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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

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

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

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Let me file that under fuck it.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

Hey Washington Post, “Democracy Dies in Darkness” is supposed to be a warning, not a mission statement.

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

He really is that stupid.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Trump makes a mockery of the legal system and cowardly judges just sit back and let him.

“Why isn’t this Snickers bar only a nickel?”

President Biden is doing good where he can, and getting it done.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

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

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Consistently wrong since 2002

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Prediction: the gop will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

Israel is using food as a weapon of war. Unforgivable.

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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

by John Cole|  April 2, 20245:58 pm| 110 Comments

This post is in: John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House"

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While Trump is running around cosplaying Jesus, I am apparently playing the role of Noahm because it has rained nonstop the past few days and there is enough standing water in my backyard that the willow is gonna grow another two feet. And it’s not gonna stop any time soon, it appears. It’s bad enough that the mayor sent out a mass phone call asking people to just stay in town and not drive the surrounding roads because half of them are flooded.

And it’s not gonna end any time soon with rain predicted all week except for one day when they are predicting morning snow.

It goes without saying that I give all of this the middle finger.

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    110Comments

    1. 1.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:02 pm

      We’re getting rain and storms coming in today and tomorrow, snow Thursday and Friday, then it clears out. Better be dry on Monday, dang it.

      Reply
    2. 2.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:04 pm

      Noahm? Typo? Anyone who reads BJ knows I aim my thick fingers badly on my tiny keyboard. I have heard of Noah. I know guys with his name.

      Reply
    3. 3.

      NotMax

      April 2, 2024 at 6:07 pm

      Music to while away time with, Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella.
      :)

      Reply
    4. 4.

      Martin

      April 2, 2024 at 6:08 pm

      Climate change gonna do some shit. Plan accordingly.

      Reply
    5. 5.

      WaterGirl

      April 2, 2024 at 6:09 pm

      Cole, this is the world telling you to take a rest.

      Reply
    6. 6.

      Trivia Man

      April 2, 2024 at 6:12 pm

      On another weather note, fat bastard is in green bay rallying. They might get 8” of snow… fingers crossed he has to spend  the night

      Reply
    7. 7.

      MattF

      April 2, 2024 at 6:12 pm

      A case where ‘tech magic’ turns out, as Molly White puts it, to be ‘A Guy’:

      Just over half of Amazon Fresh stores are equipped with Just Walk Out. The technology allows customers to skip checkout altogether by scanning a QR code when they enter the store. Though it seemed completely automated, Just Walk Out relied on more than 1,000 people in India watching and labeling videos to ensure accurate checkouts. The cashiers were simply moved off-site, and they watched you as you shopped.

      Actually kinda creepy, if you ask me.

      Reply
    8. 8.

      schrodingers_cat

      April 2, 2024 at 6:13 pm

      I too got rained on, on my walk this afternoon. Last week it was too windy to walk.

      Reply
    9. 9.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 6:13 pm

      Tonight’s Rockies-Cubs game might have a snow delay according to the radar.

      Reply
    10. 10.

      Juju

      April 2, 2024 at 6:13 pm

      I would fart in its general direction. I don’t know that the impact would be any improvement over giving it the middle finger, but it would make me feel better in so many different ways.

      Reply
    11. 11.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:13 pm

      @Manyakitty: I know. Cleveland is in a lot of ways an attractive city, but showcasing themselves in Spring ( when they might be sunny and  gorgeous) is risky.

      Personally I would rather see an eclipse with clouds when morons wer’re not trusting to provide us with the cheap eclipse glasses from an unknown source to stare at the sun.

      Last partial eclipse I built a silly shoebox. It did work. This time they tell me an index card with a hole and a white sheet of paper will suffice.

      Reply
    12. 12.

      schrodingers_cat

      April 2, 2024 at 6:14 pm

      @MattF: Hey I haven’t shopped at the Whole Paycheck since Amazon took it over.

      Reply
    13. 13.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:15 pm

      @Martin: honestly snow in April is pretty normal in NE Ohio. Years ago I watched a season opener for the Guardians (Indians back then, was like 20 years ago) on April 1 and it got snowed out.

      Reply
    14. 14.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 6:16 pm

      @MattF: Yup.  And it’s hilarious (and sad) that self-checkout is now apparently too much of a chore for some.

      Reply
    15. 15.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:17 pm

      @sab: OT: I phucking hate March, nothing personal but in my life that has been when bad thinks happen.

      So yay for April, even if the incoming rabbits and lambs are wary and a bit chilled.

      Reply
    16. 16.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:18 pm

      @Manyakitty: Snow on daffodils. Better predictor than that hibernating rodent.

      Reply
    17. 17.

      Quaker in a Basement

      April 2, 2024 at 6:19 pm

      @mrmoshpotato: Rockies fans are used to that during the early part of the season, but usually it happens when the Rox are playing at home. It’s sunny and mild in Denver today.

      Reply
    18. 18.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 6:19 pm

      @Trivia Man: I hope Milwaukee enjoys the upcoming RNC shitshow too.

      Reply
    19. 19.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:19 pm

      @sab: I ordered half a dozen eclipse glasses from a place NASA linked to. I looked up how to test them and they seem legit.

      Reply
    20. 20.

      Another Scott

      April 2, 2024 at 6:20 pm

      @MattF: Interesting, and I guess not really surprising.

      But on the creepy side, don’t look up when you’re in a Target and similar store.

      “Hey, what are all those black hemispheres in the ceiling anyway??”

      Cheers,
      Scott.

      Reply
    21. 21.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:20 pm

      @Manyakitty: Asked spouse if he remembered. A morose yep.

      Reply
    22. 22.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:21 pm

      @sab: yep

      Reply
    23. 23.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:22 pm

      @sab: glad I remembered that right 😂

      Reply
    24. 24.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 6:22 pm

      @Quaker in a Basement: Cloudy, windy, and 44 by our great lake.

      Reply
    25. 25.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:24 pm

      @Manyakitty: Workplace did also. They ordered an extra pair for me but Monday is spouse’s klatch day, and also his sister wants us up the hill. I desperately do not want to go but husband is adamant.

      Why won’t anyone think of the cats and the dog!?

      My guess is they will sleep through it.

      Reply
    26. 26.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 6:33 pm

      @sab: we’ll be outside, cats are always inside.

      Reply
    27. 27.

      SiubhanDuinne

      April 2, 2024 at 6:36 pm

      @Trivia Man:

      On another weather note, fat bastard is in green bay rallying. They might get 8” of snow… fingers crossed he has to spend  the night

      Why do you hate Green Bay?

      Reply
    28. 28.

      azlib

      April 2, 2024 at 6:37 pm

      I will get my Meade telescope out for the partial eclipse here in Scottsdale. I have the correct sun filter for it. It will probably be cloudy here next Monday. Sigh.

      Reply
    29. 29.

      NotMax

      April 2, 2024 at 6:37 pm

      @Another Scott

      The Kmart blue lights are the larval form of the black hemispheres. They migrate to roost at other emporia upon maturing.
      ;)

      Reply
    30. 30.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 6:37 pm

      It’s also Election Day in Wisconsin (Presidential Primary and Spring Election), and I’m wondering if this messy wintry mix (rain, sleet, snow) – with parts of the state projected to get about a foot of snow by tomorrow – will affect turnout.

      WisDems have been pushing Vote By Mail. MAGA/GOP turnout may be down due to the weather. Wouldn’t that be a shame… 😈

      Reply
    31. 31.

      narya

      April 2, 2024 at 6:45 pm

      Theoretically (because I haven’t checked) you can get eclipse glasses at Chicago public libraries. We were gonna schlep to Indianapolis–even had hotel reservations for Sunday AND Monday–but it’s looking like there might be rain on Monday and I’ve canceled the Sunday reservation. My friend has a suitable telescope, so he can just drive south if he’s so inclined, but I think I’ll try to snag a pair of glasses and just go outside here if the weather is cooperating. I’ll hang onto the Monday reservation another day or so, but the likelihood of going is decreasing rapidly.

      Reply
    32. 32.

      Martin

      April 2, 2024 at 6:51 pm

      @Manyakitty: Once got snowed out of a 4th of July trip in Colorado. Ms Martin and I had a great snow adventure one early September in Wyoming and Utah.

      That said, climate change gonna do some shit. Prepare accordingly.

      Reply
    33. 33.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 6:51 pm

      Went to my rental storage today and it was a bit damp. Surprising!  We didn’texpect that. Never happened before. A LOT of rain might be expected.

      Weather service waffling every which way between catastrophe and a few bad outcomes.

      We think most of it is a bit south. Husband roaming shakingthe kitter bage free. Cats do not like the shaky noices. All headed to the basement while he makes their lives clean.

      Cats are intelligent animals, but not packish or clannish. Their I Q might be high, but their emotional intelligence is beneath pathetic. Their idea of a friend is someone who might play without attacking. And that changes daily. There is a reason that rescue cats never want to go into the outside world again.

      Reply
    34. 34.

      Bill Arnold

      April 2, 2024 at 6:59 pm

      @azlib:

      I have the correct sun filter for it. It will probably be cloudy here next Monday. Sigh.

      I have similar (90mm refractor, with a basic solar filter (not H-alpha, just a partially mirrored surface), and have been watching sunspot activity for the past year or so. Worth regular looks during this solar maximum. Some of the recent sunspot clusters have been interesting visually, and also technically (magnetic fields, images from professional observers).
      (Also have other scopes, but that one is easy, and light.)

      Reply
    35. 35.

      lowtechcyclist

      April 2, 2024 at 6:59 pm

      @Martin:

      My wife and I have pix of each other in the snow in mid-August at Logan Pass in Glacier NP.

      On that trip, we were staying in a cabin down by Lake MacDonald, and that day, it was pouring down cold rain.  We were glumly preparing to spend the day indoors, when the thought hit me that if it was this cold and rainy down in the valley, it might be snowing up at the pass. So we drove up there, and sure enough, it was.  Improved our moods immensely.

      Reply
    36. 36.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 7:02 pm

      We are in the height of tax season, dozens of returns not yet prepared, partners freaking, and I left an hour early worrying about driving rain, which never happened.

      Rain or not, I have to slink into work tomorrow ashamed. Others hung in there and worked.

      In my defense (weak) my valley floods a lot and theirs hardly ever.

      Reply
    37. 37.

      Raoul Paste

      April 2, 2024 at 7:05 pm

      Fingers crossed,— it looks like we’re going to get a sunny day next Tuesday for the solar eclipse.  Don’t jinx it

      Reply
    38. 38.

      Math Guy

      April 2, 2024 at 7:07 pm

      @azlib: I have a 4-inch solar filter and an 8-in Meade reflector. With some stiff cardboard and electrician’s tape I’ve rigged the Meade for solar viewing. Come Sunday I’ll make the 7 hour drive to Champaign-Urbana where I was able to get a hotel reservation, and Monday morning I’ll drive to Bloomington, IN to watch the eclipse. Weather permitting. It’s always weather permitting when it comes to rare astronomical events.

      Reply
    39. 39.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 7:08 pm

      @sab: yeah, so far, things got cancelled and closed all over the place and we got nothing but a little rain.

      Reply
    40. 40.

      satby

      April 2, 2024 at 7:08 pm

      Pretty much same weather sooner here. Planted my new bare root roses Sunday in pots temporarily, and we had monsoon rains yesterday. The pots drain, so no worries there, but might get several inches of snow tonight. It’s 55° now, so maybe tornadoes with snow, who knows?

      Reply
    41. 41.

      Martin

      April 2, 2024 at 7:09 pm

      @lowtechcyclist: One of the great contradictions of nature is the misery of 33 degree rain vs the joy of 31 degree snow.

      Reply
    42. 42.

      Bill Hicks

      April 2, 2024 at 7:10 pm

      Yay, JGs back and we/I are in the middle of some disaster porn in Bethany. Hopefully good disaster porn where no on gets hurt. Buffalo is over its banks.

      Reply
    43. 43.

      Omnes Omnibus

      April 2, 2024 at 7:10 pm

      @Mousebumples: I voted this morning.  My polling place was pretty busy for a primary where the end result for both parties is already set in stone.  I am just wondering about the uninstructed vote here in Dane County.

      Reply
    44. 44.

      Kelly

      April 2, 2024 at 7:11 pm

      Blue sky and 75 here in Oregon’s western Cascade foothills. This is the last of several sunny days. Forecast predicts our next week will be the usual spring rain. Normal April for around here.

      Reply
    45. 45.

      Poe Larity

      April 2, 2024 at 7:12 pm

      We should project a giant Dark Brandon with laser eyes on the moon during the eclipse.

      Reply
    46. 46.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      @Omnes Omnibus: I’m also wondering about the Constitutional Amendments.

      Though I heard some group encouraging an uninstructed vote fell afoul of campaigning too close to a polling place in Milwaukee.

      I voted by mail a few weeks ago and confirmed my ballot was received last week.

      Reply
    47. 47.

      Bill Arnold

      April 2, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      @Math Guy:
      Yeah, I’ve been watching long term forecasts to decide whether to drive north to somewhere in a broad swath of upstate NY (from downstate NY), or Burlington-area VT. Can do it in a day trip if no hotel (or relative) is available.
      (Saw the August 21, 2017 eclipse in TN; that was a much longer drive.)

      Reply
    48. 48.

      Princess

      April 2, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Let old like it’s snowing and very windy in Green Bay right now.

      Heard a bit of what was called a “small” crowd Trump was speaking to today. It sounded like there were twenty people there, tops.

      Reply
    49. 49.

      sab

      April 2, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      @schrodingers_cat: They only arrived here later. I went once during Covid and it horrified and terrified me.

      Fortunately we have a same concept but more local store that is much better at their alleged job. Food not politics. Sensitive to allergies. Organicis good. Covid real.

      This store started same time as Whole Foods. Just local and honest.

      Reply
    50. 50.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 7:18 pm

      @satby:

      It’s 55° now, so maybe tornadoes with snow, who knows? 

      Snownadoes?

      Reply
    51. 51.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 7:19 pm

      @Martin: Yeah!  Gimme 20° and snow over 40° and rain any day!

      Reply
    52. 52.

      WaterGirl

      April 2, 2024 at 7:24 pm

      @Mousebumples:

      what is uninstructed vote?

      Reply
    53. 53.

      Timill

      April 2, 2024 at 7:25 pm

      @Martin: Back in August 1982, I took my then (US) girlfriend to visit Bodiam Castle in Sussex.

      This being an English summer, we took refuge from the snow in the local pub.

      Reply
    54. 54.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 7:25 pm

      @WaterGirl: or uncommitted – whatever the none of the above option is called for the presidential primary. I’ll see if I can find the tweet..

      ETA below –

      Alexander Shur (@AlexanderShur) posted at 9:38 AM on Tue, Apr 02, 2024:
      Milwaukee election officials have received over 10 reports of a “Vote Uninstructed” group putting signs outside of polling sites encouraging an uninstructed vote. The group is soliciting voters and some members are refusing to leave, election official Claire Woodall said.
      (https://x.com/AlexanderShur/status/1775170927313170601?s=03)

      Reply
    55. 55.

      frosty

      April 2, 2024 at 7:33 pm

      I’ve got camping reservations in an Ohio State Park for the eclipse. Got Celestron glasses from B&H Photo. Forecast now is 24% chance of rain on 4/8. I expected Ohio to be a crapshoot. Saw the one in 2017 and it was truly awe-inspiring.

      Next two are in Southern Spain/North Africa and Australia. I’d expect those to be cloud-free!

      Reply
    56. 56.

      geg6

      April 2, 2024 at 7:34 pm

      It’s all your fault.  We had beautiful weather all through January and, especially, February.  In fact, pretty much right up until you started driving home.  You have no one to blame but yourself. 😉

      Reply
    57. 57.

      Baud

      April 2, 2024 at 7:37 pm

      @geg6:

      Kind of like that cloud of dust followed Pigpen around.

      Reply
    58. 58.

      Dan B

      April 2, 2024 at 7:46 pm

      @Kelly: 72°, very breezy, high clouds moving in here in Seattle. 50° tomorrow with rain.  Everything is leafing out – crazy early!

      Reply
    59. 59.

      kindness

      April 2, 2024 at 7:46 pm

      John….that growing willow?   You know better than to get us started about how you planted the willow too close to the fence.

      Reply
    60. 60.

      RevRick

      April 2, 2024 at 7:49 pm

      @Manyakitty: My sister-in-law/brother-in-law in southern Maine are expecting 18 inches of snow tomorrow and they already had plenty on the ground.

      Reply
    61. 61.

      Dan B

      April 2, 2024 at 7:54 pm

      @RevRick: Yikes!  I remember measuring snow with the yardstick we kept by the door at our house west of Akron.  Here in Seattle, north of Quebec City and Minneapolis we’re 72°.  Thank you Japanese Current.

      Reply
    62. 62.

      Jackie

      April 2, 2024 at 7:54 pm

      @mrmoshpotato: 82 today, then we drop to low 60s and 50s for the rest of the week and into early next week. Southeastern WA.

      OF COURSE I finally packed away the sweatshirts Easter wknd as it’d been upper 70s/low 80s the last 10 days… 🤷🏼‍♀️

      Reply
    63. 63.

      Old School

      April 2, 2024 at 7:54 pm

      @Raoul Paste:

      Fingers crossed,— it looks like we’re going to get a sunny day next Tuesday for the solar eclipse.  Don’t jinx it

      The eclipse is Monday.

      Reply
    64. 64.

      Sister Golden Bear

      April 2, 2024 at 8:02 pm

      Had a really rough Sunday with the noonday demon. Realized I had to get out of the house, so I’m down in Monterey today through Thursday to recharge. (One advantage of (not so) funemployment.

      Getting a second opinion next week about doing shoulder surgery. Thankfully it’s only partial rotator cuff tear, so the recovery only a couple days plus PT. Probably will do it because they’d also shave down a bone spur that’s been fraying the tendons, and that won’t go away on its own, and fix some minor stuff.

      Reply
    65. 65.

      HumboldtBlue

      April 2, 2024 at 8:03 pm

      Look at it this way, you could be Peter Navarro.

      After serving just 15 days in prison, Peter Navarro is using a new ploy to try and get out of serving the remaining portion of his 4 month sentence.

      After Justice Roberts denied his initial petition to stay his sentence pending appeal, Navarro’s lawyer is now using the argument that the DC Circuit has scheduled a date for appellate briefs to be due, and that date is after he will have completed his sentence. This time he is petitioning Justice Gorsuch.

      This is essentially no different that what has already been rejected by the Court.

      Reply
    66. 66.

      lowtechcyclist

      April 2, 2024 at 8:12 pm

      A friend of mine from grad school is on the faculty at Defiance College in NW Ohio, which is inside the zone of totality, so we’re headed up on Saturday to join him and his family for a few days. Got our eclipse glasses all ready to go.

      Reply
    67. 67.

      WaterGirl

      April 2, 2024 at 8:17 pm

      @Mousebumples: That seems odd.  What’s that about?

      Reply
    68. 68.

      Kelly

      April 2, 2024 at 8:19 pm

      We were in the center of the totality path for the 2017 eclipse in Oregon. It was much neater than I expected.

      Reply
    69. 69.

      Paul in KY

      April 2, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      Has rained heavily off and on all day here in the Central KY.

      Reply
    70. 70.

      Betty Cracker

      April 2, 2024 at 8:22 pm

      @HumboldtBlue: I’m having a shitty day, so it gladdens my heart to learn that the odious fascist cog Peter Navarro is having **an even shittier** day. Thanks! :)

      Reply
    71. 71.

      Paul in KY

      April 2, 2024 at 8:23 pm

      @sab: Back in the late 90s, the Flats were rockin & so was Cleveland! Had some fine times there watching the new Browns get whupped (in general).

      Reply
    72. 72.

      Paul in KY

      April 2, 2024 at 8:26 pm

      @Poe Larity: That would be badass! Would definitely freak the yokels, though.

      On a side note, am watching 3 Body Problem now and when that thing occurs at midnight for everyone who can see it, I don’t think there’s enough general freakout shown/imagined.

      Reply
    73. 73.

      Kristine

      April 2, 2024 at 8:28 pm

      Rain’s finally stopped here in NE Illinois. 3 inches over the last 4 days on ground that’s already pretty soaked. Snow showers/snow mixed with rain/rain over the next few days. Suckitude all around.

      Reply
    74. 74.

      Paul in KY

      April 2, 2024 at 8:28 pm

      @Timill: Pretty cool castle!

      Reply
    75. 75.

      geg6

      April 2, 2024 at 8:33 pm

      @Baud:

      Exactly!

      Reply
    76. 76.

      HumboldtBlue

      April 2, 2024 at 8:57 pm

      @Betty Cracker:

      Always glad to help, Homes!

      Reply
    77. 77.

      HumboldtBlue

      April 2, 2024 at 9:04 pm

      FUCK!!!

      7.4-magnitude quake strikes off Taiwan’s east coast, sparking tsunami warnings

      Reply
    78. 78.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 9:04 pm

      @WaterGirl: I think that’s the same thing that was the big deal in Michigan among Democrats who are displeased with Biden on something (eg Gaza). Isn’t it?

      Reply
    79. 79.

      Omnes Omnibus

      April 2, 2024 at 9:06 pm

      @Mousebumples: It is.

      Reply
    80. 80.

      CaseyL

      April 2, 2024 at 9:07 pm

      Good evening to all!

      I just got off a conference call with Nature Conservancy. It was for members to hear what the Conservancy is up to: it’s current projects, its ongoing ones, and so on.

      I’ve been a member on and off for years, and donate, but I’ve gotten really cynical about large progressive organizations. Too many started out with great intentions but after a couple decades become too enmeshed in lobbying for the sake of lobbying, and don’t actually *do* anything for the cause they ostensibly support.

      So I was incredibly pleased to hear Nature Conservancy is still walking the walk, and all over the world as well. They started out and are still focused on the US/Canada in terms of land protection, but also have a lot of projects going on globally. Their work does not appear to consist of “building relationships” with high-ranking government officials – that’s become a red flag to me when I hear it – but does involve a lot of hands-on work with landowners, advocacy groups, restoration organizations, and such.

      They did, BTW, make a pitch for people to get out and vote, and get their friends and families to get out and vote. They made a point of praising the IRA for putting so much funding into environmental restoration, and made a definite point that a “change in government” (they didn’t come right out and mention TFG’s name) would have a devastating effect on environmental policy.

      Reply
    81. 81.

      Jackie

      April 2, 2024 at 9:08 pm

      @Raoul Paste: You jinxed yourself! Tuesday is the day AFTER the eclipse.

      Reply
    82. 82.

      Omnes Omnibus

      April 2, 2024 at 9:09 pm

      Polls are open until 9:30 at two polling places in Madison because some idiot at the front desk of Memorial Union said there was not voting at that location this morning.  (Twitter)

      Reply
    83. 83.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 9:10 pm

      In other news…

      https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2024-04-02/prison-sentence-for-wife-of-woodbury-county-supervisor-federal-prosecutors-wanted-more

      The wife of a Woodbury County Supervisor convicted of 52 counts of voter fraud will spend four months in federal prison, followed by four months of house arrest.

      A federal judge sentenced Kim Phuong Taylor on Monday afternoon in Sioux City. The mother of six will also serve two years of supervised release, including the home incarceration.

      …

      In November, a jury found Taylor guilty of illegally filling out forms and ballots for other members of the Vietnamese community to help her husband, Jeremy, in elections for Congress and county supervisor in 2020.

      Court documents identified him as an unindicted co-conspirator, but he wasn’t charged with a crime.

      Jeremy Taylor recently announced he will not seek reelection to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. Other Republicans on the board had asked him to resign, but he refused.

      Every accusation is a confession…

      Reply
    84. 84.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 9:14 pm

      @Omnes Omnibus: 😅

      I shouldn’t laugh, but just wow.

      Glad to see the Voter Protection division is getting practice at extending voting hours where appropriate.

      Reply
    85. 85.

      Jackie

      April 2, 2024 at 9:14 pm

      @HumboldtBlue: Peter Navarro is doing his utmost to out-whine TIFG. I can’t wait to see if TIFG gets tossed in the slammer overnight for contempt to see who wins The Biggest Whiner competition overall. It could end up a tie.

      Reply
    86. 86.

      HumboldtBlue

      April 2, 2024 at 9:16 pm

      @Jackie:

      It could end up a tie.

      Pfffftttt, Trump wins hands down, there is no more a bitchier whining bitchy-bitch than Trump, not even close.

      Reply
    87. 87.

      citizen dave

      April 2, 2024 at 9:17 pm

      @CaseyL: What a great update!  Good to hear.  They do good things in my state.    I was a 20 year or so member in the 80s and 90s.  Did a few volunteer days.  My membership trailed off….  should probably rejoin.

      Reply
    88. 88.

      Ceci n est pas mon nym

      April 2, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      I think we’re getting the same rain system here in southeastern PA. We’re heading up to Montreal in a couple of days and they’re predicted to get 6″ or so of snow just before we arrive.

      Reply
    89. 89.

      Omnes Omnibus

      April 2, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      @Mousebumples: When I worked in election administration (GAB), we partnered with the City of Madison on training projected several times.  They take voting very seriously.  It doesn’t surprise me at all that they were on top of this.

      Reply
    90. 90.

      Scout211

      April 2, 2024 at 9:20 pm

      @CaseyL: Thanks for the wrap-up. We have contributed to The Nature Conservancy every year for decades.  It’s good to hear your positive assessment of them.

      Reply
    91. 91.

      Mousebumples

      April 2, 2024 at 9:23 pm

      @Omnes Omnibus: yeah, I’m not surprised either. Still good to hear they quickly took care of it!

      **

      Postcards to Voters FYI – 

      New campaign up for Mai Xiong for Michigan State House Special Election! The election is on April 16th, if you have time to write in the next week or two.

      If you’re interested in getting started with their postcarding program –

      Text JOIN to Abby The Address Bot at 484-275-2229

      ‬OR

      Email [email protected]

      Reply
    92. 92.

      dr. luba

      April 2, 2024 at 9:25 pm

      @Bill Arnold: I was in Ukraine years ago during an eclipse (near total, I think).  Had to run out to the market–no one around, locals were afraid to go out.

      It was overcast by then, but you could see the eclipse through the clouds/fog/whatever.  Cool.

      Reply
    93. 93.

      Scout211

      April 2, 2024 at 9:37 pm

      Iowa won last night (yay!) and women’s college sports was also a big winner,

      NBC    Iowa’s 94-87 win against LSU in the Elite Eight on Monday drew 12.3 million viewers, the most in women’s college basketball history, according to ESPN.

      The figure topped the previous high of 9.9 million viewers from last season’s NCAA championship game between the same programs. ESPN said Monday’s figure was the highest viewership for any college basketball game ever on its platforms and the second-highest of any basketball game — college or NBA — since 2012.

      FanDuel told CNBC on Tuesday that Iowa-LSU was also its biggest betting event of all time for women’s sports.

      Reply
    94. 94.

      NotMax

      April 2, 2024 at 9:47 pm

      FYI.

      The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will vote to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules and assume new regulatory oversight of broadband internet that was rescinded under former President Donald Trump, the agency’s chair said.

      The FCC told advocates on Tuesday of the plan to vote on the final rule at its April 25 meeting.
      The commission voted 3-2 in October on the proposal to reinstate open internet rules adopted in 2015 and re-establish the commission’s authority over broadband internet.
      [snip]
      Reinstating the rules has been a priority for President Joe Biden, who signed a July 2021 executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules adopted under Democratic President Barack Obama.

      Democrats were stymied for nearly three years because they did not take majority control of the five-member FCC until October. Source

      Reply
    95. 95.

      Steeplejack

      April 2, 2024 at 9:51 pm

      @Baud:

      Joe Btfsplk.

      Reply
    96. 96.

      WaterGirl

      April 2, 2024 at 9:56 pm

      @Mousebumples: @Omnes Omnibus:  It makes more sense if they are upset about something in particular.  Without that context, I couldn’t figure out what the point was.  thanks.

      Reply
    97. 97.

      Brachiator

      April 2, 2024 at 9:58 pm

      @NotMax:

      Reinstating the rules has been a priority for President Joe Biden, who signed a July 2021 executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules adopted under Democratic President Barack Obama.

      Democrats were stymied for nearly three years because they did not take majority control of the five-member FCC until October.

      Biden quietly and patiently gets shit done.

      But the idiot side of the political media wants to talk about how Biden may be too old.

      The least they could do would be to write stories like “How does old Biden keep kicking ass?”

      And of course, “Trump. Different day, same old tired bullshit.”

      Reply
    98. 98.

      NotMax

      April 2, 2024 at 9:58 pm

      @Steeplejack

      Tangentially, Albert King.
      ;)

      Reply
    99. 99.

      WaterGirl

      April 2, 2024 at 9:59 pm

      @Jackie:

      “I don’t like it in prison!”

      Welcome to the party, pal.  No one likes it in prison.

      Reply
    100. 100.

      mrmoshpotato

      April 2, 2024 at 10:02 pm

      @Mousebumples:

      Alexander Shur (@AlexanderShur) posted at 9:38 AM on Tue, Apr 02, 2024:

      Milwaukee election officials have received over 10 reports of a “Vote Uninstructed” group putting signs outside of polling sites encouraging an uninstructed vote. The group is soliciting voters and some members are refusing to leave, election official Claire Woodall said.

      Has anyone tried repeatedly yelling “GO CUBS!” at these assclowns?

      Reply
    101. 101.

      Kristine

      April 2, 2024 at 10:07 pm

      @CaseyL: This is good to know. I get so much paper mail from a number of environmental groups. Already a member of the Sierra Club, but the Nature Conservancy would be a good one to add to my list.

      Reply
    102. 102.

      HumboldtBlue

      April 2, 2024 at 10:09 pm

      @Scout211:

      FanDuel told CNBC on Tuesday that Iowa-LSU was also its biggest betting event of all time for women’s sports.

      That, sadly enough, is not a win, at least not in the modern context of sports and gambling. It’s going to lead to a sharp increase in serious ethical issues (they are already here, just look at Ohtani and the series of suspensions across leagues from amateur to pros of players being suspended for gambling activity) because in the past they maintained at least a very apparent bright line between gambling and the actual games and leagues themselves.

      That’s all gone, they’re all in bed together now — media-Vegas-leagues — and I suspect you will soon see more and more calls to look into betting patterns and what happens on the field, court, or pitch.

      The fuse has been lit, the only question now is how big will the explosion be?

      Reply
    103. 103.

      wjca

      April 2, 2024 at 10:35 pm

      @HumboldtBlue: they’re all in bed together now — media-Vegas-leagues

      And the Saudis working hard to join the party.

      Reply
    104. 104.

      Another Scott

      April 2, 2024 at 10:44 pm

      @HumboldtBlue: +1

      There have already been big betting scandals in tennis.  The thirst for ever more money for the owners and the leagues is going to do lots of damage – they know this. There’s history. But they don’t care…

      Grr…,
      Scott.

      Reply
    105. 105.

      Brachiator

      April 2, 2024 at 11:17 pm

      @HumboldtBlue:

      in the past they maintained at least a very apparent bright line between gambling and the actual games and leagues themselves.

      Two things that have always existed in sports, from the days of the ancient Greek Olympics until today:

      Cheating by athletes.

      Betting.

      In ancient times.

      There is archaeological evidence that wagering occurred during some of the ancient Olympic Games events, and this is believed to be the earliest record of sports betting. Once the popularity was obvious, the idea spread like wildfire across countries and time. While there are differing opinions about the legality of gambling during this time, the Romans did eventually legalize it in some form, and there are records of gambling in gladiator events.

      In the UK, gambling followed advances in technology.

      Horse racing was a particular favourite of gamblers in the UK. With the introduction of train systems and advances in transportation technology, there came more races with higher prize purses and more spectators. The industry grew, and with it grew the attraction of betting houses. There were about 150 betting houses that brought together betters from the working classes of the 1950s.

      Gambling has often been illegal in the US. But now the genie is out of the bottle. We will just have to try to deal with it.

      Reply
    106. 106.

      Manyakitty

      April 2, 2024 at 11:40 pm

      @RevRick: oh wow! Where are they on the eclipse path? Totality in the deep snow would be way past surreal.

      Reply
    107. 107.

      wenchacha

      April 3, 2024 at 1:51 am

      I opted out of totality in WNY to visit family in California. I decided that time I can spend with my grandson is more precious to me than trying to get home in time for the eclipse. Also, flights were really expensive in that time frame.

      My son and his wife are well, Grampa and I are having a great time with them and the 3.5 year old. The kid has discovered Spiderman, and we have been looking at old comic books. We have also worked on perfecting web-slinging. 🙂

      I hope the weather cooperates; it should be really cool, and I will be happy for all who experience it.

      Reply
    108. 108.

      yellowdog

      April 3, 2024 at 2:22 am

      @mrmoshpotato: I refuse to use self checkout because it is a job destroyer.

      Reply
    109. 109.

      Origuy

      April 3, 2024 at 2:46 am

      I’m leaving tomorrow for Cincinatti. Going to check out some of the Indian mounds in southern Ohio, then there’s an orienteering event at Hueston Woods near Oxford. Sunday I’m driving to my sister’s in Danville, Indiana. The orienteering group has a place just over the state line in Indiana to watch the eclipse, but I haven’t seen my sister in over 4 years. So we’ll catch the eclipse at her place, which is supposed to be partly cloudy.

      Reply
    110. 110.

      Manyakitty

      April 3, 2024 at 5:40 am

      @yellowdog: same.

      Reply

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