Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

If you voted for Trump, you don’t get to speak about ethics, morals, or rule of law.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

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

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Hot air and ill-informed banter

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

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

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

No one could have predicted…

Dear media: perhaps we ought to let Donald Trump speak for himself!

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

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

They want us to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Focus. Resist. Oppose.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Cancel the cowardly Times and Post and set up an equivalent monthly donation to ProPublica.

Second rate reporter says what?

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Reader Interactions

110Comments

  3. 3.

    Ted & Hellen

    Steubenville must be burned to the ground, its population tortured and killed, and the earth salted.

  6. 6.

    srv

    Hillary is such a loser for coming out for Gay Marriage now. How can you people support a President who had her in his cabinet?

    Who in her family came out as gay?

    Maybe Obama should give Portman a cabinet slot.

  7. 7.

    The Dangerman

    It’s like this and like that and like this and uh
    It’s like that and like this and like that and uh
    It’s like this and like that and like this and uh
    Tunch, creep to the mic food dish like a phantom

  12. 12.

    Cassidy

    @mdblanche: C’mon. It’s T&H. What he really means is that it’s her fault for being a woman slut and having the audacity to take her vagina outside.

  13. 13.

    Raven

    Joseph Vissarionovich “Rainbow” Stalin (18 December 1878 – 5 March 1953)

    Joseph Stalin, was born in Gori, Georgia on 21st December, 1879.

  14. 14.

    Ultraviolet Thunder

    Back from Alabama. Probably don’t have to return for a week. The weather was nice, but other things being equal I’d rather be in wet, snowy Detroit.

    ETA: weather is Obama’s fault. Why oh why won’t he just step up and lead?

  15. 15.

    scav

    @Cassidy: I thought T&H wasn’t a misogynist and equally down on those sluttish boys who sashayed about tempting coaches and clerics. Or was he just lonely?

  18. 18.

    Comrade Jake

    @srv: Seriously, though, quite a change we’ve had since 2008 when all the major Democratic candidates for POTUS opposed gay marriage. The juggernaut of history marches on my friends.

  19. 19.

    Mnemosyne

    Since it’s an OT, I’ll open the Mac wars again and ask if anyone has a recommendation for a good mail program for Mac. I’m not a big fan of Apple Mail or Thunderbird, but I haven’t seen any good alternatives to either. Should I just do what all of the kool kids are doing now and do everything in the cloud?

  20. 20.

    Eric U.

    we are having the most annoying winter ever. Actually, back in ’94 we got a huge snowfall in early April and then it rained heavily and the melt flooded our basement. So that was pretty annoying too.

  21. 21.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Oh, Tucker. I got a feeling you stepped on your own dick.

    Police in the Dominican Republic said at a news conference Monday that three women who claimed last year that they were paid to have sex with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) were actually paid to make the false statements by a Dominican lawyer, the Associated Press reports.

  24. 24.

    scav

    @Cassidy: I don’t know. Depends on the width of the shower, bathroom stall or party? Trollyoga leads to a certain flexibility of positions taken.

  26. 26.

    West of the Rockies

    Open thread, right? So I see that Lindsey Vonn is now officially romantically linked to Tiger Woods. Wasn’t she rumored to be involved with Tim Tebow? Neither selection sounds like an especially good one to me. What, was John Meyer unavailable?

  31. 31.

    Cacti

    @srv:

    “I think most Americans are fair. And if they believe that people in committed relationships want to share their lives and, not only that, have the same rights that I do in my marriage, to decide who I want to inherit my property or visit me in a hospital, I think that most Americans would think that that’s fair and that should be done.”

    -Hillary Clinton
    December 7, 2003

    Yep, practically the same as Rob Portman.

  34. 34.

    The Dangerman

    @West of the Rockies:

    So I see that Lindsey Vonn is now officially romantically linked to Tiger Woods.

    I wonder how one forgives/forgets that one’s Beau got caught fucking everything in sight while married.

    /$$$

  36. 36.

    andy

    There’s this anime I’m really enjoying on Hulu called Robotics;Notes. It kind of starts out as a comedy/drama about school life, then crazy stuff starts happening. What really stuck me though, is that in the middle of all the genre craziness are the moments of genuine tenderness. There’s this other funny one called Girls und Panzer, set in an alternate world where it’s considered especially ladylike for girls to develop true poise by being tank commanders (men are not allowed to drive tanks), and the story is set in one of these tank clubs.

    Pot au feu didn’t quite go as planned, made boulettes instead.

  37. 37.

    quannlace

    we are having the most annoying winter ever. Actually, back in ’94 we got a huge snowfall in early Apri

    Ugh, I think we’ve had more snow in March then the winter entirely. Want to smack smarmy weathermen telling we could get several inches and then smirking that Spring’s in only two days.

  38. 38.

    Alex S.

    @West of the Rockies:
    Lindsey Vonn, the Taylor Swift of winter sports?

    Open Thread: I hope that any future threads on Wisconsin governor Scott Walker have titles that quote the musician Scott Walker.

  39. 39.

    scav

    58% polled support for SSM? We can play with theoretical stages here, Early Majority clocking in (or pragmatists, I learn). Rather pleasing.

  42. 42.

    quannlace

    So I assume the Great Mustard Mystery continues?
    At least it’s better than losing an expensive bottle of wine. You can always make your own mustard.

  43. 43.

    Hill Dweller

    The wingnuts are already going crazy over Obama nominating Thomas Perez to be the next Secretary of Labor.

    Also too, Charlie Pierce on Arizona asking the SC to give them the right to suppress minority voting.

  44. 44.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I gather Friedman has written another column imploring Obama to, at long last, reach out to Republicans by adopting the policies Obama has been a advocating for years. I thought Friedman might actually become useful when he started advocating for green policies, but his chief priority is still both-sides-do-it, and that’s the Democrats fault.

  45. 45.

    West of the Rockies

    @The Dangerman: Yeah, that was pretty much my thought, too. Who knows, maybe Tim Tebow wouldn’t put out for Lindsey (‘cuz the bible says that would be wrong). I know David Duchovney claimed to be a sex addict. Did Woods claim as much, or is her a garden-variety horndog? Was he sorry for what he did or just sorry that he got caught, lost millions in endorsement dollars, and had to put up with the questions of journalists who were so clearly beneath him?

    Can we take seriously any woman who now claims to be in a mature, committed relationship with a Tiger Woods or Charlie Sheen (or Newt Gingrich)?

  47. 47.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @West of the Rockies: I’m behind on my celeb gossip. I thought Lindsey Vonn was a Jeebus Freek (so no skeeving around with John Mayer and Tiger Woods and his wife had reconciled. I did hear Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman are back together, and I actually care cause they are my imaginary TV friends, and I really want RP to do a run as Frank’s sister on It’s Always Sunny.

    I’ve all but given up on terrestrial radio, and I can’t remember the last time I heard a John Mayer song.

  48. 48.

    Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)

    My NCAA picks:

    Minnesota over Boston College
    Boston University over Mercyhurst

    Minnesota over Mercyhurst, capping off the first perfect season

  49. 49.

    Valdivia

    Just wanted to thank all the wonderful commentors who gave me tips yesterday of how to deal with my toe. I was seen by a doctor who confirmed the nail was kicked right off the nail bed (yuck!) so it’s wrapped for now until I am seen by podiatrist on Thirsday. Oh and I’m also on antibiotics to prevent infection.

    And because the day is just not a good one: we had to put our 16 year old red tabby to sleep today. He had been sick for a while and this weekend he just curled up into a ball and didn’t move at all. So sad. He will be sorely missed. You enriched our life Jinvah!

  50. 50.

    Belafon (formerly anonevent)

    @srv: Actually, she’s just riding the wave of support for gay marriage in her announcement. How can we trust a president who picks people who won’t lead on liberal issues?

    (Yes, that was snark)

  51. 51.

    Rosalita

    @Valdivia: I’m so sorry about your kitty. I lost my 16 year old buddy just last November. It’s hard to complain much when they brought to much love to your life.

  52. 52.

    Elizabelle

    @jeffreyw:

    What be it and where’s the recipe. Looks yum.

    Here’s an article from The Guardian on screenwriting that looks fun.

    What Makes a Great Screenplay?

    Spoiler alert, though. I’ve not seen some of these movies/TV shows, and Mr. Yorke discusses plot twists (and conclusions).

  53. 53.

    The Dangerman

    @West of the Rockies:

    Can we take seriously any woman who now claims to be in a mature, committed relationship with a Tiger Woods or Charlie Sheen…

    On the plus side for both of them, both were likely drug fueled (I think Tiger was popping Ambien like Pez which, in turn, pretty much pops all your inhibitions)…

    …else, I can’t imagine why any self-respecting woman would be around someone like Tiger (uncompensated, I mean).

    ETA: Fuck! Moderation for Ambien? FUCK!

    ETA2: Maybe it was for Pez.

  54. 54.

    Ben Franklin

    @Valdivia:

    Kicked a stepping-stone and did the same to the big one. Didn’t lose it, but it had a nasty black tide for a while. Good luck.

  55. 55.

    Elizabelle

    @Valdivia:

    Jinvah was beautiful, Valdivia. So sorry.

    You did the right things. (1) letting Mr. Cat go with dignity and (2) not sharing a photostream of the toe. (Hope that situation improves!)

    Again, condolences.

  57. 57.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @Valdivia: I’m so sorry. It’s never easy, as they leave such big paw prints on our hearts.

  59. 59.

    Dee Loralei

    @Valdivia: Sorry about your loss. What a handsome sweet looking boy. And what a great long life. Hope your toe heals quickly too.

  61. 61.

    Valdivia

    @Rosalita:

    I felt very strongly that after that long life with us he deserved to go when his body gave out, which it was obvious it did this weekend. It’s hard though, his litter brother will take it hard too.

    @Ben Franklin: the doc told me it’s called runner toe because a lot of runners get them. I told him i wish I had gotten it doing something physical like that instead of having someone kick it out of me. At least it didn’t look as bad as I thought it would. I am very squeamish with nails.

    @Elizabelle: he was a philsopher cat. he sat next to me til late at night when I was in grad school and his favorite books were by Hegel. In his last years he sat next to my dad and listened to opera all day. He was a sweet wonderful companion. Thank you for your kind words.

    And yes. No photos of my toe. Ever. :D

  63. 63.

    Michael G

    @Hill Dweller:

    The wingnuts are already going crazy over Obama nominating Thomas Perez to be the next Secretary of Labor.

    So their “let’s at least *pretend* to be nicer to Latinos” plan lasted, what, two hours?

  65. 65.

    West of the Rockies

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I sort of assumed Lindsey Vonn was a virgin for Jeebus, too, when I heard she was “seeing” Tim Tebow, but perhaps we were misinformed.

    I don’t think I’ve heard any new John Meyer material since that really big album hit half a dozen years ago. Honestly though, I tend to listen mostly to NPR (with all its faults) or ambient music. Indeed, right now I have on Steven Roach while a Nag Champa incense stick burns away and I review student essays. What an exciting life I do lead….

  66. 66.

    Heliopause

    Has anybody heard of the flap about Satan in the History Channel’s Bible series looking like Obama? Forget the Obama angle for a minute and look at the cast of this thing. Notice that most of them are beautiful caucasians, whereas Satan is portrayed by an actual, muslimy middle-easterner. Think they could have made it any more obvious?

  67. 67.

    JPL

    @Valdivia: It’s so hard to lose a furry friend even though you know it’s time. Hugs.
    I’m glad that you still have the foot to hobble around on.

  70. 70.

    Hungry Joe

    Just learned via Kos that Michelle Shocked launched an anti-gay tirade during a concert in San Francisco. Audience apparently walked out. Such a … shock. She was a lefty progressive (in her own words) “skateboard punk rocker,” but she got born again a few years ago and I guess it led to this. “Anchorage,” “I’ve Come a Long Way,” “Graffiti Limbo” … never be able to listen to them the same way again.

    Just a couple of years ago she did a couple of small benefit concerts for the progressive non-profit my wife works for, and after one of the shows we talked to her for a few minutes. She was intense, sincere, incredibly nice. I’m totally pole-axed by this. She had mental health problems in her youth, so maybe …

    But I’m probably giving her too much benefit of not much doubt.

  72. 72.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @Heliopause: But the Moroccan dude they cast as Satan is pretty hot. And does sorta kinda look like the Islamofascist Kenyan Usurper, but surely that was a gigantic coincidence as they are hardly any middle easternish actors.

  74. 74.

    pacem appellant

    My home was burgled last Thursday while I was at work. It was a sloppy thief, but s/he took enough. My SLR, my tablet, my iPod, and irreplaceable (but inexpensive) jewelry, like my great-grandfather’s ring and most of my wife’s sentimental pieces. If there’s DABDA for home violations, I’m in Anger now and likely stuck there until I can get to my shrink.

  77. 77.

    raven

    @Valdivia: I haven’t posted this in a while:

    We who choose to surround ourselves
    with lives even more temporary than our
    own, live within a fragile circle;
    easily and often breached.
    Unable to accept its awful gaps,
    we would still live no other way.
    We cherish memory as the only
    certain immortality, never fully
    understanding the necessary plan.
    — Irving Townsend

  81. 81.

    Cassidy

    @Ted & Hellen: Oh Timmy. I did not mean to interrupt your full throated defense of sexual predators. Please, continue telling us rapists are the true victims.

  85. 85.

    piratedan

    @andy: agreed that Robotics Notes is a pretty good series, it’s got some cross overs with Stein’s Gate, which you also may enjoy.

  87. 87.

    piratedan

    @Hill Dweller: other developments here in the Grand Canyon State is that the state lege is now making it illegal for communities to initiate buybacks of firearms for melting them down.

  88. 88.

    Todd

    Bill O’Reilly’s marriage was ruined by marriage equality. Clearly, such a solemn and dignified institution can’t withstand a cultural assault by men wearing Chanel gowns…

    http://gawker.com/5990571/bill-oreillys-divorce-is-so-ugly-god-got-involved

    And here’s where it gets interesting. In October 2011, McPhilmy took O’Reilly to court after learning that the woman she thought had been a neutral therapist serving the needs of her children was in fact a member of her ex-husband’s household staff. The therapist, a Long Island licensed social worker named Lynne Kulakowski, was working long days and some evenings in O’Reilly’s house, on his payroll, and basically acting as the children’s nanny.

  91. 91.

    scav

    @piratedan: Interfering in the owners right to do what they will with their own property! ? Horrors! I’m sure the right wing will be out protesting this in full-throated tricornness in no time at all!

  92. 92.

    gbear

    @Hungry Joe: I used to work at an office that had a communal CD player. Every now and then I would bring in a Mary Chapin Carpenter CD until one of the women at work walked over and shut it off. When I asked her why she said that she’d rather listen to Michelle Shocked. I’ve hated Michelle Shocked ever since. I was going to print a copy of the crappy write-up that she got in the Rolling Stone Album Guide and set it on her desk.

    I’m actually glad to see that she’s screwing up royal in public. She always was a self-serving soapboxer.

    @pacem appellant: My house was burglarized twice in one summer and it SUCKS. I got a lot of my stuff back but the feeling of violation is awful. I have a home alarm system now but I still have a lot of stuff hidden.

  94. 94.

    schrodinger's cat

    Since this is an open thread, a question for kitteh experts. My big orange girl kitteh, aged 10 has had several bouts of upset stomach off late. I feed her 50% wet food, 50% dry food. The vet could not find anything wrong with her, and no parasites in the stool sample. Any suggestions, diet, herbal remedies etc.

  96. 96.

    Mnemosyne

    @Valdivia:

    I’m so sorry, but it sounds like you did the right thing. Sometimes they need a little help even when they’re ready to go.

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Our oldest kitty Keaton seems to be allergic (or at least sensitive) to wheat gluten, which is in most commercial cat foods. We now give them Blue Buffalo Wilderness (duck flavor) and different wheat-free wet brands like Innova, Wellness, BFF, and Soulistic (which is a Petco house brand).

    It’s pretty easy to spot — it’s usually in the first couple of ingredient lines. Staying away from it really helped a lot with the puking problem.

  97. 97.

    Hungry Joe

    @gbear:

    She always was a self-serving soapboxer.

    I’d have disagreed with you vehemently (and probably obnoxiously) until, oh, about an hour ago.

    (Smooth alliteration, too, esp. in the final sibilant “x.”)

  98. 98.

    geg6

    @West of the Rockies:

    Who the hell is Lindsay Vonn? Just from your post, I’m guessing she’s a starfucker who has a thing for the creepiest jocks on the planet. Who’s next, Lance Armstrong? Maybe the rapey football players when they come of age?

  99. 99.

    geg6

    @Valdivia:

    So sorry about your cat! It’s really a horrible thing, putting an animal down, isn’t it? An act of love and compassion, yes. But so awful to go through. My thoughts are with you.

  104. 104.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @geg6: Until her knee injury earlier this season, she was probably the best female downhill skier in the world. A far better athlete than Tebow could ever hope to be.

  106. 106.

    West of the Rockies

    @geg6: Hi, geg6… Omnes Omnibus answered your question a few comments after you made yours, so you now know who Vonn is. My wife and I reconnected our TV just for the Winter Olympics so our daughter (then 9) could enjoy the spectacle and a bit of grrrrrl power. Vonn was pretty indominatable; her fierce competitive spirit was inspiring. Seeing her now hanging with Woods sort of tarnishes her stature (at least in my mind).

    I had a friend whose opinion and honesty I valued. She said she was at a party and was standing and chatting with another guest. She said Woods was at the party and came passing through the doorway where my friend stood. Woods’ bodyguards (or flunkies or entourage) came barrelling through, knocked my friend to the floor, and Woods flowed by. He didn’t even deign to glance down at her. For that reason and all the stories I’ve heard since, I’ve never liked or respected Woods.

    And this is perhaps an eccentric observation, but I also wish he would completely close his mouth; why is his goddamned mouth always perpetually open? I don’t like the mouth-breather look.

  107. 107.

    dance around in your bones

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I’ve all but given up on terrestrial radio, and I can’t remember the last time I heard a John Mayer song.

    To me they all his songs sound the same. I have friends who are friends of his, but I’m…..not so impressed.

  108. 108.

    dance around in your bones

    @Valdivia:

    Animals will often do that when they sense the end is near. I am so sorry you lost your 16 yr friend.

  109. 109.

    dance around in your bones

    @pacem appellant:

    My home was burgled last Thursday while I was at work. It was a sloppy thief, but s/he took enough.

    I have had my house robbed 2 times. Both times it pissed me the hell off that some stranger stood in my house and said to himself “Hey, I think I’ll take this!”

    Once it was my wedding rings that my mother-in law gave me (that were hers, back in the day) and once (among many other things) a pair of ancient gold boat earrings that I am sure the idiots had no idea of the value.

    Prolly melted them down for the gold.

    Stuff that meant a lot to me and nothing to them/him/whoever.

  110. 110.

    andy

    @piratedan: Yep, heard that too. Hulu thoughtfully put it in their “similar to” tumbnail crawl thing at the bottom of their Robotics;Notes page. Really loving Psycho Pass too.

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