Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

Not loving this new fraud based economy.

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

Text STOP to opt out of updates on war plans.

These are not very smart people, and things got out of hand.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

Someone should tell Republicans that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, or possibly the first.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

He wakes up lying, and he lies all day.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Bad people in a position to do bad things will do bad things because they are bad people. End of story.

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

Hot air and ill-informed banter

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

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84Comments

  6. 6.

    cain

    @Gravenstone: ​
     
    I have two of them house panthers ! My wife wants to get another young cat that isn’t so loyal to me like these these assholes 😊

  9. 9.

    geg6

    Murderous as that look may seem, I am here to say that my Cleo sometimes gives me a similar look.  And that usually means she wants ear scritches.  Perhaps Maxwell feels the same.  Go ahead, Cole, put your hand out.

  13. 13.

    Chacal Charles Calthrop

    @dlwchico: looks like John still has the AirTag on Maxwell’s collar.

    Those things are pretty heavy for a cat.  I’m sure Maxwell feels like he’s home by now, maybe there’s no need for it anymore?

  15. 15.

    bbleh

    Adding: it’s exactly the kind of pic that can be CG-modified to be talking.

    “Now look, John, things have been going very well so far, and I believe we both know that, and I certainly appreciate it, but there are a few matters that I think need rather immediate attention, lack of which might have unpleasant consequences …”

  16. 16.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Fuck Republicans

    Rafael Cruz, Margarine Traitor-Green, Lauren Bobbitthead, and Tommy Potatoville in particular.

  18. 18.

    japa21

    @bbleh: And he finally realized how badly he was rolled which is why he’s talking about setting up a special committee to look at slashing SS and Medicare.

  20. 20.

    Alison Rose

    Why did so many Dems vote no on the bill? I haven’t paid close attention to details because this shit makes me want to tear my hair out.

  22. 22.

    bbleh

    @japa21: Indeed!  A special committee!  Perhaps even a Blue-Ribbon Commission!  Composed of Leading Important People, and also important Leading People! With hearings! And a report with recommendations!  Surely this will provide the answer to … uh … what was the question again?

    @Alison Rose: the usual variety of reasons, mostly that they think it’s good politics for their district or their persona (or their fundraising) to take a Principled Stand against something or other.  Eg I can see how somebody who’s got a serious environmental image could vote against because of the permitting strong-arming for the NG pipeline out of WV, or you could vote on general humanistic principles against the additional work requirements for SNAP.  Plus, it’s good politics for progressives to pretend to be outraged, even if they’re really not, lest the scale of the debacle for Republicans and the incompetence of Qevin become too evident.

  23. 23.

    dmsilev

    @Anoniminous: About 70 GOP No votes according to the Post. Wonder how many of those will be calling for McCarthy’s head. And more to the point, how many would be actually willing to call for a vote on whether to take his head.

  25. 25.

    japa21

    @Alison Rose:  Because of some of the cuts to special programs, which in reality are minimal. In fact SNAP benefits increased.

    Anyway headlines should read “Despite Major GOP Opposition, Dems Lead Passage of Debt Ceiling Bill, Avoiding Global Economic Catastrophe.”

  26. 26.

    dmsilev

    @Alison Rose: Most (80%-ish) of the Democrats voted yes, and given that the bill was definitely not what we would have done had the Democrats held the House, I think that’s fair. I’m not going to attack that 20% for registering their displeasure.

    Edit: To be clear, the bill was vastly better than we could have expected given that the GOP loons had a strong voice in the process. So, pass it and rejoice. But there were issues.

  27. 27.

    bbleh

    @dmsilev: I continue to believe that the deal included a handshake agreement that enough Dems would vote “present” to keep a motion to vacate from passing.

  28. 28.

    JML

    @dmsilev: Jeffries learned how to count from Pelosi, I’m sure they released a number of Dems so they could vote against cuts they didn’t like, so long as the bill passed. It’s going to be a victory for Biden and the Democrats regardless and the House GOP has already begun the circular firing squad.

  31. 31.

    Alison Rose

    @dmsilev: Oh, not meaning to attack, I was just confused, and kind of would’ve liked a united front. But alas. This is why I am not in politics. I’m no Baud, after all.

  32. 32.

    bbleh

    @JML: this also, too.  Jeffries’s public remarks, the pace of the voting (Dems held back until the end), etc., all seem to have at least some degree of subtly twisting the knife.

    @Alison Rose: but this is sausage-making, no?  It’s stinky.  (Except in Switzerland, omg, I was right next to a huge sausage factory for quite some time and had no idea).  Plus, Dems had votes to spare.  If a Dem wanted to vote his/her conscience, or district or politics or funding or whatever, s/he could!  Hooray!  Just as long as the bill passed in the end, because had it not, the consequences for everyone, particularly the least fortunate, would have been disastrous.

  33. 33.

    geg6

    @JML:

    Good.  Scientology is a more fucked up religious cult than most.  Which is saying quite a lot.

  34. 34.

    dmsilev

    So, on to the Senate. Do we know how many of the Usual Assholes are going to pull whatever nonsense they’re going to pull? The Senate being the Senate, individual assholes have more power to delay things, though if the overall margin is similar to the House it probably won’t matter in the end.

  36. 36.

    bbleh

    @dmsilev: from what I’ve read, Schumer is assuming that a someone or two (Rand Paul most frequently mentioned) is gonna deny unanimous consent and require them to jump through all the hoops, which means several days, so he’s told people to be available over the weekend if necessary.

    They’ll get it done.  One trusts that Yellen has her gnomes preparing furiously to rake in the dollars the moment the gun sounds.

    As to a motion to vacate, I doubt it will come to that at all.  They’d lose, they know it, and they’ve already signaled publicly that they know it.  I think they’ll hold their fire and wait for a time when their votes will really be necessary for Qevin.

  37. 37.

    Mike in NC

    This is the best time to be in West Virginia.

    For reasons lost to time, we took a honeymoon in WV when we got married in 1994. Stayed at the spectacular Bavarian Inn near Sheperdstown, itself a cool little town. Made side trips to the Antietam Battlefield (amazing park rangers brought the battle to life) and beautiful Harpers Ferry. Have not had the opportunity to go back since, unfortunately.

    After visiting Asheville last week, wife wants to go back there next year to see the fall foliage. We’ll fly!

  39. 39.

    CaseyL

    I love Maxwell’s expression: he’s asking for something, but not really asking.  Not quite demanding yet, but ready to escalate in a hot second.

  40. 40.

    Jackie

    @japa21: The extractions/promises Biden pulled from the GQP during his SOTU promising to NOT touch SS and Medicare will make compelling political ads.

  41. 41.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    I’ve been reading about Mcturtle’s absence on this site for weeks.  I just saw him on the local news speaking.  Yikes.  Just die already.

  49. 49.

    RaflW

    We had quite the day at the family cabin in WI. The out laws hosted 6 of their friends, ages 70 to 93.

    BF and I borrowed a golf cart to get the two over-90s down the steepish hill to the boat dock. It was a success, as was the pontoon ride.

    Then 15 minutes after we got back safely, all heck broke loose on our hot, humid, “20% chance of rain” afternoon. 45 mph wind gusts, 2″ of wind-driven rain in like 30 minutes, discovered the two sliding patio doors are not resistant to said conditions head-on, and the very heavy swim raft dragged it’s 70# concrete anchor and damn near crashed into the outboard on the back of the docked pontoon boat.

    All while lightning was crashing ’round us.

    Lots of good humor, some parlor games, and a second round of dessert smoothed things over.

    All in all a pretty good day in semi-paradise.

  50. 50.

    mrmoshpotato

    Glad to hear Maxwell and Steve are getting along – or at least tolerating each other.

  51. 51.

    Ruckus

    @bbleh:

    This. I know it doesn’t seem like it but having a number of democrats vote against the bill is good politics. Dems had to make some relatively small concessions and allowing no votes shows that while still passing the bill. Never make your opponents think they might have the upper hand. Screw them hard when it’s required but allow them something to show for the results. Even if they are shit, they still make up part of the country. Even if they are shit, they still have a vote, a voice. And we will likely have more situations like this that will result in similar endings. It’s why Biden kept smiling, he knows how to do this, he’s got good people in his corner, and they ended up winning for the cost of the gas to take the last lap.

  52. 52.

    cain

    @Ruckus: It does screw some people over – and I can understand why some folks like AOC might not like it at all. But she was allowed to vote no, and she is a good soldier. All of them are.

  54. 54.

    cain

    @RaflW: ​
     
    looks like that age group is having a good time. :)

    My parents are in great shape. My mom, I have to tell you at 74 looks amazing. But her soul is beautiful too. My wife and her have bonded so well. They giggle like school girls. I don’t know anyone who doesnt immediately love her.

    My mom has always been an innocent and it shows in her demeanor. I love my mom, although I don’t show it – we’re both hate attention. haha. :D

  56. 56.

    cain

    @japa21: ​
     
    lol – I hope he realize that it is a trap. Dems should demand it be televised. He’s stupid enough to allow it.

    Watching these people shit all over medicare and SS will be fun. I’m sure the people who are on SS and medicare will find it amusing. (well, maga people seem to think they are an exception – exception in everything it seems – when you are the chosen people, nothing you do is wrong)

  57. 57.

    Pennsylvanian

    Oh John Cole, you are a gentleman, a treasure, and a general do-gooder. It is not said often enough. Thanks, again and again.

  58. 58.

    RaflW

    “On the final vote, 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats backed the measure, while 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats opposed it.”

    It’s a good thing it passed. But I would have liked to see Jeffries and the Dem Whip have a strategy to have the House bill pass by more Republicans than Dems, ie 149+145 or something. Still well above the 218 threshold, but structured voting to be sure the Republicans would own the bill a bit more.

    Maybe splitting hairs, but the approximate tally I’d have wanted.

  59. 59.

    JaySinWA

    @cain: Nonsense, feeding time is always contemplate murder time. It abates somewhat when they are being fed as long as no one else is trying to get their food.

  61. 61.

    RaflW

    @cain: I enjoy my BF’s folks. They’re hardcore Democrats, kind, and mostly just in that happy to still be alive to enjoy the deck and a warm breeze and some nice friends phase.

    My parents passed 10 and 26 years ago (dad outlived mom by that much!), so I try to just love ’em, and give them a bit of sarcastic Wisconsin attention (which they can dish out as well as take), and it’s all pretty good.

    @eclare: Yeah, a bit of luck + many years of keeping a weather eye when out on the lake.

  62. 62.

    Eolirin

    @RaflW: I don’t know. I think we might actually want to own this one. The concessions we made were pretty minor, and we actually got things we’d want out of it at the same time. The jujitsu on the SNAP requirements, for instance.

    Making it clearer that Democrats are more invested in keeping the economy from blowing up than the Republicans is maybe helpful.

  63. 63.

    RaflW

    @Eolirin: Valid points, and maybe it’s better to just show that Kevin is a weaker whip/leader than Hakeem, as the latter delivered more of the votes and a notably higher percent of his caucus.

    I really haven’t given it that much though, I was busy today! And relieved (fingers crossed for the Senate, which should deliver) that we’re not having a crashing economy that can be blamed — wrongly! — on Biden.

  64. 64.

    Jackie

    @Eolirin: Just as long as Biden’s Administration takes advantage with lots of ads this the next 18 months! GOOOO DARK BIDEN!!!

  68. 68.

    cain

    @JaySinWA:

    @cain: Nonsense, feeding time is always contemplate murder time. It abates somewhat when they are being fed as long as no one else is trying to get their food.

    I stand corrected, I always thought more of a stay of execution when fed especially given all the expectations prior!

  69. 69.

    Eolirin

    @cain: Toxic masculinity

    Biden is a powerful example of non-toxic masculinity, especially as a father. And they mock him for it.

  70. 70.

    eclare

    @Eolirin:

    Yeah, the Rethugs thought comparing Joe to Mr. Rogers would negatively impact Joe.  That is a fucked up idea of masculinity.

  71. 71.

    Old Man Shadow

    That is a very handsome and distinguished elder God of murder and destruction.

  72. 72.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @Alison Rose:

    With the proviso that when Republicans hold the House an essentially static spending bill is the best we could possibly hope for, and folding the budget bill into the debt ceiling until 2025 was better than anyone dared hope, this bill is a victory for the Democrats.  A huge victory.  Everyone in the government knows it.

    It is very difficult for Republicans to vote for a Democratic victory, even if they feel they have no choice.  They hate us, their pride is at stake, and it looks bad to their primary voting constituents.  I think ensuring that the Republican caucus – House and Senate – doesn’t rebel en masse and sink the bill must be part of this calculus.  At the very least, let them claim Democrats aren’t thrilled and are the ones swallowing our bile to vote for it.

  74. 74.

    bjacques

    All black cats remind me of Bagamut/Behemoth from “The Master and Margarita”. If he starts sporting a bowtie and packing a pistol and a Primus stove, it’s time to worry.

  76. 76.

    JWR

    @Frankensteinbeck:

    At the very least, let them claim Democrats aren’t thrilled and are the ones swallowing our bile to vote for it.

    Yeah, I figured that Dems openly “hating” the bill was largely performative. And what a performance it largely were!

  78. 78.

    Matt McIrvin

    @bjacques: I regret not naming ours Behemoth when she was a tiny kitten, because she’s definitely a Behemoth now, attitude and all.

  79. 79.

    Matt McIrvin

    @The Kropenhagen Interpretation: Mine would spend her days outside 100% murdering chipmunks if we let her. She does it for sport. We try to keep her indoors to keep her from being an environmental menace but she is a skilled escape artist.

  81. 81.

    SixStringFanatic

    @bbleh: “Here I go, here I go, here I go again

    Girls, what’s my weakness?”

    “Being pedantic on a dead thread!”

    The problem with sausage making was never that it was stinky; the objection was that it is unpleasant to witness.  Grinding small animal bits into even smaller bits and shoving the whole mess into the equivalent of a condom.  Especially in pre-industrial times when the whole process had to be done by hand.

    The original quote, as best as I can find, reads: “Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.”

  83. 83.

    Paul in KY

    @cain: Cherish these times. My mom was like that physically at 74. She is now 97 and much not like that.

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