Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Perhaps I should have considered other options.” (head-desk)

75% of people clapping liked the show!

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

The unpunished coup was a training exercise.

When I was faster i was always behind.

Do we throw up our hands or do we roll up our sleeves? (hint, door #2)

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

They think we are photo bombing their nice little lives.

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

The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.

In after Baud. Damn.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

Everybody saw this coming.

All hail the time of the bunny!

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

These are not very smart people, and things got out of hand.

Books are my comfort food!

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

Hey Washington Post, “Democracy Dies in Darkness” was supposed to be a warning, not a mission statement.

A fool as well as an oath-breaker.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

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Reader Interactions

115Comments

  5. 5.

    Suffern ACE

    You might be able to find a suitable replacement for that mustard you lost at the mustard museum. Someone drive Cole to Middleton.

  6. 6.

    Anoniminous

    What’s a “water little?” (You kids. And your incomprehensible hep-cat jargon.)

    Meself and the AFBU* are drinking our post-dinner wine (Lost Horizon’s 2007 Napa Valley Meritage) while gazing out over the high New Mexican desert, waiting for the sunset to paint the sky rose, purple, violet, and lavender.

    Picked-up four cases of the Meritage at a good price back in 2008 and I’m kicking myself for not buying more. It was very nice two years ago and coming along nicer each year it sits in our “wine cellar.” (= The spare bedroon) I heartily recommend anyone who is interested in that sort of thing to grab a bottle and check it out.

    * Associated Female Biological Unit

  8. 8.

    Jay C

    @ John:

    They let you carry your “water little” on the place? It must be really little, since I thought the TSA had cracked down on allowing potential terrorists passengers to carry any liquid-container big enough to do any damage to anything (like either drowning the flight crew, or wetting down a laptop, or whatever…)?

  11. 11.

    MazeDancer

    You probably know this, but turn the wet laptop upside down. Saved a MacBook Pro from an unfortunate Zinfandel accident by doing that. Also waited 48 hours before turning it on. Apparently, it’s important not to activate the battery during the drying. And took it to a Mac place. No matter what persuasion your laptop is, no doubt there are fix-it places in Madison.

    Also hope there are lots of meet-ups in Madison. With pics. (Preferably in focus)

  12. 12.

    Luci

    I hope your laptop shapes up. :-s I also hope you have lots of fun and meet tons of great people. :) I envy you the getaway. :)

  18. 18.

    Soonergrunt

    For those unable to make it to Madison, please, if you commented in the Jobs thread earlier, go back and check it out, in case someone answered your plea or has posted a need that you can fulfill.
    I didn’t think this reminder was worth its own thread, especially this close to John’s.

  21. 21.

    Walker

    Let it dry completely before turning it on and it will be fine. So long as there was no sugar in it.

  23. 23.

    MazeDancer

    @raven:

    Saving the hard drive from coffee attack is an excellent thing. They asked me at the Mac Place if I cared about the data on Zinfandelled MBP I said no. But they saved it anyway.

    Apparently, Zinfandel and coffee are high on the list of things spilt onto laptops. Imagine John Cole’s water probably less dangerous than either.

    Hope some Madison people soon reply with actual meet-ups. Full of cameras not laptops.

  24. 24.

    Geri

    Tip for those wanting to bring their own water littles onto airplanes without paying inflated airport prices for water – bring an empty bottle through security, and fill it at a water fountain before boarding the plane. An actual aluminum water bottle will get you fewer funny looks than reusing crumpled plastic bottle, but either will work.

  25. 25.

    raven

    @MazeDancer: I’m using a moshi keyboard cover on my new one so I’m hoping that won’t happen again! I got enclosures for the drives an plan to use them for a mac air sometime.

  28. 28.

    gbear

    We’ve got a thunderstorm about to pass through town that dropped some very large hail on some towns west of us. I’ve been listening to a non-stop thunder for the last 10 minutes but it hasn’t started raining hard yet. Thru the Twin Cities and then on to Madison!

  29. 29.

    Billy Dilly

    O/T it looks like the Daily Kos is getting punked over a supposed squashed story of Gilbertson, Pa is under militia martial law, because their crazed gun-nut police chief was placed on 30 suspension. If I was Red State or the Blaze I would be all over this. This ain’t jumping the shark, this is sharknado of stupidity.

  31. 31.

    Linnaeus

    Go to State Street Brats. I got caught in the middle of a bar fight there once (I was not one of the belligerents).

  33. 33.

    Soonergrunt

    @Linnaeus: ” I got caught in the middle of a bar fight there once (I was not one of the belligerents).”
    That’s not exactly recommending, you know. John is old and creaky, and if he got in the middle of a tussle, he’d probably break a hip.

  34. 34.

    WereBear

    @MazeDancer: You probably know this, but turn the wet laptop upside down. Saved a MacBook Pro from an unfortunate Zinfandel accident by doing that.

    Sadly, my aluminum Powerbook did not survive kitten Tristan… even though I did that.

    Mr WereBear observed, “If you’d been drinking Scotch…”

  35. 35.

    Omnes Omnibus

    My understanding was that the planning had gotten as far as tomorrow night and on the isthmus. A lot of people were pro-Union Terrace, but there is construction in the area and drinks are limited to beer and wine. Otherwise, I remember Coper’s Tavern and the vintage getting talked up as well. I am a fan of Genna’s but it can get crowded.

  40. 40.

    WereBear

    This might be one of the saddest stories I’ve ever read:

    All evening shift employees would be forced to stay an extra hour after closing. The store is located in far Northeast Philadelphia, PA. Another employee (who worked the snack bar) and I would always be the last to leave before the overnight stock crew came in.

    We would have to run, after dark, across four lanes of Roosevelt Blvd (turns into Route 1), to get the only bus home. There were no crosswalks nearby, so we took our lives into our hands every time we did this.

    One day I came in, and was told she was struck and killed when two cars were doing an illegal drag race across the boulevard. Management made an attempt at regret for what happened. A photo of her was put on the wall by the snack bar until it was converted into a Subway.

    Stories from Wal-Mart employees

  41. 41.

    reader01

    The downtown Great Dane is a very good option. Parking is nearby for those living off the isthmus.

  44. 44.

    tofubo

    when ?? friday ,, it’s gonna be eesier to make it then

    where ?? people’s in the original meetup request put down some good suggestions

    it’s yer blog, you call the shots, tell us to be where when and we’ll be there

    wattle boter in hand

  45. 45.

    JPL

    @WereBear: The NYTimes had an article about the cost in time, of the working poor to get to their jobs. The Atlanta commute time, if you have a car, is terrible but for the working poor taking buses it adds an average of twenty eight hours a week. The McDonald’s budget did not allow for that.

  49. 49.

    Linnaeus

    @raven:

    Hope you got a couple in anyway.

    Heh. By the time I realized what was going on, the bouncer had a hand on my shoulder to eighty-six me, and the bartender came over to tell him I wasn’t in the fight. The situation was well in hand by that point.

    @Soonergrunt:

    That’s not exactly recommending, you know. John is old and creaky, and if he got in the middle of a tussle, he’d probably break a hip.

    *laugh* He might think a place like that has character.

    It’s really not a rough joint at all. Was just caught between two groups of guys who lacked self-discipline.

  51. 51.

    Riley's enabler

    Just back from the vet. Little rattie has cancer, we didn’t luck out with an abscess. Vet said her quality of life is still good, and will be for 2-3 weeks. She is home and comfortable now, munching on papaya and kale. Kiddo gets home from camp this weekend, so we will have a talk and learn about the circle of life.

    Thanks to those who had kind words and thoughts yesterday.

  52. 52.

    Niobe

    Brickhouse BBQ rooftop patio. Forecast is clear and warm, and if Terrace is iffy due to Wisconsin Union membership rules/construction issues, it would still be nice to be outside. Vintage patio too close to University Ave traffic, Genna’s is way too crowded and Coopers is pricy for its quality. No, I don’t work there, just became a big fan lately; it’s still relatively underpopulated in a crowded market.

  53. 53.

    JPL

    @Riley’s enabler: My little mutt had an aggressive cancer and only lived for three weeks. I have had a terrible time of letting go so really can’t offer advice. I’ve had many animals during my lifetime but this is the first time that I’ve been trying to hold on. It’s so hard.

  56. 56.

    Childe Roland

    Crap! I just had to leave Madison this morning!! I would blame it on Cole, but my mom is actually very ill and I needed to go see her. Have a good trip!

  63. 63.

    raven

    @Niobe: In 20 years of being sober one of the only times I wanted to have a beer was out on that terrace one summer night when I was at a conference. Picnic tables full of people laughing and carrying on. . .

  64. 64.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    The Kenyan Usurper was a few miles from me, didn’t hear Marine One though.

  65. 65.

    Kristine

    Once everyone decides the time/place, please stick it atop its own thread for ease of reference.

    Looking forward to meeting fellow BJ’ers.

  67. 67.

    JPL

    @BillinGlendaleCA: The only time that I saw him was at Georgia Tech before he won the primary in 08. I still feel lucky that he is our President because the repubs are bat shit crazy. There are times that I’m frustrated because I want him to say democracy means for the common good and f…k u all but that is just me. ‘

  71. 71.

    Suzanne

    Good Lord. My children are annoying me mightily. I wish I could be in Madison to meet y’all and have a beer or five.

  72. 72.

    Suzanne

    @Omnes Omnibus: When I was in Munich, I ordered a salad at a restaurant. They brought me some leaves with what looked like Sloppy Joe in it. Apparently in Germany, sausage salad is A Thing. It’s a hard country to be a vegetarian. Or on a low-carb diet.

  73. 73.

    Msskwesq

    Watch out for the Walker Gestapo while in Madison. They are rounding up singers left and right and placing them in the gulag! Eat some cheese curds and beer on the Terrace! Have fun!

    Sent from my iPhone

  74. 74.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    @JPL: The only one that I’ve actually seen was Nixon, shortly before he died. When I worked for Satan in downtown LA, I heard an odd sounding plane on approach to LAX and looked up to see AF1(Clinton). I have seen Marine One with Obama flying over the house from a Tonight Show appearance. There was the AF1 plane(not AF1) that was flying Saint Ronnie’s body to Point Mugu.

  78. 78.

    pkdz

    I’m a Madison lurker and not yet sure if I can make it. But I’ve always wanted to try Brickhouse BBQ.

  79. 79.

    dance around in your bones

    Aw jeez, I am so bummed I’m not in Madison, Wisconsin right now instead of watching Journey to the Center of the Earth with my 3 grandkids and eating Mentos (which they share with me).

    I’d rather be getting hammered with the bloghost. I sincerely hope there will be pics! (Though I imagine Cole will have his forearms over his face – kinda like me :)

  80. 80.

    currants

    Ah….mine took a similar bath in my new waterproof (inside and out, it turned out) backpack a few years ago. I found MacBook Scuba pretty helpful. Took the whole weekend to find out whether anything was left, but it was. Took another 5 months to croak…mid-semester with all my notes, at which point I discovered that Time Machine had only appeared to be backing up for 2 months….

  81. 81.

    Soonergrunt

    @Yatsuno: Oh, sure. You say that now, but then you realize that I’m about the same age as him.
    And I’m pretty beat up, too.

  82. 82.

    JPL

    @MomSense: Thanks, I have shed many tears over the loss of animals but for some odd reason, Miss Moxie is different. Since you have a dog who is ill, I’ll share a story. The vet I use doesn’t have appts. Normally that means 5 minutes or so. When Moxie stopped drinking water, I knew it was time and brought her in. We had to wait at least twenty minutes but it was calming for both of us. The tech who brought us back to a room apologized for the wait because she could see the shape she was in and I mentioned it was okay. Now when the vet came in, I couldn’t speak but that is another story. Tomorrow I might vacuum up the hairs on the sofa or maybe not.

  83. 83.

    Belafon

    @Soonergrunt: I’m about 6-7 months older than him (i don’t remember the exact month he was born). Non-collectible middle-aged vet action figures. :)

  85. 85.

    carla

    For great TexMex: El Dorado
    Breakfast on weekends: Sardine
    Breakfast any other time, or lunch, or great bread: Madison Sourdough Co.
    Beer: ALE ASYLUM!!!!!! Also has good food. Some seriously awesome beers on tap at the moment.

    Also, are you there for the Great Taste of the Midwest on Saturday? I will be there and would be completely entertained to meet you. If you don’t have tix, you can often score one outside the event.
    greattaste.org/

    Also also, there are many pre-Taste events on Friday, and Thursday, etc. Follow the links in the above.

    I do not have a vehicle (I am riding with others), so likely cannot meet other than at the Taste, but if you’re going to be at the Taste, I”ll be there.

  87. 87.

    Singing Truth to Power

    This is some of what is going on in our Capitol, a block away from Merchant. Hard to believe. Hope anyone coming to the meet-up can visit the festivities. Democracy is reeling here.

    youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8c1iqUCHXEE#at=80

    thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=40587

    bluecheddar.net/?p=34690

    monologuesofdissent.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-solidarity-and-singing-along-its-not.html

    youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Id55o1LmcnM

  89. 89.

    MomSense

    @JPL:

    I feel the same way about Range. I have lost so many beloved pets over the years and grieved for them. Still this dog is different. We have been through a lot together and there have been so many times when just the routine with him and the way he is so cheerful and sweet about ordinary things have been so reassuring.

    The hairs can wait.

  90. 90.

    Mary G

    Higgs Boson’s Mate has given me permission to report that he is still in the land of the living and staying with me.

    He left his inoperative car and all his worldly goods at the motel I got him out of and only brought three things in a tote bag. He was unsure that he really wanted to remain in this plane, as he said. I was worried.

    On the way back to my house we started talking about music, movies and books, like all good Balloon Juicers do. Yesterday we talked more about that plus favorite Monty Python episodes and various surf spots and he did sleep some.

    I knew that “think of all you have to live for” kind of stuff wasn’t going to work. So I talked a bit about how hard it is for me, with advanced rheumatoid arthritis, to do things for myself around the house, like change light bulbs and clean out the garage, and if he did stick around, would he mind helping me with that. I slandered my heroic caregiver, Karla, who has been in Guatemala meeting her fiance’s mother and hasn’t been here to clean, etc. We did go to the market for food for me and a razor and toothbrush for him, so he has five things now. He spoke with someone on the phone and arranged for getting his stuff picked up.

    After some more sleep last night he was raring to go today. I had told him when we first spoke that I did not cook much and if he wanted actual meals he would have to make his own. He has decided that I don’t eat well enough, so he made us eggs for breakfast and pork chops and rice for dinner today. He gave me shit for having pink Himalayan salt in my cupboard. I only paid $1.99 for it at Trader Joe’s because I was curious about it due to Meghan McArdle’s! I blame you all!

    He also had me take him back to the store for lightbulbs and bacon so we can have BLT’s tomorrow to help use up the avalanche of tomatoes ripening daily in my yard. He’s going to clean the bathrooms. He inspected the garage to plan for cleaning it out. We are going to the thrift shop my mom helped found for clothes for him tomorrow. A trip to Lowe’s and the beach are also proposed, because I mentioned that too when I thought he wasn’t listening. I may have created a monster.

    Higgs also asked me to tell you not to bother emailing him right now as he doesn’t have his computer (and hasn’t wanted to use one of mine; I offered.) He did read a lot of the comments the other night even though he made fun of the “Don’t do it, man!” tone of some of them and did call the hotline, though he got some idiot reading a script badly. I also read him Betty Cracker’s “open windows” post from earlier and he laughed his ass off at the list of tags she put on it.

  92. 92.

    Steeplejack

    @Mary G:

    You are a great American. Let us know if we can do anything.

    Nota bene: I think the L in BLT is for “lettuce,” not “lightbulb.” Just sayin’.

  94. 94.

    lurker dean

    @Mary G: Thanks for the update, good to hear things are going well. As was said, let us know if there’s anything we can do.

  95. 95.

    Jane2

    @Mary G: thanks for the update..you did a very good thing and it sounds like you are both benefitting. As others have said, let us know if we can help.

  96. 96.

    Suzanne

    @Mary G: You are wonderful and Dennis is hilarious, and I have that same Trader Joe’s Himalayan Pink Salt and it’s actually really good and I LOVE THIS BLOG (and my pit bull).

    Okay, sorry, could not resist.

  98. 98.

    lurker dean

    @Mary G: Oh, and awesome story about the thrift shop and how it started (along with all the good it does), you are good people. We can let the McMegan salt slide because of that. :o)

  100. 100.

    Mary G

    @Steeplejack: Ok, smartass, we got the lettuce yesterday, so we only needed the bacon for BLT’s; the lightbulbs were for light so HBM could see to cook.

  103. 103.

    Heirn

    @Mary G: Thank you so much for this update. And thank you for intervening. This is one of the reasons that I enjoy this community.

  104. 104.

    kideni

    @Msskwesq: It only takes them 10 or 15 minutes to process you, and if it’s not yet 1:00, you can go back and sing and try not to get caught again. The handcuffs are a bit excessive, though (I’ve been arrested twice). They’re starting to go after tourists and random passers-by now too. It’s nuts. Welcome to the Wisconsin State Capitol!

    The Vets for Peace are having their convention here through Sunday, so there should be some really cool people around downtown.

    But really, John, just tell us where to go and when.

  105. 105.

    Sandia Blanca

    Bless you, Mary G, for what you’ve done. Maybe that’s what brings us all to this blog–we are compulsive rescuers. You’ve given new life to two people, and new hope to all of us who worried when Dennis posted his pronouncement the other day. Thank you for letting us know how things are going.

  106. 106.

    worn

    Mary G –

    I haven’t been following this story at all until today, but wow! May a thousand angels shower you with kisses!

    Over at BC’s earlier thread this is exactly what I was getting at with my last, tardy comment (177).

    Look out for the folks in your life and spread some kindness around.

    Just like this.

  107. 107.

    handsmile

    @Mary G:

    You are a rare and wonderful person. Your instinctual compassion helped to save a life and your clearsighted support now may help to sustain it.

    HBM may be benefitting the most at the moment, but your actions and values are an inspiration to all here.

    And thank you as well for taking the time to write such a detailed, even amusing, update. You must have known how many were eager to read it.

  108. 108.

    jenn

    @Mary G: THANK YOU for the update – I’ve been worried – the best of all possible thoughts heading towards you and HBM!

  109. 109.

    jenn

    @Mary G: Argh, FYWP appears to have lost my oh-so-profound comment – but thank you Mary for picking him up and giving us an update – the best of all possible thoughts winging your and Higgs’ way!

  110. 110.

    Violet

    @Mary G: Thank you so much for the update. You did an amazing thing and HBM was equally amazing in accepting your outreached hand. So glad it’s working well for both of you. BLTs…YUM!

  111. 111.

    dance around in your bones

    Maybe what HBM needed was someone to care about him and help him in his hour of need. I suppose we all need that at various times in our lives. I’m so glad Mary G. was there, and ready willing and able to step in.

    It’s a wonderful thing and I hope the two of them get the best out of it.

  112. 112.

    Citizen_X

    @Mary G: Hooray, you have a rescue human! And I mean that completely sincerely, in the best possible way. Good on you, ma’am. And good on HBM for accepting the help. (I always got a kick out of his nym.)

  113. 113.

    Klarecole

    @Mary G: Mary, kindness is such a moving thing, especially when it finds it’s mark. You and Dennis have my day. Don’t know how you found him but I am really glad you did.

  114. 114.

    Riley's enabler

    In the middle of a craptastic week, the news about Mary and her caring hand to HBM has reaffirmed the notion that there are such good people out there, really.

    cheers to both Mary and HBM.

Comments are closed.