Well, it's not like Trump is obsessed with, "They're laughing at us" or anything. pic.twitter.com/1LZPDSJvq3
— Schooley (@Rschooley) July 26, 2017
U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry optimistically discussed expanding American coal exports to Ukraine and other energy matters during a lengthy phone call this month with a Russian prankster who Perry thought was Ukraine’s prime minister.
Perry actually was talking with comedians known in Russia for targeting celebrities and politicians with audacious stunts, Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said in a written statement.
Pranksters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov are sometimes called the “Jerky Boys of Russia,” after an American duo who put out recordings of their prank phone calls in the 1990s. They have made faux calls to British singer Elton John, who thought he was speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and others…
During the 22-minute call on July 19, Perry, whose department oversees the U.S. nuclear weapons program, discussed a range of topics in a business-like tone, including sanctions against Russia and helping Ukraine develop oil and gas.
Perry said the Trump administration opposes Nord Stream 2, a Russian project to bring natural gas to Europe across the Baltic and that U.S. technology could help Ukraine develop gas.
“Giving Ukraine more options with some of our technology is, I think, in everyone’s best interest with the exception of the Russians, but that’s OK,” he said.
Perry also discussed the Paris climate accord and coal exports on the call…
It's confirmed by @ENERGY that @SecretaryPerry spent 22 minutes speaking with Russian prankster he thought was #Ukraine prime minister.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) July 26, 2017
Just a friendly reminder: Rick Perry is in charge of a department that oversees the U.S. nuclear program https://t.co/K1f4u8Pl3e
— Julie Vitkovskaya (@Julie_Vit) July 26, 2017
Rick Perry's predecessor, Ernest Moniz, has a PhD in theoretical physics. https://t.co/YAgRPVCLxN
— On Trial for ?????? (@ZeddRebel) July 26, 2017
But Moniz looked like some schlubby geek — not the sorta guy Lord Smallgloves wanted to see on his morning Fox News. Bad attitude, too, what with thinkin’ that as a nookalar scientist he might know more about energy and stuff than a real ‘Murican bidniz guy like our Rick!
THANKS SO MUCH, REPUBS!
TenguPhule
As I recall, Republicans have a history of falling for this.
Scott Walker.
dmsilev
@TenguPhule: Sarah Palin got punked in exactly this fashion during the 08 campaign; by Canadian comedians if memory serves.
While we can (and should) laugh, it’s really a reflection on the quality of their staff, who are supposed to filter out stuff like this.
Major Major Major Major
How exactly do these officials end up connected to these pranksters? Are their assistants that incompetent too?
ETA: great thread title, by the way. Did you see Matt Groening is doing a new show on Netflix?
SiubhanDuinne
@TenguPhule:
Haven’t Googled to check, but I think Scott Walker took a call from a fake Koch Brother several years ago. And some GOP candidate for something several years ago was interviewed by Canada’s Rick Mercer and opined on “Canadian Prime Minister Jacques Poutine” or similar.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Is that a trick question?
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
Schumer called Yertle’s bluff
dmsilev
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): Which bluff?
efgoldman
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):
Link or explanation, pls / thx
Booger
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): Details?
sharl
@SiubhanDuinne: The Scott Walker prank call from fake David Koch is the first thing I thought of.
Starfish
This article on DoE is probably in Cheryl’s area, but it is terrifying.
? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?
That sounds like a career with a high mortality rate in Russia
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Drunk princess, elves, demons and wizard sex in hell?
Yeah.
Gin & Tonic
Somehow I don’t think ol’ Ricky is the sharpest wrench in the toolbox.
Jay Noble
What does DoD spend on Birth Control Glasses/year vs. Trangender treatment? Why should we pay for those 4 eyes who probably can’t shoot straight even with the glasses?
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: I like how the elf is named Elfo, it’s all very classic Groening.
BlueDWarrior
Well, it’s nice to know that the staffs for our various federal departments are just as well-heeled and competent as the faces of their constituent departments.
Chyron HR
@Jay Noble:
There’s nothing wrong with Rick’s glasses, just the guy wearing them.
? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): Do tell ??
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major: Since its going to be adults only viewing, it should be interesting to see how far he takes his new liberty.
ETA: Hopefully it won’t get too jaded with the sex and violence.
lahke
Heads up, folks, Brownback is taking an ambassadorship (imposing Christian Sharia on the world) and ditching Kansas:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/us/politics/sam-brownback-kansas-ambassador-international-religious-freedom.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?
@lahke: I’m sure sane Kansians are happy to hear that
lamh36
I’m sure my past and current family members and friends can all agree, Rick Perry is DUM AS FUQ!
Hell, any Texan being honest will tell ya the same
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Ernest Moniz’s predecessor was also credentialed physicist (PhD). Even Dubya managed to find an MIT Professor among the list of family retainers, to my surprise.
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: I mean, how are we defining adults only? Bluer than Comedy Central futurama?
TenguPhule
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: Unfortunately, they are a small minority.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
I assume nipples, bloody hilarity and unrestricted swearing at a minimum.
Its supposed to be Hell, after all.
dmsilev
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: That’s putting it mildly. Ernest Moniz’s predecessor was Nobel Laureate Steven Chu.
BlueDWarrior
@TenguPhule: I think one of the biggest problems some creators have is that when you give them carte blanche in terms of potential content, they stop using their internal filters and start putting out sheer shlock.
Let us hope that Groening has some editors (internal and external) that can keep any real bad impulses at bay.
lamh36
Quinerly
@Starfish:
Read this a couple of hours ago. It probably should be front paged. I’ll probably have nightmares.
khead
I have to confirm the authority of everyone I talk to on the phone before discussing government business
BlueDWarrior
@lamh36: So the Freedumb Caucus are telling Republican Senators to go big or go home, or is this just Kabuki to make R Senators seem more reasonable?
I guess we’ll see in a few days.
Villago Delenda Est
Great headline, a natural. I’ve been saying that about Governor Goodhair for years now, ever since he started wearing them to appear SMRT.
West of the Rockies (been a while)
I’m finding squat about Schumer.
Villago Delenda Est
@lamh36: The Fucktard Conference won’t be happy unless even more millions are denied health care.
Major Major Major Major
@BlueDWarrior: Groening never really struck me as the type to go overboard when given a wide berth.
Tengu, where are you getting that it’s set in hell?
Noah Brand
Some of you might enjoy reading my proposal for revitalizing the future of the Republican party. http://noahabrand.com/content/letter-congressional-republicans
Bago
https://twitter.com/JeffSharlet/status/890356168442380292
The Family is a part of this…
efgoldman
@Villago Delenda Est:
They can be sad, depressed, crying their eyes out on the Capitol steps. Don’t care, as long as they lose the votes.
dmsilev
@West of the Rockies (been a while): Only thing I can find that seems relevant is this Vox story, reporting that Schumer and his team got the CBO to score what they think a “skinny repeal” bill would do:
Gravenstone
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: Kansians?
lamh36
Omnes Omnibus
@TenguPhule: My state was once a leader in good things: Unemployment and workers comp. ins, for example. We’re still leaders, but not in a good way.
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: statement
lamh36
Major Major Major Major
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): hmmmmm ??
Some very high stakes cards this week.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Major Major Major Major: This could be pretty great – Matt’s a little lazy and has great taste, so there’s usually lots of good collaboration going on in his shows.
Major Major Major Major
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): hmmmm ??
jl
@lamh36:
” NEW: House conservative warn Senate GOP that they won’t back “skinny” repeal ”
I wonder whether skinny-mini will have a chance even in the Senate. The CBO scored it and a reporter just tweeted the bottom line.
Uninsured blows up from 26 to 44 million next year, That is, 18 more uninsured next year, midterm year. Projected premiums not in the table in the tweet, but several states’ experiences indicates big premium increases from the skinny mini type policy starting immediately upon implementation.
I didn’t even know there was enough written down on paper yet to score it. Except, as I noted in previous thread, there is enough experience with the state level experiences with the system that would result from McConnell’s skiny mini repeal that CBO didn’t have to do much modelling. Could probably just update a weighted average of state level effects that have been observed.
I wonder how many Senators can be conned into voting for a partial repeal that will piss off millions of people right before the midterms?
Maybe McConnell’s team of geezer male Senatecruds will frantically try to build in tactical delays in implementation to postpone the pain until after the midterms, like they did with the bill that failed last night?
Dan Diamond
@ddiamond
Dems got CBO to estimate impact of GOP “skinny repeal” bill.
One takeaway: Uninsured would go from 26M next year to 44M.
https://twitter.com/ddiamond/status/890356189585956875
lamh36
ICYMI …
Anne Laurie
@Major Major Major Major:
What assistants? Remember, Team Trump hastened to ‘clean out’ all those traitorous climate-change-believing scientists… and they haven’t had much luck (or will) recruiting replacements. Secretary Perry’s phone is probably being answered by (a) some RW vealpen Freedumb Fellowship intern, or (b) a harried, pissed-off leftover from the previous administration, doing several peoples’ jobs while getting berated by Trumplodytes at every turn.
Wait’ll we find out that the DoE has signed up for 253 Florida timeshares, 878 subscriptions to various magazines, and a message from a Nigerian Prince offering to transfer US$1,000,000 into the office coffee account…
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@lamh36: F JBSIII ?
Major Major Major Major
Who named this thing, anyway? ‘Skinny’ repeal. It’s like they’re trying to sell the legislation to gay men and 30-year-old women who love shredding the social safety net but don’t always have time to go to the gym.
jl
@dmsilev: Thanks for the link. I think the CBO is being a little optimistic in projecting only an average 20 percent increase in premiums. The system that would result from skinny mini repeal BS is similar to things several states have done in the past, and some of them had much bigger changes gong on or off a skiniy min thingy type system.
Edit: CBO is starting to pump out some weak, low energy, Deep State fake news propaganda. Sad! I expected something more scarier.
dmsilev
@Major Major Major Major: Probably a pissed-off staffer annoyed after their Senatorial boss sent them on one too many Starbucks runs.
Cheryl Rofer
@Starfish: It seems to be standard operating procedure for the Trump administration. All the cabinet secretaries, except perhaps Mattis, are ignorant of their departments or want to burn them down. And Mattis is (I think) still a serving General, which removes the usual civilian control of the Defense Department.
I liked the way the article recognized that the know-how in the Department of Energy national laboratories helped with the negotiation of the Iran deal. National laboratories have supplied expertise for all treaties and agreements involving nuclear weapons. And yes, they also do stuff to control nuclear materials and make us all safer. I love this story about collecting the plutonium metal the Soviets had scattered around their test site in Kazakhstan, partly because I had a little to do with it.
But what the hey. I’m sure Trump and probably even Rick Perry have no idea that ever happened. Or that nuclear test sites exist. Or whatever. They’re businessmen – they know how to win.
jl
@Major Major Major Major: Skinny mini thingy not anything like a repeal of Obamacare. So, maybe the GOPers think that by putting ‘skinny’ in front of ‘repeal’, they won’t be called bald faced liars quite as much as otherwise, or nearly as much as they should be.
trollhattan
@Gin & Tonic:
I could cutchoo wit my combo 15mm!
Remember when Gov Rih was the Republican’s secret weapon? Good times.
rikyrah
From Very Smart Brothas:
Donald Trump Is Just A White Man Allowed And Encouraged To Be As White As He Wants To Be
By Damon Young
Cheryl Rofer
A group of governors have written to the senate against “skinny” repeal. Maybe we should just say “eliminating the mandate.”
Anne Laurie
@Major Major Major Major:
LOL.
But ‘starve the beast’ never tests well with low-info voters, moochers and takers that they are. The Straussians have learned to disguise their kingly philosophy in market-friendly terms.
lamh36
Damn!! In all my 40 years, I’ve never liked the rides at these state fairs…and I barely if ever rode any of them…
Ohio State Fair ride accident: 1 dead, 7 injured; all rides shut down
Jim, Foolish Literalist
I thought retired, but not long enough to meet the usual standard for ret’d officer to serve as SecDef, which is why he needed a repeat of the (IIRC) law passed for George C Marshall.
ETA: From Wiki
jl
@rikyrah: Someone called it ‘political white privilege performance art’. I don’t remember where I encountered that. Was it here? One of the danged commenters? I think that term fits the Trumpsters perfectly.
Cheryl Rofer
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: That’s it. McMasters is still serving.
Omnes Omnibus
@Major Major Major Major: FTW!
Schlemazel
@Chyron HR:
I assume Jay was referring to BCGs, the birth control goggles given to recruits in basic training. DoD spends more on them than on sex reassignment surgury
Jeffro
This is what happens when one tries to shoehorn in every deviant, blowhard, grifter, and moron you know – BECAUSE YOU YOURSELF ARE A DEVIANT, BLOWHARD, GRIFTER, and MORON – into jobs that require actual SKILLS.
Vapid-at-best doctor in charge of HUD? Check. (say where is Dr. Carson these days, anyway?)
Texas moron with glasses in charge of Energy? Check.
Public education hater in charge of public education? Check.
Obamacare hater in charge of HHS? Check.
I still think the best was Trumpov nominating a RWNJ talk show host to be the Ag Dept’s leading ag scientist or something…I mean, c’mon man. The dude had to be making more money for less work acting stupid on the radio?!? Why would he even accept? Does he think someone’s going to see it on his resume once all this shit settles and go, “Whoa now – leading scientist at the Agriculture Dept? RIGHT THIS WAY, young man!”
Morons.
Jeffro
@lamh36: You were still in more danger on the ride TO the fair…but yeah, sometimes those rides look a little rickety…
Major Major Major Major
@Anne Laurie: Feel free to quote it, MUST CREDIT VALUED COMMENTER MAJORX4
Schlemazel
@BlueDWarrior:
I heard an interview on “As It Happens” last night with an artist who creates everything in MS Paint. The interviewer asked if that wasn’t restricting and his response was that restrictions are good because it forces the artist to be more creative. I like that concept and have maintained for some time that forcing poets to work in rhyme and lyricists to only suggest sex is a good thing as it increases creativity. Without restrictions people get lazy
OGLiberal
@Major Major Major Major: I read a news story on the Groening-Netflix alliance and for a second I though the guy in the picture was Steve Banno…..it was Groening. (Was reading on my phone so the image was small)
debbie
@Jeffro:
The video shows that that section of the ride came in lower and faster than expected. It had to be more than 50 mph. The ride to the fair is far safer.
Kay
@lamh36:
I used to love them. Probably partly because they were so creaky and clearly dangerous.
The one where the spinning swings fly out so they’re horizontal was just an accident waiting to happen.
Schlemazel
@lamh36:
I clicked on a link to the story and the first thing that came up was video of the disaster. not to be unseen
Juice Box
I’m watching Laurence O’Donnell and I just found myself agreeing with Max Boot, then Orrin Hatch, and then Max Boot agreeing with Orrin Hatch. I feel so dizzy that
I need to lie down.
Kay
I admit I love the Trump/Sessions fight. Rooting for injuries.
The best case is Trump fires Sessions but can’t confirm anyone else and some qualified, not-crazy career person is an “acting” and everyone forgets about the attorney general.
That’s the goal.
debbie
@Schlemazel:
Surprisingly, the Fox affiliate is refusing to show any of the video.
Cacti
I dunno, making Rick Perry look dumb seems like low hanging fruit.
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
@Schlemazel: Said concept has also been fervently espoused w/r/t sampling in hip-hop (although to be fair, it’s also been significantly enforced by attempting to skirt copyright).
NotMax
Just in case your outrage meter needle hasn’t been pinned at the max yet.
Quinerly
@Juice Box:
Me too. Thankfully I was already lying down while watching it. I do feel a bit odd…I was looking at Max Boot with different eyes.
Ithink
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?:
Well, Stephen Colbert did an excellent show last week I think with the Russian equivalent of our Late Night comedy shows and all they did was (rightfully) lampoon Trump & take some well-served stabs at the behind-the-scenes corruption of Putin and the Kremlin oligarchy; so maybe not QUITE as fatal as Americans soneti.rs perceive 1st amendment rights abroad.
On the other hand, if they had made any pro-LGBT tirades masked in comedy, well…
Schlemazel
@debbie:
if one of the girls tops had flown off they would have shown that
debbie
@Kay:
Adam Schiff warns Trump to think twice. Even if he gets someone to fire Mueller, Congress can appoint an Independent Counsel who Trump can’t touch.
debbie
@Schlemazel:
Over and over in slo mo.
satby
@Noah Brand: oh, well done! Loved it, shared to the book of faces.
hueyplong
A couple of things:
1. It looks like Nevada’s governor signed the letter opposing the skinny repeal. Does that mean Heller opposes as well, and doesn’t that make three NO votes when he is added to Murkowski and Collins? And does that doom the skinny repeal?
2. If Congress can appoint an independent prosecutor that Trump can’t touch, can’t they name Mueller in the event he gets fired from his current post? And wouldn’t that sequence of events, without more, induce the stroke Trump kind of ought to have?
Kay
@debbie:
Oh, I’m not worried about it. I just love that Trump is attacking Jeff Sessions. Two horrible people engaged in a fight- hopefully they both walk away with a black eye. Sessions deserves every bit of this. He was an actual Trump supporter.
Why do the leaders of these childrens groups continue to subject their members to this? These kids really want to hear about Donald Trump’s great victory? Can’t they find a better role model?
Schlemazel
@debbie:
While decrying the coarsening of society.
NotMax
@Noah Brand
Except that’s not the way the 25th works. It is initiated by the executive (in this case, cabinet and veep) and does not involve any Congressional action until a conflict over remediation arises.
Omnes Omnibus
@Schlemazel:
Prince did okay.
Felonius Monk
In case nobody noticed, Chris Cillizza farted the other day:
His rationale:
(Source)
Cheryl Rofer
@hueyplong: Here’s a longish article from a Nevada newspaper. It looks like Heller hasn’t explicitly opposed “skinny repeal,” but I wouldn’t count him as a firm “yes” either.
Interestingly, the URL says he backs “skinny repeal,” but the headline emphasizes Sandoval’s signing the letter. Stuff is changing fast.
ETA: If you’re in Nevada, CALL CALL CALL
jl
@Cacti:
” I dunno, making Rick Perry look dumb seems like low hanging fruit. ”
But that’s why Rick Perry can do it so very well. Not his problem if people document it.
Jay Noble
@Chyron HR: :-) BC Glasses are what the army guys call the army issue ones – that Perry seem to have willing chosen
hueyplong
@Cheryl Rofer: News from as long as a week ago is pretty much useless nowadays, but it seems like Heller has previously indicated that he gives Sandoval’s views a lot of weight.
Of course, Sandoval doesn’t fund his campaigns or threaten him as do others.
jl
@hueyplong: So many sad tales of the lost souls of the GOP moderates. Wandering around, looking for a safe haven in a cold cold world of ruthless people who hold them responsible for making decisions, doing stuff, and stuff.
Weeks of killing stress, trying to get to yes, just to be thrown back into the mess. (edit: doo be doobe doo…. ohh yeahh… )
The movie will be tear jerker. Or maybe a real sad tin pan ally tune.
Omnes Omnibus
@Jay Noble: In the ’80s the army updated them to some ugly brown ones. I got them to give me the black, early Elvis Costello ones. Everyone knew those were army issue; the other ones, someone might think I got them on purpose.
Jay Noble
@Schlemazel: Those are the ones!
??? Martin
Interesting development…
??? Martin
@jl: I think that’s Josh Marshall.
Jay Noble
@Omnes Omnibus: LOL I remember my ROTC/military friends in the 80’s having the black ones for summer duty/camp.
J R in WV
@Starfish:
I read the article.
It makes me want to build a shelter, nearby in the woods, with thick concrete walls and heavy jacks to reopen the doors after enough time had passed for the majority of the radiation to have died out due to half-life reductions. And seeds, for planting afterwards.
Trump is in charge of scarier things than the atomic bombs, and that is the topic of the article. Very well done, too.
Omnes Omnibus
@Cheryl Rofer: Minor peeve: It’s McMaster.
Cheryl Rofer
@Omnes Omnibus:
I am not at my best at this time of night.
MisterForkbeard
@??? Martin: Doesn’t matter. Schumer has already stated that the Democrats will all vote against every amendment until McConnell actually starts using normal order and coughs up what he really wants to do, at which point they’ll consider it… and then probably vote against it given the content.
This would fall under that same umbrella.
Omnes Omnibus
@Cheryl Rofer: It’s cool. Lots of people are doing it. You were the straw that broke the mouse’s back.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@rikyrah:
ROFL
leeleeFL
I just want to take this opportunity to say “thanks” for all the great times I got to spend here with you fabulous and sane people. If Rick Perry or Lord Smallgloves screws all our pooches, I just wanted you all to know how appreciated this place has been!
And call your F’in Senators and Congress critters. Even if they are only annoyed, it’s worth it.
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
@??? Martin: “Fucking principles, how do they work?”
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
The Guardian mentioned it.
Another Scott
@Starfish: Thanks for the pointer. It’s a good, but disturbing (but not surprising), read.
Cheers,
Scott.
Waynski
@Kay:
If you are a non-profit like the Boys & Girls Club and a powerful board member/donor suggests to leadership that you should invite President Donald Trump to speak, you dare not say no.
Plus, these events are planned months in advance and you most likely invited Trump to boost donations (from others, obviously, not Trump), so it would be career suicide for the head of the non-partisan Boys & Girls Club to cancel on the sitting President when nothing is yet proven and securing an audience/donation drawing alternative is very near impossible on short notice.
I’ve organized many events like this. Unless the speaker/honoree gets caught doing something so profoundly horrible/criminal that you can’t in good conscience proceed, and your Board is in full agreement about the speaker/honoree, the show must go on. Not to mention the cost of canceling on all the vendors it takes to pull an event like this off. They expect to be paid and rightfully so. They’ve already put in a lot of work on the project and they had no influence on your choice of speaker/honoree.
Ruckus
@Villago Delenda Est:
Don’t give them any ideas.
They might just outlaw all healthcare.
Vhh
@dmsilev: Bush Jr’s Sec Eng was a PhD and former MIT prof of chemical engineering.
RedDirtGirl
@Starfish: Just read bit at the link and the description of how unprepared the Trump “administration” was to govern, reminded me of reading Imperial Life In The Emerald City, a fascinating account of the installation of the Provisional Authority in Iraq after Shrub’s invasion.
Ruckus
@Jay Noble:
Had a pair of those glasses. They work fine. Can not get laid if you own a pair and wear them, even if only for a moment, in the dark, when by yourself and 50 miles from the next nearest human being. And I can confirm that they are no good as a door stop.
Omnes Omnibus
@Ruckus: The black ones? You are wrong. Late ’80s German girls were more tolerant.
Shalimar
@Ruckus: In fairness, it is really hard to get laid alone in the dark and 50 miles from the nearest human being under any circumstances. The glasses probably don’t make it worse.
Ruckus
@Shalimar:
You misunderstood. If you put them on 50 miles from the next human being, in the pitch black for just a moment, take them off, run over them with your car, leave them in the middle of the road, drive away and never return to that state or country, you will spend the next 3 years without sex. And they still do not work as a door stop.
I should have been more succinct.
Ruckus
@Omnes Omnibus:
Been to lots of places, never made it to Germany. It may have been helpful if I had. Oh well, we’ll never know now. Laser surgery.
M. Bouffant
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: I read somewhere that these pranksters only take on “enemies” of the Russian state. All part of the game.
SgrAstar
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Steve Chu, Moniz’ predecessor, was not only a “credentialed physicist”, but a Nobel Laureate. A great scientist and a really cool guy.
The Simp in the Suit
@dmsilev: And the quality of their staffs derives from…?
Quaker in a Basement
@TenguPhule: See also:Huckabee, Mike and Canadian National Igloo.