Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

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

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

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

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

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

Republicans can’t even be trusted with their own money.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

Republicans in disarray!

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

You can’t love your country only when you win.

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Usually wrong but never in doubt

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Bad news for Ron DeSantis is great news for America.

I’m sure you banged some questionable people yourself.

Glad to see john eastman going through some things.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread

Reader Interactions

232Comments

  2. 2.

    Three-nineteen

    I’m just gonna pop open one of my Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf bombers. I do have to work tomorrow.

  3. 3.

    Arclite

    I think a lot of people are feeling this way (via Sully):

    My sister was not focused on the policy merits of the deal. All she was paying attention to were the atmospherics. For someone like her, not a member of the professional left or even the avid grassroots supporters of the President, to have embraced the meme that this President “caves” is a terrible thing, I think. The White House should be very worried that she has internalized this impression. It will be difficult (if not impossible) to overcome… …I can’t help but think of the many other young people in their mid to late 20s (like my sister) who have already decided that this President is not up to the task. I talked to my sister on the phone this afternoon and she said something that should more than terrify the White House. She said something to the effect that every time she hears the President on television talking about how “broken” Washington is, all she can think about is how “broken” he is because he is after all Washington.

  9. 9.

    Felinious Wench

    Was in Montana until today, and had the pleasure of drinking Trout Slayer Ale. And seeing Yellowstone. Those of you who live in the region, I both envy your surroundings and am damn glad I don’t spend my winters there.

    Beautiful.

  10. 10.

    Steve

    So a colleague just walked into my office and we had the following conversation.

    He: Have you seen where Treasury rates are today, with everything that’s been going on.

    Me: 2.7%?

    He: 2.6%! The economic forecast is awful, our credit rating just got downgraded to a negative outlook, and interest rates are still at 2.6%. Can you believe it?

    Me: That’s why we ought to be borrowing money cheaply and making investments that will stimulate growth. But oh no, we can’t borrow and spend because the invisible bond vigilantes will drive up interest rates, only they never seem to show up and meanwhile the economy keeps sucking.

    He: But they will show up! Maybe not today, but soon, if we keep spending.

    Me: But see, you’re one of these people I’m complaining about. God forbid we should borrow money cheaply, because if we start making investments to stimulate the economy then at some point down the road it could cost us our ability to borrow money cheaply!

    He: Why do you keep saying investment? Government can’t make investments. It’s not like it’s going to achieve some return.

    Me: Sure it will, if your stimulus gets spent on things that stimulate growth in the long term, things like education, infrastructure, and so on.

    He: *walks out in disgust*

    Good thing I work on Wall Street, where everyone is so economically literate!

  13. 13.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @Steve:

    Why do you keep saying investment? Government can’t make investments. It’s not like it’s going to achieve some return.

    The stupid. It burns.

    Unless it shows up on an Excel spreadsheet, obviously there’s no “return” for the “investment”.

    This fucktard probably thinks the Internet would have happened out of thin air if DARPA had not pushed the technology of telecommunications in ways that his fellow fucktards of Ma Bell could not possibly imagine.

  16. 16.

    matt

    That’s my favorite of the brands I’ve tried. Is there any point in trying more of the 1,000 brands out there?

  17. 17.

    DonkeyKong

    This really is bordering on a mental condition with the President and his quest to be the “Anal Retentive Hall Monitor of Washington.”

    The White House said on Tuesday that the use of the word “terrorists” to describe Tea Party Republicans is inappropriate and the “product of an emotional discussion” about the debt ceiling.

    On Monday, Politico reported that, during a meeting between Vice President Joe Biden and House Democrats ahead of the House’s vote on the debt ceiling deal, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) argued that Democrats “have negotiated with terrorists.”

    Sources told Politico that Biden responded that the Tea Partiers “have acted like terrorists,” but Biden’s office denied that he had used the term.

    “I did not use the terrorism word,” Biden told CBS Evening News’ Scott Pelley.

    “What happened was there were some people who said they felt like they were being held hostage by terrorists,” Biden said. “I never said that they were terrorists or weren’t terrorists, I just let them vent.”

    “I said even if that were the case, what’s been happening when you now have taken and paid the debt and move that down so we can now discuss, the nuclear weapon’s been taken out of anyone’s hands,” Biden continued.

    Asked by a reporter whether President Barack Obama thinks the use of the term “terrorists” is appropriate discourse, White House spokesman Jay Carney said at Tuesday’s White House briefing: “No he doesn’t, and neither does the vice president.

  18. 18.

    WereBear

    When saying anything in Scot, I’ve been told to imagine I have a rag in my mouth.

    Someone’s Emo sister. Uh huh. Where’s that drink?

  19. 19.

    Bnut

    @Arclite
    Prophetic name, lol. But it’s true. Most of my late 20’s friends voted for Obama, and most even volunteered for him, and there is nary a hard political bone in their bodies. Between the emails, FB posts, tweets, etc. I am starting to get the feeling I might be the only one not only to canvass for him, but even get to the ballot box.

    Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can hear it already. Yes, any Dem is better than a Repub, but by the very act of anyone posting a comment on BJ makes you political. Most of my friends are not. Too busy trying to find a shitty job, or paying back massive student loans. It’s not firebagging anymore. This shit is getting real for alot of people I know.

  21. 21.

    cleek

    @matt:

    Is there any point in trying more of the 1,000 brands out there?

    yes.

    but few will have as much of a wang as Laphroaig. that smoky, tire-fire, salty flavor is pretty unique. (at least as far as those i’ve been able to try)

  22. 22.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Yeah, that’s a big ol’ bucket of fail from the usual suspects.

    Sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest anyone was actually under investigation for a crime.

  23. 23.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @Jenny:

    Bibi is obviously a Hamas agent, or, more darkly, an SS sleeper agent who now, nearly 70 years after the demise of his master in Prague, is carrying out the “Final Solution.”

  24. 24.

    Alex S.

    @Steve:

    Oh Lord…
    Question, if the government decides to build a road and hires previously unemployed workers to construct it, and these workers spend some of their money in a local bar that depends on these customers, is the wage of the barkeeper still taxpayer money? And isn’t the job of the barkeeper saved by the government? I mean, some people seem to believe that the government is some kind of extra-dimensional sphere.

  26. 26.

    Maude

    @Steve:
    Lotsa laying off on Wall Street.
    The people who have been working for the financial sector having to look for work at this time. How difficult.
    The main theme I hear on Bloomberg from the guests is the debt is too high, blah, blah, blah.

  29. 29.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    For all of you drinkers by the way (which seems to be 99% of us) have any of you checked out “James May Drinks to Britain” currently being shown on BBCAmerica? It is a really facsinating look at alcohol, from Scottish brewers making beer out of heather, to tiny micro brewers making excellent ale. It is basically James May and Oz Clarke driving around Britain and getting incredibly drunk in the process. Great series.

  30. 30.

    DonkeyKong

    White House spokesman Jay Carney said at Tuesday’s White House briefing: “No he doesn’t, and neither does the vice president.

    Is Carney some kind of double agent just some fuckhead? Reading….how does it work?

  31. 31.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    I particularly liked the picture of alcohol hovering over top of what appears to be Mitch Daniels as an embryo suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome coupled with an urgent demand that he stand up.

  32. 32.

    cleek

    @Bnut:

    It’s not firebagging anymore.

    frankly, i bet it’s exactly firebagging. i see the same panic-prone pure progressive pony pouty emails and facebook posts from my friends. they hear the worst from the shrieking shitheads without bothering to see if there’s more to the story, and then it’s “Obama has signed away Social Security forever! bwah! that’s not the change i voted for! fapfapfap”.

    that’s the real problem with firebaggers: their endless stream of half-assed hysteria eventually trickles into mainstream discourse because people really like to believe the worst about government. Obama has a tough battle and doesn’t win ? FAIL! SURRENDER! DINO! and there go a few more potential Dem votes.

    yeah, i’m sure they’re going to go pressure Obama to be a better Dem, instead of just voting for the Republican because “he can’t be any worse! gigglechucklefail”

  33. 33.

    beltane

    Since I had that episode of vertigo last year, I have found that I have zero tolerance for alcohol. Even half a glass of wine makes me violently ill. It is unfortunate that I developed this condition at a time such as this.

  34. 34.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @Jenny:

    He has been photographed with Barack Obama.

    I rest my case on the “secret Moooslim” angle.

  35. 35.

    Derf

    Reading down to your latest Obama concern troll post “Obama might not get re-elected” bullshit.

    I just gotta wonder. Do you think we are as dumb as you to not see what you are doing? Do you think the fact you get a boner every time you read Greenwald does not scream some obvious things about your mental malfunctions? Do you think the rhetorical questions asking if Libertarians have good ideas is not obviously just more evidence you are at least as fucked up in the head as Hamsher and a lot of Teabaggers?

    Suck on this link while you are at it Captain Gloom John Galt Cole.
    http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/nope-not-losing-the-base/

  36. 36.

    WereBear

    Is there any point in trying more of the 1,000 brands out there?

    You can narrow it down by only looking at single malts, and then picking a price range. I’m a Glenmorangie girl myself, but with hard times I’m happy with Speyburn.

  38. 38.

    matt

    @cleek: go ahead, name names!!! I tried a half dozen other types and now have kind of stopped sampling other kinds because they always make me regret not having just gotten another bottle of laphroaig 10.

  39. 39.

    tomanjeri

    Damn straight, Laphroaig is good stuff. A nose like no other. Just picked up a bottle myself the other day and it had been awhile, but the very strong peaty and tobacco aromas are right there up front. Love that stuff.

  43. 43.

    jl

    I myself prefer kerosene to single malts, or any other of that celtic whiskey crud.

    Kerosene is useful for more stuff around the house, and if you get some in your mouth by accident, it tastes better.

    Unless you dump a whole ton of butter and sugar in it, and get drunk on pudding and sauce.

  44. 44.

    gpleigh

    @arclite 20-somethings don’t understand how governance truly works while trying on their President-for-a-Day costumes in front of everybody? You’re kidding!!

  47. 47.

    Suffern ACE

    @Derf: I don’t know, Derf. 10 point drop since june among “moderates” is tough to write off. He spent a lot of capital in an attempt to break the reps on taxes during the debt ceiling fight.

  50. 50.

    merrinc

    Want to hear something more depressing than the current political situation? I’m at a concert as a chaperone for my almost teen daughter and two friends who wish they had the ability to make me invisible. I’ve never heard of the first two bands (and they sucked), it’s 94 fucking degrees, I hate crowds, I forgot my Nook and my wireless connection keeps cutting out so I can’t even keep up with all the pissing and moaning on BJ. So if this posts by some miracle, please have a big shot of that fine single malt for me.

  51. 51.

    Cat Lady

    panic-prone pure progressive pony pouty emails

    I know there are a lot of post tags, but that should be a rotating tag. It will be good for a laugh in the months to come, along with “a dingo ate my baby”, which makes me laugh every.single.time.

  53. 53.

    SteveinSC

    Marked with the scarlet letter L, the only reason for progressives to continue to support President Harold Ford II is SCOTUS. Seriously, though the only way the teaparty rampage will end is when some people really get bit in the ass like the FAA. The American people don’t have any skin in the game yet. But they will and then all hell will break loose.

  54. 54.

    JPL

    We are so screwed… I say that even though I think President Obama has been amazing from Lily Ledbetter to birth control without co-pays but when I read this at Greg Sargent’s place, I knew he was right

    A top Obama ally, speaking to Ben Smith, offers an interesting explanation of the White House’s view of the eternal American argument over government……………..
    A taste: “We didn’t lose this fight. Barack Obama was in law school when this fight was lost.”………………….
    * Chris Cillizza reports that Obama’s numbers in the Rust Belt swing states are nowhere near where his political team wants them some 15 months before election day.

    I included the Cillizza part because people have no clue. . They only know talk radio after the fairness doctrine was repealed; they only know that the New York Times is liberal; they only know Murdoch and Fox are fair and balanced and they only know they are losing money.

    I am beginning to think that Obama will go down as the best President ever but it will be only one term. He will keep up the good fight. Might not be big steps but that’s okay.

  55. 55.

    Corner Stone

    @cleek:

    frankly, i bet it’s exactly firebagging. i see the same panic-prone pure progressive pony pouty emails and facebook posts from my friends.

    Thank the Gods we have steely eyed centrist cleek here to tell all the people in desperate situations that they’ve got no excuse to be bitchin’.
    That no job having shit? Debt? Living with the folks?
    Fuck all that noise! cleek knows it ain’t nothin’ but a thang!

  56. 56.

    cleek

    @matt:
    i really like The Balvenie doublewood. Balvenie 16 is good, too.
    i’m currently really enjoying Aberlour 12.
    Glenlivet’s my default when i’m out at a bar.
    Glenlivet french oak is good.
    Macallan is good.
    i remember liking Oban a lot, but it seems to have doubled in price, so i haven’t had it in a long while.
    i didn’t like Glenrothes “select”.
    not a fan of Highland Park.

    but yeah, Laphroiag is kind of in it’s own league. most others seem a bit tame by comparison.

    all IMO, of course. everybody likes what they like.

  57. 57.

    Bruce S

    True dat. (I raised this pressing issue in an earlier thread yesterday – FWIW. Glad to see that my concerns are shared.)

    Excellent post.

  58. 58.

    JPL

    I googled laphroig because I was not familiar with it and quickly discovered why..
    John should drink two shots of that and then go to the cheap stuff.

  59. 59.

    scav

    I have been cheated of thunder. Everybody’s got their own taxidriver of wisdom. Only live political conversation I had today was with someone that had turned off all news for days because everyone was so clueless and weird and why didn’t anyone remember what the role of the president v. congress actually was? What did they want, tinkerbell on a white steed to save them? An opinion that counts as much as any other opinion in a yellow car. HA! finally saw some lightning.

    ETA: Damn you lot are making me miss Heathrow 5’s duty free shop as it gave out samples.

  60. 60.

    RossInDetroit

    Laphroaig. Am I the only one who tastes strong iodine in it? And likes that? It’s a bit fishy along with the peat.
    I’ve been a Scotch guy for 30 years. Laphroaig for special occasions and The Famous Grouse or Highland Park as the usual evening dram.

  61. 61.

    JPL

    I’m going to watch the last episode of ZEN on Masterpiece Theater or Mystery. Sometimes you just need eye candy.
    John can drink his expensive scotch and I can watch Rufus Sewell..

    According to the preview..zen is like a plate of pasta

  62. 62.

    MikeJ

    @Arclite:

    My sister was not focused on the policy merits of the deal. All she was paying attention to were the atmospherics.

    And who did more to contribute to the atmospherics being so? Obama did exactly what he promised when he ran and a bunch of fucking morons yell that he took grandma’s social security (even when it was specifically excluded from any deals) and claimed that was his sekrit plan all along.

    The atmospherics can be a problem. How many people on the left made any attempt to help with it?

  63. 63.

    RossInDetroit

    @cleek:

    Glenlivet’s my default when i’m out at a bar.

    Wise choice if it’s not a scotch bar. It’s likely to be fairly ‘fresh’ due to popularity and quick turnover.
    I’ve had expensive shots with a layer of dead fruit flies at the bottom.

  64. 64.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    @JPL:

    I am beginning to think that Obama will go down as the best President ever but it will be only one term.

    I disagree. I think he’ll be somewhere in the middle, which is where he prefers to be anyway.

  65. 65.

    arguingwithsignposts

    In other news, this just elicited a shudder from me: the WaPo ombudsman defending Jennifer Rubin:

    “But Rubin has a good defense. She is Jewish. She generally observes the Sabbath from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday; she doesn’t blog, doesn’t tweet, doesn’t respond to reader e-mails.
    __
    When she went online at 8 p.m. Saturday, her mea culpa post on Norway was the first thing she posted, although its tone also hurt her, particularly this sentence, which struck many readers as borderline racist: “There are many more jihadists than blond Norwegians out to kill Americans, and we should keep our eye on the systemic and far more potent threats that stem from an ideological war with the West.”

    This is a defense? Any Jewish people want to help out on this one?

  67. 67.

    trollhattan

    @cleek:

    It’s peaty McPeatPeat, frosted with peat and finished with a dollop of peat. To me it’s kinda the Scotch equivalent of heavily hopped ale.

    I like it in smallish amounts, but lean more towards Glenfarclas and similar. Less of a sense the next day somebody ran a rototiller through my mouth and scattered dirty socks before leaving.

  68. 68.

    Beta Magellan

    @Arclite:

    As someone in this demographic, I can attest to the truth of this. I’m scared shitless about the future, and I feel there’s no one looking out for my interests. I’ll still vote in 2012, but most of my attention will not be on the presidential race. It’s only marginal things like contraception, fuel economy, and the fact that his internet policy is closer to net neutrality than the Republicans’ that will keep me voting for him.

  69. 69.

    Felinious Wench

    @merrinc:

    I’m at a concert as a chaperone for my almost teen daughter and two friends who wish they had the ability to make me invisible.

    A favorite Bill Cosby Quote: “My eleven year old daughter mopes around the house all day waiting for her breasts to grow.”

    Hang in there.

  70. 70.

    scav

    Ardbeg was the one I walked away with, was I wildly odd or naive? Because dutyfree shops definitely lower the IQ.

    ETA: Well FYWP doesn’t seem to approve of my choice, the above was moderated. ?

  71. 71.

    DonkeyKong

    “Day by day I struggle to maintain not only my strength but also my sanity. It’s all a blur. I have no energy to type. I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore. The morale of the men is low, a civil war in the Balloon. Half the posters with the Firebaggers, half are Obots. There’s a lot of suspicion and hate. I can’t believe we’re fighting each other, when we should be fighting them.”

  72. 72.

    JPL

    @arguingwithsignposts: hahahahahahahahahaha… Shorter WaPo ombudsman Please I don’t want to lose my job and I don’t want this Rubin person to get mad at me…..

    edit..don’t want to make light of her customs but I have to wonder if they match up with her posts… it’s actually the second excuse.. the first was the dog ate it.

  73. 73.

    trollhattan

    Good grief the rotating ad is to “Make Mitch Daniels Stand up for the Unborn.” That’s just too much collision of the bizarre for me to comprehend.

  75. 75.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    I had a boyfriend once who would drink nothing but Glenmorangie. I miss him still.

  76. 76.

    Cat Lady

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Why would you be surprised the neocon WaPo defends neocons? Kristol, Krauthammer, Thiessen, Gerson, Hiatt, Will, Lane and Diehl are all regular columnists, and Hiatt has their backs. Srsly?

  77. 77.

    debg

    Please add “Satan sandwich” to the glossary. That line is too good to use. Maybe also quote the Congresscritter for the blog headline?

  78. 78.

    FlipYrWhig

    @Felinious Wench:

    A favorite Bill Cosby Quote: “My eleven year old daughter mopes around the house all day waiting for her breasts to grow.”

    Imagine if there were blog comment sections like that.

  79. 79.

    Dr Dave

    Difficult for me to think about scotch in this kind of weather–gin and tonic season for another month or so.

    When the cooler weather hits, my top choices include Glenfiddich Solera reserve (15 years) or a Macallan fine oak if I’m feeling extra indulgent.

  80. 80.

    arguingwithsignposts

    @Cat Lady: I just thought the “She’s Jewish” defense was a little out there. I’m no defender of ombudspeople in general – they’re usually feckless “both sides do it” types, but that seemed to fall flat, which is why I was hoping for a Jewish perspective.

  81. 81.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    @JPL: Well, I dunno if he’ll win again. That depends on who he pulls as a challenger. If he pulls Romney, I think it could be a pretty competitive race and go either way. If he pulls one of the non-Romney nutjobs, I don’t see how there isn’t a real strong third party candidate to fill the void between the far right wing and Obama’s socialism. Then it’s a free-for-all that will depend on how close the third party candidate is aligned with one side or the other, and how much support they bleed off.

  84. 84.

    DonkeyKong

    With the teabager quest to kill government, shouldn’t the deal be called a “Paultard Panini”

    He is the original chef, no?

  88. 88.

    cleek

    @RossInDetroit:

    Laphroaig. Am I the only one who tastes strong iodine in it?

    nope. i taste it.

    hated the stuff the first time i had it, described it thusly:

    “It’s medicinal. It’s chemical. It’s offensive. It tastes like some kind of industrial cleaner. Instead of inspiring romantic visions of the Isles off Scotland, it conjures nightmares of industrial Britain: an afternoon spent near a burning paint factory by the sea.”

    it grew on me, though.

    @RossInDetroit:

    I’ve had expensive shots with a layer of dead fruit flies at the bottom.

    holy crap.

  90. 90.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Oh fuck it.. twenty seven front pagers here preening all over the site and no one to do basic housekeeping.

    @JPL:

    Well, I dunno if he’ll win again. That depends on who he pulls as a challenger. If he pulls Romney, I think it could be a pretty competitive race and go either way. If he pulls one of the non-Romney nutjobs, I don’t see how there isn’t a real strong third party candidate to fill the void between the far right wing and Obama’s socia1ism. Then it’s a free-for-all that will depend on how close the third party candidate is aligned with one side or the other, and how much support they bleed off.

  94. 94.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    What, no other bourbon drinkers in this thread? I keep going back to Evan Williams. At $11.99, it’s better than Beam and a match for most of the $20.00 brands. Although I do like Knob Creek, or Maker’s Mark once in awhile when I’m feeling rich.

  96. 96.

    RossInDetroit

    @WereBear:

    good choices, but to me the cheapest single malt still beats the best blend.

    Not me in every case. I’ve had Tamdhu, for instance, and find the blends it’s used in like The famous Grouse and J&B to be better balanced at the same price. I’m not a fan of J&B, however. Not every single malt has all of the characteristics it needs to stand on its own.

  97. 97.

    scav

    @arguingwithsignposts: well, FYWP has moderated one of my comments based on merely my selection of single malt as far as I can tell — grumpy little twit he is tonight. Somebody sacrifice a frog or something.

  99. 99.

    RossInDetroit

    @cleek:

    I’ve had expensive shots with a layer of dead fruit flies at the bottom.

    holy crap.

    Yes. And I couldn’t yell at the bartender because it was my MIL and she owns the place.

  102. 102.

    Davis X. Machina

    Does the making of Laphroaig involve seaweed at any point? Because that was burnt to extract iodine on an industrial basis at one time.

  103. 103.

    Felinious Wench

    @debg:

    Please add “Satan sandwich” to the glossary.

    I was thinking, if nothing else besides angst, this whole debt ceiling fiasco HAS to be good for some new lexicon entries.

    I second your nomination, and I also suggest Economic Terrorist.

  105. 105.

    Cat Lady

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Well, he had to say something, and his job is to defend the indefensible to everyone not a racist neocon. It’s the equivalent of the dog ate her homework, and at the end of the day, not one thing will change and her job is safe.

  106. 106.

    Alex S.

    @JPL:

    Kind of depressing… to find out that you’re not Luke Skywalker, but just Obi-Wan Kenobi… a survivor of a bygone era.
    However, to use a better analogy, maybe Obama isn’t the liberal Reagan. But he might be the democratic Nixon. He plants the seeds that are going to blossom in the future. (Howard Dean would be Goldwater, and Clinton would be Eisenhower). This administration is more or less scandal-free. The vetting is very good. Maybe there is a growing generation of operatives that will be able to rebuild the liberal project in the future. The blogosphere might change the media landscape in the same way Nixon changed the press, from the Checkers speech to Roger Ailes.
    At one point, Nixon said ‘we are all Keynesians now’ even though is administration laid the foundation of Keynes’ decline.

  108. 108.

    cleek

    also, gotta give a shout out to Pyrat rum. didn’t know you could sip on a glass of straight rum until i found that stuff.

    not cheap, though. get it as a gift, if you can.

  109. 109.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    @Lysana: Heh. I figured this was the wrong thread to post that, but what the hell, sometimes you upend the table just to see who notices.

    Good answer, though.

  112. 112.

    Bruce Webb

    Island peat is sea-weed mostly in origin, and Lugh didn’t filter out the fish when it was laid down. So yes there is iodine and fish hints.

    I would not advise any Scotch newbie to start with Laphroiag or really most other single malts, instead you need to appreciate the basic flavor (or flavour) via a higher end blend and then branch out to appreciate what the various single malts bring to what most of the world knows as Scotch (almost always a blend). There is no shame with starting with Chivas or Johnny Walker Black or even Red and then moving to Glenlivet as a way station.

    Laphroaig is definitely an acquired taste, some people might claim it got it’s name from the sound many novices make on encountering it for the first time.

    (and BTW it is not true that Lugh Silverhand will strike you dead if you put a single ice cube in your two fingers of Laphroaig. Though be prepared for some baleful looks from the purists down the bar. On the other hand you wouldn’t be at BJ if you were not accustomed to taking incoming from the other purist purveyors of FireDogWater.)

  115. 115.

    John O

    Laphroaig is the drink of one of the great fictional characters of the spy genre, Jonathan Hemlock. So even though I’ve never had it, I know it’s good.

  118. 118.

    moonbat

    Highland Park is the most balanced of the single malts, and The MacCallan his hard to beat in that category too. Laphroig, on the other hand, is a mixture of peat and seaweed that make you slap your momma. It’s good.
    And no matter whether you lean to the peat or to the smoke, if it’s not single malt, it’s crap.
    That is all.

  120. 120.

    BigG

    Lagavulin 16 is a good one too, peaty but smoother than Oban and Lampfrog. I like many of the Bowmore’s but my current kick is Jura. Jura Prophecy is a bit overpriced, but Jura Superstition (with an ankh on the bottle) is well worth it.

  121. 121.

    Derf

    @Suffern ACE: Clearly you don’t understand basic math so there isn’t much left to talk about.

    His numbers are higher than any living president at this time in their respective presidencies. But I won’t bore you with FACTS! It’s not what you want to hear.

  122. 122.

    RossInDetroit

    @moonbat:

    Highland Park is the most balanced of the single malts

    Quoting Wikipedia:

    Whisky reviewer and expert Michael Jackson has called it “The greatest all-rounder in the world of malt whisky.”

    I tried a bottle and I was really pleased. This is a great one and I get it when I’m feeling swanky.

  123. 123.

    Taobhan

    Lagavulin is my favorite single malt but Laphroaig is not far behind. I’m a big fan of the Islay malts.

  124. 124.

    jibeaux

    Husband loves Laphroaig. He also loves this video about it, which more closely describes my feelings.

    So I need some recipes for beach drinks for my crew of a dozen or so, things you can mix by the pitcher. For grown ass people, not college students. Gimme your ideas.

  125. 125.

    Donut

    What, no other bourbon drinkers in this thread? I keep going back to Evan Williams. At $11.99, it’s better than Beam and a match for most of the $20.00 brands. Although I do like Knob Creek, or Maker’s Mark once in awhile when I’m feeling rich.

    I’m with you. I’m a bourbon, rather than scotch, type. I agree with you about Evan Williams. It’s drinkable, not awesome, but passable, especially for the price! Mix it on the rocks with ginger ale at a 3:1 ration, add a lime wedge…very refreshing.

  126. 126.

    slag

    So, I’m just checking in on The Daily Show, and I have a question. Was that prophetic bowtied boy Marc Ambinder, by chance? Because that whole thing was HI-larious!

  127. 127.

    PanAmerican

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason:

    Good stuff – Benchmark 8 is another bang for the buck brand. Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace do consistently good product. If you can find their bottled in bond offerings (Old Heaven Hill & Very Old Barton) are worth a go.

    Brown-Forman and Fortune churn out high volume swill.

  128. 128.

    tt crews

    I have a friend who was in the Transport Corps of the Royal Army. After extensive research they chose Famous Grouse as the official corps’ scotch. A blend, but one of the best.

  129. 129.

    Heliopause

    Careful, John, if the Tea Party figures out we like good scotch they’ll vote to take it away and Obama will work out a “compromise” of whiskey-flavored non-alcoholic Potter’s.

  132. 132.

    RossInDetroit

    @tt crews:

    The Famous Grouse has been my fallback since college (’70s). My younger brother’s as well, and he’s VERY experienced in whiskeys. About the same price as Cutty & J&B but I just like it better.

  133. 133.

    jibeaux

    Reply button has disappeared again.
    I became a “Maker’s Mark Ambassador” some years ago, which was kind of amusing as a PR stunt. They sent business cards, which I actually used because I don’t have any business cards. Yes, you have to put the contact info on them but they did come with my name. They also sent wrapping paper and ribbon, and this year an ice tray that freezes big globes of ice it calls bourbon balls.

  135. 135.

    jibeaux

    Yeah, we always make sangria, and we always do margaritas.
    But there are SIX NIGHTS.

  140. 140.

    RossInDetroit

    @jibeaux:

    So I need some recipes for beach drinks for my crew of a dozen or so, things you can mix by the pitcher. For grown ass people, not college students. Gimme your ideas.

    Lots of lemonade and some gin. Beach drinks should be high water content or you’ll have exhausted, dehydrated people and they’ll be a drag.

  141. 141.

    Beta Magellan

    @Alex S.:

    I’ve read that thesis before—I like it, but it the idea of such a perfectly cyclical history is more comforting than true.

    For what it’s worth, twitter was abuzz with talk of Kirsten Gillibrand’s no vote on the deal—a lot of people saw it as basically her opening salvo in the 2016 primaries.

  142. 142.

    fleeting expletive

    Ok, a fair amount of vodka I have quaffed, while watching “A Serious Man” on tv.
    I’m not Jewish, so maybe that explains a lot of my confusion, but … I’m not sure I got it. Do I remember right, that it won a lot of awards. (Vodka precludes me from researching that question esta noche.

  145. 145.

    OzoneR

    @Bnut:

    Between the emails, FB posts, tweets, etc. I am starting to get the feeling I might be the only one not only to canvass for him, but even get to the ballot box.

    oh boy it’s 1995 all over again

  147. 147.

    Jenny

    a new poll from CNN shows the debt limit deal is unpopular…with Republicans, independents and conservatives. But contrary to what pundits are saying, Democrats, liberals and moderates seem fairly happy with the deal.

    Democrats approve 63-32. Republicans hate the deal 35-58.

    The blogosphere says they represent the base, but if that’s true, why isn’t it reflected in polling?

  148. 148.

    WaterGirl

    I am not thrilled with the whole debt ceiling debacle, either. I mean, when Obama had his press conference and said two things were non-negotiable (must include revenues & has to last through the election) I expected him to follow through on his line in the sand. Depressing.

    However, I don’t think it’s as end-of-the-world-Obama-will-be-a-one-term-president as so many of you guys are making it seem tonight. I won’t tell anyone to calm down, or chill out, because I think that’s like pouring gas on the fire.

    But maybe you guys could just allow for a crack of optimism that maybe all is not lost. I’m pretty sure that my sister still doesn’t really know that anything special happened this week. I’m sure she would show up as “independent” but it just means she’s not paying attention. Her and millions of other people.

  150. 150.

    RossInDetroit

    The best whiskey marketing of all is Jack Daniels. They make 2.4 million gallons a year. That’s a LOT of booze. But their ads make it look like an old fashioned homespun craft operation. Black and white photo of one dude in overalls and old boots all rolling a barrel up a wooden ramp by hand, just so. It’s genius, and it works.

  151. 151.

    OzoneR

    @WaterGirl:

    I mean, when Obama had his press conference and said two things were non-negotiable (must include revenues & has to last through the election) I expected him to follow through on his line in the sand. Depressing.

    he did for half of that.

  152. 152.

    Hal

    I have no issue with Obama being a one term President. As I’ve said before, I always felt he would have to walk on water to be considered decent, let alone GREAT, by people left, right and center. The First Black President was never going to be the miracle worker or the Anti-Christ his supporters and enemies would expect.

    So if Obama shuffles off to Chicago in 2012, I’m ok with that. What I’m not OK with is who will follow. The biggest issue for me is that the True Progressive President that some of you have nighttime emissions over doesn’t exist and can’t be elected.

    That leaves of with another Obama type, for better or worse. Once again, we are at the point where some of you are now going to retreat into the fantasy idea where a term of President Romney will finally show America what’s what, and Elizabeth Warren will be the nominee in 2016.

    That’s not going to happen, and I really don’t want to live through another 4 or 8 years of an asshole conservative. But, oh well. At least the left will always have it’s righteous indignation to keep warm at night.

  153. 153.

    vtr

    I have tried single malts numbering like the stars. To me they all taste like, sad to tell, like a chemistry lab. It’s something wrong with my tongue, and I must stck with blends – peety blends like the not available in the U. S. Bell’s, and Ballantine’s. It does what need needs to do, though.

  156. 156.

    boss bitch

    @Beta Magellan:

    For what it’s worth, twitter was abuzz with talk of Kirsten Gillibrand’s no vote on the deal—a lot of people saw it as basically her opening salvo in the 2016 primaries.

    If Harry Reid needed her vote, she would have voted for it.

  157. 157.

    RossInDetroit

    I’d like our Democrats to act like Democrats again but that will require first that the Republicans stop acting like a Viking raiding party come to pillage and burn. It’s hard to stick to your principles when you’re fighting a defensive action against a reckless and murderous foe.

  158. 158.

    Suffern ACE

    @boss bitch: IDK, I’d vote for Matt. When things got bad and he looked angry, we could all yell “It’s not your fault” until he had an emotional breakthrough.

  161. 161.

    Davis X. Machina

    @boss bitch: All you need to do to get on the primary list is go on the telly and say mildly critical stuff about Obama, I guess. This time it’s a bit more benign — he was defending teachers at a rally against some libertarian videostalker, from what I gather.

    But they go through primary opponents over there like they were infantry subalterns on the Western Front. Or on a more cheerful note, it’s like the dueling Messiahs scene in The Life of Brian.

  162. 162.

    General Stuck

    @Jenny:

    Democrats approve 63-32. Republicans hate the deal 35-58.

    What did I tell you idiots claiming obama shit on his base and the republicans won something. Emo Prog clowns.

    (none of this is directed at you Jenn)

    case motherfucking closed.

  166. 166.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    @PanAmerican:
    Whoa, careful there, cowboy!. I just checked t’ Google for those. Fortune Brands owns Laphroaig??? Your bloghost may Not Be Pleased.

    A-and Maker’s Mark? Is there no end to this cursed corporate consolidation?

    PS Agreed on swill re: Beam, Old Crow, Old Grand-Dad, and the blendeds. I mean Old Overhold? For a name? Why not Old Overcoat?

  167. 167.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    @cleek:
    Sangria!
    Drink it slow and there’s music playing.
    Drink it fast and you just stand there swaying…

  168. 168.

    Ked

    Serious people understand that Obama shit on the base. Maybe not HIS base, but the group of Dems who actually pay attention to actual policy content and not just Wolf fucking Blitzer and the sunday morning circle-jerk.

    (You can read that para with a sarcasm tag or not. Even I don’t know for sure.)

    Will it matter? Hard to say. It depends on the intersection between the group who think serious things about this stuff and the group who did heavy lifting for Obama in the last election. It may be that the “millions of donors”(tm) won’t care and will push the button to send $25 or whatever next year. But I’ve got to say I’m feeling difficulty generating enthusiasm for the 500ish (and 8 for a hat!) I put in last time.

    Let’s just say that “Change you can believe in!” isn’t going to be believable. And “Capitulation to high-concept terrorism!” won’t win elections.

    …

    Laphroig is good, but overrated. I’ll pick up a bottle about once every five years or so, just to remember the taste. Give me a nice bourbon any day.

  169. 169.

    Cain

    So, my two cents is that, this deal makes doing anything with the economy pretty fucking hard. I don’t know why they think htey should buy into austerity. How do they plan on creating jobs exactly?

    Obama is in trouble when it comes to do something with jobs. I think I’m in agreement with John on this. I think we need to be realistic here. I’m trying to figure out what exactly he can do here that would get more jobs in the market. Especially for people in the rust belt.

    Out here in Oregon, we are doing fairly well considering. I think this is mostly because Republicans and Democrats are working together and acting like adults and we’re keeping an eye on the budget. I think Obama won’t have a problem much in the west coast IMHO. Those transportation dollars are coming in handy here.

    One thing though is that a lot of the states have had a taste of Republicanism at the state level and they might not be so enthusiastic voting republican. I think Kay was saying that they are on track in Wisconsin for taking control of the senate.

    We might have a chance.. but that economy has start rocking. But I’m not sure what govt can do to help spur that if it won’t be an active partner in doing so.

  171. 171.

    Jenny

    @Davis X. Machina:

    The Life of Brian.

    Bingo. That’s it.

    The People’s Front of Judea, harangue their “rivals” with cries of “splitters” and stand vehemently opposed to the Judean People’s Front, the Judean Popular People’s Front, the Campaign for a Free Galilee, and the Popular Front of Judea.

    I guess this is what has always bothered me of the blogosphere: the various factions constantly claiming to represent the base. You would think progressives would embrace pluralism instead of purism.

  174. 174.

    Cain

    I just wish Obama would log onto this site and just tell us what it is. I mean, we’re all adults. We want to know who he likes more.. Right winger Tunch or Liberal weenie Lilly??

  178. 178.

    General Stuck

    @Cain:

    Fair enough. Time will tell who is right. I’m predicting slow but steady rise in jobs, not a boom, but enough to soften the blow with voters that we are heading in the right direction. The cuts don’t start till 2013, and austerity is a word that doesn’t do justice to what has happened imo. Long term deficit reduction is very Keynesian, if the folks that claim to worship at that alter want to honest about it.

    not directed at you Cain.

  179. 179.

    Corner Stone

    @Bnut: He doesn’t know. Most of the time I’m convinced he’s lost somewhere in Willy Wonka’s factory.

  180. 180.

    Corner Stone

    @Cain: I’m stacked yo.
    Soon’s I kill this one I’m chowing on a little home made chili frito pie. Unlike any you’ve had before. But delish.

  182. 182.

    Mnemosyne

    @Cain:

    Right winger Tunch or Liberal weenie Lilly??

    I think Tunch is the Nick Gillespie of the group (though John would have a hard time getting a tiny leather jacket onto him). Rosie is the real right-winger — look at how she fussed and whined until her crate was big enough for her liking.

  183. 183.

    bottyguy

    highland park if I think I can afford it, teachers highland malt otherwise.

    learning to appreciate scotch is one of the worst and best mistakes of my life.

  184. 184.

    Cain

    @Corner Stone:

    Soon’s I kill this one I’m chowing on a little home made chili frito pie. Unlike any you’ve had before. But delish.

    Hook me UP, bro!

  185. 185.

    Cain

    @General Stuck:

    Fair enough. Time will tell who is right. I’m predicting slow but steady rise in jobs, not a boom, but enough to soften the blow with voters that we are heading in the right direction. The cuts don’t start till 2013, and austerity is a word that doesn’t do justice to what has happened imo. Long term deficit reduction is very Keynesian, if the folks that claim to worship at that alter want to honest about it.

    I’m good with anything as long as the result is a net positive. I’m easy.

    In any case, as you say it’s not till 2013, and with relatively short memories people are going to forget. Obama needs to put in some good stuff out there.

    Poor bastard, I’m surprised anybody wants this fucking job.

  186. 186.

    Cain

    @Mnemosyne:

    I think Tunch is the Nick Gillespie of the group (though John would have a hard time getting a tiny leather jacket onto him). Rosie is the real right-winger—look at how she fussed and whined until her crate was big enough for her liking.

    But what a well behaved girl she became! I was really going to put Rosie as Michelle B. type.. with those crazy eyes.. hah

  188. 188.

    billgerat

    Laphroig has so much peat in it that it’s damn near worthless. It reminds me of those high-hopped beers out there – hops can be tasty, but too much ruins the drink. Now give me some Oban, Dalwhinnie or Glenfiddich 15 – those I’ll drink all night. But if you really want to drink whiskey, try some good Irish whiskey, like Jameson Limited Reserve. You won’t find much better than that.

  190. 190.

    Steeplejack

    @cleek, @billgerat:

    I’m not a big scotch drinker, but when I do drink it (to paraphrase the most interesting man in the world) I prefer Oban or Dalwhinnie. Haven’t bought any in a while, so I hadn’t noticed the price increase on Oban. Will check the next time I’m at the liquor store. Maybe it’s time to buy another bottle and nurse it for a few months.

    I, too, find Laphroig a little too peaty.

  191. 191.

    Mnemosyne

    Also, since this is an open thread — I don’t know if this is because of allergies or because I have a cold, but I’m about ready to dig my sinuses out with a rusty butter knife, and neither Claritin nor Sudafed nor Allegra has done jack shit to help. Fuck.

  193. 193.

    eastriver

    Three quick notes. (I know this thread is about dead, but here’s some value for those still reading)

    1) It’s pronounced with 2 syllables: luh-FROYG.

    2) You MUST put a little water in any quality whiskey to open up the flavor. MUST. (Ice is a bit of a crime, but not a felony.)

    3) If you can find it, please try Springbank. A Campbeltown single malt. Expensive, but worth it. TRUST ME.

  195. 195.

    Martin

    @Mnemosyne: Neti pot. If that doesn’t work, repeat until it does. It’s less disgusting after the first time, just power through it.

  196. 196.

    OzoneR

    @Cain:

    Poor bastard, I’m surprised anybody wants this fucking job.

    Anyone else would have an easier time at it.

  197. 197.

    Steeplejack

    @Mnemosyne:

    I highly recommend a daily (or twice daily) rinse with warm saline water. You don’t have to go the neti pot route. I just mix it up in a cup and sort of snuffle it up.

    Don’t know that it will fix your immediate problem, but it is excellent as a prophylactic measure. I used to teach and coach swimming, was in the water five or six hours a day, and I used to get a killer sinus infection every three to six months. My ENT doc recommended the saline rinse, and it was a lifesaver.

    I do buy the salt specifically designed for the purpose (at Whole Foods or even CVS). It dissolves more easily and (I think) doesn’t contain iodine.

  198. 198.

    Mnemosyne

    @Martin:
    @Steeplejack:

    I actually did get desperate enough to try a neti pot last night, and I’ve had water sloshing around inside my right ear all day.

    @General Stuck:

    It could be a sinus infection, but I also have a cough and some nasty chest congestion, so I’m leaning more towards allergies or a cold. No fever — I keep checking.

    Worst part is, I feel crappy but not quite crappy enough to justify staying home from work.

  199. 199.

    FlipYrWhig

    @Ked:

    Serious people understand that Obama shit on the base. Maybe not HIS base, but the group of Dems who actually pay attention to actual policy content and not just Wolf fucking Blitzer and the sunday morning circle-jerk.

    Well, they certainly _think_ they pay attention to actual policy content. On the other hand, they sure seem to seize upon and repeat a hell of a lot of rumors and misinformation.

  200. 200.

    slag

    @Mnemosyne: When I had a flu and ear infection recently, the doctor prescribed rinsing with saline solution using either a neti pot or an ear bulb. I was skeptical at first, but after a while, I gave in and it really did make a difference. Similar to Martin’s experience, it was disgusting the first time, but after that, pretty much no problem.

  201. 201.

    FlipYrWhig

    @Mnemosyne: My cat gets that. She wanders around the house rubbing her face very roughly on every pointy cardboard box corner within reach. Eventually she sneezes like 19 times in a row. Alas, that’s the only course of treatment I’m familiar with.

  202. 202.

    4jkb4ia

    The Cardinals victory this evening was brought to you by Matt Holliday actually stealing a base. Maybe I can get it in because John is in bed.

    I saw it All I have to say is, he’s OUR whiny asshole and overmanager, also too.

  203. 203.

    Steeplejack

    @Mnemosyne:

    [. . .] I’ve had water sloshing around inside my right ear all day.

    Jeez, ur doing it rong.

    I’ve never used a neti pot. I put a little coke spoon of salt in a coffee cup (the little spoon usually comes with the salt; it’s about ¼ tsp.), fill the cup with about eight ounces of warm water and stir it up. Then I sort of sniff a bit up into my nose, hold it there for a second or two and then let it drain into the sink. Repeat until the cup is empty.

    If you have ever done any swimming at all, it is like holding the water in your nose but not letting it drain into the back of your mouth (and, heavens, not into your ear canal).

    One man’s anecdata. But a man who has a deviated septum and a history of sinus problems.

  204. 204.

    OzoneR

    @FlipYrWhig:

    On the other hand, they sure seem to seize upon and repeat a hell of a lot of rumors and misinformation.

    Certainly when news “broke” that the Democrats would “cave” on the FAA bill, everyone had a field day. When it turned out not to be true, in fact, the opposite, Democrats let thousands of air workers go on furlough rather to give in…crickets.

  205. 205.

    Comrade Kevin

    I was just thinking I haven’t played an FPS for a while, and noticed that the Left 4 Dead games are available for the Mac on Steam. How are they? Each of them lists for $19.99, but they have a bundle of both of them for $29.99. Are they worth it?

  206. 206.

    OzoneR

    Also, interesting that AFTER THE FACT, Brian Beutler at TPM wanted you to know this

    Short version: 14th amendment option was legally & politically dicey, and wouldn’t have avoided credit market squeamishness about US debt.

    Really, big fucking surprise. Would’ve been nice if this analysis existed last week before the 14th amendment became the latest liberal fantasy.

  207. 207.

    Mnemosyne

    @OzoneR:

    When it turned out not to be true, in fact, the opposite, Democrats let thousands of air workers go on furlough rather to give in…crickets.

    Give it a couple of days. Next phase is, “Why did Obama let this happen? If he’d only taken a firm enough stand, the Republicans would have backed down!”

  208. 208.

    Mnemosyne

    @Steeplejack:

    I get water in my ears a lot. Probably why I never did much swimming.

    But I do have several ear bulbs laying around, so I may try slag’s method of saline delivery instead of the neti pot tonight.

  209. 209.

    Comrade Kevin

    @OzoneR:

    Really, big fucking surprise. Would’ve been nice if this analysis existed last week before the 14th amendment became the latest liberal fantasy.

    It was, from various people. It was ignored by the people in fantasy land who wanted Obama to be their version of “The Decider”.

  210. 210.

    Steeplejack

    @Mnemosyne:

    Hope it works for you. Nasal irrigation doesn’t have to be the complicated, quasi-mystical experience that some neti-potters make it out to be. Just getting warm, salty water into your nose is the main thing, and it will get into your sinuses from there.

    Like I said, I don’t know that it will be a panacea for your current, acute condition, but it is a hell of a good bit of “preventive maintenance.” I find that I rarely catch a cold or get the common bugs going around, and I work in retail, interacting with the public and handling their filthy money.

  211. 211.

    boss bitch

    @OzoneR:

    saw that at TPM and they shamelessly threw out the red meat. you can see it in the way they titled it and then in teeny tiny print: please see update

  213. 213.

    FlipYrWhig

    @OzoneR: I still can’t get over the two trillion-dollar coins suggestion. Ms. YrWhig thought I was making that up. And she used to work for the Fed.

  214. 214.

    FlipYrWhig

    @Davis X. Machina: One of my favorite things on my Facebook feed was TPM proudly trumpeting an article about how much more advertising revenue they had scored lately. Ya don’t say.

  215. 215.

    Jenny

    @FlipYrWhig:

    TPM proudly trumpeting an article about how much more advertising revenue they had scored lately.

    And yet they freak out over the “Professional Left” charge.

  217. 217.

    cursorial

    @4jkb4ia: Saw the St. Louis-Milwaukee game from the opposing side. Nice win on a bloop single. I’m still holding out hope this will be the Brewers year for the central. Cheers.

    As for the whiskey, second BigG’s Isle of Jura recommendation as a personal favorite, but for the peatier end of the spectrum without being overwhelming, Caol Ila is an excellent single malt.

  218. 218.

    Cain

    @Mnemosyne:

    Also, since this is an open thread—I don’t know if this is because of allergies or because I have a cold, but I’m about ready to dig my sinuses out with a rusty butter knife, and neither Claritin nor Sudafed nor Allegra has done jack shit to help. Fuck.

    Have you used a nettie pot? Also eat a lot of hot food! Thai or something like that should do the trick.

  219. 219.

    Yutsano

    My house smells like a Greek taverna. Tomorrow there will indeed be gyros and tzatziki. The things I do for my co-workers. :)

    PS The New York Dawg is a Laphroaig fanatic. He’s convinced me to buy a nip.

  220. 220.

    opie jeanne

    @Yutsano: I want some, but not the Laphroaig: I have a couple of bottles of Jameson that are calling my name, but I probably shouldn’t drink right now because I am depressed. Online friends at my favorite sports blog have suddenly decided to discuss politics and badmouth unions, and I can hardly bring myself to post there, other than live-blogging a game.
    Politics has always been off-limits there with rare exception, which made it a great place to talk baseball, but the recent insanity in Congress has just made it into a pit. Hopefully the idiots will crawl back into the woodwork and I can forget who they were when they greet me online next time.

  221. 221.

    opie jeanne

    @Mnemosyne: I’ve been using Nasarel, a prescription nasal inhaler to alleviate the itchy sinus/roof of the mouth thing, as well as Loratadine when that’s not enough, but that’s just otc Claritin and if yours isn’t working then I don’t know what will help.

  222. 222.

    opie jeanne

    @cursorial: Heard about Molina while I was watching the Angels/Twins game tonight. Yadier got a lot of cheers from my friends who do not respect most of the umpires right now. Some really bad calls again this year.

  223. 223.

    Comrade Kevin

    @opie jeanne: I must say, I do prefer the Irish whiskey to the Scotch whisky. Jameson’s is good, and there is some damn fine Bushmills.

    Actually, if you can find it, get a bottle of Old Comber. It isn’t made any more, but there are some bottles floating around. I got some from a cousin, and it was fantastic. It’ll set you back a couple hundred bucks now.

  224. 224.

    Yutsano

    @opie jeanne: The real torture: it gets cooked tomorrow, but I don’t get to eat any. That has to wait until Thursday. But Thursday I fully anticipate barely a molecule of baby sheep remaining. :) And yes I do get a little bit then, I AM cooking it after all!

    PS invading AL’s thread above. See you upstairs!

  225. 225.

    Dee Loralei

    Ya know, I’m kinda heartsick tonight. Last couple of weeks saw me stressed because I am a political and news junkie. I hate the deal the President and the Dems agreed too, and I don’t see how they could have gotten better. But I’m 99% mad at the Republicans. And my liver hurts!
    Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my beautiful Moses cat, a half Siamese with amazing blue eyes, and chocolate and oatmeal coat, with gray and white .And I don’t have a picture! And he was a beautiful mostly middle-age cat 8 years old. And he loved me above all else, because I agreed with his opinion of himself. And told him so, vociferously and often. I even told him when he didn’t demand I admire him. (He appreciated that about me.) He had a receding chin and an overbite, and was the most dapper cat I’ve ever known.And his kidneys failed and I gave him 8 days on IV at the vets and everything else they could do and he kept getting worse, he developed sores in his mouth and his tongue started atrophying and he had a very poignant and pungent smell.
    And then I had to go to a birthday dinner for my aunt, with no way I could get out of it.
    So, I woke up this morning not full of my usual glee. The first thing I remembered was Mosie was dead and not coming back. The second was this horrid debt deal. The third was the Congressman who implied Obama was a “tar baby”. And the last was this 18 yr old girl at my local convenience store who called an African-American delivery man, “boy”and didn’t get why it was offensive.

    So, I go downstairs and my mother informed me that my sister and brother in law got a wild hair and decided to come visit us, today! They haven’t been here in about 5 years, they live in PA, but they are in Nashville for a jewelery show and decided to drive down here, to Memphis, for dinner. So, since my day was scheduled for me to be preparing and packing for an out of town work trip, I had to quickly change my plans. I had to make our home hospitable for my little sister. She has horrible allergies and I smoke, have two Goldens and two cats.
    Then I hear Pat Buchanan wrote about how the Tea Partiers were “nailing coonskins to their walls”.( So that was 3 racist comments I heard in just a few hours.)
    And me and the Dyson,the duster and the bleach did our best and our worse and the house got clean enough for my sister to enter it.
    And she and I have nothing in common, if we weren’t related, we would not have a relationship, and that was before today. And then in the succeeding 5 hours or so she said like 10 things I consider racist, and for the family, I said nothing.
    And as an aside to our mother I said, ” did you know she was that racist?” And Mom said she had no idea. (we’ve only seen my sister like 4 times in the last decade.) I mean after the third or fourth thing she said it went from bigotry to racism. We were brought up to not think in colors and this was in the south and during the 70’s and early 80’s for her. She had black friends! She knows that African-Americans are exactly the same people we are! She knows this! She was raised not to see color, and tonight she acted as if she had been raised not to see coloreds. I just don’t get it at all.

    And after they left, and she texted me that they were back in Nashville, I went into my bathroom and I cried.

    I love that girl, I love what she was and even appreciate what she has become, but I can’t deal with the racism and bigotry. And I do not know what to do about that.

    Ya know, I didn’t even mind too much when she told her children to my face that I and our parents were going to hell. But tonight, right this minute, I don’t see a way forward for her and I. The casual bigotry she espoused tonight sickened me, much more than the several times she told me and mom and dad that we were going to hell.

    And all I could do tonight was drink more, ignore her and actually celebrate the fact she was here in Memphis for a few hours and she hasn’t been to visit in over 5 years.Our parents were so ecstatic, so happy and pleased. And our Mom was also disgusted, Mom heard the racism and bigotry, Mom remembers the same stories I do. Betsy’s best friends in middle school were Yves, and Pajama,…. pronounced WhyVis and PayJaMay, she had another friend whose name was also Yves, but it was pronounced Vees.My sister, never before she moved to Lancaster County, PA, and became a Mennonite, ever,never thought in racial terms.And now, she feels perfectly comfortable in touting them to the only real liberals she knows.
    And after I seriously layed into both her and my brother-in-law about why Social Security was not really an “Entitlement Program” and was actually insurance and I knew many people who needed it, who it helped and who depended on it and she said she knew no one who did. I said I know two fucking 73 years old, who sired you, who live on it!”
    And she was a bit taken aback that our Parents actually use Social Security and Medicare and that they need it.
    She doesn’t get that the very good company that our father devoted his life to a company that switched from a defined benefit plan to a 401K sometime when she was in school. And within a few years that 401K tanked in the market, but Daddy still has his shares. And so he holds on to them, because that is what he has known all his life, and that is what the marketeers have ever told him. And our Father, who is 73, still works the company he started after he was fired from the other place.Until today,I
    But my big gripe seriously, I know you all will commiserate with me about Moses, AND I love you for that! But please tell me how to deal with a sister who is diametrically opposed to everything our Parents are and ALL that I am. Until today, I honestly thought she and I could have a relationship after our parents passed on. Today, I do not see us getting past this.

  226. 226.

    Bruce S

    Man, your sister got in with a bad bunch of Mennonites. The ones I’ve met were peaceniks and good people. Very sorry to hear that. It’s painful. I think there are some relatives you just have to “put in a box” and just accept that you can’t have an authentic connection. (My own pointless tendency would be to get into it over some of that offensive shit, but that’s just me. I’ve pissed off family members by getting into political arguments with other family, so I’m not saying that I’m a sensible person. Just a guy with more of a mouth than is probably necessary.) But don’t beat yourself up over this. Just look at it for what it is and realize that your sister has made some bad choices that you have absolutely zero responsibility to include in what’s close to you. It’s on her. She’s carrying around a whole lot of crap and there’s no sense in cleaning up your house so that she can come and unload that mess – literally or metaphorically. You’re obviously caring a whole lot more than she does or she would be more measured and at least leave her baggage at your doorstep. Not a good foundation for a relationship. Let it go.

  227. 227.

    Steeplejack

    @Dee Loralei:

    What Bruce said, by and large. Sometimes you have to cut your losses and/or reduce the relationship to what is actually possible, and “what is possible” may be much less than you would like or would have foreseen years ago. But people change, even family members.

    I have one brother who has gone full-on teatard in the last 10 years, and our contact has been much reduced. It’s almost incomprehensible to me that the witty, charismatic, talented person I used to know is now almost a cliché of crabby middle-aged guy yelling at clouds. He took me off his e-mail forwarding list of the usual bad (racist) jokes and “evil liberals” conspiracy theories after I repeatedly “replied all” with Snopes links debunking the idiocy du jour.

    I attribute a lot of it to his long-term depression, which (especially in men) can pathologize as rage and anger. He is on disability and doesn’t work, and he just doesn’t get out and interact with people enough to smooth off his (increasingly) rough edges. My other brother and I have repeatedly suggested that he volunteer at some organization he likes, but more and more we’re sort of jokingly nervous about the outcome. “Breaking news: animal shelter volunteer runs amok, sets fire to north side of city. Film at 11:00.”

    Anyway, you have my sympathy.

  231. 231.

    WaterGirl

    @Dee Loralei:

    I am way late to this thread, so it’s likely that you won’t see my response. But I couldn’t read this and not say anything.

    I am SO sorry about Moses. The same thing happened with my 8-9 year old cat and it was devastating, though I tried one blood transfusion that bought us one hellacious day after the transfusion about 8 good weeks together after that. It’s like going from zero to 60 in half a second; it’s so hard to take in and it’s so unfair.

    My suggestion for you right now is tears. Cry your heart out. Grieve for moses, for your parents, for your sister who has lost her way, and for our country that has lost its way.

    The loss of a sister who would be your remaining family member after your parents are gone is a huge thing. I’m always one to try to work things out, but that takes both sides, and it doesn’t seem like your sister would be able to meet you halfway, or even 10%.

    I suggest that once you are in a less fragile place, that you write to your sister and tell her how you feel about the racism, that you will always love her as your sister but that it hurts you to be around her. In the letter, ask her if she’s willing to talk about it, and if not, you will have to figure out what to do.

    All the best – WaterGirl

    Edit: I will share the quote that helped me so much when I lost my sweet kitty, Quiver.
    Maybe it will help you, too.

    There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love.
    __
    – Washington Irving

  232. 232.

    lovable liberal

    Peat needs to be balanced, not abusive. At least you’re not advocating Talisker. I don’t care that Robert Louis Stevenson mentioned it; it’s swill that tastes like band-aids marinated in stagnant swamp water.

    Laphroaig’s drinkable (sorry, Tom), but give me a highland malt that doesn’t mistake every possible complexity for goodness.

Comments are closed.