Found this at Slate, where the excuse was a search for the term’s origins. (Bonus for fellow sf fans: Sideline detour between military tours through the WorldCon!)
But even his staunchest defenders would have to admit — Jake Tapper embraces the suck that is current DC politics with a fervor, nay, a glee, that separates the consummate Beltway professional from the mere amateur snarkster.
And while we’re on the topic of suckage embracement, Alex Pareene has posted the rest of his 2013 Hack List, and I think the Number Two entry may be the funniest of all, mostly because the chart-topper is beyond parody…
That being said, what’s on the agenda as we embrace the suck for the evening?
Comrade Jake
Tapper is god-awful. He and his show can both suck it.
kc
Ha, I literally just clicked over here from reading entries from Pareene’s Hack List 2013, and they are all BRILLIANT.
Comrade Jake
Speaking of Tapper:
http://mobile.rawstory.com/therawstory/#!/entry/cnns-jake-tapper-suggests-rick-santorum-rightly-blamed-gay-sex,52b0779e025312186ca26c55/1
srv
Thought they were talking about the Barbara Walters interview.
I’ll be sucking beers at The Gingerman
jeffreyw
Needs moar kittehs, this thread.
Omnes Omnibus
@jeffreyw: For some reason, I was expecting lions.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman:
I completely and totally hate that I know this, but there was a “Brady Bunch” episode about this very situation.
SiubhanDuinne
@Omnes Omnibus:
It’s all Tribe of Tyger.
Omnes Omnibus
“The suck” was not common parlance in the late 80s to early 90s army. The phrase “suck it up” was and so was “suck up.” Maybe it’s an infantry thing.
Omnes Omnibus
@SiubhanDuinne: Well, now we have covered lions and tigers and bears. Oh, my.
R-Jud
@Omnes Omnibus: Eau Myyyyy!
jeffreyw
@Omnes Omnibus: The one kitteh there has a fair mane.
PurpleGirl
@jeffreyw: Didn’t you post a picture of the white kitten a couple of days ago? I remember the colors around the ears. The blackish/gray one is floofy and has bits of silvery floof. Both are gorgeous.
Villago Delenda Est
@Omnes Omnibus:
Hmmm….might have been an infantry thing, because I heard “the suck” and “this sucks” and “who do I need to blow” all from my battalion crossed rifles S3 in the early 80’s in Germany.
jeffreyw
@PurpleGirl: Yep, the white kitteh went home with a family but they brought her back for some reason.
geg6
@efgoldman:
Is it terrible that I loved F-Troop? Because I did. Of course, I was probably around 7 or 8 or 9 or so, so I think I can be excused.
Omnes Omnibus
@Villago Delenda Est:
Those were heard. The specific use of “suck” as a noun is the thing I don’t remember.
jeffreyw
@Omnes Omnibus: And now leopards!
PurpleGirl
@jeffreyw: Awwww, that sucks. I think she’s so gorgeous and sweet.
ETA: Long cat is long. Those colors….!
ruemara
despair. Which I guess I’m used to.
David Koch
CNN’s ratings are abysmal.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman: Never saw any of the ones you mentioned, but I confess to having watched a number of BB episodes, back when I had cable and was sick in bed and they were doing a marathon.
Did you know you can sing the Brady Bunch theme song lyrics to the tune of “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” sort of?
Yatsuno
So yeah…first setback today. They requested an X-ray of my chest (had a fever spike last night) and since I’m not standing yet they scooted me on a gurney. Bad. Idea. Shit ton of ice on the wound plus I might need an IV med to get it back down.
Comrade Mary
@jeffreyw: NEEEDCALICOINMYXMASSTOCKINGKTHXBYE!
Omnes Omnibus
@Yatsuno: It’s a process… Good and bad days… [insert cliche here]
Hang in there.
Comrade Mary
@Yatsuno: Ah man, Yutsy! Crossed fingers it’s just the typical post-surgical setback. (Ask them if they can make sure the IV isn’t ice cold. I got a fresh from the fridge transfusion on day 4 after my surgery and it left me feeling like crap all day.)
geg6
@Yatsuno:
Damn, hang in there dude. I’m here with ya, pulling hard.
Comrade Mary
@jeffreyw: Oh sweet jesus, man, you are killing me.
Lyrebird
@R-Jud: Eau My Goodness! MUST READ THE REVIEWS esp if you could use a little cheering up!!! (I especially recommend Dec 18th’s review if you’re a Star Trek fan.)
THANK YOU.
Am writing cover letters & y’all turned my evening around!
jeffreyw
@Comrade Mary: Your stocking? We are unsure of the fit but we will try!
Comrade Jake
So… this happened at my nephew’s high school:
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/12/gay-vice-principal-loses-job-at-catholic-school-after-marrying/
Pretty heart-wrenching.
MikeJ
@Yatsuno: You need movies or other forms of entertainment? Give a yell and I can swing by. You’ve got my number.
Just Some Fuckhead, Thought Leader
@Yatsuno: That’s terrible! Good luck with your recovery and try to use the good days to offset the bad ones.
SiubhanDuinne
@jeffreyw:
I WANT! THAT! KITTY!
OMG, those are the most beautiful markings I have ever seen. What a beauty.
Anne Laurie
@efgoldman: To be fair, F Troop did let a lot of budding young hippies in on America’s secret history: the military geniuses who almost broke the nation fighting to preserve slavery swiftly pivoted to destroying the First Nations in order to steal their land, if they didn’t shoot their own feet off or die in a self-induced garrison fire first…
Comrade Mary
@jeffreyw: I cannot type the sounds I am making RIGHT NOW.
SiubhanDuinne
@Yatsuno:
Oh, I’m so sorry. As with every setback, hope it is short-lived and not uncomfortable for you. Thinking about you pretty much nonstop for the past 48 hours (except for my bank card shenanigans, and I know you’ll spot me that distraction).
Yatsuno
@MikeJ: My biggest gripe right now is the wifi here sucks. Shit’s about to suck out there road-wise too so for right now I’m good. I’ll send you the room number though.
JPL
@R-Jud: You are up late. Is the little one ready for xmas?
kc
@jeffreyw:
Pretty cat! And what a great pic!
Cole needs to commission a Steve portrait by you.
kc
@Yatsuno:
Aw, man. I hate that for you.
kc
@Comrade Jake:
Heart-wrenching, yes, but look at all those kids. Gives me hope for the future.
JPL
@Yatsuno: Even with the meds, you comments are clear and concise. Someone mentioned that after surgery, you might type like Sarah Palin but that didn’t happen. Hope tomorrow is better.
jeffreyw
@kc: Most all of the shelter pics are by Mrs J, I tweak them a tad with color and crops. Love me my Snapseed.
R-Jud
@JPL: She is TOTALLY ready for Christmas this year. Was an angel in her class play and everything. We had a lot of trouble getting her to grasp the whole “calendar” concept until December rolled around and we plonked a picture of a Christmas tree on the 25th. Now she is telling people that “Christmas is Tuesday, the 25th of December, and today is [date].”
Me, I’m up clearing my work decks so I don’t have to worry about anything other than catching a plane on Sunday.
Are you set for your holidays?
Villago Delenda Est
@Yatsuno:
Take two aspirin and call me at the 16th hole in the early afternoon.
Belafon
@kc: I doubt the lesson the kids learned is the one the school thought they were teaching.
Comrade Jake
@kc: absolutely – agree 100%. The juggernaut of history marches on.
JPL
@R-Jud: For some odd reason, I’m stressed this season. X-mas eve I have a buffet with family and friends and the dietary concerns have gotten to me. I always have enough for the gluten free, vegetarians, meat lovers but the dairy requirement and liquor requirements drove me over the edge. I’ll be ready though. I’m still waiting for one of my sons to have a bean of their own. My son’s SO is happily awaiting this year’s party cuz we will be having my friend’s granddaughter, her son and girl friend and maybe the baby’s mom. One of my neighbors father was a baptist minister and a distant relative of mine will be here. She does a lot of work for naral. Good times!
Have a wonderful holiday!
Anya
@Yatsuno: Best of luck with your recovery. Do take care of yourself. Sending out lots of positive thoughts your way.
Comrade Mary
@R-Jud:
TUESDAY?! OMG, I’m toast!
schrodinger's cat
Speaking of hacks what do people think of Roger Cohen’s MoU impression? He talks to one person and he knows everything about India.
Yatsuno
@Comrade Mary: Luckily all I have to do is sit back and eat carnispheres that day. :)
Mike E
I’m embracing the meat that’s set to expire in my fridge, making chicken BBQ and penne/sauce/sausage dinners for the weekend.
Hang in there, Yutsy!
mainmata
LOL on the Halperin-Heildeman send up. Halperin is such a predictably shallow and lazy political opinionator, And really boring on Morning Ho. I just don’t get why he has a job (maybe because of the famous “good news for John McCain).
Comrade Mary
@Yatsuno: My Canuck calendar says Tuesday is the 24th and Wednesday the 25th. I have to MAKE carnispheres (well, tourtière) for a bunch of people by then.
gogol's wife
@Yatsuno:
I’m sorry about the setback!
Re the original post, I love the Halperin-Heileman parody — really funny.
schrodinger's cat
A drink recipe where you can use your Himalayan Pink Salt.
khead
I’m old enough to remember when the Paula Deen boycott was going to kill the Food Network. What will I do without A&E?
ruemara
@Yatsuno: Sry Yuts. I’d send you cookies, but I’m fairly sure that’s not on a recovery diet. Hang in there. You’ll be back doing the jitterbug in no time.
PurpleGirl
@Comrade Mary: No, Christmas is Wednesday. I have my calendar right here. Wednesday is the 25th.
catclub
@efgoldman: Common meter.
This dinner table blessing:
Be present at our table, lord
Be here and everywhere adored
thy creatures bless and grant that we
may feast in paradise, with thee.
Can be sung to Fernando’s Hideaway.
schrodinger's cat
@Yatsuno: That’s rough! I hope Dr Tiny Cat is taking good care of you.
khead
@jeffreyw:
Uh, I want one.
ruemara
@jeffreyw: Jeffrey, what are you shooting with?
WereBear
@Yatsuno: Don’t let them do that again.
You’ll audit them, or something.
WereBear
@schrodinger’s cat: In case anyone is unaware of Dr. Tinycat:
Behold, the medical miracles of kitties
SiubhanDuinne
Have a FB friend in South Australia, who reports today was hottest December day since 1931 (43.4C, or about 110F).
Ugh.
JPL
@SiubhanDuinne: It’s going to be seventy here on Saturday and it is not our summer season.
Yatsuno
@JPL: Might haz snow tomorrow. But we’ll see.
JPL
@Yatsuno: But we’ll see I’m glad that you have a window in your temporary accommodations.
Elmo
Open Thread iz for bitching! So y’all know I’m a married gay person, right? I’m FB friends with my brothers, and that’s about all the contact we have, but we’re friendly. So my brother makes a point of posting that he #standswithPhil and is going to #boycottA&E.
Shouldn’t hurt my feelings at this point, I know who my brother is after all, but damn that was unpleasant.
Gravenstone
This guy on Facebook has been doing all sorts of snarky takes on DC superheroes. I think he may have just surpassed himself with this one.
MomSense
@ruemara:
I’m sending you a hug–and keeping you in my thoughts.
@Yatsuno:
Damn, sorry about this. I hope you feel much better tomorrow.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman: Yes, I did :-)
Also, Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening to Hernando’s Hideaway.
schrodinger's cat
@ruemara: {{{ruemara}}} tuck yourself in and have a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in your jammies. Tomorrow will be better.
JPL
@Elmo: I’m so sorry. You could tell him to buy more duck call thingys and use them to ………
MomSense
@Elmo:
GRRRRRR. Sorry your brother did that.
jeffreyw
@ruemara: All of those are out of a Canon S95, a decent pocket camera Mrs J packs to work. Post is via the Windows version of Snapseed, bought before Google bought them out and discontinued support for it in favor of the android OS.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman:
@catclub:
I always have fun this time of year singing any of the following to one of the other tunes:
Joy to the World
O Little Town of Bethlehem
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
(I know there are others. The metrical index in any hymnal will offer up a treasure trove.)
schrodinger's cat
@WereBear: The first kitteh in that collection is mine. Snarky Dr Kitteh was inspired by Samuelson’s column.
ETA: Thanks for putting up the ICHC link.
Omnes Omnibus
Programming note: The Alistair Sim version of A Christmas Carol is starting now. Woohoo!
schrodinger's cat
@efgoldman: Grammar fail. Goes to show you that commas are important.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman: @efgoldman:
Cripey, I remember reading the novel the show was based on!
PurpleGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: Do you know any of PDQ Bach’s Christmas music? Got some fine lyrics.
ruemara
@jeffreyw: Thanks. The camera element is very crisp, so I was wondering.
Sorry folks, I’m just trying to calculate what I can do to juggle what my extra efforts this month have earned, plus this hole in my jaw that I can’t fix just seems huge, have to figure out how to attend the training session I signed up for, 2 jobs I’m qualified for but I don’t have my own copy of CS6 to go work on their site (really, people?)… ugh. I’d almost love to be a drunkard, druggie, shopalic or what have you. Instead of just a chronic person running head first into a bajillion walls. Some days you just want to struggle with a few things, not so much, so consistently. My Christmas tree is 4 cards taped to a wall and one of them is for the prior occupant from a vendor. I’m gonna go make some desserts for the local charity so I can feel better. This is so frustrating! I’m used to doing things and being productive and career focused. BOOOOOOoooooo /rant
kc
@Elmo:
Your brother is a dick!
Tom Q
@efgoldman: I’ve actually seen the (yes, bad) movie, so I’m among the 200.
aimai
@Elmo: I’m so very sorry. Still, your brother is offering to stop watching a tv channel as his main form of political engagement. Its not like you can “go galt” from a tv network. I think you should FB him and let him know that you and all the gay people are rolling on the floor laughing at him because he’s such a pathetic excuse for a culture warrior. Suggest that he grow his hair and beard and smear himself with mud in solidarity with his fearless duck leaders. And also retreat to a bayou. The world will run very merilly without him.
Omnes Omnibus
@Elmo: My condolences. At least you are not a Cheney, right?
Scamp Dog
@SiubhanDuinne: when I was in a grade school church choir, and we’d sing something from the hymnal, I’d use that index to find another hymn using the same tune and sing those words. Not only did I never get caught, I told my brother about it, and no one caught him, either. Good times…
Omnes Omnibus
@SiubhanDuinne: @Scamp Dog: I once heard Aimee Mann in concert do Take Me Out to the Ball Game starting on the second note. Disturbing, yet brilliant.
Glidwrith
@Elmo: I hear you. Sent my mother a link on an article that simply talked about what the Duck Dynasty looked like in 2001 (ie clean cut, smooth shaven) and got back the whole Sarah Palin freeze peach spiel. I’ve known for some time she is a bigot (as is my father) but getting one’s nose rubbed in the fact that they are hateful bigots just before the annual Xmas visit…………..
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@Elmo:
From what you’ve said about your family in the past, I’m assuming that you won’t have to interact with this brother in person, but in case you do, I will share with you my patented technique for dealing with wingnut relatives: faking total ignorance.
“Wait, who is this guy? He’s on TV? What’s the show called? No, I’ve never heard of it. What’s it about? Who’s that? So the mom’s name is … what, again? And they’re in Mississippi? Oh, Louisiana. And they do what all day?”
I guarantee you that if you pepper the wingnut with enough questions about extremely basic points as though you’ve never even heard of the controversy or the people involved, said wingnut will eventually get bored and move on.
I discovered this technique accidentally many years ago when my (now late) wingnut father was trying to play Rush Limbaugh’s allegedly funny parody of “In the Ghetto,” but I’d never heard the original song. It worked like a charm, and I’ve done my best to use it on wielders of wingnut talking points ever since.
Betsy
@SiubhanDuinne: bonus points for mention of hymnal metrical index … Was thinking same
Huzzah, Old School!
Fax Paladin
@Omnes Omnibus: The Texas A&M Aggienizers barbershop quartet used to do something like that, getting off by one note in the windup to the second go-round. (Some of the best (intentional) Aggie jokes come from actual Aggies.) They wind up saving the song by ending “..it’s one two, three, four balls you walk at the old ball game!”
Betsy
@Elmo: hey, that is a sucky thing that he did, how painful but I wonder if he doesn’t know how much it hurts you. Do you feel that telling him honestly would help? Or is this not really a teachable moment? It seems like it could be, if he wasn’t just trying to hurt you. Maybe just ask him if he was trying to hurt you. If he says yes you have your answer. If he says no (even if that’s not quite true) it means you have an opportunity to say how it made you feel.
I don’t know your situation and this could be totally wrongheaded, but it usually seems OK to assert your right to full humanity.
Betsy
@ruemara: hang in there, you never know what’s around the corner. <<<<>>>>>
Betsy
@Glidwrith: painful. Sorry.
What is a freeze peach spiel? Hard to say fast
Omnes Omnibus
@Fax Paladin: The great thing was that Aimee followed it by saying – it was during an encore – “And now here is a little song that I wrote with Elvis Costello.”
Betsy
@Glidwrith: oh I just got it.
Ok, so what is this great mass confusion about free speech? No one’s free speech has been taken away. Duck Idiot King is still just as free to state his bigoted views as ever, but A&E doesn’t owe him a platform to broadcast them.
No one’s speech has been censored. Censorship is by the government.
We all have the right to throw someone out of our house for saying vile and offensive things … That’s not called censorship, it’s called dignity and outrage.
Betsy
@Mnemosyne (iPhone): brilliant, love it, must try!
it does help that I am apparently notorious for not having a TV
Omnes Omnibus
@Betsy: Yep. Free speech =/= say whatever you want without consequence. Free speech = say what you want without governmental interference. A simple concept, combining the two, yet the right seems to have real trouble with it.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@ruemara:
Honestly, it sounds to me like you’re getting burned out on the struggle (because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t?)
My advice: pick a day, or at least an afternoon, to do absolutely NOTHING productive or useful. Watch some junk TV. Read a fun but trashy novel. Take a hot bath and enjoy a few minutes if not doing anything.
I know that when you’re frantically running, it feels like you can’t stop or you’ll never get started again, but you NEED that bit of downtime like you need sleep. What happens if you go without sleep for too long? Your brain will try to make you sleep any time you sit down, because it’s necessary.
Your brain and body are telling you they need a mental health break, so take one.
FlipYrWhig
@Omnes Omnibus: except when the matter at hand is Martin Bashir saying nasty things about Sarah Palin. Then they suddenly discover a passion for pressuring the speaker of nastiness, which isn’t an offense against the cherished value of free speech because reasons.
Omnes Omnibus
@ruemara: In my past, I have had shitty times and some of the most helpful advice I ever got was to do hobbies or read or basically, after you have done everything reasonable for the day, to try to live a real life. You can’t job hunt 24/7. It will wear you down. Try to let yourself be okay, at least for awhile each day. If this is unhelpful, please disregard.
Villago Delenda Est
@efgoldman:
Back in the day, A&E was the shit.
Now it is shit.