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You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2016 / Open Thread: Scott Walker Shakes His Tin Cup

Open Thread: Scott Walker Shakes His Tin Cup

by Anne Laurie|  November 7, 20154:30 pm| 194 Comments

This post is in: Election 2016, Open Threads, Republican Venality, Ever Get The Feeling You've Been Cheated?

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Guess the Koch brothers don’t waste their precious dollars on sunk costs. From the Washington Post:

Six weeks after suspending his presidential campaign, Scott Walker made one more plea for money Friday morning, asking his supporters to help him pay off his campaign debt.

“[A]s things changed dramatically in the presidential race, ‘Walker for America’ incurred a campaign debt and it is my hope that you and all of our supporters will chip in and make an online contribution,” Walker wrote in an e-mail to supporters. “It is a lot to ask, I know, but we feel personally obligated to make sure that every small business that extended us their good faith and credit is repaid.”…

Walker’s campaign quickly burned through money during his 70-day campaign, spending more than $90,000 per day. According to the campaign’s latest federal paperwork, Walker raised nearly $7.4 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, spent nearly $6.4 million and had bills for $161,133. Walker maintained a large payroll of more than 80 and generous paychecks for top staffers, even as fundraising dried up. Walker’s campaign was known for paying more than many of its rivals, and at least 20 employees were paid at least $30,000 in less than three months — which over a year would total at least $120,000. Five employees earned more than $50,000 in salary and benefits during that three-month period, which would have totaled $200,000 over a year…

I read the comments (… so you don’t have to!) and there seems to be a common suspicion that a lot of those “staffers” were family members and long-time cronies. Also, useful links!

The American Prospect, “Walker and the Kochs Make Wisconsin Corruption-Friendly“:

Now that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has abandoned his presidential bid, he and a network of powerful conservative allies with close ties to the Koch Brothers are exacting what critics say is blatant political vengeance on his in-state critics, by targeting the laws that have effectively deterred or punished political corruption.

Last week, Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Assembly passed three bills that together would completely gut existing campaign-finance laws, blunt prosecutors’ ability to investigate political corruption, and turn the state’s elections and ethics board into a partisan-controlled paper tiger. Two of the bills are now before the Republican-controlled Senate, while the third has already been signed by Walker…

Advocates for open government fear the changes may be too “inside baseball” to rouse public anger—at least until scandals beset state government. “It’s a recipe for political corruption. Even worse, the public won’t know about it,” says Brendan Fischer, general counsel at the Center for Media and Democracy. “There’s unlimited opportunities for corruption as a result for these bills and limited opportunities for the public to keep tabs.”…

Wisconsin Public Radio, “Walker’s Re-Election Campaign Topped GAB’s List For Missing Donor Info“:

Gov. Scott Walker’s re-election campaign failed to report employer information for close to 6,000 donors in 2014 — roughly 27 percent shy of the full number he was supposed to submit information on, according to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.

By contrast, Walker’s Democratic challenger Mary Burke, whose campaign had the second-highest number of missing records, was missing employer information on 2.6 percent of donors (amounting to 217 total)…

Assembly Republicans recently passed legislation that would do away with employer information requirements for campaign donations altogether. Under their new campaign finance bill, donors would only be required to list their occupations, not specific employers, and only if their donations exceeded $200 in a calendar year…

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

… On Friday, Walker said that while he wouldn’t be on the stage when Republican presidential candidates descend on Milwaukee for Tuesday night’s debate, he plans to be in the audience with his family.

“Tonette and I and the boys will be there. We wanted to participate in it because it’s here in Wisconsin. And because we know not just the candidates, we know a good chunk of the families,” the governor said Friday. “A number of the governors, in particular, our families have known each other for years. We’ve gotten to know some of the senators along the way. And so it will be nice to welcome them here to the state of Wisconsin.”

Walker will also make appearances on Monday with two 2016 hopefuls, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Walker is scheduled to join Bush at a charter school event at La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha, and attend a campaign fundraiser Rubio is doing for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)…

Still gunning for the VP slot, I guess. One way or another, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about Young Scotty in the future. But next time he’ll know to demand his puppeteers drop their payment on the dresser before his pants come off.

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Reader Interactions

194Comments

  1. 1.

    jl

    November 7, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Somehow, reminds me of this bit;

    Won’t You Please Help Marco Rubio’s Staffers?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6tKY_euxm4

  2. 2.

    jl

    November 7, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Why are all of my comments, no matter how innocent, in moderation?

    Edit: OK , that one got through. Maybe all links are in moderation?

  3. 3.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about Young Scotty in the future.

    In the obituary section, preferably.

  4. 4.

    chromeagnomen

    November 7, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    @Felonius Monk: or the police report…

  5. 5.

    Ruckus

    November 7, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    A grifter has to keep grifting.

    And protecting the grifting atmosphere.

    IOW If he ever provided anything good for the people that voted for him, he wouldn’t be able to keep screwing them for the people who bought him.

  6. 6.

    trollhattan

    November 7, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Jesus, this fucking guy [/Tony Sporano voice]

    Why doesn’t he pull a Full Carly and stiff his staff and vendors? Because, as her campaign dude said, “If you don’t win you shouldn’t expect to be paid.”

  7. 7.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    November 7, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    @jl: It seems that all links are going to moderation.

  8. 8.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 7, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    @jl: Correct. You can’t include URL’s in your comments anymore.

  9. 9.

    BGinCHI

    November 7, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Maybe they should just recall that guy.

    It could work.

  10. 10.

    Linda Featheringill

    November 7, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    “lay the money on the dresser before . . . . ”

    You’re a bad girl! :-)

  11. 11.

    James E Powell

    November 7, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    Won’t he end up on FOX? Can’t NewsCorp/HarperCollins help him out with a book advance?

  12. 12.

    jl

    November 7, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Here is some fun reading. Go search for

    ‘U.S. Is No Longer Among the 10 Most Prosperous Countries’

    on Yahoo finance.

  13. 13.

    Mnemosyne

    November 7, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Can’t the Kochs pay that with the loose change they find in their couch?

  14. 14.

    Mike J

    November 7, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: Your comment has a link (to a previous comment.) I’ve left comments with external links several times over the past few days. For example, we got a new boat this morning, our third RS Vision. Big boat racing cancelled due to lack of wind.

  15. 15.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    I think it’s only “naked” URLs that aren’t going through. If you handcraft one with

    <a href="URL">TEXT</a>

    I think it still passes muster. “Fixing a hole.”

    Note: The URL must have the quotes around it.

    Probably not worth learning HTML over this, since this commenting system is temporary, but those who feel stifled without links . . .

  16. 16.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    @James E Powell:
    I don’t think he is done fucking over Wisconsin yet so Fox is no help. He does not appear smart enough to write even as badly as Carson or Trump so it would have to be a huge loss leader for a publisher knowing they would have to pay both him and a ghost and he has no quo to go with their quid pro.

  17. 17.

    Ryan

    November 7, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    One more grift in this cycle? I just don’t understand how the base can be so willing to be fleeced one more time.

  18. 18.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    @Mnemosyne:
    They don’t pay for whores that don’t provide a happy ending

  19. 19.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    but those who feel stifled without links

    How ever will the night crew survive without being able to drop in links to very terribad crappy youtube music videos?
    I think Cole is inspiring the next generation of boomer programmers.

  20. 20.

    jl

    November 7, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    @Steeplejack: I haven’t followed the drama of the new site design. Thanks for info.
    I assume format buttons and links OK will return someday?

    I am not particular about the design of the site, but I do expect a new design to last a few months before starting to break down into total chaos. How can one enjoy the shambling run down charm of this miserable lefty mommy and P r O N hub and gardening/cooking blog if you can’t compare it to something?

  21. 21.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    @Steeplejack: But the “fixing a hole” link doesn’t go anywhere.

    I am struck almost mute by my inability to post links, because I have little to say beyond “look at this funny cat video!”

  22. 22.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Hmm, FYWP letting me edit but not save an edit. Sort of defeats the purpose.

    Let’s try that again: ”Fixing a Hole.”

  23. 23.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    @Schlemazel: They don’t pay for whores that don’t provide a happy ending

    Koch: “Tell me again how you’ll eliminate my corporate and estate taxes… Ooof!”

  24. 24.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Okay, I can’t post links.

    Try to imagine this funny cat video…

  25. 25.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    @Steeplejack:
    in honor of Snotty Walker

    test to see if I can sneak a url in here

  26. 26.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    @jl:

    Yes, the new comment system is supposed to be coming real soon now, as Jerrey Pournelle used to say all the goddamn time in Byte magazine. What I don’t understand is why this temporary one is visibly decaying before our eyes.

  27. 27.

    Mnemosyne

    November 7, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    The video shows in a pop-up window. Very fancy.

  28. 28.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:
    YES . . . YES . . . tell me how you’ll kill the EPA . . YES . YES yyyeeeeesssssss

    EDIT: FUDGE! I had a bunch of HTML code in there that would have made that more interesting but it all failed

  29. 29.

    NotMax

    November 7, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    @Steeplejack

    I think it’s only “naked” URLs that aren’t going through.

    Ah, the anti-Caligua safety interlock.

    :)

  30. 30.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Is it possible the redesign is a psychological stress test, similar to what Ben Carson claimed he endured in college? “The comment system was destroyed in a fire…”

    The Front Pagers are watching us through a two-way mirror, placing bets on which one of us starts sobbing uncontrollably first.

  31. 31.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    What I don’t understand is why this temporary one is visibly decaying before our eyes.

    Or maybe why a rollout was greenlighted without a functioning comment app.

  32. 32.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    November 7, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    @Steeplejack: It sounds like there may be multiple cooks in the kitchen and they’re not talking to each other.

  33. 33.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    @BillinGlendaleCA:

    We are pawns in their internecine blog wars.

  34. 34.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    @Steeplejack: I think you mean Down in a hole

  35. 35.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    What I don’t understand is why this temporary one is visibly decaying before our eyes.

    It’s a metaphor for life, man.

  36. 36.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    HTML this is a test because it bugs me that coding failed above & I want to see why Formatting

    EDIT: Never mind, won’t work Formatting

  37. 37.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    @Schlemazel:
    [em] instead of [i] That’s all I know,

    except February, which has twenty-eight.

  38. 38.

    NotMax

    November 7, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler

    If you click your heels together three times while intoning the F word, then stand on one foot while holding a jar of mustard in the non-dominant hand, it all works just fine.

    ;)

  39. 39.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    @Baud:
    MONGO? IS THAT YOU?

  40. 40.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    @NotMax: I tried it, and now I hear laughter behind the two-way mirror.

  41. 41.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:
    I was trying small and large and superscript but none of them work

  42. 42.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    Did they ever?

  43. 43.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    November 7, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: Worst Neil Sedaka cover ever.

  44. 44.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    @Schlemazel: Just don’t try flashing. That’s a banning.

  45. 45.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    Test
    Test
    Test
    ʇsǝ┴

  46. 46.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    @Baud:
    I don’t think I tried them on previous version but way back on an earlier one I did it a couple of times

  47. 47.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    November 7, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    That’s not me. It’s another unannounced change to the blog software. You can open it in a new tab by right-click or by pressing and holding the hyperlink on a tablet.

  48. 48.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    @benw:
    Probably although I recall an FP of male nudies a few years back

  49. 49.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    Even Jeb can’t fix this.

  50. 50.

    Anne Laurie

    November 7, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    The Front Pagers are watching us through a two-way mirror, placing bets on which one of us starts sobbing uncontrollably first.

    At least in this front-pager’s case, I’m seriously losing the will to post/comment. I’m not getting the pop-up buttons for replies, either, and my hand-coding skills are limited & seem to be unreliable on the browser I use. And when I try to put together a post, it usually takes me more than one try to access the dashboard, which will then drop out at unpredictable intervals.

    Doubt this is part of the redesign — somebody suggested it might be a new ad plug-in. If it’s an underground attempt to shut me up (or at least discourage me from bricolaging long anthology posts), okay it’s working but it seems unnecessarily hard on the rest of you guys!

  51. 51.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    November 7, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Trying to stay positive.

  52. 52.

    Frank Wilhoit

    November 7, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    @Felonius Monk: …yeah, don’t wish people dead, even as a joke. It’s rude and crude and it plays into false stereotypes of who we are.

    DO wish him in any kind or stage of criminal proceedings, because accountability under the law IS what we are about.

  53. 53.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    November 7, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    You gotta figure that about 90% of the Republican candidacies are just pure grift opportunities. And the other 10% are too, just more in it for the long con, grifting for the oligarchs as a whole. Pretty obvious to see in any case, it’s not grain surgery.

  54. 54.

    Anne Laurie

    November 7, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    @Schlemazel: ‘sub’ and ‘sup’ inside carats used to work; let’s see if that’s still trueyep…

  55. 55.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    November 7, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    @Baud:

    No, those are right out.

  56. 56.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    @Anne Laurie:
    funny, thats what I used & it didn’t work

  57. 57.

    Anne Laurie

    November 7, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    @Steeplejack (phone): Did I just make a liar of you re sub/superscriptslike this, or do I have special privileges?

  58. 58.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    @Bill E Pilgrim: in this case, they’re hoping it’s more like (deep) pocket science.

  59. 59.

    Anne Laurie

    November 7, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    @Schlemazel: Guess there tiny little benefits to being a front-pager, then. Sorry guys!

    /don’t shoot the piano player she’s doing the best she can…

  60. 60.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    November 7, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    @Steeplejack (phone):

    So I guess they’re working now. The blog isn’t decaying, it’s mutating!

  61. 61.

    I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet

    November 7, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    @Anne Laurie: Nope, you’resuper.

    Er, you’resuper. But not bold and italic super.

    Er, editing strips superscripts for me.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  62. 62.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    @Anne Laurie:
    from what I can tell you’re special

    and I mean that in the nicest way :) – strong still works

  63. 63.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    @Schlemazel: LOL. Do you have a link to the male nudies? I don’t know where else I might find anything like that on the internet.

  64. 64.

    I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet

    November 7, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    @Schlemazel: Yup. Superscripts get stripped for us mere mortals. I’ve got a reply in moderation where I tried to get around it without success.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  65. 65.

    Tommy

    November 7, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    @Anne Laurie: You know I had somebody here say I out performed my estimate. @Anne Laurie: swear this is not me. I want to so not even be here anymore. I think I know the issues but now sure I can correct them.

  66. 66.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 5:57 pm

  67. 67.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    @Steeplejack (phone): if Tommy were an AI who had infiltrated the comment section and was now using the redesign to cause BJ to become self-aware it would explain a hell of a lot, actually.

    ETA: whoops, hey there Tommy! :)

  68. 68.

    JPL

    November 7, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    @Anne Laurie: Oh no! It will get easier. Don’t abandon us!

  69. 69.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    @benw:
    It was Sarah strong and proud but I have no link to it. Given the up roar Cole probably buried it

  70. 70.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    @Schlemazel: oh yeah, I remember that. I thought it was a peyote, tequila, and exposure to the elements inspired hallucination.

  71. 71.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    @Tommy:

    I think I know the issues but now sure I can correct them.

    Please, please, please don’t let this be an autocorrect error.

  72. 72.

    Calouste

    November 7, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Soooo…..

    According to the FEC paperwork, Scott Walker had $985,213.43 at hand on September 30, which was 9 days after he suspended his campaign on September 21, and $161,133.45 in debts. Why does he need more money, was his campaign so bad at bookkeeping that the $824,079.98 that they had left over wasn’t enough to cover bills that came in later? Or did some of his “donors” pay a visit accompanied by a few gorillas in ill-fitting suits talking about how Scotty has a nice governorship and it would be a damn shame if something happened to it?

  73. 73.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    TEST

  74. 74.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    @Baud: Cat got your fingers?

  75. 75.

    Cervantes

    November 7, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Guess the Koch brothers don’t waste their precious dollars on sunk costs.

    I think you mean they don’t throw good money after bad.

  76. 76.

    RSA

    November 7, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Am I a man or a human?

    ETA: Fuck me. Typographical wordplay doesn’t work.

  77. 77.

    JPL

    November 7, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    @Tommy: If you think we are bad, you should see what happens when online access to the NYTimes crossword puzzle is down. I called once because of problems and the person on the other end asked me about the crossword puzzle people. The representative was having a rough day.

  78. 78.

    rikyrah

    November 7, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Ok, I’m back from SPECTRE.

    I really liked the movie.
    It was some good action, and some old school mixed in with the new school.
    Dare I say this shallow point – THE costumers make sure that the suits they put on Daniel Craig are TAILORED TO A TEE!! I mean, the FIT of the clothes on him…oh my….

    His James Bond was always darker than the others, and this one is no different. If you know James Bond lore, these have been sort of pre-quels, even though they’re set up in modern day. We find out who Blofeld really is. ….commentary about intelligence gathering in this day and age and the long fight of it’s not a matter of whether we CAN do it…how about SHOULD we do it…

    The theater was packed, but I really enjoyed it.

  79. 79.

    Anne Laurie

    November 7, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    @Tommy:

    swear this is not me. I want to so not even be here anymore. I think I know the issues but now sure I can correct them.

    Yes, in case I wasn’t clear enough, I didn’t think this was you guys!

    Be really nice to get the “link” button back for the leave-a-reply block, but fixing the ‘no URLs without moderation’ bug is more important, IMO.

  80. 80.

    Cervantes

    November 7, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Hmm, FYWP letting me edit but not save an edit.

    The journey is its own reward.

  81. 81.

    jeffreyw

    November 7, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    food porn

  82. 82.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    @jeffreyw: Cheese-steak Fries? or Poutine ala jeffreyw?

  83. 83.

    Mike J

    November 7, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Would you like to guess who really likes the book of poverbs (sic), enough to carve it into his wall?

  84. 84.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 7, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    @Baud: There’s no escaping the Second Law of Thermodynamics

  85. 85.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 7, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: behind the two-way mirror.

    Isn’t that what other people might call a “window”?

  86. 86.

    Eric

    November 7, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    Hmmm. Deficit spending and bloated payroll obligations. If only there were someone who could fix that by telling the workers to take a flying fuck on their promised salary and benefits…

  87. 87.

    Hal

    November 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Oh well Wisconsin. You had not one, but two chances to do away with Walker. A few years from now Kansas (once again) and Kentucky will be in the same situation with the same results.

  88. 88.

    delk

    November 7, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Has anybody seen the pure SPLENDOR of Ben Carson’s home?

    He has a POVERB carved in his wall!

  89. 89.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 7, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Second time in the last five minutes the server was unresponsive.

  90. 90.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    @delk:

    I like that he got Jesus to sit for a portrait. I would use that on the campaign trail.

  91. 91.

    Mike J

    November 7, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: Blow in its ear.

  92. 92.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    @Gin & Tonic:

    I thought it just didn’t like me personally.

  93. 93.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    @Cervantes:

    Inshallah, my words are written on the wind.

  94. 94.

    jeffreyw

    November 7, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    @Felonius Monk: You got it in one!

  95. 95.

    JPL

    November 7, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    @delk: Nothing says humility like a picture of you and jesus.

  96. 96.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    That SHITTY FUCKING UNFEATURE where clicking @Nym links in a reply does the smooth scroll and fucks the back button … is dug in like a fucking tick. At least on Chrome with TamperMonkey. If I just do $(‘a’).off() in the console, it works like a charm. In TM, nothing I do ever removes the click event.

    So glad I shaved my head, can’t tear my hair out. Meantime, I heartily recommend disabling javascript entirely for BJ.

  97. 97.

    Zinsky

    November 7, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Ben Carson is a serial killer…spread the word….

  98. 98.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    @Zinsky:

    He kills them, Jesus resurrects them. Hollywood’s newest odd couple takes nation by storm.

  99. 99.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    @rikyrah:

    Dare I say this shallow point – THE costumers make sure that the suits they put on Daniel Craig are TAILORED TO A TEE!! I mean, the FIT of the clothes on him…oh my….

    He’s quite a physical specimen and looks fan-fucking-tastic in pretty much any outfit they put him in.

  100. 100.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    @Zinsky: I heard that Dr. Carson wrote in one of his books that he was a mass-murdering serial killer, but when the press asked about it, his campaign had to admit that actually he had just over-enthusiastically high-fived a guy one time.

  101. 101.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    @benw: I’m having a really hard time picturing Carson being over-enthusiastic under any circumstance.

  102. 102.

    NotMax

    November 7, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    @The Other Chuck

    Meantime, I heartily recommend disabling javascript entirely for BJ.

    Have done so since … forever. Routinely web surf with j-script off.

  103. 103.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    @Corner Stone: picky, picky, picky.

  104. 104.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    @delk:
    I’d give him a pass on the wall of honors crap, I know a lot of athletes do that and he has some things to be proud of there. But the quote from “poverbs” and the portrait with the Christ, Jesus are just the sort of thing that makes a person wonder about the doctors well-being.

  105. 105.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    @The Other Chuck: he was younger then… it was a youthful mistake…

  106. 106.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: behind the two-way mirror.
    Isn’t that what other people might call a “window”?

    from wikipedia:

    “A one-way mirror, also called two-way mirror, is a mirror that is partially reflective and partially transparent. When one side of the mirror is brightly lit and the other is dark, it allows viewing from the darkened side but not vice versa.”

  107. 107.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    @The Other Chuck:
    Reminds me of an old ‘married couple’ joke:

    I really liked the time you moved

  108. 108.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    I should get a portrait done with Jesus’s dad.

  109. 109.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    @Schlemazel: …the quote from “poverbs” …

    Never hire a guy to carve proverbs into your wall unless you hire a proofreader to watch him.

    A testament to Carson’s powerful personality that not one houseguest had the nerve to say “Uh, I see a typo on your wall.”

  110. 110.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 7, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    I recall an FP of male nudies a few years back

    Classic art from Tom Levenson, I expect.

  111. 111.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    “A one-way mirror, also called two-way mirror,

    And flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

  112. 112.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    “Waiter, there is a needle in my soup.”

    “So sorry, sir. That is a typo. It’s supposed to be a noodle.”

  113. 113.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    So full of frustrated win, this thread is. I forget, when is the fabulous new comment section coming? How many days?

  114. 114.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    @The Other Chuck:

    Here, breathe into this paper bag. Let’s not do anything rash until we see the “final” commenting system.

  115. 115.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 7, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    @Bill E Pilgrim:

    it’s not grain surgery.

    Heh.

  116. 116.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    @Satby:

    All of them, Katie.

  117. 117.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    @Baud: And flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

    as do

    boned / deboned

    loosen / unloosen

  118. 118.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: “Waiter, there is a needle in my soup.”

    “So sorry, sir. That is a hypo.”

  119. 119.

    debbie

    November 7, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Am I the only one who knows who’s made the finals in The Great British Baking Show?

  120. 120.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 7, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    @Anne Laurie:

    I have to test that and see if it works for me.

    Edit: No, it doesn’t.

  121. 121.

    Ruckus

    November 7, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    @The Other Chuck:
    An over enthusiastic high five for Carson is having his hand out of his pocket.

  122. 122.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    @JPL:

    Nothing says humility like a picture of you and jesus.

    Unless it’s a picture of him hanging from a cross like J or maybe along side him.

  123. 123.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    “A one-way mirror, also called two-way mirror [. . .].”

    You just put that edit in yourself, didn’t you?

  124. 124.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    @Satby: I’m also wondering why The Wayback Machine last has a save of webranding.org from Oct 27. 2015. And it’s not operational at that time. Maybe the server move has been as successful as this rollout?

  125. 125.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Balloon-Juice Commenting System walks into a bar.

    Bartender asks “why the long face?”
    And he goes into moderation.

  126. 126.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    @Corner Stone: you know what that makes you, right?
    Welcome to my world.

  127. 127.

    delk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: It’s not just the typo, but the capitalization, poor line break, comma, and spacing that just is poorly executed.

    I certainly wouldn’t expect him to have an understanding of graphic design/typography, but you would think that his profession would call for an eye for detail.

  128. 128.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    That is funny to me because when I was a kid we used to go to a local restaurant for special treats. They typed the menu every day on a ditto/mimeograph thing, on an old manual typewriter on which the lower-case “e” was filled in, so it looked more like an “o.”

    Thus, there were menu items such as: ico croam, coffoo, roast boof, and raspborry choosocako.

  129. 129.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    @The Other Chuck: I installed MBBJ —-– I like it, I like it. Thanks.

  130. 130.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: I think I love you.
    @Baud: and I have always loved you. Can I be Secretary of State?

  131. 131.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    @Satby:

    you know what that makes you, right?

    I’m not sure that that specific part makes me anything, but I am going to go with “extremely handsome”.

  132. 132.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    @Corner Stone: I’m referring to the last time a particular website was mentioned. He who must be obeyed got a bit pissy.

  133. 133.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: From what I’ve heard the BJ Commenting System went out for a drink and got hit by a truck crossing the street. It is now in intensive care and may require a brain transplant if it even survives.

  134. 134.

    PIGL

    November 7, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    @Ryan: because they’se dumb and spiteful?

  135. 135.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    @Corner Stone: But extremely handsome also works.

  136. 136.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    @Satby: The feeling is mutual!

    I have a Baud 2016 yard sign. I hear honking all day outside my house…. Canada geese.

  137. 137.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    Is it odd, a testament, or an odd testament that a significant number of commenters are working almost non-stop to make their interaction at Balloon-Juice somewhat normal again?

  138. 138.

    NotMax

    November 7, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    @Satby

    He who must be obeyed got a bit pissy.

    Grand Moff Tomkin.

  139. 139.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    @Satby:

    Can I be Secretary of State?

    What’s your view on dealing with the BJ commenting system? Diplomacy or boots on the ground?

  140. 140.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    @Steeplejack: At least in the process I discovered some cool dev plugins like Visual Event, which was the only way I managed to trace back that SHITTY FUCKI–ok, breathe now— behavior to the JS source. Not that it helped me kill it, but I’ve a feeling it might be a Chrome thing related to “shadow DOM” or whatnot. I’ll wait for the new comment system, then bitch about that instead ;)

  141. 141.

    raven

    November 7, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    The Ark-Ol Miss finish was amazing.

  142. 142.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    @Felonius Monk: Glad you like it :)

  143. 143.

    raven

    November 7, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    Oh man, the Gamecocks had a chance to beat the Vols. . .

  144. 144.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    @The Other Chuck: I’ll wait for the new comment system, then bitch about that instead

    What if this IS the new comment system?

  145. 145.

    Corner Stone

    November 7, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    @Baud:

    What’s your view on dealing with the BJ commenting system? Diplomacy or boots on the ground?

    I am afraid it’s well past the question of diplomacy. Pertinent life and death questions have already been labeled as not even up for discussion.

  146. 146.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    @Baud:

    Diplomacy or boots on the ground?

    I think we are getting close to a boot thru the monitor. Where’s the cavalry?

  147. 147.

    Cervantes

    November 7, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    @Baud:

    Boots on the diplomats?

  148. 148.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    @Felonius Monk:

    Paging Dr. Carson! Dr. Ben Carson!

  149. 149.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1JUCFobBM

  150. 150.

    Phylllis

    November 7, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    @raven: Much closer game than I ever hoped for. Hubby, who is a major Vol fan, said Tennessee was outcoached & got lucky.

  151. 151.

    raven

    November 7, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    @Phylllis: Again.

  152. 152.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    @The Other Chuck:

    My own version of insanity in this whole ordeal is that I keep catching myself thinking, “Hmm, maybe I should learn a little more about WordPress. Could be helpful!” Shudder.

  153. 153.

    Satby

    November 7, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    @Baud: I think some of the past few days comments may give you clues about my inclination, but I serve at the pleasure of the President.

  154. 154.

    Phylllis

    November 7, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    @raven: Yep.

  155. 155.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    @raven:

    Resting up for LSU-Bama.

  156. 156.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    What if this IS the new comment system?

    There won’t be enough mops for the blood 8-/

  157. 157.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    “Knock Knock”

    “Who’s there?”

    “BJ Commenting System”

    “BJ Commenting System who?”

    “Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

  158. 158.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    @Steeplejack: Eh, modern versions of WP are reasonably sane and pleasant. I’m led to believe that BJ is trapped in an ancient version of WP with a pile of questionable and unmaintained plugins. The PHP code underneath is wretched and awful (like PHP itself), but you rarely have to touch it these days.

  159. 159.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:
    Nope! SP&T and they were photos not paintings

  160. 160.

    Brachiator

    November 7, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    @Steeplejack: At this point, it’s more like the 3 Stooges.

    Paging Doctor Fine! Doctor Howard!. Doctor Carson!

    Wooo wooo wooo wooo!

  161. 161.

    NotMax

    November 7, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    @NotMax

    Two seconds after hitting publish on that, the power blinked out.

    Great indeed are the powers of The Master, and awesome is His reach.

    :)

  162. 162.

    raven

    November 7, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    @Steeplejack: We need a nighttime pigskin thread.

  163. 163.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    November 7, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    @Steeplejack: Beavers got bloodied by the Bruins up in Corvallis.

  164. 164.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Another test gone bad.

  165. 165.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    @Brachiator: Paging Dr. Hackenbush!

    “I’ve never lost a case. I’ve lost a lot of patients, but I’ve never lost a case.”

    “No matter what I treat them for, they die from something else.”

  166. 166.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    @Felonius Monk: Yo dawg, I herd you like text… (dammit ya had to edit it)

  167. 167.

    I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet

    November 7, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: rofl.

    :-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  168. 168.

    Schlemazel

    November 7, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    @raven:
    voles? small, blind, mouse like creatures?

  169. 169.

    Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA

    November 7, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    @rikyrah: I saw it today too. I thought it was more like a Daniel Craig version of an earlier Bond movie — less focus on the fact that he’s a psychological dumpster fire, and a little bit more focus on gadgets and girls. And I thought the attempt to tie the last three films to this one was sort of clumsy.

    And Lea Seydoux (is that her name?) was surprisingly blank.

    I enjoyed it, but just as light entertainment on an afternoon when I had nothing better to do.

    Oh, well.

  170. 170.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    @Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA: Blah, I liked the fact that they were focusing on just how screwed up Bond was. Apparently that was a major theme in the books, that Bond was basically just barely holding it together the whole time.

  171. 171.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    I just finished watching yesterday’s forum. Win or lose next November, I’m glad to be on the side I’m on.

  172. 172.

    Felonius Monk

    November 7, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    @The Other Chuck: Just trying some things which don’t work. Can’t leave a blank comment (although somehow Mr. Baud did earlier).

  173. 173.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 8:00 pm

     

  174. 174.

    I'mNotSureWhoIWantToBeYet

    November 7, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    @The Other Chuck: It is indeed an excellent script. Thanks very much for sharing More Better Balloon Juice with us.

    (Who wonders whether the URL will make it through…)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  175. 175.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    Looks like entities work, so I just did &nbsp; for a “blank” comment. (And &amp;nbsp; for this comment. And &amp;amp;nbsp; for that last one… and &someonestopme!

    +3 (or perhaps we should start saying -3)

  176. 176.

    Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA

    November 7, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: This is the new comment system. This has always been the new comment system.

  177. 177.

    benw

    November 7, 2015 at 8:04 pm

    @Baud: wow, you must have been deeply unimpressed by the candidates, because I assume you are on Baud’s side?

  178. 178.

    Germy Shoemangler

    November 7, 2015 at 8:04 pm

    @Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA: Remember the last line of Orwell’s 1984?

    “He loved the new comment system.”

  179. 179.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    @benw:

    I’m just happy to be reminded I’m not alone in my awesomeness. Even if i don’t win the nom, we’ll be alright.

  180. 180.

    The Other Chuck

    November 7, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler:

    “He loved the new comment system.”

    Damn if that doesn’t belong in the rotating taglines.

  181. 181.

    realbtl

    November 7, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    @Baud: By the way I wanted to talk to you about that Ambassadorship to American Samoa. I personally promise to deliver Montana (FWIW) to Baud for President.

    Though I ain’t buyin’ the white suits until AFTER the appointment. I’ve learned something.

  182. 182.

    Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA

    November 7, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    @Germy Shoemangler: I thought it was “No! Not the bees!”

  183. 183.

    Baud

    November 7, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    @realbtl:

    Excellent. Fifty state strategy engaged.

    Don’t we own American Samoa?

  184. 184.

    realbtl

    November 7, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    @Baud: Yeah, I was riffing off an old Hunter Thompson thing. It’s probably more like a consulate. Brain cells, where have they gone?

  185. 185.

    raven

    November 7, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Bad Craziness. . .

  186. 186.

    sharl

    November 7, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    It’s hard out here* for a pimp Christian™

    Brian Tashman @briantashman

    Mike Huckabee: American prisoners would love going to Guantanamo Bay, whose inmates are treated better than American Christians #Freedom2015

    11:43 AM – 6 Nov 2015

    *cf

  187. 187.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    There once was a commenting system
    That all of the users, it pissed ’em.
    The problems were numerous
    And none of them humorous,
    But no one could write in to list ’em.

  188. 188.

    Steeplejack

    November 7, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    @Brachiator:

    LOL. Too true. “Why, I oughta murder you.” Poke!

  189. 189.

    FlipYrWhig

    November 7, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    @sharl: All we have to see / Is that I don’t belong to you / And you don’t belong to me #Freedom90

  190. 190.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    November 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    @Bill E Pilgrim:

    it’s not grain surgery.

    Aliens built the Pyramids as brainaries.

  191. 191.

    redshirt

    November 8, 2015 at 1:15 am

    @The Other Chuck: There have never been rotating tag lines. Nor a balloon man.

  192. 192.

    Woodrowfan

    November 8, 2015 at 9:14 am

    screw it, go back to the old page setup.

  193. 193.

    Fred

    November 8, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    Scott Walker: May his dick fall off.
    And anybody who was fool enough to issue him credit on trust, they won’t get my sympathy.

  194. 194.

    Tyro

    November 8, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    @Fred: Totally. “What someone will do with you, he will do to you.”

    Why did people assume that a person dedicated to screwing over workers wouldn’t screw over everyone else?

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