Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”

Let’s show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the gop

“When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re gonna use it.”

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

The arc of the moral universe doesn’t bend itself. it’s up to us.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

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

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

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

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

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

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

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

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

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Cloud Shouting (Open Thread)

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[Optional soundtrack for the post]

So 2024 has completely changed my relationship with the weather. I used to believe I would make a good Seattle resident because I love rain so much. Gray, cloudy days don’t depress me at all. As long as I can loll around indoors, they make me feel snug and cozy.

Now, after the biblical deluge that temporarily flooded us out of our home, I look askance at clouds. We’ve had mostly bright, sunny days during our displacement, but today was cloudy, and it rained a little bit.

I was pissed at the rain! Fuck off, clouds!

Open thread!

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Hell or High Water

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Flooded riverbank

Well, fuck. Hurricanes Helene and Milton got us after all, even though we thought we’d dodged a couple of bullets with minimal damage. We’re now in a major flood and will have to go live someplace else for a while. Fuckity fuck FUCK!

The river has been rising slowly but steadily due to heavy rainfall at the headwaters during the storms. Now half our yard is underwater, and there are a few inches downstairs. The river is predicted to crest in a couple of weeks or so at a foot or possibly two higher than it is at present.

We’ll be fine, and we don’t need a damn thing except a suitable short-term perch. I’m evaluating options on that. We live in a stilt house, so the living area will stay high and dry. The downstairs is an enclosed game room with storage, etc., and we’ve had time to get the important stuff out.

It’s just a gigantic pain in the ass, is all. Another unpleasant disruption in a year that already sucked great big green gator balls.

Also, I credit the peace and surrounding natural beauty of this place for keeping me interested in life during a hard time. So I don’t want to fucking leave.

But the dogs need a non-liquid yard in which to do their business, Bill needs a hassle-free way to get to work at OMFG o’clock in the morning, etc. It would be impractical to stay, so I’m trying to look at it as an unscheduled adventure.

Anyhoo, just wanted to let y’all know what’s going on. To end on a grace note, I can report one positive effect: I’m too goddamn preoccupied by this shitshow to fret about the election!

Volunteer work is a wrap, and we voted, so we’ve done what we could. As with the river, what will be will be.

Open thread!

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Thursday Evening Open Thread: Cleaning Up After Milton

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Earlier, Our Very Serious Media…

Very few people hate ‘gubmint tyranny’ the day after the disaster…

show full post on front page

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Policy Reminder

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Just a quick reminder when we think about insurance over the long term:

Premiums are (roughly) EQUAL TO the sum of claims costs PLUS admin/overhead PLUS profits PLUS reserves and variance management costs.

If you want to reduce premiums, there is some space to squeeze on profits if there are exceptional profits that fund hookers and blow.

There might be some space to squeeze on admin and overhead.  Single payer advocatates will correctly note that Medicare pays 4% to 5% of total costs in admin while private insurance companies have 10% to 15% administrative loads AND substantial clinical administrative burden too.  But there is only so much to squeeze here.

The big factor in premiums is claims.  Reducing premiums means reducing the cost of claims by either not covering as much because deductibles have expanded or certain categories of losses are not covered or payments are reduced.

There is nothing magical about reducing premiums.  Those are the basic options.

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Milton Peeps, Here’s a Post So You Can Check In

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Like the threads we had for the wildfires, maybe all the Milton peeps can check in here and let everyone know how it’s going, or we can keep you company while you wait!

I tried to find a good Milton photo, but none of them are calming, so here’s Henry.

We have classic Henry.

If You Love Ducks, Dogs and Cats, Garden Pics and Political Spats

I’m  not stressed at all pandemic Henry.

I want something please give it to me now Henry.

Hodgepodge, Mishmash or Smorgasbord?

I just had a haircut and I’m hiding the kitty Henry.

And Henry with all his babies.

Wednesday Evening Open Thread 7

I’m adding a link to this at the top in the sidebar to make it easier for everyone to find, regardless of what else is on the front page.

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Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Category Three Is Quite Bad Enough

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Mood reset!

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Milton Playlist (Open Thread)

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My sister (located just north of Tampa in a sturdy house in a non-evacuation zone) and I (further north on the Nature Coast) are collaborating on a Hurricane Milton playlist. Here’s what we have so far:

Songs on a playlist

Suggestions welcome!

For us, the worst effect so far is hearing Ron DeSantis’s droning, adenoidal voice during his frequent appearances on the local news.

Gods, I despise that ambulatory pile of armadillo dung! I hate him so much I am compelled to flip him off every time I pass a TV with his mug on it.

One of the many things I hate about DeSantis is how he snaps out weather and response updates in a pained, exasperated tone, as if resentful of the obligation.

Just now, answering a reporter question, DeSantis declined to push back on the widespread Trump-operative lies about FEMA activities in North Carolina, saying he “wasn’t there” but assuring Floridians wouldn’t be victims of graft under his watch. As fucking if!

DeSantis is a small man in search of a balcony and one of the most prolific Republican crooks to ever fleece the citizenry in a state so corrupt it makes Louisiana blush. Fuck that guy!

Anyhoo, I expect we’ll endure worse than Puddin’ Boots as conditions deteriorate later today but am confident we’ll be okay. My thoughts are with those nearer to the projected center.

I am doing laundry and baking cookies because having clean clothes is good and why the hell not? I am making these sticky toffee pudding cookies because my sister-in-law loves that dessert above all others. She’s a hard-working healthcare provider who deserves something sweet.

Y’all stay safe, and please update us here when you can. Open thread!

Milton Playlist (Open Thread)Post + Comments (250)