Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

T R E 4 5 O N

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

All your base are belong to Tunch.

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

This fight is for everything.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

After roe, women are no longer free.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

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

“Squeaker” McCarthy

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

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

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

No one could have predicted…

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

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

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

You are here: Home / TV & Movies / Movies / That Time of Year Again

That Time of Year Again

by | 47 Comments

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As long as we’re talking movies…

…I do love Gen I’s year-in-film mash ups:

<div align=”center”><iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/QgTsQW9tyHg” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

I hope to have something a little more depressing to post later in the day* — but not till after my (n)th meeting of the week (where “n” is sufficiently large number as to call into question the definition of time as nature’s way of making sure everything doesn’t happen at once).

But for now, enjoy — and consider this yet more thread to open your festering gobs within.

*as in, almost certainly, tomorrow.

Reader Interactions

47Comments

  2. 2.

    burnspbesq

    All I want is a job somewhere,
    Far away from the cold night air,
    A laptop and a chair,
    Now wouldn’t it be lov-er-ly

  5. 5.

    kindness

    Jesus. I thought I was on Failblog and was seeing a repeat of an old post. Nope. I’m here on BJ seeing a repeat of an old post.

  7. 7.

    SFAW

    Well, that may be the second most annoying vid I’ve ever seen.

    Guess I gotta ramp up my ADHD, in order to fully appreciate it or something.

  8. 8.

    Dork

    Whoa…that video still shot is almost NSFW.

    Another open thread, eh? What is this place, Jo Ann Fabrics?

  9. 9.

    DZ

    @burnspbesq: #1

    OK, fair enogh. I would be curious to know what you think the alternative is. Easy to sit on the sidelines and critcize (of which I am also frequently guilty) but what would you do?

  11. 11.

    SFAW

    but what would you do?

    1) $1.5T – $2T (i.e. Trillion) stimulus focused on construction, infrastructure repair, etc.
    2) $500B – $1T focused on clean/alternative energy development.
    3) $20B aimed at bringing the House and Senate Rethugs to trial on charges of treason.
    4) $TBD aimed at public sector (teaching/schools, police, firefighting) improvement

    That’s for starters. I’m sure if I thought about it for more than a few minutes, I could come up with more, such as prosecution of the MOTU, etc.

  12. 12.

    DZ

    @Sfaw:

    That is the U.S. not Ireland, but OK. First, Treason has a specific meaning in the Constitution. The GOP are total scum but not trairtors within that meaning – total waste of money and time. Where does the money come from? There aren’t enough wealthy people to generate that kind of money even with significantly higher taxes. And, don’t even start with asset confiscation. I do not want to live in the Soviet Union.

    Where is the $300-500 billion cut in defense spending? Some of the money can come from that. Where is the elimination of agricultural subsidies? It’s time for farmers to stand in their own two feet and earn an honest living. Where is the proposal to eliminate the ability of commodities brokers to manipulate prices?

    As far as teachers, police and firefighters, we need to make their benefits (obscenely generous by any objective standard) comport with benefits in the private sector. Higher pay, yeah, but draconian penalties for violent police officers (there are lots of them), strict residency requirements (no policing by occupation armies), etc.

    Sorry, but that’s pie in the sky nonsense.

  13. 13.

    SFAW

    So many fools, so little time …

    That is the U.S. not Ireland, but OK.

    Since we live in the US, and we’ve talked extensively about the clusterfuck known as all-austerity-all-the-time, then WTF did you expect? burnspbesq is not in the habit of commenting extensively on Irish politics. But if willful ignorance is where you feel most comfortable, knock yerself out.

    First, Treason has a specific meaning in the Constitution.

    Meanings, actually, one of which is giving “Aid and Comfort” to our Enemies. Are you telling me that actively trying to destroy the US economy is giving our Enemies a sad? China was already pretty close to pushing us off the stage, before the recession/depression started; with the Rethugs’ help, that’s been accelerated. Or have you not been paying attention?

    Where does the money come from?

    You’re now going beyond your original question, no surprise, but: Taxes and borrowing (although I’d prefer we not borrow any more from China, but desperate times and all that).

    And, don’t even start with asset confiscation. I do not want to live in the Soviet Union.

    Bully for you. Nice straw man, though.

    Where is the $300-500 billion cut in defense spending? Some of the money can come from that. Where is the elimination of agricultural subsidies? It’s time for farmers to stand in their own two feet and earn an honest living. Where is the proposal to eliminate the ability of commodities brokers to manipulate prices?

    What the fuck, you want me to write an entire economic recovery plan for you? You asked what burns would do, I had the temerity to answer for him. And now you’re bitching about “you didn’t give me all the answers I wanted to hear”.

    As far as teachers, police and firefighters, we need to make their benefits (obscenely generous by any objective standard) comport with benefits in the private sector.

    Ya know, you’re right: here on my semi-secluded island in the Caribbean, the only other people I see are retired teachers, firefighters, police, because they’re the only ones who can afford to live here, what with their generous bennies and all. And they all have like 50 or 100 servants each, waiting on them hand and foot. “Obscenely generous by any objective standard”, yah right.

    Higher pay, yeah, but draconian penalties for violent police officers (there are lots of them), strict residency requirements (no policing by occupation armies), etc.

    And don’t forget about Sacco and Vanzetti! Or The Mets not being able to hang onto Jose Reyes! Or Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo! Seriously, are you even able to stay on topic? Coherently?

    Sorry, but that’s pie in the sky nonsense.

    Sorry, but you’re clearly out of your depth, never mind that you can’t seem to stayed FOCUSED ON THE AREA THAT YOU PICKED.

    But to address your “pie in the sky” foolishness: you may be right, but we won’t know until someone tries it. And I would hazard a guess that it would succeed far better than “cutting our way to prosperity”, with which you apparently are OK.

  14. 14.

    burnspbesq

    @DZ:

    Exit the Euro, and devalue the living shit out of the New Irish Pound. For starters. I would also take a hard look at setting up a state-owned “bad bank,” modeled on the RTC but (and this is key) without any explicit or implicit government guarantee, to work out the toxic assets of the big banks that the prior Government foolishly agreed to take on.

    I might also look at a patent box as a way of getting R&D activity moved into the country.

  15. 15.

    burnspbesq

    @SFAW:

    “burnspbesq is not in the habit of commenting extensively on Irish politics.”

    Perhaps not, but this time I was.

  16. 16.

    DZ

    @SFAW:

    You are even more pathetic than I thought. I gave you a civil answer and you returned with fascist bullshit.

    I asked Burns what he would do, not what his fantasy list was. Austerity, as much as it sucks, just for the record, is a combination of higher taxes, reduced benefits, lower level of public service, etc. When you want speak of what would you do, yes, it is essential that you talk about how to pay for it. I provided some clues about that, but you just ignored that, asshole. Now, Burns could have told me to fuck off, but he didn’t. You tried to do that. If you want to tak about what you would do, it is incompetent and irresponsible not to talk about how you would do it.

    Anyone who thinks that lots of police officers aren’t violent is a fucking idiot by definition. Do you think that shooting an unarmed person sitting in a parked car is justified, ever? We’ve had 3 of those in the 13 years I’ve lived in Portland not to mention endless beatins and other brutality. Every single perp walked. Asshole.

    Portland teachers get 30 and out with full pay, a benefit that exists nowhere in the private sector. With 30 years experience, Portland teachers make about $10,000 above median income. The teachers pay nothing toward this benefit. That is obscenely generous by any standard.

    Learn how things actually work, asshole.

  17. 17.

    burnspbesq

    @DZ:

    The data don’t lie. “Expansionary austerity” really is an oxymoron. The Confidence Fairy isn’t that into you.
    Spend some quality time clicking through links at Krugman and DeLong’s blogs. Get to know Barry Eichengreen’s work. Bookmark irisheconomy.ie. Read Fintan O’Toole’s books.

  18. 18.

    SFAW

    Perhaps not, but this time I was.

    Stop raining on my parade, dammit!

    OK, fine. But my way was more fun. Although I guess DZ will be back to tell you why your way (re: Eire) won’t work, so then you can have your own bit o’ fun.

    Slainte!

  20. 20.

    burnspbesq

    One last point.

    Austerity isn’t an abstract concept. It has real costs that are borne by real people.

    I spent time in Ireland in early 2007 and late 2010. The difference was palpable. An entire country in need of Valium is not a pretty thing.

  21. 21.

    DZ

    @burnspbesq: Wow, did you guys miss my point. Maybe I shouldn’t comment again.

    I do NOT believe that austerity leads to growth – it doesn’t. Austerity is neccessary but only where there is bullshit to be eliminated – i.e. defense, agriculture, Dept of Commerce, scooter chairs in Medicare (not related to health or healthcare). and much more. That pays for a shitload of infrastructure improvements and creates jobs which increases demand which increases jobs.

    Taxes are a critical component. Eliminate every existing tax break for investment income, eliminate the exemption of unearned income from Soc Sec and Medicare and eliminate the caps, eliminate ALL loopholes in corporate income tax laws (then lower the tax rate to 30% like Western Europe – Rethugs would like that but corporations would pay far more with no loopholes), and more.

    This is a way to [proceed. I do not understand why neither you nor SFAW understood. Probably time to shut up and go away.

    Best, DZ

  22. 22.

    SFAW

    DZ –
    You’re still being incoherent, although I can’t tell if you’re a fascist (Projection’R’You) or just an imbecile.

    I’ve told you, twice now, what I would do. I’ve told you, at least once, how I would pay for it.

    You asked about the economics, and yet (twice now) you’ve insisted on talking about police violence. Obviously, there’s some festering sense of injustice that you feel compelled to raise whenever you can. Get help, ’cause it’ll eat you up otherwise.

    Since your education is apparently lacking – or at least the reading comprehension part of it – I’ll say it again:
    You asked, I answered, you whined about your unasked questions not being answered, I addressed (most of) your whines, you still didn’t like the responses, so now you’re big into “asshole” and “fascist”. So be it.

    Clearly, I’m just a tool of the fascist communists (don’t forget the “confiscation” BS) who has no understanding of the “real” world, whereas your Weltanschauung is clearly superior to mine, nay, to everyone’s here. I guess I’ll have to toddle off to find a kaishakunin, so great is my dishonor.

    Thanks for brightening up an otherwise dreary day.

  24. 24.

    Steeplejack

    @DZ:

    Here’s the New York Times‘s estimable deficit calculator. It’s a year old, but still pretty instructive. Knock yourself out.

    I was able to fix the deficit without touching Social Security, mostly by capping Medicare spending increases (which I think will help prod us toward a single-payer system–a good thing), letting the Bush “temporary” tax cuts expire and adopting some (sane) variation of the Bowles-Simpson plan to reform the tax code and plug loopholes.

    Also–not on the deficit calculator–I would take the American Society of Civil Engineers wish list of infrastructure-repair projects and get to shovelin’. Borrowing money now at almost 0% is a bargain. And we’ve got a lot of broken stuff that needs fixing.

    And what Burnspbesq said: Krugman and DeLong are indispensable on this range of topics. Krugman’s blog (at the Times site) is even better than his twice-weekly op-ed pieces.

  25. 25.

    DZ

    @Steeplejack:

    Do you really believe that I haven’t read that stuff? OK.

    BUT, thanks. It was good, constructive input.

  26. 26.

    burnspbesq

    @DZ:

    “Wow, did you guys miss my point.”

    If so, only because it wasn’t clearly articulated.

    I took your #9 to be a request for non-austere policy alternatives for Ireland, which I provided, and to which you haven’t yet replied.

  27. 27.

    SFAW

    Steeplejack –

    Thanks re: ASCE list pointer. $2.2T is a nice number, maybe it’ll help keep trains from ‘sploding inside through-mountain tunnels.

  28. 28.

    Brachiator

    Did you hear the one about the Republican politician, against gay marriage, who went to New Zealand to become a sperm donor for lesbian couples?

    Alabama politician Bill Johnson’s outing as an avid sperm donor – which could lead to the possible breakdown of his marriage – may have been down to one lesbian and her woman’s instincts.
    __
    The news broke this week that Johnson, a former top state official who ran for governor of Alabama last year, was found to be living a secret life in New Zealand as a sperm donor behind his wife’s back, despite his previous campaigns about gay marriage….
    __
    It’s not clear how he delivered the sperm to the women or how they were impregnated.
    __
    At least one of the women carrying his child is a lesbian in a committed relationship with another woman. It’s often difficult for lesbians in New Zealand to find willing sperm donors.

    He was supposed to be in the country helping with earthquake recovery efforts. You cannot make this stuff up. And I’m not sure why lesbians in New Zealand to to find willing sperm donors, but jokes regarding sheep come to mind.

    A little interlude to lighten the economics discussion.

  29. 29.

    SFAW

    If so, only because it wasn’t clearly articulated.

    Now, now … you’re talking like a lawyer or somethin’

  30. 30.

    DZ

    @burnspbesq:

    I looked through every post, and I didn’t see the response you mentioned I saw recommendations for reading and study – all of which I have already done – but nothing else. If I’m wrong here, please tell me what post to look at.

    As far as “not clearly articulated”, probably true. Fancy education doesn’t guarantee coherence. My bad.

    I am truly sorry that I said anything. I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll just read and enjoy.

  31. 31.

    SFAW

    He was supposed to be in the country helping with earthquake recovery efforts.

    There’s probably a joke somewhere in there about how he wanted to hear them talk about “the earth moved for me”.

  32. 32.

    burnspbesq

    I’ve said this before, but apparently it needs repeating.

    For the last several months, real (i.e., inflation-adjusted) yields on every U.S. Treasury security with a maturity of ten years or less have been negative. In effect, foreign investors are paying the U.S. Treasury a fee to hold their money for them.

    If there was ever a time for the United States to go on a debt-financed spending spree, now is that time.

  36. 36.

    Brachiator

    @burnspbesq:

    For the last several months, real (i.e., inflation-adjusted) yields on every U.S. Treasury security with a maturity of ten years or less have been negative. In effect, foreign investors are paying the U.S. Treasury a fee to hold their money for them.
    __
    If there was ever a time for the United States to go on a debt-financed spending spree, now is that time.

    Interesting point. The Republicans don’t understand this, or pretend not to, and so would never go for this.

    Interesting tidbit here about the Irish pound

    A new Irish pound would probably rise against other currencies, not fall, with Ireland appearing to be the most competitive of the major euro economies, research by Bank of America analysts has found.
    __
    Their study reveals a huge difference between Ireland and the other pressurised economies of Italy, Portugal and Spain — which would need devaluations of 11pc, 14pc and 20pc respectively against the dollar to restore lost competitiveness.
    __
    But the Irish economy could take a 9pc rise in the value of the euro against the dollar before its competitive position was “fair value”, currency analysts Richard Cochinos and David Grad say.

  37. 37.

    burnspbesq

    @Brachiator:

    A new Irish pound would probably rise against other currencies, not fall, with Ireland appearing to be the most competitive of the major euro economies, research by Bank of America analysts has found.

    That’s a little bit counter-intuitive. I’d want a look at the model before commenting.

  39. 39.

    SFAW

    That’s a little bit counter-intuitive. I’d want a look at the model before commenting.

    I’ve been assuming you’re a lawyer – are you instead/also an economist? Or do you just dabble in it (so to speak)?

    Sincere questions, not snark.

  40. 40.

    burnspbesq

    @SFAW:

    Undergrad degree in Econ, J.D., and LL.M. in tax. And my sub-specialty in tax (transfer pricing) is econ-heavy.

  42. 42.

    Joel

    Just in case anyone’s wondering, I liked the Descendents. It wasn’t wickedly funny like Election or Sideways, but it was good. I know that it’s become vogue to bash on that movie, so I’m just putting my 0.02 out there.

  44. 44.

    dance around in your bones

    @Brachiator: Just….excellente.

    Also, why do you other guys get so agitated? ‘Tis the season,etc…be fucking jolly, fer chrissakes.

  45. 45.

    Brachiator

    @dance around in your bones:

    Also, why do you other guys get so agitated? ‘Tis the season,etc…be fucking jolly, fer chrissakes.

    Can’t speak for the others, and am not quite sure what you mean. I posted a humorous post about a GOP bigwig, and added a small bit about the economic situation in Ireland and Europe.

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