Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

The words do not have to be perfect.

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

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

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

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

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

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

This really is a full service blog.

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

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

Second rate reporter says what?

Battle won, war still ongoing.

Republicans in disarray!

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

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Halloween Open Thread: Dancing Through the Halls

Halloween Open Thread: Dancing Through the Halls

by | 82 Comments

This post is in: 

Not sure how many kids I’ll get tonight. We will be extremely cold and there is still snow and ice everywhere.

A reminder, Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be on Colbert tonight – her only appearance in front of cameras today, or so it’s been reported.

Open thread.

Boo

ETA:

Oh, my god, I want these guys for my neighbors.

They have an entire series of videos here. 

Reader Interactions

82Comments

  1. 1.

    Joe Falco

    The weather is too messy in NE Georgia to expect trick-or-treaters tonight. So more candy for me!

  2. 2.

    CaseyL

    I was told a costume at work would be ok as long as there was no mask. So I am wearing flowing robes and Medusa headpiece. Have gotten a satisfying number of startled double takes!

  4. 4.

    trollhattan

    Who wouldn’t want to have that teacher?

    Weather here is Halloween-perfect, so maybe we’ll see some little ones. Some years we get nobody but a lot of families have moved in over the last couple years so there should be at least an early shift.

    On the other side of the nearby arterial is a neighborhood that gets hit massively, with vanloads of kids brought in from all over. It can be a real zoo, and pretty costy.

  5. 5.

    germy

    We have torrential rains in the forecast, and 40-50 mph winds, so I don’t expect any knocks on the door.

    They’re predicting random power outages because of the wind.

    I have a steam boiler with a safety device that keeps the water level from going too low.

    But every time there’s a blackout (or even a brownout) the safety device kicks in and tries to flood the boiler.

    I wanted to remove it, but the tech said it wasn’t a good idea.

    Our last blackout (last month) as soon as the power came back on, I dashed downstairs to the boiler room just in time to hear the WHOOSH of the boiler filling. Caught it before it could become a problem.

    But I won’t be doing much sleeping tonight, worried about it happening at 3am.

  6. 6.

    Mary G

    I didn’t buy candy, because I would have eaten half of it myself. Now I want some. I have the kind of sore throat that feels like Twitler used a forest rake on it and my head is all stuffed.

    Here’s a costume I like:

    This is Benjamin. He is Froot Loops. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/E0IRKM62MA— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) October 31, 2019

  7. 7.

    trollhattan

    @germy:
    You wouldn’t have that problem if only you heated your home with Beautiful Coal!

    Boilers, man, I remember those from when I was a kid. They’re not a thing here for houses, at all.

  8. 8.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    oh, to this day that fucking blank Michael Meyers mask creeps me out

    the music too

    ETA: I just watched the video. They seem like fun people to have as neighbors, and the fact that he’s doing it a on a pink bike is just… *chef’s kiss*

  9. 9.

    CaseyL

    Our neighborhood hasn’t had trick or treating for at least 15 years because nobody had kids. Now there is a little girl living here, but she may be too young. I think most families these days prefer going to parties or malls

  10. 10.

    germy

    @trollhattan:

    You wouldn’t have that problem if only you heated your home with Beautiful Coal!

    I’ll have to wait a few more months for Santa to bring some.

  11. 11.

    SWMBO

    I give out quarters. That’s about what it would cost to buy candy and it doesn’t cause a freakout over peanut allergies, coconut aversion, etc. And any quarters left over can be spent. I buy candy but it’s for our consumption.

  12. 12.

    Mary G

    The current #1 seed for the Super Bowl of butthurt

    Billionaire Leon Cooperman's letter to Elizabeth Warren:"However much it resonates with your base, your vilification of the rich is misguided, ignoring…the sources of their wealth and substantial contributions to society, which they already, unprompted by you, make" (1/2) pic.twitter.com/rLcttuGz2M— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) October 31, 2019

    A group of people who donated at least $50k are not wealthy?

  13. 13.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    only kinda political

    David Ghoulra @ davidgura
    After he was named @realDonaldTrump’s cybersecurity adviser, @RudyGiuliani went to an Apple store for help.

    “He was locked out of his iPhone because he had forgotten the passcode and entered the wrong one at least 10 times.” (picture )

  15. 15.

    RAVEN

    @Joe Falco: It’ll be jumpin in Athens whether or not! I didn’t realize what an industry the Thriller deal was until my buddy hired an instructor and had about 50 kids learn the whole thing. A friend from high school was the keyboard player in Rufus and wrote “Ain’t Nobody” Quincey wanted it for Thriller but he’s promised to to Chaka and that’s who got it! see if you can’t hear it on that album.

  18. 18.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    surprising news

    Travis Akers @ travisakers
    JUST IN: Lindsey Graham is stepping down as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    Chuck Grassley will assume Chair, a role he has previously held.

    and a Hallowe’en scare!

    Rick Wilson @ TheRickWilson
    Lindsay stares into the mirror whispers over and over again “Associate Justice Lindsey Graham Associate Justice Lindsey Graham Associate Justice Lindsey Graham.”

    curious move– I find Graham repellent but I suspect The Audience of One and the cultists find his (probably rehearsed in the mirror) histrionics affirming. I wonder if they want a chair who can at least pretend to look judicious (if he speaks slowly and sticks to the script) because old.

  19. 19.

    catclub

    @Mary G: There was a MSNBC bit featured with Josh Brown andScott Galloway. They have a much less
    “I have to protect all my ducats from the liberal hordes” view of Warren than many of the fat cat bankers getting quoted.

    Josh says they are scared of her because she understands banking and venture capital FAR FAR better than any previous politician. She knows where the pressure points are, and she knows where the fatcats extract wealth from companies they take over — and that usually results in people losing their job and or their pension.

    Galloway says if you want people who are not fat cat bankers ( like 98% + of the population) to say right on – keep saying that the fatcat bankers hate her. Keep doing that and she will use all those terrified banker quotes in her advertising. She has already done it once.

  20. 20.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Mary G: my not-very-political brother (like a lot of my family Bush turned his Dem leanings into pretty solid partisanship, and he hates trump) showed me a tweet from some hedge fund guy saying to his brethren and sistren, “come on you guys, you can’t really be pretending we’re victims here”.

    @catclub: Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle (the latter especially) are often mouth-pieces for the Wall St POV, but even they often say “Why the fuck do we still have the carried interest loophole? Who in Congress sticks up for it?”. If the good Senator-Perfesser can explain that to people, and get them riled up, it would be a good thing.

  21. 21.

    Patricia Kayden

    When Republicans are asked in years to come why they opposed impeaching a president who tried to bribe a foreign government for political help with military aid, not sure the “I didn’t approve of the subcommittee process” will be very compelling.— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) October 31, 2019

  23. 23.

    ET

    DC is rainy with a chance of tornado so I am not sure how many trick or treaters will be trick or treating. I had decided to be the Grouchy Woman in the Corner House and not participate this year.

  24. 24.

    trollhattan

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:
    They dread Warren because she truly, deeply understands their arcane world and will quickly knock down their many business-as-usual facades. Once exposed, who knows what’s possible to rein them in?

  26. 26.

    Chyron HR

    @Mary G:

    Dear Billionaire L. Cooperman;

    I feel that you should be aware that some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.

  27. 27.

    Citizen Alan

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    There ain’t no way in hell that Shitgibbon is wasting a SCOTUS slot (assuming God hates us enough to grant him another one) on someone who is 64 years old and who openly disdained him literally until the moment John McCain died. Although it would be perversely amusing if a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land were enough to finally get Graham to come out of the closet.

  28. 28.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I shan’t offer any opinion, I’ll just report and let you decide

    Molly Jong-Fast @ MollyJongFast
    Ann Coulter is trending because because she made a dumb mistake and not because she died.

    Ann Coulter @ AnnCoulter
    No she didn’t. Tulsi is a SENATOR, meaning she’s in the SENATE and doesn’t vote on HOUSE resolutions.

    Catturd @ catturd2
    For all you foolish Tulsi Gabbard fans …
    She just voted for the illegal impeachment coup.
    She’s just a better looking Nancy Pelosi.

    Coulter’s an Ivy Leaguer. She likes people to know that.

  30. 30.

    danielx

    If I wasn’t a reasonable man, I’d say it is snowing outside. However, there are a ton of kids in the neighborhood and I am tolerably certain we’ll have some candy gnashers on the streets this evening. I plan to sit in the garage (suitably garbed) with the garage door open, candy bowl handy, space heater on and irish coffee in hand.

    Years ago in another house we got nine inches of snow on Halloween, but all these poor little kids came traipsing to the door in boots and costumes. Can’t keep them down.

  31. 31.

    trollhattan

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:
    Oh, mercy. Was unsurprised to learn fairly recently that Skeletor Coulter was an early and enthusiastic Federalist member and attended all the kewhl kids gettogethers.

    Next Coulter tweet: “You know what I meant, you morons!”

  32. 32.

    Viva BrisVegas

    @Mary G:

    your vilification of the rich is misguided, ignoring…the sources of their wealth and substantial contributions to society

    Translation: We plebs should get down on our knees and give thanks that the likes of the Kochs, the Mercers and the Murdochs have deigned to use their wealth and power to manipulate and corrupt the political process in order to enrich themselves and fulfill their Social Darwinist fantasies by assaulting the very fabric of democracy.

  34. 34.

    trollhattan

    Gov Gav has had to tell people to knock it off with harassing PG&E workers. They should funnel that energy into picketing HQ.

  37. 37.

    dmsilev

    Heh. Every fall, I trial chocolate cake recipes on my coworkers (prepping for Thanksgiving). Normally, I do three, but because of time limitations this year I only did two. Just now, my boss forwarded this to me: The Chocolate Cake That Saved My Vacation.

    I’m regarding this as a not-so-subtle hint that Cake #3 would be appreciated…

  38. 38.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Mary G:

    substantial contributions to society

    Haha, tell us more. Show your work.

    These fucking people. I look forward to John Oliver telling Bob Murray to go fuck himself more.

  39. 39.

    geg6

    I will get no children trick or treating. We live on a one of the busiest roads in the county, it will be raining like hell, winds of about 50mph expected. I have lived in this house for a dozen years now and we have never had a single kid knock, not even when I stocked up on candy when I moved in. Plus I hate, hate, hate Halloween. The only thing I liked about it as a kid was some of the candy. Have never liked wearing costumes or being forced to come up with one. Not my thing. At all. Lastly, Halloween is the day we had to put down my sweetest pup of all time, Otis, a golden with a heart of gold.

    I hate Halloween.

  42. 42.

    Kent

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    curious move– I find Graham repellent but I suspect The Audience of One and the cultists find his (probably rehearsed in the mirror) histrionics affirming. I wonder if they want a chair who can at least pretend to look judicious (if he speaks slowly and sticks to the script) because old.

    Lindsey Graham is 64. Zero percent chance the right will waste a SCOTUS pick on someone that old.

  44. 44.

    catclub

    @germy:

    He charges a fortune to give lectures on cyber security.

    George W Bush probably gets even more for talks on leadership. There are rich idiots (convention organizers) who will pay celebrities a lot to talk to them.

  45. 45.

    trollhattan

    Great news for anti-vaxxers! NOT

    Measles has a devastating impact on the body’s immune system that could make it harder to fight infections for years, a pair of studies show.

    The virus can cause “immune amnesia” – meaning the body forgets how to fight bugs it once knew how to beat. Measles also resets the immune system to a “baby-like” state, compromising its ability to devise ways of tackling new infections. Experts said the findings showed the importance of vaccination.

    The findings were based on detailed analysis of unvaccinated children in an Orthodox Protestant community in the Netherlands. Blood samples were taken from the children, and then again two months after a measles outbreak in 2013. Research groups in the United States, UK and Netherlands were analysing the samples to assess the impact of measles on the immune system. The focus was on antibodies – the tiny proteins that stick to foreign invaders – and the white blood cells that make them.

    The immune system has a memory of the hostile invaders it has fought off before. Part of this memory is kept in memory B-cells, which are a type of immune cell that has specialised in producing just one type of antibody. But the measles virus can infect and destroy these cells, causing “immune amnesia”.

    Researchers at Harvard Medical School looked at blood samples from 77 children.

    They used a tool, called VirScan, that is like a fancy fishing rod that can catch thousands of different types of antibodies. It allowed the team to build up an incredibly detailed picture of the children’s immune system before and after a measles infection. Results, published in the journal Science, showed the children lost 20% of their repertoire of antibodies on average. One child, who had a severe measles infections, lost 73% of the types of antibody they could produce.

    “Measles is like the first 10 years of an untreated HIV infection compressed into a few weeks – that’s the kind of immunological memory damage,” Dr Michael Mina told the BBC.

    Boo!

    This could explain why I seemed to keep getting colds as a kid. I had had both types of measles.

  46. 46.

    Chyron HR

    @Kent:

    On the other hand, imagine how funny it would be if they promised him a SCOTUS seat and never intended to deliver it.

  47. 47.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Kent: You’re assuming Leonard Leo has someone in the golf cart when trump tweets out the nomination after Lindsey looks the other way when trump kicks his ball toward the hole

  51. 51.

    tokyokie

    I sure as hell hope no costumed kiddos ring our doorbell this evening. I just got back home from having knee-replacement surgery Tuesday, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to stagger to the front door with the aid of a walker and then try to wrestle with Marvin, the corpulent Siamese, to keep him from getting outside, in order to distribute sugary treats. But we rarely have any show up.

  52. 52.

    WereBear

    @Mary G: Billionaire Leon Cooperman’s letter to Elizabeth Warren:”However much it resonates with your base, your vilification of the rich is misguided, ignoring…the sources of their wealth and substantial contributions to society, which they already, unprompted by you, make”

    Oh, rilly? Let’s cast our minds back four decades, shall we? As the ridiculously-wealthy tighten their grip on the throats of our net worth, our wages diminish, our taxes rise, our schools disintegrate, millions of lives ended or destroyed with wars designed to funnel money to themselves…

    So that’s what they mean by “substantial contributions to society”? I think they should stop.

  55. 55.

    Mary G

    Kay alert: NY Magazine piece Democrats Lost the States. A New Book Says Activists Are Fighting Back.
    By Sarah Jones. This is an interview with journalist Meaghan Winter about her excellent new book, All Politics Is Local: Why Progressives Must Fight for the States.

    Republicans still control many state governments: Why Democrats did better in 2018, but are unlikely to catch up easily, if at all:

    The answer, she suggests, is multipronged. Statehouses are missing progressive and even centrist lawmakers, she writes, “because of choices not made, money not spent, organizations not sustained, would-be leaders never elected.”

    Meaghan Winter: The answer I give is not going to be complete because it is one of the central questions of our time, really, in terms of political dynamics. But one of the things that, for example, the anti-abortion movement has been wonderful at doing is connecting local activists to elite entities and institutions that have a lot of funding and political clout. One of the things that I heard, over and over again, from longtime progressive organizers and various movement leaders is they have had a lot of trouble getting big donors or institutional donors to sustain long-term organizing at the state and local level. So on the left, there’s just not the money to sustain a 10-year, 20-year program the way there is on the right.

    The political parties, and by that I mean the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, are not the vehicles for change going forward because of campaign-finance laws. Right now, we’re in a situation where the interest groups can raise money more easily, that have more freedom. They’re gonna be the ones who really can push our politics in a different direction. That is important for people to know because that, again, is how we get to this position where a lot of culture-war stuff becomes front and center because those interests have more money and they can steer the conversation. That’s a more complicated reason than just “the Democratic Party leaders are incompetent.” It’s actually a much more complicated story.

    It’s all good, if a bit depressing. I’m going to get the book.

  61. 61.

    Mnemosyne

    @tokyokie:

    Keep all lights at the front of your house off and they’ll get the hint.

    Or, if you’re feeling nice, put a mixing bowl of candy on the front porch with a handwritten sign that says, “One per customer.” Done.

    Be VERY careful with your knee. The manager at our apartment building set her foot down wrong while getting into a car to go to physical therapy and somehow ripped out some of the internal work. She had to go back under the knife a couple of weeks after the initial surgery to repair it. ?

  64. 64.

    Fleeting Expletive

    Did y’all hear that Ann Coulter insisted on twitter that Tulsi didn’t either vote on that stupid House resolution, cause she’s a SENATOR, you betcha. The ratio is pretty funny.

    Carry on.

  65. 65.

    trollhattan

    @dmsilev:
    But blue ribbons are the best ribbons!

    Ugh, predictable thing is predictable. I hope today’s Twitter announcement does something to shove Facebook towards not enshrining lies and deceit as Free Speech that keeps you Free. I know…winged monkeys, infinite butts, etc.

  69. 69.

    debbie

    41 degrees and gusts up to 30 mph. At least it’ll dry up the rain so there won’t be icy streets in the morning. I am not looking forward to the time change at all. Driving in the dark with idiots who refuse to turn on their headlights is no fun.

  70. 70.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    Pizza has arrived.

    Pathetic porch display is setup: two uncarved pumpkins, a couple of glow-in-the-dark skulls that never glowed, one wearing rabbit ears, and a raven skeleton perched attractively on top of one of the pumpkins.

    Candy in basket.

    Quality control sample on candy completed (may require resampling later).

    Hocus-Pocus purchased and ready for watching, something I’ve been meaning to do for years. I love this movie, especially how much fun the three witches obviously had doing it. I heard when Bette Midler got a taste of the broomstick flying she enjoyed it so much they were hardly able to get her out of the apparatus afterward. Did BJers know that the zombie is Doug Jones, who we hardly ever see outside of heavy makeup (Hellboy, The Shape of Water)? I didn’t.

    Bring ’em on!

  75. 75.

    NotMax

    @Ceci n est pas mon nym

    Pumpkin display at the Canadian Prime Minister’s residence quite impressive.

    Trivia: Pumpkins became a substitute used by Dutch settlers in place of a tradition of hollowed-out turnips with a candle inside, as turnips were rare to non-existent in N. America at the time.

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