Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Consistently wrong since 2002

The National Guard is not Batman.

Finding joy where we can, and muddling through where we can’t.

“They all knew.”

“Perhaps I should have considered other options.” (head-desk)

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

When they say they are pro-life, they do not mean yours.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Too little, too late, ftfnyt. fuck all the way off.

If you voted for Trump, you don’t get to speak about ethics, morals, or rule of law.

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

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

White supremacy is terrorism.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

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

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

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On The Road – PaulB – The Cascade Loop, Part 8

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PaulB

Welcome to stage 8 of “Washington’s Ultimate Road Trip,” the Cascade Loop. Today, we’ll be visiting the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem. More specifically, we’ll be visiting the Ladder Creek Falls Gardens adjacent to the Powerhouse.

The falls and surrounding gardens were the brainchild of hydroelectric project developer J.D. Ross, who wanted to show off the wonders of electricity (this was in the early 1920s). Ross, the son of a horticulturist, planted tropical vegetation and exotic flowers, created pools that were stocked with goldfish, and strung (bare) electric wires and colored lights among the trees to provide a stunning nighttime experience. Phonographs and amplifiers were hidden throughout the hillside to provide even more of an experience for visitors.

Today, the lighting has been updated and most of the exotic vegetation has been replaced by native plants. It’s still a remarkable little oasis next to a hydroelectric plant.

Note: You can see full-size versions of these photos here.

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On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 8 9
Ladder Creek FallsMay 15, 2024

The pedestrian bridge from the parking lot to the gardens. Despite its sturdy appearance, it noticeably swayed as I crossed. The bridge really is as narrow as it looks, barely wide enough for two people to pass one another.

And He’s Still Rambling On…

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I only know that because I went to turn on the 10 pm news and there he was…how long has it been?

Pretty much this…

 

And I want to post what Adam said down thread:

Second, I just want to make a quick point about all the sturm and drang around whether President Biden needs to stay or go. It is important to remember that the Democratic Party today is really a coalition of what would be medium to smaller parties that have a lot of overlapping interests and objectives, but also some significant differences. As the GOP has consolidated into a party with a much narrower constituency, everyone else either finds their way to the Democratic Party of just gives up on political parties. So the Democratic Party absorbs everyone that either is not tolerated in the Republican Party of 2024 or is repulsed by it. And this gets us to the point I want to make. If this whole dispute over if Biden should remain the nominee or withdraw and turn things over to VP Harris or there should be a three week primary or the convention should just be brokered were an actual political warfare operation to break the Democratic Party into smaller parties that can’t garner a majority, what would be done differently? My professional assessment is nothing. Nothing would be done differently. Whether this really started as a political warfare operation or whether a variety of domestic and foreign actors just latched on to and amplified the vendetta that Sulzberger at The NY Times started and is pursuing because President Biden won’t give his paper an interview doesn’t really matter at this point. All that matters is the effects being achieved.

I’m off to put the ducks to bed…they’ll bitch at me because I’m late, but I got busy.

Let me know when the orchestra plays him off….

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Thursday Night Open Thread

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Thursday Night Open Thread 14

I may be stupid and have done a lot of stupid shit, but at least I’m not “wear a fake bandage on my ear at the RNC to worship my god king Trump” stupid. Fucking cultists.

And as someone else noted, these are the same idiots who refused to wear masks, calling them face diapers.

I just can’t with these people.

***

I’ve been really enjoying my time at the gym the last couple of days. I’m not gonna lie, it’s rapidly becoming my favorite part of the day. Takes about 25 mins to get there, and I like to spend at least two hours there, so I’ve been setting aside three hours every day for it.

I like to get there, stretch for a bit, walk around the track a little, then shower and hit the pool. Do a couple laps, stand there and walk around in the water stretching and working the shoulder, do a couple more laps, etc. Can only do the breast stroke because of the limited range of motion in my right shoulder screws up freestyle and backstroke, but I can tell in just a few days my range of motion is getting better and I bet in a month or so I can do freestyle. For obvious reasons (I’m 54 and a fatbody, fer fucks sake) there is no butterfly in my future.

Little better every day is the goal.

***

The weather was superb today, topping out at around 81, but for most o the day mid to high 70’s with a few clouds and anice breeze. It rained yesterday, so the air had that soft feel that only comes when there is moisture in the air, but it isn’t really humid- the kind where wind the breeze kicks up you for a second notice the chill then quickly adapt to the comforting cool flow of air- kinda like your whole body being hugged by a cloud. You don’t get that in Arizona ever, and you only get it every once in a while here. It’s hard to describe, but if you know, you know.

I’m munching on some red and yellow bell peppers I picked up at the farmer’s market. I like to wash them, refrigerate them, and then cut them into really thick julienne’s, and then sprinkle just a pinch of salt. They are so crisp and juicy and sweet and extremely refreshing. Just so good.

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War for Ukraine Day 876: A Brief Thursday Night Update

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Two quick housekeeping notes. First, Rosie is still doing great on her off week between treatments. Thank you all, again, for the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations.

Second, I just want to make a quick point about all the sturm and drang around whether President Biden needs to stay or go. It is important to remember that the Democratic Party today is really a coalition of what would be medium to smaller parties that have a lot of overlapping interests and objectives, but also some significant differences. As the GOP has consolidated into a party with a much narrower constituency, everyone else either finds their way to the Democratic Party of just gives up on political parties. So the Democratic Party absorbs everyone that either is not tolerated in the Republican Party of 2024 or is repulsed by it. And this gets us to the point I want to make. If this whole dispute over if Biden should remain the nominee or withdraw and turn things over to VP Harris or there should be a three week primary or the convention should just be brokered were an actual political warfare operation to break the Democratic Party into smaller parties that can’t garner a majority, what would be done differently? My professional assessment is nothing. Nothing would be done differently. Whether this really started as a political warfare operation or whether a variety of domestic and foreign actors just latched on to and amplified the vendetta that Sulzberger at The NY Times started and is pursuing because President Biden won’t give his paper an interview doesn’t really matter at this point. All that matters is the effects being achieved.

Last night, once again, the Russians launched overnight airstrikes on Kharkiv Oblast:

President Zelenskyy addressed the Fourth European Political Summit today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Thursday Evening Open Thread (and pet habits and strategies)

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First off, in Balloon Juice pet news…

I don’t care how adorable Pete is, I am totally on Team Badger.  Sitting on your housemate’s head is a bridge too far.

And Soprano2 found her kitty!  Two doors down, yay!

So… pet strategies.

To wake me up in the morning, the kitties jump on the bed, but I ignore them if it’s too early.  Except that Mr. Bear gives me a single lick on my forehead, which I take as a declaration of love, and I say “thank you Mr. Bear, that’s so sweet.”  Phase 2 of their strategy is wake up Henry, who  then cries in his crate, right on cue, until I get up.  Which doesn’t take long because Henry has a skill at sounding desperately pathetic when they kitties have told him that it’s time to get up.

Mealtime strategy is to gaslight me into thinking I haven’t fed them, which can occasionally happen when I’m super busy with work.  But I tell them “too early!’ in a chipper tone of voice.  Which used to work.  The latest, though, is that Henry tells me that he really really really has to go out, right this minute, so I get up and walk toward the porch and then he just stands there by the kitchen.  Since I’m already up, there’s a decent chance that they get their way.

My guys can’t be the only ones who stay up late thinking of ways to get what they want.

Moving on to  mocking the creeps in the other party.

Thursday Evening Open Thread (and pet habits and strategies) 1h/t Jackie for these two pics.  And Subaru Diane for the one at the bottom!

I think maybe we should get Almost Retired’s mom to caption this photo.

And I’ll only post this one of Gaetz as a thumbnail. Click to embiggen at your own risk.

Thursday Evening Open Thread (and pet habits and strategies)
Is it possible that some plastic surgeon did this to him on purpose?  I bet the 17-year-old girls will love this look!

Has Everyone Gone Mad?

Anyhoo, (mostly) Open Thread. No discussion of will he or won’t he, should he or shouldn’t he, etc, in this thread.  PLEASE.  Lots of other threads where you can talk about that.

Oh, and I am baking peach cobbler, and it’s starting to smell really good.

I’ll add a photo once it comes out of the oven.

 

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RNC Open Thread: Liars in Love

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RNC Open Thread:

(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)

 
I went to check on how things were going in Milwaukee today, and this was my first hit:

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Farts, Birds & Dogs (Open Thread)

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First, a relevant contribution to the current discourse:

Bad Janet from The Good Place with the cc stating “farting loudly.”

Ahhh! Better out than in, as my old gran used to say.

Second, I saw my first Whooping Crane in the wild today! No photo. I saw it from a moving car.

The bird was on the wing, flying maybe 50 feet overhead. At first I took it for a Sandhill Crane due to the large size, but a closer look revealed the bird to be white with black-edged wings.

Third, dogs:

Farts, Birds & Dogs (Open Thread) 2

Farts, Birds & Dogs (Open Thread)

Farts, Birds & Dogs (Open Thread) 1The photo directly above captures Badger’s fury at having his head sat upon by Pete, and you really can’t blame him…

That’s all I’ve got. Open thread!

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