Seriously John McCain on Lindsey Graham is my favorite thing today http://t.co/Q9K53yn0Yk pic.twitter.com/t7i79Rk6Ad
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) January 29, 2015
Guess who’s still mad about 2012 (not to mention 2000)…
…. “I know what you’re going to ask about!” said McCain. Indeed: The press wanted to talk to McCain about South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham’s launch of a presidential exploratory committee. McCain, who considered Graham as a 2008 running mate before picking Sarah Palin, had “strongly encouraged” Graham to run. He also credited his friend fully with the decision, and started warning 2016 rivals of what was coming…
McCain talked through the ways that Graham could win an “uphill battle” against rivals with “lots of money.” Graham, said McCain, had an “unmatched” record on national security when the country needed an expert in the White House. “Senator Graham is known in New Hampshire and he’s best in the town hall setting,” said McCain. “I’ve down town halls with him—I’ve watched him at those meetings. He’ll be able to do well in New Hampshire.”…
… Did he, for example, think Graham was more qualified to be commander in chief than Mitt Romney, whom he’d endorsed at the start of the 2012 primaries?
“Yes, I do,” said McCain, “but I’m not being in any way critical of Mitt Romney or anyone else who may be running. I just think that Lindsey Graham at this time in history is best suited to address threats to our national security.”
McCain’s enthusiasm seemed to outstrip that of Graham himself. After a Senate vote, the South Carolina senator checked his phone, then re-broke his news to reporters…
The first time a scary dark-skinned Muslim (Keith Ellison, say) gave would-be-President Graham so much as a cutting look, Lindsey would soil himself. But apart from gently buffing Graham’s own credentials as a Serious Foreign Policy Expert, this “exploratory committee” gives John McCain a reason to hang around the 2016 primaries… and the Media Village another excuse, as if they needed one, to invite McCain to show up for the Sunday Bobblehead yakfests.
***********
Apart from mocking the endlessly mockable, what’s on the agenda for the evening?
kindness
Is it too soon to start suggesting what jobs Andrew Sullivan would have in a President Lindsey Graham’s administration? Yea. Thought so..more Wonkette territory.
JGabriel
How in the hell does Graham think he can keep his sexual orientation from becoming an issue in the campaign? If he tries to run as straight, he’ll get torn apart by his rivals in the primary. And if he comes out of the closet, he won’t make it past Iowa (which he probably won’t anyway) given today’s generally homophobic GOP base.
Editied to Add: I mean, it’s one thing to run as gay, but it’s a whole ‘nother ball game to run while still in the closet – especially when you’re orientation is such an open secret that pretty much anyone who follows with even minimal attention the DC social/political circuit knows about it.
Buddy H
Waiting for the 1/2 foot of snow that’s heading our way. Clipping the cat’s claws. (I wait til she’s in a drowsy mode, then I clip. She actually allows it, and remains on my lap after I’m done – very rare in a cat.)
Guy next door had a gadsden flag on his front yard. (I’d already noticed a ton of American flags in front of his house when we moved in). I kind of suspected he wasn’t actually inside watching Rachel Maddow, but the gadsden flag was the real tip off. Funnily enough (as they say) he took it down right after that guy & gal killed those cops. I guess he was embarrassed by them.
I didn’t tell my wife, because she is QUITE VOCAL in her beliefs, and she would have engaged him in conversation about it. I notice he likes to garden, and so does she, and so they get along talking about vegetables, and the rabbits and squirrels who plague them.
Interestingly, the house he lives in is the house he grew up in. So he’s never had to sweat a mortgage payment or anything like that. And that’s a pattern I’ve noticed: I’ve encountered so many folks “on the right” who live in houses they’ve inherited, or had property handed to them. One co-worker of mine years ago was raising his family in a house his grandfather left him. Big Rush Limbaugh fan. At the time, I was paying 900 bucks a month mortgage.
Another mouthy right winger I worked with, his father bought him a brand new car (after he complained he didn’t want anyone’s used piece of garbage car).
Buddy H
@JGabriel: Wait…. Lindsay Graham is gay?
trollhattan
Release the J-Stew! Honestly, if this gets us a nightly Lindsay Graham as Blanche Dubois segment on TDS then the nation wins.
In other surprising news, Megyn Kelly does not like your Huckabee-brand slut-shaming.
Somebody found herself an acorn.
Linda Featheringill
@JGabriel:
And those who aren’t homophobic won’t vote for him either because the man is just silly, not to be taken seriously.
I wonder, though, if running for the nomination for President has benefits that make for a secure retirement? Dude probably knows very well where the money is.
Iowa Old Lady
On Maddow blog, Steve Benen says R lawmakers have sent a letter to HHS demanding to know their contingency plans for what happens if the SC throws up health insurance subsidies. Talk about passing the buck. And lack of self awareness. And gall.
Elizabelle
I don’t see having the vapors as a persuasive foreign policy.
Is Lindsey Graham trolling his own party? Maybe so.
He just won reelection when four or five of the little Tea Party darlins’ couldn’t agree on one to oppose South Carolina’s senior senator. He’s pretty safe, and maybe he’s bored.
Other possibility: more delusional than anyone previously suspected. Running for VP?
Mike in NC
@kindness: John McCain would be his Minister of (Eternal) War.
All joking aside, has anybody in the media tried counting all the miles these two warmongers have logged while flying around the planet at the expense of the US taxpayer? No doubt the costs would be in the hundreds of thousand of dollars (airfare, meals, lodging, security, and ground transportation).
Monkeyfister
McCain just likes that little thing that Lindsey does with his tongue.
jl
Graham is really in, for serious? If Graham and Huck make the first debates, it will be interesting.
What will Jeb! and Mitt! and Chris! do to meet that stiff competition in ugly and mean?
We will see a lot of GOP primary voter outreach over the next year, and executed with true passion, or maybe desperation.
Huckabee: Obama Favors Muslims, Fine With ‘Stomping All Over Christians’
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mike-huckabee-obama-muslims-stomping-christians
Waldo
If this exploratory committee can find even one person other than McCain with any enthusiasm for goober Graham, we should immediately put them on the trail of Amelia Earhart and Big Foot.
srv
Hot story today is President McCain calling anti-Kissinger protesters scumbags!
Did you enjoy your extended stay during the ‘Decent Interval’ John?
Monkeyfister
@jl: I’m not sure if he’s really in, yet.
I think McCain is saying Lindsey is just putting the tip in right now.
catclub
@Waldo:
Of course, Ayotte! After that, I got nothin.
mai naem mobile
Lindsay must be feeling the Grahamentum like Joe Lieberman was feeling the Joementum.
jl
@Monkeyfister: wiki says Graham is one of six who have formed exploratory committee or prez PAC.
I feel Grahamentum, and my hopes are high.
Amir Khalid
@jl:
Dafuq is Huckabee talking about? I didn’t hear him cite a single specific instance of Muslims getting special privileges in America. If my co-religionists are indeed getting such goodies, I wanna be an American too.
WereBear
Oh, they said there wouldn’t be a clown car this year… but as usual, they lied.
ruemara
Reading a friend’s assessment of how awesome Chait’s article on the problems with PC liberals is. Once again, I’m reminded that not every liberal is an ally, even if we occasionally work together.
Amir Khalid
This cat in Florida (where else? one is tempted to ask) had apparently not used up all his lives when his human presumed him dead and buried him.
jl
@Amir Khalid:
” Dafuq is Huckabee talking about? ”
As a good prissy Christian, I find that phrasing somewhat presumptious! Your micro-aggression is noted. Huck is right.
Seriously though, I think the teabaggers and nutjobs in the GOP primary base are going to be a demanding audience. Huck feels he needs to ramp up the baseless hate and fear to get him some Huckmentum. And Graham’s panicked and deranged, yet strangely prim and prissy diatribes about all the Muslim Danger Zones we have to troop into have gotten ever longer and louder, and it has been some time since he done won his crazy-off in the SC Senate election. There must be a reason why they talk so mean and crazy. And I think GOP outreach, to the extent they can figure out what that is all about, means blacks and Hispanics are political danger zones for the general. So, that leaves… hmm… wonder who?
How will moderate soft chumps like Mitt! and Jeb! and Chris! thread the needle and get through the primaries? I guess they will just hope that they can hang on long enough to cage enough delegates. Or they are counting on the big super GOP primary day to bring in enough semi-sane voters who will support them.
Elizabelle
Lindsey Graham, you are nothing but trouble.
It’s short. Like him.
Violet
@JGabriel:
Does Lindsay Graham have lovers or a partner he keeps hidden away that everyone knows about but won’t mention? Or is he gay but celibate? If he’s the latter, it’s possible that he could get away with being “a bachelor.” I doubt it, but he might make it a bit farther than if his current or relatively current lovers start being identified.
Worse yet for him would be if there’s a rent boy or Dominican Republic trysts to be discovered by oppo research.
Hal
Graham is absolutely delusional if he thinks his sexuality isn’t going to come up in a Presidential election. South Carolinian’s can keep a secret, we’ve seen that with Strom Thurmond’s black daughter, but once you step onto a national stage, everything is up for grabs. Maybe he’s planning on coming out?
CONGRATULATIONS!
McCain should just run himself if he wants in that badly.
There is no possible way that Graham can win the GOP primary, much less a general, not with that closet full of baggage he’s toting around. Can’t win if he comes out; will die a death of a thousand rumors if he doesn’t.
And he and his BFF McCain surely must know that. This must be a try for some of that sweet Koch cash.
MomSense
My beloved kitty came home in a little box today. He really was a magnificent creature in his day. I’m going to bring some extra treats to the alley cats tonight in his honor. We have trapped and found homes for six kittens and spayed and neutered a bunch of others. Several have found homes including the biggest Maine Coon I have ever seen. My kitty came to me as a stray 15 years ago and never wanted for anything so Ive decided to keep caring for the ferals instead of adopting a cat of my own. The cat we were co-parenting has moved out of state and is reunited with his girl so that is settled too. His girl is very sweet and loves him. She sends me photos and texts so it’s all worked out beautifully.
I’m pretty tuned out when it comes to the 2016 speculation. I am completely underwhelmed by all the prospective candidates including the Dem(s). The Republican primaries are shaping up to be a crazy fest.
Lindsey Graham and John McCain have been wrong about everything so it makes perfect sense that they are loved by the village. Neither of them will ever be President so let them have the Sunday talk shows as a consolation prize.
Mike in NC
@WereBear: You cannot fit 30 lunatics in a car. They need a clown bus. I believe they could get a nice deal on one from Mitt or Sarah.
Pogonip
@Amir Khalid: I saw that! The vet says he’s doing well and purring away.
Felonius Monk
If, by some stroke of cosmic bad luck, Graham is elected President, will they create a new cabinet position (perhaps Secretary of Underwear Change) to assist him every time he wets himself or craps his pants over ISIS or the Boogeyman. He will be known as the Chicken in Chief.
Cacti
I think Graham crackers are more qualified to be CinC than Lindsey Graham.
PsiFighter37
Lindsey Graham for president? Compelling as watching a manual pencil sharpener.
Feeling quite a bit under the weather – around mid-morning, got hit with a bad headache, chills, and a bit of a scratchy throat. Love the winter.
CONGRATULATIONS!
@Violet: I may have my closeted GOP pols mixed up, but pretty sure that Graham’s long-term partner is his chief of staff. Apparently they’ve been living together for something like 20 or 30 years.
Pogonip
@Waldo: I don’t believe Bigfoot exists (unless you count my kid, who’s big, hairy, and wears a size 15 shoe). But the Bigfoot that’s supposed to be hiding out in the woods–very unlikely. If it was real, someone would have found a pile of poop by now, or bones would have been accidentally dug up.
Baud
Oh my.
Violet
@MomSense: Very sorry about your kitty. How kind of you to take care of those that need help. How’s your ankle (?). Hope it’s improving.
Buddy H
@MomSense: Condolences. That’s a beautiful tribute to him, feeding the less fortunate.
Baud
@MomSense:
You are a big hearted person.
Violet
@CONGRATULATIONS!: Thanks. I didn’t know that. If true, there’s zero way it won’t come out (ha ha) during a presidential campaign.
jl
@CONGRATULATIONS!:
” Apparently they’ve been living together for something like 20 or 30 years. ”
I have never bothered to get informed on Graham’s personal arrangements. Look like he is informally gay married the old fashioned 19 century way. They used to call that a Boston Marriage, I think.
I think the really nasty attacks will be from obscure operatives (with the general election in mind). If Graham situation is what it seems to be, look for very many very super sized extra helpings of sugary sweet family spots from other GOP candidates. Enough to give the whole planet diabetes.
Edit: maybe stuff like the whole happy Huck family lovingly denouncing Sharia Law, or cowering beneath Muslim invaders? Gotta balance needs of primary and general, you know.
mai naem mobile
@Cacti: not chocolate graham crackers. Only Those Ones aren’t qualified.
Hungry Joe
Lindsey Graham for President? I dunno … “They’re going to kill us all” (re ISIS) isn’t all that catchy as a campaign theme.
His chances of getting the nomination are several orders of magnitude south of zero. He either knows it, in which case he’s grifting, or doesn’t, in which case he’s nuts. Either sounds plausible to me.
Elizabelle
@MomSense: The ferals will appreciate it. And one big puppy is enough brand new pet for this season. RIP your nice old kitty.
Yup.
jl
@Hungry Joe:
” He either knows it, in which case he’s grifting, or doesn’t, in which case he’s nuts. Either sounds plausible to me. ”
Unlike some others (Palin, Newt, Trump), Graham, or maybe McCain, thinks it will be an opportunity to contribute to the debate and get their viewpoints out there.
I think that would be the rationale behind a possible Biden run. Difference is that Biden would actually make a worthwhile contribution for the relatively short time he was in it. While McCain and Graham (since I think it will be campaign package) will just yell the same insane things over and over again. Might be cheap for them too, since only need one campaign spot and then repeat it.
geg6
@Hungry Joe:
All of ’em, Katie!
MomSense
Thanks everyone. The puppy is taking up all the energy we have. I still can’t get over the way she wiggles when she greets me at the end of the day. So much happy in her little body.
@Violet: Wow you have a great memory! My ankle is much better. I was good and rested it for a long time. Now I’m back to working out but I’m really careful not to stress it.
jl
Hmm.. evening news says quite a measles epidemic getting started, and not just in California, and not just in kids.
Maybe will give the Ebola panic crowd a lesson in what a real airborne transmission disease epidemic is like.
Also saw a news report with data indicating that it is not just, or even mainly, pampered liberals in the anti-vax crowd. Conspiracy minded folk of all ideological description equally susceptible.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@MomSense:
I’m sorry about your kitty. I know it’s no consolation now, but he had a long, happy life with you.
Cervantes
@Violet:
Is this sort of speculation more acceptable because Graham is an unmarried male Republican as opposed to an unmarried female Democrat? Rush Limbaugh might have an opinion on the question.
Maybe the lurid speculation is OK because it’s some sort of “payback” for things Graham says or does? Heaven knows revenge is practically a Christian imperative — it’s the entire message of the Sermon on the Mount, for example.
Presumably the speculation serves some deep-seated psychosocial need or else it wouldn’t appear so often — but me in my ivory tower, I find the taunting distasteful to say the least.
scav
I don’t want to know, but somehow the Graham Crackers and John McCain on Lindsey Graham, the Crackers, the nuts and the etc. . . all collided.
GOP 2016, the relaunched recipe.
Graham S’mores: Usual Crackers, Added Nuts but guarenteed no chocolate filling, only the traditional white gooey stuff.
Violet
@MomSense: Glad it’s better! Best to go back slowly and let everything build back up rather than jump in and re-injure yourself.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@Cervantes:
These days, I think most GLBT Democrats are out and proud about it (like Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin). The scurrilous whisperings are about married women like Hillary Clinton who can’t really be straight since Chris Matthews doesn’t find them attractive.
hedgehog the occasional commenter
@Felonius Monk: Brave, brave, brave Sir Lindsey…
Mike in dc
The Iowa straw poll in August will wipe out everybody who gets a Did Not Place result. Which likely will include Miss Lindsey.
Calouste
@Cervantes: Are there unmarried female Democrats who are opposed to gay marriage and have supported anti-gay legislation?
Elizabelle
@Cervantes: Do you think being gay would be a huge issue for a Democratic candidate? I don’t, actually.
I don’t like that politicians cannot have a private life. Everyone deserves privacy to kick back.
My real problem with Graham is all the anti-gay marriage rhetoric. Yes, in that sense he probably is representing the views of his (backward, very backward) South Carolinian conservative voters.
And FWIW, Graham was a colonel in the Air Force Reserve during the DADT era. He had a lot, personally, to lose, and not just his political career.
For private lives. Against hypocrisy.
rikyrah
You don’t think POTUS had Ms. Lynch vetted within an inch of her life?
Come on, now.
Come on.
The President practices Black Professional Sensibilities.
He was going to make them show their asses if they wanted to come against this woman. He was going to give them no room to breath.
………………………….
The GOP Can’t Find Anyone to Say Something Bad About Loretta Lynch
By Josh Voorhees. Jan 29, 2015
Any drama that remained in attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch’s confirmation proceedings had largely disappeared by the time the Judiciary Committee recessed for lunch on Thursday. After the nine witnesses had finished giving their opening statements, Sen. Pat Leahy, the top Democrat on the panel, opened the first round of questions with a simple request: for any witness who opposed Lynch’s confirmation to raise his hand. Not a single one did. “I hope we can move on,” Leahy said.
Lynch’s chances at confirmation grew stronger still when Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch announced that Lynch’s performance before the committee on Wednesday was enough to seal the deal for him. “I believe she’s not only qualified but exceptionally well-qualified and a very good person, to boot,” the Utah senator said, becoming the first Republican on the committee to publicly endorse Lynch, who would become the first black woman to lead the Department of Justice. Lynch will need the support of at least two more GOP members of the panel. Those votes are likely to come from Sens. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) and Jeff Flake (Arizona), both of whom have had plenty of kind words for her. Her nomination would then head to the Senate floor, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has suggested he won’t block it.
Still, it will likely be at least a couple of weeks before the committee votes on her nomination, and perhaps a couple of months before the full chamber does. In the meantime, Republicans have made it clear that they will turn almost any conversation about Lynch into one about the man she will replace, Eric Holder, and his boss, President Obama.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/01/29/loretta_lynch_confirmation_senate_republicans_can_t_find_anyone_to_say_something.html
Cervantes
@Calouste:
Right, there’s that “payback” argument.
Bobby Thomson
@Pogonip: confirmed hoax. The guy wearing a gorilla suit in the film admitted it.
Amir Khalid
@rikyrah:
I’m a bit surprised that no Republican said, “Obama nominated her; that’s all the reason I need to oppose her.”
Elizabelle
Also, despite the appalling foreign policy inclinations, I’d sensed in previous years that Graham was a more decent person than many in his party. He is smarter than your average GOP pol (I know, a bar that’s 1 inch tall).
But the ugliness emanating from Senator Graham when he geared up for reelection? Ugliness is ugliness. It sticks to you.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@rikyrah:
Sort of but not really in the MSM’s defense, they’re used to the nominee circuses of the Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II years. They were hoping for another Harriet Meiers debacle, not a poised and prepared professional. Where’s the fun in that?
jl
@Amir Khalid:
‘ I’m a bit surprised that no Republican said, “Obama nominated her; that’s all the reason I need to oppose her.” ‘
Does anyone of them need to say that? I am sure they are all looking for a reason to kill her nomination, and that reason is appetizing for many of them, even if they can’t just out and say it. If she gets confirmed, it will be because of some narrow tactical calculation. If that calc does not work out right, they will find a way to nix her.
Elizabelle
@jl: The poison pill, though, is Eric Holder staying in office until his successor is confirmed (and I hope he resigns 30 seconds before she’s sworn in).
That was brilliant. Lesser of two evils choice for GOP opponents.
raven
@Elizabelle: He’s a fucking punk no matter who he sleeps with.
Violet
@Cervantes: You can find it distasteful all you want but the oppo researchers don’t care what you think. The whispers (remember “John McCain’s black daughter”?), innuendo and outright comments and ads will be brutal. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not and, as this is a thread about Lindsey Graham’s run for president, it’s not out of bounds to consider how his campaign is going to go. To think that the issue or him being a lifelong bachelor and rumors about him being gay won’t be in play is ridiculous.
delk
Judge Roy Moore’s son is an example of family values
Plus he has 2 DUI’s
Cervantes
@Elizabelle:
In this enlightened age decorated by our fine selves, it should be possible to criticize Graham for that without speculating about contact between his tongue and other people’s orifices, or vice versa.
Well, perhaps it’s not possible any more. I don’t know.
MomSense
@rikyrah:
If we had decent media, one of the big stories about the Obama administration would be how competent and scandal free it has been.
No drama Obama.
Calouste
@Cervantes: You can’t distinguish between payback and hypocrisy?
cmorenc
The reason McCain keeps getting so frequently invited to appear on Sunday talk shows must be that he takes the hosts out for dinner and drinks afterward and picks up the tab – after all he’s such a rich man he can’t remember offhand how many houses he and his wife own. Even though the press and McCain are all villagers together, they can’t otherwise like the abrasive old coot THAT much to have him as a guest Sunday after Sunday after Sunday after Sunday.
jl
@Violet:
” You can find it distasteful all you want but the oppo researchers don’t care what you think. ”
I agree with you.
Even if a commenter above was a little over-enthusiastic in describing the possible domestic situations, that was the context of the initial discussion. I don’t see how it is different from talking about how the GOP will,or will not, deal with the ugliness and sleaze of how Gingrich has dealt with women or the long and wandering Sanford hike.
My guess is that, sadly, what should be, but was not, a big deal for Gingrich and Sanford, will but (maybe?) should not be, a big deal (sooner or later) for Graham.
OTOH, if Graham’s campaign looks like a hopeless PR stunt to do some warmongering with old daddy wargrumps McCain, maybe no one will bother. If Graham poses a hint of a threat to anyone, then they will bother. Sad but true.
Baud
@MomSense:
This. The way people have reacted and behaved for the last few years has really opened my eyes.
jl
@cmorenc: Naw,it’s just that McCain says the right things the right way. Produces very reliable sound old white man Senator-pundit opinion/information product that suits host, media corporation, and advertiser needs.
Edit: also provides cheap access cred, if you can’t find anyone better.
Edit2: excellent at filling up all times of all duration left open by cancellations or failures to book
Peale
@Violet: yeah. Gay sand celibate is fine. Ostentatiously so. I mean the right has been telling me like forever that they are fine with gays who don’t have sex. It’s their third choice for best type of favorite gay, after the hidden ones, and the ones who know not to be “all up in your face about it.”
Turgidson
@jl:
And they’re not even original insane things they’d be shouting. Rubio will be saying crazy fearmongering shit, Bush will say as little crazy shit as he can get away with, but when asked about foreign policy he’ll be an unrepentant neocon all the way. John f’n Bolton might run, and he’ll make Graham look like a peacenik by comparison. Hell, Romney’s foreign policy utterances were surprisingly unhinged too. Christie will all bluster.
Graham doesn’t need to worry about his braindead warmongering pants-pissing being left out of the GOP primary debate. The only one who might swim against it is Rand, and he’s been flipping and flopping so fast and so incoherently on foreign affairs that he might be a bloodthirsty psycho too by the time the primaries start.
satby
@MomSense: Condolences again MomSense! I remember you said your 15 year old kitty was going over the bridge the day I found my Shaggy had died in her sleep. 15 years of loving is a great life for a cat, and I’m sure your baby knew how much you loved him!
JPL
OT … In a pre-Super Bowl press conference with NFL Football Operations Thursday, Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino dropped a bombshell, telling reporters the air pressure of the balls used in the Jan. 18 AFC Championship game were not logged.
Were the Colts balls deflated higher and the Pats lower.. who knows. When the NFL didn’t say how many psi lower the pats balls were.. that raised a flag. The news media made statements, that were not backed up by the NFL. The Pats need to play Sunday with the Colts balls, they did better.
Major Major Major Major
The reason that it’s OK to make jokes about Graham’s sexuality generally fall under the “because he’s a joke” and “he’s harmful to his own minority” and “he’s a hypocrite” umbrellas.
Outing is a very interesting field of philosophy though. Did a term paper on it for ethics class in librarian school.
rikyrah
@Iowa Old Lady:
pure, unmitigated gall at that.
like it couldn’t be fixed by the passing of a few sentences.
Karen in GA
@MomSense: I’m so sorry about your kitty.
MomSense
@satby:
How are you holding up? You have also had a lot of trials with your pet family. It’s weird because I am a non believer but I was honestly hoping that my kitty would “see” the dog and cat we lost a few months ago to the point where I asked him to tell them how much I missed them. They were so close and really took care of each other and enjoyed each other.
What is up with that? I don’t actually believe in heaven even.
rikyrah
@MomSense:
Sorry about your kitty.
Bless you for helping other cats in need.
jl
@JPL: The NFL has become exhibit A of rich incompetent white guys running things like a clown show. I’ve been listening to Madden talk about deflategate. From his history, there is no respect for playing the actual game from the NFL brass. They want pretty and slick footballs that you can’t hike, hold, throw catch or kick. No, now they want as many footballs used in the game as possible to hawk for souvenirs. Hey, wait, let’s fiddle with the logo and any markings put on for visibility in search of a cool brand look and who gives a damn if some q-backs can’t throw them anymore. Let’s grudgingly change the rules for handling the footballs before the game ad hoc if the players gripe too much.
It is a joke. The NFL brass is a joke. I am sure that dingbat Goodell will hold a persser and assure us all that he will handle it somehow all himself because he is the comish! And that will solve nothing or he’ll make a botch of it, and then on to the next BS.
As long as enough violence and speed and touchdowns, and money, what do they care? Did I mention as long as there is enough money?
MomSense
@Mnemosyne (iPhone):
How are your cats doing? Are they still quarreling or are things improved. I sooo hope that they are getting along now.
@Karen in GA:
Thanks. Is Iggy healed now? He is the cutest rapscallion!
JPL
@MomSense: I actually think if there is a heaven, it’s only for pets. There are only two super bowl commercials that I remember one is herding cats, yeah right, and the other is about Maddie.
A golden whose master is ready to say to goodby to and flashes back to her life. I can’t remember what the ads were for though. The maddie one still makes me tear up thinking about it though. I gotta say the tears are worth it.
also.. of course I remember the bud commercials because they show the same type of ad every year.
khead
@MomSense:
Condolences for your loss. Feed those ferals.
MomSense
@rikyrah:
Thanks.
BTW I am a major lurker at your website. Enjoying all the 80s music and those young Vermonters quoting ethics in journalism to FUX news.
gogol's wife
@Baud:
Reading about his India trip, I just keep thinking, I wish he could be president forever.
Howard Beale IV
Breaking: Rod McKeun, poet, songwriter and singer, dies, age 81.
PaulW
shilling here: another anthology, History and Mystery Oh My! is now on the market for Kindle and Nook ereaders. I dunno if I can link them here – previous attempts at linking to retailer sites didn’t get printed – but if you visit Amazon or bn.com and search for the title – or search the editor’s name, Sarah Glenn – you should bring it up. My story “The Dread Secret of the Battle of Los Angeles” is in there. :)
PaulW
If Graham thinks he can campaign on a foreign policy platform when the primary concern of most voters is the growing income inequality and PERSONAL debt we’re building up over a still-unsteady housing and credit market, he is delusional. Of the issues that matter, the one thing he could campaign on is immigration… and he’s in the same sinking boat the rest of the GOP is on that topic (Jeb included, there is no way he can convince Hispanic voters to back him if the Republican platform is heavy on deportation and non-existent on amnesty).
Culture of Truth
These people are mentally ill
SiubhanDuinne
@rikyrah:
Why such a long time?
JustRuss
McCain’s just screwing with us. He’s getting old and likely to get primaried, so why not have some fun? If Graham implodes, it won’t be any skin off McCain’s nose, and if he does well, Grumpy gets to go along for the ride. Win/win.
Tree With Water
If the Man From South Carolina shreds the opposition in debate while wearing his favorite gowns (and matching pumps), he just might get my vote. I’d have to give him a second look after something like that.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@MomSense:
Kitties are still quarreling and have to be kept separate, but they are now willing to eat treats in close proximity to each other, so we have progress. We did have a big hiss-fest the other night where neither one would back down, so … baby steps.
Kryptik, A Man Without a Country
I remain utterly baffled and despairing at the idea that the whole “PC is evil” bullshit debate is happening, considering how too goddamn often “PC” just means “not being an insulting asshole”. It really underscores just how much being an asshole is essentially the virtue of virtues these days and empathy simply not being a dick is apparently the grandest of sins these days.
JPL
@Kryptik, A Man Without a Country: this..
smike
“… and the Media Village another excuse, as if they needed one, to invite McCain to show up for the Sunday Bobblehead yuckfests.”
Fixed!
jl
@Kryptik, A Man Without a Country: @JPL:
I don’t think there is a real anti-PC thing going on. There are a couple of scared and offended white guys complaining and putting a chip on their shoulder. They have a lot in common with the overly sensitive PC people who are there prime exhibits.
There is privileged progressive someplace hating on somebody because he or she used ‘disabled’ in the wrong context or in the wrong way and will never ever forgive. There will be Chait and De Boer wandering around looking at random liberals funny because they are askeered of being made uncomfortable and will complain about it.
And, I think the idea that liberal groups have more trouble with their version of PC than the reactionaries do with their version is just laughable. Look at youtubes of some of the teabagger Congresscritter town hall meetings.
Baud
@JPL:
I’m concerned that the continued controversy over deflated balls will sully this Sunday’s Viagra ads.
jl
@Baud: As long as football players playing with their balls is confined to the quarterback and the center, as God meant it to be, all will clear, proper boundaries will be set, and all will be well.
JPL
@Baud: What controversy since the whole thing was over inflated and how did you get your comment through word press… Do you have a special code or something cuz you sure can’t say the other brand.
Baud
@JPL:
You mean Cialis?
danielx
Huckleberry Closetcase for Prez?
I don’t think god loves me that much, but I can dream.
Oh please please please….
Baud
@jl:
I’m looking forward to the signs in the crowds. I hope they are televised.
Bob In Portland
Looks like Cargill and Monsanto have won—in Ukraine.
JPL
@Baud: my goodness. word press is moving up in the world.
I’m going to try
JPL
socialist
cialis
impressive.. socialists use cialis
while wearing shoes…
Villago Delenda Est
Unfortunately, if you ask McCain and Graham to “get a room”, they’ll immediately go to a Sunday talking head show green room.
burnspbesq
“John McCain on Lindsey Graham”
A vomit-worthy image if ever there was one.
burnspbesq
@Mnemosyne (iPhone):
That hypothesis has a certain amount of trouble explaining Chelsea Clinton.
SRW1
@Amir Khalid:
Haven’t you decided yet wich Muslim no-go zone in Merika you wanna live in? Cause Bobby Jindal sez them is comin.
I wonder how many more Muslim-bashing candidates that niche of the GOP primary market can support. Bobby J, the Huck, and Miss Lindsay makes already three.
JGabriel
@Violet:
Graham used to be coupled up with someone with whom he lived and attended social functions. I assume that’s still the case – but don’t know for sure.
JGabriel
@Cervantes:
As far as I know, it’s not really speculation. Graham is pretty much out in local DC circles, and attends social functions with his significant other. But he’s not out nationally, nor at home in SC – and I don’t see how Graham can maintain that status if he runs in a national election.
Violet
@JGabriel: Maybe the GOP has asked Lindsay Graham to be their first openly gay elected official–in a major office anyway. Kind of break the ice for them. They can see gay marriage is coming to all 50 states. Lindsay Graham just won re-election and won’t have to run for six years. He might not even run then. He can be the first and then other candidates won’t have to be first and run for an office at the same time. Their sexuality won’t be as newsworthy.
Cervantes
@Calouste:
You’re not even aware that you’re begging the question, are you?
Cervantes
@Violet:
Of course, such rumors will be “in play,” thanks in part to, well, you know.
What I want is (in theory, anyway) orthogonal to what is right.
Cervantes
@JGabriel:
@JGabriel:
Right …
Violet
@Cervantes:
No, I don’t know. Please explain what you mean.
Villago Delenda Est
@burnspbesq: Don’t you remember? Chelsea Clinton was “the White House dog” according to that paragon of masculine beauty, Rush Limbaugh.
Also, too, recall who Hillary’s lesbian lover was.
Vince Foster.
Villago Delenda Est
@Kryptik, A Man Without a Country: The utterly hilarious thing about this entire kerfuffle is that if you want true political correctness, you have to go to the right, where Herman Cain was beaten into submission for his suggestion that the name of Rick Perry’s hunting estate might be a smidgen racist and offensive to African-Americans.
Tree With Water
@Violet: I made a lame remark to that effect upthread about taking a second look at the guy if he did, but there’s no way that will happen. Is there? Holy cow, if a senator from South Carolina ever did that fish would walk and dogs would talk, and the world would turn upside down.
T123
@JGabriel: The widespread understanding in political and social circles here in Austin, Texas, about the outgoing governor’s extracurricular interests seem to have gotten next to no national traction, despite (an embarrassing attempt at) a national run, which is well and good for his privacy, but mystifying at the same time. Perhaps Sen. Graham needs a six shooter to wave around, and some new intellectual-looking eyeglasses.
AxelFoley
@MomSense:
Aye.
brantl
“he will do wonderful.” A freaking senator, and he doesn’t know how to turn a common adjective into a common adverb. What an ignorant nozzle.
brantl
@kindness:
First Lady.
ottercliff
@Elizabelle: I agree with you about private lives. But anyone who is gay and belongs to the Republican party has some sort of self-loathing issue.
Tree With Water
@ottercliff: But they build great log cabins, you gotta give ’em that.