Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

Somebody needs to explain to DeSantis that nobody needs to do anything to make him look bad.

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

We’re not going back!

I didn’t have alien invasion on my 2023 BINGO card.

He really is that stupid.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

“They not like us!” (that’s for sure!)

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

Fuck that bum, let’s go Joe!

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

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

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

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

It’s not hopeless, and we’re not helpless.

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

Let’s show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about it’s history.”

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

It’s easier to kill a dangerous animal than a man who just happens to have different thoughts/values than one’s own.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Wednesday Evening Open Thread: ‘Squeaker’ McCarthy Has Given His Notice

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: ‘Squeaker’ McCarthy Has Given His Notice

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If he was hoping for exclamations of horror and pleas that he recant, well…


… The rout of the Kevin McCarthy forces in the House of Representatives is now complete. Rep. Patrick McHenry, who was the interim Speaker between McCarthy’s ouster and the elevation of Congressman Mike Johnson (R-Megiddo), announced that he’s not running again and McCarthy himself announced on Wednesday that he’s out of Dodge immediately. (That he did so with a self-congratulatory video farewell to himself is stupendously hilarious.) From Politico:

“I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started,” McCarthy wrote.

He’s going to be a lobbyist.

Few expected him to stay in the House as a rank-and-file member for long. Still, McCarthy is expected to remain active in party affairs, including exacting revenge against the Republican critics who helped torpedo his short-lived speakership. He confirmed he’d still be politically involved in the op-ed, writing that he plans to help recruit the “country’s best and brightest to run for elected office.” He also noted he is “committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.” There have been tension points as he remained in the House, with some members suspicious that he had meddled in the nasty, three-week long search for his replacement. Since Speaker Mike Johnson was elected, McCarthy has remained mostly uninvolved in leadership.

My cynical heart leads me to wonder if McCarthy decided to bail midterm to make Speaker Johnson’s life miserable, whittling his majority down to two votes. Heh-heh-heh…

Unkindest cut of all:

Reader Interactions

144Comments

  1. 1.

    NotMax

    Moving this up from downstairs. FYI.

    The U.S. has filed war crime charges against four Russian soldiers accused of torturing an American during the Ukraine war. This is the first U.S. prosecution related to the ongoing war, as well as the first ever charges brought under the 30-year-old U.S. war crimes statute.

    The four Russians, including two senior officers, were charged with the torture, mistreatment, and unlawful confinement of an American citizen who was not fighting in the war, and therefore considered a “protected person.” Source

  5. 5.

    wjca

    Even if the death that MTG worries about doesn’t happen, somebody else could quit in a sulk.  Seems to be a lot of that going around.  At least in their caucus.

  6. 6.

    hrprogressive

    If I’m the Democrats, I file that Motion to Vacate tomorrow.

    Fuck Mike Johnson, and Fuck the Republican Party. Let them cobble together enough votes to keep him, or let them sort out another mess.

    Maybe Jeffries would pull it out, finally.

  9. 9.

    kindness

    Nancy Pelosi should put up some sort of honorary motion/statement for Kevin McCarthy just to see all the Republicans vote against it.

  10. 10.

    Percysowner

     

    Well, MTG made me laugh out loud. “hope no one dies!” Is quite the sentiment.

    Actually, if I remember all the voting shenanigans if 1) One or more Republicans suddenly get COVID or so ill they can’t attend. and 2) All the Democrats are healthy and available to attend a House session then 3) The Democrats can call to vacate the Speakership, elect Jefferies and change the rules to state that it will take a bipartisan effort to remove the Speaker.

    It won’t happen, but IIR much of the voting depended on Representatives in attendance. It would be lovely if that “one person can call to vacate” rule came to bite the Republicans in the ass.

  11. 11.

    Tony Jay

    @Elizabelle:

    Ah yes, the Young Gones.

    I am, of course, aware that not all British TV comedy of the ‘80s crossed the Atlantic. Not to mention the music of Cliff Richard, who was only the artist Elvis could have been.

    I think the general take-away from this is, yeah, those Young Guns were useless arseholes.

  12. 12.

    RaflW

    “McCarthy is expected to remain active in party affairs, including exacting revenge against Republican critics”

    A rare bit of good news on this crappy day.

  13. 13.

    Balconesfault

    When can New York hold an election to replace Santos.. and what’s the odds that the Dems could capture the seat?

  14. 14.

    Scout211

    McCarthy has been teasing this to the media ever since he was ousted as speaker.  I was skeptical that he would really do it and assumed he was trolling for something from the current leadership.

    If my assumption was accurate, he clearly got nuthin’.

  15. 15.

    RaflW

    @NotMax: The GOP voted this evening to go soft and easy on Putin. The guy who made these war crimes against an American possible.

    That’s Republicans. In a very nasty nutshell.

  16. 16.

    sdhays

    Is BTC’s math right? The Democrats have something like 212/213 seats and the Republicans had something like 221/222. The Republicans are losing seats (and the Santos district will hopefully be a pickup), but they’ll have to lose a lot more to have fewer Republicans than Democrats.

  18. 18.

    Tony Jay

    Just out of interest, has any previous House majority rake-stepped itself into potential minority status?

    With a one vote margin surely there are a few GOP Reps in Bluestate seats who can see the oncoming storm and would prefer to go down punching their MAGA wreckers in the nuts? Speaker For The Dead Johnson is probably on borrowed time.

  21. 21.

    RaflW

    @sdhays: Do floor votes require 218 out of 425 at all times? Or is it occupied seats/2, plus 1 for a majority motion

    (Dems are at 213 at the moment. Hopefully stable, and then up one after the Feb. 13 special for the ex-Santos seat.)

  23. 23.

    lamh36

    good evening BJ.

    It’s official.  As my mother said to me today, “if the Lord says the same and the creek don’t rise…” moving to the bay area next February!

    I’ve accepted an offer for a fed job with a duty station of SF!

    I’m excited about the opportunity.

    Going to be saving up more money and starting some scouting missions for sure!!

  27. 27.

    Delk

    @Tony Jay: twofer

    Rick: I think Special Patrol Group is a stupid name for a hamster!

    Vyvyan: OK, I’ll change it, then! Hello, Cliff Richard!

    Rick: Bastard!

  34. 34.

    wjca

    @Tony Jay: With a one vote margin surely there are a few GOP Reps in Bluestate seats who can see the oncoming storm and would prefer to go down punching their MAGA wreckers in the nuts?

    There would certainly seem to be an opportunity for one or two pro-Ukraine House Republicans to tell Johnson: “Bring a clean bill to the floor, or we’ll vacate the chair and make Jefferies Speaker long enough to get it done.”

  35. 35.

    Jinchi

    @Tony Jay: With a one vote margin ….

    Where do people keep coming up with a “one-vote margin”?

    Other than Santos and McCarthy in the near future, who is gone that would have trimmed a 222-213 Congress down to a one-vote margin?

  38. 38.

    sdhays

    @Jinchi: There’s a lunatic from Ohio heading for a lucrative gig as a public university president, but yeah. Still not cutting it down to a one vote majority.

  43. 43.

    Another Scott

    This seems to be the math.

    Paul Kane
    @pkcapitol
    8h

    With McCarthy’s resignation late this month, House will be 220 Republican, 213 Democratic.

    Santos’s (R) seat will be filled by mid-February. If Suozzi wins for Dems, it will be 220-214, a 2-seat margin for Speaker Johnson.

    But Higgins (D) & Johnson (R) resign late Feb.

    Dec 6, 2023 · 4:25 PM UTC

    A majority is 50% + 1.

    (via Fritschner)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  45. 45.

    dmsilev

    The GOP isn’t down to a one-vote majority. Wikipedia has a handy chart showing the count over the course of this past year. It started out 222-212 (R-D), and shortly after went to 222-213 when a vacant seat (untimely death) was filled by a Democrat. 9 vote R majority, so they could afford to have 4 of their caucus vote No on something and it would still pass. Or 8 Abstain/absent/whatever.

    Right now, with Santos defenestrated, the total is 221-213, and it’ll drop down to 220-213 when McCarthy’s resignation takes effect. Margin of 7, so 3 No votes or 6 Abstains from the GOP is the limit of what they can lose. If Santos’s seat gets taken back by the Dems, it becomes 220-214 with one vacancy, with 2 Nos the limit of what the Speaker can lose.

    McCarthy’s seat will stay vacant until the late spring at least (120 days minimum from when the resignation takes effect before a special election can be held).

  46. 46.

    WaterGirl

    @dmsilev:

    it becomes 221-214

    I am very tired after getting my flu shot today, so maybe my math skills have gone to hell, but that doesn’t look right to me.  Wouldn’t that be 220-214?

  47. 47.

    Lyrebird

    @lamh36: Wow, you have worked long and hard for this kind of opportunity!  GO GO GO!!

     

    …my own fed application apparently made it past the AI screen and the generalist screen, have not heard since.

  49. 49.

    lamh36

    @Jay: SF is legit my fav city next to hometown NOLA.

    I’ve been as a tourist too many times to count because I love it so much.  Being able to live there now is a long time dream of mine.

  51. 51.

    prostratedragon

    @lamh36:
    Congratulations, I know you’ve worked hard for this.

    Tangentially related, maybe the new slim and trim majority will make it easier to get this passed by the election:

    “Democrats in Congress have introduced a bill in both houses of Congress to ban hedge funds from buying and owning single-family homes in the U.S. If signed into law, it could potentially increase the supply of homes available for individual buyers.”

    A big lift to be sure, but believe it or not I try to be optimistic.

  52. 52.

    lamh36

    @gwangung: thx.

    This is actually the 2nd opportunity I had to work and live in SF.  The first time I was given the chance, I let fear and other folks negative opinions/advice get to me and I declined the opportunity.

    This time I won’t make the same mistake.  So thx to that previous time and my multiple trips to SF area, I def am more awar of the pricing than ever before.  Also, I’d like to think I’m wiser and better prepared this time around!

  55. 55.

    Hoodie

    Pretty clear that Kev’s one value was raising money, and that disappeared when he was no longer in the leadership.  Why hang around and be nobody if you can tie into some lobbying or similar gig?   You also get the sense that the GOP conference is getting even weirder with Mike Johnson in the Speaker’s chair.   Looks like he is a total religious nutjob who thinks he’s on a mission from god.   Kev may be a scumbag, but I don’t see him fitting in with that crowd.  He’s more of a golf course kind of guy.   The leadership appears to be pretty inept, evidenced by the failure to whip anywhere near enough votes on the Santos expulsion to keep their majority intact.   A one vote margin will be an interesting opportunity for them to step on multiple rakes.   Wonder if it might lead some GOPers to defect on something like a motion to recommit on Ukraine aid.

  56. 56.

    lamh36

    @FelonyGovt:

    I’m very excited.  Between LA and SF I’ve travelled to Cali so many times for my international travels.

    I’m excited even more for the new travel opportunities that might come my way thx to living in one of my fav “layover” cities… :-D

  57. 57.

    lamh36

    @WaterGirl: Def, I’m already thinking about all the countries I had on my Asian bucket list of places to visit!

    Also, being one direct flight from Hawaii…sign me up!

    :-)

  61. 61.

    Jay

    @lamh36:

    Lived and worked (as a bicycle messenger) there for 2 years in the early late 70’s, early 80’s.

    Even with no “real money”, it’s quite the town.

  63. 63.

    Martin

    Filling the seat is complicated. If he waits until Jan 1 to resign, Newsom can appoint someone and not hold a special election.

    If he resigns before Jan 1, then we need to have a primary and special election. Primary could happen on Super Tuesday when we’re already having primaries (so there’d be two primaries for that seat on the same ballot) and a special election in April/May. Depends on timing.

    Filing deadline for the 2024 ballot is this Friday, so not much time for people to file. McCarthy is actually undermining Republicans ability to hold the seat. Marisa Wood has already filed to run in 2024. Guessing she’ll file to run in the special.

    Democrats picking this up isn’t out of the question – especially with a jungle primary. We don’t really know much about the electorate as it’s a completely different district than in 2020, and McCarthy was a huge favorite in 2022 given he was heading into the speakership.

  64. 64.

    lamh36

    @Lyrebird:

    Oooh…mahn, the fed app hiring is so dang long and drawn out.  I def wasn’t prepared for it the last time I was up for a fed position.

    This time I was more prepared for the length of time it takes.

    I can’t tell you the number of applications I’ve submitted and how many non-referrals I’ve gotten back.

    This position I accepted is funny enough, a position that I had applied for before, but with a different duty station and before I got my Masters degree.

    I applied for this one kinda on a whim, but that whim turned into a referral and then into an interview and now is reality!

    I’m excited for sure, but that damn waiting time…woo lordt…it takes alot out of you

  66. 66.

    Marleedog

    The Young Dones rhymes better.

     

    Whether it a one or ten vote majority does not really make any difference,  as there is a group of 30 or so Republicans who will not vote for much of  anything, and  Democratic votes are needed to pass anything.

  67. 67.

    Another Scott

    @Martin:

    If he waits until Jan 1 to resign, Newsom can appoint someone and not hold a special election.

    That can’t be right, can it? House members must be elected.

    I thought it was that if Qevin resigned late enough, then Newsom could decide not to have a special election so the seat would be vacant until the January after the next regular election.

    Corrections welcome.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  68. 68.

    Anotherlurker

    @lamh36: Congratulations on your new job and relocation to the Bay Area! I have been living in the East Bay for 5 years now and I love it here.  It has so much to offer in diverse things to see and do.

    I am a NYer and it reminds me very much of NYC.

  71. 71.

    lee

    SF is my favorite major city. I travel there probably at least twice a year.

    My favorite area is Dog Patch. I’m sure many jackals can help with suggestions if you are interested.

  72. 72.

    Bill Arnold

    @wjca:
    Maybe some obvious floor conversations with such people, and with purple(or blue)-district GOP House members.
    For the cameras.

  73. 73.

    Martin

    @Another Scott: If a vacancy opens during an election year, you can appoint someone to fill the seat until the election.

    Edit: Hold on – I’m not sure if someone can be appointed or it remains vacant. Let me figure that out for sure.

  74. 74.

    dmsilev

    @Another Scott: You’re correct. If the seat becomes vacant “in the last year of the term”, i.e. Jan 1 or later, CA law is that the Governor has the discretion to not call a special election and instead leave the seat vacant until the regular general election in November. Somebody in the GOP is probably urgently pointing this out to McCarthy as we speak.

  75. 75.

    Martin

    @dmsilev: I’m certain McCarthy knows the rule as well as anyone. Waiting until 2 days before the filing deadline was already a dick move. He’s not helping the party here.

  76. 76.

    lamh36

    @HumboldtBlue:

    the housing cost was DEF the hindrance the last time I was up for a position there.  At that time, the salary just wasn’t enough.

    This current position has a great salary for the area especially for a childless singleton like me.

    Also, I’ve def been keepin abreast of the housing costs once I got this job interview.  I had good feels after it so I started looking into the expenses just in case.

  77. 77.

    Another Scott

    @Martin: No.

    Congress.gov

    The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

    It’s pretty explicit that the people have to vote for them – they cannot be appointed.

    Senators can be appointed.

    HTH!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  79. 79.

    lamh36

    @Anotherlurker:

    Thx.

    My mom’s best friend has a sister who lives in Oakland. She said I should def check into Oakland area for housing, especially since I don’t need to live in SF proper for this job.

  80. 80.

    Scout211

    @Martin: Filing deadline for the 2024 ballot is this Friday, so not much time for people to file.

    Thanks for your input.  I keep reading all kinds of conflicting reports.  There are so many “ifs” right now and it really seems to depend on when McCarthy actually vacates the office or announces an official date to vacate.  “At the end of the year” isn’t official enough for the state.

    This  article from a local news station in the Bakersfield area adds:

    A special election would determine a temporary replacement until the end of McCarthy’s elected term ending in January 2025. The Secretary of State’s office said it can not detail whether a special election would be consolidated with the March 2024 primary because McCarthy has not given a resignation date.

    If McCarthy resigns after the nomination deadline, Gov. Newsom can exercise discretion, meaning he can choose whether to call for a special election. If Newsom does not, the seat would be vacant until the end of McCarthy’s term in office with impacts on the politics of the House.

     

    Also, because McCarthy will not run for reelection, any hopeful candidates vying for his seat will get a five-day extension until Dec. 13 to declare their candidacies.

  81. 81.

    dmsilev

    @Martin: I think I saw a mention that if a seat suddenly becomes vacant on the eve of a filing deadline, there’s automatically a  one-week extension. But yeah, this is McCarthy’s FU to his colleagues who knifed him in his back. Otherwise, he’d have announced a few weeks ago that he would not run for reelection but would finish out his term.

  83. 83.

    gene108

    I wonder how fractured and dysfunctional the Republican Party will be without someone like Trump as the undisputed leader of the party to hold it together?

    They’re talking about impeaching President Biden because Trump wants it. They’re blocking aid to Ukraine, which aligns with Trump’s interests. House Republicans don’t do much, but what they do very much aligns with Trump.

  85. 85.

    CaseyL

    @lamh36: That is exciting news!  Congratulations!  I look forward to hearing about your arrival there, and where you wind up living, and what your new job is like.

  87. 87.

    dmsilev

    So, here’s the relevant chunk of the California Elections Code:

    The Governor shall call all statewide special elections by issuing a proclamation pursuant to Section 12000. Except as provided by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10730), in the case of a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office the Governor shall issue a proclamation, within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy, calling a special election in accordance with Section 10703. A copy of the proclamation shall be sent to the board of supervisors of each affected county.

    10701.(a) When a vacancy occurs in a congressional office after the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office, the Governor may decline to issue an election proclamation at his discretion.

    […]

    (a) A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of the Assembly shall be conducted on a Tuesday at least 126 days, but not more than 140 days, following the issuance of an election proclamation by the Governor pursuant to Section 1773 of the Government Code, except that the special election may be conducted within 180 days following the proclamation in order that the election or the primary election may be consolidated with the next regularly scheduled statewide election or local election occurring wholly or partially within the same territory in which the vacancy exists, provided that the voters eligible to vote in the local election comprise at least 50 percent of all the voters eligible to vote on the vacancy.

    (Chapter 3 is “in case Capitol Hill gets hit by a meteor or Godzilla rises up out of the Potomac”, so at least for now we can ignore that particular clause). So, it depends on what exactly “the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office” means. Is that a week from Friday, since it’s the nomination deadline associated with Elections 2024? Is it January 1st, 2024?

  88. 88.

    C Stars

    @lamh36: Oakland, Berkeley, even Marin County if you want to be in the redwoods. Rents are actually coming down a bit. Anyway, it’s fun here. Congrats!

  89. 89.

    Timill

    @Scout211:

    Also, because McCarthy will not run for reelection, any hopeful candidates vying for his seat will get a five-day extension until Dec. 13 to declare their candidacies.

    Not necessarily – AIUI if Qevin already filed to run, they don’t get the extension regardless of his change of mind.

  92. 92.

    robmassing

    Congratulations Freedom Caucus for one and 105 Rep who expel our own for the other.

    Anyone speak MTG?

    ETA: nvmd I figured it out.

  94. 94.

    Origuy

    @lamh36: Consider Alameda, which is pretty convenient to Oakland and is a nice place to live. The Montclair district of Oakland looks like a nice neighborhood, too.

  96. 96.

    MisterForkbeard

    @lamh36: Thats really exciting! I’m sure the north bay contingent would love to take you out sometime, if you’re in the area.

    (I commute from the north bay to the peninsula 2x/week for work and WAH the other 3 days.  no idea if you could swing that, but it’s a great way to work in SF, get good quality of life and have a place big enough to actually live in AND you’re in wine country)

  97. 97.

    MisterForkbeard

    @lamh36: Oakland/Fremont is very doable and relatively cheap.

    But like I was saying earlier: North Bay is best. If you don’t mind a 45 minute commute, you can get a great place for way cheaper than SF or the peninsula.

  98. 98.

    Pete Downunder

    @lamh36: ​
      G’day and congrats. I have not lived in the Bay area for 15 years but my sister lives in the East Bay as does my nephew. You might consider living over there as the commute on BART or the bus is pretty good and at least a little less crazy pricing. If you still have my email I’ll put you in touch with my sister (who is very cool) if not WaterGirl or a Front Pager can give it to you.

  100. 100.

    lamh36

    @lee: it’s my go to city for my birthday.  I’ve visited it for solo birthday trips and family birthday trips at least 3 times.  When I don’t have an international trip planned, I even try to travel to SF at least once in between those trips.  The COVID pandemic is the only reason I hadn’t visited the bay area in a while.

  102. 102.

    sab

    @lamh36: Oakland is so much warmer than SF, since the fog off the ocean doesn’t make it across the bay. Coming fron the South you will probably be more comfortable in the East Bay. In SF you will be wearing sweaters year round.

  104. 104.

    lamh36

    @MisterForkbeard: actually, the job I accepted is telework.  I WFH most days and only have to be on site in the office mostly 2 days a pay period.  So all I really required to do is live within 50 miles of the SF office.

    Which means I def can find something “affordable” (at least by bay area standards…LOL) away from SF proper as long as I am within that 50 mile radius!

  105. 105.

    lamh36

    @Pete Downunder:

    Hey Pete!  Long time.  Your advice when I visited Australia came in handy!

    I’m pretty sure I’ve still got your email unless it’s changed in the last 5 years.  I def might reach out once I get my bearings and begin my active search of the area.

    I’ll let you know!  Thx for the offer.

  107. 107.

    Origuy

    There’s a funky neighborhood at the east end of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge called Point Richmond. It’s kind of arty and has some nice restaurants. It has a great view of the bay from the southern side. I think it’s kind of a secret location.

  109. 109.

    frosty

    @Tony Jay: ​ Just from this clip, I’d guess Cliff Richard didn’t dig into the black musicians like the Beatles (Chuck Berry) and the Stones (Muddy Waters) did and that’s what made the difference crossing the Atlantic. Elvis was the first to cross the musical racial divide.

  110. 110.

    kalakal

    @frosty: Cliff’s music was basically beige. What he had going for him was a genuine guitar god in the shape of Hank Marvin doing the backing. The Shadows were a lot better without Cliff

  111. 111.

    Leto

    Meanwhile, on the Senate side:

    Senate Republicans block assault weapons ban, background checks bill

    Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked efforts by Senate Democrats to pass an assault weapons ban and universal background checks legislation after the United States over the weekend broke the record for the most mass shootings in a single year.

    Republican Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) objected to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) request for unanimous consent to pass the assault weapons ban, despite the pleas of Democratic senators who took to the Senate floor to cite the harrowing statistics of gun violence in America.

    “The scourge of gun violence in America is a national crisis. The American people are sick and tired of enduring one mass shooting after another. They’re sick and tired of vigil and moments of silence for family, friends, classmates, coworkers,” Schumer argued on the Senate floor.

    The assault weapons ban, originally sponsored by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would ban semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips, forward grips and folding or telescoping stocks, as well as rifles outfitted with grenade launchers, barrel shrouds or threaded barrels to allow for noise and flash suppressors to be attached.

    Usual bullshit about infringement and liberty, argle blargle.

  114. 114.

    Anotherlurker

    @lamh36: East Bay can be convenient. I live in Walnut Creek (great little city with a totally walkable downtown) and I’m .8 mile from the BART Station.  I use it when I’m working day games in SF.

    Inspite of all the wonderful cuisine in the area, I still have not found a Jamaican restaurant.  Being a NYer who worked a lot in Manhattan and the Bronx, in addition to missing great pizza, I also miss the wonderful variety of Caribbean food. Dominican, Puerto Rican Jamaican etc.  Any Bay Area juicers have any suggestions regarding sources for this food in the area?

    As another commenter said, “bring layers” if you are heading into SF.

  117. 117.

    wjca

    @lamh36: Unless you are planning to live in the city**, give some serious thought to how you will get there.  Commute hour traffic is bad, and parking (if available at all) tends to be very expensive.  Your best bet is to get somewhere near either the train line up the Peninsula or one of the BART lines in the East Bay.  (Vastly cheaper, albeit still expensive, if you don’t live in SF itself.)

    ** you will discover that “the city” means SF, even if you live in another one around here.

  118. 118.

    frosty

    @lamh36: Awesome! Enjoy living the dream. I’m really happy for you.​ It’s so rare to have the job you want and live in the place you want.

  120. 120.

    BR

    @Anotherlurker: ​
    There are some Caribbean restaurants in Berkeley and the surrounding area. I remember getting something Jamaican at one of them several years ago. It’s been a while since I’ve been to them so you’re better off searching to see whether they’re still open and if they have the kind of food you’d like.

  121. 121.

    MisterForkbeard

    @lamh36: In that case, when you start looking for housing look in the north bay. Cheaper, more country ish, great food and larger places to live

    If you’d ever like a quick tour around the Marin/Petaluma/Santa Rosa area, there are quite a few of us here.

  125. 125.

    Anotherlurker

    @BR: Thanks BR, I’ll check it out next time I’m in Berkeley. I think there might be one near CBCB’s.

  127. 127.

    JaySinWA

    The young guns have been disarmed. They are now the young nones

    ETA  there’s a bit of doggerel to be had ending with “and then there were none.”

  129. 129.

    Yutsano

    @lamh36: ​Welcome to Fed life!

    Don’t sweat shutdowns. These things tend to resolve at the last minute. And for all that is holy join your union! They will be your strongest voice at work. And if your union sucks, get on changing it! Having a labour force that backs you up is always a strong feeling to have.

  131. 131.

    Leto

    @Anotherlurker: ​you’re in Rivendell country! A bit envious, honestly.

    @Jeffro: ​ it’s def something that people want. I just don’ t know how anything will pass with the current SCROTUS. Still have to at least try.​​

  134. 134.

    Chris T.

    @Anotherlurker:

    Any Bay Area juicers have any suggestions regarding sources for this food in the area?

    For pizza—though it’s not NY style at all—check out Zachary’s. It’s not quite “Chicago” either, but it’s good.

    It’s not Caribbean but Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen in Berkeley is good and has … similar flavors, anyway.

  136. 136.

    Anotherlurker

    @Leto: I’ve been visiting for the last 30 years. My oldest friend in the world saw that I wasn’t doing well because of a disastrous move to Fl.  I delt with ptsd and ill health and he told me flat out that if I didn’t leave Fl. he would come and get me.

    He and his wonderful wife put me up for a year while I got my health back and re-established myself in my career of 40+ year.  They live in Danville and we see each other often for dinner, music and puppy playdates .  I work enough to cover my rent and the rest of my time is enjoying my old and new friendships, my wonderful pup and some Pacific Ocean fishing.  I’m enjoying myself in a great area

  137. 137.

    Chris T.

    @Scout211:

    California, NorCal or SoCal. Never Cali (and never Frisco).

    I like “LoCal” and “NoCal” myself as neologisms, but I never convinced anyone else. 😀

  139. 139.

    Jackie

    Watching Lawrence O’Donnell timed delayed. He has Nancy Pelosi on and the subject was Liz Cheney. Nancy had nothing – NOTHING but praise for Cheney. She poo-pooed their political differences, saying that was “small stuff.” From listening to Nancy, it appears she and Cheney connected and have genuine admiration and respect for each other. She mentioned Liz stated during a meeting re J6 that Liz was totally blown away at the Dem’s comradeship for each other – despite differences. According to Nancy, Cheney said the comradeship was the biggest difference between Democrats and Republicans – as comradeship was completely foreign to republicans.

    A very deep insightful interview.

  140. 140.

    thruppence

    @lamh36: If you want to immerse yourself in some SF silliness, check out the Bay to Breakers race / walk / parade. I was able to do it last year, and I’m over sixty and out of shape, but I made it. Near dead last, but that’s OK.

  142. 142.

    Origuy

    Back A Yard is Jamaican, in Menlo Park and San Jose. A little far, if you’re based in SF, though

    Funny thing. When I was in Whitehorse, Yukon a few years ago, there were two Caribbean restaurants, one Jamaican and one Trinidadian. Both good. Whitehorse is the biggest community in the Yukon, but it’s only a medium sized town.

  144. 144.

    Tony Jay

    @frosty:

    I think you’re right. Cliff Richard is basically the spirit-animal of the English middle-classes. The Elvis dig was a spin off the great Alan Partridge line where he describes Paul MacCartney’s Wings as “Wings? who are Wings? They’re only the band The Beatles could have been, Michael.”

    I love Partridge. He’s just so deliciously awful and sympathetic at the same time.

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