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Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

How stupid are these people?

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

Shut up, hissy kitty!

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

Trumpflation is an intolerable hardship for every American, and it’s Trump’s fault.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

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

This is dead girl, live boy, a goat, two wetsuits and a dildo territory.  oh, and pink furry handcuffs.

So fucking stupid, and still doing a tremendous amount of damage.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

People are complicated. Love is not.

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

No one could have predicted…

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "Stories from the Road" / Sunday Night Open Thread

Sunday Night Open Thread

by John Cole|  January 14, 20248:21 pm| 57 Comments

This post is in: John Cole Presents "Stories from the Road", John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House"

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Got the tv situation sorted. Bought a 60″ used one off Facebook Marketplace for 125 bucks. Some young 25-30 year old kid whose bf cheated on her so she was selling all their shit and moving to California. Why do I know this? Because she told me and I asked no more questions and drove directly over.

The color isn’t perfect and the hue is off but it works and we can both see it and it was the right price. Joelle’s glasses are usually so smudged it wouldn’t matter if the picture was perfect anyway, and I don’t care because I can handle watching it for a couple months a year.

One of the things I am having a hard time getting used to is everything is 15-30 minutes away, but when you get there, it still feels like you are in the same place. That’s weird for me. Where I live in WV you drive 15-30 minutes in any direction and you are looking at radically different terrain. From where I am I drive ten minutes in any direction and I’ve crossed at least 2-3 named ridgelines and descended through and around several hollows and crossed at least one or two creeks. It’s very difficult to get used to.

Also you have been screaming for pet pics. Here is a picture of Maxwell Edison, who dangles, although against his will and against my better judgment:

Sunday Night Open Thread 1

Surprisingly and somewhat miraculously, no humans were hurt taking this picture.

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Reader Interactions

57Comments

  1. 1.

    Tom Levenson

    January 14, 2024 at 8:24 pm

    I believe Maxwell grasps that revenge is a dish best eaten cold.

  2. 2.

    schrodingers_cat

    January 14, 2024 at 8:25 pm

    He looks like trouble. How does he get along with Steve and company?

  3. 3.

    Alison Rose

    January 14, 2024 at 8:25 pm

    That should be your new profile pic everywhere.

  4. 4.

    schrodingers_cat

    January 14, 2024 at 8:26 pm

    @Tom Levenson: My thoughts exactly.

    Maxwell’s inner monolog: Unhand me human and prepare to die.

  5. 5.

    Wileybud

    January 14, 2024 at 8:26 pm

    Well John, while you’re up in Tempe you and Joelle should check out the Salt River in Mesa.  Especially if you return during the summer to go tubing.  An affordable mental vacation!

  6. 6.

    Another Scott

    January 14, 2024 at 8:28 pm

    Yay TV situation!  Being able to reasonably quickly, and cheaply, click an item off The List is a good thing.

    Maxwell looks plump and happy.

    Keep on keeping on.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  7. 7.

    dexwood

    January 14, 2024 at 8:31 pm

    Welcome to the Southwest, John. Moved to New Mexico 50 years ago next month. Left Baltimore on Valentine’s day. Left my girlfriend and my dog. Went back for the dog a month later. It’s all different out here,in so many ways. So much to adjust to, to explore, to become.

  8. 8.

    NotMax

    January 14, 2024 at 8:31 pm

    The color isn’t perfect and the hue is off

    There are picture settings for those in the menu section of the TV which may need tweaking up or down.

    Oh, also make sure to turn off smoothing.

  9. 9.

    John Cole

    January 14, 2024 at 8:31 pm

    @NotMax: Already done.

  10. 10.

    p.a.

    January 14, 2024 at 8:33 pm

    I better get back on my meds.  That photo reminded me of Goya.😧

  11. 11.

    Almost Retired

    January 14, 2024 at 8:34 pm

    Panthers are patient.  They wait and bide their time.  Until it’s time to act.  Sleep with one eye open because Maxwell Edison is not letting that photo go unavenged.

  12. 12.

    Bupalos

    January 14, 2024 at 8:37 pm

    As a guy trained in political theory and deeply into the history of democratic decline and how political systems morph into authoritarianism….

    Root hard for Nikki Haley to start gathering an insurgency against Trumpism. As important as Biden holding the executive.

    To clarify, she won’t be the.nominee, that’s not the idea. The idea is that there is some cognitive alternative within the rightwing space that preserves Republican politicization

    Ideally she survives the early contests and Trump is baited into playing a gender card.

  13. 13.

    mrmoshpotato

    January 14, 2024 at 8:40 pm

    Enjoy being north of freezing.

  14. 14.

    Suzanne

    January 14, 2024 at 8:40 pm

    Naaaaaah, you can drive 45-90 minutes and still feel like you’re in the same place. OH LOOK, there’s a Best Buy, an Applebee’s, a Fry’s Marketplace, and a -berto’s.

  15. 15.

    TaMara

    January 14, 2024 at 8:40 pm

    If Maxwell is anything like Patrick Sullivan Panther, esq, all is forgiven if the indignity is followed by lap time and two-handed scritches. His motto is, “hooman, you have two hands and you must use them both”

    You both look adorable.

  16. 16.

    NotMax

    January 14, 2024 at 8:40 pm

    @John Cole

    Another thought is to confirm the TV (assuming it’s a smart TV) has the latest software updates installed. Could be the “automatic updates” setting within the menu was switched off at some point.

  17. 17.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    January 14, 2024 at 8:42 pm

    @p.a.: Saturn Devouring His Children?

  18. 18.

    satby

    January 14, 2024 at 8:42 pm

    Max has fleshed out a bit.

    Edit: not a criticism, so have I.

  19. 19.

    SuzieC

    January 14, 2024 at 8:44 pm

    Awww Maxwell is a sweet little panther.

  20. 20.

    prostratedragon

    January 14, 2024 at 8:46 pm

    @p.a.:  I found myself thinking of the cat-beard seat. Much sillier, but also easier to handle.

  21. 21.

    BeautifulPlumage

    January 14, 2024 at 8:47 pm

    Maxwell can’t be too unhappy, not with the cute blep going on. Thanks for proof of life! Is Steve getting any treatments with the AZ vet?

  22. 22.

    eclare

    January 14, 2024 at 8:50 pm

    What brand is the tv?

  23. 23.

    satby

    January 14, 2024 at 8:53 pm

    SOMEONE suggested I just wait until a thaw to get the snow cover off my windshield. The first day predicted to go above 32° here is a week from tomorrow. Not sure I can wait that long. I’ll definitely run out of cat food before then. Getting up to 18° on Wednesday, so that’s my bust out day.

  24. 24.

    eclare

    January 14, 2024 at 8:55 pm

    @satby:

    Good luck!

  25. 25.

    mrmoshpotato

    January 14, 2024 at 8:57 pm

    @satby: We’re busting out, ya see, coppers!  Naw!

    ETA – I second eclare’s “Good luck!” 🥶

    ETA2 – good call on the windshield cover.  I heard at least 3 people scraping their windshields yesterday.

  26. 26.

    satby

    January 14, 2024 at 8:59 pm

    @eclare: 😂 I could probably warm up the windshield enough with the defroster to pull it off before that, but then I’d have to go pump gas in 0° weather. I still will then, but will a +18° starting point.

    mrmoshpotato   gracias,

    well, good call until the rain between the snow froze it in a sheet of ice.

  27. 27.

    Mike in Oly

    January 14, 2024 at 9:00 pm

    I am totally in love with Maxwell. Reminds me of our dear departed Oliver. We need another house panther.

  28. 28.

    Chuck

    January 14, 2024 at 9:00 pm

    @Suzanne:

    I’ve always said that you can take Phoenix (I know we’re saying

    Tempe, but to my mind there’s no difference in any of the cities there), cut it off at ground level, and drop it in any western city and you wouldn’t notice a difference

  29. 29.

    laura

    January 14, 2024 at 9:01 pm

    If that picture doesn’t say “Me an my Daddy gonna tear you up and he’s gonna tell me I’m a Big Tough Boy and sometimes he’s the boss of me” I’ll eat my hat.

    Dang it’s satisfying watching the Blogfather fall ass over tea kettle in love.

  30. 30.

    jnfr

    January 14, 2024 at 9:02 pm

    You and Maxwell make a lovely couple. Glad you found a useful TV at a good price.

  31. 31.

    Suzanne

    January 14, 2024 at 9:02 pm

    @Chuck: You are telling no lies.

    It’s a very weird place. Entirely synthetic. Human will imposed on a landscape.

  32. 32.

    NotMax

    January 14, 2024 at 9:02 pm

    @satby

    Blast from the past.
    :)

  33. 33.

    satby

    January 14, 2024 at 9:05 pm

    @NotMax:  😂 reminds me of this

  34. 34.

    Another Scott

    January 14, 2024 at 9:08 pm

    Meanwhile, … TheHill.com:

    Johnson told members that Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) will be hospitalized this week following a car crash and will not be in the Capitol, according to a GOP lawmaker on the call, which will further narrow the conference’s razor-thin majority.

    Tick tock…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  35. 35.

    mrmoshpotato

    January 14, 2024 at 9:09 pm

    @NotMax: Yes, but gotta have correctly angled pavement.

  36. 36.

    Jackie

    January 14, 2024 at 9:17 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: We haven’t seen the “after Cole put Max down” photo. Gently, or releasing QUICKLY as the claws extracted.

  37. 37.

    trollhattan

    January 14, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    Heh.
    Sleep with one eye open. Like, forever. Nice knowin’ ya, Cole.

  38. 38.

    Jackie

    January 14, 2024 at 9:21 pm

    @Bupalos: Since TIFG wants to get at least 51%, my wish is for him to only get 45% – or less. Less would be awesome! And TIFG would be pissed, which is always my goal! lol

  39. 39.

    zhena gogolia

    January 14, 2024 at 9:34 pm

    Oh, that kitty is so beautiful!

  40. 40.

    wjca

    January 14, 2024 at 9:38 pm

    @Bupalos: Ideally she survives the early contests and Trump is baited into playing a gender card.

    For any other politician, that would include picking a female VP candidate, and highlighting her during the camoaign.  But TIFG a) can’t bear to share the stage, b) would prioritize looks (and loyalty, but looks are more critical because a woman couldn’t be seen as a threat**).  Instead, he’d probable attack Haley on the grounds that women have no business being anywhere near in charge; coupled with renewed racist attacks of Harris.

    ** I wonder if he thinks he could demand some kind of pre-nup from his VP.  Of any gender.

  41. 41.

    CaseyL

    January 14, 2024 at 9:47 pm

    Those poor little flailing back legs made me laugh.

  42. 42.

    Ken

    January 14, 2024 at 9:50 pm

    @satby: I had a long drive yesterday and there was light snow when I parked, so I was expecting that it would melt on the warm car and I’d have to scrape. But now, it was just a thin coat of fine snow that brushed right off. Maybe it was so cold and windy that the outside of the car never got above freezing?

  43. 43.

    mrmoshpotato

    January 14, 2024 at 9:58 pm

    @CaseyL:

    Those poor little flailing back legs made me laugh.

    “Where is the floor?  Put me down!”

  44. 44.

    jurassicpork

    January 14, 2024 at 10:18 pm

    I am making a plea to all of you. My life’s being dismantled by forces beyond my control. My fiancee died last year & that was just the start. More details are in the link beneath. I have nowhere else to turn.

    welcomebacktopottersville.blogspot.com/2024/01/old-age-is-curse.html

  45. 45.

    Yutsano

    January 14, 2024 at 10:19 pm

    @Tom Levenson: ​bortaS bIr jablu’Di’ reH QaQqu’ nay’. It’s better in the original Klingon.

  46. 46.

    NotMax

    January 14, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Ignore the jurassic dude above. He’s been pulling this shtick across a multitude of blogs for decades.

  47. 47.

    Pennsylvanian

    January 14, 2024 at 11:11 pm

    @laura: Thank you! Ass over teakettle is a legit and not usually flattering situation, for those not ITK. It happens in the best of families.

  48. 48.

    wjca

    January 14, 2024 at 11:36 pm

    Being as this is an Open Thread, I offer you this small amusement.

    A while back, Another Scott was kind enough to find me an archive of columns by the late Art Hoppe.  Here’s The Virtual Wife — the dream of RWNJs everywhere.  At least the male ones.

  49. 49.

    thalarctosMaritimus

    January 14, 2024 at 11:53 pm

    @BeautifulPlumage:

    Is Steve getting any treatments with the AZ vet?

    Thereby hangs a tale (tail?).

  50. 50.

    Manyakitty

    January 15, 2024 at 12:43 am

    @NotMax: how is he not blocked yet? I’ve seen this on multiple posts today. At least your warning seems to follow most of them. JFC. Some people.

  51. 51.

    Gemina13

    January 15, 2024 at 1:39 am

    Most housepanthers are big babies. Maxwell looks like he’s no exception. :D I’d lay odds that he’s as eager for cuddles and pets after that pic as he was before.

    Anyway, I loathe Phoenix, and I heartily agree that each part of it is fairly indistinguishable from the other, whether you’re in Paradise Valley or Ahwatukee. The only reason I could easily travel it from one end to the other without a map from 2006-2011 was because I grew up there from 1979 – 1989, and covered much of it on foot because my mom couldn’t afford a car and bus service sucked. Hell, drop me there now without my phone, and I’d still be able to figure out my way even if ADOT has set up its seasonal construction obstacle course in the middle of metro Phoenix.

    Just on a whim, I looked up my childhood homes (one apartment, the other a triplex unit) on Redfin and showed them to my SO. His response: “Not a hell of a lot to tell them apart, is there?” Me: “Well, one had a pool and was a townhouse complex, but other than that . . .”

  52. 52.

    anitamargarita

    January 15, 2024 at 1:44 am

    Those feet tho

  53. 53.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    January 15, 2024 at 2:04 am

    Kitty belly! Rub at your own risk. ;) Maxwell looks like you interrupted his feeding…lol

    ETA: I hated Spokane because of the same thing regarding time and travel… 45 minutes to the other side of town, about 7 miles, in moderate traffic. Here the same time puts me between Gold Beach and Port Orford.

  54. 54.

    Bruce K in ATH-GR

    January 15, 2024 at 2:43 am

    @Yutsano: I also like the variant coined for K-Thug, that revenge is a dish best served atop a Nobel Prize.

  55. 55.

    brantl

    January 15, 2024 at 5:58 am

    @Bupalos:  What’s the big difference between Stumpy and Nazi Haley, other than genitalia?

  56. 56.

    Chris T.

    January 15, 2024 at 6:23 am

    @Tom Levenson: Maxwell will employ his Silver Hammer later.

  57. 57.

    Don

    January 15, 2024 at 7:25 am

    Living in Las Vegas was in one way a bummer. It takes four hours to get out of town. (Desert in all directions, the view doesn’t change.)

    Cole, I’ve been reading this blog for twenty years. Nice to have you back. Stay this time.

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