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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

No Kings: Americans standing in the way of bad history saying “Oh, Fuck No!”

“Alexa, change the president.”

The lights are all blinking red.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the gop

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

I really should read my own blog.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

Fucking consultants! (of the political variety)

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

They punch you in the face and then start crying because their fist hurts.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

If you can’t control your emotions, someone else will.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

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

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

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You are here: Home / Archives for 2024

Archives for 2024

Saturday Night Open Thread

by John Cole|  September 7, 20247:40 pm| 110 Comments

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

Saturday Night Open Thread 18

That’s looking like the last big harvest of the year. Still have about 25 or so in various stages of green that I will pick as I need, but that is the last big picking this year. Oh well, on to other things.

The local apple orchard is back open for the fall, and I picked up a new apple I had never had before- the sweet maia, and it is one of the sweetest apples I have ever had. Maia actually stands for the midwest apple improvement association, and the “sweet maia” is a cross between a wintercrisp and a honey crisp. It’s a smaller apple, very dense, with a ruby red coloring, and very crisp and extremely sweet, but with a good bit of what I call the essence of apple. They are very good!

***

Watergirl has uploaded the stickers and yard signs, but they are not quite ready for sale with the shop still creating problems, but I thought you all would like to see a preview:

VERY EXCITING!!!

Update from WG: Look for more options in two comments below at #50-something.

***

Other than that, not much going on here. Shoulder hurts, Rosie is pissy, Max is a dick, Steve is chill. The usual. Did have a little chuckle at Joelle’s expense because she waited late to go to the pool thinking she would have it all to herself, got there at 3:55, and was promptly told the pool was closing. Which totally sucks because now she has to pedal back home in Arizona hit. She told me and I called her a “big dummy,” she said “Did you just Fred Sanford me?” and that made me think of just how awesome 70’s and 80’s theme songs were:

Quincy Jones. What a talent.

Saturday Night Open ThreadPost + Comments (110)

Local Races Open Thread: Has Colin Allred Become A Serious Contender?

by Anne Laurie|  September 7, 20245:16 pm| 123 Comments

This post is in: Elections 2024, Proud to Be A Democrat

New: @Liz_Cheney has endorsed Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred for Senate. #TribFest24 pic.twitter.com/ZE1zJFIZCx

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 6, 2024

This seems like a bigger deal than her endorsing Harris. It means that, like @WalshFreedom & @AdamKinzinger, she gets that it's not enough to defeat Trump; TRUMPISM has to be wiped out en masse so a sane/Constitution-respecting conservative party can be born from the ashes.

— Charles Gaba ?? (@charles_gaba) September 6, 2024

I know, I know, it’s Texas… but, as someone said recently, Texas isn’t a blue state, it’s a deeply gerrymandered state.

I spent Labor Day Weekend traveling across the state, meeting Texans where they are and talking about the issues that matter to them. We deserve a Senator who delivers results, and come November, we’re going to elect one. pic.twitter.com/dF0xh4zCfo

— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) September 7, 2024

Ted Cruz is increasingly unpopular…

Ted Cruz is out of touch with Texans. Folks want the freedom to work hard, get ahead and achieve their version of the American dream. In the Senate, I’ll ensure every Texan can.https://t.co/nHAgemu2Np

— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) September 7, 2024

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Local Races Open Thread: Has Colin Allred Become A Serious Contender?Post + Comments (123)

Zooming with Steve Benen about His New Book (and Open Thread)

by WaterGirl|  September 7, 20243:10 pm| 29 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Hey BJ peeps, we are planning to have a zoom with Steve Benen about his new book: Ministry of Truth.

Ministry of Truth spent a couple of weeks on the New York Times’ hardcover non-fiction bestseller list, and just this week, it debuted on the New York Times’ audiobook bestseller list. (Steve thinks he fact that Rachel Maddow did the audio might’ve had something to do with this!)

“A fierce takedown of right-wing mendacity committed in the service of a bigger lie.” — Kirkus Reviews

The zoom with Steve Benen will be on a Saturday, mostly likely starting somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 pm Eastern.

The book itself sounds super-interesting, and this post is to get a feel for who might be interested in participating.

To find out more about the book check out this link to a pdf file:  MINISTRY OF TRUTH

The big question is timing.

Do we do it in October before the election, or after the election?  Steve is good either way.

Will we be too busy and distracted before the election?  Or would the zoom be a welcome distraction?

If you’re interested in participating in the zoom, let us know your preference on timing in the comments.

Otherwise, open thread!

 

 

Zooming with Steve Benen about His New Book (and Open Thread)Post + Comments (29)

North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT)

by WaterGirl|  September 7, 202412:12 pm| 96 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Political Action, Political Fundraising, Targeted Political Fundraising 2023-24

North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT)

So excited about this new group!

North Carolina Asian Americans Together is a mouthful, so I will refer to them as NCAAT.  What we will be funding though, is technically NCAAT In Action – the partisan side of the organization.  You will see that there are separate websites for NCAAT and NCAAT In Action, but for simplicity I will refer to them as NCAAT.  (More on that below)

Here’s what’s so exciting about this organization!

BJ Strategic Fundraising Trifecta:  NC is a critical state + Youth Vote + the AAPI Community

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for NCAAT in Action.  They are working hard to find an external match for us!  Their charismatic young director (and founder of the organization) is confident she’ll find one  But time is short and we don’t want to hold off on starting until we know re.for sure.

The NCAAT peeps have secured the $25,000 match for us!  All donations with Angel matches will now be 4x!

We will be helping NCAA expand its outreach to AAPI and BIPOC youth aged 18-25 in 10 target counties on 53 campuses and high schools with the most racially diverse populations.


Donate

Fun Facts:

  • North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes are up for grabs.
  • One of the key ways to win in NC is turning out the youth and BIPOC vote
  • All the trends in NC are moving in our direction: the polls, voter enthusiasm.
  • Trump and Mark Robinson (black candidate for governor) are displaying unfitness for office.
  • The NCAAT leadership is young and enthusiastic and full of innovative strategies.
  • Since the inception of NCAAT and NCAAT in Action, the Asian youth turnout has been at record highs and consistently higher than turnout for youth in other racial groups of color.
  • NCAAT is not duplicating the efforts of the North Carolina Black Alliance, the other youth-related North Caroline group we are supporting. Both organizations are part of a coalition that is coordinating member efforts!

NCAAT will use its proven youth tactics to expand our efforts for 2024 to boost all BIPOC youth engagement, civic participation, and voting!!

  • They become a visible presence on campus to educate students on voting rights and the importance of youth voting.
  • Increase engagement by facilitating discussion on AAPI and BIPOC youth issues.
  • Collect Voter Registration cards and developing leads for their youth leadership pipeline.
  • They have on-site “campus ambassadors,” who facilitate discussions on election-related challenges
  • They promote information on candidate accountability.
  • They develop and distribute political education materials.
  • The are focused on Democratic turnout.

We typically try to provide groups with what they need in order to expand their efforts or do things they have wanted to do but don’t have the resources.

In this case, it’s too late in the game for us to underwrite an expansion to other campuses or other unique efforts.

But it’s not too late to help them:

  • put more ambassadors in the field
  • expand their hours
  • focus more on key issues – reproductive rights, climate change, protecting immigrants’ rights, prioritizing a ceasefire in Gaza
  • create more targeted educational materials
  • do more follow up with students

They have a sophisticated strategy of emphasizing three main focus areas:

  1. Supporting and Endorsing Kamala Harris
  2. Downballot Races
  3. Defeat an Anti-Immmigrant Ballot Measure

 

 

North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT)Post + Comments (96)

Rescue Bleg Update: Four Five Adult / Senior Cats in South Bend

by Anne Laurie|  September 7, 202411:27 am| 43 Comments

This post is in: Cat Blogging, Pet Rescue

ICYMI, cat rescuer Satby is looking to save five cats from an untimely fate:

A 92-year-old woman who was a member of the UU church here passed away. Her daughter, up from Texas to wrap up her mom’s affairs, is unable to take mom’s four cats back to Texas because she already has three of her own. Our rescue and other rescues in the area are full, so these cats WILL be euthanized if we can’t find a place for some or all of them.

They are:
* A bonded pair — brother & sister tabby cats, 7 1/2 years old. Must be adopted together but not
necessarily with the others.
* A tortoiseshell female, 7 1/2 years old
* And a Siamese female, 13 years old

I am willing to drive to meet anyone in the three-state area of IL, IN, or MI if they might be able to adopt any of these cats. The house is sold and the drop dead date is September 29.

Hoping we can at least save one if not more.

Here’s some photos and further info:

All are indoor cats, all neutered or spayed, and by end of next week all but one (Bunny) will have had their shots and booster shots. Bunny will have her booster the following week.

There are a tabby brother, Solomon, and his sister, Echo. They are about 7 or 8 yrs old. They’re close with each other. Here’s Solomon:
Rescue Bleg Update: <del>Four</del> Five Adult / Senior Cats in South Bend

This is Echo. These two are not that alike. Solomon is friendly with visitors, Echo does a vanishing act. Solly is highly intelligent and communicative. He can be affectionate, but doesn’t like a lot of being fussed over. Won’t get on your lap. He lets you know what he wants with meaningful looks. Echo turned out, after about 3 months, to be much more inclined to give head bonks and enjoys nuzzling and petting, and will lick your hand. Both love to play. They both have a goofy side.
Rescue Bleg Update: <del>Four</del> Five Adult / Senior Cats in South Bend 1

Two others live separately from them on the 2nd floor. They’re Bunny, a Tortoiseshell, and Siri, a lynx point Siamese. Bunny is 7 or 8, and Siri is 13.

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Rescue Bleg Update: <del>Four</del> Five Adult / Senior Cats in South BendPost + Comments (43)

Saturday Morning Open Thread: Madam Vice President Is Not Wasting Time

by Anne Laurie|  September 7, 20247:39 am| 307 Comments

This post is in: Elections 2024, Kamala Harris for President, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

Madam Vice President ?? My Valuable Pretzels https://t.co/6mXBUKQsGD

— Doug Emhoff (@DouglasEmhoff) September 6, 2024

(I almost hate to let y’all in on this, but Port City‘s Tasty Ranch Dill pretzels are every bit as good as they’re advertised.)

Harris Senior Advisor Ian Sams to Fox: Just this morning, 88 business leaders from companies like Ford, Starbucks, Pepsi, and Lyft endorsed Vice President Harris. You know, Donald Trump is a former CEO himself. I'm not sure why the CEOs don't like him so much, but they're coming… pic.twitter.com/hcpeGQ3nTS

— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 7, 2024

??VP Harris joins @UniNoticias Arizona’s AMOR 106.3 FM Host “Angel Baby” to talk directly to Latinos about key issues like lowering costs, supporting small biz, and how Trump would hurt our communities and economy.?? https://t.co/OZvI2ddsS2

— Sergio Gonzales (@SergGonzales) September 6, 2024

But then again, per Our Very Serious Media…

It’s become so normalized for politicians to be empty vessels for their staffers that a principal being less than effortlessly pliable is interpreted as active hostility https://t.co/whOAtwjoHO

— The Great El Wokismo (@canderaid) September 6, 2024

Long-ish — and basically ‘fair’ — article, but that’s one reason I saved it for Saturday. Per the Washington Post, “Kamala Harris ran her office like a prosecutor. Not everyone liked that” [gift link]:

On the day after President Joe Biden decided to end his reelection bid in July, more than 300 former staffers for Vice President Kamala Harris publicly endorsed her candidacy — a flurry of alumni support with little precedent in this already unusual campaign.

“We were able to witness her leadership firsthand,” the former staffers wrote in a letter, attesting to Harris’s behavior on and off camera. “She is an extraordinary leader of great character.”

The rapidly assembled letter was a spontaneous outpouring of affection for Harris, said Rachel Palermo, who worked for Harris for three years in the vice president’s office and coordinated the effort.

But in interviews, former staff who signed the letter acknowledged it also addressed one of Harris’s perceived weaknesses as a candidate and elected official: her demanding management style. People who have worked for Harris say her interactions with staff can resemble a prosecutor prying details from a witness, asking pointed questions about everything from her schedule to policy briefings. And her cautious approach to big decisions has frustrated deputies rather than inspire them.

Harris’s record as a boss has been the focus of news stories throughout her career and amplified by high-profile staff departures…

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Saturday Morning Open Thread: Madam Vice President Is Not Wasting TimePost + Comments (307)

Friday Night Fights Open Thread: Repubs in Disarray!

by Anne Laurie|  September 7, 20243:04 am| 145 Comments

This post is in: Grifters Gonna Grift, Open Threads, Republicans in Disarray!, Trumpery

Tim Miller destroy Piers Morgan on his own show. pic.twitter.com/dvgzeOWjjc

— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) September 6, 2024

How's that for a fuckin realignment https://t.co/ZGceCglwbJ

— cai (@AnneNotation) September 6, 2024

the reason why Pim Tool and no one else at TENET media realized they're taking Russian cash to make propaganda is that a mysterious sack of money to talk shit is how ALL right-wing media works

— Rev. Poppy Haze (ITAR compliant) (@poppyhaze.bsky.social) Sep 5, 2024 at 9:18 AM

America First! ???? (unless Russia pays us more) ????#GOPutin

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) September 5, 2024

And Groyper spokesphibian Nick Fuentes feels cheated!!! by (former) God-Emperor Trump:

White nationalist Nick Fuentes blasts Trump for admitting that he lost the 2020 election: "So, why did we do Stop the Steal? … It would have been good to know that before 1,600 people got charged." www.rightwingwatch.org/post/a-big-r…

[image or embed]

— Right Wing Watch (@rightwingwatch.bsky.social) Sep 4, 2024 at 3:22 PM

“I would have never FA’d had I known I’d eventually FO!”

— Not great, Bob! (@sometoast.bsky.social) Sep 4, 2024 at 4:01 PM

Friday Night Fights Open Thread: <em>Repubs in Disarray!</em>Post + Comments (145)

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