Since Alex Pretti’s murder, there have been two anti-ICE protests in my deep-red town. Anecdotally, I’ve seen bipartisan disgust with this administration’s authoritarian overreach.
One of the protesters in my town carried a large Gadsden flag. At first I thought he was a counter-protester, but he had anti-ICE signage too.
This Jersey man gets emotional about what’s happening in his neighborhood at a protest this week:
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
— Cooper River Indivisible (@crindivisible.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Sounds like he’s fed up with Trump’s child-snatching squads, so he’s carrying a sign for the first time in his life. Republicans cannot afford to alienate white guys in Callaway golf hats, so you love to see it!
***
Speaking of love…
Give her what she really wants for Valentine’s Day: A bookshelf with a rolling ladder, a vintage bottle of Château Margaux, a basket of fresh pastries, and a candlelight meal where she can dine on the hearts of all who’ve wronged her.
— The Whimsical Muse (@whimsicalmuse.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 6:23 AM
Yes! That’s not what I’m getting, but Bill is making his famous cinnamon roast chicken, a recipe handed down from his Polish American grandma. It has far more olive oil, butter and garlic than cinnamon — all the good things!
***
Speaking further of love, our Painted Bunting continues to visit. If you listen with the sound on, you’ll hear the cries of Limpkins looking for love in the background.
#PaintedBunting is back! Didn’t see him yesterday, so I thought he’d moved on. 🪶
— Betty Cracker of Florida (@bettycrackerfl.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 7:19 AM
I’m quite fond of the Limpkins, but they scream incessantly from late January until March or so — day and night. I’ve been up since 4 AM thanks to those horny feathered screamers, and it will get worse when it warms up enough to leave the windows open overnight.
Limpkin screeching so annoyed The Yearling and Cross Creek author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings that she developed recipes featuring the birds and was said (by herself) to make an excellent roast Limpkin. I wonder if she used cinnamon?
Open thread!
‘Epstein Class’ – It’s No Accident That We Are Seeing That So Widely
WaterGirl
Betty, are you allowed to share the recipe for his famous cinnamon roast chicken?
I am terrible at making chicken, so I don’t really have any good recipes. I would love to try this one
Also, too, love the painted bunting.
WereBear
The Yearling was tough, but Old Yeller was a shock.
Over Old Yeller?
No, I’ll never get over Old Yeller.
Professor Bigfoot
Mrs. B is desperately bird-phobic; so I end up feeling kinda guilty for enjoying the bird videos.
BUT I DO ANYWAY!
Scout211
In the category of Leopards eating faces, from the odds and ends files:
EXCLUSIVE ‘South Texas will never be red again’: Home builders warn GOP over Trump’s immigration raids
. . .
HinTN
Seconding this, @WaterGirl:. Please, Ms Cracker, would you request of Bill that he share a bit of that Polish goodness.
WaterGirl
@Scout211:
Wasn’t Cuellar one of the few Dems who voted FOR funding?
Melancholy Jaques
@WaterGirl:
That guy is consistently odious.
Salty Sam
while Austin itself is not a red town, it’s in the heart of one of the reddest of states; yesterday afternoon about a hundred or so of us gathered in front of an ICE Detention facility and chanted, hollered, and generally heaped scorn and derision on the DPS troopers who were hanging out in front of the building. It all stayed peaceful.
Several of the protesters had family members being held in the facility. Their stories were heartbreaking.
Tom Levenson
@HinTN: Thirding. Want recipe!
J.
My spouse is making me duck — the bird, not the action — tonight. Though he has made me his Polish grandmother’s cinnamon chicken in the past. I can attest, it is delicious.
FelonyGovt
That guy from Jersey shows why we’re winning. A line has definitely been crossed and normies are upset and angry.
Professor Bigfoot
@Tom Levenson: FOURTHING, ‘cause ME TOO!
Professor Bigfoot
@FelonyGovt: The American giant is waking up from his long nap, looking around and muttering “what in the natural hell…”
divF
From the Wikipedia entry for the limpkin:
“This bird is easier to hear than see.”
Weighs about 2.4 lbs, so I could see how it might be worth the effort to dress and cook. Nothing in Wikipedia about its qualities as a game bird, which is not a good sign. I’d stick with the cinnamon chicken.
Betty Cracker
CINNAMON CHICKEN: The recipe isn’t written down, but I’ve been watching Bill make it for 30 years, and here’s how he does it:
Bill says it’s critical not to overdo it on the cinnamon. Should be just a hint — you don’t want it to overpower the other flavors.
lowtechcyclist
I’ve been thinking for a month or two that we could steal that flag right back from those RW mofos.
Catnaz
I once read a cookbook by Rawlings. Cross Creek Cookery, maybe? It was really, really interesting, just in terms of the ingredients (including local wildlife!).
Another Scott
@Betty Cracker: Sounds good. Thanks!
Best wishes,
Scott.
Miss Bianca
@lowtechcyclist: funny, I’ve been thinking the same thing…
lowtechcyclist
You can add my name to the increasingly lengthy list of those who want the cinnamon roast chicken recipe.And done before I even asked!Fixed breakfast for my wife this morning – I normally don’t even eat breakfast, let alone cook it, but we had bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee. Tonight, we’re going out to dinner and seeing a Valentine-themed play. The kiddo is at work until 10pm, but after that he’ll be stopping at his girlfriend’s house.
Salty Sam
The South Texas Builders Association was making those claims here in Texas last week, before they took it to DC this week. The raids on worksites is bringing to real life the fictional movie “A Day Without A Mexican”. youtu.be/cYJcfhxMkrQ?si=nODrF1u9Q-dgSb7D
ETA: that movie was made 22 years ago- can’t say they weren’t warned!
p.a.
@Professor Bigfoot:
Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor would reportedly write in his diary, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
lowtechcyclist
@J.:
My spouse is more likely to make me duck – the action, not the bird. :D
ArchTeryx
@lowtechcyclist: “My flag boy and your flag boy, sitting by the fire. My flag boy said to your flag boy, ‘I’m gonna set your flag on fire!'”
cain
@Salty Sam:
I hope that south texas becomes blue. That would be the most epic fail for the GOP if they lose Texas. Of course, Trump will blame them for being losers and will attack them.
My hope is that many state houses flip.
sab
@lowtechcyclist: Gadsden was a slaver from South Carolina. I don’t think we want to represented by his personal symbol.
JoyceH
@lowtechcyclist: steal back the Gadsden Flag? Heck, we could just entirely coopt the message of QAnon! Well, maybe not the part about JFK coming back.
trollhattan
Onliest bird I can cite in California as festively colored as this bunting is the western tanager, which I’ve seen maybe 3X in the Sierra Nevada. We’re mostly not a colorful lot in the far west for the most, and the occasional bluebird, Steller’s jay, woodpecker, house finch, goldfinch, etc. is a welcome visual treat. Hummingbirds can be flashy too, and seasonally we see migrating wood ducks. Splendid fellows.
lowtechcyclist
@JoyceH:
Yeah, since he’d be turning (PT)109 this spring, he wouldn’t be around now even if he hadn’t been shot.
Suzanne
Verdict from the vet is that Boy Kitty has roundworms, likely recurring from the shelter. We got some dewormer and he should be feeling better soon, yay.
The weather took a turn for the BEAUTIFUL today. Fifty degrees and sunny. Should stay like this for most of the week. I just did some errands on foot and couldn’t be happier about it.
One problem: the retaining wall separating our front yard from the sidewalk….. is now leaning at one end. All the snow we’ve been having has been putting stress on it. Many of our neighbors are in similar straits. If anyone owns a retaining wall repair company….. they could make a mint in my nieghborhood.
lowtechcyclist
@sab:
Repurposing it for something totally at odds with his legacy would be like pissing on his grave. I’d be all for that.
Professor Bigfoot
@p.a.: The Americans then made it a point to find and kill him, specifically.
FelonyGovt
@Professor Bigfoot: About time!
HinTN
@Betty Cracker: Thank you (and Bill and his Polish American grandmother)!
Rob
(Extreme lurker here.) Betty, would you mind sending those Limpkins up to the DC area? I’ll pay for postage ;-). There have been no reports for DC and that would make a lot of DC birders, certainly including me, extremely happy.
trollhattan
@JoyceH:
No Step on Snek flag nullified any hijacking of that flag forever, far as I’m concerned.
On to taking back those corrupted fucking thin blue line American flags, with prejudice.
JetsamPool
@sab:
How about this variant? Oh Lawd, He Treading…
rikyrah
BC,
love that bird cam
Betty Cracker
@Rob: I always laugh when I see them included on rare sightings lists because they’re like pigeons in Washington Square around here — abundant! Our lagoon has tons of apple snails and bivalves, so we have lots of Limpkins.
@trollhattan: Steller’s Jays are so cool! Like a goth Blue Jay!
@rikyrah: It was a great investment! Less than $50, solar powered and endlessly entertaining!
trollhattan
Everybody and their Soviet uncle knows Navalny was murdered while in prison, but not one guessed the cause of death. Fucking on brand for Putin, though. “See vatt I do to enemies mine?”
Just look at that parking lot
@lowtechcyclist: I still say that it wasn’t possible for Oswald to sink the PT-109 with only a Italian Carcano 6.5 mm rifle, firing from the 5th floor of the book depository,at that range and angle. Just not possible.
trollhattan
@Betty Cracker:
Absolutely, punk personified.
And will rob your campsite to the bone if you’re not watching. Big you’re not the boss of me energy.
trollhattan
@Just look at that parking lot:
Heh. “‘E done it from the grassy
knollswell.”Another Scott
@sab: The No Step On Snek flag is very popular around here in NoVA. :-/
I really, really like Franklin’s “JOIN, or DIE” graphic, myself. I’ve got a sticker for my car that I plan to install if I ever manage to wash it…
Best wishes,
Scott.
lowtechcyclist
@trollhattan:
Those flags look like some people sent the U.S. flag off to Mordor for a redesign. And when it came back, those people said, “Good job, orcs.”
Chief Oshkosh
@Scout211: So, the Barons and Viscounts are being reminded that, yeah, they’re in the peerage, but they’re not Earls or Dukes, and they sure ain’t in the royal family.
Hope it stings, you amoral fuckers.
MazeDancer
Had just seen the man from NJ online. Very good guy.
Gotta believe that at least 75% of the country agrees with him.
Read that the GOP had been hoping a Gov shutdown would prevent a Trump State of the Union address. No such luck.
Trump’s SOTU is Feb 24. And rumor has it that GOP is worried that Trump is going to come across as a demented, looney toon, hate-filled monster.
Yes, yes he will.
Betty Cracker
Speaking of our feathered friends, the Great Backyard Bird Count is happening now. Your opportunity to help crowdsource bird conservation data!
Deputinize America
Mom has agreed to stop the feeding tube and start hospice palliative care. Docs are in agreement, as is my uncle and my crazeballs aunt who Dad hasn’t spoken to in nearly 30 years.
I’m given to understand that this process is about 10 days.
Scout211
@Deputinize America:
What a big relief for you and your family. But also so sad.
Sending good thoughts and strength to you and your family.
mrmoshpotato
Ouch! But you apparently have a sense of humor about it.
Chief Oshkosh
@Deputinize America: It can vary a lot. My father lasted three days, but he had many underlying conditions and co-morbidities. It can be very tough to witness it. If you have to be in attendance (for instance, if your dad is somewhat cognizant), I think it would be a very good idea to pre-arrange some counselings for you and your mom. Sometimes its traumatic, and PTSD is a real thing.
MagdaInBlack
@Deputinize America: I saw your earlier post and did not have words. I’m not sure I do now either. This period now is shock, sorrow and relief and I wish you all both strength and peace.
Betty Cracker
@Deputinize America: It’s the right thing to do, but that’s gonna be rough on all of y’all. I’m sorry. Strength and courage to you.
sab
@JetsamPool: @Another Scott:
I like those suggesetions.
Our cat Dobby has a piece of rope he hauls around. We call it his snek.
Lyrebird
@Deputinize America:
Best wishes to all of you during this time, for lots of helpers who know how to do so gently.
Elizabelle
@Deputinize America: All best wishes for strength to you, your mom and your family. Kindest decision, for sure.
Jackie
@Betty Cracker:
Thank YOU!
Questions: define “lots of garlic cloves” and do you tent foil the chicken at all during the roasting?
Elizabelle
Betty C and Bill: thank you for the recipe!
I love cinnamon in chili, and in a salmon spice rub I make.
Shakti
My folks are replacing their roof, a perfectly sturdy thing that’s at the end of its estimated roof rating life because otherwise they won’t have home insurance. Love that in Florida. Also love that while I was simulating what certain tiles looked like that they could make no guarantee as to price or mix of tiles because of …. tariff issues! Supply issues!
@Scout211: They just wanted enough harassment so their workers wouldn’t ask for more money or demand better working conditions b/c they’re scared not to actually have to pay more for workers and building supplies. Whither their profit margin?
When they say it’ll fuck up GOP control in Texas what they mean is they might sit out, and not vote for the GOP because they’re fucking up their money.
I’m guessing the group of people/companies that saw their commercial real estate landlord market tank in 2020 overlap significantly with companies who are renting warehouses and commercial property to ICE.
Matt McIrvin
@JoyceH: QAnon was basically about pinning mass child abuse on everyone other than the people who were actually doing it.
Suzanne
@Deputinize America: Oh man. Many hugs to you. I’m glad you have some agreement, and I hope you can support one another.
Doc Sardonic
@lowtechcyclist: That fellow in BC’s home town was your basic 2A, lll%’er patriot type and that Gadsden flag was a not so subtle dogwhistle to his subgroup. If the Anti-ICE folks welcomed him with minimal side eye, you may see more of them crossing over. They scuffed the line for those types when they killed Ms. Good and smeared her, they obliterated and shit all over it when they killed and branded a law abiding, 2nd amendment adhering, legal gun owning and carrying white man in Mr. Pretti, a terrorist. That was something they have been accusing the Democrats of wanting to do, minus the killing, for years. They are now starting to see things and they ain’t mad yet, but another “violation” or two of our “sacred 2nd Amendment rights” they’ll get there.
They Call Me Noni
@Deputinize America: So very sorry for you and your family. Take solace in the fact that your instinct that you know this is what he would want and will find his peace and that the doctors agree.
They Call Me Noni
@Doc Sardonic: Let us hope that they remember all these atrocities come November.
Shakti
@Deputinize America: I am so sorry about your father. Sending prayers and good thoughts to you and your family during this time.
Professor Bigfoot
@Deputinize America: again, my sympathies- you’re going through a lot right now; but I am sure the Jackaltariat is thinking of you and sending strength.
zhena gogolia
@Deputinize America: I’m so sorry. But this sounds like the right thing.
J.
@lowtechcyclist: 😂 🦆
zhena gogolia
The Painted Bunting may be stealing my heart from the Roseate Spoonbill.
E.
@Deputinize America: Be ready for a hard trip. My father went two weeks, begging to die the entire time, me administering morphine every four hours. This in a state with assisted suicide that was kept from him by his Catholic doctor. Sorry. Still pretty upset about that. What I mean to say is, go easy on yourself and be ready to handle whatever.
CatRadio
I tried to post a comment but it didn’t go anywhere. I could have won the Pulitzer, but … nah. PS updating to add that the word foundational appeared unasked for in my comment. Good Grief :0)
lowtechcyclist
@Deputinize America:
May his remaining days be peaceful and pain-free. Wishing you and your mom strength and peace.
Betty Cracker
@Jackie: Six or more? It varies, and we are huge garlic fans, so… I’ve never seen Bill tent the chicken.
@zhena gogolia: He’ll fly up to GA or SC soon and find a mate. Hopefully he’ll remember the chow and come back next year!
Spoonbills will increase in number soon, after it warms up. They’ve been absent during the cold snap. My hummies will return around the first of next month. I’ve missed them! :)
Geminid
@WaterGirl: Yes, Henry Cuellar was one of the eight House Democrats who voted for the additional DHS funding.
@Melancholy Jaques: Cuellar has actually been a reliable Democratic vote on almost all House legislation over the last ten years. That’s why Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn went to bat for him when he had a primary challenge a couple cycles ago.
But a lot of people don’t notice the many times Cuellar votes with his caucus. They only notice the occasional times he doesn’t.
Jackie
@Deputinize America:
I’m glad your mom agreed to hospice palliative care. It’s going to be hard for her to truly realize she’s losing her soulmate, and I’m very glad you’re with her to help give her strength. I’m sorry you’re losing your dad, too. Take this time with your dad, and talk about all the good memories you and your mom have had over the years of marriage and fatherhood. If he can hear you, it may give him peace, also.
We did this with my dad, taking turns holding his hands so he never felt alone. Some memories we’re sure he heard, as at those times dad would give our hand a firm, long squeeze. It made it easier for us AND for him, I think. Don’t omit the funny memories! A little laughter while reminiscing is good, too!
{hugs}
RevRick
@WaterGirl: If by few, you mean the only Dem in the House, then yes.
Melancholy Jaques
@WereBear:
Never read Old Yeller, never saw the movie. Bill Murray spoiled it for me in Stripes.
Phylllis
@Shakti: It’s come to light that ICE is renting office space in downtown Columbia SC about two blocks from the state house. A hastily organized protest had a pretty good crowd last night.
Liminal Owl
@Deputinize America: I’m so sorry. I concur with the rest: it will be very hard, and sad, but then he will be at peace. And so, eventually, will you and your mother. Much sympathy.
JMG
@Betty Cracker: Reads delicious! I’m making salmon with a lime-butter sauce and roast cauliflower for Alice. Bought her a mini chocolate truffle for her dessert. I cook, but can’t bake a lick. Pastry is far beyond me.
Professor Bigfoot
How many times I found myself defending Joe MF Manchin by pointing out he came from a state that went for Trump by more than 2 to 1.
Like, if nothing else his vote for Senate Majority Leader was IMPORTANT.
Jackie
@Betty Cracker:
Thanks! :-)
Baud
Feckless
Don’t read the comments. Bots and trolls in this thread.
Melancholy Jaques
@Geminid:
Some of us noticed he was charged with bribery and money laundering but was saved by a pardon from the criminal in the White House.
Baud
@Professor Bigfoot:
There’s more speculation that Cuellar’s seat is gettable by another Dem. I’m not so sure, but maybe this year.
No one but Manchin could get WV.
gene108
Wow! Lindenwold isn’t too far from where I live. I actually lived there for a couple of months when I moved to NJ.
LAC
@Deputinize America: I missed your update. Having been through this twice, jusr being there for your dad and mom is the best thing and taking care of yourself during and afterwards. The process is hard. 🙏🏾
Baud
@Deputinize America:
I’m sorry but I’m happy there’s a consensus on what to do.
Tony Jay
@MazeDancer:
Not if the stalwart taint-nuzzlers of the Fourth Estate have anything to do with it.
“President Trump, whom aides described as gamely fighting through a mild cold ‘that would have sent Sleepy Joe to the farm upstate’ was combative from the start of a SOTU that covered a range of disparate topics as wide as the smile gracing the President’s face as he received a series of standing ovations from Republican Senators that continued long after what sources describe as a staged walk out by his Democrat opponents.”
Baud
Geminid
@Melancholy Jaques: “Some of us”? Anyone who pays any attention at all noticed that indictment and pardon. I wasn’t extenuating it; just pointing out the facts of Henry Cuellar’s voting record.
zhena gogolia
@Baud: DRONES!!!
Baud
@zhena gogolia:
I SAID NOT TO READ THE COMMENTS!!!
Ramona
@cain: Once again I renew my perennial hope that Texas turn blue. Just south Texas sounds more plausible. That will be CURTAINS for the GOP!
Betty Cracker
@Geminid: Since the occasions Cuellar breaks from the Dems include votes that consign my gender to 2nd class status, I do tend to overlook his “yay” votes. Fuck that guy, who is also very likely a crook.
zhena gogolia
@Baud: I disobeyed you. 😂
Professor Bigfoot
@Melancholy Jaques: It took me a while to get to where I didn’t hold Max Verstappen responsible because Michael Masi broke the F1 rules at Abu Dhabi ‘21.
It wasn’t HIS fault, however much I might despise the guy (or how much I celebrated him losing the WDC for 2025 ;^)).
Ramona
@JetsamPool: Love it!
Professor Bigfoot
@Baud: Like I could possibly resist.
Professor Bigfoot
@Betty Cracker: Fair… but wouldn’t pretty much any Republican be worse?
billcoop4
I’d use the 36-star flag used at the end of the Civil War to mark the beginning of the next Reconstruction.
Sherman, the SEC Champion for 1864-5, did not go far enough.
BC in the ‘dacks
eclare
@WereBear:
Old Yeller? I will never read it or watch the movie.
Kelly
An old Hoyt Axton song, “The Devil” came to mind will walking Daisy this afternoon. The lyric pertinent to our confrontation with Trump and his fascist goons:
youtube.com/watch?v=1rJQgk4jd3Y
Elizabelle
The FTF NYTimes took a veiled swipe at Susan Collins today.
From their weekly quiz: apparently Collins has never missed a Senate vote.
Melancholy Jaques
@Professor Bigfoot:
I may be stupid, but the meaning escapes me. I guess I am pretty stupid, because the meaning escapes me.
Betty Cracker
@Professor Bigfoot: Stipulated. Doesn’t mean I have to respect that crooked, forced birther sumbitch.
Baud
@Elizabelle:
Editor must have been out drinking for that to slip through. Good on the reporter.
billcoop4
Oooh…what else is in there? Mix of Indian-associated spices?
BC in the ‘dacks
Professor Bigfoot
@Betty Cracker: EMINENTLY FAIR, and cosigned.
Ramona
@MazeDancer: They could just impeach and convict him if they are so scared!
Professor Bigfoot
@Melancholy Jaques: That Trump gave Cuellar a pardon is not Cellar’s fault, any more than it was Max’s.
And I despised that guy for— wait, I still do! 😂
ETA- no, you’re not stupid, you’re just not a crazy Formula 1 fan. 😉
eclare
@lowtechcyclist:
And I just got my anti-Gadsen flag tee!
It is a picture of a big kitty walking over a squished snake. It reads: Oh Lawd! She treading!
Elizabelle
Ah. You will enjoy the NY Times reader comments on that story about Susan Collins running again. A selection of the top rated comments, in order:
** Maine here….we are not sending Collins back to DC, this is the end for her. Initially she promised Maine people “TWO TERMS IS ALL I NEED” and she is now running for her sixth term. The tide has turned and she is seen as Trump adjacent, old and weak and lacking understanding of the typical Maine resident. Either Mills or Platner is capable of knocking her out. That is actually the more interesting race at this point. Collins can retire to endless days of “being concerned”.
** Describing Collins as a voice of “centrism” illustrates the relativism of political labelling. Collins is the Queen of Equivocation, talking like a moderate, yet consistently caving in and voting with the MAGA extremists when she feels even the slightest pressure. She has zero credibility, least of all from her own party; successful at the retail level, but hopeless in the larger context.
** It’s time to send this faux moderate into retirement.
** She voted for RFK Jr for Health Secretary. That means you understand nothing.
** Susan Collins has never been a centrist. She has always been a reliable vote for the people and the policies that have installed Donald Trump and are destroying the Constitution and the rule of law. When it does not matter, she votes for moderation to create her voting appeal to Maine centrists. Collins is a shameless Trojan Horse for radical ideology.
** As a Mainer, I am very concerned that Collins is running again. Extremely concerned. So concerned, in fact, that I would vote for a bucket head on a stick if that’s her opponent.
** Had she not exercised the deciding vote for Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to SCOTUS, we likely would not be in this mess.
eclare
@Suzanne:
Great news for Boy Kitty!
Kelly
Stellar’s Jays are Daisy’s sworn enemy after they boldly robbed her back porch food dish
SuzieC
@MazeDancer: I don’t want to see a single Democrat clap for anything. I also want to see them wearing black for mourning.
Baud
Via reddit, sign in Philly.
Elizabelle
@billcoop4: Probably!
Salmon spice rub is a mix of chili powder (I love Badia; inexpensive and feisty), paprika, cumin (careful not to overwhelm), pinch of cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. I generally use a generous amount of the cinnamon. You could also include some onion or garlic powder.
Put some EVOO in a baking dish, roll the flesh side of salmon in it.
Salmon goes skin side down; sprinkle on the spice rub, then some freshly ground black pepper and salt, and squeeze over a fresh lime (or lemon, or orange).
Bake at 350 until it’s done to your preference.
Geminid
@Betty Cracker: The commenter said that Cuellar is “consistently odious,” and when I said his voting record wasn’t I believe I was stating a fact.
And yes, Cuellar is weak on women’s rights. But last time I checked, a few weeks before his 2022 primary, NARAL gave him a rating of around 74.
That is low for a Democrat, but it’s considerably better than any Republican I checked. They seemed to peak in the 40s.
.And the “National Right to Life” political action committee gave Cuellar a rating of 5 out of 100, and the Susan B. Anthony Fund rated him “0.”
eclare
@Deputinize America:
From what you wrote it sounds the right decision. But it still has to be so hard.
rikyrah
The Founding Fathers though flawed, saw The Orange Menace coming 250 years ago.
Will say it again..had his number 250 years ago.
What they did not foresee was an entire branch, let alone, both of the other levers of our system, completely betraying their oath to the Constitution.
THAT, they did not foresee.
Because, THAT is why we are where we are as a country right now.
Not because of the Orange Menace.
But, because of the other branches of government not honoring their oaths to the Constitution.
Elizabelle
@Baud: OMG, that’s perfect.
For anyone who can’t get into Reddit. Sign says:
eclare
@Chief Oshkosh:
Very good advice. Most (maybe all?) hospitals have social workers on staff that can help with recommendations, so you’re not googling on your phone.
WTFGhost
Terror and tyranny for the working class.
Tax cuts and freedom for the Epstein Class. MAGA!!!
@JetsamPool: It needs a tuxedo kitty for our house. W., our younger kitty, is also our largest kitty, topping out at some 17 lbs.
@trollhattan: Yeah, I find it astounding that cops throw up the “thin blue line” when they’ve strangled someone who posed no threat to them. “yeah, well, if you get rid of us maybe there’ll be no one to strangle some guy for selling loose cigarettes!” Okay, and… then we can hire some competent, non-stranglers?
@MazeDancer:
“I thought he was keeping to the teleprompter…”
“That’s on the teleprompter. You should see the cutting room floor!”
WaterGirl
@Betty Cracker: Thank you! Do you cover the roasting pan?
rikyrah
Have written about the SAVE Act.
And, while people have rightly pointed out the possible disenfranchisement of MILLIONS OF AMERICANS..
Other things have been overlooked.
Whatever you feel about the Founding Fathers, they deliberately put , in the Constitution, that STATES and the CONGRESS had the say about elections.
They deliberately designed a DECENTRALIZED system of elections in this country.
Which is why I haven’t been as overly concerned as so many HAIR-ON-FIRE people about what Trump has been trying to do, in terms of the 2026 Elections.
I haven’t, because, THE STATES HAVE HELD THE LINE. They have refused to give the DOJ their State Voter Rolls. The only ones who have, are Red States.
The SAVE ACT, would change the entire center of elections in the United States. It would change it from a decentralized system to a FEDERALIZED SYSTEM.
WHY would State Voter Rolls need to go to DHS?
WHY would States be required to do voter purges every 30 days?
Do you grasp the kind of chaos that would bring to voter rolls?
Purges are now done, depending on who controls the election apparatus.
You have states that control it, like Georgia and Texas and Florida, doing sweeping purges that
1 – inevitably include people that should not have been purged
2- doing purges that are ridiculously close to elections
Because, the State controls much of the election process.
And, then, there are states, where the State Board of Elections, is little more than a reporting body. They can’t order purges. They are told by the local election authorities when they do purges.
The SAVE ACT is nothing but a POLL TAX, Attempted Disenfranchisement of MILLIONS, and a powergrab to FEDERALIZE our elections.
Jeffro
I’d give a gazillion dollars for a reporter to ask trump if we had ‘national elections’ or ‘voter ID’ issues back in 2016 or 2024
no?
everything was hunky-dory?
(repeat for mail-in ballots, absentee voting, all of that)
so…what’s different about the upcoming midterms? you shut the border down, right? there’s been no massive influx of immigrants/potential fraudulent voters
so… (shrug)
Another Scott
Meanwhile, … ArsTechnica.com:
(Emphasis added.)
Energy.gov factsheet for hydrogen (2 page pdf):
16% is uncomfortably close to 18.3% to these eyes.
The PDF makes the point that hydrogen diffuses rapidly, so the concentration drops quickly unless it is contained. That’s true. Still, 16% was measured, and a 4% maximum limit seems a lot more prudent than a 16% maximum limit.
If they don’t get this figured out and press ahead regardless, I will have extremely uncomfortable flashbacks to O-rings on solid rocket boosters… Happy talk on a few missions before Challenger – “Oh, the O-rings were only 2/3 burnt through, so there’s an additional 33% safety margin!!1”
Grr…
Best wishes,
Scott.
Elizabelle
@rikyrah: good comment.
And the mere attempt has Loser Stink all over it.
eclare
@Elizabelle:
Thanks!
WTFGhost
Oooh… good flag would be a caricature of Trump grinding his foot onto the head of the Gadsden flag’s snake. “They never suspected me!” would be a fine cartoon caption. (Or, for irony, “they knew my nature…”.)
WaterGirl
@Deputinize America: i’m sorry you are losing your dad. Glad to see that your mom is reaching some sort of acceptance. So very sorry.
Baud
@Another Scott:
If anything goes wrong, I’m confident the Trump administration will perform a thorough investigation and hold people accountable.
cmorenc
@rikyrah: States like Georgia and Texas are responding to pressure from raving MAGA lunatics – see the responses to this YouTube video laying out what Patel’s FBI raid allegedly “found” in Fulton County.
Patel’s FBI raid was about ginning up and giving a stamp of authoritative credence to purported evidence of massive ballot fraud in Fulton County – altered dates, post-dating certificatons, 17k unaccounted-for ballots somehow included in total, all total bullshit. Never mind that ALL ballots in Georgia were thoroughly audited and recounted three times.
WTFGhost
@Jeffro: Trump has always wanted voter ID, because Republicans want voter ID. He also wants same day voting, not realizing that was only an issue in 2020, when huge volumes of mail in ballots, along with timely deconstruction of post office equipment, was likely to cause a lot of Democratic votes (as opposed to anti-Democratic votes – why do they call them “republicans” when they’re trying to destroy the republic too?) to show up after the close of polls. In point of fact, Republicans tried their best to make mail-in ballots get counted late, because they had a “declare victory early” strategy all along.
They just didn’t realize Trump was stupid and evil enough to try it, even when he was a clear loser.
Baud
It’s time to play … Guess That Race!
Baud
This is simple but cool physics.
WaterGirl
@RevRick: Thanks! I didn’t recall the exact number, but his is the only name I recall about that, so it makes sense that he was the only one.
billcoop4
Yum! Thanks!
BC in the ‘dacks
Central Planning
@Jackie: Not to speak for BC, but in our house “lots of garlic cloves” means what ever you think is a lot, and then double it.
Another Scott
@Baud: Vectors for the win. Again.
Best wishes,
Scott.
Geminid
@WaterGirl: I believe there were 8 Democrats total who voted for additional DHS funding: Reps. Cuellar, MG Perez, Jared Golden, Tom Suozzi, Don(?) Davis and three others.
Eyeroller
@RevRick:?? As stated there were 8 D votes in the House. The funding bill is currently stalled in the Senate so we are in a partial shutdown of DHS.
Kirklin
@Baud: An oddity is that I have been an announcement of the same type of CDR Koffi, Captain of the USS Truxtun. That’s the ship that collided with the supply ship USNS Supply a couple of days ago. No such announcement has been made.
Oh, and to prevent embarrassing jumps in logic, I present CDR Koffi.
Another Scott
@Baud: Relatedly, …
(Lightly edited.)
Best wishes,
Scott.
eclare
At the last minute I decided that I did not want what I had planned for dinner, so I went to Kroger. Lots of people with flowers, candy, and a surprising number with Mylar balloons! If there are drone strikes over Memphis tonight, I guess we’ll know why.
trollhattan
@Tony Jay:
Really surprised you were able to resist “Pam Bondi gracing the president’s face.”
Jay
The Gasden Flag is The Flag of the 2nd Amendment Absolutists.
Flying the Gasden Flag at an anti-ICE protest means that ICE/CBP/DHS has pissed off a gunhumper who has a core belief that “mor gunz’s” is what keeps a tyrannical Government at bay.
So there is a lot of messaging going on there.
Melancholy Jaques
@Professor Bigfoot:
Are we to assume that neither Cuellar nor anyone acting on his behalf asked for the pardon?
That aside, you can’t make me like him by telling me he voted like he was supposed to most of the time.
Baud
7 Dems voted for DHS funding
Cuellar, Henry
Davis, Donald G.
Gillen,Laura
Golden, Jared F
Gonzalez, Vicente
Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp
Suozzi, Thomas
trollhattan
@Elizabelle:
Oh mah stars, I’m sufferin’ from the vapors after such talk.
OTOH in one graf they capture the essence of the Maine Furrow Lady.
On the one hand: she says a thing.
On the other hand: she does the opposite thing.
Jackie
@Central Planning:
Normally I agree… but I don’t want to overpower that subtle hint of cinnamon… hence the inquiry :-)
Another Scott
It must be an amazing time to be a constitutional law prof or attorney…
Humans are weird, and too many people who crave power take advantage of them…
(via bsky.app/profile/rparloff.bsky.social )
Best wishes,
Scott.
MagdaInBlack
@eclare: On Valentines shoppers: I witnessed an oh so very white suburban couple make their very obviously first purchase in a dispensary. OMG you dont take credit, and more shock and confusion at debit card charges. (cash is king)
I was wondering how far they drove to be sure they didn’t run into anyone they knew. Gonna be a wild Valentines night =-)
It’s suitable balcony weather in Chicago-land. Low 50’s today.
Betty Cracker
@Geminid: Bottom line for me: Cuellar sucks. We can and must do better.
Sure Lurkalot
@Deputinize America: I’m sorry to hear this, heartfelt condolences to you and your family, strength for the hard days to come.
BlueGuitarist
@ArchTeryx:
Playing for Change has a fun Iko Iko
youtu.be/zwMuRu6m_aY?si=M5_oCEoXsGSD-gY8
with performers young and old, Dr. John, Ivan Neville, Bill Kreutzman, and more musicians from New Orleans and Central Africa, and dancers. Enjoy!
Playing for Change has many excellent videos on YouTube….
Jay
The SAVE Act also mandates that The States use a Federal Database to confirm citizenship and the right to vote.
This is the same database that ICE/CBP/DHS uses to claim that hundreds of US Citizens REAL ID’s, Tribal ID’s, Passports and Birth Certificates are fake, thus allowing them to subject said “Fake American” to a beating, a Brief Kavanaugh Stop of 120 days or more in a lice ridden, massively overcrowded, disease filled Concentration Camp, where food is foul, facilities are rare, medical care does not exist and rapes, beatings and torture are daily occurrences, until someone outside finds them missing, hires an Immigration Lawyer to track them down in the byzantine records system, get’s them a date infront of a judge, and proves to the judge that the detained, is an American Citizen.
YY_Sima Qian
So, the “Good Cops” from the Trump 47 Administration showed up to the Munich Security Conference this year:
The same reactionary ideology about reversing “civilization decline”, the same nakedly imperialist project, just w/ nicer rhetoric.
It’s hard to respect the European political elite. It’s almost like they are trying to talk themselves into accommodating the MAGA vision for the world (where Europe is vassal & auxiliary), if that is what it takes to “rescue” the Trans-Atlantic alliance. One can argue that they have to humor the “Good Cops” from the Trump gang (but why?) to prevent a full rupture w/ the U.S. (isn’t that already the reality?), but their confused messaging (undercutting Merz’s speech at the MSC) will merely embolden the far right w/in their own countries (forces that both Putin & Trump are empowering) & disaffect everyone else.
& what do you know? Rubio was off to meet w/ Orban & Fico after his speech, & one of his deputies w/ the leaders of the AfD. & Pistorius’ comments on the Arctics will only serve to encourage Trump to seize Greenland (& the PRC & the DPRK aren’t the ones trying to engineer a far right takeover of Europe, & MAGA has proven to be much more revisionist than either).
But, useless & feckless is par for the course for Europe. & the only reason Western countries (including Canada) are now disaffected from US hegemony is because the ugliest face of that hegemonism is now turned to the U.S. allies, too, rather than just the countries outside of the West:
rikyrah
@Suzanne:
Yeah…a defined problem with a defined solution.
Get better little kitty ❤️
MagdaInBlack
@BlueGuitarist: Playing for Change does indeed have a lot of good music.
And thank you, I love Dr. John and any Neville Brothers, alone or together.
“Live On the Queen Mary” as the Meters is fantastic.
WaterGirl
@eclare:
too funny!
rikyrah
@Deputinize America:
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
For your mother and your family 😢
rikyrah
@Shakti:
Never thought that WIRED would be doing such serious journalism
eclare
@MagdaInBlack:
Ha! I guess it’s kind of like going to the “dirty store.” Still waiting on legal weed in TN, it isn’t even legal for medical here. So I sit with my glass of wine.
That is good balcony sittin’ weather! It’s 59 here and raining, and although my porch is covered, that is a bit cool when it’s damp so I’ll stay in.
Geminid
@Betty Cracker: I don’t think we can do better in TX-25. That district is full of conservative Catholic voters and that’s why Cuellar votes like he does.
But Henry Cuellar is the last “pro-life” Democrat and he’s like 70 years old, so I consider him a minor and short term problem. It would be different if Cuellar made a big deal out this issue but he doesn’t..
Professor Bigfoot
@Another Scott: “Regulations are written in blood.”
But if you want to “move fast and break things,” there’s a good chance you’re going to kill people, too.
BlueGuitarist
@MagdaInBlack:
thanks! Adding to playlist for Tuesday, Early Mardi Gras, along with
The Wild Tchoupitoulas.
Jay
bsky.app/profile/amywestervelt.bsky.social/post/3meu3nkfquk2i
Betty Cracker
@Geminid: I guess we’ll see. I think we can do better. I also think lawmakers like Cuellar are a net drag on the party. We’ll be better off when that dinosaur lumbers off into the tarpit. IMO.
dexwood
@SuzieC: Or blue bunny hats in support of Liam Conejo Ramos.
Geminid
@Betty Cracker: I’m not sure who you mean when you say “lawmakers like Cuellar.” He’s the only Democrat who doesn’t conform to the party line on women’s reproductive rights.
Dan B
@Betty Cracker: Bastele (sp?) is a middle eastern recipe for chicken cooked in a Tajine (conical ceramic) with cinnamon then sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. The top of the Tajine is removed at the table filling the air with spice. It’s encouraged me to use “sweet” spices in many non-traditional foods, like chicken.
eclare
@dexwood:
Perfect.
Dan B
@trollhattan: We’ve got a pair of Stellar Jays across the street and a single Scrub Jay. The latter are recent arrivals in the Seattle area.
Chacal Charles Calthrop
@Betty Cracker: Thank you as always for your wonderful acerbic & hilarious commentary.
but I’m actually posting because roast chicken needs to be tented in foil if it’s appearing to burn; that saves the part that’s starting to burn while allowing the rest to continue to cook until properly & thoroughly done. Chicken shouldn’t be eaten undercooked.
Kathleen
@rikyrah: A few years ago they wrote a detailed account of how a small group of dedicated law enforcement personnel broke up an international child pornography ring on the dark web. It was riveting. I have a subscription because I figure they’re the best sourcing for articles about Silicone Valley fascists.
artem1s
MAGAt ammosexuals just can’t make the cut I guess to time to lower the bar.
Rudi
Hope is alive in Pasco county.
facebook.com/search/top?q=pasco%20resists
Rugosa
@Betty Cracker:
This sounds so good – I’m planning to roast chicken tonight so I’ll cook it tonight. I have parsnips I was planning to use – I think I’ll add one to the carrots and potatoes. Thanks!
Gloria DryGarden
@Deputinize America: my mom took 15 days, not eating or drinking. Good luck, and I’m sorry in advance.
It didn’t look like she was suffering, it felt peaceful, when I was allowed a glimpse.
Burrowing Owl
@Deputinize America: Peace to you for the love and care you provide to your family. I am sorry, it is hard. Take good care of yourself as best you can.