Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

If marriage is the equivalent of selling yourself into slavery, women with self respect should reject the offer.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

The choice is between normal and crazy.

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

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

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

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

I really should read my own blog.

The rest of the comments were smacking Boebert like she was a piñata.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

This blog will pay for itself.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Many life forms that would benefit from greater intelligence, sadly, do not have it.

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

If ‘weird’ was the finish line, they ran through the tape and kept running.

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

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread: A Few Hours To Go – Biden Live

Reader Interactions

79Comments

  6. 6.

    Kent

    @TaMara (HFG): They must be rotating through a playlist because that wasn’t what was playing when I clicked the link.  It was some Spanish rap sounding thing over a Latin beat.

  9. 9.

    azelie

    This is my first day back to really concentrating on my research and feeling like I’m making progress in a long time.  My husband passed away a few months ago (non-COVID but sudden, and way too young).  I had been struggling even before with concentration and of course have been wrecked for the last few months.  It feels good to think about my work and to consider the possibility that I might actually complete a project and publish something on a topic I love.  I think that considering the possibility of better times ahead for the country, even amid my grief, might be what is helping me start up again.

     

    (I’m mostly a lurker but have really appreciated this community and wanted to share).

  13. 13.

    Lyrebird

    Wow, I didn’t expect the official remarks of a state governor to be so personal.

     

    @azelie: Rooting for you!  I am halfway through a poster I need to send to my coauthor, and I am taking some inspiration from what you said as well.  May 2021 bring very good things to you, including comfort.

  15. 15.

    Mary G

    @azelie: I’m sorry for your loss. May your husband’s memory be a blessing.

    I am feeling the same way; there is a giant backlog of projects I kept putting off, but I feel like a giant psychic weight is being lifted and I am ready, at least to the point that I made a list. Not much, but I’ll take it.

  20. 20.

    VeniceRiley

    @azelie: I’m so sorry for your loss. And for your future of explaining “No, not from Covid.” every time you talk about the past. I hope your project is a big success.

  25. 25.

    cain

    @azelie:

    My condolences on your husband’s passing. 2020 was a shit year and I’m glad that you’re facing 2021 even while feeling your grief that the other part of your life are looking up.

  26. 26.

    Chief Oshkosh

    @azelie: I am sorry for your loss. I lost a loved one, too, a few months back. It is hard. I hope your work provides some focus and that friends and family provide comfort.

  27. 27.

    cain

    I’m not sure we are any longer the leader of the free world. I think we’re going to have to fight Germany for it.

  31. 31.

    Mary G

    WaPo: Lawmakers who objected to election results have been cut off from 20 of their 30 biggest corporate PAC donors

    The 147 Republican lawmakers who opposed certification of the presidential election this month have lost the support of many of their largest corporate backers — but not all of them.

    The top two that are “still evaluating” are surprise, surprise, surprise – Koch Industries and Home Depot. This is my shocked face.

  33. 33.

    cain

    I hope the security is good at this place. He didn’t have any bullet proof shield or anything. I feel like he needlessly put himself at risk without appropriate precautions.

  35. 35.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @LuciaMia:

    I didn’t know that, but funnily enough I happened to re-read A. A. Milne’s only mystery novel yesterday (The Red House Mystery). It’s an old favourite that I revisit every couple of years. Delightful writing, and not a stuffed bear or bouncy tigger to be seen.

  36. 36.

    Kristine

    @azelie: Heartfelt sympathies. I’m glad you’re feeling some hope for the future.

    I watched Biden’s speech, and damn but it’s nice to want to listen to my president again. That said, the degree of disdain I’ve felt toward the last two Republican presidents–I know it shouldn’t be that way. It’s not good for the country but no, I don’t know how it gets better unless/until the GOP either shatters or retrenches.

  42. 42.

    MisterForkbeard

    I’m actually pretty frustrated that my work planned several “Can’t miss” planning events this afternoon and tomorrow, or I’d be taking both days off.

    As it is, I have plans to visit the local BevMo to buy myself a really good scotch tonight. Or whiskey, either one. If anyone has suggestions I’m open, but worst case is buying an 18 or 21 year old Jamesons. :)

  43. 43.

    MisterForkbeard

    @azelie: Oh no! It’s not quite the same, but about 15 years ago my Fiance passed suddenly and it wrecked me for months, and impacted me for years.

    Getting busy on work really helped at the time, as did having a support group. I know you don’t comment here much, but you’re loved and we’re all here for you for venting or even if you just want to write about something you did for awhile. I found that weird, putting my thoughts in order around something I’d accomplished and telling people about it really helped my mood for a few days.

    Hugs.

  45. 45.

    MattF

    @MisterForkbeard: My ‘house’ good scotch is Glenfiddich Solera Reserve— not obscenely expensive and actually tastes good. It’s the 15 year, the 18 year is also good, but not as easy to drink.

  48. 48.

    germy

    Hawley needs to go.

    Sen Hawley is blocking the quick consideration of Pres-elect Biden’s nominee for DHS Secretary, saying “Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border…

    “Schumer and Biden were hoping to confirm Mayorkas as soon as tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/0LuMmHned9

    — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 19, 2021

  49. 49.

    waratah

    @azelie: my husband passed way quickly and way too young like yours. I can only tell you it will take time but it will get better.

  50. 50.

    TomatoQueen

    @azelie:  Hoping this doesn’t get eated by the 205 error, wishing you comfort in the memory of your husband and the best in this new year and new time.

  53. 53.

    TomatoQueen

    @MisterForkbeard: 205 errors abounding, but 18 to 21 year old Jamesons not to be sneezed at, except by plebes like me who buy Tullamore Dew in the little bottles and sigh after the stone crock.

     

    For the unpronounceable single malts, Laphroaig or Bruichladdich, the Laddie 10 sounds intriguing at 60 bux a pop.

  55. 55.

    Miss Bianca

    Huh. Tried to tune in but wasn’t getting any sound. Whatever, I’m glad to see that our new President is on his way to the White House!

  56. 56.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @TomatoQueen: I love the unpronounceable names of the fancy single malts, not a great fan of the stuff in the bottle, which put me in a bit of a bind when my sister for reasons not clear to me violated our family’s no-gifts-for-the-adults rule and got me what I think is a fancy bottle of single malt (21 yr old Jura?) at Xmas. I must’ve mentioned my fondness for those Scots names and forgot to mention I don’t like Scotch.

  58. 58.

    Auntie Anne

    Ok, so the place Biden spoke was the National Guard HQ in New Castle.  No one unauthorized can get near it, and because of the landscape there, no sniper opportunities.  And our National Guard was there in force . . . No worries about his safety.

    This is Delaware.  Our population is about 900K – it’s like living in a small town.  We all have our Biden stories – mine include Dr. Jill shopping at my veggie stand, which is right down the street from Joe’s childhood home, and seeing Joe buy trash cans at Target.  And of course, seeing him and Carper at the train station.

    Our politicians mostly know each other, and have worked together for years.  The governor has known him since Carney started in politics.  And one of the people he greeted after his speech was Ruthann Minner, a former governor.

  61. 61.

    Mai Naem mobile

    I think I’ve cried more at Biden’s speeches than any other politician. Actually I think the only other political speeches I’ve ever cried at were a couple of Obama ones post some tragedy(usually senseless shooting.)

  64. 64.

    MJS

    @azelie: I’m sorry for your loss. I was in your shoes 8 years ago – sudden loss of a spouse, way too young. As trite as it sounds, I can tell you that it does get better. It takes a long time, and the improvement is not steady (at least that was my experience), but it will get better.

  67. 67.

    TomatoQueen

    @WaterGirl: No idea of what a 205 error is either, but I’m guessing it has to do with the older version of Explorer on the work machine, which is increasingly incompatible with a lot of things (WaPo for one). When the proprietary software we must use is updated for Edge, then all these problems will evaporate. I will have retired the day before that release.

  71. 71.

    WaterGirl

    @Gin & Tonic: Yeah, I thought about that as I typed it, because on the podcast they spell it out and point out that there is no E in Jura Whisky.

    I was too lazy to care, but I’m glad you pointed it out.

  72. 72.

    Mike in NC

    We visited the Orkney Islands in 2019 and after we got home I bought a bottle of Scapa whisky, which is very nice. But tomorrow night we’ll be drinking Champagne.

  74. 74.

    MisterForkbeard

    I bought a bottle of 18-year Highland Park, as well as a Glenfiddich ‘gift set’ of 3 small bottles of their 12, 15 and 18 year.

    I think I’m set for tomorrow.

  75. 75.

    Bluegirlfromwyo

    That’s the send off? Holy Moly, am I going to be a blubbering mess tomorrow. Tears of joy and sheer relief.

  76. 76.

    Ruckus

    @azelie:

    Sorry for the loss of your husband. It does take time to heal from a wound this deep, but you can heal.

    And yes, I’d bet most of us have been putting off projects, chores that don’t have to get done, I know that I have been. And in less than 18 hrs about the biggest load will be lifted.

  77. 77.

    Origuy

    @MisterForkbeard: It’s probably too late for you, but the Costco in San Jose, and probably elsewhere, has been selling the Kilchoman Machir Bay for around $48.  It’s an Islay single malt; blended from several years, I believe. Matured in bourbon casks and finished in sherry casks. Not as peaty as some Islay whiskies.

  78. 78.

    Mary Ellen Sandahl

    @azelie: You’re brave and generous for sharing. I’ve never married, but coming from a family full of solid marriages I can imagine just a bit of the sorrow you’re living with. I admire your resilience, and hope this next year will be increasingly kind, and that your work will keep on helping you. I’m a lurker myself — but like you, I get all sorts of benefit just about every day from the BJ community

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