Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

In after Baud. Damn.

Most of you should go to bed and try to be better Jackals in the morning.

American history and black history cannot be separated.

Cancel the cowardly Times and Post and set up an equivalent monthly donation to ProPublica.

If you thought you’d already seen people saying the stupidest things possible on the internet, prepare yourselves.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

Come on, man.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

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

Stamping your little feets and demanding that they see how important you are? Not working anymore.

Fear and negativity are contagious, but so is courage!

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COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: January 3, 2024

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Another Eventful Day in Tempe

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Before I type anything else and forget- I need to get a hose so I can do things like wash my cars and pressure wash the house and driveway and that sort of shit, and I wanted to know if there was a specific type of hose I should buy that will not immediately dry rot in the desert. Or is it just a situation where they are all gonna dry rot you just gotta store it inside between uses to extend the life?

At any rate, busy day today. Took Steve to his new vet, a delightful young Hispanic woman in her late 20’s to early 30’s, and she and all the other folks wanted to steal Steve because he was so amiable and easy to handle. My string of saying inappropriate things in front of people I do not know remains unrivaled, as I blurted out “Sorry bro didn’t know there was going to be ass play today” when she rectally checked his temperature, but she shocked me by giggling and saying “lube is love, Steve.” After everything was sorted with him, the diabetes specialist came in to talk to me and go over some stuff.

This lady was quite a character, and she was introduced to me as “Emily, the diabetes queen of Tempe.” She looked like Cheri Oteri and even had her mannerisms, swore profusely and apologized each time explaining she is a Jewish lady from Chicago and has two tweens, I told her that it is ok I was in the Army for a decade, and we locked eyes and visually agreed that we both had been in the trenches and this was a swearing safe zone. We got along well. She gave me a good block of instruction, texted me her number so I could reach her at any time.

After that, I had to work for a bit, and then this afternoon we took the bike I bought to a bike shop to get it checked out and roadworthy, and while there, Joelle, the techs, and I all agreed the bike was not going to work for me. I need a bigger one. I’m looking at a fat tired baja like this:

Another Eventful Day in Tempe

The problem is they are way expensive (like 1100 new), so I am looking on FB marketplace and craigslist for a used one. The people at the bike shop thought the bike I brought in was very unique and old, and worth more than I paid for it, so we are going to research it and then try to flip it with some backstory and vintage appeal.

After that we went to Lowe’s and I picked up some items I forgot the last trip (Barkeep’s friend, scrub brushes, a bucket, a new light bulb for the fridge, etc.), then stopped by the a really nice Med. Market and got some baba ganoush, pita, and olive oil.

And now we are here.

***

Talked to my mother today and she was mad about the President of Harvard resigning because Rep. Stefanik was doing a victory lap, and thought I would be upset, too. And I am not upset because I am a horrible person and have come to grips with that. No, I hate that Rep. Stefanik is thrilled- fuck her. But after what I have been through the last year with the bullshit at WVU, there will be no rending of garments in this household when anyone in college administration gets fucked over. Claudine Gay may be a delightful person and splendid neighbor, but she’s a college President and wouldn’t hesitate one minute to fuck me or any other faculty or staff member over and then hand everything off to the team of lawyers, so fuck her. My solidarity ends at the admin.

***

I guess I have nothing else to say. Zoom was fun yesterday even though I was preoccupied with emails. We should so it again.

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War for Ukraine Day 678: Russia Bombards Ukraine Again Shortly After Dawn

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Screen shot of painting by NEIVANMADE. It has a grey border. On the left is a Ukrainian apartment block in the background. In the left foreground is an armored forearm and fist blocking incoming Russian rockets and missiles. The Russian rockets and missiles are red and have the "Z" symbol on them. The backgound is black. Above the armored arm and fist, written in white, is "Every Single Day in Ukraine."

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Russian opened up again on Ukraine shortly after dawn this morning. As in past attacks, the targets were predominantly civilian. Shahed drone swarms came in first followed by missiles, including Kinzhals. There were 99 Russian missiles fired this morning including the 10 Kinzhals, which indicates that, at least for now, Russia does have enough missiles to do this a couple of times a week.

Today, 🇺🇦 Air Force in cooperation with units of the Defense Forces, destroyed 72 russian air targets:
– 10 out of 10 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles;
– 59 out of 70 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles;
– 3 out of 3 Kalibr cruise missiles.

We are grateful to our courageous and talented warriors, as well as international partners who assist us in strengthening our air defense capabilities.
🇺🇦💪

The massive Russian attack on Kyiv and Kharkiv means dozens of injured civilians, residential buildings on fire. Unfortunately, we have casualties. Speaking of war fatigue, it is worth remembering: the enemy is not tired of killing every day. Only force will stop him. 🇺🇦 has fortitude but needs weapon strength.

 

Rescue operations in the aftermath of another Russian strike continue. All the services are working. Over 500 State Emergency Service rescuers, municipal services, energy workers, and police officers.

Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. As of now, 92 people have been reported injured. They are all receiving assistance. Unfortunately, four people were killed. My condolences go out to their families and close ones.

Our air defense warriors have been doing an incredible job for the past three days. Since December 31st, Russian monsters have already fired 170 “Shahed” drones and dozens of missiles of various types. The absolute majority of them targeted civilian infrastructure. I am grateful to all of our partners who are helping us strengthen our air shield. Every day and night, this helps save hundreds of lives that would have been lost if we didn’t have “Patriots” and other defense systems.

This year, we will continue to work with everyone around the world who values life to bolster our air shield and hold Russia accountable for everything it has done. The terrorist state must feel the repercussions of its actions.

 

More on the bombardment after the jump.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Open Thread: Fifty Years of the Endangered Species Act

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Interesting read from the Associated Press, about the mostly *un*charismatic megafauna (‘gubmint bureaucrats’) at the pointy end of this legislation — “As the Endangered Species Act turns 50, those who first enforced it reflect on its mixed legacy”:

On Dec. 28, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. “Nothing,” he said, “is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” The powerful new law charged the federal government with saving every endangered plant and animal in America and enjoyed nearly unanimous bipartisan support.

The Act was so sweeping that, in retrospect, it was bound to become controversial, especially since it allowed species to be listed as endangered without consideration for the economic consequences. In that way it pitted two American values against each other: the idea that Americans should preserve their incredible natural resources (the United States invented the national park, after all) and the notion that capitalism was king and private property inviolate.

The Endangered Species Act was just one in a raft of environmental legislation passed beginning in the mid-1960s that included the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Wilderness Act and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Taken together, it was the most extensive environmental legislation the world had ever seen…

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Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread

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Looks like we could use one!

Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread 3

I was sliding Henry’s little holiday kerchief over his head, and it looked like he was wearing a babushka. Too cute.

I grew up in a Polish-Bohemian neighborhood, and all the older ladies used to wear them.

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Henry is now wearing his kerchief in the appropriate way.  I’m sure he would want you to know that.

Open thread.

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Tuesday Morning Open Thread: Back to the Workday World

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