Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

This really is a full service blog.

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

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

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

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

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

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Let there be snark.

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

John Fetterman: Too Manly for Pennsylvania.  Paid for by the Oz for Senator campaign.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

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

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

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

A Senator Walker would be an insult to the state and the nation.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Everybody saw this coming.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Sunday Night Open Thread

Sunday Night Open Thread

by | 99 Comments

This post is in: 

I know there is an open thread down below but I have been awol for a few days all caught up in real life bullshit.

Steelers won today, in the most stressful way possible.

Ten days until I head to South Beach for ten days. My college roommate, after a career in finance and law, became a smallish real estate developer, and lives in a condo in South Beach near a bunch of his properties. Every year, he goes on vacation to some remote island somewhere that doesn’t even have much in the way of cell service, and he needs someone to babysit his dachshunds. I said HELL YES, and I am packing up the family truckster and Lily and I are going to get our beach vacation anyway in 2018. Plus, it’s free (well, gas there and back, and I am going to stay in a motel on the way there and back because I see no reason to drive for 20 hours straight). I’m pretty excited. Christion, the fraternity brother who lived with me for several years, will be staying at my house here dealing with Rosie, Thurston, and Steve.

Speaking of Steve, I was just putting some wet food down for Lily, and the fat bastard must have heard the can open, because he came barreling in out of nowhere like the kool-aid man busting through a wall and shoved me AND Lily out of the way. I just yelled “You motherfucker” and grabbed the food and took Lily into another room.

God damned zoo here.

Reader Interactions

99Comments

  2. 2.

    Gin & Tonic

    Ten days until I head to South Beach for ten days.

    What natural disaster awaits South Florida in the next week or so?

  5. 5.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    My wife’s family had an early Chrstmas party today to try and offset their sadness of a beloved family member dying in February. It turned into a Jerry Springer episode. F-bombs, c#nt bombs, fists flying. Merry Fucking Christmas. I was just sipping beer watching the fiid guys beat thise assholes from New England. Finally!

  8. 8.

    zhena gogolia

    I think you should turn Steve into a YouTube star like Maru. Take atmospheric zen videos of him slowly getting into a box.

  9. 9.

    Barbara

    A great time to visit Florida –so glad you are getting your holiday at the beach. I hope you can stop somewhere interesting along the way. We divided our driving trip to Ft. Myer by stopping in Savannah.

  14. 14.

    Greg Ferguson

    Our Panther could tell I was going for a can of tuna from the other end of the house. A true Familiar she was (and is).

  15. 15.

    Yarrow

    Ten days until I head to South Beach for ten days

    Somehow my brain interpreted this as you were going on the South Beach diet for ten days. Your version is way more fun.

  16. 16.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    @Barbara: I wish. I meant to type good guys and those assholes. Damn phone. I blame Obama. The Sabres beat the bruins tonight, too, America wins!

  18. 18.

    waratah

    @Gin & Tonic: I was late to the other thread on how to cut the cookies the nuts make it harder but you might try dental floss. I use it to cut through cinnamon rolls with nuts in them. Your dough will be stiffer but that might cut better than the soft dough.

  20. 20.

    Pogonip

    Christian,

    If you can keep your head when all about you bark so loud
    And when Thurston has just puked into your shoes
    When you’ve tripped four times over the milling crowd
    And still try to photograph knowing Rosie will refuse
    When all have been attended to, all is well and done—
    Then, what’s more, you’ll be a man, my son!

    Have a nice trip, Cole.

  21. 21.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    Thousands march in Brussels against U.N. migration pact

    Thousands of people marched in Brussels on Sunday against a U.N. pact aimed at fostering cooperation on migration, eclipsing a smaller demonstration in support of the deal, the signing of which brought down Belgium’s government last week.

    Police said some 5,500 people marched in the bigger protest, organized by Flemish right wing parties in the part of the capital where main European Union institutions are located.

    A separate counter-demonstration of around 1,000 people, organized by left-wing groups and non-governmental organizations, took place in the city center.

    Belgian right-wing N-VA, which is the biggest party in parliament, pulled its ministers from the ruling coalition last week after Prime Minister Charles Michel refused its demand that he not sign the U.N. migration compact in Marrakesh.

    Michel had secured a large parliamentary majority in favor of maintaining Belgium’s support of the U.N. text, with support from the opposition socialists and greens. Critics said the N-VA’s move was the opening shot in a campaign before federal elections in May.

    The U.N. pact was agreed in July by all 193 U.N. members except the United States, but only 164 formally signed it at the meeting last Monday.

    It has run into criticism from European politicians who say it could increase immigration to Europe as the bloc has turned increasingly restrictive on accepting refugees and migrants alike since a 2015 spike in arrivals.

    Something has to be done to stop this. Let’s say for argument’s sake that the Dems had unified control over the federal government today. What could they do to positively affect what is going on in Europe as well as curb the worst excesses of right-wing governments, such as those of Orban’s?

    I’m greatly worried that the entire global order that has fostered peace for 70 years is about to unravel. I’m even more worried a similar movement like the Yellow Vests could happen here.

    Despite the disturbing grip Trump and the GOP seems to have on 40 some percent of the population, the US seems to be an outlier to all of this, given the 2018 midterm results.

  24. 24.

    Adam L Silverman

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: The Vlaams Belang is going to do what it is good at: be extremist.

    Also, would they have been okay with him signing it in Luxembourg?

    Belgian right-wing N-VA, which is the biggest party in parliament, pulled its ministers from the ruling coalition last week after Prime Minister Charles Michel refused its demand that he not sign the U.N. migration compact in Marrakesh.

  28. 28.

    jl

    Thanks for update. Will there be blog reports from Cole, or does Silverman and/or Cracker need to do a Cole welfare check?

    In any case, my thoughts and prayers, my sincerest and deepest thoughts and prayers to Cole, and Lily, and the dachshunds, and the condo, and South Beach….My thoughts and prayers… I guess the developer friend won’t be there and can take of himself.

    Looking forward to report and pix for the Cole party night at Hilton Head, or whatever luxe joint Cole stops at, which is the least I expect from the full service blog.

  29. 29.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Adam L Silverman:
    So you’re saying that this isn’t a serious threat to the status quo in Europe? All I see is a growing right-wing, iliberal threat being fermented by the Kremlin that needs to be stopped.

  30. 30.

    Suzanne

    I have been feeling increasingly craptacular off and on for the past two weeks. My sinuses are making me crazy. None of the usual shit is helping. And it is making me grumpy. Goddamn I just want to breathe.

    Also, I am sick of people trying to talk to me about “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. It’s just a song. I can’t muster up any give-a-damn about it. If it comes on the playlist, I listen to it, and if it doesn’t, then I don’t. Listen to it or don’t, but fuck off and stop engaging me in asinine conversation.

    I hate everyone and blaaaaaaaah.

  31. 31.

    Kayla Rudbek

    So I’m still debating whether to sign up for the Blue Moon Fiber Arts sock club. Pluses: very colorful yarn and IMAO, a fair price for all of the yarn and patterns and extras included, and a fun theme for the 2019 club. Minuses: paying up front for the whole year, and this club works as a surprise in terms of yarn color and patterns (so if I don’t like a yarn/pattern combo, I have to find a recipient/fashion victim or make something different with the yarn), and various complaints listed on Ravelry to consider. Mnemosyne, other knitters, y’all have any advice?

  32. 32.

    J R in WV

    @khead:

    Iggles beat the LA Rams tonight, and did a pretty good job at it. I called my buddy from Philly (45 years ago) and said “Are you watching this game?”

    He said “Are you kidding? Of course I’m watching this game!” He hasn’t lived in Philly since about 1970. I lived there in 1969-70 myself…

    It was a good football game. I can’t watch CBS so I didn’t see the Stealers game, still glad they won, even if it was Ben Rapelesberger who QB’s the team.

  34. 34.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Mnemosyne: If you say so. I’ve not seen either of those. I can’t stand him. I’m grateful he embarrassed all those Republicans and conservatives on his HBO show, but that’s about it.

  35. 35.

    Luthe

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: From what I have read (both in the American and international press), the Yellow Vests are something of an “Occupy Wall Street” movement. They have no defined leader and a loose set of demands. Immigration is not one of their major issues; income inequality is. The only reason they seem scary is the anarchists and fascists who took advantage of the movement to break stuff, especially in the heart of Paris.

    We have very little to fear from a similar movement, especially since the French are much better at protesting than we are.

  36. 36.

    Adam L Silverman

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: There’s been a hard core group of Flemish nationalists and extremists for as long as I can remember. They’re a nuisance, but they’re not an existential threat to Belgium. Do I think this there is a connection to Putin’s active measures campaign? Sure I do.

  37. 37.

    trollhattan

    Pissing rain here in the Sac Valley since 2:00 this afternoon, good for the garden and good for the snowpack. “Back in the day” we got these storms in October and fire season would end until next summer. I miss that.

    Doubt Zinke’s departure will end the various Trumpian water theft schemes, but maybe disrupt them enough for a counterattack.

  38. 38.

    magurakurin

    Short Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice futures…NOW.

    Miami is about to have its most intense snowfall and freeze in the last 500 years in just 10 days.

  39. 39.

    jl

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: @Luthe: From what I have read, the yellow vest movement contains many diverse elements that span the ideological spectrum. The Kremlin is not behind every little thing that happens. Macron may be great in other areas, but in domestic economic policy, he is following a very standard Eurozone technocrat austerity policy that has squeezed the middle and working classes enough to cause widespread frustration. Before his election, Macron’s domestic economic policy plans were pretty vague. Would he modernize the French social welfare system, taking it in the direction of, for example, Denmark, and make it more flexible? Or stay with increasingly outmoded French (and Southern European, generally) approach to labor market regulation, except weaken it with Eurozone,and OECD style ‘structural reforms’ (weaken unions and social safety net) and impose austerity in fiscal policy? Mainly Macron has done the latter.

    So, if Kremlin behind some of it, frustration with Macron domestic economic policy very probably behind much more of it.

    @Adam L Silverman: I think standard issue Flemish and Walloon politics is a more serious existential threat to Belgium. They seem to have made peace for now, though.

  40. 40.

    jl

    @trollhattan: Won’t be safe any more to rake the floor of the American River until late July, probably Trump will be pissed we haven’t gotten on the stick on that.

  41. 41.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Adam L Silverman:
    Ok.

    Out of curiousity, in our conversations have I come across as authoritarian to you?
    @Luthe:

    Forgive my ignorance, but I thought Western Europe and the Nordic countries were better at income equality than us?

  44. 44.

    NotMax

    Oh joy. Checked the mailbox when I took the trashcan down to the street tonight. In it (the mailbox, not the trash can) was a letter from Medicare, dated in October, with some important (but luckily not ultra crucial) information about something needing a decision about before the end of December.

  49. 49.

    Adam L Silverman

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: Overtly? Not much. Part of the issue here is that the EU needed to step in much, much sooner. All that overwhelming of sovereignty that the Brexiters constantly go on about is demonstrated to be completely untrue when you see that the EU has done very little to intervene in the internal politics of Hungary and Poland despite EU membership requirements pertaining to democracy.

  51. 51.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @sukabi:
    I’m asking what a United States that had its head on straight could do stop Orban as well as the right-wing slide Europe is entering.

  52. 52.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Adam L Silverman:
    What would the reaction be of Orban and the Polish government if a Democratic Party-ruled US was attempting to interfere in their politics. Would the Dem’s ideology play a large role in that reaction?

  55. 55.

    sukabi

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: wow, that is a hypothetical as in our current condition and with our current leadership we are not anything close to being a country with it’s head on straight.

    There is either diplomacy, economic pressure or direct interference in their country’s affairs.

  59. 59.

    Adam L Silverman

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: 1) Orban is owned by Putin. He accepted bribes from Mogilivech, they were filmed, and the pictures were given to Putin. Ever since he’s done whatever Putin wants. Including turning Hungary into an insertion point for Russian intelligence personnel trying to infiltrate into the EU.

    2) Unless the US is willing to overthrow Orban’s government and/or Poland’s government, there is nothing any US administration can really do. They’re NATO allies, so we could put some distance in between us like was being done with Erdogan, unfortunately from a NATO and European security perspective, that just plays into Putin’s objectives.

    3) Politically this is an EU problem and the EU has the ability to bring significant pressure to bear through EU processes. The EU is a master of process, which is why they’ve tied the British Brexiters into knots.

    4) The only real way to get rid of Orban and the current Polish government is for the people of Hungary and the people of Poland to do it themselves. There are a variety of things that the US, its EU, and NATO allies can do to facilitate that. Some of those things include leveraging information operations, economic power, PSYOP on the covert side of things, support for the opposition, etc. But at the end of the day it’s up to the Hungarians and the Poles. We can incentivize them overtly and covertly, but unless we’re going to invade and do it for them, there’s little we can do directly.

  60. 60.

    jl

    @Doug R: Someone asked to see Cole in that? Huh… I’ll be damned. If Cole is game, I think some trigger warnings and pics below the fold are in order for his vacay posts.

  62. 62.

    Kineslaw

    If you’re going to South Beach a fun, cheap, thing to do is get the fried chicken from Joe’s Stone Crab Takeaway and eat it at South Pointe park while watching the cruise ships come out. They have a philosophy that everyone should be able to eat there, so the fried chicken is only $6.95 for 4 pieces.

    https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/miami-port-40

  64. 64.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @sukabi:
    That’s different. Putin is evil and so is Victor Orban. If I were US President, I would only do so for the greater good.

  66. 66.

    cmorenc

    For some of us fans of the other aka “real” football : ) , Liverpool smacked Man United around the field today as if Man U was some just-promoted EPL pretender struggling to avoid being stuck in the relegation zone. Although Man U did manage to craft an opportunistic goal off a Liverpool GKing error, for most of the match Man U struggled to retain possession against Liverpool’s intense defensive pressure long enough to create many scoring chances, and spent much of the afternoon defending against wave after wave of Liverpool corner kicks and counter-attacks. It’s baffling how Man U can have one of the most talented squad in the world, yet so often play with such mediocrity. It’s hard to see how Man U manager Jose Mourinho lasts past the end of this season.

  67. 67.

    jl

    @sukabi: ” how do you feel about the Russians interfering in our countries politics? ”
    My two cents:
    It depends on where the limits are. If Russia wants to interfere by funding a perfectly legal bargain basement government media outlet (Russia Today) that gives Larry King a place to hang his hat for a few years, and broadcasts slanted BS on Ukraine, well that is what comes with a free press, and I don’t have much of a problem with it.

    If Russia works behind the scenes to corrupt US officials with illegal and treasonous bribes, and hacks our electoral system, then I have a huge problem with it.

    Countries have always tried to influence the domestic politics of allies and adversaries, and always will. The question is, what limits are they willing to respect?

  68. 68.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Thanks for that. Are there any signs the EU is taking steps to do just that? I know the EU basically did nothing when Central European University was rejected from Hungary.

  69. 69.

    sukabi

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: but it’s not different.

    Why do you think it’s our job to fix another country’s political problems? It’s up to them and their neighbors to work on their economic shortfalls, social ills that enabled Putin to get a toe in, same as we need to work on that here.

  72. 72.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @sukabi:

    Why do you think it’s our job to fix another country’s political problems?

    Honestly? Because I’m both afraid of what that radical political change could mean for me personally and as well as my own sense of justice. What Putin and Orban are doing is dangerous. Their actions directly hurt millions. I believe that needs to stop. I firmly believe that evil only triumphs when good people do nothing.

  73. 73.

    Mnemosyne

    @Kayla Rudbek:

    I haven’t been knitting lately because my carpal tunnels are being assholes, but I did aspire to the Blue Moon club at one point. The only thing that stopped me was that I didn’t really enjoy knitting socks. Their yarns are beautiful, though.

  75. 75.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Amir Khalid:
    You’re right. I just feel so impotent and infuriated when I read about that kind of stuff. I wish there was something I could do to stop it.

  78. 78.

    Chetan Murthy

    @sukabi: But to be clear, I think “hard power” is the wrong way for us to affect what’s happening in Europe. What needs to change, is this austerity-obsessed technocracy that’s driving Europe to ruin.

  82. 82.

    Quaker in a Basement

    Steelers won today, in the most stressful way possible.

    Great to learn you survived it. I thought you might have stroked out when Brady had the Pats marching at the end.

  83. 83.

    Chetan Murthy

    @sukabi: Oh, you won’t find me disagreeing about the maleficent effects of US hard power since WWII, almost always. I do think that our soft power is less …. baleful than all that, though.

  85. 85.

    Amir Khalid

    @Chetan Murthy:
    South Korea went through decades of right-wing dictatorship in the post-WWII years. I’m not so sure that the American influence there was entirely benign.

  86. 86.

    Amir Khalid

    @cmorenc:
    Some pundits say it is hard to see Jose lasting to the end of the season, let alone past that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a United manager with an attitude as negative as his.

  87. 87.

    Viva BrisVegas

    @Amir Khalid:

    South Korea became democratic in 1987 and joined the UN in 1991. Very recent history.

    I think it’s fair to say that they did it all themselves.

  89. 89.

    Mustang Bobby

    Welcome to South Florida. I can see South Beach from my office if I had a window. Just a word of warning, John: the traffic will suck you dry and test your patience beyond the dreams of Job. Oh, and the roads are always under construction. And the restaurants will automatically add the tip because they get a lot of folks from places that either don’t tip or stiff the help anyway.

    Have fun.

  91. 91.

    Tony Jay

    @cmorenc:

    And a wonderful day was had by all. 8-)

    As to how United’s expensively assembled squad can be so dour and mediocre, well, you answered that question by name-checking Jose Mourinho. Turgid, park-the-bus tactics allied to a sour and venomous atmosphere can destroy the enthusiasm of any team, even one consisting of talented millionaires. Jose could probably manage this team to the title if it were still 2005, but up against modern, attacking football and teams that have learnt how to play through his Old School formations they haven’t got a hope in hell. Give it until it’s mathematically impossible for United to qualify for next year’s Champions League and he’ll be out the door with a much reduced severance payment.

    As a lifelong Red, I’m loving it. Knocking them off their perch and all that. Hey, Sir Alex, how are you liking these apples?

  92. 92.

    SWMBO

    John, a reminder. We in South Florida have to give the dogs heartworm preventative year round. Don’t know how Lily is about taking it (after chemo) but if you can, give it to her at least a week before vacay launch. Also, Nexgard is a 30 day flea/tick preventative that is effective. The last thing the dear old girl needs is a tick disease or fleas all over her to make her miserable. Give either/both at least a week ahead if possible. It will make potty breaks less stressful for both of you if you don’t have to worry about hitchhiking critters.

  96. 96.

    Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism

    We have a garage cat. (Long story.) I went out to put down food, and in from the outdoors zipped one of the neighborhood cats before I even got the dish on the floor. The only noises I made were the door opening/closing and the soft click of opening the kibble bin and scooping out kibble.

    I called Garage Cat to the front porch and fed him there. Neighbor Cat was growling as he ate; neither of us wanted to challenge him.

    (Neighbor cat is clearly well-fed, so I suspect it was just that the next meal hadn’t arrived on time.)

  98. 98.

    Aardvark Cheeselog

    South Beach meetup for FL jackals?

    Not sure if I qualify as “jackal” by comment history, but I’ve been here a long time. Long enough that I’d already been here for a long time when the naked mopping accident happened, and the mustard went missing. I’d like to meet.

  99. 99.

    TomatoQueen

    Oooh, lovely ride. Avoid South of the Border (you know that) except to wave at it. Agree with the break, either in Savannah or if you can manage a little bit longer, St Augustine. The point of Joe’s Stone Crab is not to eat chicken, but to eat stone crab. The mustard sauce is required.
    This TOON supporter regards the plight of Jose Mourinho as the funniest thing ever. No wonder Sir Alex had a stroke.

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