Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

People identifying as christian while ignoring christ and his teachings is a strange thing indeed.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

This really is a full service blog.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Disappointing to see gov. newsom with his finger to the wind.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

This isn’t Democrats spending madly. This is government catching up.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

Republicans don’t lie to be believed, they lie to be repeated.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Hell hath no fury like a farmer bankrupted.

They spent the last eight months firing professionals and replacing them with ideologues.

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

An almost top 10,000 blog!

So fucking stupid, and still doing a tremendous amount of damage.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

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

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

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Open Thread

by | 160 Comments

This post is in: 

Been kind of out of it the last couple of weeks, what with rehab, the move, and work, but I finally remembered to bring the camera with me to the new place. Here is Lily checking out the new carpet:

As you can tell, no granite countertops. Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

BTW- does anyone remember all the taglines we have used so far? I remember Massa Massage, I showered with Rahm and all I got was this lousy blog, All Your Base Are Belong to Tunch, and I know there were more. Going to set it up so it rotates.

Reader Interactions

160Comments

  1. 1.

    colleeniem

    Yaaay! Lily :).

    I just wanted to share this because it is still so relevant a year later:
    href=”http://www.youtube.com/user/thelandline?blend=5&ob=4#p/u/50/Pod-3GAaiD4″>

    ETA: I’m crap at this linking business.

  2. 2.

    Ash Can

    You don’t need granite countertops anyway. If your stemware gets knocked over on it, sayonara. Fuck that.

  3. 3.

    slag

    Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

    I don’t think you should feed Tunch birds. Beyond the obvious implications for his weight, you never know where those things have been.

  6. 6.

    Progressive Elitist

    McMegan hilarity. The fun just doesn’t stop.

    “On net, I’d suspect that this will be positive for entrepreneurship–but I don’t know that this will translate into a lot more growth. Enabling people to become self-employed is a fine thing, but it is not the same as enabling them to start transformative new businesses.”

    I needn’t say more.

  7. 7.

    scav

    Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

    I can’t decide if this would be an attempt at an exercise program for Tunch or Comedy Central for birds.

  8. 8.

    LuciaMia

    Ah, looks like Lily is enjoying the carpet feel on her hinter-lands.
    A window-bird feeder view for Tunch? He shall rise up and call you blessed!

  9. 9.

    Richard Bottoms

    Hope you feel better. I am still in a lot of pain, but I am backing off the does of the painkillers.

    Regarding HCR, would be a good thing if every progressive blogger starting talking about the true cost of reform in advance of GOP demonization.

    The IRS won’t be kicking down your door, your “fine” for non-compliance is just $95, children can stay on parent’s polices to 26, that sort of thing.

    We know the GOP is batshit crazy, and I m ecstatic Obama kicked the right in the balls with this one, but lets make the message now about how this helps the average Joe.

  10. 10.

    SGEW

    Oh yeah, that’s right; you moved. How’s the new place treatin’ ya?

    You can think of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as your house-warming gift (cause none of us got you anything, sorry).

    Also: Lily looks soooo small (and, therefore, even cuter than ever) in that photo.

  11. 11.

    Carrie

    Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

    LOL! If you think he was ornery and chatty before…just wait.
    He’s gonna go nuclear.

  14. 14.

    Richard Bottoms

    The fact that you can now move anywhere in the country you need to find work and not lose your coverage is a huge advantage. Probably the #1 reason for supporting HCR if you are unemployed or under-employed: You are now free to move about the country.

  15. 15.

    John Cole

    @SGEW: Haven’t moved yet. Just shuttling stuff for now.

    The cable internet folks come on Friday, Saturday we move the furniture. I can not move into a place without internet or access to the outside world.

  17. 17.

    John Cole

    @Richard Bottoms: I’ve been off the painkillers for several weeks (maybe a month). I feel great. Strength and the same range of motion are not back, but my shoulder feels- how do I say this… solid.

    I think all those years of contact sports and the army and lifting and stuff shredded my shoulders worse than I thought, because now I think I need to do something to my LEFT shoulder, which makes all sorts of noises and hurts- but it was a pain I got used to until my right shoulder got hurt then fixed. Now I notice my left one sucks.

  18. 18.

    liza

    Hot air and ill-informed banter
    Consistently wrong since 2002
    2010.03.17 How has Obama failed you today?
    2010.03.17 I showered with Rahm and all I got was this shitty blog.
    2010.03.18 All your base are belong to Tunch.
    2010.03.19 Screw the Judaean People’s Front. Splitters.
    2010.03.19 Peak wingnut was a lie.
    2010.03.21 “Forty-two,” said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.
    2010.03.21 Yes we did.
    2010.03.22 Time for a Massa Massage.
    2010.03.23 We Survived Breitbartpocalypse!

  19. 19.

    scav

    John, here’s my list of taglinrs. What am I missing?

    I showered with Rahm and all I got was this shitty blog

    How has Obama failed you today?
    Your base are belong to Tunch
    fair to middling.
    Screw the Judaean People’s Front. Splitters
    The Cake was Peak Wingnut?
    Peak wingnut was a lie.
    “Forty-two,” said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.
    Yes we did.
    Time for a Massa Massage.
    Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.
    We Survived Breitbartpocalypse!

  23. 23.

    Anne Laurie

    Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

    Around here that is known as “the cat TV”. As in, “Have you refilled the cat tv yet? The level was getting low last time I looked…”

    Also, Lily seems to be thinking, “Taupe carpeting — excellent choice for disguising stains! I shall have to do my best to… CHALLENGE John’s cleaning abilities… “

  25. 25.

    SGEW

    @John Cole: Ah. Hope you’re not personally shuttling too much of that stuff around yourself, what with the injury and all . . .

    . . . actually . . .

    . . . You know, moving residences while suffering from a painful shoulder injury may be a rather fine time to do so, if one has enough friends and cronies around to guilt into schlepping your stuff for you. How’s that working out for you?

  26. 26.

    dmsilev

    @jeffreyw: The beginning of the trip. As I explained to people, I could start my trip by waiting for 45 minutes in an airport security line, or I could start by sipping a complimentary glass of champagne while watching the sun set over Puget Sound.

    Tough choice.

    -dms

  27. 27.

    inugai_kenzo

    Couple more: Yes.We.Did. Peak Wingnut was a lie.

    ETA: oops beaten to it as i typed. :>

  29. 29.

    gogol's wife

    Lily looks sweet. I missed Lily. It looks as if all the taglines I saw have already been accounted for. My favorite was the Tunch one.

  30. 30.

    scav

    @MikeJ: So is that the correct first one or a different version entirely? I was totally going off memory for the first ones before I went all nerdish and started compulsively checking. I am so sad.

  32. 32.

    jeff

    I just moved from Brooklyn, of beloved memory, to Manhattan, of suddenly cheap 1 BRs and endless assholes. Hope yours went as well as mine!

  33. 33.

    sputnikgayle

    John, have you ever had an aquarium? Our newest kitty has been fascinated by ours for months and shows no signs of losing interest. I think she’s trying to figure out the access code.

  35. 35.

    asiangrrlMN

    @dmsilev: I saw your pics on the other thread. Gorgeous!

    Cole, if you touch one hair on Tunchie’s head, I will punch you in the side of the neck (from Twitter). Lily looks pleased as punch on her new carpet. You’ll have pics of the whole place once you move in, yes?

    @Cat Lady: Agreed! At least with It’s a Big Fucking Deal! NANCY SMASH!, too.

  37. 37.

    demo woman

    The state of Ga is thinking of outlawing salvia and I want to know will sage be next?
    Lily does have that I think I could live here look.

  38. 38.

    bemused

    I just want to know how many hours Tunch explores the new place before giving approval & taking a nap. It’s a cat’s mission to check out every square inch of a new home.

  39. 39.

    Brian J

    Whoa, that was quick. Turns out that Republicans want the downfall of Western civilization nearly as much as Obama:

    Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, the poster boy for the conservative insurgency, said on Monday that he wasn’t sure whether he’d support overturning the health care law, calling moves to do so “a little premature.” As ThinkProgress* notes, “Rep. Phil Gringrey told CNN’s Rick Sanchez that he ‘does not want’ to throw out everything in the bill, noting there are many provisions—including health insurance exchanges, electronic medical records, greater coverage for dependents, expanded Medicaid, and increased consumer protections—that he supports.” Rudy Giuliani also opposes repealing the bill. And the Chamber of Commerce—the business lobby group which often backs conservative causes and which spent some $144 million campaigning against health care reform—has said it won’t support a GOP effort to throw out the legislation.

    I know that were were always some elements that both sides could agree on, but man, they are starting to cave earlier than I thought.

    Also, the Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were all up today. Which either means Wall Street hates America or the legislation doesn’t represent the first step towards the widespread nationalization of industry. Or maybe it means nothing at all. Yup, that’s it.

  40. 40.

    Thoughtcrime

    Perhaps Komrade Cole has installed a Lazy Susan to create a counter-revolutionary-top?

  43. 43.

    Anne Laurie

    @Cat Lady:

    New tagline plz: Big Fucking Deal Rammed Down Throats!

    Seconded, except I’d quote it directly: “This Is A Big Fucking Deal!”

  44. 44.

    John Cole

    @hal: A.) I am from West Virginia.

    B.) I wanted a throw carpet for high traffic areas. My interior decorator (my dad) found that for cheap, it was sturdy, and it looks fine to me.

  46. 46.

    Steeplejack

    DVR alert:

    Turner Classic Movies has been showing Akira Kurosawa movies this month to celebrate the centennial of his birth. Today is the actual birthday, and it has been all Kurosawa all day. Lots of obscure gems, but they are bringing out the big guns for prime time.

    Rashomon just started at 8:00 p.m. EDT, and following it are Seven Samurai at 9:30 and Yojimbo at 1:00 a.m.

    For you Hollywooden mainstreamers, Seven Samurai is the basis for The Magnificent Seven, and Yojimbo is the source for A Fistful of Dollars.

    Next Tuesday night TCM is finishing the month with Dersu Uzala and two epics, Kagemusha and Ran.

  48. 48.

    dmsilev

    @asiangrrlMN: Thanks. Unfortunately, a lot of them didn’t come out too well. Too many reflections from the windows, things like that. As time allows, I’ll be putting some more of the good ones in that album.

    -dms

  49. 49.

    demo woman

    @stuckinred: They mentioned it on the Atlanta news, I think abc. I love this state, no orchestra for elementary school and reduce the number of teachers but spend a lot of money over-turning health care.

  50. 50.

    Annie

    @sputnikgayle:

    LOL. Just watched a youtube today of an adorable kitty that patiently watched the fisheees, and then couldn’t stand it any longer. She finally jumped from the couch to the aquarium and, of course, missed. The little darling with not hurt, and proudly climbed the couch to try again another day. At one point, she really looked like she was measuring the distance from the couch to the aquarium…And, looking around to make sure no one was watching…

    Tunch will own the bay window. One day, if Lily decides to see what is so interesting, life in the Cole household will get even more interesting…

  51. 51.

    MikeJ

    To cocktail aficionados: Since it was 60° here today, I am unilaterally moving the official changeover from Manhattans to martinis from Memorial Day to the first of Spring.

    That is all.

  54. 54.

    CaseyL

    Congrats on the move – I really didn’t know how you were gonna do it after the surgery and rehab, so double congrats on not only moving but doing so this soon after all the shit hit the fan. Is the new place a purchase or a rental?

    You’ll need to hold a virtual housewarming, with photos and stuff. We want to see every room! We particularly want to see Tunch personally inspecting every room, and deciding whether or not each room is up to his standards (to be signified by sharpening his nails on the furniture) or not (to be signified by throwing up on the carpet).

  55. 55.

    hal

    Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, the poster boy for the conservative insurgency, said on Monday that he wasn’t sure whether he’d support overturning the health care law, calling moves to do so “a little premature.”

    That’s because the Republicans knew that once HCR passed, the public would like it. The whole point to defeating HCR was to defeat the Dems and Obama, and get back into power. HCR was just a means to an end, and now that they have failed, some of the less insane ones aren’t going to stick their necks out too far.

    Brown is still from MA, and he can’t go nearly as batshit as he could if he were from, oh say, Texas.

  56. 56.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    Yeah on John’s move, Lily’s picture and rotating taglines. I can’t pick a favorite.

    Okay, I don’t want to co-op another thread and this will have to be quick as I am swamped with work right now. But since you were all so incredibly supportive (in two threads no less) yesterday, I thought you might like to know how it went today.

    An hour into the morning there was a knock on my office door. I’d already decided that I’d let him come to me and I’d remain open to what he had to say, as long as he wasn’t confrontational. He was not. He was sincerely and painfully apologetic. Basically said he was a fucking asshole and there was no excuse for his behavior or language, etc. I told him he really hurt me and it might take me a few days to really do the forgiveness thing, asked for some space until then. He said he’d understand if I never forgave him. There were tears and hugging and girly stuff that he’d probably be mortified if anyone but me had seen.

    I also reminded him that our founding fathers gave us a great gift – we each had a voice and a vote.

    Taking Tim F.’s advice, I think I was successful in showing him love, kindness, tolerance and forgiveness. Great Democratic traits, when all the repugs around him are offering is anger and hatred.

    I hope I made a difference. There was a lot more, but this was the short (?) version. Again, thanks to all of you, all of you were invaluable yesterday.

    BTW, if anyone thinks I’m a pushover – my unofficial job title is BAD COP. I’m the enforcer. I know, sweet me, go figure.

  58. 58.

    stuckinred

    @demo woman: Goobervile! I’ve been here 25 years and continue to be amazed. Of course the People’s Republic of Athens is a bit different.

  59. 59.

    Cat Lady

    @Anne Laurie:

    I kinda prefer the homoerotic Repub undertone fail double entendre, but I’m good with plain ol’ Big Fucking Deal though – how many times have you said BFD as shorthand for the opposite of Big Fucking Deal? That’s why it’s awesome sauce!

  60. 60.

    SGEW

    @Steeplejack: Huh. First actual good reason to own a television set I’ve heard about in years.

    Kagemusha! Dersu Uzala! These are very good, and not very expected choices. Good for TCM.

    /elitist film nerd

  63. 63.

    demo woman

    @stuckinred: The Georgia House has approved a measure to outlaw the hallucinogenic herb salvia.
    The House on Monday voted 162-2 for a bill which would make it illegal to possess, buy, sell or cultivate salvia in Georgia.
    An exception was made when the plant is used for landscaping or other aesthetic purposes.
    A number of states are considering outlawing the drug for fear it could become the next marijuana.
    It’s become popular with young people because it’s inexpensive and easy to buy.
    The measure, sponsored by state Rep. John Lunsford, R-McDonough, now goes to the Senate for consideration.

    I’m going to landscapes stores and buying some tomorrow just for the hell of it.

  65. 65.

    gwangung

    Brown is still from MA, and he can’t go nearly as batshit as he could if he were from, oh say, Texas.

    And with statements like these, he may get to keep that seat he won. Can’t be that stupid, given his behavior so far…

  67. 67.

    Leelee for Obama

    @Brian J: This is great news …

    They are already getting that this is the Social Security, Medicare and other great programs of this Modern Century. It will be CW in weeks, and all the other haters will go home and stop yelling. It’s time for Matlock and prunes isn’t it?

    How nice……

  70. 70.

    AhabTRuler

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: What matters is how you feel about it, and if you feel that there is room for forgiveness, then who are we to question. Supporting people is about backing someone when they make a decision to act, and while we can all offer advice, ultimately it is your path to walk.

  71. 71.

    Morbo

    So judging from the upper right hand corner, one can’t visit your house and have a beer without a coaster?

  72. 72.

    Brian J

    @PurpleGirl:

    Not necessarily stupid, just very lazy. She works in media. She can’t pick up the goddamn phone and call Jonathon Gruber to ask him about the studies, which he has mentioned before, that he uses as the basis for his claims? I could try that, but I don’t work for a political/cultural magazine. She does, so her call would probably be answered.

  73. 73.

    SGEW

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    Sounds like a pretty satisfactory (and remarkably civilized!) resolution to a nasty situation. Congrats on your temperance, and kudos to him for his apology.

    And I don’t think anyone here thinks you’re a “pushover,” BHF. Sweetness or not. ;|

  74. 74.

    Annie

    @MikeJ:

    I am slowly moving towards officially changing from more robust reds to lighter reds and white wine…anticipating spring and summer…Tonight is a nice light white, after a glorious weekend of sun and warm weather. Today is crap, but I think it is only a temporary setback.

  77. 77.

    debit

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: That was well done. I find it’s hard to apologize for being an asshole, and almost impossible if you’ve been an asshole supreme, like your friend was. Good for him for swallowing his pride and asking forgiveness, good for you for being willing to try.

  78. 78.

    Steeplejack

    @stuckinred:

    No, they didn’t show Dreams, but that is a great one.

    Besides the ones I mentioned, they are showing Sanjuro and Dodes ‘Ka-Den after Yojimbo tonight.

    The highlight for me today was seeing some of Kurosawa’s really early stuff from the ’40s. Not necessarily great, but I had seen none of it. And I DVR’d his 1949 noir effort Stray Dog to watch later. “When a detective’s gun is stolen, he tears apart the underworld to get it back.”

  80. 80.

    Brian J

    @Leelee for Obama:

    Well, it’s nice in some sense, but I do hope that some on the right continue to ramp up the crazy. It will help the Democrats campaign in the fall.

  81. 81.

    Max

    My sympathies on the move. I’m just starting the process and I’m dreading it. It’s a little more involved because it’s to another state, about 650 miles away.

    Disclaimer: my company is packing and moving me, so the reality is that the biggest pain is going to be motivating myself to go thru my stuff and donate what I don’t want to bring with me.

  82. 82.

    Cat Lady

    @gwangung:

    Scott Brown won because he’s good looking and personable and was out there driving around (yes, in the fucking truck) wooing voters, and he has an attractive high profile family. Angry ugly wingnuts don’t win here in MA. Full stop. If he goes teabagger, he’s done here. Full stop.

  85. 85.

    Leelee for Obama

    @Brian J: Yeah, you’re right. But a little Easter Peace would be OK, right? I am really enjoying loving this time and I’d like to keep the groove w/o anyone messin’ with it.

  86. 86.

    demkat620

    Evening everybody. What a good, good day it has been.

    Props to Unca Joey for literally stating the truth.

    And for my money, Nancy has not gotten anywhere near the credit she deserves.

    She and that wonderful gentleman from SC done good.

  87. 87.

    SGEW

    @Steeplejack: Speaking of his relatively earlier work, you should definitely check out Ikiru (“To Live”) if you haven’t seen it yet. I’ve often argued that, in some ways, it was his finest film.

    Also, as far as lesser known Kurosawa films go, you may want to check out Warui Yatsu Hodo Yoku Nemuru, his modern day (well, 1960) adaptation of Hamlet. The title translates as “The Bad Sleep Well” (!).

  89. 89.

    Josie

    Bad Horse’s Filly -I just read this morning about what happened and am so glad to hear the story of his apology. You have an enormous amount of compassion and wisdom. He is lucky to know someone like you, and so are we.

  90. 90.

    Chat Noir

    @CaseyL:

    You’ll need to hold a virtual housewarming, with photos and stuff. We want to see every room! We particularly want to see Tunch personally inspecting every room, and deciding whether or not each room is up to his standards (to be signified by sharpening his nails on the furniture) or not (to be signified by throwing up on the carpet).

    Concur. Congrats on the new homestead, John Cole.

  91. 91.

    Phyllis

    @demo woman: South Carolina still wins. Major cuts to all agencies, already projected that money to operate school buses will run out March 2nd 2011, my and many other districts are considering both furloughs and cutting contract days, but there’s 10 mill somewhere to loan to the Heritage Golf Tourney on Hilton Head to buy them a year to find a sponsor since Verizon dropped out.

  92. 92.

    Brian J

    @Leelee for Obama:

    Well, blame Obama, then okay? He’s the one that signed the bill into law today, a couple of weeks before Easter. So instead of biting into a chocolate bunny, you will be watching tanks rolling through the streets.

  93. 93.

    katherine

    @Brian J: Pretty early for them to start caving, how will they explain it to the faithful? Walking my dog earlier tonight, I noticed the neighbor’s flag hanging upside down.

  95. 95.

    Chat Noir

    @Max: Please update us here on your move. We anticipate making a long-distance move sometime this year and I’m curious how it goes. Is Max the Wheaten OK in the car? Danny the Wheaten loves car rides (he made a round-trip to and from St. Louis earlier this month and had an excellent time).

  96. 96.

    Gordon, The Big Express Engine

    the current one should be “Is it irresponsible to speculate? It would be irresponsible not too.” would be not is…

  97. 97.

    Mark S.

    @Brian J:

    I know that were were always some elements that both sides could agree on, but man, they are starting to cave earlier than I thought.

    Oh man there’s gonna be a lot of teabaggin’! Maybe they will have to start a third party, with Princess Leia Sarah leading the rebel forces. She could even do the buns; she’s very creative with her hair.

  99. 99.

    Steeplejack

    @SGEW:

    I’ve seen both of those multiple times, and they were on TCM earlier in the month. In all, TCM showed 26 of Kurosawa’s movies, with informative intros by Robert Osborne for most of them. They did a bang-up job.

  100. 100.

    RedKitten

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I think you made a very good choice. It is tempting to hold on to anger. And sometimes that anger can be a good thing. But sometimes, we only harm ourselves when we wield the stick. I don’t know if your words will make a difference to him, but I can tell, just by your writing, that your words and your actions have allowed you to take back your power in that situation.

  102. 102.

    Max

    @Chat Noir: Max the Wheaten loves the car. He drove to NorCal with me from Florida.

    He’s going to get freaked out when he sees his gear getting packed up, and it will take him a bit to find his favorite spots in the new place, but we’ll work it out.

    He hates hotels, so that’s always the worst part. He wonders around them trying to find a place to settle, even when his bed is set up for him.

    Where you moving from and to? I hope it’s a move for the better. Mine is, which makes it all a lot easier.

  103. 103.

    Mark S.

    @Brian J:

    Not necessarily stupid, just very lazy. She works in media. She can’t pick up the goddamn phone and call Jonathon Gruber to ask him about the studies, which he has mentioned before, that he uses as the basis for his claims?

    I remember several months ago she must have spent an entire afternoon wondering whether Glenn Beck boiled a frog on his show (he didn’t).

  104. 104.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @demo woman #37:

    The state of Ga is thinking of outlawing salvia

    No! What? I can’t even spit in my own home now? What about when I go to the dentist? What about if I’m walking past a legislator and want to express my contemp . . .

    Oh. SALVIA. Never mind.

  106. 106.

    Alice Blue

    Lily looks right at home, and so sweet. It may take Tunch a little while to settle in–it’s been my experience that kittehs take longer to adjust to a move.

    John, I’m so glad you’re feeling better, in body and spirit!

  107. 107.

    Gordon, The Big Express Engine

    This quote from the HAL 9000 sort of sums up Balloon Juice for me:

    “I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I’ve still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.”

  108. 108.

    David in NY

    @jeff:

    Cheap? Manhattan? Tell me more. [Finishing nearly 30 years in a little house in mid-Brooklyn, kiddos gone, time to sell, thinking about apartments …]

  109. 109.

    bemused

    I really like the “Home, Crap, Home” idea. There is a website that is called Subversive Stitching, iirc, with cross stitch patterns. One of my favorites was “Bitch, Bitch, Bitch”.

  111. 111.

    Chat Noir

    @Max: We’re open to anywhere we find jobs (my husband is currently employed but sends out resumes all the time; I was laid off at the end of December and am in a holding pattern job-wise) but St. Louis is the likely spot. My 88 year-old mom-in-law lives there and my husband has all his friends there (he moved in to my place in Michigan back in ’04).

    Good luck on your move!

  112. 112.

    Brian J

    @Mark S.:

    I mean, she quotes an economist named Scott Shane, but instead of going on and on with the questions and the hypothetical situations, why not call an economist like Gruber who has written about this? Or maybe one many other economists who signed the letters in support of the legislation? Or maybe someone in the administration? She was invited to the Treasury Dept. with other financial bloggers, so she probably has been read a few times by someone with contact with the president.

  113. 113.

    David in NY

    The state of Ga is thinking of outlawing salvia and I want to know will sage be next?

    Um, salvia is sage, isn’t it? Or at least, sage is a salvia (Salvia officinalis? Google says yes.).

    Why, pray tell? Invasive down there?

  115. 115.

    SiubhanDuinne

    I wanted a throw carpet for high traffic areas. My interior decorator (my dad) found that for cheap, it was sturdy, and it looks fine to me.

    This is just fail on so many levels.

  116. 116.

    David in NY

    Never mind, demo woman, got it. But, um, may I ask, um, is that particular salvia the common red one??? I might be doing some landscaping, see …

  117. 117.

    CalD

    You should just hard code the tag line to, “All your base are belong to Tunch,” and call it a day. You can’t improve on perfection.

  118. 118.

    Alice Blue

    I suppose my herb garden is the next battlefield in the “War on Drugs” since I have several kinds of sage growing there. Courtesy of the craptacular Georgia general assembly.

  119. 119.

    Max

    @Chat Noir: Depending on the industry you are looking in, I highly recommend using a head hunter/recruiter. I used one on the job I just got and it made the process go a lot smoother and the headhunter really makes sure that you at least get an interview.

    Any little edge you can get in this market, is worth it. So many jobs that are open aren’t even posted.

    The hiring company pays the recruiter, so it’s not an expense for you.

  120. 120.

    mr. whipple

    Best header: How did Obama disappoint you today.

    Congrats on your new home, John.

  122. 122.

    Annie

    @Chat Noir:

    Several years ago we had a terrible move with one of our cats. We had trouble finding a hotel that would accept the cat. I think they thought she would pee all over the place. We showed several places that we had litter, etc., and finally found one place that took us only when we agreed to pay extra.

  125. 125.

    Annie

    @dmsilev:

    Why ever take a trip when you can sip a glass of champagne while watching the sun set over Puget Sound? I would never leave…

  126. 126.

    scav

    Did we ever get something along the lines of a Where Did Rahm Touch You tagline at some point? That’s a classic.

  127. 127.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Mark S. #97:

    W00t! Sarah finally got her M.B.A. (Mullet with a Bad Attitude).

  133. 133.

    MikeJ

    @dmsilev: No, no, the northwest sucks. Nobody sane would want to live here^h^h^h^h there. It’s some sort of hellhole.

    Hey, I’ve become a mossback! [1]

    [1]Mossback:PNW slang for anyone who has lived here even one day longer than you.

  134. 134.

    SGEW

    @John Cole:

    I need some evidence I’m not gay, apparently.

    Have you thought of trying out sexual relations with someone of another gender and seeing whether or not you enjoy it? It’s usually a good indicator. Failing that, you could start a series of trial and error tests with various types of pornography, I suppose.

    Oh. Did you mean evidence to exhibit your heterosexuality? In that case, I guess your drop rug might work. I don’t know, I have terrible straight-dar.

  137. 137.

    Brian J

    I forget to say congratulations on the new digs, so I will do it now: congrats. It must be a nice feeling.

  138. 138.

    Max

    @MikeJ: As someone soon to be moving to the horrible PNW (Vancouver, WA), I will have to remember that term.

    LOL. On the rental application for the house I’m renting, I made sure to put that while I was moving from California, I’m not one of “those” Californians. :)

  139. 139.

    Comrade Mary

    Oh man, those rotating taglines are going to wear out my F5 key.

    Also, Tunch now has a bay window to sit in, and I am going to put a bird feeder right outside it to keep him occupied.

    I am reminded of this classic:

    How do I make visitors laugh at the expense of my kitty?
    __
    I need a funny saying for a sign that will go in a window. It will hang over my fat cat, who hardly moves. I know you guys can come up with something great.
    __
    I have a fat white cat. He sits on a large footrest that is in front of a window all day. The window is right next to the front door. I’d like to put up a sign over the cat that visitors can see. Something funny. They always notice the cat, and I’d like to make them laugh. The cat is very happy. He’s just old, lazy and arthritic. He’s on meds, and is spoiled rotten, and is perfectly content gazing out the window all day, taking breaks only to eat and poop. Help me exploit this. Thanks!!

    (Gawd, I love Tunch to death, and it honestly makes my day to see a new pic of him (HINT!), but I can’t resist the fat jokes, either. And if you actually did this, John, and provided photographic evidence, I would buy some swag, I swear to Lily.)

  140. 140.

    Annie

    OT. Just signed a petition on Crooks and Liars demanding that the GOP stop inciting hatred and violence. Hope many, many sign…

  141. 141.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @John Cole #123:

    Besides, I need some evidence I’m not gay, apparently.

    And you’re doing FINE, John. Bringing in your dad (Mr. Steelers-Logo-EVERYWHERE) was genius.

    + quite a few

  144. 144.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @SIA: thanks! If I am, it’s a combo of being punchy on almost no sleep the past three nights, cheap (but tasty) shiraz, and having successfully sent my bosses off on a three-day trip — not to mention, a lot of good material to riff off of.

  146. 146.

    Gus

    @Annie: Ha! I’m in the process of going from IPAs, stouts, and winter warmers to lagers, saisons and wheat beers. Can’t wait until Bell’s Oberon is available.

  148. 148.

    cleek

    it should not rotate. you should do it by hand, when the mood hits.

    that’s how all respectable varying-tagline bloggers do it.

  150. 150.

    fucen tarmal

    the democrats struggled for a year to concisely message health care, and biden does it after the fact.

    think how much easier the fight might have been if it had been called ” a big fucking deal”

    try being a republican, and opposing a big fucking deal, with the old that’s not proper, “what about the children”, a big fucking deal helps children and families, it is family values, not the big fucking deal you call family values.

  154. 154.

    CaseyL

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: You showed a lot of class and grace. It’s not relevant whether he deserved it: you have to work with the idiot, and it’s best to smooth over differences in the name of not dreading coming to work every day.

    I had something similar happen to me at a former workplace – actually, no, it was worse because it was personal: I found out one of my coworkers, a lady I liked, was Anti-Semitic. It hurt like you wouldn’t believe. I confronted her, which didn’t go anywhere good, and though we limped back to being polite, I never got over it. (She did, being serenely sure that she was right, because hers was the True Faith.) I was incredibly happy when she left to work elsewhere.

    Which is a long and roundabout way of saying you’re a better person than I am.

  155. 155.

    KDP

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I have tears in my eyes reading your short report. I am so pleased that your coworker/friend was able, after reflecting on his disappointment and his treatment of you, to man up, confront the issue directly and responsibly, and ask for your forgiveness. For me, that sort of personal responsibility means a lot in whether or not a relationship can be repaired.

    Listening to Maddow talking about the vandalism of Democratic offices in the past 4 days. While not religious, I am praying that this goes no further than a few broken windows. And I certainly hope that Mr. Vanderboegh of the Sipsy Street Irregulars is under investigation by the FBI.

  158. 158.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Bad Horse’s Filly: I am humbled by your graciousness and compassion. He is very lucky to be working with someone like you. Nicely done.

    @CaseyL: I agree that what BHF did was so very gracious. I do want to tell you not to sell yourself short. When the attack is personal, it’s even harder to forgive and move on. Honestly, in you situation or even BHF’s, I wouldn’t be friends with the person again. I would accept an apology if one was given, but I wouldn’t consider that person a friend any longer. It’s more a preservation thing for me.

    @jeffreyw: I continue to hate/love you. Sigh.

  160. 160.

    scott

    Ahhhh, puce! How very daring of you John. To think to recreate 1974 in your own home that way.

    Very daring indeed.

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