Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

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

Battle won, war still ongoing.

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

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

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Bark louder, little dog.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

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

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

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

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Bad news for Ron DeSantis is great news for America.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

White supremacy is terrorism.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

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Reader Interactions

58Comments

  1. 1.

    Chat Noir

    Ah Tunch! That’s exactly what we need in the midst of all the bad news coming from the Gulf.

  2. 2.

    Jared

    “…I loved Tunch’s glare.”

    Ah yes, the “I will cut you” glare.

    The picture is great! No worries.

  4. 4.

    robertdsc

    Perhaps Tunch’s Furminator leftovers can stop the leak.

    I bow to our feline Overlord. He iz king!

  5. 5.

    Mnemosyne

    Pretty boy! (Not you, the cat.) That’s definitely the look of a cat who’s saying, “You know what? You’re OK for a monkey.”

  6. 6.

    schrodinger's cat

    @Mnemosyne: We don’t really know what John looks like, do we? It is hard to beat kittehz in the looks department though, they are such beautiful and graceful creatures.

    Tunch rules!!!
    Thx
    — Tunch fan

  8. 8.

    lamh32

    Oh good Lord.

    Far be if for me to give any repub the benefit of the doubt, but unless this woman is some type of politician “Tiger Woods”, this is just too ridiculous to even fathom?

    And then there were 2…Another Haley denial…

    What the`…:

    A lobbyist who resigned from a rival political campaign is claiming to have had a tryst with a South Carolina lawmaker trying to become the state’s first female governor. The allegation made Wednesday by lobbyist Larry Marchant is the second leveled at Republican state Rep. Nikki Haley in the past two weeks. Her campaign vehemently denies both allegations. Neither claim has come with proof. Marchant says their one-night stand happened in 2008 during a trip to Utah. He was married then and still is…

  9. 9.

    Violet

    @lamh32:
    It’s enough to make you wonder if she’s been taking Amb!en and has been sleep-sexing, or something. That’s crazy.

  10. 10.

    schrodinger's cat

    Tunch: This kibble is not good enough, where is my sushi grade tuna?

  11. 11.

    lamh32

    Paul McCartney’s White House Fête

    Tonight is Sir Paul McCartney’s night at the White House. And the Obamas are honoring him with quite a star-studded soirée.The night will bring out Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, the Jonas Brothers, Jack White, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris and Jerry Seinfeld, among others, to honor singer, composer and song-writer Paul McCartney, recipient of this year’s Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.The Gershwin prize was created in 2007 to “honor artists whose creative output transcends distinctions between musical styles and idioms, bringing diverse listeners together, and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation,” and commemorates George and Ira Gershwin. McCartney is the third winner – following Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.In a glitzy East Room concert this evening, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will listen to the line-up of entertainers perform songs of McCartney’s. The audience will also hear a performance from the man of the hour himself.“I intend to just try to have fun,” McCartney said yesterday, but he expressed nervousness about performing “like, three feet away” from President Obama.“It’s very special. It’s true, I’ve had some great awards, I’ve been really lucky on that score,” McCartney said. “But for an English kid growing up in Liverpool — the White House — that’s very special.”The “In Performances at the White House” is a PBS music special airing July 28.

  13. 13.

    smiley

    OT, I guess, but I hate where I live. From today’s paper:

    […]

    So, this man [Calderon] comes to our capitol city; is feted at a state dinner; is honored to speak to both of our legislative houses in joint session; and his comments are supported and repeated by our current president.
    Fits the Obama foreign policy perfectly, to wit: “America can do no right; most tinhorn dictators can do no wrong.”
    I wonder, however, if our current president has read the Arizona bill?

    […]

    Everyone criticizing President Obama’s commentary on the Arizona immigration bill, despite his own admission of not reading the bill….

    […]

    All of you criticizing the president simply don’t understand his great wisdom and knowledge of all things. He does not need to read something to know what is in it. He does not need to have a report detailing the facts of a case [the Arizona immigration law] to know what exactly happened.

    […]

    Secretary Napolitano and Attorney General Holder have also acquired this mystical power. All three of these people have publicly denounced the new Arizona law while admitting they have never read it.

    It’s been about three weeks since Holder said he hadn’t read the Arizona law. They’re really stuck on that.

  14. 14.

    geg6

    @lamh32:

    Damn. She has slutted her way through the whole state party.

    In good news, the prezzie made a pretty damn good speech on the economy and who fucked it up and who fixed and continues to fix it. Benen has the text, I believe.

  15. 15.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Let’s Go Blackhawks!

    If the Blackhawks win the Cup and the Bulls sign one of the star free agents (1st choice: James, 2nd choice Bosh) I just may be able to make it through this dismal White Sox season.

    The Fire winning a trophy would help a great deal, also, too.

    Oh yeah, and the Cubs need to miss the playoffs. Can’t forget that.

  18. 18.

    soonergrunt

    I submit the following for your edification:
    Once Upon a Time in Afghanistan is an article in Foreign Policy magazine by Mohammad Qayoumi, President of California State University, East Bay. He grew up in Kabul and came to work in the United States in 1978. Since 2002 he has volunteered his time in reconstruction efforts, serving on the board of directors to the Central Bank and as senior advisor to the minister of finance.
    While it’s not a perfect example of pre-war life in Afghanistan, it does show how Kabul was, and there was a stable, functioning government there.
    Between the Russians and the Pakistanis, that is in ruins, but the simple fact is that anyone who likes to claim that Afghanistan is a lost cause or that it’s doomed to fail or that it’s a medieval society or any of the other memes that westerners who want to end what we’re doing there does not know the history of the country, and they do not know the Afghans I knew.
    I could go on all night, but I doubt I’d sway anybody’s opinion.

  19. 19.

    Chat Noir

    @lamh32: Coolness! I wonder if he’ll play a special version of “Michelle” for Michelle Obama. I heard a clip of his concert from DC last summer where he dedicated the song to her.

    /swoon (love McCartney!)

  20. 20.

    jl

    I interpret Tunch’s ‘glare’ as a look of affectionate contempt he has deigned to throw towards his miserable human straw boss.

  21. 21.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    So, Senator Daniel Akaka, Democrat of Hawaii, wants to make some changes to the post 9/11 Gi Bill that would actually hurt me financially in a big way.

    All I’m thinking is that he is a fucking piece of shit, and any Dem who votes for this is also a fucking douchebag.

    Hopefully I’ll be done with school and employed in a decent job before this even passes, but it fucking pisses me off to no end.

    *The part about BAH rates being lowered for people going to school half time, whereas you get the full rate for going part time right now. It really does financially impact me, since I’m going to school part time while working a pretty hefty schedule.

  22. 22.

    Tonal Crow

    That’s not a glare. That’s the steady attention of true love. I think you’re going to have to apologize for assuming that Tunch was up to no good when you found him in the shower at 3am.

  23. 23.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    The night will bring out Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, the Jonas Brothers, Jack White, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris

    Oee of these things is not like the other
    One of these things just doesn’t belong…

    Maybe even two of those things….

  24. 24.

    Karen in GA

    The positive side of the spill — more Michael Sheen. You know he’ll be playing Tony Hayward in the inevitable movie.

    (Yes, in this context, the term “positive” is used very loosely. I mean, I like Michael Sheen, but not that much.)

  28. 28.

    El Tiburon

    Also the glare on Tunch.

    I just replanted a geranium from a pot into the backyard. It’s looking good but no bloom yet.

  29. 29.

    lamh32

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    the sign of the apocalypse for me was when the Jonas Brothers played “Superstitious” with Stevie Wonder in one of those odd Grammy duets. The joke at my Grammy watching party was “do you think Stevie even knows who he’s playing with?”

  30. 30.

    Karen in GA

    Sorry, I’m still stuck on the “positive side of the spill” thing. What’s sad is that I was telling someone recently that if we were to switch over to nuclear energy, I wouldn’t trust the US government to regulate it or oversee its safety.

    I said that within 6 months we’d all be glowing in the dark — “and CNN would be running happy segments on the advantages of bioluminescence.”

    It figures.

  31. 31.

    smiley

    @soonergrunt: Books like “The Kite Runner” have really helped me understand, at least a little, and become curious about that part of the world. Also, the discovery the NG Afgan girl makes me curious about the background of the people of central Asia. Anyone know any good anthropology or travel books on the region?

  32. 32.

    Paula

    Ugh. Obama needs to stop indulging the girls’ Jonas brothers mania, for the sake of our national musical heritage. /backseat parenting

  33. 33.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Well, I haz a happy because a Big Package was waiting for me at my front door when I got home tonight. Even better, it was from Cafe Press. Een better than *that*, it disgorged two Balloon Juice mugs (one with each slogan), two tote bags (“Tunch is Watching You” and “OBEY”), and a t-shirt with a tasteful portrait of Tunch and “Ballon Juice” beneath the picture. The mugs and totes will be put to use beginning tomorrow; the t-shirt, however, is long-sleeved and will languish in my closet until it cools off in Atlanta by about 30 degrees.

    It’s all beautiful stuff. The on-line illustrations don’t really do justice to the great artwork or the terrific workmanship. I am very pleased. And saving puppehs and kittehs through Evelyn’s rescue facility is a bonus, of course.

  34. 34.

    The Dangerman

    Is that a glare…

    …or has he used so much energy getting from the floor to the dresser that he can’t open his eyes all the way?

  35. 35.

    arguingwithsignposts

    Sigh. It’s only wednesday and i feel like i’ve been through a wringer – the I/P attack, the BP spill (I grew up on the gulf coast in Texas). Tomorrow, I’m going to the doctor again for some anti-depressants, because this world has become too scary for even Lady Smudge to counteract.

  37. 37.

    Neutron Flux

    @Karen in GA: About 19% of the electricity produced in the US comes from nuclear.

    The industry had it’s own Deepwater Horizon, and evolved from that safer and more reliable.

  38. 38.

    lamh32

    Darnit,

    Looks like the WH livestream only showed Obama’s speech, not the performances. I guess you have to wait til PBS broadcasts the performances.

    Curses!!!

  39. 39.

    Annie

    Notice that Tunch is sitting on a hard, wooden table. Does the glare have something to do with John turning his lovely soft window seat into an atrium?

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Hugs and kisses to Lady Smudge. It it time for new pictures.

  40. 40.

    QuaintIrene

    Tunch’s glare? I don’t know. To me, his look says more like, “Drink me in, folks.”

  41. 41.

    Steeplejack

    Tunch’s look is pure love. When cats squinch their eyes at you like that, it’s lurve. Still may be followed by mayhem, but it’s love.

  42. 42.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @arguingwithsignposts: You may or may not know it, but I (and I would imagine a LOT of people around these parts) — well, I don’t actually know the word; it combines worry/concern with cheerleading — anyhow, that.

    Lady Smudge has been a FSMsend, no doubt, but sometimes a few counseling sessions or pills or both make all the difference. You are truly one of my favourite commenters here, and I’m so glad you’re asking for help now.

    I’d send a {hug} but it’s too farkin hot. But maybe Miss Smudge will drape herself across your neck. You know, to show affection. Because she’s just that awesome.

  43. 43.

    Karen in GA

    @Neutron Flux: That’s the thing — when I think “nuclear power,” I don’t immediately assume “impending mushroom cloud.”

    However, when I think “nuclear power overseen by US deregulation freaks,” I assume “reading at night by the light of my very own flesh.” Followed by “until it sloughs off from the radiation poisoning.”

    We’ve had a generation raised on “private industry can do no wrong,” and who knows how many of them are entrenched in our government. I wouldn’t trust them to oversee a charcoal grill.

    I’m just angry and venting. Don’t mind me.

  44. 44.

    Neutron Flux

    @Karen in GA: No prob. I missed your POV.

    I can see your concern, but would tell you that from where I set, there is no sign of that happening. Today at least.

  45. 45.

    MTmofo

    See the Olbermann interview with former Ambassador Edward Peck. Peck was on one of the flotilla vessels.

  46. 46.

    Mark S.

    Ken Griffey, Jr. just retired. Should he be in the HOF? His numbers are certainly worthy and he’s never been accused of juicing, but, man, he was such a nonentity for the last ten years of his career. Any baseball fans want to weigh in?

  48. 48.

    Daize

    John, thank you for the Tunchster photo. His loveliness is balm to the sadness of current things….

  49. 49.

    Joe Lisboa

    Ump robs Detroit Tiger of perfect game on last out of the 9th . There are no words.

  51. 51.

    asiangrrlMN

    Tuuuuuuuuuunchie! He’s not glaring! He’s loving you up, cole! I love love love that cat!

    @Mark S.: No. He was a really good player early on, but no.

    @geg6: If it is to be believed. And, even if she has, so what? I mean, other than her being a traditional family values/morals kind of person (which, to be fair, I don’t know for sure she is, but she’s a Republican), who cares? If it’s good for the gander, it’s certainly good enough for the goose.

    @arguingwithsignposts: I hear ya. I have TWO cats and anti-depressants, and it’s still not enough.

  53. 53.

    Ash Can

    So there will be a Game 5. That’s fine. Now, to bed.

    PS: That big white ottoman is looking at me funny.

    (I keed, I keed. I love da Tunch.)

  55. 55.

    Yutsano

    This one is for RedKitten. Mostly because it involves A) Nova Scotia B) Sidney Crosby and C) puppehs. A very adorable one at that.

    http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/05/31/ns-sidney-crosby-rcmp-dog.html

    I am fully aware she may have seen this, but it’s still too sweet to not share.

    @asiangrrlMN: I know that look. I get it from my furballs all the time. That’s a glare. JC has committed some unforgivable sin. Hopefully the Tunch shall be merciful and spare his life.

  56. 56.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: Teh puppeh! Swooooon from the cuteness. And, Raven gives me that look, but he’s just caught halfway in blinking “I looooove you”. It’s not a glare! How are you? Thought you might me outie tonight.

  57. 57.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I’m about, just not posting from work because of the IE issues. That and today was pure fucking hell. Oh well, tomorrow then two days off. I have an interesting dinner planned to try and cheer my brother up. Pork chops stuffed with two cheeses, prosciutto, and sage, and risotto. I’ll make plenty. :)

  58. 58.

    JDG

    OMG, KAOS Radio Austin! Awesome! I listened to them back in the day when they were running an illegal transmitter out of someone’s back yard in east Austin. Those were the days… there were actually TWO unlicensed stations for a short while, so totally awesome (especially because KVRX only gets 12 hours out of the day on their frequency; the other 12 hours is KOOP, which is only occasionally as good).

    /nostalgia

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