Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Bark louder, little dog.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

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

A norm that restrains only one side really is not a norm – it is a trap.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

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

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Stamping your little feets and demanding that they see how important you are? Not working anymore.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

We will not go back.

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

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Everybody saw this coming.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

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

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

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Late Night Open Thread

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Someone emailed me today and I promised Tunch pics, and I almost forgot. Here you go, from just 5 minutes ago:

One of the worst hoaxes perpetrated by this website is that Tunch is anything other than the sweetest, most adorable, and lovable kitty ever. I wish I had some way to easily record him chirping in the morning when it is time to get up or the way he purrs at night right next to my head because he loves me.

I’m off to bed. I had a bottle of wine and two glasses of scotch, I’m emotionally drained, and ready for bed. I want to thank you all for the kind words for dad, as they meant a lot to me as I was sitting here just freaking out. Thanks, guys. I really do think of you all as a community, and as weird as it may sound, your emotional support is just as important as anything I get from people in meatspace. So again, thanks.

Reader Interactions

83Comments

  2. 2.

    Genine

    I’m glad to hear your dad is okay and that this community was able to help in some way.

    Good night, John. Get some sleep.

  6. 6.

    Random User Name

    That first picture of Tunch just melts the heart, what a sweetie.

    My prayers are with you and your Dad, John. I went through the same thing with my own Dad years ago, it’s scary but thank doG it sounds like your Dad’s doctors have things under control.

    Hope you have a restful night and things look better in the morning.

  8. 8.

    YellowJournalism

    Just read about your dad. It’s a scary feeling to realize that are parents are just as vulnerable to life as the rest of us. I hope everything turns out okay. Good night and sweet dreams of puppies, kittehs, and other calming examples of cute.

  10. 10.

    Watership

    Glad we have this community in which we can be supportive, Mr. Cole. Thanks, best to Dad, and just get some sleep and see what things look like in the morning.

  12. 12.

    RareSanity

    Ok Cole…

    You’ve had a rough night so be well and best wishes to you and your family.

    But, between this and the Komen victory dance, I’m wondering when you will get back telling us that we are just a bunch of WATBs that strain your weak hold on sanity.

    I come here for the insight and snark, I stay for the verbal abuse…

    So here’s to you John, and your quick return to your usual crotchety, angry, Archie Bunkery, curmudgeony self…get some sleep big guy.

  13. 13.

    Ruckus

    It’s always good to be a part of something which doesn’t judge us and which lets us enjoy(most of the time anyway) each others company.

    Cheers.

  14. 14.

    Mary G

    Thanks, had a very stressful day but now after cuddling with my own two kittehs and seeing such a wonderful picture of the true Tunch, I feel at peace again and can go to bed. I am sending good thoughts on behalf of you and your dad and mom, brother(s?) and sister(s?).

    We joke about Tunch, but we all know he is just like his owner, a solid gold heart of mush under a tough guy exterior.

    ETA: Yay! Edit is back!

  16. 16.

    cckids

    Hey, John, just got home & read about your dad. I’m glad he’s getting cared for & that you are holding steady.

    I’ve spent so, so many nights in hospital with my son & now with my dad having leukemia, I’ve been there with him too.

    Try to have someone there with him as much as possible; docs fly in & out, spouting medical jargon. If your dad is anything like mine, he just nods & acts like he gets it all, but misses some. He also hates asking questions, so he doesn’t, (nor does my mom) but I sure do. Just be there for them. Is the hospital in your town, or is there traveling?

    Best wishes being sent your way from the Pacific time zone. Get some sleep.

  18. 18.

    hamletta

    Sleep tight, Cole. Will be saying prayers for your Dad for the next few days, whether you like it or not.

  19. 19.

    West of the Cascades

    Thank you for making a place where a community has taken root. Will be sending prayers and good thoughts from the Oregon woods towards WVa for your dad.

  20. 20.

    jl

    thnx for Tunchpix.

    Good luck with everything.

    Here’s hoping your dad gets better quickly

    Join with your dad when he starts whatever rehab program the docs and therapists work out.
    Moral support, will be good for you, misery loves company and all that.

  21. 21.

    opie jeanne

    John, I’m late to the party but I hope your dad will be better soon.

    And thanks for the Tunch photos. He is a big hunk of adorable.

  24. 24.

    Emerald

    Adorable Tunch!

    Ah, I knew he was secretly a sweetie.

    And how is Rosie? Haven’t heard anything about her in awhile.

    Best wishes to your Dad.

  26. 26.

    Teddy Salad

    My best wishes to you, your dad and your entire family.

    Thanks for the pictures of His Royal Highness, your not-so-secret weapon of joy. Long may he reign!

  27. 27.

    catdevotee

    I know it’s scary as hell, but a heart attack these days is not a death sentence. Hang in there, John, and remember how much your parents are probably counting on your support. Now’s the time to show yourself as a real grownup.

    Many of us have been in your place, and we’ll all be sending our best vibes in your direction.

  28. 28.

    Drunken hausfrau

    Sorry to chime in so late… I’m in the UK, so it’s Saturday morning … I hope your Dad had a quiet night. I hope YOU were able to sleep. I wish you and your family the best — especially the best medical team. Been there, done that. Dads should never get sick. Nor moms.

  29. 29.

    cbear

    Its early days yet, but I truly hope that this turns out to be a blessing in disguise for your Dad, and that he receives the treatment that averts an even worse medical event in the future.
    My best wishes to the family Cole, bipeds and quadripeds.

  30. 30.

    Rita R.

    Just seeing the news about your dad. Sending good thoughts, wishes and vibes for his quick and full recovery, and for you and your family as you help him though it. Glad the Tunch and Lily and Rosie cuddling is there for you too.

  32. 32.

    Applejinx

    Doesn’t sound so weird at all.

    Even in meatspace, we are interacting with our mental model of the people in our lives- we get more feedback, but anybody’s known situations where even that failed and we got bad surprises about people we thought we understood.

    Online, it’s just the same only we get less immediate feedback and more of a direct window on the thinking, because we have only words and cat pictures.

    I’ve made my sleep schedule pivot on waking up at three in the morning to hang out with a group of ponies, of all things- for just that reason, that online connections can have their own relevance which can run as deep as meatspace connections, but which can draw on a pool of individuals that’s literally worldwide.

    Love ya, John!

  33. 33.

    piratedan

    @eemom: aye eemom, but its good for steeling my resolve and my fathers family is from the next county over. to say it resonates with me is an understatement. I shudder when Hazel starts singing.

  35. 35.

    asiangrrlMN

    Oh, John. So sorry about your dad. It must be such a hard time for you and your family. I send the entire Cole family strong, positive vibes and surround you all with a white light. Wishing the very best for your dad.

    And, Tunchie is simply gorgeous and wonderful as usual. Thanks for the pics of my boy.

  36. 36.

    iriedc

    It’s wonderful that you and your family can rely on each other. And I appreciate being a witness to it ,even in cyberspace. Godspeed.

  37. 37.

    Baud

    Meatspace sucks. I much prefer my anonymous digital friends. Glad to hear you dad will be ok, and I’m sure he will be grateful you were there to watch the dogs. Sleep well, and then back to fighting Republicans.

  38. 38.

    Chuck Butcher

    In regard to the online community coming together for someone, I give you less than half in comments with the other in emails. There is something to be said about the loss of non-verbal/written cues in this type of communication, but there is a lot to be said for the humanity also.

  40. 40.

    TheMightyTrowel

    The partner’s dad ended up in hospital with chest pains after 12 months of pretending nothing was going on (TWELVE MONTHS OF CHEST PAINS THAT HE TOLD NO ONE ABOUT!). Within days he was under the knife for a triple bypass. That was in early Nov. We just spoke to him 2 days ago and he’s gone back to his line dancing class with his doc’s permission. Three months from triple bypass to do-see-dos. I’m so amazed by modern medicine.

  41. 41.

    Michelle

    I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, John.
    It’s horrible watching your parents get old. My dad never talks about his health and minimizes any issue he may have (when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer he delivered the news to me by saying he had “a little cancer”). Unfortunately, I live in Europe and my dad lives in Nebraska and I’m constantly fearing an email saying something horrible has happened. It kind of sucks that I’m not closer to him as he is getting older.

  43. 43.

    c u n d gulag

    John,
    Best wishes to you and your family.

    I hope your Dad is up and about soon, as good as new.

    My own 86 year-old father has terminal lung and brain cancer, and only has a little bit of time left.

    This is the only time I’ve ever been glad that I’m out of work right now – because scheduling and taking him to treatments, and cooking for him and my diabetic, legally blind Mom, has become a full-time job.

    And, like you, I wish I was 10 years old again, sitting on our stoop back in the old home in Queens, waiting for my hero to come home.

  44. 44.

    Betty Cracker

    John, it sucks that your dad is going through this, and it’s a damn scary thing for him and all who love him. The advances made in cardiology over the last couple decades are truly amazing, so hopefully the docs and nurses will be able to identify the problem and address it as non-invasively as possible and get him home very soon. I join everyone here in fervently hoping for a full and speedy recovery for Papa Cole. You’re all in my thoughts.

  46. 46.

    mkd

    John, what a wonderful picture of Tunch! His sweetness undermines that fierce glare on the thermos mug I gave my son for a Christmas present! Good news about your father.Stay strong.

  47. 47.

    Cat Lady

    LOVE that first picture of Tunch. He looks like a kitten. A big kitten, but a kitty nonetheless. We all wish you the best John. I’m sure your dad will be fine, and I’ve seen a couple of men completely change their diets and habits and get healthier than they’ve ever been. Bill Clinton became a vegan and he looks amazing. Thanks for creating this little island of sanity in the ocean of fuckedupedness surrounding us, and letting us into your life, and being such a stand up guy.

  51. 51.

    dance around in your bones

    Tunch and you are a lot alike – fierce looking and prickly-ish on the outside, but soft and mushy in the middle (heart-wise) where it counts.

    Best wishes and hopes for your Dad, and you and your whole family. This community lubs ya right back!

  53. 53.

    RedKitten

    That first picture of Tunch is just heart-meltingly adorable. I want to plant a big smooch right in between his ears.

    Lots of love to you and your family, sweetie.

    xoxo

    Krista

  54. 54.

    harlana

    Oh God, Oh God, John Cole – i know that feeling, what you said about wanting to be 10 y.o. again! When everything seemed safe and secure and that sort of life and your parents would go on forever. Oh My God it’s painful when you realize things don’t work that way.

    I hope your dad will be ok, but it’s so damn scary what you are going through. I won’t go into my own personal experience which also has to do with my dad, who I thought was the strongest, most indestructible person in the world.

    As you know, we all care and want everything to be alright, however powerless we may be.

  56. 56.

    harlana

    but let me also say that i know of many, many instances of people having heart attacks, stents who end up being just fine as long as they take care of themselves, my ex’s mom who was in her 70’s when she had one, and that is just one of many examples i know of (parents’ friends, friends’ parents, etc.)

  60. 60.

    suzanne

    That kitty is such a beauty. I just want to curl up in bed and have him cuddle next to me and purr. LOVE.

    I’m glad that you’ve gotten to relax, John, and I’m still sending all my best thoughts to your dad and the resta youse guys.

  63. 63.

    Josie

    John: I’ve been away from the computer and didn’t read about your Dad until this morning. I hope he recovers well and gets back his former strength. You should join him in any regimen they give him for recovery to give him motivation. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
    Thanks for the lovely pictures of Tunch. He is scrumptious as usual.

  64. 64.

    donnah

    Sending good thoughts for you dad, John. The best thing is that he knows how much you love him and that you’re there for him. My mom had a pacemaker put in seven years ago after some horrible scares, and now she’s fantastic. As a matter of fact, they just replaced the battery last year! She’s the model for the Energiizer Bunny.

    The beauty of the Internet is in connections we make with others. It can work in positive and negative ways, but when it’s used to reach out to other people, even strangers can become friends. And friends support each other. That’s why we’re here.

  65. 65.

    Poopyman

    Looks like I picked a bad night to stay away from the ‘tubes, but as usual the rest of the folks picked up the slack.

    Sending good vibes to all the Cole family. And the folks up above are right: heart attacks have become more and more treatable, so the odds are that your dad will be on his feet in a couple of days and back to normal in a couple of months.

    Best wishes from Chez Poopy. We’ve been there.

  66. 66.

    Nicole

    Thinking of your family and sending best wishes for a speedy recovery for your dad.

    My uncle, our family’s token conservative, had a mild heart attack five or six years ago. He was a reasonably good patient while recovering in the hospital, but really resented the lifestyle changes the staff encouraged. “I have to quit smoking,” he groused to me, “and they’re telling me I have to eat healthy and they make me exercise. They’re trying to turn me into a Democrat!”

  67. 67.

    pika

    @Poopyman: Me, too–completely late to this news and the loving comfort it inspired. We are indeed all thinking of your dad, John, as well as you and your mom and everyone affected by a sudden eruption such as this. Thank you for updating as you can.

  72. 72.

    WereBear (itouch)

    So pleased to hear the news cintinues to be reassuring about your Dad. Once again, I must suggest “radical cardiologist” Dr William Davis’ Track Your Plaque program.

  73. 73.

    gogol's wife

    Tunch! Three students were in my office yesterday, two male and one female. They were about to leave but the young woman kept staring in the direction of my computer, until I realized she was transfixed by the picture of Tunch “OBEY” that is my mouse pad. She was completely enthralled by it!

    Still praying for your father and hoping all goes well. He certainly has a loving family, which is a huge advantage.

  74. 74.

    schrodinger's cat

    @gogol’s wife:

    until I realized she was transfixed by the picture of Tunch “OBEY” that is my mouse pad. She was completely enthralled by it!

    You can’t disobey the TUNCH!

  75. 75.

    JR in WVa

    John,

    Your Dad will probably be fine, cardiology is another medical field where huge strides have been made. Our cats are great relaxation aids, lying about on the bed, in the dark, purring.

    We’ll have one walk up and lie down purring, and I’ll say to my wife “Is that Punkin’ or Roscoe?” And we’ll drift off not needing to know who that is purring next to us.

    Best of luck!

    JR in S WV

  76. 76.

    Cat Hair Everywhere

    So glad your dad is doing better! Ditto what everyone else has said about the strides in cardiac care. Hope you get even more good news today.

    Virtual hugs to you, Tunch and the girls! Tunch looks so soft and cuddly in the first picture- what a sweet boy.

    Hope you had a good night’s sleep!

  79. 79.

    Tara the Antisocial Social Worker

    Just stopping in to send a hug and some good thoughts for your dad. Hang in there.

  80. 80.

    Ash Can

    Just now saw this news about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are most definitely with your father, you, and your entire family (human and otherwise). Being as he is your father, I can’t imagine him as being anything other than too damned ornery to let this get the better of him in any way. Here’s hoping for nothing but good news here on out.

  82. 82.

    Dee Loralei

    wow John, just heard about your dad, best wishes and all sorts of good thoughts for your entire family.

  83. 83.

    Shadow's Mom

    Due to work and school commitments, I’ve been rather dormant as a commenter in any medium, but Balloon-Juice is still a vital part of my daily reads.

    I was sorry to read about your father’s heart attack this morning, and I am thinking good thoughts for him and your entire family.

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