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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

I did not have this on my fuck 2025 bingo card.

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All hail the time of the bunny!

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

The unpunished coup was a training exercise.

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

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Bad people in a position to do bad things will do bad things because they are bad people. End of story.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

Consistently wrong since 2002

I really should read my own blog.

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

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Not all heroes wear capes.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

“woke” is the new caravan.

Every reporter and pundit should have to declare if they ever vacationed with a billionaire.

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Just because you believe it, that does not make it true.

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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Late Night Open Thread

Late Night Open Thread

by John Cole|  September 10, 201311:59 pm| 110 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Get off my grass you damned kids

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Picked this baby from the garden tonight:

mater1

mater2

That’s an eight inch Viking chef knife to let you know how big that tomato is. I have about a dozen more that will be ready in the next couple of days- it’s some odd heirloom that is half orange and half red, but they become these monsters.

Also, I got sick and tired of looking at the old couches that Tunch had destroyed and I got upset every time I saw his empty lump on the couch, so I bought a used leather couch, lounge chair, and ottoman for a couple hundred bucks from my cleaning lady (so they were in pristine condition) because she was moving to Michigan and needed to unload them. I gave the other couches to the frat boys. And yes, I know you will hate the color and bitch at me, but I do think they are a step up:

newcouches

I think they are comfortable enough for me, plus, they don’t remind me of the magnificent fat bastard, the dogs and Steve love them, and well, unlike those other god damned fluffy monstrosities, I can get in and out of them without a hydraulic lift.

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Reader Interactions

110Comments

  1. 1.

    rammalamadingdong

    September 11, 2013 at 12:02 am

    Leather is a step up, but it’s your tables that drive me crazy.

  2. 2.

    SIA

    September 11, 2013 at 12:04 am

    They’re so very brown. But yes, definitely a step up.

  3. 3.

    Gwangung

    September 11, 2013 at 12:04 am

    What do I know, Cole? I barely can manage Sears chic and I’m older than you are.

  4. 4.

    Comrade Mary

    September 11, 2013 at 12:05 am

    Umm, Happy Halloween?

    /weeps for squirrel-devoured tomatoes

    Lily looks happy on that hassock. Good choice.

  5. 5.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:05 am

    You bought furniture from your cleaning lady? This is, shall we say, unusual.

  6. 6.

    jl

    September 11, 2013 at 12:07 am

    I think the new stuff looks just fine. Dog seems to like them.

    But I thought Cole was fussy, what’s with the slop mess of shawls or blankies or whatever thrown over the top of the chair. For shame, Cole.

    Edit: and next time Cole needs to find a ruler to show how big his produce is. How do I know what that knife is? I smell another blog ethics scandal… been years since we’ve had one of those. Whatever happened to them, anyway?

  7. 7.

    jl

    September 11, 2013 at 12:10 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: That’s Cole’s story, and that she was moving. Maybe she threatened to quit unless he got something decent.

  8. 8.

    srv

    September 11, 2013 at 12:13 am

    You need new drapes

  9. 9.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:13 am

    Also, I don’t really get the appeal of the T&H painting. This isn’t related to his trollishness – hell, it isn’t even related to is artistic ability since Cole said T&H produced exactly what he wanted. I just don’t get the appeal.

  10. 10.

    Mike E

    September 11, 2013 at 12:14 am

    @srv: And matching carpet.

  11. 11.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    September 11, 2013 at 12:14 am

    Well it looks like the NRA got it’s pelts for tonight, bye bye gun control legislation for at least a decade. A more important story I think than the NYC Mayors race.

  12. 12.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:16 am

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    Well it looks like the NRA got it’s pelts for tonight, bye bye gun control legislation for at least a decade.

    ???

  13. 13.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:17 am

    @Mike E: Hardwood floors.

  14. 14.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    September 11, 2013 at 12:18 am

    You picked up a baby and then you held it up to a knife? You’re worse than Obama!

  15. 15.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    September 11, 2013 at 12:18 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: The NRA got two legislators in Colorado recalled because they had the nerve to pass some gun safety laws.

  16. 16.

    Culture of Truth

    September 11, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Picked this baby from the garden tonight

    baby killer

  17. 17.

    BGinCHI

    September 11, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Cole’s posts on this blog are like fried bologna sandwiches: you think, “should I?”, and then you just do it because it makes you feel good.

  18. 18.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:21 am

    @Mr Stagger Lee: Ah. Colorado is the West, notwithstanding Littleton. IOW it might not be as dire as you suggest.

  19. 19.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:22 am

    @BGinCHI: Weird. I have been thinking about microwaving a couple of burritos. And yet, I know it is not a good idea.

  20. 20.

    BGinCHI

    September 11, 2013 at 12:25 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Foil in the oven, dude. Or better yet, not at all. Unless you rode 50+ miles today.

  21. 21.

    opiejeanne

    September 11, 2013 at 12:26 am

    I like the couches. They look fine.

    What is the name of that tomato variety?

  22. 22.

    BGinCHI

    September 11, 2013 at 12:28 am

    @opiejeanne: I think it’s a Gluteus Maximus.

  23. 23.

    BruinKid

    September 11, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Yeah, the NRA’s victory in Colorado is very worrisome. Sure, people can say it was only Pueblo and Colorado Springs. But still, the ramification is that no elected official from anything other than a deep-blue seat is going to try to do anything to stop the gun carnage.

  24. 24.

    MaryJane

    September 11, 2013 at 12:31 am

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    I bet it was lack of turnout. Apathetic idiots.

  25. 25.

    BGinCHI

    September 11, 2013 at 12:31 am

    @BruinKid: The “Put someone in there to secure our guns but wreck our schools and infrastructure” plan can’t last forever.

    Unless you believe guns are your best infrastructure.

    Still, stupid is obdurate.

  26. 26.

    Calming Influence

    September 11, 2013 at 12:31 am

    Cole, I love you man. With the tomatoes, the frat connection, the animal love, and the fuck you it’s my furniture because Tunch fucked up my old shit and I miss him so shut the fuck up.

    You’re one of a kind. And that’s a good kind.

  27. 27.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 12:31 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Yeah, but awesome. The only flaw I can see is John needs to find a new cleaning lady. NOT an easy thing to my mind. (Yeah, her cousin’s niece is probably already lined up… sigh.)

    If John bought some furniture which helped him and his cleaning lady, more power indeed.

  28. 28.

    max

    September 11, 2013 at 12:32 am

    That’s an eight inch Viking chef knife to let you know how big that tomato is. I have about a dozen more that will be ready in the next couple of days- it’s some odd heirloom that is half orange and half red, but they become these monsters.

    My Cherokee Purples don’t come in so huge (or uh, ugly, that thing looks like a pumpkin) and they’re always a little green on the top, but they’re all red tomato meat on the inside and very tasty.

    so I bought a used leather couch, lounge chair, and ottoman for a couple hundred bucks from my cleaning lady (so they were in pristine condition) because she was moving to Michigan and needed to unload them.

    I think I used to have that chair, so the color doesn’t bother me. Looks fine. Needs a lava lamp though.

    max
    [‘The tables and the pictures with the couch just cries out for it, along with maybe some black light and posters.’]

  29. 29.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 12:33 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I’m with you on that all the way. Gah.

  30. 30.

    opiejeanne

    September 11, 2013 at 12:33 am

    @BGinCHI: bwah!

    I thought it looked like a Mr Stripey, which is a bust here near Seattle, even in the greenhouse.

  31. 31.

    different-church-lady

    September 11, 2013 at 12:33 am

    You can grow chef’s knives? You must have great soil.

  32. 32.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    September 11, 2013 at 12:34 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Maybe not, but it will take a politician with a titanium spine to take on the NRA. Granted it was Colorado, but a state with two horrific shootings, you would think there would some form of sensible gun safety laws, but for now it is game over, hell maybe they will let blind people conceal carry like Iowa.

  33. 33.

    srv

    September 11, 2013 at 12:45 am

    @Mike E: And new ductwork.

    You know, if all the BJ readers moved to WV, we could probably turn the state blue. Maybe we should all be John’s neighbors.

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 11, 2013 at 12:50 am

    @Mr Stagger Lee: The other thing is that in an off-off-year election, generally only the truly hyper-motivated show up.

  35. 35.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 12:53 am

    The blue china cabinet thing is a bit….dated. Maybe it’s time to visit Design Within Reach? (“Within Reach” is relative.)

    Check out my two adorable furry douchebags.

  36. 36.

    FlipYrWhig

    September 11, 2013 at 12:54 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I know, it IS hard to fathom how a stoner from the sticks might have questionable taste in art.

  37. 37.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 12:55 am

    @max: You Are mixing decades, though…

    The only bit of furniture I really really want from Kentucky is the Saarinen table and 4 chairs (possibly copies, but of the same period and very very good) I bought in Paris, KY for $110 in 1995. DWR now sells the reproduction for a couple of hundred $ a chair, never mind the table. Oh, and the original vinyl mid-century modern chairs (6) I bought from the same dealer for $60 – later saw a couple of those chairs in one of the zines I used to subscribe to listed at $250 apiece. Without the arms…

    I’ve been buying rattan here in San Diego, and by ghods, I swear whether it’s in or out of fashion, it’s my furniture of choice now. I’ve got a living room’s worth of good/indifferent pieces all of which I can move myself, including the sofa. That makes Mr S very happy…

    I’m sorry. I’m such a proponent of not buying new if possible.

  38. 38.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 12:57 am

    @Suzanne: Relative, indeed. But I love looking at their catalog. We dropped by their store in Scottsdale a few years ago, which is how I know what their Saarinen repro stuff was going for.

  39. 39.

    ranchandsyrup

    September 11, 2013 at 12:58 am

    So that’s who moves to Michigan. People from w. va. Mystery solved.

  40. 40.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 1:01 am

    @FlipYrWhig: LOL.

    My summer splurge was two Eames molded plywood lounge chairs. They retail for over a grand apiece, but I got the pair for under $500. And it was from a charity auction, so the money went to a good cause and is tax-deductible. They make my house look so classy, despite the dog hair and Legos and Ikea furniture all over the rest of the house.

  41. 41.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 1:03 am

    @SectionH: I have a Spanna table from the Scottsdale DWR that I need to sell for my mom.

    I have a knockoff Barcelona chair that had all the straps break. I need to find someone to repair them. Love the Barcelona.

  42. 42.

    metalgirl

    September 11, 2013 at 1:04 am

    Good job on the ‘maters! Furniture is a step up, especially if the furry ones like it (and it must be easier to clean/vacuum). Don’t worry so much what we all think :)

  43. 43.

    jl

    September 11, 2013 at 1:08 am

    @metalgirl:

    ” Don’t worry so much what we all think :) ”

    Cole should follow every bit of everyone’s advice.

    I wanna see a stylent X-ty-X thousand dollar Design ‘Within Reach’ thingee in the next Cole house pic. Something modern, but says West (edit: by God) Virginia.

    Edit: been meaning to ask, what happened to the cat tower that Tunch ignored, except as a head rest while he slept on the floor?

  44. 44.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    September 11, 2013 at 1:12 am

    G is making me watch today’s Apple Keynote. Ah, marriage.

  45. 45.

    Ash Can

    September 11, 2013 at 1:13 am

    I think the furniture looks fine. But who cares what I think? The most important thing is whether Steve thinks it’s good enough.

  46. 46.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    September 11, 2013 at 1:17 am

    Since the thread is turning to interior design, our apartment is super torn up right now because I rearranged a bunch of furniture and am building more. G was not super thrilled that my shoe cubbies are going to be next to my bookcases, but he had to concede that it would be a win if I would just put my damn shoes in them on a regular basis.

    And around here, it’s all build-your-own, all the time. One day we will be real grown-ups and be able to buy furniture we don’t have to build ourselves.

  47. 47.

    GregB

    September 11, 2013 at 1:20 am

    Cole, you need a Murphy Bed and some alcohol counseling.

    But seriously, I commend thee for buying used for yourself and then repurposing your old couch to the frat laddies who will turn it into a work of art Jackson Pollack style with bodily fluids and then spray paint it, toss it off the deck and set it on fire.

  48. 48.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    September 11, 2013 at 1:22 am

    I think it’s brilliant. The Americana corner cabinet contrasted with the metal moderne take on Deco or whatever it is, the suburban carpet, drapes, leather couches you could lose your date in (“When I came back from making the daiquiris she was just… gone! Damn, I was sure I was in.”) and all topped off by … is that a Grateful Dead poster?? I clicked to get the larger image to find out, but I had to click back, the carpet was actually visible that way and I was getting dizzy from the fumes.

  49. 49.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 1:23 am

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone): Architects often have problems working on their own houses. We don’t make even half as much dough as everyone thinks, and many of us really don’t give a shit about interior finishes or colors. And we’re too busy working for other people to do awesome stuff for ourselves.

    I am the assembler of the Ikea furniture in my relationship. Mr. Suzanne does all the electronics.

  50. 50.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 1:25 am

    @Bill E Pilgrim: I was wondering what all that stuff was on the coffee table. I’m reading on my iPad, so it’s hard to see.

  51. 51.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    September 11, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Steve gonna shred ’em. Cats love leather.

  52. 52.

    Anne Laurie

    September 11, 2013 at 1:29 am

    @opiejeanne:

    What is the name of that tomato variety?

    My guess, just from the picture, would be Kellogg’s Breakfast. Unlike some of the giant varieties, they’re also darned tasty… as long as you don’t object to low acidity.

  53. 53.

    Yatsuno

    September 11, 2013 at 1:30 am

    @Kay (not the front-pager): That was a voyage of self-discovery I was counting on JC making as he went along. :)

  54. 54.

    jl

    September 11, 2013 at 1:30 am

    @GregB:

    ” Cole, you need a Murphy Bed and some alcohol counseling. ”

    If Cole is living in a trailer, down by the river, I have to say he’s done wonders with the place.

    Congrats, Cole.

  55. 55.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 1:33 am

    @jl: John still needs to find a new cleaning lady.

    Ok, since you did say West ByGod Virginia, I’ll play for a minute. One item. Whoever said, new curtains (?) was on the right track. Shutters for those windows. Fits with old fashioned WV. All possible light, no light, everything in between. Don’t drag on the floor (do need to be dusted: see my first post about replacing the cleaning lady.)

    I think Steve conquered the cat tower. Having done so, I dunno if he uses it. I missed a couple of weeks here recently.

  56. 56.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    September 11, 2013 at 1:34 am

    @Suzanne: Candle or incense burner or pumpkin lamp of some sort, magazines, small candles, a coaster, and what looks like a box of chocolates.

    It’s the sobriety talking, in other words. The empty coaster brings it home.

    I was laughing about your architect story, it’s like people being surprised that musicians don’t feel like playing music at every opportunity or on request or etc. I think IKEA done right can be great stuff. I just bought an adjustable height wooden stool recently and it’s a thing of beauty, solid wood, works perfectly.

  57. 57.

    Mike E

    September 11, 2013 at 1:36 am

    @Kay (not the front-pager): Most cats I’ve associated with prefer upholstered. YMMV. Also, nobody thot my joke about Cole’s drapes matching his carpet was funny. Too. :-(

    Oh well. Off to recharge so I can continue calling my peeps tomorrow about haranguing the NC legis. Somebody’s gotta do it! ‘Nite, Obots.

  58. 58.

    Anne Laurie

    September 11, 2013 at 1:38 am

    @jl:

    what happened to the cat tower that Tunch ignored, except as a head rest while he slept on the floor?

    It went to live with Zsa Zsa. She loves it.

    ETA: Cole bought Steve a different cat tower, which Steve eventually condescended to use…

  59. 59.

    Suzanne

    September 11, 2013 at 1:39 am

    @Bill E Pilgrim: If I could afford it, I would live in a Rick Joy-esque modern desert masterpiece. Instead, I live in a pseudo-Mediterranean suburban tract home circa 1988 with pink countertops and the original carpet. It’s fine.

  60. 60.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    September 11, 2013 at 1:42 am

    @Suzanne:

    As a connoisseur of BIY furniture at this point, World Market (aka Cost Plus) has surprisingly nice and high-quality stuff that’s easy to build. It’s even real wood (fruitwood, but still).

    Target’s SUCKS ASS. Never buy it no matter how cheap it is.

  61. 61.

    SectionH

    September 11, 2013 at 1:44 am

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone): I’m damn proud of the bookcases I built over the years. Including the one that stretched 10′ horizontally to include a weird a/c hotel-style unit… elegant, they weren’t. Functional, yay. We only ever had a few thousand books though. Pikers in our peer group.

  62. 62.

    eemom

    September 11, 2013 at 1:44 am

    And yes, I know you will hate the color and bitch at me, but I do think they are a step up

    Used to be, when Cole talked about his furniture etc., the attitude was was “fuck you, I’m single so I can do whatever I want.” But now there’s this tone of defensiveness creeping in. Which I think means we’re all Cole’s wife.

  63. 63.

    jl

    September 11, 2013 at 1:49 am

    @Anne Laurie:

    ” Cole bought Steve a different cat tower, which Steve eventually condescended to use. ”

    Is Steve really a cat? Cole needs to check.

    @eemom:

    No one has asked Cole to re-arrange the furniture yet.
    OK, I will. Cole needs to move the couch against the wall so you can sit on it and see out of the window. Everything needs to face the window, and make that the focus, to face the beautiful sunshine and everybody be all happy and cheerful in the Cole household.

  64. 64.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    September 11, 2013 at 1:50 am

    @eemom: Well said.

    Though in that case it makes Cole Warren Jeffs, and the rest of us those women with the puffy-shouldered dresses, which is a bit disturbing.

  65. 65.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    September 11, 2013 at 1:50 am

    @Mike E:

    Most cats I’ve associated with prefer upholstered.

    They have a hard time clawing the hell out of leather.

  66. 66.

    NotMax

    September 11, 2013 at 1:57 am

    Could swear that saw that exact same living room set in Sims 2.

  67. 67.

    NotMax

    September 11, 2013 at 2:03 am

    No one gonna mention what a boneheaded idea it is to place the candle/burner/lamp/round thing atop a magazine?

  68. 68.

    Yatsuno

    September 11, 2013 at 2:12 am

    Liliypuppeh looks happy. My guess is she has headbutted Steve into submission, which would never happen with his Lord and Tunchness.

  69. 69.

    fuckwit

    September 11, 2013 at 3:05 am

    Where’s the bong???

  70. 70.

    fuckwit

    September 11, 2013 at 3:07 am

    @jl: Um, no. Are you male? Because if you were, I’d expect you’d know that EVERYTHING MUST FACE THE WIDE-SCREEN TV! Sheesh.

  71. 71.

    Jewish Steel

    September 11, 2013 at 3:08 am

    Cleaning lady? Well, la-di-da!

  72. 72.

    LayedBackGuy

    September 11, 2013 at 3:15 am

    I like the new furniture, works for me. I’ll just flop right down, and lurk around. You have a real comfy place. Thanks for inviting me!

  73. 73.

    opiejeanne

    September 11, 2013 at 3:33 am

    @Anne Laurie: Thank you. I will look for that one, but I’ll probably have to buy seeds. Haven’t seen it around Seattle and I’ve looked at every tomato available around here.

    I don’t object to low acidity because I have a mild allergy or something and if I eat too many of them, or too many with a high acid level, the roof of my mouth breaks out in blisters. Very annoying. Home-grown usually take two or three weeks to cause it, 3 or 4 days for it to go away. Right now I’ve recovered and am back to eating them after a short hiatus. Our best performer is something called Super Fantastic, which always makes me laugh because it reminds me of that blog, The Manolo.

  74. 74.

    ranger3

    September 11, 2013 at 4:04 am

    The frat boys made a major score.

  75. 75.

    Patricia Kayden

    September 11, 2013 at 5:57 am

    @Jewish Steel: That was my first reaction too. JC is part of the 1%!

  76. 76.

    raven

    September 11, 2013 at 6:07 am

    Cokie Roberts “Obama has had his nuts taken out of the fire by Putin”.

    Jesus this bitch is whining about teleprompters and what room he gave the speech in.

  77. 77.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    September 11, 2013 at 6:15 am

    @raven: She just said, “he should have given the speech in the residence’. Cookie, he was in the residence.

  78. 78.

    bemused

    September 11, 2013 at 6:19 am

    Are dogs and cats easier on leather furniture than fabric?

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone):

    There are a ton of free build it yourself furniture plans on the ana-white website. My husband made a lovely farmhouse dining table from her plan. Now for him to find time to make chairs.

  79. 79.

    PsiFighter37

    September 11, 2013 at 6:34 am

    Fuck the NRA. I’m happy it looks like de Blasio may have skirted over 40%, but losing those two recall races in Colorado is painful. We have to do something to improve turnout on our side, or the right-wing fuckers are going to recall everyone who’s not in a dark-blue seat because they know they can get turnout up on their side.

    Absolutely depressing. Goddammit.

  80. 80.

    Elizabelle

    September 11, 2013 at 6:36 am

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    Very disappointed the Colorado recalls succeeded.

    Gun rights is an ugly fetish. I am proud of Morse and Giron for voting their consciences.

    There are worse things than losing.

    Morse was term-limited; Giron could run again in 2014.

    I wonder if the recall might motivate voters to turn Colorado’s legislature even bluer in 2014.

  81. 81.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    September 11, 2013 at 6:38 am

    @PsiFighter37: One thing I remember from Poli Sci 1 was a concentrated minority can effect more change than a defuse majority. The results in CO last night and 2010 are an excellent illustration of this.

  82. 82.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    September 11, 2013 at 6:41 am

    Cokie and Luke Russert are examples of the problems with legacy hires.

  83. 83.

    debit

    September 11, 2013 at 7:03 am

    @BillinGlendaleCA: Well, at least he wasn’t somewhere foreign or exotic. Like Hawaii.

  84. 84.

    PsiFighter37

    September 11, 2013 at 7:06 am

    @Elizabelle: I doubt it, outside of the most dedicated voters, I don’t think most people are that tribal about voting.

    I just can’t fathom why on earth people in the non-urban parts of this country love guns so much. Some assclown quoted in NYT said it’s a ‘deterrent’. From what – contact with other human beings?

    I dislike Bloomberg immensely, but hopefully he hires someone with some ounce of political skill and figures out a better way of spending his money on gun control measures. Pouring it into TV ads was a total waste. And we need someone on our side on this issue who is willing to spend some coin to counterbalance the NRA.

  85. 85.

    Kay

    September 11, 2013 at 7:18 am

    @BillinGlendaleCA:

    It isn’t that for me. It’s that they’re rigidly conventional people. Not as far as their personal lives, I don’t know anything about that, but as far as having a template in place for everything that happens.
    I know compare/contrast is the easiest sort of analysis to do but they reach for it every single time.
    The slightest veer from what has happened before and they panic, and try to jam it back into a box that they are familiar with – or perhaps have heard about in Russert’s case because he’s obviously too young to have this wealth of experience he fakes.
    THIS is always JUST LIKE this other thing, but BETTER or WORSE. It’s such a bore.
    Maybe that comes out of being a legacy hire, actually.

  86. 86.

    FlipYrWhig

    September 11, 2013 at 7:23 am

    @PsiFighter37:

    I just can’t fathom why on earth people in the non-urban parts of this country love guns so much. Some assclown quoted in NYT said it’s a ‘deterrent’. From what – contact with other human beings?

    From rampaging Negroes who want to kill you, rape your wife, and steal your stuff, obviously.

  87. 87.

    FlipYrWhig

    September 11, 2013 at 7:27 am

    @Kay: I think that’s true, and add to it that they all have a super bizarre notion of “leadership” that probably derives from JFK standing up to the Rooskies, only without the whole part where it was a like-for-like deal. IOW, they will always default to “resolve,” which means “strength,” which means “balls.” And the women in the pundit set are equally as bad about it as the men, probably worse in the case of Dowd.

  88. 88.

    Kay

    September 11, 2013 at 7:36 am

    @BillinGlendaleCA:

    I can’t stand jake Tapper usually, but I was listening to punditry on and off all day yesterday because I was in the car a lot. Tapper did an actual analysis of what Obama’s thinking might be, based on Obama’s past actions. His theory is Obama’s reluctant to use force because he increased troop levels in Afghanistan so sees the limits of military force in a direct personal way. I don’t know if that’s true, but at least it’s not this dumb “what are LEADERSHIP QUALITIES?” babble.
    Gergen then ruined it because he was probably terrified someone was veering off script with too much specificity and actual thought and he ran back to the safety of “let’s compare Obama to a private sector CEO”
    Oh, yawn. Not that again. And again. And again.

  89. 89.

    sherparick

    September 11, 2013 at 7:41 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: The NRA-Republican recall elections against Giron and Morse were successful in Colorado. Meanwhile Hickenlooper is polling at less thatn 50% and is barely ahead of is succe. People who like gun regulation apparently don’t feel strong enough about it to vote, while those who feel any gun regulation is a symbolic castration do vote, and often. And apparently this is all President’s Obama’s fault. The green lantern syndrome is strong.

  90. 90.

    Kay

    September 11, 2013 at 7:44 am

    @FlipYrWhig:

    Gloria Borger. I honestly think she was having a breakdown yesterday. “I don’t know what he’s DOING! Is this LIKE IRAQ? What is it LIKE?”

    I mean, Jesus. Is she 5 years old?

    We don’t know what will happen. Just deal with it.

  91. 91.

    Elizabelle

    September 11, 2013 at 7:48 am

    @Kay:

    The pundits and bloviating have turned me off network news and “public affairs” programs.

    Gave up the Sunday talk shows years ago (sheer Kabuki for Villagers) and am more skeptical of NPR.

    Consciously never turn on Morning Joe. Manufactured consent.

    Epistemic closure for our leading network newslights too.

  92. 92.

    HeartlandLiberal

    September 11, 2013 at 7:51 am

    The tomato looks like an ‘old German heirloom’ variety. There are several related varieties, some have a network of red stripes on the bottom and less on the sides, but this one does not appear striped, so I am going with my identification. They are all rather meaty and mild, eat them before they get to ripe, I find they tend to become somewhat mealy in their taste if you let them over-ripen. I grew a similar variety this year, and it made for good eating.

  93. 93.

    Elizabelle

    September 11, 2013 at 7:52 am

    @sherparick:

    Some of the Colorado result might be people tired of outside money pouring in on a local issue.

    But you’re right about the one issue voters and wingnuts turning out to vote, frantically. Maybe this will wake up a few souls for 2014.

  94. 94.

    Kay

    September 11, 2013 at 8:02 am

    @Elizabelle:

    I like to listen to Morning Joe (I have satellite radio in the car, although I don’t get MSNBC at home) because I feel like they’re the absolute marker of whatever narrative is currently popular. It’s defense. Defensive listening. I want to know what story and theme they’re gathering around, in case it reaches me in some direct way.

  95. 95.

    Elizabelle

    September 11, 2013 at 8:16 am

    @Kay:

    Yeah, that’s a very good point. Narrative du jour.

    I don’t have the patience. Figure you all will alert us to their highlights!

  96. 96.

    mai naem

    September 11, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Completely OT, does NBC have to rerun the 9/11 tapes every year? I understand doing it early on – maybe the 1-3 anniversary and then the big number ones -5,10,20,25 etc. but jeezus every freaking year. I hate hate hate watching that clip with the first tower going down, then the second tower, then going to the people running down the street. I’m not underplaying the momentousness of 9/11 but I would be willing to bet NBC wouldn’t be doing this if it had been in some other part of the country – they’re so New York-centric.

  97. 97.

    Elizabeth

    September 11, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Looks great to me: comfortable, liveable.

    The goal is happiness, so if you and the crew like it, it’s all win.

  98. 98.

    kindness

    September 11, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Leather is nice but I have to throw a couple sheepskin’s (Costco rocks) over mine in the winter because they are otherwise too cold and a fleece in the summer because otherwise I stick to them.

    Strangely enough I still prefer the leather to my old cloth couch. My critters especially like it when the sheepskins come out. You should have seen the evil my lil girl pup gave me while I was rolling them up this spring.

    Hey John, I have a ton of Dead posters. Do you want a better one that that one?

  99. 99.

    the antibob

    September 11, 2013 at 10:27 am

    Hey, that’s my sofa! Had one of that exact model for at least 12 years. Still in great shape. Your entourage will love it!

  100. 100.

    may

    September 11, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Well that’s an excellent sofa for sure, as it is exactly like the one that has held up in our living room for 16 years. It goes very well with the eggplant colored chair, and the dogs haven’t managed to harm it at all.

  101. 101.

    grishaxxx

    September 11, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Lily looks so happy there! Our new housemate brought in almost exactly that chair/ottoman combo last spring – it should certainly suit you (or any other comfort-oriented+friends consumer). Ours are dark green (sofa included); you have a splendid housekeeper. Also good lamps!

  102. 102.

    Ted & Hellen

    September 11, 2013 at 11:23 am

    My god, is that Naugahyde?

  103. 103.

    StringOnAStick

    September 11, 2013 at 11:56 am

    @sherparick: Count me as another disappointed Colorado resident, but not as a surprised one. The areas these two recalled pols represented have a high concentration of retrograde wing nuts. Add to that the facts about how the recall came down (our wing nut state AG made sure we didn’t have mail-in voting) and that it has been cold and pouring rain since early Monday (rare here), HUGE amounts of outside money, a bit of the standard “all politicians suck” lack of interest, and you end up with an election that was poorly attended by everyone except the rabid NRA freaks. The two that replaced the ones who were recalled also went with a strong anti-abortion push, and (1) Pueblo is very catholic, and (2) Colorado Springs is home of Focus on the Family, so that got out the religious anti-choice crowd as well.

    I suspect also that the current low polling by Hickenlooper has had more to do with the frenzy being whipped up over these recalls and probably won’t last. Completely wingnut Tom Tancredo has announced he will run against Hick, and once people get a good look (again) at what a freak that guy is, Hick will start looking a lot better. I hope.

    We no longer subscribe to broadcast TV and use internet TV (HuluPlus, Netflix, etc) instead plus some local over the air channels, so I know we aren’t getting the same immersion in the political stew that cable subscribers get (it is nice, I have to say, to not have to dive for the remote every commercial break). Maybe not being in that same soup means I’m not getting an accurate feel anymore. I will say this though, broadcast TV is something most people in mid-30’s and younger no longer bother with, and that has some major implications for political messaging.

  104. 104.

    satby

    September 11, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    @opiejeanne: Haven’t read the whole thread to see if anyone else answered, but it looks like a pineapple heirloom tomato. I’m growing the same thing.

  105. 105.

    Sean

    September 11, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Love the Dead artwork. Keep it.

  106. 106.

    opiejeanne

    September 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    @satby: Thanks. Anne Laurie thought it was a Kellogg’s Breakfast tomato.

    I wonder if John remembers what he planted.

  107. 107.

    opiejeanne

    September 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    @satby: Thanks. Anne Laurie thought it was a Kellogg’s Breakfast tomato.

    I wonder if John remembers what he planted.

  108. 108.

    Lurker

    September 11, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Yep! One of my furry overlords shredded my leather couch to pieces. She has since started to attack the matching chair, so I’m now living with unsightly blankets all over said matching chair. Sigh!

  109. 109.

    Bobby Carr

    September 11, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    No couch sleeps better than a leather couch! Don’t lay on it to watch a ball game or you’ll be out before the 1st inning/quarter is over.

  110. 110.

    Shabbazz

    September 11, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    I came here to comment on the Dead poster. Seems that a few others beat me to it.

    “There was Cowboy Cole drinking scotch on the couch to Never-Ever-Land”

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