Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

In short, I come down firmly on all sides of the issue.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

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

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

Everybody saw this coming.

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

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

You are here: Home / Nature & Respite / Birdwatching / Tuesday Evening Open Thread

Tuesday Evening Open Thread

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Okay, deep cleansing breaths needed after the thread downstairs. Here are a few more nature pictures from Sunday’s hiking. First up, a gopher tortoise who wishes the paparazzi would fuck off:

Next, a softshell turtle with an interesting nose:

Here’s a close-up of that same damselfly (thanks, fauna pedants!) I showed ya’ll Sunday — and damned if he doesn’t look like he’s wearing a tiny insect-sized bike helmet, saying “WUT?” and making an exasperated gesture with his hands!

Last is another photo of the Sandhill family. I believe the one in the middle is a juvenile walking with parents — it looks a bit downier, and the crest on its head isn’t the bright red that adults birds of that type sport:

That’s kind of sweet if so since my hiking companions were my husband and our recently fledged nestling. Only in our human version of the family trio, the kid is the one with the brightly colored, spiky ‘do, and the adults are more drab.

Anyhoo, open thread!

Reader Interactions

117Comments

  2. 2.

    Corner Stone

    Next, a softshell turtle with an interesting nose

    I thought Jason Chaffetz was somewhere getting his foot worked on? You mean to tell me he’s just lounging somewhere in FL?!

  4. 4.

    Mike J

    @Corner Stone: He went back to DC to vote. Looks like they won’t need him for at least a few days though (which probably means at least next week) as the speaker said they’re going to introduce new amendments to it to fix their bill that they claim is already perfect.

  5. 5.

    Corner Stone

    @schrodingers_cat: When you say chicken tikka on the grill, you mean marinate then grill chicken and add to sauce later? Or a one cooking dish over open fire/grill?

  10. 10.

    jacy

    We have a softshell turtle, Raylin. They’re fascinating to watch. We’ve had him for nearly two years and he’s now the size of a saucer, so we’re in the first stage of building him a backyard pond. They’re not supposed to be friendly or people-oriented, but he really responds to my son and will follow his finger around the aquarium wall. But only him, no one else. When I try and feed him, he retreats to his cave and buries himself under the sand until I leave. I try not to take it personally.

  12. 12.

    Corner Stone

    Mick Mulvaney is rocketing up the Most Punchable Faces List of DC. Maybe 3 at this point? Definitely Top 5.

  13. 13.

    Betty Cracker

    @schrodingers_cat: The hens are fighting among themselves as usual. One is being picked on so badly I may build a separate enclosure for her. Dogs are fine but getting old and lazy. Relatable!

  14. 14.

    Yarrow

    @schrodingers_cat: You’re making me hungry!

    I went to a local arboretum on Sunday and watched turtles in the pond. They were having a great time. There was one giant turtle that looked very different from all the others. Wasn’t sure if it was just really old or a different species altogether.

  15. 15.

    MomSense

    Wonderful photos, Betty.

    I’ve had a crazy busy day and couldn’t find time to post today. Wanted to say thank you to all the jackals who have been making calls to fight AHCA. There are quite a few of us in this community who need the ACA and really appreciate the support.

    I’ll try to thank David Anderson, too. He gives us the knowledge to be effective advocates.

  17. 17.

    Roger Moore

    @Mike J:

    the speaker said they’re going to introduce new amendments to it to fix their bill that they claim is already perfect.

    They have to keep amending it. As long as it’s a moving target, the CBO can’t score it.

  19. 19.

    dmsilev

    @Mike J:

    as the speaker said they’re going to introduce new amendments to it to fix their bill that they claim is already perfect.

    Best to save this comment as a macro; I think it’ll get a lot of use.

  22. 22.

    Mike J

    @Roger Moore: He hasn’t actually said what the amendment will do, but I can’t imagine it will amount to anything more than some words about “choice”and “freedom”. Anything substantively better would lose the hardcore, anything worse gives moderates cover for a no vote.

  23. 23.

    Yarrow

    @MomSense: All of us need it. Even people with health insurance through work will be vulnerable if this pile of excrement passes, since they’re allowing states to get rid of essential benefits.

  24. 24.

    dmsilev

    We have turtles (not sure of the exact type) in a pond on the campus where I work. Lots of them, several dozen at least, maybe a hundred. They’re pretty blasé about being petted by little kids and the like.

  25. 25.

    Baud

    Remember when they bitched about how Congress wasn’t transparent when they passed Obamacare…

  26. 26.

    gene108

    Do I have a First World problem for you!

    I bought a new car on Saturday. A VW Golf GTI. It has sports tuned suspension. Handled great.

    But damn does is it ever bone jarring going over potholes and bad pavement, which are in no short supply in NJ.

    A serious First World problem to have.

  27. 27.

    Corner Stone

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): I was just going with elected officials or admin/cabinet type people for now. I am also omitting females. For now.
    In top 3 order:
    Trump
    Ryan
    McConnell

    And I’m currently thinking the final two to round out the top 5.
    Cruz
    Mulvaney

    Flynn is no longer there and I think Jared would squirm way too much to get a clean shot at as he would be screaming, “Not the face! Not the face!!”.
    After that you could pretty much throw a dart at a board of all FC Rep members listed and I’d be ok with that.

  31. 31.

    jacy

    @gene108:

    I loved my Golf! I had a five-speed diesel and it was so fun to drive, and got great gas mileage. The best car I ever owned, and I miss it dearly.

  35. 35.

    pat

    @jacy:

    I loved my Jetta Sportwagen TDI diesel, but VW was buying the diesels back and so I got the Golf instead, had a bit of money left over from the buy-back.

  37. 37.

    kindness

    That pointy nosed guy looks a lot like snapping turtles to me but I have no clue really. Just don’t wiggle you finger in front of it’s nose.

  38. 38.

    jacy

    @pat:

    I understand that VW is right now trying to clear out their diesel Golfs — the 2015 and 2016 models that were unsold and had the diesel problem repaired — at really rock-bottom prices. If I had the spare cash I would jump on that.

  40. 40.

    StringOnAStick

    While in FL in November we saw a turtle that looked like it was decorated with yellow magic runes in each shell section, just the coolest looking patterns. I think I looked it up on the web and it was basically a fancy box turtle. I was sorry I didn’t have my phone with me to take a photo; I think that is when I finally learned to always, always have it with me from then on.

  41. 41.

    Baud

    @jacy: A lot of cars should be cheap right now. Kevin Drum:

    Auto and light truck sales went from lackluster to downright bad in April:

  44. 44.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Okay, deep cleansing breaths needed after the thread downstairs.

    hmmm…. think I’ll wait four to twenty-six hours for the next thread with all the same comments

  45. 45.

    jacy

    @kindness:

    Softshell turtles are supposed to pretty aggressive. When you keep one, all the books reiterate they are “display pets” only, meaning you shouldn’t handle them unless you really need to. They will bite you if they you give them the opportunity. They’re awesomely cool to watch swim though, and they have these amazing giraffe necks and feathery flipper-feet — they look like prehistoric sea monsters in the water.

  46. 46.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Baud: Auto and light truck sales went from lackluster to downright bad in April:

    this reminds me that all (most of) the plants Ford and GM were reopening or keeping open in the US had been geared for SUVs and trucks, and I was wondering how much of that was based on the assumption of continued low gas prices, which gas prices have I believed ticked up since I so wondered (and yes, I know they do this every springs, but I wonder how much long they will be able to do that because they want to, and can, and when the Sauds decide to do it because they want to, and can)

  56. 56.

    lamh36

    Dark Tower trailer coming tmrw!!!

    @McConaughey 7h7 hours ago
    [email protected] You want the Tower?

    @idriselba Replying to @Mconaughey 7h7 hours ago
    To find the tower is my purpose. I’m sworn.

    @McConaughey 7h7 hours ago
    Then as the world’s last crusader don’t break your promise… you’re closer to the Tower than you know.

    @idriselba 6h6 hours ago
    More
    You know nothing of me.

    @McConaughey 6h6 hours ago
    More
    I know this. Deal with it. #DarkTowerMovie

    More
    @idriselba Replying to @McConaughey
    I deal in lead. #DarkTowerMovie

    https://twitter.com/idriselba/status/859447167936856066

  58. 58.

    MomSense

    @Yarrow:

    I know. And even those who don’t know they need the ACA need it or may one day. It’s just really good to know that people have your back.

    On another topic, I’m starting to volunteer with an organization that works with immigrants and refugees. They have an intensive training program which is so smart. I’ve been thinking about all the people who have been thrown into a state of vulnerability and fear. It can be overwhelming which is why we have to look out for each other and express our gratitude.

    Hate got us into this mess. Love and kindness will get us through it.

  59. 59.

    trollhattan

    @gene108:
    Congrats, sweet car! GTI mit Autobahn package was among my finalists last summer while car-shopping. Yugely entertaining (discovered I even remembered how to drive a stick). IIRC the one I drove had the adaptive suspension which, considering shattered roadways was the only way to make nice with the 18-inch wheels.

  60. 60.

    Yarrow

    @MomSense: I’m calling away, for you and others here and myself and those I know. We’re all in this together!

    That sounds like a great program and so helpful to those in need. Like when you rescue a pet, sometimes helping others helps you just as much. I hope it’s a wonderful experience.

  65. 65.

    gene108

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    No. Could not afford more than the base model. Has Nornal, Sport and Custom settings. Custom lets you have some things in Sport mode or Normal mode, depending on your preferences. I haven’t played with that yet.

    @trollhattan:

    If I was floating near the money to swing a GTI Autobohn, I think I’d also consider a Golf R.

    I don’t think there’s too much price difference.

  66. 66.

    Roger Moore

    @Mike J:

    Anything substantively better would lose the hardcore, anything worse gives moderates cover for a no vote.

    I don’t think they necessarily have to make it better or worse; they just have to keep changing stuff that actually affects, or maybe just potentially might affect- its budgetary impact.

  67. 67.

    efgoldman

    a gopher tortoise

    I have gophers in my yard. May I borrow your tortoise to eat them?

  73. 73.

    efgoldman

    @Baud:

    I don’t understand why trolls feel the need to come here and try to “correct” us.

    Why did the scorpion sting the frog?
    They wouldn’t be trolls.

  74. 74.

    mdblanche

    @Baud: Perhaps this will turn out to be one of those generous acts that makes two people unhappy instead of four.

  75. 75.

    TenguPhule

    @Baud: And then actually went completely dark on the AMCA, Tryancare.

    Again, everything with Republicans is projection. If not now, then later.

  77. 77.

    Yarrow

    Didn’t Sally Yates testify today in a closed door session with one of the committees?

    IC source: They have Trump on tape talking about trying to shut down investigation. My source wouldn't be held to more specifics. 1/2— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) May 2, 2017

  79. 79.

    japa21

    @TenguPhule: I just placed a comment on the site where they are requesting comments and where the comments are running against getting rid of regulations. Not that it matters. My comment finished with ” Simply put, if you place the bottom line of some company (because no matter what you say it is not about jobs) ahead of the health and future of my grandchildren, you are no longer legitimate in my eyes.”

  81. 81.

    mainmata

    Looks like it is a spiny soft-shell turtle, native to North America. Great photos.

  83. 83.

    Yarrow

    @Omnes Omnibus: You may have missed this when I posted it last night.

    France’s millennials on why they’re supporting Marine Le Pen: ‘We are the future and this is what we want’

    Dressed in blue and red stripped T-shirts, a group of school pupils, aged between 14 and 17-years-old, were franticly waving French flags and boards with Ms Le Pen’s slogan “Choose France”.

    “We are France’s future and this is what we want,” said one of the girls, from the wealthy area of Versailles in the south west of the French capital.

    “To save France,” said another boy in the group, who was also too young to go to the ballot box. “Whatever is going on now cannot continue.”

    Plenty more at the link. Also this gem:

    As queues formed in front of two kiosks selling sandwiches and hot drinks, one man said: “At least here they sell French crepes instead of kebabs.”

    No one is racist!

  88. 88.

    Steve in the ATL

    @gene108:

    A serious First World problem to have.

    I feel your pain–I had to get my putter regripped. Like I have time to go by the pro shop!

  90. 90.

    Yarrow

    @TenguPhule: I’ve given up on hope, as I’ve mentioned many times before. I am still confident the criminals and traitors in the White House and Republican leadership, also including Trump’s family, will be removed from office. Many will go to prison.

  92. 92.

    trollhattan

    @gene108:
    Golf Rs were phantoms in N.Cal at the time so the Autobahn was as close as one could get. A few ’16s were still around and they were dealing, especially the manuals.

  93. 93.

    TenguPhule

    @Yarrow:

    Many will go to prison.

    I thought that about Bush and Cheney once. A long time ago.

    I’ve come to the sad conclusion that our Justice system really isn’t. Too big to jail really has entrenched itself.

  94. 94.

    Roger Moore

    @Yarrow:

    As queues formed in front of two kiosks selling sandwiches and hot drinks, one man said: “At least here they sell French crepes instead of kebabs.”

    I guess this is the French version of predicting taco trucks on every corner.

  96. 96.

    Steve in the ATL

    @KG:

    Wait is it “ya’ll” or “y’all”?

    y’all as it is a contraction of you all

  98. 98.

    TenguPhule

    @Roger Moore: In Tokyo at least, its almost true, They had Kebob chain stores in every district of the city, some of them literally within blocks of each other.

    ETA: Kebabs, not Tacos. Because the Japanese version of Mexican food is horrifying.

  101. 101.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Dave Weigel‏ @ daveweigel
    It’s what laid-off coal miners in the real America were clamoring for
    [email protected] CBSNews confirms: @ SecretService spent ~ $7000 on “multi day ski passes” & $59654 on hotel rooms for Ivanka & Jared’s trip to Whistler, CA

  107. 107.

    Betty Cracker

    @raven: Awww! ?

    @KG: The latter. Goddamned Yankee autocorrect!

    @MomSense: That last paragraph is so true it should be committed to needlepoint!

  116. 116.

    J R in WV

    @gene108:

    You can get a set of wheels that are smaller, and tires that are higher profile, which will soften things quite a bit, compared to the big wheels and skinny tires setup that came on the car. More wheel and less tire yields less unsprung weight, which helps handling a little.

    But as you say, not so comfortable on your buns as taller tires and less wheel. Light weight wheels don’t weigh as much as tire walls do. I’m hesitant to talk about exactly why more unsprung weight is worse for handling, but I think it is.

  117. 117.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @J R in WV: Unsprung weight (tires, wheels, brakes) has its own inertia separate from that of the spung weight. This means that, if a tire hits a bump, it has a tendency to continue upward for a bit. It can even lose contact with the road. Decreasing unsprung weight decreases that inertia. It keeps the wheels stuck tighter to the road. Physics people can go into more detail.

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