Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

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

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

People are complicated. Love is not.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

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

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

The revolution will be supervised.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

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Reader Interactions

69Comments

  1. 1.

    blueskies

    Dood, Penzy’s is the bee’s knees. I know one of their trial kitchen chefs. Solid company, solid product, solid gig.

  2. 2.

    Violet

    Penzey’s is the bomb. I have one near me. I love the freebies they offer when the catalog arrives.

  3. 3.

    donnah

    I’m in SW Ohio and had never heard of Penzy’s, but on a trip to Wisconsin I got to visit one. I picked up the double strength vanilla, which is wonderful for baking, and some of their chili seasoning. It’s so good I’m going to order more from them soon.

  4. 4.

    Constance

    I just found out about Penzey’s a couple of months ago from the books Well Fed and Well Fed 2. Was amazed at how many don’t have sugar or nightshades (we autoimmune types should not do nightshades). I think I screwed up the italics but so what?

  5. 5.

    Violet

    Question about Shawn and his diabetes, if it isn’t too personal of a question for him. How did he get diagnosed? Was he having symptoms of some sort and went to the doctor and found out that way? Or was it a routine physical kind of thing that caught it? He seems like he’s a healthy weight and he isn’t old, and he looks like he’s in reasonably good shape, so he doesn’t fit the stereotype of the overweight, unfit diabetic. If he had warning signs, that sort of info might be helpful for others. Totally understand if he wants to keep that info to himself. If you answered this previously, just point me to the thread. I guess I missed it.

  8. 8.

    KG

    @kc: he at least called him on the fact that the south seceded before Lincoln took office. But otherwise, holy hell, Lincoln tricked the south into treason?

  9. 9.

    srv

    Latest mandate on Obamacare:

    Republican David Jolly won an expensive battle to fill a vacant U.S. Congressional seat in a special election watched by both major parties for what it portends for November when all 435 congressional seats will be up for grabs.

    Jolly, 41, defeated Democrat challenger Alex Sink, 65, a former state chief financial officer, by 3,500 votes or a 1.87 percent margin – 48.43 percent to 46.56 percent, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

    Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby took 4.83 percent of the votes.

  11. 11.

    srv

    That acre near the volcano may come in handy

    A new study conducted in Antarctica has solved an age-long mystery of how numerous plants and animals species were able to survive during the ice age. The findings concluded that the cause for the survival of various species was heated steam coming out of volcanoes.

  14. 14.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @srv: Sink did better than the last Dem to run in this district, in a year Obama narrowly won it

    Florida’s 13th congressional district: Results 2012[37]
    Year Republican Votes Pct Democratic Votes Pct
    2012 C. W. Bill Young 189,605 57.6% Jessica Ehrlich 139,742 42.4%

    Greg Sargent has a theory that seems plausible to me: The Obamacare cake is baked, the mid-term electorate will most likely look like other midterm electorates, and Republicans are betting that they can make it sound like a huge rejection of Obamacare, and the media will go along with them.

    I was surprised to hear Charlie Pierce, who is usually even more pessimistic than I am, say he doubts Dems will lose the Senate.

  18. 18.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @KG: Dear god, he gave two segments to that jackass? I’m betting Jason Jones, Jessica Williams or one of the other “correspondents” could have made better comedy with that time. But St Stewart wanted to prove he was fair-to a halfwit FoxNews bigot.

  20. 20.

    SG

    Question: which Penzeys salad seasoning blends did you choose? I just checked the Italian and French vinaigrette blends on their site and they both listed sugar as the first ingredient.

  23. 23.

    Hill Dweller

    Stewart having this imbecile on as a guest is the sort of ‘balance’ that drives me insane. Every media outlet books these buffoons, knowing they’re going to lie, simply because they’re Republicans.

  24. 24.

    Nemo_N

    Watching all the CNN hosts getting all excited about the possibility of the Malaysian Airlines MH370 disappearance being terror-related has being truly sickening.

  25. 25.

    mclaren

    Forwarded without comment:

    Tyler Johnson runs a ministry called the Dead Raising Team in the US. He claims to have brought 11 people back to life. He says he even persuaded the authorities in his state to issue him with an official photocard which lets him through police lines at car accident sites.

    Johnson, according to this BBC report, appears in a new documentary film called Deadraisers, which follows enthusiasts as they trail round hospitals and mortuaries trying to bring people back to life.

    Source: “Evangelical Christians want access to more corpses … to hone their ‘raising the dead’ skills,” The Freethinker, 10 March 2014.

    And no, it’s not an article from The Onion — though by all rights it should be.

  26. 26.

    GHayduke (formerly lojasmo)

    After 3 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, my liver enzymes are normal for the first time in ten years (they were only mildly elevated)

    Woot!

  27. 27.

    KG

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: the second segment was “Weakest Lincoln” where three historians (and Jessica Williams as Lincoln) pretty much showed that Napolitano didn’t know what the fuck he was talking about

    ETA: actually, Napolitano comes off looking like a confederate apologist, which is only going to go over well with the Fox News crowd

  28. 28.

    Keith G

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    But St Stewart wanted to prove he was fair-to a halfwit FoxNews bigot.

    A few problems:

    First, that particular Napolitano might best be described as a nullwit.

    Second, it might be considered truly representative of your moniker to judge the merits of such a program before your watch it.

    Third, Stewart is not a saint, but his choices usually end up being more sympathetic and helpful to our side than not.

    Edit

    @Hill Dweller: Maybe some do it so that they may be made fun of, but like you, I can not read minds.

  29. 29.

    Violet

    Just saw an ad for Allen West at the top of Balloon-Juice. Is he running for office or something?

  32. 32.

    mclaren

    Genius idea for a TV show…

    Okay, listen up: the Tuttle ritual child murder cult from True Detectives gets indicted — and they request a change of venue to Albuqurque, New Mexico —

    …Where they get defended by Saul the lawyer from Breaking Bad in an episode of the new series Better Call Saul!

  34. 34.

    eemom

    I listened to all of you and my shipment of Penzy’s salad seasonings showed up today, and they were spectacular. So, thanks!

    so now Cole is listening and thanking. It’s official — I will never catch up.

  37. 37.

    Hill Dweller

    @Keith G: Are you suggesting that every damn media outlet doesn’t invite Republicans, regardless of their credibility, onto their shows?

    Stewart does the same thing; perhaps not as much as the MSM, but he still does it. They all do it to look ‘balanced’.

  38. 38.

    lectric lady

    Holy Cow! I was one of the folks pushing Penzys! I am verklempt! I just may have to come out of lurktude and become a commenter!

  41. 41.

    lectric lady

    @SG: 1 T of the dried dressing mix goes into about a cup of finished dressing. Very little sugar, compared to any commercial dressing, and many home-made dressings. But they are much more tasty than plain oil and vinegar.

  42. 42.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Hill Dweller: No, Keith G. wants his politicians to be completely ethical and leaderly. If they fail him in any way, he is disappointed.

    Unfortunately, no one can ever live up to Keith G.’s standards. It is a burden under which we live.

  44. 44.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    Never heard of Penzey’s. Just googled it & found out there’s one, like, 2 1/2 miles from my house – the only one in my state. Great. More food I have to spend money on…

    Seriously, ain’t the intertoobs grand?

  46. 46.

    Violet

    @Kay (not the front-pager): Once you get on their mailing list you get a catalog every so often. Frequently the catalog has a coupon on the outside for a free small size seasoning or a free large size if you spend $3 in the store. Keeps you coming back but it’s also a good way to get to try something you might not otherwise try.

    They sell spices in small quantities, so if you have a small household it can actually be more economical because you don’t buy more than you need. They have gift boxes pre-made or you can make your own. I’ve given them a couple of times and they’re always well received. All the seasonings and herbs are available in jars for you to smell so you can see what a blend smells like or detect the subtle differences in types of cinnamon or oregano or whatever.

    Penzey’s is a lot of fun to visit. You should check it out.

  47. 47.

    MikeJ

    I think I like this Penzy company. Here’s a bit I found on their web site:

    Mukwonago is a community in the Greater Milwaukee area. Like so many towns across America, Mukwonago is facing division over the use of Native American names for its school sports teams. I think what’s at stake here is not just one tradition, but two: the team’s name and Mukwonago’s long tradition of kindness. Times have changed and I fear Mukwonago can only keep one of these two traditions. I want to put in my pitch for kindness.

  48. 48.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    @Violet: I have 3 large drawers filled with alphabetized spices in special frames, arranged around my cooktop. These are my most-frequently used spices. There is a large basket of assorted dried chilies under the center island from which I grind fresh-toasted chili powder for Mexican, Moroccan, Indian, etc. food. Liquid seasonings are in a nearby cabinet. I make my own vanilla extract. I’m a bit of a saffron snob. So a new (to me) store devoted just to spices? What time do they open? If I’m hanging around the door when they unlock in the morning, do you think they will call the police?

  49. 49.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    @Violet: I should have said, meant to say, thank you for the helpful information. I like the idea of gift sets. I sometimes have trouble thinking of gifts for my older son and his wife, and they always seem to think of just the right gifts for me. They like food (especially my son) and cooking, so this will be perfect. Sorry, I didn’t mean to come off too snarky…

  50. 50.

    Violet

    @Kay (not the front-pager):
    No worries. I didn’t take it that way at all. It sounds like Penzey’s would be lots of fun for you! Your son and his wife would probably enjoy a Penzey’s gift set. Anyone who likes to cook probably would!

  51. 51.

    jl

    My only advice on spices, which I learned the hard way, was that you should keep white pepper and chili powder on one side of the spices, and cardamom and cinnamon on the other side.

    Oh yeah, a little dash of cinnamon in spicy hot stuff can be good. That too.

  52. 52.

    NotMax

    @jl

    3 or 4 shakes of ground cinnamon on top of the grounds before brewing a full pot of coffee is nice, too.

  53. 53.

    reality-based

    @Kay (not the front-pager):

    oh, a FELLOW spice nut! Now that I have returned from the haven of Silicon Valley to the wilds of North Dakota, I thanks my stars daily for the internet. I guarantee I am the only soul within 50 miles with Za’atar, Star Anise, Aleppo Pepper, Fish Sauce, and Saffron in my seasoning cupboard. I shall immediately decamp to this Penzeys of which you speak.

    (Though give the locals credit – they are terrified to taste my “California cooking” at first, but I have converted several to the One True Faith of Perfect Nuoc Cham.

    Since this appears to be a spice/health open thread – has anyone else tried taking Tumeric? Its recommended for those, like me, battling Lyme and Babesiosis. B

    But UCLA, interested in the fact that India has a very low rate of Alzheimers, is testing a Tumeric/Vitamin D regimen against Alzheimers. Its supposed to jack up the Serotonin and Dopamine, and I must say, in the two weeks I’ve been taking it, I am feeling MUCH more cheerful and energetic. Not speedy, or anything – just cheerful. My sister reports the same effect – anybody else?

  54. 54.

    Villago Delenda Est

    As predicted, the Movie mavens of Noisemax have totally forgotten Son of God, which took in 1/3 as much box office in the second week as its first week. If you’ll recall, this was reason for gloating when it happened to The Butler, but Noisemax is curiously silent about the drastic falloff for a recut TV mini-series.

    Now all the sudden it doesn’t look like the incredible box office smash that it was three weeks ago, at least in the the Noisemax opium den.

  56. 56.

    BethanyAnne

    A coworker pointed me to Penzeys just 2 weeks ago. I am going to use them for my next order of spices. I went with http://www.sfherb.com for this order. Larger quantities and smaller prices than Penzeys, but a smaller selection. I went in with a couple of coworkers on my order. I am so looking forward to finally trying grains of paradise. One note from my order. 1 pound of bay leaves is, um… plenty. Yep, that’s plenty.

  57. 57.

    BethanyAnne

    Oh and the SF Herb company that I used is *not* the same one that had all the sanitation problems last year. This is a little place on 14th street that I used to love to visit. The one that was condemned was over in Fremont.

  59. 59.

    NotMax

    For those with one nearby, have always found the everyday spices sold at Costco to be of good quality (the Kirkland brand paprika is noticeably superior to what’s on the shelves at the supermarket). At the local Costco, they’ve even started carrying many in less than Andre the Giant-size containers.

    Took so long to use up the tin of saffron threads bought here that the little gourmet shop which sold it has long since vanished.

    Shipping outside the 48 contiguous states being usually prohibitive, my best bet may end up being Whole Foods (which sells only the usual, much smaller jars of saffron).

  61. 61.

    Keith G

    @Omnes Omnibus: Not entirely correct. And at least you tend to save your criticisms for things that you have actually read, watched, or otherwise experienced which was the point of my first comment.

  62. 62.

    Keith G

    @Hill Dweller:

    Are you suggesting that every damn media outlet doesn’t invite Republicans, regardless of their credibility, onto their shows?

    Oh come on. I refer to a specific program and you want to extend my remarks to cover “every damned media outlet”.

    So the answer to your rather tortured question is “No”.

    As to TDS, Stewart had a segment last week that completely skewered and debased Napolitano in absentia. And then, Stewart saw entertainment value updating that bit in person. I am not sure how this one instance can be extrapolated out to be a part of this ongoing particular criticism of The Daily Show.

    I hope this wasn’t too burdensome.

  64. 64.

    Hillary Rettig

    I could really use some advice housetraining our new rescue dog, Petey. He’s 11 yo and frail – walks with a big limp after having been in a car accident. We live up stairs so the plan is to get him to go on wee pads in the bathroom. Here’s the situation in highly graphic terms:

    *he pees about 80% of the time on the pads, 15% of the time elsewhere in the bathroom, and 10% elsewhere in the apartment. these #’s sound good, but we really need to get closer to 100% on target.

    *he poops mainly in the kitchen, often within moments of eating. I get the sense he can’t hold it in well. However, he also has pooped elsewhere in the apartment. 0% on target.

    Any advice? Especially specific to older / rescue dogs? He was fostered a long time by a very good woman, but I do think he spent a lot of time crated, which is part of the issue.

  65. 65.

    Birthmarker

    @reality-based: I don’t know anything about alz but I use turmeric for indigestion and it works very well. You can put a teaspoon into water and drink it but I use a couple of ounces of orange juice because turmeric is a bit gritty. I also use a straw, once again b/c of texture. It really doesn’t have much taste.

  66. 66.

    imonlylurking

    @reality-based: Turmeric is my go-to for tendonitis. Otherwise I would have blown out my liver on painkillers by now. (Seriously-I get it pre-encapsuled because it stains, and as long as I take 4 per day I don’t need any other painkiller. I would be disabled without it.)

  67. 67.

    JMT

    @Hillary Rettig:

    If Petey’s been kenneled or not well house trained, your first challenges (just like with a puppy) are to limit his freedom to wander so that he’s always close to his pads and to reward him every time he uses the pad. When you want him to be with you in a different room, escort him to the bathroom every half hour or so and keep a log of when he pees so you can figure out what his pee schedule is.

    You might see that when he pees off the pad, that he’s actually got his front legs on the pad and back legs off. Your job will be to praise and reward him when he’s got all 4 feet on the pad. Making the target zone bigger for a few days, then gradually shrinking it to normal size can sometimes help.

    Re pooping, one simple thing to do would be to feed him in the bathroom, so he can get to his pads directly. But also check with your vet and ask about giving him a small dose of loperamide hydrochoride (Imodium) daily; I’m using that with my 13 year old basset hound and it has helped cut down the unexpected poopings even though she has long term hind end nerve damage from a back injury. See http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=31&A=506&S=0&EVetID=3001644

    bless you for adopting a senior dog!

  68. 68.

    JustRuss

    So Cole is thanking us and not griping about how much we suck? What exactly is in those “spices”?

Comments are closed.