plays hell with my DFH ponytail to my ass, looks like I have a halo around my head.

    It should be horns.

    Testosterone and MPB linked? Must be why I look like a malnourished bigfoot when I take my shirt off.

  194. 194.

    Brian J

    @Alice Blue:

    I was told by a barber once that I have the perfect head for a flap top, which would be great if I was a rancher from Montana. Alas, I am not one. I’ve had some success in styling it in the last couple of years, but it gets very bushy very quickly. In a week or so, I am going to cut it military style short and keep it that way for at least a month or so.

  195. 195.

    Dannie22

    @ Bad Horses Filly

    I’m sorry to read what happened. But don’t be sad. Be glad. You found out who this person really is. He’s not your friend and probably never was. Remember you deserve more than that.
    Yesterday, I was so proud of what our President accomplished that I was flying. Because of regular folks and a strong President and House Speaker we were able to make a change. You should feel joy. Don’t let someone else steal your joy. Whoever it is, they are not worth it.

  197. 197.

    maody

    My sis found you BJ’ers and turned me on to the Tunch Patrol during one of our marathon long distance phone calls in which we share the hilarity we find on the I N T E R N E T S – she also has been known to post here on rare occasion. Both our screen names refer to our well loved and cherished animals that run our homes. You peeps are nice. That and very snarky, smart and fun. FUCK yeah! It keeps me sane to come here. BRAVA!

    Can I have my TOTALITARIAN Stalinist (shameless devin nunes and the hell NO! mad tanhatter man) health care now?

  198. 198.

    RedKitten

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    ETA: discovery stories – I first started following BJ way back in the days when John was full wingnut, and so was I. I dropped out for a few years, found the site again a while back, and it actually saved my life. This is a caring community. People have their differences, but it’s a little more cozy than GOS or some of the bigger blog communities, and JC has a heart, as do all the commenters (well, BoB, Sanka, PaulL and a few others excluded).

    Awww….now I’m getting all misty.

    Oy, discovery stories. Well…it was back in what, late 2004 or early 2005, I think? Back when John was a wingnut and well before the Schiavo contretemps. I was a regular reader of the dearly departed (and much missed) Daou Report on Salon, which gave a nice little summary of what was going on with various blogs every day. Balloon-Juice was on there one day, and I clicked over, read, commented, and just wound up sticking around.

  199. 199.

    CynDee

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    So sorry for your awful disappointment. Sounds like your friend XXXX had something like this going on:

    Is jealous of you and is taking it out on you, or

    Is reminded of someone he can’t stand and taking it out on you, or

    Is angry at himself or the world and taking it out on you.

    At any rate, this is not about you, it’s about him not coming to terms with something about himself, and it’s best never to be around anybody willing to take their anger out on you.

  201. 201.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @John Cole: Thanks. And thanks to everyone, again. Tomorrow will be an interesting day at work, because really, we’re a small company and his outburst affected everyone. And as luck would have it, I’m in charge (yes, we have a boss, but I function as the overall manager of everyone), so I’m going to have to find a way address this.

    I think I need a raise. What I really need is BH to be here and not 1000 miles away at the moment.

    And yes, I’m torn between he’s a complete asshole for behaving this way and he can go fuck himself and feeling awful because my friend is in pain and I have no idea how to help him.

  202. 202.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    @RedKitten: Well, I must owe my thanks to Hillary-bots because I read somewhere (I can’t even remember where) that some of them were striking Balloon-Juice and John thoughtfully (!) and sarcastically told them that in order to strike, he’d have to be paying them. They were in fact, boycotting BJ.

    It was love at first snark. I came, I laughed, I stayed. The commenters are thoughtful, funny and snarky, just like me. And then suddenly there were pets! You couldn’t pry me away from here with a crowbar.

  203. 203.

    Scott H

    @arguingwithsignposts: I also remember reading this blog pre 911. I didn’t follow much after that as our paths diverged. I’m glad I came back. I’m mainly a lurker, but someday I may share my own pet rescue story.

  204. 204.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @arguingwithsignposts: “I am reminded of the old Gallagher joke about his hair moving down his back. When he got old, he’d have a seat warmer for the toilet.”

    lol, I remember that joke of his. I have to be careful if I go take a crap in the woods while camping during hunting season. Even if it’s not hunting season I still have to watch out for poachers. ;)

  205. 205.

    Cain

    @RedKitten:

    Oy, discovery stories. Well…it was back in what, late 2004 or early 2005, I think? Back when John was a wingnut and well before the Schiavo contretemps. I was a regular reader of the dearly departed (and much missed) Daou Report on Salon, which gave a nice little summary of what was going on with various blogs every day. Balloon-Juice was on there one day, and I clicked over, read, commented, and just wound up sticking around.

    Oh man, that’s how I found Balloon-Juice too. I was sort of reading it when John was in full wingnut mode. I really started going to it though after the change. It was sort of fun watching conservatives reject balloon-juice. But the commentators got John’s back it was the awesome. Darrell was still posting then too! Which was funny cuz people would make a comment to Darrell even before he said anything.

    cain

  206. 206.

    tesslibrarian

    I’ve only been here for a couple of years, mostly lurking. It’s the only place I really feel comfortable commenting–and I’ve been reading blogs since the Horse. The Horse made me feel sane in 2002; BJ has made me feel sane this year. I’m not sure which year seemed crazier anymore, and it’s only March.

    (I also like there are so many of us from Georgia here. Even in Athens, it’s reassuring to know there are others here, dealing with the state insanity. At least we aren’t SC, right?)

  207. 207.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I wrote in the dead thread that I admire your grace. The coworker, at the very least, needs to be put on notice that one more outburst like that, and he’s out. Reading that he kept repeating it in your face after you asked him not to cements my belief that he is not a nice guy at all.

    If it were me, I would be achingly, chillingly, scarily polite and civil when I needed to be, but otherwise, he would be dead to me. I don’t deal well with shit like that.

    How I found BJ? I started reading the Mudflats right after Palin was cherry-picked by McCain. I moved onto TBoggs and WaMo, and I stumbled onto BJ through a link from one of the aforementioned, maybe Atrios. I dabbled in OpenLeft and Democratic Underground as well. I read HuffPo and Daily Kos as well throughout the silly season. In the end, BJ was one of the few I kept. I love the blend of compassion, snark, intelligence, and really cute animals.

  208. 208.

    Trinity

    This is my favorite spot on the intertubes. Period. It’s my home. I found BJ through a link Sully posted in early 2008 and I’ve been hooked ever since.

    I think you all are the bees knees. Also, Too.

    @ Bad Horse’s Filly – I am so sorry for what you had to deal with yesterday. Sometimes people show their real colors and it sucks. That person simply was never your friend. You just don’t treat people that way. Period.

    I lost someone that I considered a very close friend during the election. It hurt like hell to find out that she was a wingnut but I do not suffer fools lightly so we don’t speak anymore.

  209. 209.

    slightly_peeved

    Found here through ObWi. Hilzoy was the best blogger anywhere, but the commenters spent too much time arguing definitions and being overly polite.

    The people here are very, very funny, have good robust discussions and are willing to dig into details where necessary. And I appreciate a blogger who is genuinely willing to reexamine their beliefs when they conflict with reality.

Comments are closed.