lying to a judge is a great idea https://t.co/PiGDehzF4B
— Jean-Michel Connard (@torriangray) January 24, 2024
— Arthur Dent (@DentArthur2017) January 24, 2024
‘Course, if they could fake smart, they’d probably be beaten to death by their angry colleagues….
The same guy who told Capitol Police to hang themselves. @Dylan4America pic.twitter.com/CGeHTbpoU7
— I wish I was kidding (@AlexisStargazer) January 24, 2024
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
Aussie Sheila
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have led an excellent governing team, in both domestic and foreign policy, with the exception of Biden’s sentimentalism towards Israeli irredentism.
Nevertheless, I don’t think it’s unfair to note that they have been fortunate in their enemies. The clusterfuck that is the current gop is a sight to behold, similar to the Tories in the UK and the LNP in Australia.
Thatcher/Reagan and the neo liberal counter revolution might not be quite over yet, but it’s dying in front of our eyes.
The interesting question is whether some form of 21st century social democracy replaces it, or whether reaction will ensure the end of any real social and economic choice for the majority of working people, and the imposition of a form of updated ‘Peronism’ adapted for open trading economies.
I am always optimistic about democracy and the people that value it. I am never sanguine about its value to people for whom democracy represents restraint on their scope of action over others.
SectionH
Sorry, the only news I read tonight is about the WTAF Hugo mess.
OzarkHillbilly
I’ve been awake since 11:53. Finally gave up at 3. Insomnia sucks donkey D.
Blech.
Sister Golden Bear
@OzarkHillbilly: Come sit by me. It sucks indeed.
ColoradoGuy
The Reagan-Thatcher class war has proved surprisingly durable, lasting forty years. And now the results are there for all to see: thousands of parasitic billionaires, with far too much to ever spend in many lifetimes, so they decide to dabble in social control, because why not?
My own pet theory is this is the result of private jets, which made it possible to travel with no contact with the lower orders at all. Private terminals with chauffeur-driven cars that go right up to the jet, point to point travel to small airports, and no contact with the dirty, smelly public. The world of Murdoch, Musk, certain Supreme Court judges, the Orange One, and a few thousand other Special People.
matt
When you’re running a crooked operation, indiscreet doofuses like this guy are a liability. If he’s lucky, being thrown out of the victory party will be the only consequence of this – likely he’ll permanently have his access reduced, since he’s not bright enough to avoid publicly exposing the lies of the higher ranking snakes.
Shalimar
It’s nice that he’s living his dream, but couldn’t his dream include suits that are less garish?
JoyceH
I can’t decide which outcome would be the most delicious – that Habba lied to the judge and will be smacked down for it, or that she was telling the truth and created a superspreader event. Usually you can work out the odds based on past behavior, but everyone in Trump’s orbit lies almost instinctively and also exhibits criminally lax pandemic procedures, so … six of one…
Anne Laurie
I drifted away from fandom… and, eventually, from sf… because I was welcome / felt useful as part of Midwestern fanzine fandom, but pretty much told to put in my application & maybe they’d get around to reading it someday when I moved to the Boston area in 1989. Which, okay, it was — and is — a very well-established social group with a lot of its own business to deal with. And I was already getting involved with a local dog-training group that *did* need my participation, so in my case: Win/win!
But since then, as I drift further & further away from something that was once the center of my life (FIAWOL!)… I feel like I got myself out just as fandom turned into something I neither recognize nor much care for. Ironically, when I went to my first sf cons in the early 1970s, I was one of a wave of women (popcult! Trekkie) fans ‘opening up’ what had been a very male-centered, very insular global village. Twenty years later, the increasing corporatization of Science Fiction / Fantasy by the entertainment industry — Star Wars! LotR! the Marvel Comics multiverse! — lead to me drifting away.
The world changes, and we change (or don’t) with it. The idea of a WorldCon in Chengdu, China (or, Murphy protect us, Kampala) would’ve seemed impossibly sci-fi to my (our?) 1980s selves. The Worldcon will go on, but — as an outsider, now — it seems less & less possible that the Hugos survive as a (supposedly) fan-chosen set of awards. Suspect that future historians (assuming there are any) will refer to a break in the continuity indicating two very different formats. Possibly starting with the whole ‘sad puppies’ disgrace?
Ten Bears
We all know where I would be if I lied to a judge
Oh, wait … I wouldn’t have the opportunity …
lowtechcyclist
@SectionH:
Another RW politician did something stupid and/or felonious? Can’t keep up anymore.
p.a.
Can the judge stomp her (not that I think he will; it will add to the Orange Shitstain’s “I’m oppressed” whinge) or does it require a complaint filing by someone the court will recognize as a legitimate complainant?
satby
Should be an interesting day in court today.
satby
@p.a.: yesterday’s delay gave no reason in the published minute order, so the assumption that it was Habba who requested a second delay was based on her request for Tuesday. If it was her request that Wednesday be delayed for her continued illness, she’ll be in big trouble.
Marmot
WTAF?
Shalimar
@Marmot: WTAF=What the actual fuck
p.a.
@satby: Heh. The fact that Q got tossed for posting the photo (assuming the X is accurate) makes me hopeful. But given today’s social media she’s doubly stupid for showing up. We’re all on the tv/intertubes now, potentially. I can’t imagine a get-together where “hey everyone make sure there are no shots of Alina, and don’t post anything!” will fly.
Shalimar
@lowtechcyclist: Hugos are fan-voted science fiction awards that date back to the 1950s. The current controversy is from possible censorship of writers the Chinese government might consider opposition, since the last WorldCon was held in China. The bigger dustup the last 6 or 7 years has been rightwing writers trying to rig ballot boxes since they don’t have enough general support to win awards based on merit.
NotMax
Pakled & Habba, a law corporation.
//
Baud
@Shalimar:
That’s so unlike them.
satby
@p.a.: Well, yesterday’s delay may not have been at her request. Other people (one juror) have been sick; they have 9 and only need 6 but others could be sick now too. We just have to see what happens today and if they disclose the reason for yesterday’s delay.
TBone
Here’s to you, habbit:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2GhPUAVgHZc
Princess
@Shalimar: I haven’t been following it but I did see Kuang’s Babel was tossed from consideration. I didn’t care too much tbh because I thought it was awful and couldn’t finish it. But I don’t get at all why China would care if it won — it is if anything anti-Western in a very conventional way and very pro China. So I don’t get that at all.
OzarkHillbilly
@Shalimar: Oh no. I learned long ago that the more colorfully I dressed, the more attentions I got from the ladies. It wasn’t a sexual thing, or at least not solely. They wanted to have fun and I looked like I would be fun to hang out with, for a little while at least.
OzarkHillbilly
@p.a.: He will probably fine her. I won’t venture a guess as to how much.
Geminid
The special election to replace George Santos will be held February 13. Politico reports that Democrat Tom Suozzi’s campaign has purchased $8 million in TV advertising compared to $3 million by his opponent Mazi Pilip’s campaign.
Former Rep.Suozzi has an edge because he’s represented much of the Long Island district in before, and Republican donors may be writing Pilip off. One Republican told a reporter that they are saving their money for this Fall, when they have to defend the four other New York seats that Republicans flipped in 2022. That task could become harder if Albany Democrats succeed in making a new map stick.
NotMax
@TBone
Did someone say Garbage?
:)
Betty
@p.a.: Not just showing up, posing for the picture.
lowtechcyclist
@Shalimar:
When the cover of a SF novel says “winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards,” I know what they’re talking about, but seeing ‘Hugo’ floating by itself isn’t going to bring them to mind.
sdhays
@Princess: I haven’t read the story, but the CCP is very insecure, as dictatorial regimes tend to be. They can’t be certain what will undermine support for the regime, so they take a very broad view.
Also, no lower bureaucrat wants the blame for having greenlit something that later is used for criticism.
Shalimar
@Princess: Apparently Kuang’s dad participated in Tiananmen Square. There were a huge number of people there and I would guess those who emigrated in subsequent years would be more likely to have been involved and want to get away from the government, so I don’t understand why his participation would be an issue. But that is the speculated reason I saw.
SectionH
@Anne Laurie: raebnc
Or actually, we had a lot fun in the day but life moves on.
kalakal
It always gets me when people tell stupid lies. She really is pushing it even by that standard, rverybody has a camera these days.
She needs a lifejacket to eat soup
NotMax
@kalakal
“Bottom of the world, Ma!”
//
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@ColoradoGuy:
Every Billionaire Is A Policy Failure.
Matt McIrvin
In other social media I’ve been hearing a lot about the so-called Kids Online Safety Act being terrible anti-LGBT legislation and condemning Democratic legislators for sponsoring and supporting it. Wondering if this is a real issue I should pester my Senators and Representatives about, or if it’s just some segment of the left trying hard to piss into the tent (some of the people pushing this line seem to be the types who are motivated to do that). Opinions on this?
Geminid
@kalakal: A lot of these Trumpers really believe their guy will win this November. They figure they can get away with anything in 2024 because 2025 will be the Year of Jubilee.
squid696
I have seen a number of Colin Allred for Senate ads on TV here in Houston the last couple of days. This is really exciting to see and quite a change for Democrats here in Texas to have ads on this early in the campaign.
NotMax
@squid696
Same people who were completely, absolutely certain there would come a red wave.
“Fool me once….”
NotMax
Whoops.
#40 meant to be @Geminid.
My bad.
Geminid
@squid696: Colin Allred was a White House Fellow during the Obama administration. So was Sharice Davids, who like Allred flipped a Republican seat in 2018.
Baud
@squid696:
👍
Yarrow
@squid696: Aren’t ads now for the primary? Texas votes on March 5. Doesn’t seem that early given that.
Ken
@kalakal: Also note, it’s clearly a posed photo, with both of them grinning at the camera. Probably the Quattrucci guy’s camera, since he posted it — I imagine he asked her for a picture, and she said “sure” without thought of the consequences.
OzarkHillbilly
Stupid is as stupid does: Proud Boys member gets six years in prison for Capitol riot after insulting judge
Have fun dickhead..
NotMax
@OzarkHillbilly
“Throw the book at him.”
“I’m gonna need a bigger book.”
Betty Cracker
I saw a couple of clips of Trump’s deranged NH speech, and a whole parade of horribles was visible on camera in the background, including MTG and I’m pretty sure also Habba. So maybe they just used the post as an excuse to bounce the Quattrucci goon because he’s too obnoxious even for that crowd. Hard to believe that’s possible, but maybe!
Ironcity
@Shalimar: Are we sure he isn’t George Santos in disguise? It would be irresponsible not to speculate.
NotMax
@@Ironcity
George Santos is George Santos in disguise.
//
VOR
@Betty Cracker: Habba probably posed for the picture as a reflex. She is a MAGA celebrity and her appearance is one of her key selling points. Maybe someone told the guy not to post it online. Agree it would be incredibly stupid to lie to a judge and then go to an event where there are tons of cameras. Ah, stupid behavior and MAGA walk hand in hand.
lowtechcyclist
@VOR:
Nominated!
Darkrose
@Shalimar: As I understand it, her father was outspoken about having to flee for his life, since most of the other participants were disappeared. The Chinese government very much wants the memory of that incident to be erased.
That said, it’s more likely that someone on the committee decided “Let’s not take any chances” and ruled Babel ineligible rather than direct interference from the government. The con chair doubling down and calling people stupid for not accepting “They were ineligible because they were ineligible” suggests a multilevel clusterfuck.
Glidwrith
@ColoradoGuy: I figured out that this is why the wastrel rich have such huge mansions: they are their private hotels.
Salty Sam .
The rise of text message solicitation for political donations irritates me to no end, but I’m happy to see Allred using it to reach out early and often. I’m actually allowing myself the hope that he can finally take out the odious Ted Cruz.
wjca
A better theory might be that it’s a result of getting rid of the draft. Flying commercial still gives minimal need to interact with others. But if you’re in a military unit with a mix of people, you can’t really avoid interacting with them. For months on end.
wjca
And it increasingly looks like there will be. Waving goodbye as they fade into the toxic waste dump of history.
hueyplong
Red waves come in, red waves go out. No one knows why.
Expletive Deleted
@Darkrose: The nominating stats for the Hugos are public, and the issue extends well beyond Babel – it is just the most obvious/famous.
McCarty (the committee member being incredibly rude about things) was not the chair of the convention, but he was in charge of the Hugo administration. Probably not an important distinction here but important overall.
Its tricky, there’s a lot of discussion in Worldcon fandom right now about what to do next – but where the Sad Puppies was a community/process issue (bad actors taking advantage of a process based partly on trust) this is an outside-the-community interference issue and can’t be fixed internally in any way I can see except avoiding totalitarian host countries (which was my opinion all along).
Except the part about the above-mentioned committee member, which is where my current anger is focused.
I say all of this as someone who ‘s first Worldcon was 1993 and who was a first-time finalist this year in the Fan Artist category.
Princess
If holding World Con in China ties the hands of the Hugos in terms of what books can be put forward, they should not be holding World Con in China. This is not hard.
C Stars
@Princess: Relatedly, Saudi Arabia (where women are not full citizens) is gunning to hold the women’s tennis finals: https://wapo.st/3SvkSRd
Expletive Deleted
@Princess: Obviously I agree, which is why I voted for the Winnipeg bid to host instead.
Geminid
@C Stars: Saudi Arabia is trying to make a name as a center for high profile sports and sporting events. For example, last year their top football club signed Portuguese superstar Renaldo.
They had a small setback last month though. Some Turkish and Saudi promotors arranged for the Turkish football championship to be played in Riyadh. But to celebrate Centenial of the Turkish Republic and honor its founding father, the players from both teams intended to wear warmup shirts with pictures of Kemal Ataturk and carry posters with a couple of his best known sayings.
But Saudi Arabia prohibits pictures of Kemal Ataturk and his writings are also banned (it’s a long story). So when Saudi football officials and police visited the locker rooms and laid down the law to the Turkish teams, the result was a cancelled championship match.
The teams flew back home that night, and were greeted by thousands of cheering fans waving Turkish flags and Ataturk posters. I think the crowd was especially happy because now the championship would be played in Turkiye.
C Stars
@Geminid: That’s a happy ending. Yes, in the comments people were talking about SA’s attempt to “sportswash” which was a new term for me. From what I understand the country just formalized into law a policy that any women out in public must by law have a designated male overseer who signs off on their actions. I just don’t understand how they expect to put on a women’s sports tournament in those conditions! I suppose thousands of police milling about checking every woman’s citizenship? Bizarre.
Paul in KY
@Aussie Sheila: Voltaire’s only prayer: ‘Lord, please make my enemies ridiculous’.
Paul in KY
@JoyceH: Given where she was, I’m hoping for superspreader event.
Geminid
@C Stars: You should have seen the Turkish and Arab comments flying back and forth on Twitter after the football match was cancelled! Among other things, I learned that Arabs often drink camel urine and that Kemal Ataturk was actually a Jewish midget.
NotMax
@Paul in KY
Anecdotal but a goodie.
Connor
@sdhays:
A few years ago, three people from my company were invited to attend the Shanghai Film Festival. I was one of the three. The other two were granted visas with no problem, but my application was rejected with no explanation. The only reason we could come up with was the fact that my former wife’s uncle was Sir Ti Liang Yang, the Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Supreme Court before Hong Kong’s handover to China. In 1996 he ran against the CCP’s choice for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, and lost.
That marriage ended 17 years earlier, but the terribly thin connection to my former uncle-in-law was still apparently enough to blackball me. Kind of nuts.
slybrarian
@Matt McIrvin:
I’m a little late here, but it is absolutely a terrible bill you should pester your reps about. It will allow people like Greg Abbott to define what’s “harmful to children” and effectively erase all queer-positive material from the internet. Pretty much everyone I know in the LGBT+ community and the tech business are very worried about it because it’s one of those bills written by people who don’t understand the technology and don’t realize how easily ‘think of the children’ will get twisted in red states.
Paul in KY
@NotMax: That was droll! Hope he did say that.