Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Not all heroes wear capes.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

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

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

I’m sure you banged some questionable people yourself.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

Tick tock motherfuckers!

We are aware of all internet traditions.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

This really is a full service blog.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

“I never thought they’d lock HIM up,” sobbed a distraught member of the Lock Her Up Party.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

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

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

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

Battle won, war still ongoing.

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80Comments

  4. 4.

    Mark S.

    I haven’t read a helluva lot about the Keystone pipeline, but I found this pretty funny

    The oil industry is pulling a bait and switch scam with Keystone XL – offering it as a path to economic and national security when the pipeline is mostly meant for export. According to the State Department, only 20 permanent jobs will be created by the pipeline.

    The link is broken, but even the companies don’t pretend it will create many jobs. But that’s the goopers’ jobs plan, so we better take it.

  5. 5.

    Linda Featheringill

    I’m surrounded by white stuff here in NE Ohio. I marched out when the snow slowed down to see about clearing the walks but IT IS COLD OUT THERE!

    So I scurried back inside.

    And it seems to snowing again now. What is this? Winter?>

  8. 8.

    Comrade Dread

    Saw this interesting article.

    Apparently, our closest allies in the Middle East decided it would be awesome to pose as CIA officers to recruit some vile terrorists into their efforts against Iran.

    The US was, of course, so shocked and outraged that someone was falsely hiring murderers in our name that we… wait for it, did nothing. Then scaled back on the number of joint operations we do with them.

  11. 11.

    Josie

    That face is just irresistible. I don’t know how you get anything done. I would want to be cuddling with him all the time.

  13. 13.

    LGRooney

    I am probably late to this and missed all the fun fireworks but is anyone else having a hard time getting worked up about some troops peeing on dead bodies? I mean, it’s war. I’m sure this activity has been de rigeur since civilization’s earliest days. The idiocy here is someone photographed it or videotaped it. Disrespectful? Yes, that’s the point. So is killing someone who isn’t interested in killing you if you’re not a threat.

  14. 14.

    LGRooney

    @Comrade Dread: They know they can do it because speaking up too loudly about something Israel does is political suicide in this country such is the stranglehold money and religious propaganda have here.

  16. 16.

    Brachiator

    Once again, the Heritage Foundation has proclaimed Hong Kong to be the most free economy.

    Hong Kong scored 89.9 on the 1-100 scale, highest worldwide. Singapore, which has ranked second all 18 years, scored 87.5. Australia and New Zealand ranked third and fourth, respectively, enabling the Asia-Pacific region to account for the four highest-ranked countries.

    But there is this, from the Wiki

    Despite being one of the world’s richest economies, the Gini Coefficient indicates that the wealth gap continues to widen in Hong Kong. As of 2006 Hong Kong’s measurement is at 53.3, which means the difference between the rich and poor is far greater than that of the mainland China.

    And this horrible story of the repercussions of a lack of a social safety net.

    Cage dogs of Hong Kong: The tragedy of tens of thousands living in 6ft by 2ft rabbit hutches – in a city with more Louis Vuitton shops than Paris
    __
    Hong Kong, one of the world’s richest cities, is abuzz with a luxury property boom that has seen homes exchanged for record sums. But the wealth of the city has a darker side, with tens of thousands priced out of housing altogether and forced to live in the most degrading conditions. These pictures by British photographer Brian Cassey capture the misery of people – some estimates put the figure as high as 100,000 – who are forced to live in cages measuring just 6ft by 2 1/2ft.

  18. 18.

    The Ancient Randonneur

    US Embassy in Thailand just issued and Emergency Message to all US Citizens of a possible terrorist threat.

    This message alerts U.S. citizens in Thailand that foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok.

  19. 19.

    Comrade Dread

    @Brachiator:

    Well, yeah.

    In a capitalist system there will be winners and losers, the wealthy and the poor, the conmen/salesmen and the marks, the landowner and the laborer exploited because he has no power or security beyond his next paycheck.

    In terms of pure economic freedom (without paying attention to morals, basic human decency, or the unsustainable nature of it) Hong Kong is probably more free than the United States because their government does not interfere with business to help mitigate the fallout from capitalism.

  20. 20.

    Yutsano

    MAXPUPPEH!!

    I’m just fried. At least I got a friend coming into town tomorrow. Three day weekend. Also. Too.

  21. 21.

    Butch

    @Bob: I thought that too but then had a friend who was adamant it was “growth clusters,” a drug agent term for a stand of marijuana plants.

  22. 22.

    Comrade Dread

    @LGRooney: Oh, I’m aware of how they can get away with it and why they do it, I’m just wondering out loud how brazen all of this behavior would have to get before the American public gets fed up enough to demand an end to it.

    Right now, I’m somewhere between “Israel would have to launch a first strike against Washington DC” and “Israel would have to build a Death Star and use it on the Moon causing tsunamis and Armageddon-style chunks of moon causing an ELE” before the Congress might consider passing a resolution condemning the behavior.

  25. 25.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Butch: Sorry, but they’re “groat clusters.” Heavy on the 30-weight, Ma!

    ETA: Looks like I’m late to the party.

  26. 26.

    geg6

    @Linda Featheringill:

    Yup, that was my reaction a bit to the south here in Pittsburgh. My Otis, when I took him out early this morning for his morning pee, looked at me like, “WTF? STOP THIS COLD AND WIND STUFF RIGHT NOW!”

    He was snuggling into my lap as soon as we got inside (and I think he was eyeing my coffee). Which would be fine if he didn’t weight 100 lbs.

    Oh, and MAAAAAAAXXXXXXXIIIIIIEEEEE!

  27. 27.

    smintheus

    How dumb does a presidential candidate have to be to call on a mannequin at a campaign event?

    OTOH, maybe Perry thought it was Mitt shadowing him.

  28. 28.

    BO_Bill

    Somebody needs to explain the stain on the blanket, observable at the lower left corner of the photograph.

  31. 31.

    Villago Delenda Est

    You know, in the 17th Century they had a way to deal with guys like OvenMitt Romney when they were finally caught.

    They watched them dangle from the yardarm.

  32. 32.

    Southern Beale

    @Comrade Dread:

    In terms of pure economic freedom (without paying attention to morals, basic human decency, or the unsustainable nature of it) Hong Kong is probably more free than the United States because their government does not interfere with business to help mitigate the fallout from capitalism.

    That leaves human beings out of the equation and therefore is not my definition of freedom. That is a recipe for oppression by the forces of greed. If the economy does not serve the people but only serves itself then it is useless. It’s like those computers in The Matrix. They serve only themselves.

    Time to take the red pill, people.

  34. 34.

    Bob

    @Butch: I’m staying with “groat.” “Groat clusters” comes up as a Google search. But that could be wrong, I guess. In any case, “groat” to me.

  36. 36.

    kindness

    Thank the FSM it’s Friday. This is my first 5 day work week in almost a month and I’m feeling it.

  37. 37.

    Mino

    My word, there’s an ad with the cutest bulldog puppy and his bright red bowl. Thank you, google.

  39. 39.

    Butch

    @Bob: Not inclined to disagree; I have many “memories” (I guess that’s what it would be called) of listening to Firesign until I could recite it word for word.

  42. 42.

    JPL

    We’ll have to do a poll someday to see how many of BJ’s readers cover their sofa. Tim and I used the same decorator.

  43. 43.

    Liz

    @LGRooney: I’ve been poking around looking for the conversation too. I’m in agreement…I mean, we ask these people, often young people, to go against the very core of what it means to be a compassionate human, and we’re going to get upset about this? To paraphrase Sebastian Junger, these troops see live enemies being waterboarded, so they don’t think it’s so wrong to piss on dead ones.

  46. 46.

    Schlemizel

    @Raven:
    There seems to be an epidemic of Firesign on the ‘tubes lately – Pab Sungenis worked them into “New Adventures of Queen Victoria” a couple of days ago. Thanks for quoting them here.

    I think of them every time we discuss the Republican Primary: “I think we are all Bozos on this bus”

  51. 51.

    Butch

    @JPL: We own an upholstery shop and with four dogs and six cats you bet we cover ’em. The last time we did the sofas we actually held swatches up to the yellow labs until we found something that matched them perfectly.
    I am sorry I need to leave this thread, but have a pressing engagement at Communist Martyrs High School.

  52. 52.

    Raven

    @Schlemizel: Unfortunately it’s all burned into my hard drive under my hat. My wife looks at me like I’m nuts cuz I’m always mixin FST with Groucho.

  53. 53.

    Raven

    @Butch: Leeme ask you this. We bought a new sofa and the cushions were killin me. I’m 6ft 195 and they would just collapse. I went to a local shop and th guy gave me some more rigid foam to take home and try and I thought they were better but after a week they were just as bad. I don’t think the local guy should take em back cuz but I’m trying to figure out what to do?

  54. 54.

    Schlemizel

    @Bob:
    FWIW – my memory is ‘groat cakes’ but mother calls dad to the table for clam cakes just a minute before that – “before they get damp” (I think).

  55. 55.

    gogol's wife

    @Schlemizel:

    My only remnant of Firesign Theater is that I refer to godforsaken strip malls as being at “103rd and Sewer.”

    I love you, Max, please marry me.

  57. 57.

    wenchacha

    I’m searching for info on how best to market my husband’s small electrical contracting business. My hope is that a few of you out there can steer me in the right direction. We want to advertise, get a web presence, and so forth, but want to avoid paying too much for online ads or clicks or whatever.

    I can put together a Facebook page, get Linked-in and he’s already in Angie’s List. Will most homeowners and other small biz go online or yellow pages when they have a flickering light or need a new electrical service?

    Someone else must have done this research before; need I reinvent the wheel? What I have found so far doesn’t seem to fit his particular sort of business: he’s not selling a product, but a service. He doesn’t need a widespread clientele, just within his driving range.

    He’s been in business for a few years, has his master electrician license and insurance. He’s going out on his own after a couple of years subcontracting for another outfit. Word-of-mouth is his most frequent source of new clients, but he needs to increase his visibility.

    Sorry if I’m asking in the wrong place, but I figured BJ people would have good ideas. Thanks!

  58. 58.

    Butch

    @Raven: Raven, more likely it’s the springing then; coil springs can come untied and flexsteel can come loose from their moorings; either way unfortunately you’re looking at removing at least the cambric (the either beige or grey fabric underneath the sofa) to fix. We’re in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula so I doubt we can help you but talk to someone local.

  59. 59.

    Schlemizel

    @Raven:
    My kids and I used to have entire conversations that consisted of nothing but Simpsons lines. Actual exchanges of information. I don’t know if I should be happy or upset about that but we enjoyed it a lot!

  62. 62.

    DZ

    Max is great. All of my Siberians have died in the past 2 years (old), but tomorrow I pick up two 3 year olds whose owner died. Life will be good again

  64. 64.

    Raven

    @Butch: I ever tell you about drivin my sis up to her draft dodger boyfriend in the Soo and hitch hiking across the UP? Got picked up by a canadian biker in a 58 Pontiac and we stopped at every frickin bar on the road. I finally bailed and started walking, almost froze to death in August. Got picked up by a UPS driver who took me all the way to Green Bay. memories

  65. 65.

    tamied

    @wenchacha: I use ServiceMagic a lot to get local services. I think the companies may pay for the service, I’m not sure, but I’ve got a few contractors that way.

  69. 69.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Schlemizel:

    Mother: Adolf come and get it! Your clamcakes are getting damp.

    Father: 10 – 4 Eleanor

    [Door Slam and Footsteps]

    Father: Whew! Defoliating a victory garden certainly works up an appetite.

    Mother: You sit down, father, and dig right in.

    Father: That’s right! This afternoon I’ll be able to start digging the pit. If I can get any work out of that boy of yours I can have the bunker finished by election day. Where is Porgy anyway?

    Mother: He’s up in his room, helping Porcelin make the bed.

    Porcelin: Oh Porgy, Oh my, oh my, oh my!

    Mother: Porgy… Porgy Tirebiter!

    Porgy: Co.. eh… Coming mother!

    Mother: He’s so good with the servants, Fred.

    Father: Stop calling me Fred. My name’s Adolph.

  76. 76.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @geg6:

    That guy really is as dumb as a rock, isn’t he?

    Be fair. Maybe he’s a little nearsighted and just needs to get a new prescription from his optometrist . . . .

    Oh.

    Wait.

    We’re talking about Rick Perry.

    Yup. Dumb as a rock.

  77. 77.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Schlemizel: They only have a few more lines in that scene, which ends with

    Father: Oh, that son of mine.

    Mother: He’s not your son, Fred.

    Father: Stop torturing me, Ethel.

    But there’s plenty more that’s pretty prescient, actually.

    Joe Beets: Hi, I’m Joe Beets! Hey, what chance does a returning deceased war veteran have for that good paying job, more sugar, and the free mule you’ve been dreaming of?Well, think it over, then take off your shoes. Now you can see how increased spending opportunities means harder work for everyone and more of it too.

  78. 78.

    Schlemizel

    @Gin & Tonic:
    Weather here is crappy this weekend. I may rummage around the basement for those albums & listen to them again. Its been so long & they were such good times.

    I hope I am not becoming one of those old farts that gets all misty about the good ol days

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