Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

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

People are complicated. Love is not.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

DeSantis transforms Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

Bad news for Ron DeSantis is great news for America.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

“Why isn’t this Snickers bar only a nickle?”

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

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

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Meanwhile over at truth Social, the former president is busy confessing to crimes.

You are here: Home / Politics / Trumpery / Dolt 45 / Saturday Morning Open Thread: #Trumpshutdown

Saturday Morning Open Thread: #Trumpshutdown

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GOOD WORK, REPUBLICANS!


And where is the “adult supervision” the GOP promised would keep Trump in line?

Vice President Mike is in hiding, hoping that a shutdown will bring the fustercluck one step closer to “President Pence”…


.

Zombie-Eyed Granny Starver, fearing a Bryce wave, is busy smash’n’grabbing for his paymasters while he still can…


.

And the guy supposed to be running the books, Office of Management and Budget Director Mulvaney, is a nihilistic moron!

Good thing it’s the weekend, we have a couple days to recover from all the [[head*desk]]…

Reader Interactions

154Comments

  3. 3.

    JPL

    @Quinerly: Good morning. I haven’t searched the previous threads, so I’m not sure. If he has a chance to read though the threads, hopefully he’ll know that we are thinking about him.

  5. 5.

    Rob

    Lurker here. What a show. I can’t quite believe that the shutdown actually happened. I certainly remember the 2013 shutdown, that one lasted 17 days.

  7. 7.

    Ryan

    You know what, it’s destiny that Trump won’t be able to attend his party. He’s spent a lifetime of fleecing banks and subcontractors, it fits that his donors would also get fleeced. The shutdown was destiny!

  8. 8.

    satby

    The refs will work that “Democrats blocked funding, Schumer Shutdown” meme hard as they can; so all hands on deck to refute that everywhere you see it. Calls to media, letters to the editor, replies to anyone who posts that B.S. in social media. No more silence, silence is assent.

  10. 10.

    NotMax

    Hoocudanode?

    Twitter underestimated the number of accounts spreading Russian propaganda by more than ten thousand, the company quietly disclosed late Friday. Source

  11. 11.

    tybee

    since it’s an open thread: ms. tybee has “that cough” and is looking for a suppressant. some folks had mentioned a brand and/or an ingredient that was available OTC. could i get a suggestion? i’m about to make a run to the local drugstore when they open to get something. she sounds like a TB ward and both of us need some relief.

  15. 15.

    Amir Khalid

    After observing the Trump Administration, I think we can safely conclude that adult supervision doesn’t work where the unruly children get to overrule the adults.

  17. 17.

    RedDirtGirl

    @satby: Duly noted. It’s not to everyone’s taste. I’m having fun with it, but will refrain from using it in this forum.

  18. 18.

    NorthLeft12

    @Ryan: I am unclear on why you think that Deadbeat Donald will not go to his “party”.
    Yeah, the optics would be awful, but when has that actually stopped that horrible excuse for a human being to do whatever he wants?
    And also, what exactly can that toupee’d fool do that would help the situation?

  19. 19.

    tybee

    @raven: that’s probably close to what she needs but would she go to the doc yesterday? of course not. and i’m not wild about the doc-in-a-box approach ’cause the insurance hassle is long and painful.

    @satby:
    yeah, that’s the ticket. thanks. :)

  20. 20.

    evodevo

    @tybee: Try Cepacol throat lozenges ..the ones with Lidocaine and Dextromethorphan – they’ve been wonderful around here since the grandkid gave us BOTH “that” virus.

  21. 21.

    Betty Cracker

    Trump is tweeting lies about the shutdown this morning — I think it’s really him because of the randomly capitalized nouns. But John Kelly and Stephen Miller are the regent presidents, and they’re not saying anything.

  23. 23.

    Quinerly

    @eclare: I got to Carlsbad Caverns NP rather early yesterday. My guided tour for “King’s Palace” was scheduled for today. They let me change it to yesterday. I checked out the on premises kennel for Poco (knowing he would be miserable)and talked to the wonderful gentleman there. Dogs are ok in cars if temp doesn’t get above 70 (One of the reasons I travel out here this time of year…lower temps, off season, fewer people traveling…all works better for doggie travel). Carlsbad is usually 50-60 degrees this time of year. I was out of the caves by the time it was inching up to 70. Hit some artisan co ops, talked to some locals, did a couple of walks with Poco, drank Sangria and ate Green Chile Fettuccine…All in all a great day. Loved the caverns but as I thought….a bit overwhelming…2hrs was enough for me in one stretch. So glad I did it!

  24. 24.

    NotMax

    @tybee

    If you must use a suppressant, look for one that is labeled as both a suppressant and an expectorant. The latter helps loosen the mucus and makes the coughs more productive in expelling what is triggering the coughing.

    Personal opinion only: A suppressant might – might – aid sleeping, an expectorant will over time reduce the intensity of the cough. When I had the same thing, found suppressants next to useless and went with straight expectorants. Guaifenesin is the usual active ingredient in expectorants.

  26. 26.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    “[how] excited he was for the event”

    A lot of porn stars and non english speaking escorts must be attending .

  29. 29.

    Raven

    @tybee: None of that other stuff did diddly for me but, honestly, time may be the only real cure. I was so sick I sold my National Championship tickets.

  35. 35.

    NorthLeft12

    As if any more proof of competence [Pres. Obama’s admin] and incompetence [Deadbeat Donald and sycophants] was necessary; https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DT7UnuyWsAIkuiV.jpg

    Comparing the response and preparation for a government shutdown for both admins. Take a guess which admin did its job and which one decided to spend more time in the break room?

  36. 36.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    @Betty Cracker: I used to be a graduate student instructor at a real fancy university. The biggest part of my job was grading the blue books.

    One time I had to fail a bunch of students on a midterm because they simply failed to answer a number of questions. So the professor calls me up and yells at me, “what are you doing, you can’t fail these people, they’re paying a ton of money!”

  37. 37.

    satby

    @rikyrah: @Baud: @Quinerly: Good morning!

    Market today for me, then finishing the last few orders in the hopper before I put the online store on vacation mode. I’m leaving in my trip Wednesday morning. Finally getting a bit excited about it as the pet sitting and other issues settle down. It’s such a hassle arranging care for so many animals.

  38. 38.

    Brachiator

    And where is the “adult supervision” the GOP promised would keep Trump in line?

    Why would anyone even ask such a dumb question? The GOP leadership has shown itself to be just as inept as Trump. They were also eager to let Trump drag them down to his level.

    Also, Trump must think that a shutdown is like one of his bankruptcies.

  39. 39.

    RedDirtGirl

    It’s a political avatar I am exploring. I started a twitter account (5 followers!), and got a gmail address that I am now putting on the buttons I make. Not sure where I’m headed with it, but am testing the waters. But I don’t need to use it everywhere.

  40. 40.

    Quinerly

    @rikyrah: @Baud: Good morning from Poco’s chauffeur and a snoring Poco (he stretched an hr ago and decided he needed to go out; we are on MT Time?; now back to his beauty rest.) Kitty John Lennon is keeping the home fires going with our “Nip Queen.” (Last report was JL was stoned out of his mind on her homegrown kitty nip and eating like a little pig.( Our friend grows the best, but I digress?)

  41. 41.

    NotMax

    @NorthLeft12

    And in at least one instance where there was a plan in place, that has been jettisoned.

    EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has instructed workers there to come to work next week even with a shutdown. Pruitt said in an email to all EPA employees on Friday that the agency had “sufficient resources to remain open for a limited amount of time.” He said further instructions would come if the shutdown lasts for more than a week.

    The instructions from Pruitt are different from how the agency has operated during prior shutdowns and the contingency plan posted on EPA’s website. A spokesman for the agency said earlier on Friday that the December 2017 plan was no longer valid. Source

  45. 45.

    rikyrah

    @Cheryl Rofer:
    Because it would focus, all at once what they are doing behind the scenes, that gets reported in a story, here and there.The DREAMers are a large pot of people that would immediately focus on the inhumanity of their policies.

  46. 46.

    Adria McDowell

    @NotMax: Guaifenesin is amazing, just for allergy and sinus congestion alone. I might love that stuff a little too much….

  47. 47.

    O. Felix Culpa

    @satby:Good morning! I was wondering when you were leaving for Thailand. Ms. O’s sister is visiting this weekend, so I’m perforce doing tour guide duty and not reading Balloon Juice as much as I’d like. Have a wonderful trip! I look forward to hearing about the elephants. And you too, of course.

  48. 48.

    MomSense

    @RedDirtGirl:

    Hello! Just wanted to tell you I saw the most beautiful video the other day. The housemates went ice skating through a forest and meadow that flooded and froze. Anyway the video was of A out front ice skating so gracefully with powdery snow flying around her. She’s doing well.

  49. 49.

    Quinerly

    @eclare: Had planned to go back today since I missed a lot and was going to scoot down to Guadalupe MTs NP (the least visited NP in the country) but tired of driving (translation…don’t want to drive down to TX) and would have to kennel Poco at the caverns. Going to hit The Living Desert SP and Zoo early and then scoot over to Sitting Bull Falls and poke around with Poco. Websites say NPs open, though.

  52. 52.

    MomSense

    @Quinerly:

    I haven’t seen him. I’m hoping no news is good news. OzarkHillbilly, if you are reading, we are all rooting for your son. Sending big hugs to all the Ozarks.

  54. 54.

    rikyrah

    I was on the fence about the Dems holding out because of DACA.
    No longer.
    The GOP must be forced to deal with this now. They can never be trusted on this issue. As Hayes pointed out in that tweet, they want to deport those folks en masse, to which I say Hell NO ?

  55. 55.

    Quinerly

    @Cheryl Rofer: Was hoping to catch you on a thread. I’m putting together a group of Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Madrid chicks for a gathering on 2/15 at an Albuquerque winery that I stumbled on last year on 2/15. It was virtually empty that day but I had a blast on my own (with the staff and on the grounds). Will email you with details if you are interested. O Felix is on board. Will probably be 6-10 of us. Would be great if you could join us…and bring friends!

  57. 57.

    lowtechcyclist

    Of the roughly 130 federal office and agencies that have to have shutdown contingency plans, 66 of them haven’t been updated since 2015.

    Apparently Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross realized just yesterday that he might should do this. This was in my in-box yesterday. (The italics are mine.)

    From: Broadcast, DOC
    Sent: Friday, January 19, 2018 11:30 AM
    To: [email protected] (XXXX/ OTHER)
    Subject: Appropriations Status Update

    FOR: All DOC Employees (Except USPTO, NTIS, and FirstNet)

    As many of you are aware, annual funding for the government expires on January 19, 2018. The Administration does not believe it is necessary for a lapse in funding to occur, and looks forward to working with the Congress to finalize appropriations for this year.

    However, prudent management requires that we be prepared for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur. A lapse would mean that a number of government activities would cease due to a lack of appropriated funding, and that a number of employees would be temporarily furloughed. To prepare for this possibility, we are working to update our contingency plans for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in appropriations.

    Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and patience through this process, and for all that you do for the Department of Commerce, the Nation, and the American people.

    Sincerely,

    Wilbur L. Ross

    Apparently neither of the two near-shutdowns in December woke him up to the need to prepare for a shutdown.

  58. 58.

    Cheryl Rofer

    @Quinerly: Sure. Email me with details. I will save 2/15.

    While you are running around southern NM today, I am headed to Grants with a friend. A storm is heading in from the west this afternoon, but it looks like it will be more rain than snow.

  59. 59.

    Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)

    @rikyrah: It’s just R vindictiveness and racism too. To qualify for deferred status, the Dreamers had to prove that they had no criminal record, and were in school, in the military, or working. Because they came as children, their English is perfect or close to it. Unless your policy is NO immigrant, these are the kind you want.

    Except, of course, many of them are brown.

  60. 60.

    satby

    @NotMax: I have someone who will be there two of the Saturdays and will nail down the third one today. If she’s unavailable unable to be there I know I can sublet it because they have a waiting list for that day. It’s a special antique show date.

  64. 64.

    lowtechcyclist

    @rikyrah:

    I was on the fence about the Dems holding out because of DACA.
    No longer.
    The GOP must be forced to deal with this now. They can never be trusted on this issue. As Hayes pointed out in that tweet, they want to deport those folks en masse, to which I say Hell NO ?

    I’ll go a step further, and say the Dems should freakin’ own this shutdown, to be loud and proud that they shut the government down because it was intolerable that these people who did not choose to come here in the first place be deported to ‘home countries’ that they remember barely from childhood, or quite possibly not at all.

  65. 65.

    CarolDuhart2

    @NotMax: Good luck, Pruitt, with dirty bathrooms and no cafeteria. Cleaning, maintenance, food service and even a lot of Federal Security have been privatized. So much for a work force.

  66. 66.

    Quinerly

    @Cheryl Rofer: I actually like the Grants/Gallup area. Santa Fe friends think I’m nuts. Spent 2 nights in a cabin in Ramah on the 2016 trip. If you are ever in that area check out The Ancient Way Cafe. They were doing amazing food in the middle of nowhere 2 years ago. (Zuni Mountain Sanctuary boys). I’ll send you info for 2/15. Haven’t nailed down timing. Have a great day.

  69. 69.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    On Friday, Michael Wolff — author of the book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House — insinuated to Bill Maher that President Donald Trump is having an affair “right now” and that if readers know what to look for, the evidence is in the book.

    ***

    “Now that I’ve told you, when you hit that paragraph, you’ll say, ‘Bingo,’” he added.

    Ivanka!

  72. 72.

    RedDirtGirl

    @MomSense: So nice to hear from you. I have stayed in close touch with her mom, and I think they are all doing quite well under the circumstances!

  73. 73.

    Spanky

    @Baud: 3930 Comments on that opinion piece at the moment, the vast majority predictably harsh.

    WaPo be trollin’. I don’t know why.

  78. 78.

    oldgold

    @David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch:

    Nikki Haley. There’s a chapter towards the end of Fire and Fury that reads:

    “By October, many on the president’s staff took particular notice of one of the few remaining Trump opportunists: Nikki Haley – the UN Ambassador. Haley – ‘as ambitious as Lucifer’ in the characterisation of one member of the senior staff – had concluded that Trump’s tenure would last, at best, a single term and that she, with requisite submission, could be his heir apparent. Haley had courted and befriended Ivanka, and Ivanka had brought her into the family circle, where she had become a particular focus of Trump’s attention, and he of her.”

  79. 79.

    danielx

    Heard McConnell on the tv just now, annnnd…it’s all the Dems’ fault. Did you know that? I didn’t know that.

  80. 80.

    Just One More Canuck

    @Quinerly: At our previous house, there was a big patch of catnip growing at the side, which naturally attracted a lot of the neighbourhood cats. Our cat (the wonderful Scully) was very tolerant of this and didn’t mind sharing. We called her the neighbourhood dealer – she liked to get high on her own supply

    And good morning to you and the future leader of the free world

  84. 84.

    Betty Cracker

    @Baud: I read it. Basically, it’s just some NRO/Federalist idiot typing GORSUCH! 600 times. Ruth Marcus wrote a far more worthwhile piece in The Post’s opinion page today.

  85. 85.

    MomSense

    @RedDirtGirl:

    Yes I am! I had given away all my hats so I made two last night. One for me and one to share. I’m picking up a couple of friends and heading out soon.

  88. 88.

    Betty Cracker

    @Baud: Yep. I’m glad she outed herself. When one of the dozens of raging scandals finally brings the shithole down, it’ll be useful to have public declarations like that as receipts. Because you know they’ll all be saying, “Trump who?”

  89. 89.

    ThresherK

    I nailed it! Top of the hour headline at NPR is “both parties blame each other”!

    Degree of difficutly: 0. This is so easy a guess, I am awarded no points for it.

  92. 92.

    Another Scott

    @oldgold: He certainly wants one to think that she’s more than UN Ambassador, doesn’t he. But he’s being awfully coy about it, also too.

    Donnie did spend an awful lot of time in NYC early on, though, didn’t he… :-/

    But, Meh. We should keep our eyes on the prize and on the important stuff – Donnie’s policy actions, the money laundering, the incompetence, the racism, the punching-down, the conspiracy with Vlad and the Russians, the destruction of the federal government.

    My $0.02.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  93. 93.

    debbie

    @ThresherK:

    Yeah, and to be honest, I wasn’t impressed with Schumer’s audio clip. It’s time to go big picture and condemn the GOP for their insistence on numerous short-term CRs — whether they’re in the majority or minority — as a weapon against the Democrats and a sop to their donors. The GOP has been playing politics with the budget for decades. The GOP has abandoned its self-proclaimed mantle of responsibility and failed to even try for a long-term budget, I think, because it’s the last thing they actually want.

  94. 94.

    Quantumman

    I have seen nothing written about funding for sh#thol?s secret police that was in this funding bill I believe. Why is that not being talked about? Who wants this guy to have his own Gestapo?

  100. 100.

    Quinerly

    @danielx: The Mine Shaft. Great place with a lot of history. Also known for having the longest bar in the state of NM. Originally built for the miners when Madrid was a company town. The bar is higher than the usual bar. After being hunched over for 12 plus hours in a mine, the miners preferred to drink standing up. On our 2016 trip, Poco and I stayed for a month in a casita almost directly across highway 14 from The Mine Shaft. Great Green Chile Cheeseburgers. However, the best food around Madrid is The Holler Restaurant. I would put it up against almost anything in Santa Fe…better prices. I still have dreams about a stuffed pork chop from there in 2014.?

  101. 101.

    Furloughed Fed

    I really hated being right when coworkers asked my opinion about shutdown or no yesterday.

  103. 103.

    Ken

    @NorthLeft12:

    And also, what exactly can that toupee’d fool do that would help the situation?

    Apropos of nothing, from “Blackadder Goes Forth”:

    General Melchett: Field Marshall Haig is worried that this may be depressing the men a tadge. So, he’s looking to find a way to cheer them up.

    Captain Blackadder: Well, his resignation and suicide would seem the obvious suggestion.

  105. 105.

    Ken

    @NorthLeft12: In the absence of shutdown guidance from the President and his political appointees, the obvious answer is that employees should follow their example.

    Bust-out’s started! Everyone steal the computers and petty cash!

  106. 106.

    danielx

    @Quinerly:

    That’s the place! Was in there years ago while driving up to Santa Fe from Albuquerque. Excellent place!

    Fun fact: the aquifer/water supply for the city of Albuquerque has a layer of jet fuel floating on top of the water.

  108. 108.

    danielx

    @eclare:
    @debit:

    Boris has grown into a big hulking tabby cat, while Natasha is still this dainty little thing. But they still cuddle together like the kittens they were six months ago.

  110. 110.

    Quinerly

    @danielx: Well, I’ll ignore that last paragraph and think about my favorite margaritas in Santa Fe. They are at Del Charo (horseshoe shaped bar at the Inn of the Governors). Locals, $6.50 for a martini shaker of margarita….pretty much two nice drinks. Always great conversation at the bar. I see the same locals every year.? Favorite bartender has been there over 12 years. That says a lot for a place.?? ? Also, wonderful, cheap food…..nightly specials.

  111. 111.

    George

    @NorthLeft12: I work for an agency in the USDA. Yesterday no guidance or instructions were received until early afternoon. In 2013, I recall a general discussion of what to do in the event of a shutdown being emailed a week or more ahead of the event.

    In addition, morale in the agency has plummeted, most recently due to the abrupt decision by the secretary of the department to limit employees’ ability to telework. Rumor is that wellness time also is on the chopping block. Those things are in addition to the continual reduction in budget and the hundreds of vacant jobs that have gone unfilled because approval to do so is required at the departmental, rather than the agency, level.

  115. 115.

    eric

    This is really Ryan’s doing. The Senate could get a few more democratic votes, if Ryan would allow a bill in the House that could get any democratic votes. The GOP strategy is to pass a bill in the House that no real democrat would ever support, then blame the Senate Democrats for not finding 5-10 to vote for it. A more bipartisan House bill gets to 60 in the Senate. Blame Paul Ryan for HIS failure to compromise and HIS inability to run his party in the House.

  116. 116.

    trnc

    @lowtechcyclist: I disagree with that framing. Dems wanted a small bit of federal policy to protect people that most US citizens want to protect, and the republican leadership refused to allow even that small bit. I’m proud we’re trying protect people, but republicans are the ones who shut the govt down over it.

  117. 117.

    Marcopolo

    Good morning folks. About to head out the door and downtown to the local march. The sun is out and we have a gorgeous clear blue sky. Wishing everyone a lovely first government shitdown day!

  118. 118.

    fedlaw

    It’s not even clear whether Pruitt’s order is lawful — it may violate the Antideficiency Act if he’s redirecting funds that are appropriated for specific purposes.

  122. 122.

    Suzanne

    @Quinerly:

    Any word from Ozark?

    Oooooh. What’s going on? I’ve been incredibly busy this week and haven’t read many threads. I hope everything is okay.

  123. 123.

    HAL

    One of my Facebook friends posted a memory from last year where he criticized people posting clocks counting down to the end of Trump’s administration. You know, we have to support the President! I voted for Trump because he’s not the status quo!! How dare anyone accuse me of being racist.

    Apparently his point now is how great Trump’s first year has gone and hey, how’s that clock working out for you? It’s fascinating to watch someone bend and twist to make a reality that simply doesn’t exist. I know it’s petty of me but I won’t defriend him because I’m looking forward to the meltdown when Trump’s out of office and that’s going to be way before 2020.

  124. 124.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Quinerly:

    The Mine Shaft. Great place with a lot of history.

    There was a bar in NYC’s West Village in the late 70’s -early 80’s called The Mine Shaft. Also a lot of history. Maybe catered to a somewhat different demographic, though.

  126. 126.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Suzanne: His son was hit by a car in New Orleans, and is in the hospital, probably had surgery. There were two posts in an early thread on Tuesday or Wednesday if you want to search.

  129. 129.

    What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?

    Bet those folks who coughed up the $10 grand to attend Trump’s bash at Mar a Lago will never see that money again, even if it gets cancelled. First rule of Trump is it’s his money now.

  130. 130.

    Baud

    I haven’t been the biggest fan of Atrios but he’s got a post up urging people to cancel their NYT subscriptions. I guess I’ll keep him on my feed a little longer.

  134. 134.

    dr. bloor

    Mick Mulvaney giddily boasts to Hannity: “The person who technically shuts down the government is me, which is kind of cool

    Dear Republicans,

    Sternly blaming the Democrats for the shutdown will be more effective if you stop splooging all over yourselves every time you say “shutdown.”

  135. 135.

    CarolDuhart2

    @Furloughed Fed: I was a seasonal during 13. I remember that the only thing we could do was process checks and deposit them. Everyone else was on furlough until further notice. By the way, do you have to go in Monday for cleaning desks and getting that letter?

    One good thing about this is that it was on a 2nd week midmonth. The next check should be processed-we have to pay obligations already incurred. But even in 13 it was a hardship for many who had to miss one check and for anyone who had to keep working, pay or no.

    If you have a TSP fund, check Monday to see if they make special arrangements for emergency withdrawals.

  137. 137.

    Schlemazel

    @Suzanne:
    I was in the same boat, apparently his son was hit by a car. We are all worried about him and hoping that it is not as bad as it sounded

  140. 140.

    Kayla Rudbek

    @lowtechcyclist: yeah, USPTO didn’t get our notice that we would have authorization to spend our user fees until yesterday afternoon. Very big difference from the 2013 shutdown

  141. 141.

    J R in WV

    @Suzanne:

    Wednesday we had two posts from Ozark, first that his younger son, in New Orleans, was “run over” by a car, with displaced fractures of both legs. Somewhat later, same thread, we heard that the news was better, he was in surgery, and maybe the boy’s traditionally poor luck had taken a turn for the better. Silence since then, probably no computer of his own…

    Yesterday one of the regulars copied the two comments into a comment together, which confirmed my memory of the Wednesday posts.

    I would rather have traditionally poor luck for years to save the good luck for being run down, personally. Good time for all the good luck you can muster.

  143. 143.

    Gelfling 545

    @Just One More Canuck: I grow a lot of catmint, not the actual nip, because it’s a reliable bloomer all summer. For some readon the local cats seem to pick one plant thst they crush down to nubs (some actually sleep in it) and leave the rest alone. I imagine some have higher concentrations of the active ingredient thsn others. Still, the locals visit the plants all summer & keep the area rodent free.

  144. 144.

    Uncle Ebeneezer

    @Betty Cracker: Oh no!! I randomly capitalize nouns all the time (just too lazy to learn the rules on Caps/italics/quotes etc.), fortunately I doubt anyone will ever confuse my tweets with 45’s.

  145. 145.

    Steve in the ATL

    @George:

    In addition, morale in the agency has plummeted, most recently due to the abrupt decision by the secretary of the department to limit employees’ ability to telework. Rumor is that wellness time also is on the chopping block.

    Do you have a union?

  146. 146.

    Cowboy Diva

    @Furloughed Fed: the NTEU had it, and probably released it to the press. Throughout the day where I am frontline managers were trying to keep people in the loop, updating contact information, etc. By 4pm PST we knew we had been excepted and were to report to work as usual Monday morning.

  147. 147.

    Steve in the ATL

    @danielx:

    aquifer/water supply for the city of Albuquerque has a layer of jet fuel floating on top of the water.

    The preferred nomenclature is “white lightning”

  149. 149.

    Ohio Mom

    @Gelfling 545: I had a friend who used pretty much the same trick in her vegetable garden: planted catnip for the neighborhood’s cats even though she was petless.

    @Baud: I don’t think this is new, I remember very many anti-NYT Atrios posts. In his more engaged youth, he was prescient about many things.

    I don’t use a feed but I’ll always check in on him, out of nostaglia, mostly. He was my first blog. I think he was the one who led me here, too.

  150. 150.

    SFAW

    @Uncle Ebeneezer:

    Oh no!! I randomly capitalize nouns all the time (just too lazy to learn the rules on Caps/italics/quotes etc.), fortunately I doubt anyone will ever confuse my tweets with 45’s.

    There used to be a parody-troll commenter over at Josh’s — he may still be commenting, not sure — named “the ghost of eustace tilley,” whose comments had random capitalization. Made for interesting reading.

  153. 153.

    moops

    @Kayla Rudbek:

    yeah, DOE here. Our situation is odd, in that a lot of our research grants have already been transferred to our site by this time of the year, so, we go to work as usual. But….we have had so many CRs that it is getting ridiculous. Without budgets we have been in a half year of paralysis in our agency since we can’t plan anything.

    and like the rest of you, we haven’t been given instructions, except that all government workers are grounded in the event of a shutdown. So my flight to DC on Monday I’ll have to cancel. I hope I can at least bank the ticket and save my grant that money. I’ll likely need to fly to DC again within a year, but perhaps I’m not on that same grant by then?

    I would rip on this more, but I have fellow travelers that are BJ commentators.

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