Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Petty moves from a petty man.

Books are my comfort food!

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

An almost top 10,000 blog!

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

Since we are repeating ourselves, let me just say fuck that.

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

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

I would try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

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

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

Let me file that under fuck it.

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

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Wednesday Open Thread: Waiting for Biden

Wednesday Open Thread: Waiting for Biden

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While we wait for President Biden to speak tonight, looks like we could use an open thread. I’m sure someone will put up a Biden post, but if not, I’ll try to get back to do that.

Looks like they’re bringing out the big guns in PA.

This is an open thread

Reader Interactions

92Comments

  1. 1.

    TaMara

    I have to run a couple of errands…I’ve put up a scheduled post for Biden’s speech, so is should be there if no one else is around.

  2. 2.

    bbleh

    Along with a World Series game in which Philly leads (and won in their first home game by utterly demolishing the Astros).

    This would definitely be the night to go driving around Philly.  Peace and quiet, no traffic problems …

  6. 6.

    John Revolta

    Well, pour one out for me………..I just voted for Val Demings and against Ron DeSantis* and it was the most fun I’ve had in months! (Yes, I need to get out more.)

    DeSantis is having his own rally separate from Trumpf’s this Saturday- very interesting. The gloves are coming off………..

    *I’d like to say I voted for Charlie Crist, but meh- basically he’s the guy running against DeSatan. Demings I’m more excited about.

  8. 8.

    Mousebumples

    I signed up to text bank for Mandela Barnes tonight at 7pm – hopefully after the little ones are in bed for the night. 🤞

    If anyone else is interested, I can pass along the link, or report back tomorrow, too.

  9. 9.

    cain

    My wife and I are meeting Tina Kotek this saturday – we might be doing some canvassing – I prefer text banking. :P

  10. 10.

    Dangerman

    All I want for Christmas is my Two Houses of Congress, my Two Houses of Congress, my Two …

    Hmmm. Needs work.

    I figure if Dems hold, one of two things happen: Reichwingers go ape shit and try to burn it all down (they were promised impeachments, dammit), leading to mass arrests and incarcerations, or Republicans spend two years thoughtfully considering how to rid themselves of the Assholes in 2024 and beyond, leading to mass arrests and incarcerations.

  11. 11.

    Redshift

    I got an email from Mark Kelly’s campaign that Obama is going to be doing a rally there too. I know some people the other day were wondering if he was going there.

  14. 14.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Dangerman: Hell, if they WIN, they will go apeshit and try to burn it all down, and that’s what really concerns me. They’re the sorest winners in the world.

  16. 16.

    Redshift

    @Dangerman:

    or Republicans spend two years thoughtfully considering how to rid themselves of the Assholes in 2024 and beyond, leading to mass arrests and incarcerations.

    Wow, and I thought I was an optimist…

    The voting advice I’d like to give, but haven’t been able to boil down to a slogan, is:

    Republicans blame everything on Biden, and if they get elected they’ll stop everything from getting better because they want to keep having problems to blame on Biden.

    If Democrats get elected, they’ll keep trying to make things better and Republicans will still blame everything on Biden and try to stop them.

    You’ll get the same thing from Republicans whether they win or lose, so why should you care if they win? Vote for trying to solve our problems instead.

  17. 17.

    trollhattan

    @John Revolta: I have dreams–not kind ones–of Val Demings running DeSantis over with her Harley on her way to the  governor’s mansion.

    Don’t crush my dream, Florida!

  18. 18.

    O. Felix Culpa

    Biden is scheduled for a rally in Albuquerque tomorrow. I’m going, if the good lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.

  20. 20.

    Mousebumples

    @Omnes Omnibus: sounds great! Hope that goes smoothly!

    My mobility is shot for the next few weeks, but I can text from my couch and hope it moves the needle enough to fire/retire Ron. 😊

  23. 23.

    SpaceUnit

    Dropped off my ballot this afternoon, and now I’m going to avoid the news for a while.  MSM are trying to kill me with their horserace bullshit.  I don’t think the pollsters have a clue about what’s going to happen and if they did know they still wouldn’t tell you.  It’s just horserace horserace horserace.

    I’m starting to think it’s a racket business model.

  28. 28.

    trollhattan

    LWOP for the Parkland murderer.

    The gunman who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

    A jury last month voted for the defendant to be spared the death penalty, in a decision that outraged relatives of the victims.

    Ahead of the sentencing, family members of the fallen delivered emotional messages of grief and anger.

    The gunman pleaded guilty in October last year to the 2018 murders.

    Shackled and wearing a red jail jumpsuit, the killer showed no emotion as Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer formally sentenced him on Wednesday.

    During emotional statements over the course of two days, family members of the victims addressed the murderer – 24-year-old Nikolas Cruz – without ever using his name.
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63492795

  29. 29.

    brendancalling

    @bbleh: There is never a good night to drive around Philly. Even on a slow night, the streets are always busy, jumbled up, and semi-jammed. Also, the potholes are multiple and deep. Much better to walk or take the abundant transit.

    I love my city, but if you don’t HAVE to drive, don’t. You’ll be happier and saner.

  30. 30.

    Mousebumples

    @Omnes Omnibus: haha, I can walk on it, so the ortho doc said no. But if my trick or treating adventures are any indication, I’d be sloooooow at door knocking. So I’ll stick with texting for now. 😊

  32. 32.

    Steve in the ATL

    Super annoying woman sitting next to me on the plane.  Was on a Teams call on her laptop while boarding and up until we took off. While texting.  And jabbing me with her elbow.

    All of which is forgivable, except that she then turned on Fox News and watched it for the whole flight while guzzling whiskey.  I tried to annoy her by turning on Clerks III, but I was suffering from it more than she was so I switched to CNN. And I suffered more—“CNN poll shows likely voters strongly favor republicans on the economy”. “CNN poll shows likely Republican voters are far more enthusiastic than democratic voters!”

    It got so bad I almost—almost—turned on the Jonas brothers concert.  [shudders]

  34. 34.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @brendancalling: I use the Indego rental bikes a lot to get around in center city. But there are so many streets torn up that even on a bike it’s a tooth-rattling ride. And if you’re a pedestrian, it seems like you can’t walk three blocks in any direction without having to cross the street because the sidewalk is closed on your side.

  37. 37.

    UncleEbeneezer

    An update on the encouraging early vote. Using TargetEarly, Ds lead 50.4-39.5 (+11) out of 26m votes cast. That gives Ds a 3m vote lead. At this point in 2018 Rs had 140k vote lead. As the goal of a campaign is to get more votes than the other side we’re off to good start. 1/

    Here’s how it looks in key battlegrounds (+ is net points higher than 2020 at this point):

    IA 59-37 +13
    GA 49-42 +12
    MI 51-28 +22
    NC 50-43 +3
    NM 56-40 +2
    NV 50-44 +2
    OH 44-40 +8
    PA 72-25 +12
    TX 40-45 +6
    VA 55-30 +6
    WA 58-30 +.2
    This is all really good. 2/

  39. 39.

    UncleEbeneezer

    More evidence that young people are not staying home: this time in 2018, only 11,535 young Democrats in PA cast their ballot. Now, six days away from Election Day, more than 50,000 young Democrats in PA have cast their ballot. Yes, young people are turning out.

    …

    We are in the final stretch and can’t take any voters for granted. Head over to
    @VotersTomorrow
    ‘s website to find ways for you to turn out young people:

  50. 50.

    Suzanne

    I was supposed to be in Philadelphia this week, but I canceled my trip because I think I have RSV. Cough, snot, sore throat.

  52. 52.

    geg6

    If you want to hear Biden relaxed and having a fun conversation, I highly recommend one of the podcasts I listen to.  It’s called Smartless with Sean Hayes, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman.  Their most recent episode is with Handsome Joe and it’s a delight.

  53. 53.

    Delk

    Today my dad (and his twin brother) would have been 92. He only made it to 57. Had a fatal heart attack playing cards at a company picnic.

  54. 54.

    indycat32

    For those who urged me last night to see a doctor about the cat bites- went to doctor and now have antibiotics, so the hell cat’s evil plan to kill me has been foiled.

  55. 55.

    NotMax

    @NotMax

    And now upon refreshing the page I see trollhattan got there firstest with the mostest.

    @O. Felix Culpa

    The gyre of random stuff swirling ’round the brainpan has diminished in scope and intensity with age but still washes up a nugget now and again.

    ;)

  56. 56.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Suzanne:

    That sucks. I’ve heard RSV has been going around. A lot of coworkers have become sick the last few weeks

  58. 58.

    HumboldtBlue

    The Phillies have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Astros in a raucous and rocking Citizens Bank Park and the Eagles are in Houston tomorrow night sitting at 7-0 and looking to remain perfect. Helluva week for Philly sports.

  65. 65.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Suzanne:

    I can only imagine and the main reason is the Phillies were in no way expected to be here. When they fired Joe Girardi at the end of May they were 22-29 and I was resigned to another summer of just having them on in the background. But under new manager Rob (Philly Rob by way of Quebec) Thomson the Phils went 46-29, made the wild card, swept the Cards, ran the Braves out of town, smacked the Padres upside the head and now have the heavily-favored Astros on the ropes.

    You can feel the energy from the park through the TV screen and to top it off, the Philadelphia Union, the MLS squad, play for the MLS title on Sunday. All in all, an exciting time for Philly sports fans.

  66. 66.

    JMS

    @UncleEbeneezer: comparison of early votes in Pa is useless. We don’t have early in person voting now and we got no excuse vote by mail only in 2020. I don’t even know who was counted as “early” in 2018. Excused absentee ballots maybe? I’m surprised there were even that many then.

  67. 67.

    Suzanne

    @JMS: Voting early by mail in PA is a pain in the ass. In AZ, it was amazing. The one thing Arizona has done better, IMHO.

  69. 69.

    Suzanne

    @WaterGirl: Well, I don’t know for sure that I have RSV. But it’s likely. It is decimating children’s hospitals all over the country right now, and adults usually just get….the kind of low-grade crap-tactic thing I have going on right now. I know it isn’t COVID because I used up my last test to be sure.

  70. 70.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Kropacetic:

    My mother has been sick with something for the last two weeks. It’s not COVID, and I don’t think it’s RSV, but it’s a miserable cold

  72. 72.

    Argiope

    Sitting on the OH Voter Protection Hotline waiting for more calls.  Talked with a 95 year old lady who was sharp as a tack but didn’t realize she’d been redistricted out of her former state house district and into one where only an R candidate is running.  She was disgusted, and when I encouraged her to consider running, that’s when I found out she was 95.  Another young woman with anxiety issues whose ballot hasn’t shown up yet and who is scared to go to the polls on election day so talked her through her other options. She’s never voted in a midterm before but she’s fired up and ready to go because Republicans are terrifying.

  73. 73.

    Suzanne

    @WaterGirl: RSV is not new. One of my nieces was hospitalized as a baby when she had it, and she is in college now. It’s more dangerous for littles and the olds, but adults can get it over and over. You’ve likely had it and thought it was a cold.

  79. 79.

    bbleh

    @brendancalling: Oh I always left my car parked and either walked or took the bus.  Philly is VERY walkable: Center City is not very big, which means a lot of the city residential areas are within walking distance, the buses are reliable and go EVERYWHERE, and for longer distances there are about 6 different kinds of trains and light-rails.  Meanwhile, not only are the streets crowded, but the lanes are reeely narrow compared to many cities.  Why anyone would drive if they didn’t have to is beyond me.  (Then again I felt the same about New York.)

  80. 80.

    Eunicecycle

    @Suzanne: my granddaughter has RSV right now. She’s 8 months old so she couldn’t say what’s wrong, but she was obviously miserable, so my daughter took her to the pediatric ER Monday night. She was there over 9 hours because there were so many sick kids. They have a test that can tell if you have COVID, RSV, or flu.

  85. 85.

    Jackie

    @catclub: I, despite living in a household with two elementary aged grandchildren, have stayed Covid-free. I’ve been exposed to it secondarily (classmates getting Covid) plus exposed to the flu and RSV. Thank goodness for vaccines combined with good luck and good genes! *Knocks on wood!

  88. 88.

    sab

    @Suzanne: As you know, RSV is like a cold for young adults, dangerous for young children and babies and even more dangerous for the elderly.

  89. 89.

    Elizabelle

    @sab:  I did not realize RSV could be that dangerous to the elderly.  As if they are not in enough peril with Covid and all the usual pains and illnesses of advanced age.

    Have heard plenty about the pediatric RSV patients.

  90. 90.

    Suzanne

    @sab: Yes. Apparently it’s a leading cause of all the illnesses we usually just call pneumonia. And it’s so common that even if only a small percentage of people have severe illness, a small percentage of a big number is a lot.

    My client said that over 97% of their pediatric beds across the whole system are full. We’re pushing back deadlines because the clinical staff can’t work on the project right now.

  91. 91.

    MomSense

    @Suzanne:

    My cousin told me that hospitals in Massachusetts have been begging to transport patients to pediatric beds here in Maine. We are full as well. RSV is no joke.

  92. 92.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Suzanne:

    My client said that over 97% of their pediatric beds across the whole system are full. We’re pushing back deadlines because the clinical staff can’t work on the project right now.

    This is so sad. And winter hasn’t really started yet either. Between this and the last two years, medical professionals have just been taking a beating

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