Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

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

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

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

This isn’t Democrats spending madly. This is government catching up.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

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

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

This fight is for everything.

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

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

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

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Friday Morning Open Thread: Readership Capture

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  1. 1.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    South Africa is hitting the news cycles because it is said to be failing in its response.

    For South Africa (with 17.6% of our population) to equal the statistical clusterfuck of US levels, it would need to have twice the number of infected and quadruple the number of deaths.

  4. 4.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    Oh, and Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron (R-Mitch McConnell’s Shriveled Root) has been going judge shopping illegally again in redneck Republican circuits and has used those corrupt clowns to enjoin every one of the Governor’s measures in short hearings, ruled on immediately.

    This includes enhanced pandemic unemployment assistance for quarantined first responders, as of yesterday.

    Oddly, white wingnuts (Cameron is a skeezy fucking white guy in a black body who does the bidding of white wingnuts) get immediate rulings while everyone else gets to wallow in torturously long process, particularly in regard to the Taylor murder.

  5. 5.

    OzarkHillbilly

    Orin Kerr@OrinKerr
    This deserves more attention.

    Quote Tweet
    David Burbach
    @dburbach
    · 9h
    Oregon Public Broadcasting confirms tweets today that federal officers in camouflage but no agency identification or badges, driving unmarked non-government rental cars, are grabbing protestors off streets in Portland and not talking w local authorities

    https://opb.org/news/article/federal-law-enforcement-unmarked-vehicles-portland-protesters/#.XxD9y_CwH4w.twitter

    Orin Kerr

    Lots going on in this story, but let me point out just one: If agents are seizing people, throwing them in vans, driving them around, bringing them to the courthouse, putting them in cells, & trying to interrogate them, over hours, that’s an arrest that requires probable cause.

    Orin Kerr

    And at least based on the story, they don’t seem to have probable cause. The story makes this sound like the kind of “round up the usual suspects” they used to do in the bad old days. In other words, that’s bad.

    Orin Kerr

    Maybe there’s more going on that explains this. But it should be a priority of some good reporters to take a very close look at this and find out what the heck is going on. /end

  6. 6.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    I suspect that their vision is that of Mississippi, circa 1930. A few wealthy people, a tiny middle class, and a fuckton of poor people scrabbling in the dirt. Occasionally having a lynching to satisfy the bloodlust of a white lumpenproletariat.

  7. 7.

    MattF

    So, Trump’s economic policy is ‘Less for everyone except me. And maybe some of my pals. And Mr. Putin.’

  13. 13.

    Betty Cracker

    I had the WEIRDEST dream, y’all! It was set in a real place that I’ve never set foot in — a notorious strip club in Tampa called 2001 Odyssey. As a child, the club fascinated me whenever we’d pass by it in the car because it has a large fake UFO on the roof.

    Anyhoo, in my dream, I was on a corporate rebranding team, and I was trying to talk the sleazy owners into renaming the club “Jot & Tittle,” which is a phrase from the Sermon on the Mount. LMAO and WTF?

  14. 14.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @debbie: @Baud: I suddenly feel this urge to fill all my pockets, go to city hall and scream, “Give me pencils or give me death! FREEDUMB!!!!!!”

  18. 18.

    Gin & Tonic

    Six years ago today, Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 was shot down by Russian-backed and -trained separatists using Russian weapons in Ukraine. 298 innocent people were killed.

    Russia still denies any involvement.

  20. 20.

    Betty Cracker

    @Baud: Could be a bread mold thing! Had to laugh when Cole mentioned bread mold in that context because the other day, I was thinking about how future historians might explain a large portion of the population’s allegiance to a failed and aggressively stupid and offensive asshole like Trump and the mask vs. anti-mask conflict, etc., and it occurred to me that they might explore grain mold theories similar to explanations I’ve read for the Salem witch trials…

  22. 22.

    SFAW

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    Oregon Public Broadcasting confirms tweets today that federal officers in camouflage but no agency identification or badges, driving unmarked non-government rental cars, are grabbing protestors off streets in Portland and not talking w local authorities

    Let me guess: the last line of the story is one of the protesters saying “Like a dog!” as he dies. Maybe someone named Josef K.?

  23. 23.

    Feathers

    Cue Trump announcing the Pencil Emergency Act; $1B going to someone with unclear, but certain, links to his family; huge groundbreaking ceremony; frequent updates of factory building, always showing only a prototype; huge declaration of victory with wall of pencils; which later investigation show to have been made in India.

  24. 24.

    SFAW

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    MASHA. Make America a Shit Hole Again.

    “Again”? That implies it ever was, before the Murderer-in-Chief and his minions started heightening the contradictions.

  27. 27.

    satby

    So a nice thing happened yesterday! My oldest son bought my house in Chicago on contract, so my name is still on the title. Yesterday he texted a photo of a note left on the door:  “Sharon, it’s Bily W*****, 312-***-****” My son didn’t recall the name, no reason he would because it was a homeless 18 year old I brought home from work (long story) when my son was about 6. Billy lived with us several months over 31 years ago!

  29. 29.

    SFAW

    Speaking of the Murderer-in-Chief: although I can barely tolerate listening to his disgusting voice, I sometimes hear it on a Lincoln Project as. One of the things I’ve “noticed” (so to speak) is when he talked about “slow the testing DOWN!” it sound as if he has a 2 x 4 shoved up his ass, instead of his “normal” voice. Am I the only one to notice that vocal affectation? Does someone have a better description than “2 x 4 shoved up his ass”? [NB: Ozark may inform me/us that, due to the Murderer-in-Chief’s size/girth, it might actually be a 6 x 6. So be it.]

  34. 34.

    WereBear

    My Scribd app helps me budget my reading, which is always big and has only gotten more so with the pandemic.

    So I’m listening to the audio book of Mary Trump’s Too Much and Never Enough. These folks are so dysfunctional my hats are off to those who managed to claw their way out and make an honest living.

    Were it not for the money, they’d be stabbing each other to death in meth-fueled rages in substandard housing somewhere. In fact, some of the stories she tells makes me want to do it.

  36. 36.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @WereBear: You have some serious self loathing issues you need to deal with. I can’t imagine immersing myself in that family.

  38. 38.

    satby

    @WereBear: thanks.

    @Baud: it was. And I like that my sons can get IRL confirmation that even when it doesn’t seem so, kindness matters. Which they both know, but I like lessons reinforced. Even though they’re adults ?

  39. 39.

    SFAW

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    You have some serious self loathing issues you need to deal with. I can’t imagine immersing myself in that family.

    I don’t think WereBear actually talked about being “immersed” in the family. Unless you’re saying that reading the book immerses oneself therein.

  43. 43.

    satby

    @SFAW: Thanks! I did call him, BTW. We’re going to meet up for coffee or cocktails at some point. He’s 49 now, but his voice sounded just like the kid I remember. Made my day!

  44. 44.

    narya

    Kitchen (still no) update: so apparently someone is waiting for something? I suspect they’re waiting for the counter to be ready, though there are things that could be done before that happens. They’ve been so good so far, I’m not willing to jump up and down, especially since it’s Friday. If I don’t hear/see anyone Monday, however, we may have an issue.

    I saw Mary T on Rachael last night, and it was sort of fascinating. I’m not usually a fan of these kinds of books (or interviews), but her matter-of-fact recounting of truly horrible things was striking.

  45. 45.

    Mousebumples

    @satby:

    @OzarkHillbilly: yeah, I know Mary got screwed by the family but I’m still not buying her book.

    I have it on hold from the library. The physical copy is still “processing” but our local library has great curbside hold pickup that’s contactless.

  46. 46.

    Suzanne

    My Forever FLOTUS is just what I need. I was given her book for Christmas 2018 and I just gobbled it up.

    I was also given the Pete Sousa book with all the wonderful photos of Obama, and honestly it makes me too sad to look at it while everything is so terrible. But I am looking forward to displaying it on my coffee table when A) we have someone unterrible in the White House (may that be sooner rather than later), and B) I have a coffee table again. Most of our stuff is still in storage.

  47. 47.

    Suzanne

    And on the Mary T book…. I don’t think I’m going to buy it. I already know these people are garbage , and I don’t think another hate-read is good for me.

  49. 49.

    Betty Cracker

    @SFAW: That sentence and the weird high-pitch delivery stuck with me too. I think it ads featuring it should be run on endless loop in states that are experiencing outbreaks. Pretty much says it all.

    @WereBear: Did you see the Maddow interview with Mary Trump?

  50. 50.

    WereBear

    @Betty Cracker:

    Did you see the Maddow interview with Mary Trump?

    No, I heard about it this morning. Listened to the first chapter of book last night.

    I probably will.

    And I’m doing this for two reasons: one is that knowledge is power.

    And I’m also a reader of true crime, and hoo-boy, does this epic qualify.

  51. 51.

    SFAW

    @Betty Cracker:

    I think it ads featuring it should be run on endless loop in states that are experiencing outbreaks. Pretty much says it all.

    Except for the likelihood that they love hearing their master’s voice — just like Nipper! — I would especially love it if doing so would drive DeathSantis and Kemp around the bend.

  56. 56.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @SFAW: It’s a lot more immersion than I would ever subject myself to. Of course, I’m the guy who has no idea what any of the trumps voices sound like, other than the ass anyway.

  59. 59.

    SFAW

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    Of course, I’m the guy who has no idea what any of the trumps voices sound like, other than the ass anyway.

    I’ve tried to stay away from his disgusting voice and disgusting image, but they keep pulling me back in. Or something.

  62. 62.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @SFAW: I manage to limit my exposure to only Sarah Cooper’s bits and the Lincoln Project ads. Sometimes even that is too much.

  63. 63.

    narya

    @OzarkHillbilly: Yeah, I know you’re right . . . I have a lot of can’t-even going on today (and I haven’t even started work yet), and that is never a good place. At least I got in a run (for the fifth day in a row, yay me), which helps the can’t-even from turning into no-really-I-can-NOT-even.

  64. 64.

    Kay

    It wasn’t so long ago that Ohio was looking like a lost cause for Democrats, after Donald J. Trump scored a convincing victory there and humiliated the party that had twice carried the state under Barack Obama.
    Now, unexpectedly, Ohio looms as a tantalizing opportunity for Joseph R. Biden Jr.
    Two prominent polls of the state last month showed the presidential race in a statistical tie. Turnout in the Ohio primary elections in April was higher for Democrats than Republicans for the first time in a dozen years, evidence of enthusiasm in the Democratic base. And the Trump campaign recently booked $18.4 million in fall TV ads in Ohio, more than in any state besides Florida — a sign that Mr. Trump is on the defensive in a state that until recently seemed locked down for Republicans.

    It doesn’t matter- all Biden needs is Clinton states + MI, PA and WI and Biden is already very competitive in FL, but Ohio Democrats are all talking about it.
    I’m honestly not sure investing anything substantial is worth it, if Biden has to choose and maybe he doesn’t have to choose- he’s raising a lot of money. I am glad Trump has to spend though :)

  65. 65.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @narya: He no doubt has more than one job going on. It never hurts to remind them that yours came first. Just a gentle nudge, you don’t even need to be explicit about it. Asking for the schedule should be enough.

    Oh, one more thing. If he comes pleading poverty can you give him some money? The answer is “No.” Always. That is your leverage to get him to come back and finish.

  66. 66.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Betty Cracker: ROFLMAO!

    Subconscious: She’s asleep.  It’s time to draw boobs on ET!

    Why would there be a UFO on the roof of a strip club?  LOL

  67. 67.

    mrmoshpotato

    @SFAW:

    One of the things I’ve “noticed” (so to speak) is when he talked about “slow the testing DOWN!” it sound as if he has a 2 x 4 shoved up his ass, instead of his “normal” voice. Am I the only one to notice that vocal affectation? 

    Yeah.  It was weirder than usual.

  70. 70.

    mrmoshpotato

    @narya:

    so apparently someone is waiting for something? 

    Waiting to be nominated for the rotating tag?  Done.

  72. 72.

    narya

    @OzarkHillbilly: Hah! he didn’t even ask for a deposit. I have paid for the appliances (as agreed), and for some of the cabinets (also as agreed), but I have not paid him a penny yet, and he started nearly a month ago. He’s been doing this a long time, and is clearly not in it to make piles of money; when I asked him if he wanted a deposit, he was like, nah, I usually don’t even bill people until I have at least $5k in expenses. My guess is that that he has at least that much so far, and I’ve yet to get a bill. But you’re right that asking about the schedule for the next week is the way to go, and I”ll do that today.

  76. 76.

    debbie

    @SFAW:

    I have found that when I do hear Trump’s actual voice, I’m a bit surprised that he doesn’t sound like Stephen Colbert’s impression of him.

  77. 77.

    debbie

    @Kay:

    It doesn’t matter- all Biden needs is…

    No, no, no. He needs every damn state he can get. The victory has to be incontrovertible, even beyond all the allegations of fraud and fake voters (like dogs).

  80. 80.

    artem1s

    @Kay:

    I’m honestly not sure investing anything substantial is worth it

    Please yes, it’s a waste to spend a lot of money in Ohio right now on Biden ads.  I’d rather see a bunch of issue ads on the money stolen from the state by DeVos and Whitehat; lack of help from the feds on COVID and opiate addiction;  and attacking any number of remaining scum from the Voinovich, Taft, Kasich, and DeWine administrations and their privatizing gone wrong and mismanagement of our rainy day funds.  Ohio Dem party needs to take a hard at how they have enabled the alt white, racists, religious cults, gun humpers, and Gym Jordan’s of the state by embracing glibertarian, Randian bullshit from Nina Turner, Kucinich followers and Wilmerites.

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