Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Giving up is unforgivable. ~Joe Biden

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

When they say they’re pro-life, they don’t mean yours.

It’s not hopeless, and we’re not helpless.

So many bastards, so little time.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

FFS people, this was a good thing. take the win.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

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

Let me file that under fuck it.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

Someone should tell Republicans that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, or possibly the first.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Republicans don’t trust women.

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Alternative history is always a weak argument. Always.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

You are here: Home / Like a river running soul deep

Like a river running soul deep

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I can’t think of anyone on “the left” who uses this phrase constantly, can you?

That angst over what many in the White House call the ‘deep state’ is fermenting daily, fueled by rumors and tidbits picked up by Trump allies within the intelligence community and by unconfirmed allegations that have been made by right-wing commentators. The ‘deep state’ is a phrase popular on the right for describing entrenched networks hostile to Trump.

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143Comments

  4. 4.

    efgoldman

    @Doug!:

    I’m talking about Glenn Greenwald.

    Why does anybody in the world give a shit what Glenny says any more?
    He’s just Freddie with better distribution.

  8. 8.

    amk

    but don’t the rwnj’s have always believed in deep state? black helos, fema camps, jade helm off the top of the mind.

  10. 10.

    Chet

    It just goes to show you that the RWNJs will continue their persecution fantasies even when they are in charge of the entire government.

  14. 14.

    dmsilev

    The ‘deep state’ is a phrase popular on the right for describing entrenched networks hostile to Trump.

    I’m reminded of an Art Buchwald column from the Watergate era in which he lists various categories of Nixon enemies which included ‘heterosexual constitutionalists”.

  16. 16.

    Mai naem.mobile

    I am just wondering what Dolt 45 is so worried about in these alleged wiretaps. I mean if you didn’t do anything illegal, unethical or embarrassing you have nothing to worry about right? Isn’t that what the right wingers have been telling us for years?

  18. 18.

    chopper

    As I said in the other thread, trump’s WH is the derp state. I think the deep state’s gonna win this one.

  22. 22.

    Mike J

    As a Big Star fan, thanks for the Box Tops shout out.

    Brother of the Box Tops guitarist, BB Cunningham, was in the Hombres who did Let it All Hang Out. He lived across the street from me with his gfriend and her extremely hot teenage daughter who was two years older than me. When the ages are 14 and 16 two years are insurmountable, but it was hard not to dream about the blonde girl who could drive AND worked at the arcade and put free games on Galaga for you.

  24. 24.

    amk

    Is governator the only one gooper bold enough to tell twitler go fuck himself? Where the fuck are the other ‘party elders’?

  26. 26.

    randy khan

    So we’re supposed to see the rebooted immigration EO *and* the health care plan next week. Anyone care to bet on getting one, both, or neither?

  29. 29.

    Major Major Major Major

    @efgoldman: The Intercept is, for whatever reason, fairly influential in certain circles. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that they’re up to their ears in RT connections and the bulk of the reporting serves to stir shit between leftists and liberals.

  30. 30.

    efgoldman

    @amk:

    Is governator the only one gooper bold enough to tell twitler go fuck himself?

    He’s only an ersatz Republiklown. Also it takes an incompetent at government to know one.

    Where the fuck are the other ‘party elders’?

    Hahahahahahah!! Silly commenter.
    The “elders” are a bunch of senile old men – Hatch, Grandpa Walnuts, like that – who look up to the sky every morning at dawn to see if Sanctus Ronaldus Magnus has returned.

  31. 31.

    dm

    I can’t think of anyone on “the left” who uses this phrase constantly, can you?

    What phrase? “Deep state”? It shows up often enough in BJ comment threads, a usage which often prompts a rejoinder that the US IC is nothing like the Turkish military.

  33. 33.

    Temporarily Max McGee (Until Death!)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Doing well, thanks for asking. Getting more shrinkage of the masses in my liver, feeling great, and looks like I’m finally going to get the third treatment of a round of this chemo regimen I’ve been on since September. For some reason unknown to me (or, maybe, because I’m making sure I’m getting enough protein in my diet) my platelet counts aren’t crashing after a treatment.

    How’s it been on the colder-but-snow-free west side of the lake?

  34. 34.

    seaboogie

    For me, “Deep State” means the engine of government, built over centuries, that keeps everything running on a detail level. Administrations change, but it keeps on running. I believe that Obama recognized and does rely on this, going forward.

    Tillerson can gut the State Dept (and this is worrying), but the CIA then kicks in with leaks…these folks are the mechanics, no matter who is behind the wheel. Really happy to have them right now…

  36. 36.

    max

    @amk: but don’t the rwnj’s have always believed in deep state?

    Yes!

    black helos, fema camps, jade helm off the top of the mind.

    And they LIKE a government that acts like that. As long as its headed by a Republican.

    max
    [‘”Beat me, Daddy, it’s my only hope…”‘]

  38. 38.

    HeleninEire

    Oh wait, what? I love Dublin. Really. But it’s freezing. Really; colder than I would thought it would be.

  40. 40.

    dm

    @seaboogie:

    For me, “Deep State” means the engine of government, built over centuries, that keeps everything running on a detail level. Administrations change, but it keeps on running.

    In other words, the civil service of Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes, Minister.

  43. 43.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @Doug!: and @Major Major Major Major:
    Greenwald is neither a liberal nor a leftist. He’s just an anti-Democrat ratfucker. I would have said the most skilled, until Sanders came along. At least I don’t think Sanders was deliberate. Glenn ‘Why are you so down on Ron Paul for being a racist?’ Greenwald is a Libertarian glorying in his ability to convince liberals to not vote.

  44. 44.

    Temporarily Max McGee (Until Death!)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    NICE!

    I almost did that a couple of times last spring, when I had some big time neuropathy going on in my feet. Shit, I gashed my arm going up the steps at the Packers’ home opener because the neuropathy tricked me into thinking my second foot was already on a step. The neuropathy has subsided quite a bit in the mean time.

  46. 46.

    Ian

    Pre-2016 I would have thought I would have heard it from a 9/11truther.

    Scarier now that it (the deep state) stands between us and fascism.

    Unless, the said ‘deep state’ wants fascism.

  50. 50.

    Steve in the ATL

    @max: according to my RWNJ sister, the new terror is cannibalism. Apparently Muslim immigrants are eating people now, at least in the fevered imagination of Republicans.

  52. 52.

    GregB

    I still get freaked out, but I think too many people are on to Trump’s and Bannon’s game.

    I also realize that their implementation is so ham handed and short fingered that they would fuck up buttered toast.

    That these idiots are shining the light on this scandal instead of rolling it up in a carpet is a sign of such utter stupidity it astonishes and amazes.

  54. 54.

    Temporarily Max McGee (Until Death!)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Yeah, and we got in early enough that I was the first person through the first-aid station, so I was back in the stands before the intros started.

  56. 56.

    seaboogie

    @Major Major Major Major: WRT sinister, I think it depends on the department, yes? For some departments, sinister is actually their business – others more concerned about mundane things like budgets and staplers.

  59. 59.

    Yarrow

    @Steve in the ATL:

    according to my RWNJ sister, the new terror is cannibalism. Apparently Muslim immigrants are eating people now, at least in the fevered imagination of Republican

    That is so ridiculous that I actually laughed out loud. That’s a real thing? People are really believing and talking about this as if it’s a real thing that’s happening?

  61. 61.

    dmsilev

    @Steve in the ATL: I suppose the next stage will be for the RWNJs to start claiming that Muslim immigrants are all werewolves and to demand that law enforcement be issued silver bullets.

  63. 63.

    Cacti

    I wouldn’t call Greenwald someone on the left.

    He’s a libertarian bro who hoodwinked a lot of liberals into thinking he was one of them.

  66. 66.

    Aleta

    Treat me good and I’ll do anything
    I’m just a puppet and you hold my string
    I’m your puppet

  69. 69.

    Steve in the ATL

    @FlyingToaster:

    How do these people survive junior high / middle school?

    In my sister’s case, by being an attractive female

    @Yarrow: @dmsilev: regrettably, I deleted the link she sent or I’m sure we would all read it and be convinced

  72. 72.

    Steve in the ATL

    @lollipopguild: maybe Alex Jones watched “Soylent Green” over the weekend?

    ETA: probably should have included a spoiler alert. And let’s not mention Rosebud.

  73. 73.

    Brachiator

    News item:

    Chicago goes 6 days without a homicide for first time since 2012

    Will Trump take credit?

  74. 74.

    efgoldman

    @Steve in the ATL:

    Apparently Muslim immigrants are eating people now, at least in the fevered imagination of Republicans.

    If this were a movie, or an X-files type of TV show, there would be a secret underground bunker, in, say, Wyoming or Montana. where a cabal of comedy writers, led by Mel Brooks, keep trying to top each other and find the story that’s FINALLY too stupid and fantastic for the mouth breather flying monkeys to buy.
    If only.

  78. 78.

    efgoldman

    @Cacti:

    He’s a libertarian bro who hoodwinked a lot of liberals into thinking he was one of them.

    He’s a somewhat glib fraud, supported by Pootie Kazootie, read by gullible political naifs.

  79. 79.

    Steve in the ATL

    @efgoldman:

    If this were a movie, or an X-files type of TV show, there would be a secret underground bunker, in, say, Wyoming or Montana. where a cabal of comedy writers, led by Mel Brooks, keep trying to top each other and find the story that’s FINALLY too stupid and fantastic for the mouth breather flying monkeys to buy.
    If only.

    Peak wingnut was a lie, as the rotating tag line says, too truthful to be funny

  81. 81.

    efgoldman

    @debbie:

    if I hear that from my RWNJ family members, I will go medieval on their asses.

    Or you could just say “bite me” and prove them right….

  84. 84.

    Mary G

    They are just letting the border patrol run wild and they seem to have no discernment about who it would be better to lay off of:

    A U.S. Army veteran injured while serving 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan is fighting not to be deported to Mexico https://t.co/UUUtPgfvhC— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 6, 2017

  85. 85.

    cokane

    Greenwald uses it because it serves his ends. Instead of noting that anti-Trump leaks are likely the work of disparate individuals unsatisfied with their superiors (exactly similar to Snowden) he can pretend it’s one giant organized coup. The man has truly lost it.

  86. 86.

    Roger Moore

    @Steve in the ATL:

    Apparently Muslim immigrants are eating people now, at least in the fevered imagination of Republicans.

    So the same people who think Muslims are so worried about pigs that you can keep them from going to heaven by shooting them with a bullet covered with pork fat also think that they’re down with cannibalism?

  88. 88.

    BruceFromOhio

    That angst over what many in the White House call the ‘deep state shit’ is fermenting daily, fueled by rumors and tidbits picked up by Trump allies within the intelligence community and by unconfirmed allegations that have been made by right-wing commentators. The ‘deep state shit’ is a phrase popular on the right for describing entrenched networks hostile to Trump.

    Fixt. And we are all in it now.

  94. 94.

    fuckwit

    I think what will come out of all of this, is a more astute electorate which will recognize and understand when we’re being played by RT and FSB.

    I only wish Aaron Swartz had learned that before he got tangled up in all of that.

  98. 98.

    fuckwit

    @Steve in the ATL: Well. Aren’t Muslim flags usually green, like Soylent?

    You’re going to argue with people who thought Obama was Communist and Muslim and born in Kenya?

  99. 99.

    efgoldman

    @HeleninEire:

    How is efoldmangranddaghter? Really. She must be at least 2??

    Was 3.5 last month, and is a delight. As it happens we didn’t talk to her this weekend because we had a retirement party last nite and a concert today.
    Her favorite word (and concept) is “silly’, as in when mummy was on the TV “that’s silly – Can I watch Wonderpets?” Grandpa can always make her giggle.

  100. 100.

    efgoldman

    @fuckwit:

    I think what will come out of all of this, is a more astute electorate

    If you really believe that, your nym is well chosen.

  101. 101.

    Ken

    @Keith P.: From the link:

    With the White House struggling to gain its footing almost two months into Donald Trump’s presidency, administration officials are increasingly putting the blame on one person: Reince Priebus.

    I recommend all political writers keep this sentence handy since they’ll be able to re-use it every month, simply changing the indicated number and name to match the current scapegoat.

  102. 102.

    efgoldman

    @Ken:

    they’ll be able to re-use it every month, simply changing the indicated number and name to match the current scapegoat.

    Since “administration officials” = President Smallhands Littlescrotum, and he’s never, ever once taken the blame for any damned thing in his life….

    ETA: And I think Rinse Pubis was foisted on him by the “establishment”, whoever the hell they are….

  103. 103.

    jl

    At this point, when Trumpsters and reactionaries say ‘deep state’. they are talking about some law enforcement people who still worry a little bit about enforcing the laws.

    Some of them, like Comey, have had trouble doing so ethically and in a consistent way, but seems like he still has some understanding. If we live long enough in a society that continues to allow a free media and free press and free inquiry, I guess we will find out what was up with him sooner or later.

    I don’t see much ‘seep state’ in the sense that there is an entrenched bureaucracy that can thwart the will of the elected government. Trump and the GOP seem to have the power to shut down what they don’t like. Maybe if Sessions hadn’t revealed himself to be such an incompetent dissembler and goofball, they would have a better handle on shutting down the honest cops on the beat.

  104. 104.

    Yarrow

    @Keith P.:

    There is a growing sense, too, that Priebus is trying to stack the administration with people who are loyal to him – many of them establishment Republicans he grew friendly with during his Republican National Committee chairmanship – while trying to keep out others. Multiple staffers say there is lingering resentment over the hire of communications director Michael Dubke, an ally of a Priebus lieutenant, press secretary Sean Spicer.

    If Priebus goes, Spicer won’t be far behind. Noooooo…..they can’t take Spicey!

    I think Priebus is one of the few in the inner circle who doesn’t have ties to Russia. Okay, not sure about Kellyanne. But Bannon, Kushner do. Looks like the Russian contingent will win out, at least for the short term. That won’t be good for any of them long term.

  105. 105.

    efgoldman

    @Yarrow:

    they can’t take Spicey!

    Sphincter is just a liar and a fool. He’s too far down the food chain for Pootie Kazootie to bother with.

  107. 107.

    Chet Murthy

    @goblue72: If I were a power-mad narcissistic asshole, I’d want a powerful name. A Bond villain would do nicely. And since I’m into gold, I’d pick “Goldfinger”. Wonder what it really is.

  108. 108.

    Mike J

    @goblue72:

    So is Trump’s Secret Service codename: “Scotch Tape” ?

    Nancy Smash at the Gridiron dinner:

    This White House has more drama among rich people than a Jane Austen novel. In fact, I’m told the Secret Service code names for President Trump and Bannon are ‘Pride’ and ‘Prejudice.'”

  109. 109.

    efgoldman

    @Mike J:

    the Secret Service code names for President Trump and Bannon are ‘Pride’ and ‘Prejudice.’”

    And that’s how Nancy became “SMASH”!

  110. 110.

    Chet Murthy

    @Mike J: Damn. Damn. I remember back during W’s first term, the Force was weak in her. Specifically remember a weak-tea SOTU response in 2004. She’s brutal now.

  113. 113.

    amk

    Runaway border thugs.

    A couple and their three young children were taken into custody shortly after their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport last week.

    They had Special Immigrant Visas, granted for work done for the US military that put their lives at risk.

    In January, the US issued a travel ban from seven countries, and refugees.

    Afghanistan was not one of the majority-Muslim countries covered under the order issued by US President Donald Trump, which the federal court has since ruled should not be enforced.

    Wonder what all those military folks who voted for this thug think now.

  114. 114.

    lgerard

    “Deep State” has a long way to go before it can eclipse “Alinsky Tactics” as a pervasive phrase that only RWNJ use.

    The last time one of my wingnut coworkers used that phrase I asked him what it meant…..long silence followed.

  116. 116.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    Totally off topic, but I DESPISE those new ads you encounter mid-story that you have to scroll past, but they fill up the screen and your scrolling efforts take three times as many swipes as normal to get past the damned ad. I wish the inventor could be keel-hauled.

  117. 117.

    efgoldman

    @West of the Rockies (been a while):

    they fill up the screen and your scrolling efforts take three times as many swipes as normal to get past the damned ad.

    On the desktop, they’re just little tiny things I scroll right past.
    I’m guessing they keep Cole’s pets in kibble.

  118. 118.

    Ruckus

    Will say that I flew to a friends memorial this weekend and had no problems with airport security. I was expecting someone to say something but all was as normal for the last 16 yrs. Check ID, boarding pass and walk through the scanner. I do get patted down after I go through the revolving scanner but I’ve also gone through the pre check line twice in the last two trips and no hassle what so ever. I am an old white dude though, but I also didn’t see or hear anyone else have any problems. I’m wondering if the problems are due to some local higher ups in the security forces taking it upon themselves to be assholes.

  119. 119.

    Major Major Major Major

    @efgoldman: I imagine WotR(baw) is talking about ones on different sites; I know the ones in question. They take up the whole screen and you have to scroll down all the way to SEE them, then down all the way again to be RID of them. Scroll pinning, we call it.

  120. 120.

    efgoldman

    @Ruckus:

    I also didn’t see or hear anyone else have any problems. I’m wondering if the problems are due to some local higher ups in the security forces taking it upon themselves to be assholes.

    Domestic flight, yes? iCE and border gestapo don’t handle those, I don’t think.
    Doesn’t mean they still can’t be assholes, though.

  121. 121.

    Keith P.

    It’s started to enter my mind that Trump may very well pull a Palin and resign a year or so into his term. He’d have to come up with a way that it wouldn’t be failure, but this clusterfuck is pretty bad 6 weeks into the administration, and there is nothing in there that leads me to think they have the skills to turn the ship around. The failure is endemic to who Trump is. Someone with his personality cannot succeed in this job.

  124. 124.

    KlareCole

    @efgoldman. Just want you to know I am still rolling with laughter on your ‘bite me’ comment. Will relay to my husband. His brother is a RWNJ who will no doubt inform him of the Muslim cannibalism nonsense tomorrow. Elder brother will never get it but my husband will love it.

  126. 126.

    Origuy

    @Chet Murthy:

    Wonder what it really is.

    Mogul. He picked it. Source (caution, autoplay)

    First Lady Melania Trump is known as ‘Muse’ because of her former career as a model.

    Ivanka Trump’s Secret Service code name is ‘Marvel’, according to the Daily Caller.

    ABC News reported Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump will be known as ‘Mountaineer’ and ‘Marksman’, respectively.

  127. 127.

    Comrade Colette Collaboratrice

    @Keith P.: @Ken: It still seems foreign to me that it’s become OK to link to Politico without a warning – and that there’s a good chance it won’t be ironic or hate-linking, either. It sure is weird on this here side of the looking glass.

  128. 128.

    brendancalling

    All snark aside, the WaPo piece linked above, taken with a number of similar pieces like this one at CNN (warning, autoplay) are as terrifying as they are rich with delicious and well-earned schadenfreude.

    Trump is upset because he doesn’t believe he is getting the credit he thinks he deserves for his time in office so far because of self-inflicted wounds and missteps, the source said. An informed presidential ally outside government but close to the President said Trump was really angry about having a “mini disaster” a week. The President’s mood is adding to tremendous pressure inside the West Wing and aides have been seen in tears in recent days at multiple meetings.

    That sounds totally fucking insane. If this continues, he might actually stroke out in office.

  130. 130.

    Ruckus

    @efgoldman:
    Yes, domestic flight. TSA is the same for all, border patrol also there for passport/immigration checks. And I had heard of people on domestic flights being hassled. Saw none of that. Doesn’t of course mean it doesn’t happen, just didn’t while I was there. Also one of the people at the memorial flew in from Sidney and had no hassles. She is a US citizen though.

  132. 132.

    Comrade Colette Collaboratrice

    @goblue72:

    So is Trump’s Secret Service codename: “Scotch Tape” ?

    You saw this pic, right? I’m a little surprised his vanity allows him to do the Scotch tape thing again after getting roundly mocked for it before the election. Can’t he at least order someone to bring him double-sided tape?

  135. 135.

    amk

    @Groucho48:

    Gnawing at Trump, according to one of his advisers, is the comparison between his early track record and that of Obama in 2009, when amid the Great Recession he enacted an economic stimulus bill and other big-ticket items.

    I sincerely hope he strokes out over his severe case of ODS.

  136. 136.

    Mary G

    @Groucho48: I imagine people at the White House having to take a lie detector test that they are not one of the 17. He doesn’t even have that big of a staff yet, does he?

  141. 141.

    low-tech cyclist

    @Omnes Omnibus: You know those ‘Box Tops for Education’ labels you see on some grocery store products? My wife became the ‘box top lady’ for my son’s school’s PTA in the fall of 2015. So in the past year and a half, I’ve had old Box Tops songs going through my head with some frequency. “Soul Deep” was one of their better ones. Summer of 1969, IIRC.

  142. 142.

    low-tech cyclist

    During the last year or two of Obama’s Presidency, there was some talk of the ‘deep state’ but that was basically about the large parts of the national security apparatus that are hard for even a President to do much about – the military and the intelligence community in particular, and to some extent the State Department.

    When Atrios talks about how our government doesn’t seem to want to do anything about some Third World hellhole until there’s a conflict where we can drop Freedom Bombs on people, and give arms to a regime’s ‘moderate’ opponents who we barely understand in a conflict we’re most likely going to make worse, there’s a sense (my thoughts and many others’, probably Atrios included but not positive) that the Deep State is a big part of the problem here, and that it took Obama most of his Presidency to get to the point where he felt able to start pushing back against them to some extent.

  143. 143.

    Tarragon

    @Origuy:

    ABC News reported Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump will be known as ‘Mountaineer’ and ‘Marksman’, respectively.

    Will they be able to say marksman without sniggering?

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