Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

The next time the wall wtreet journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

T R E 4 5 O N

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

Americans barely caring about Afghanistan is so last month.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

Battle won, war still ongoing.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

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

The revolution will be supervised.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

“Squeaker” McCarthy

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

A dilettante blog from the great progressive state of West Virginia.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

You are here: Home / We Are All Statesmen or Stateswomen Today

We Are All Statesmen or Stateswomen Today

by | 168 Comments

This post is in: 

When Donald Trump fails to shit himself while reading a speech that could have been written by the President of the University of Southwestern Arkansas College Republicans tonight, he will be declared a truly Presidential statesman by the idiots who do play-by-play on DC politics. So, I invite all of you to pick up some form of the written word – a telephone book, an advertising flyer, the back of a cereal box – and read a sentence or two out loud. Once you’ve passed the low bar that the press sets for Trump, you can be sure that you’re just as good as Trump and can therefore do whatever you please. So, just skip tonight’s asinine ceremony and watch something better on TV. The SOTU is a waste of time even with someone decent in charge. Save your energy for the elections.

Reader Interactions

168Comments

  1. 1.

    ? Martin

    Orwell would approve of our tradition given that the State of the Union is designed explicitly to avoid revealing the state of the union.

  3. 3.

    bystander

    Not watching. Too sickmaking. That said, I believe Dem congresscritters should show up to glare, sit on their hands and not stand up. Not showing up, not taking advantage of the opportunity to display their disapproval are not ways to resist.

  5. 5.

    trollhattan

    he will be declared a truly Presidential

    Gah, they keep slapping on that label. I guess is your expectation bar sits thiiiiiis tall (fingers held 3mm apart) then yes, bar cleared. Maybe he’ll spin around and grab ZEGS by the crotch.

  6. 6.

    Len

    I am looking for something (anything) to watch on television tonight to take my mind off the travesty about to occur in the Capitol building. Any suggestions or recommendations appreciated.

  8. 8.

    NJDave

    We’re heading out to see “The Post”, expecting to be in a hopeful mood after.

    ETA: left out the mood

  9. 9.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    I plan on watching Jill Stein’s and Wilmer’s SOTU responses, just for the insane laughs.

  10. 10.

    kd bart

    ESPN: 7-9 College Basketball UNC vs Clemson 9-11 Vanderbilt vs Kentucky
    ESPN2:7-9 College Basketball Indiana vs Ohio St 9-11 Baylor vs Oklahoma

    All better choices

  15. 15.

    tobie

    @Len: Try the series Ozarks on Netflix. If you want something darker, there’s the Icelandic series Trapped. Given how trapped we’re all feeling these days, though, Ozarks might be a better option. If you want something lighter, Judd Apatow’s show Love is amusing.

  17. 17.

    Josie

    @Len: I suggest turning off the tv and reading a good book. That way you won’t be tempted to peek or inadvertently hear someone comment.

  19. 19.

    donnah

    Hubby and I will skip it, too. We may watch a rerun or stream something more believable, like War for the Planet of the Apes.

    I do think we’ll catch Stephen Cobert live for his response afterward, though. That will be good for some belly laughs.

  20. 20.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    I am personally looking forward to;

    Trump contradicting himself multiple times.

    Trump using at lest one made up word.

    Trump declaring 2/3 of the country traitors and he has evidence of an attempt to overthrow him in 2020. .

    Trump bragging about being a self man from Queens who succeeded in the face of a life time of discrimation.

    Trump boasting about the number of women he’s had.

    Trump going on during a State of the Union Address about Nancy Pelosi’s teenage girl slavery ring under the Sears Tower might be to much to hope for right now.

  21. 21.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    The freak show is really big this year, not only Wilmer and Stein, but also The Young Turks will be giving a SOTU rebuttal. (no joke)

  22. 22.

    FlyingToaster

    @bystander:

    I believe Dem congresscritters should show up to glare, sit on their hands and not stand up.

    This. No heckling (much as I’d personally enjoy it), just stony silence. And get up and walk out at the end while the R asshats are still clapping.
    The best resistance money can buy is to not watch any of the networks; not give a single advertiser eyeballs. Watch on CSPAN or streaming c-span.org if you must, otherwise do something else. Make sure your DVR is recording other stuff during the SOTU.
    I’ll be wrangling the 10-year-old; I may find two things to tell the DVR to record just to make certain. I’ll either have an eye on here in between, or be streaming something drama-y on the tablet.

  24. 24.

    Old Dan and Little Anne

    If I read on this site that drumph is stroking out during his speech I’ll flip over from the Sabres game. Until that happens, fuckem. Man, I watched every minute of each if PBO’s SOTU speeches. Sigh….

  26. 26.

    ChrisH

    I’ll check out Josh Marshall’s reaction to the SOTU. Even if I had a motivation to listen, I wouldn’t want to give Trump the rating boost.

  27. 27.

    trollhattan

    @Calouste:
    Only Stein will have a hipster ska band accompaniment, so that’s how I’d tell them apart.

    Along with Sassy Trump, I think any Trump speech would be helped by wah-wah ’70s porn guitar accompaniment. “I’m the best, simply the best, most intelligent president American has ever had.” wah-wakka-wah-wah-rrrrrrrowah

  28. 28.

    Percysowner

    @Len: I’d give the new CW show Black Lightning a shot. It’s really pretty good and has been dealing with racial issues in a good way.

  29. 29.

    The Dangerman

    When Donald Trump fails to shit himself….

    Can I get odds?

    I’m not watching the SOTU. I’d rather have my nails pulled out by pliers while watching Jeanine Pirro in a continuous loop. Not happening.

  30. 30.

    Yutsano

    @trollhattan: Someone suggested Yertle was going to have to spend the whole speech looking at Dolt45’s butt. Isn’t the President of the Senate the one who sits behind?

  31. 31.

    Betty Cracker

    I’m not going to watch it. I’ll read a transcript later, and maybe follow the action here (if some brave soul live blogs) and on Twitter.

    Here’s the thing: I’m secretly hoping a Democrat — or several — makes a fucking scene during the speech. Is that wrong? I gotta tell you, it would lift my spirits to see someone stand up and call Trump Putin’s puppet to his face again, to call him out for abandoning our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, to tell him his racist, sexist bullshit is a global embarrassment. Would that be politically disastrous? Fuckifino. I don’t understand my fellow Americans anymore. I don’t know what’s expeditious politically anymore.

    Maybe wine will help.

  32. 32.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @trollhattan:

    Along with Sassy Trump, I think any Trump speech would be helped by wah-wah ’70s porn guitar accompaniment. “I’m the best, simply the best, most intelligent president American has ever had.” wah-wakka-wah-wah-rrrrrrrowah

    Dare we hope Trump goes full American Flag comic and points points out Stormy Daniels as a fine example of a successful woman businesswoman during the SOTU?

  35. 35.

    tobie

    I’m skipping the SOTU but I feel like I should give some love to Kennedy in his response since everyone is crapping on the party these days and we now have multiple unofficial responses (Vegan Sarah Palin, Me-not-Us Sanders, Young Asses, etc.). So I’ll look at the Guardian blog and when the Dem response begins will turn the TV on only to switch off right after.

  38. 38.

    JMG

    I have never watched a State of the Union message, not even the ones by Presidents I liked. As someone pointed out (maybe here, I don’t remember) you can read the damn thing in one-tenth the time once it’s over if you feel you must. I don’t. A fun fact I picked up on Twitter. Since the Carter administration, the average bump in approval ratings for all Presidents after the state of the union is zero percent.

  40. 40.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @NJDave: Saw it this weekend. Excellent film. Then I went home and geeked out by listening to Fresh Air interviews of both Ben Bradlee and Katherine Graham. The main character arc is Graham’s maturing from a “wife of” who nobody trusts, including herself, to lead the paper… into an actual leader. That’s apparently accurate and it sounds to me like the scriptwriters relied a lot on her description of herself and her relationships from her memoirs.

    Although I was a teenager (13-1/2) at the time of those events, I don’t have a clear contemporaneous memory of the whole Pentagon Papers kerfuffle. I clearly remember discussion of the break-in into Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist’s office to try to get dirt on him. But apparently nobody knew about that until Ellsberg’s espionage trial in ’73. And it was a large part of why the charges were dismissed.

  41. 41.

    cmorenc

    The people who will be watching Trump tonight will overwhelmingly be either:
    a) people who are already firm Trump supporters;
    b) political junkies who couldn’t stay away from watching, regardless of the extent to where the SOTU address falls on the spectrum between statesmanlike masterpiece and repulsive trainwreck buffoonery.

    The rest of us will either be doing something else, or watching something else (e.g. basketball).

  44. 44.

    Mike in NC

    Alternate comedic viewing tonight:

    Fresh Off the Boat
    Drunk History
    Another Period
    The Detour

  46. 46.

    TS

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Trump going on during a State of the Union Address about Nancy Pelosi’s teenage girl slavery ring

    This one might be too much – but Hillary and emails are sure to get a mention, as will the disaster of the Obama years. Now I’m wondering if birth certificates will get a mention.

  49. 49.

    trollhattan

    @Mike in NC:
    The new season of Drunk History may be the funniest yet. Never would have predicted they’d be able to keep the thing going, but they’ve assembled quite an A-list of talent for it.

  50. 50.

    Heidi Mom

    @JMG: At least with PBO’s SOTU speeches, you could watch Michelle smiling and looking gorgeous, in a new outfit that would sell out in minutes. Sigh.

  51. 51.

    Cheryl Rofer

    Y’all, I’m going to watch and comment on Twitter and here, if we have a thread. I feel it’s my civic duty.

  52. 52.

    Fair Economist

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Dare we hope Trump goes full American Flag comic and points points out Stormy Daniels as a fine example of a successful woman businesswoman during the SOTU?

    American Flagg proved far too prescient.

  54. 54.

    CarolDuhart2

    Delivering a semi-coherent speech is under the bar for Trump, who spent years on TV. And even then had his lines written by other people. Trump can follow cues to a certain extent, which is why he survived on tv.
    But certain press types are so hungry for some sign of normal that they say this is “Presidential”. As if that makes up for the rest of the year, the investigations, the erratic behavior, and the general meanness. Its as if a CEO gave a good speech at the annual stockholders meeting, and everyone forgot about slumping stock market prices and reduced sales.
    I’ll either check out the live blog here of whoever is brave enough to do so, and listen to Obama’s SOU for good memories.

    BTW, there was a tradition that the President didn’t give a speech, just sent over a letter to read . Too late for this one, but could we eventually have a slideshow with an audio track, and spare us the spectacle?

  55. 55.

    Cheryl Rofer

    @Betty Cracker:

    Here’s the thing: I’m secretly hoping a Democrat — or several — makes a fucking scene during the speech. Is that wrong? I gotta tell you, it would lift my spirits to see someone stand up and call Trump Putin’s puppet to his face again, to call him out for abandoning our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, to tell him his racist, sexist bullshit is a global embarrassment. Would that be politically disastrous? Fuckifino. I don’t understand my fellow Americans anymore. I don’t know what’s expeditious politically anymore.

    I would love to see that in real time. Part of the reason I’m going to watch.

  56. 56.

    schrodingers_cat

    OT but important

    Shitty reporting on immigration from the TPM site by Alice Ollstein

    Trump’s plan would result in 22 million fewer people immigrating legally to the U.S. over the next 50 years, with both citizens and permanent residents no longer able to sponsor their parents, grandparents, adult children, siblings, and other relatives. But Cornyn insisted Monday that the plan, by reallocating visas to address the current processing waitlist, is actually pro-family.

    Correction: First of all citizens can only petition for their spouses, children,parents and siblings under the current law. There is no provision to sponsor grandparents or other relatives. Other than parents, spouse and children under 21, all other categories are subject to strict annual quotas)
    GC holders cannot sponsor their parents. From the USCIS website.

    To petition for your parents (mother or father) to live in the United States as green card holders, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Green card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring parents to live permanently in the United States.

    WTF TPM, that’s sloppy reporting and playing into the right wing narrative.
    A citizen cannot sponsor their grandparents or other relatives. Period.

  57. 57.

    vtr

    This public service announcement: if you’re scheduled to be at work tomorrow, do not treat the SOTU as a drinking game. If you’d like to hear the content without the emetic vision of the Manhattan Rail Splitter, you can listen to it on your favorite NPR member station. Be on your toes, though, so you don’t hear the world weary analysis of Linda Werthimer, Mara Liasson, and/or Cokie Roberts.

  64. 64.

    SteveinSC

    @The Dangerman: I think Joe Wilson apologized later to Obama, before I stuck some dog shit in his office mailbox. I hope for calm and the silence of the grave from Democrats tonight, no applause no reaction at all. I and my wife will not watch this pestilential clown show.

    There should be demonstrations outside the Capitol tonight with lots of “Fuck-You Trump” signs, cartoons of Stormy spanking his ass, etc., though. Not watching and hoping for a low ratings to shame the motherfucker.

  70. 70.

    Mary G

    OH FOR FUCKS FUCKING SAKE!

    The W.H.’s original choice for U.S. ambassador to South Korea (a former Bush official) is no longer expected to be nominated after he privately expressed disagreement with the Trump admin’s North Korea policy, people familiar with the matter tell WaPo. https://t.co/aTlJVBR1XZ— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 30, 2018

    They just stopped returning his phone calls. Like a 14-year-old.

  73. 73.

    Steve in the ATL

    @raven: Appel was after my time, even though I am totally not old. Sounds like dangerous times in the Classic City–watch your six!

  80. 80.

    scuffletuffle

    I will be continuing to clear my basement for the insulation crew. Double plus good in case I need to move down there and rent out the rest of the house in the coming financial trumpacolypse…

  82. 82.

    germy

    Nancy Pelosi would like everyone to pay very close attention to Donald Trump’s State of the Uniom address on Tuesday night. According to Politico, the House Minority Leader doesn’t want Democrats pulling any stunts that might distract from the president’s speech, so as to “let the attention be on his slobbering self.”

    During Tuesday morning’s weekly private meeting of the House Democratic Caucus, Pelosi reportedly told members, “If you want to walk out, don’t come in,” and “If his nose isn’t running and he isn’t burping, he did a great speech.”

    Indeed, expectations are low for the president, who has occasionally struggled with public speaking in the past. Who knows, maybe he can have his Hall of Presidents robot sub in for him tonight.

  83. 83.

    Len

    @Josie: I do have a copy of Fire and Fury that a friend sent me. Perhaps tonight would be a good night to finally read it.

  84. 84.

    Ruckus

    Keep your sanity intact, avoid TV altogether. Not sure my sanity has not deserted in any event, but at least I’m not abnormally adding to the decline by subjecting myself to it’s idiocy.

  85. 85.

    WaterGirl

    @Len: Steeplejack posted a long list showing what all the cable options for viewing anything other than the SOtU. It was in an earlier thread today or from late night last night.

  87. 87.

    NotMax

    The good, the bad and the ugly.

    Minus the good part.

    The SOTU is a waste of time even with someone decent in charge.

    Shall never understand this mindset. Personally, file such sentiment in the same box as I do that of people who announce they will not be voting. Will I be watching? No. But shall be listening on radio (for you young’uns, that’s a box sort of like TV but without pictures) while doing other stuff, as is my usual habit for the occasion. Why? One reason is that the SOTU is always analyzed and discussed during the days following, and my preference is to compare what is said and written with what I actually heard first-hand as a metric for judging such analyses and discussions. Is the SOTU usually a revelation of crucial data? No, but it is an important occasion that serves as one signpost on the road to that destination.

  88. 88.

    WaterGirl

    @Len: Found it! (copy & pasted from Steeplejack earlier)

    * DVR Live Viewing Alert: SOTU Edition *

    Cable viewing alternatives to the SOTU tomorrow night. Netflix, Hulu, whatever, you’re on your own.

    ♦ FXX: Ongoing Simpsons marathon.
    ♦ ESPN and ESPN2: College basketball.
    ♦ HGTV: Fixer Upper, Restored by the Fords and House Hunters.
    ♦ Food: Chopped.
    ♦ Discovery: Moonshiners.
    ♦ Animal Planet: River Monsters.
    ♦ USA: WWE Smackdown! and Chrisley Knows Best.
    ♦ FX: Guardians of the Galaxy and Baskets.
    ♦ Syfy: The Goonies.
    ♦ Comedy Central: Drunk History.
    ♦ TNT: NBA basketball.
    ♦ AMC: Demolition Man.
    ♦ TCM: King Kong (1933) and The Producers (1968).
    ♦ NatGeo: Life Below Zero.
    ♦ Hallmark Movie Channel (for Lamh36!): Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps with Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox. Who says they don’t do “inclusive” programming!
    ♦ NBC Sports: NHL hockey.
    ♦ El Rey: Jet Li’s Fearless and House of Traps.
    ♦ IFC: Two and a Half Men.
    ♦ Sundance: Apollo 13.
    ♦ WeTV: Law and Order.
    ♦ BBC America: Braveheart.
    ♦ DIY: Building Off the Grid.
    ♦ MHz: Blood of the Vine. Semi-cozy mysteries in gorgeous French wine country.

    A veritable cornucopia of choices!

  89. 89.

    cosima

    I am listening to the Mahogany Sessions on youtube because I am too cheap to pay for Spotify so that I can get the Mahogany Sessions without crap adverts. I have found so many amazing new musicians there. Right now it’s JP Cooper singing ‘Wait.’ It’s listening that makes me feel better, there’s not enough of that these days.

  93. 93.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @vtr:

    This public service announcement: if you’re scheduled to be at work tomorrow, do not treat the SOTU as a drinking game.

    I am staying in tonight, planning to listen to SOTU on NPR and follow comments on either Balloon Juice or whatever other reliable outlet may be live-blogging. Have a bottle of cheap but drinkable red wine at hand, and as I’m retired I needn’t worry about work tomorrow!

    (However, I’m setting the alarm for First Sparrow Fart so I can catch a glimpse of the partial lunar eclipse, which is supposed to begin around 6:45 a.m. EST. So I don’t want to drink too much tonight!)

  94. 94.

    Ruckus

    @germy:
    His robot is too tall to get under the exceedingly low bar he has set. But then so is he even if (or maybe especially) he slithers on his fat belly.

  99. 99.

    Chris Whitehead

    I guess there’s no chance random Democrats will salute the podium and shout “Hail Spode.” Or that a flash mob chorus will sing
    “Don’t know why
    There’s no sun up in the sky,
    Stormy Daniels”

  101. 101.

    jimmiraybob

    @Mary G: 50/50 shot of announcing a declaration of war against North Korea* tonight. It’s being reported now that he hopes to bring unity to America without a really bad “major event.” I’m trying to think of an appropriate drinking game.

    *Of course, possibly UK….Canada……..California………other

  102. 102.

    aliasofwestgate

    I’ll probably be watching Black Lightning tonight and then follow that up with some virtual violence in World of Warcraft. I can’t stand Dolt 45’s voice at any time or place whatsoever.

  103. 103.

    J R in WV

    @Len:

    Read a book, I’ve got one full of spirits, vampires, witches, etc, who are all more moral and uplifting than Trump. It’s a murder mystery if it follows the other books the author has written. I’m saving it to start this evening after dinner and read during the “speech” and then afterwards I’ll see what Dumpf said and how his minions in the MSM fellated him.

  112. 112.

    p.a.

    Watching this SOTU will help Trump tout the US economy as you will need to purchase a new TV after putting your foot through your current one. Also, it’s tough getting around in winter on crutches.

  115. 115.

    Feebog

    I just started a new series on Prime, “The Last Post”. Drama about the British occupation of Aden in 1965. This will fill the bill nicely this evening.

  116. 116.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud:This is episode 3. Do you have a way to watch the initial 2 episodes before this one? I would think you would at least want to watch episode 1 first. It was very compelling.

  117. 117.

    NotMax

    Wonder how many intense meetings were held at the White House about broadcasting it only on pay per view.

  118. 118.

    debbie

    @WaterGirl:

    I don’t have cable, but there’s a broadcast channel (Heros and Icons) that runs episodes of each of the Star Treks every weeknight. I’ll watch them and reassure myself the world will survive Trump and eventually be in a better place.

  121. 121.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    @NotMax:

    Personally, file such sentiment in the same box as I do that of people who announce they will not be voting.

    Bullcrap! With voting, you have a chance(though minimal) to affect the outcome; watching the yam yammer will have to effect on the outcome, the yam will yammer.

  122. 122.

    debbie

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Thanks. Google tells me I was confusing that with Bush’s September 2002 address at the UN, where he declared Iraq to be a “grave and gathering danger.” I’m always conflating my hyperboles.

  124. 124.

    NotMax

    @BillinGlendaleCA

    I consider it one of the duties of being a citizen to endure sitting through the yammering in order to be more equipped to effectively counter it (by whatever legal means available in my lowly position) if that is merited.

  125. 125.

    Mnemosyne

    There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to watch tonight. Nobody needs money that badly.

  126. 126.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: Definitely watch 1 & 2 then, before tonight’s episode. There, I’ve planned out your evening for you. :-)

    edit: Episode 1 was compelling, episode 2 was shocking. But it gratifying to see the issues out there front and center. It’s good TV.

  128. 128.

    ET

    He might get declared that today by some but there is always tomorrow tweets that contradict most of what someone else wrote for him because he won’t be able to help himself.

  129. 129.

    J R in WV

    @WaterGirl:

    Well, my choices, had I cable, would be from Moonshiners, Drunk History, or Building off the Grid, which I’ve done, and it’s extra hard without utilities. We bought a generator for the last project, where we have a solar power plant. The generator was really cheap and didn’t work. So finally I went to a camping world and bought a Honda you have to put a hand on to tell if it is running.

    My uncle didn’t make moonshine, but he did drive it into town, back in the last 1930s and early ’40s – then a war came and he enlisted, was a gunner on heavy bombers in the south Pacific. So moonshine and drunken history are good. Uncle was a favorite, never spoke about his war. Found his wings in my mom’s jewelry after dad died, Uncle gave them to his little sister and she never spoke of them or the war either.

  130. 130.

    Mnemosyne

    @NotMax:

    Not me. I’ll catch the lowlights later. Perhaps even read a transcript if necessary. But listen in real time? Nope.

  131. 131.

    Captain C

    @Mnemosyne: Oh, I don’t know; perhaps if it was Koch-level money with the proviso that I’d have to spend half the yearly income on getting rid of all the Rethug fuckers, I might.

  133. 133.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    WHITE HOUSE EXCERPTS FROM TRUMP’S SPEECH:

    And I never banged Stormy Daniels. Could of. Probably should of. Look at the cans on that one. Believe me! Believe me! Did I mention I have been great for women? Broads – what ya gonna do – amirite!

  134. 134.

    J R in WV

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Swell, I’m already reading a book you’re barely started on!!!!

    It’s a book about Midnight TX by Charlaine Harris called Day Shift. The others have been pretty funny and interesting. I don’t believe in spiritualism, but it would be interesting if it was real…

  136. 136.

    WaterGirl

    @J R in WV: Not much talk of the war from my dad, either. The only thing, really, was that my parents always sent his all of his “army buddies” christmas cards.

    My dad’s brother came back with PTSD, only they didn’t know what to call it then so they diagnosed him as mentally ill and he spent most of his days in institutions. He was only about 2 or 3 hours from here, so sometimes I would drive my dad to visit him. He was a good guy, Uncle Harry. The day after one of our visits, we got word that he died. So hard to comprehend: “but I just say him and he was fine”.

  137. 137.

    NotMax

    Let’s see, axis of evil is already spoken for. What will the Dolt 45 cabal come up with?

    Bundle of bad guys? League of malevolence? Pack of perniciousness? Syndicate of villainy? Gang of sad goobers? Yucky yahoos?

  142. 142.

    Princess

    I am curious to see how Joe Kennedy does, and whether he really has the stuff, but I am going out to dinner, so I’ll catch it on video later. TBH I only watched the first of Obama’s SOTU speeches.

  144. 144.

    mskitty

    @NotMax: Maybe like voting – if you didn’t, you don’t have bitching rights.
    I’ll be on MSNBC with Rachel Maddow, hate-watching it: saying out loud “well that’s a lie, (raspberry), didja see that? Is he drunk? Who had nursery duty today?
    and at some point I’m sure I’ll mute it and go back to my book (Penelope Lively, Family Album) until the responses start.

  146. 146.

    efgoldman

    @FlyingToaster:

    get up and walk out at the end while the R asshats are still clapping.

    Stand up when the Sarge at Arms announces the shitheel, and turn their backs. Then when he actually opens his yawp to start talking, walk out en masse,
    Meaning is clear, maximum effect

  147. 147.

    VeniceRiley

    The only way I would watch SOTU is if Maxine Waters, Servo & Crow were talking over the live feed.

  148. 148.

    danielx

    @Betty Cracker:

    I was contemplating drinking games for this evening: take a drink every time he says something like best, greatest, fantastic, the most…etc. And take a drink every time he utters a complete falsehood; there’s got to be somebody who will be keeping track of this during live blogging.

    Then I decided the risks of acute alcoholic poisoning or my liver flaking out halfway through this obscenity were just too high.

  149. 149.

    Caphilldcne

    Pity me. My job pretty much requires me to watch SOTU. It used to be fun. Or at least you could do a report then have margaritas by 11:30 or 12:00. This is not fun. I’m praying Melania screams “you lie I want a divorce” halfway through.

  150. 150.

    LongHairedWeirdo

    You know, I do grant one thing to the news media. You have to cover the President. And to preface each statement with “remember, Trump is a fearsome liar,” will come across sounding somewhat unfairly biased for those who don’t know Trump.

    At the same time, they’ve been facing this challenge for a long time from the GOP, where the GOP says “if we can get people to toe the line on this outlandish bullshit, it becomes a Sincere, Deeply-Held Belief, and you MUST report it as such!”

    Doesn’t a journalist *eventually* learn not to trust a source that tells it enough lies?

  151. 151.

    danielx

    @LongHairedWeirdo:

    Doesn’t a journalist *eventually* learn not to trust a source that tells it enough lies?

    Depends on whether the journalist is more interested in reporting or ‘access’.

    See Haberman, Maggie.

  153. 153.

    Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism

    @danielx: No drinking games. Just drink.

    I’m debating between rereading The Goblin Emperor and poking at my current genealogy project.

  166. 166.

    LanceThruster

    @? Martin:

    “For a creative writer possession of the truth is less important than emotional sincerity.”

    ~ George Orwell

    And Cheetolini can’t even pull off the sincerity.

  167. 167.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    @Chris Whitehead:

    random Democrats will salute the podium and shout “Hail Spode.”

    Did you ever in your puff see such a perfect perisher!?

    UPDATE: Didn’t see Mnemosyne’s comment at #127.

Comments are closed.