I see lots of positive economic news stories- are they just getting them out of the way so they can tank Biden all summer or is it just undeniable at this point?
Also where the fuck is everyone?
Archives for 2024
Bird Commutes (Open Thread)
In a recent thread, the topic of bird fly-bys came up, and I mentioned that we have a splendid view of a bird commute from approximately mid-January through March each year. During that time, flocks of White Ibises fly west along the river just after sunrise and east around sunset — thousands daily.
We call the start of the evening rush hour “Flock O’Clock” and make sure we’re on the porch or in the boat to watch. If it’s a large flock, sometimes the wings sound like a waterfall. I took the above video at sunset from the jon boat with my phone. Can’t remember if I shared it here or not. If so, please pardon the rerun.
Open thread!
Pet Update
Many of you have asked how Steve and Maxwell are doing. And the answer is they are doing fine. We kept them segregated in a separate room for two weeks, allowing the dogs to get used to them, and then slowly integrated them. At this point, we have free range kitty all day, and they are given free run of the entire house and back yard. At night time, we put them in their crates, although once or twice we have let Maxwell stay out all night. They’re fine either way.
As to interactions with the dogs, it really is an example of how reacting differently to an environment can have different results. Maxwell is spastic, and for the first couple of weeks spent the entire time hiding and hissing at things and basically being a little punk. Curtis and Jack both completely ignored him, but Thurston, being an asshole, messed with him every time he got riled up.
Maxwell was/is most concerned about the bigger dog, Jack, who has had several cats and we have seen pictures of him lying down with a cat sleeping on top of him. Jack is completely uninterested. But Maxwell acts like the man is after him and freaks out a little every time he sees him. So Maxwell basically slinks and stalks his way through the house, blending into corners and moving under tables and basically mission impossibling the entire house.
Steve, on the other hand, the very first time he walked out of the quarantine room just walked between all three dogs and fucked off into the bedroom and climbed into a pile of clothes in the closet. Just sauntered right through them, completely and totally indifferent. Yesterday, within 30 seconds of each other I watched Maxwell do is highwire act to get around Jack who was creating a logjam near the hollway, and then Steve walked in, saw Jack, and just walked UNDERNEATH HIM to get through the hallway. Like didn’t even pause. Just walked right up and walked underneath him. I swear Jack nodded at him and the old dudes have some sort of aged bro code going on.
And before you ask, Thurston is still alive. He’s losing weight and his coat feels great and he is still a complete and total throbbing asshole.
Friday Morning Open Thread
So… the Trump trial in DC is officially off the docket for March. Not surprising since the court that took the Trump appeal on immunity and double jeopardy on an expedited basis seems to be dragging its feet in turns of producing a ruling. Sigh.
In other Trump news, the TPM Morning Memo shares news of Daily Beast reporting:
Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet and co-defendant in the Mar-a-Lago case, was accused by three female service members of a years-long pattern of sexual misconduct that included his time with Trump in the White House, the Daily Beast reports:
Navy officials had escorted him off White House grounds, reassigned him to a new post, and docked his White House security clearance in response to accusations of fraternization, adultery, harassment, and other inappropriate sexual conduct, including “revenge porn,” two people with direct knowledge of the matter told The Daily Beast.
Despite the allegations, Trump brought Nauta down to Palm Beach later that same year to work for him there.
I take issue with “despite the allegations”. Surely for Trump those would be items to bond over, making Nauta even more appealing. Ugh.
In other other Trump news, during the MAL search the FBI apparently shrugged off looking in a closet when they found it locked, and apparently missed a secret room during their search, in spite of having floor plans for MAL.
It’s been obvious to me for years that some in the FBI are compromised, not to mention the Secret Service.
Keep in mind. FBI Trump holdover D’Antuono initially blocked the search of Mar a Lago, then finally relented to DoJ prosecutors. Then he wanted to alert Trump to the search. Then he agreed but not if the FBI wore their uniforms. I’m not surprised the FBI “missed” some rooms. https://t.co/VA0Jv2AOJz
— Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) February 2, 2024
Some of the calls are indeed coming from inside the house.
Oh, and I read yesterday that Weisselberg is pleading guilty to perjury. This is is old and in prison and even with a new perjury charge he still isn’t willing to turn on Trump. I wonder if that $2 million dollar payout (being paid out over time) might have something to do with it? Argh.
Apologies, I am in a very ugh and argh mood this morning.
Open thread.
Friday Morning Open Thread: President Joe Goes to Detroit
With the United Auto Workers behind me, I’m confident we’ll win this election. pic.twitter.com/cSctygrGLs
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 1, 2024
.?@JoeBiden? meets UAW members volunteering at a phone bank in Warren, Michigan ahead of the state’s primary on Feb. 27 pic.twitter.com/NrEn8EWpjO
— Nandita Bose (@nanditab1) February 1, 2024
This is President Joe Biden
I personally watched him insist on making a call to someone’s friend shortly before I met him
Then I watched him listen to someone tell a heart wrenching story and ask his staff to get her details to help her out
This is real pic.twitter.com/Dn6f7bPZiS https://t.co/QzuucqTBQ6
— Qondi (@QondiNtini) February 1, 2024
President Biden is dropping by local Detroit restaurant "They Say" before meeting with UAW members.
Reaction when he slid into this woman's booth: "Oh my god, me and the president, baby… I'm going to be famous now." pic.twitter.com/yfv3x18Rkb
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) February 1, 2024
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On The Road – UncleEbeneezer – Turning 50 In Taos (Part 3 of 3)
UncleEbeneezer
Here are some more, assorted pictures from my Birthday in Taos. It was honestly, one of the best Birthdays I’ve had in years. We went for a yummy breakfast again at Michael’s Restaurant, got a couples massage at a resort/spa that was walking distance from where we were staying, had dinner and drinks with a good friend and then saw a local production of The Nutcracker. The following day, on Christmas Eve we went to the Taos Pueblo to witness the Procession of the Virgin Mary followed by dinner, drinks and games with friends. It was a delightful way to end our stay in Taos.
On The Road – UncleEbeneezer – Turning 50 In Taos (Part 3 of 3)Post + Comments (20)
Taos, NMDecember 24, 2023
We weren’t allowed to take any pictures inside the Taos Pueblo but this is what the sunset looked like on Christmas Eve. It was quite cold but beautiful.
Late Night Open Thread: Heavens, No, Not *Profanity*!!!
NEW: In private, here is how President Biden refers to Donald Trump:
“What a sick fuck”
“What a fucking asshole this guy is”
Behind the scenes with Biden’s pure disgust for his predecessor – and what truly sets him off https://t.co/bS0zYZrEw8
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) February 1, 2024
Admirable restraint, IMO, Politico — “What Biden *really* says about Trump behind closed doors”:
President JOE BIDEN has a reputation for salty language behind closed doors. But it nearly slipped out in public during his speech at Valley Forge last month to mark the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Animated and angry, he derided DONALD TRUMP and his followers for drawing glee from political violence…
The president has described Trump to longtime friends and close aides as a “sick fuck” who delights in others’ misfortunes, according to three people who have heard the president use the profane description. According to one of the people who has spoke with the president, Biden recently said of Trump: “What a fucking asshole the guy is.”
The White House declined to comment.The epithets may cut against the image Biden often projects as someone eager to take down the level of incivility and acrimony in politics. But they also illustrate a core anger he has developed toward the man he ousted from office and may very well face again.
Biden has long been troubled by what he has perceived as Trump’s encouragement of political violence, which the incumbent believes is a direct threat to the nation’s democracy and deeply un-American, according to the three people familiar with his private conversations, who were all granted anonymity to describe them. His disgust toward Trump has never been a secret but has only grown in recent months as the former president tightens his grip on the GOP nomination…
Late Night Open Thread: <em>Heavens, No, Not *Profanity*!!!</em>Post + Comments (83)