Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Northern Colorado No Kings Event

by TaMara| October 19, 20257:45 pm| 16 Comments

This post is in: 2025 Activism, Open Threads

Just a bit from our protest. Longmont is small – about 89K – this turnout was inspiring. I got teary while I was there (not long, I’ve been super tired lately and knew I wouldn’t last long)

Favorite sign:

This was my favorite
Longmont Colorado!

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— Diana Plz no DM’S (@diane65.bsky.social) October 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM

At least 5,000 celebrated Democracy on the streets of Longmont, Colorado today in a massive street party.

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— Mountain Bird (@comountainbird.bsky.social) October 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM

Longmont, Colorado. People lining the street 5-10 deep both sides of the road for a mile! In little Longmont.

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— Alice (@alicethistime.bsky.social) October 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM

This is an important thread (read here) but it’s available only to Bluesky users.

I hope everyone can hold onto this feeling of solidarity as the days stretch on. Because they are going to stretch on, but we will defeat this fascist takeover of our country.

Open thread

Northern Colorado No Kings EventPost + Comments (16)

Sunday Night Open Thread

by John Cole| October 19, 20257:09 pm| 114 Comments

This post is in: John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House", Open Threads

It is raining and overcast and just generally shitty so I got up this morning, fed dumb and dumber, and went back to bed and even though I woke up at ten, I just stayed my ass in bed until almost noon. It was very nice. Had to head to the big city to get gas because tomorrow I have to drive to get a crown and the gas is like 30 cents a gallon more expensive there than here. Stopped by the Italian place I love and got a quart of five bean soup to go, which sounded perfect for a rainy cold night. In the corner of my eye I spotted a lone cannoli in a display with two magnificent maraschino cherries on each end and a light dusting of powdered sugar and looked at the you girl behind the register and said “I don’t mean to sound threatening or scary but that cannoli is coming with me I can’t believe you all abandoned it there by itself.”

So that was really my day. Kind of amused at all the MAGA “Fuck your feelings” just losing their ever-loving shit in the comments sections of local newspapers. They are just so fragile- and for good reason. The cult knows that to pierce the facade means the end of the charade.

***

This literally blows my fucking mind:

A 155-millimeter shell fired during a live-fire demonstration for the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton on Saturday prematurely detonated, dropping fragments of the shell on a California Highway Patrol vehicle and motorcycle that were part of Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail, according to a patrol report.

No officers were hurt in the mishap, which dropped shrapnel onto the vehicles parked on a ramp to a major freeway that had been ordered closed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor had objected to the plan to fire over the freeway, Interstate 5, and ordered a 17-mile stretch closed — against the guidance of military officials, who had said it was safe for it to remain open.

According to the patrol report, one officer described what sounded like pebbles hitting his motorcycle and the area around him, and two others saw a two-inch piece of shrapnel hit the hood of their patrol vehicle, leaving a small dent. The report says shrapnel was also found on the road near the motorcycle.

If you had told me near 40 years ago during table VIII gunnery at Grafenwoehr that we would one day be sending live rounds over American highways I would have told you that you were fucking insane and that I heard they were doing a drug test tomorrow at formation. Jesus christ this is so fucking nuts that I asked Soonergrunt on bluesky to come write a post explaining how fucking bonkers this is because I do not have the words.

***

I got distracted by cats and completely forgot what I was going to talk about here, but I want to put this post up so I don’t step on Adam or anyone else, but I do want to make sure you all check out this banger I heard today:

I almost wrecked the car about ten seconds in I was so desperate to find out who the hell this was because it was amazing. Name is Kirby, and I am now working my way through the discography.

Sunday Night Open ThreadPost + Comments (114)

No Kings – Compilation 2 – PA, CO, PA again, NM

by WaterGirl| October 19, 20256:30 pm| 19 Comments

This post is in: No Kings Oct 18, 2025, Open Threads

geg6

from a small town outside of Pittsburgh

In our small town outside of Pittsburgh, we had a great showing today. We had two unicorns, a frog, a giraffe and a dragon. I didn’t manage to get photos of any of them but they were fun.

This is small town Western PA, about 35 miles west of Pittsburgh. In June, there were 600 or so on the courthouse lawn. I have no idea how many this time. I would, however, estimate that it was at least that many. Lots of people blowing horns and giving thumbs up and only two obvious MAGAs across the street ostentatiously filming us. Fuck ‘em, as a wise man once said.

This is my friend in the image below.

Burrowing Owl in Longmont, CO

No idea how many people were there today, but it was bigger than the first No Kings, which had about 2,000. More people, some in inflatable dino/dragon/unicorn/etc outfits, and frog costumes and frogs on signs.

Joe Neguse (my rep) was there so I got to meet him.

bbleh

Philadelphia Independence Mall

New Deal Democrat

Santa Fe, NM

No Kings – Compilation 2 – PA, CO, PA again, NMPost + Comments (19)

No Kings – BarcaChicago – Chicago!

by WaterGirl| October 19, 20255:45 pm| 17 Comments

This post is in: No Kings Oct 18, 2025, Open Threads

Hi there from Chicago! I go by ChicagoBarca on BJ and I was at the protest today – because I was in the midst of it I can’t say how big a crowd it was but it must have been huge because it took us a couple hours to get out of the park where the speakers were and walk around our marching route.

A fantastic day of solidarity and defiance in Chicago, and some kickass speakers culminating with JB Pritzker himself – I think he is one of the strongest Democratic leaders we have and really fired us up with his moral clarity.

Also plenty of Dem elected on all levels, from Senator Durbin to Alders. Here are some pics and short videos, not sure if they convey the huge size of the crowd but I did catch some funny and/or powerful signs. As we like to say around here: Chinga La Migra!

It was HUGE and took hours to march through our route downtown because of the size of the crowd.

No Kings – BarcaChicago – Chicago!Post + Comments (17)

Sunday Open Thread: Neutering Opus Dei

by Anne Laurie| October 19, 20254:40 pm| 103 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Religion, Republican Politics

BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV is set to effectively disband Opus Dei in the coming weeks.
This would be the most sweeping internal reform of his pontificate — and a dramatic continuation of Pope Francis’s legacy.

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— Christopher Hale (@christopherjhale.bsky.social) October 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM

*If* Pope Leo can carry this through — there’s an immense institutional weight, not just within the Roman Catholic Church, that will resist — he’ll be the most impactful pope since John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council. Christopher Hale describes himself as “Proud Tennessean. ‘20 Democratic Nominee for US Congress. DNC Delegate. Obama-Biden White House & campaign alum. Former nonprofit exec. Pope Leo tweeted about me once.” “Pope Leo Set To Break Up Opus Dei”:

A report from InfoVaticana — a Spanish outlet with close Opus Dei ties — claims that Pope Leo XIV is on the verge of approving new statutes that would effectively dismantle Opus Dei as it exists today.

In Rome and at Opus Dei’s headquarters, no one denies that the Holy See’s intervention is imminent.

Two independent sources tell Letters from Leo that the text of the reforms is finalized and its promulgation is only weeks away.

According to the leaks, the changes would “mean the definitive break of the original structure” that St. Josemaría Escrivá envisioned for the organization.

Three Entities Under the New Statutes
The draft statutes would split Opus Dei into three distinct parts:

Clerical Prelature: a significantly reduced personal prelature comprising only Opus Dei’s own incardinated priests, in line with new canon law norms.

Priestly Society of the Holy Cross: a retooled association to integrate diocesan clergy who wish to share in Opus Dei’s spiritual charism (formerly these priests were loosely affiliated with the prelature)

Lay Faithful Association: an independent public association for all lay members — numeraries, associates, supernumeraries, and cooperators — who until now were under the prelature’s umbrella…

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This is very hopeful. Opus Dei is the crazy right wing of the Catholic Church that is only 100 years old and includes all of our nutty Supreme Court Catholics.

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— JCBlue88 (@jcblue88.bsky.social) October 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM

and JD Vance.

— "Do Not Obey In Advance" and "Don't give into the Lies" (@pamdess.bsky.social) October 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM

… The leaked information given to InfoVaticana suggests this would amount to a definitive end of the “unity of spirit and government” central to St José María’s vision. Quoting unnamed Vatican and Opus Dei sources, InfoVaticana claims that the changes reflect a desire to “restore order” after decades in which Opus Dei had allegedly acted like “a Church within the Church.”

Within Rome, the Holy See is said to frame the reform as a technical adjustment to the 2022 motu proprio Ad charisma tuendum and the revised Code of Canon Law. But observers close to the Vatican reportedly see the move as a decisive shift, bringing Opus Dei into line with new canonical norms and curbing its influence in the Curia and beyond.

Inside Opus Dei itself, InfoVaticana describes an atmosphere of silence and unease. Members are said to have been instructed not to comment until the decree is officially published, though some are allegedly expressing private concern that the reform changes “the very essence” of the institution. Others, according to InfoVaticana, interpret the development as a test of fidelity and maturity, while admitting that “Opus Dei as we knew it will disappear.”

In response, the Opus Dei Communications Office issued a brief unsigned statement on 11 October, describing InfoVaticana’s article as “an opinion piece based on anonymous sources and signed with a pseudonym.” The statement confirmed that a proposal to reform the statutes was submitted to the Holy See in June but insisted there were “no new developments.” It also expressed regret that “unverified rumours” had caused concern among members.

If confirmed, the alleged reform would mark the most significant transformation in Opus Dei’s history since it became a personal prelature in 1982.

heartbroken to learn the pope sympathizes with the poor. how can i continue to believe in god

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— derek guy (@dieworkwear.bsky.social) October 17, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Sunday Open Thread: Neutering Opus DeiPost + Comments (103)

No Kings – Compilation – PA, TX, VA, TN, SC, FL

by WaterGirl| October 19, 202512:48 pm| 32 Comments

This post is in: No Kings Oct 18, 2025, Open Threads

from Subcommandante Yakbreath

Here are three images from this morning’s No Kings Rally in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

There was a large turnout, especially for around here; almost a dozen inflatable folks; and really good speakers.

from Diceros bicornis

Our photo for the No Kings on October 18 collection. BJ mostly-lurker Diceros bicornis shows as Miss Liberty in the center of the group

from Belafon

Here’s my sign for the rally in Rockwall, TX this morning:

from Another Scott

Market Square in Alexandria, Virginia

I just got back from No Kings #2 at Market Square in Alexandria, Virginia. Another great turnout, everyone was fired up!

My favorite sign was probably the MTGA one – Make Trump Go Away.

from HinTN

We had a good turnout on Winchester, TN, the county seat for Franklin County. I arrived late with a box of 24 little American flags. I took the first picture from across the street and then walked down the line handing them out. It was a lovely Autumn day and everyone was having a good time. Lots of honking cars!

The first picture was of the crowd listening to the Democratic candidate running to represent our 4th district in Congress.

Mrscoachb

Solavita, Fl

Nelson

DeLand Florida

Downtown DeLand – kind of difficult to get a panoramic view. No counter protestors and the only police presence was a patrol car that keep circling and asking the protestors to stay on the sidewalks.

Steve the ultimate lurker

Myrtle Beach

Got out of Denver, baby for a visit to Myrtle Beach, SC. Dropped in to their rally. Seemed the typical demographics as previous (Denver) rallies. Lots of horn honking/thumbs up(s). A few with other points of view.

Encouraging!

In the park. Speakers haven’t started yet. 1:30 local

CHAPLIN MEMORIAL PARKOCTOBER 18, 2025

Two block stretch of Kings(ironic) Highway, 14th to 16th ave

No Kings – Compilation – PA, TX, VA, TN, SC, FLPost + Comments (32)

Sunday Morning Open Thread

by Betty Cracker| October 19, 20258:30 am| 294 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Politics, Republican Stupidity

Baud alerted us to a fascinating story in the overnight thread: Thieves broke into the Louvre and stole nine items of “incalculable value,” allegedly what remains of the French crown jewels. BBC live feed here.

We are now getting more details about how the robbery unfolded.

The French Interior Ministry says that at around 09:30 local time (08:30 BST) a number of individuals got into the Apollo Gallery via a window, which they broke.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez says three or four thieves involved used a goods lift on a truck outside the building.

Once inside, the thieves stole jewels that were in display cases and then left on motorbikes. Nunez says the robbery took seven minutes.

A precise list of what was stolen is being drawn up.

Beyond their commercial value, the ministry says the items have an incalculable historical and cultural value.

Damn! It sucks that it happened at all, but personally, I’m glad the thieves decided to take valuable rocks rather than masterpieces painted by humans like da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer, etc.

***

The president posted an AI slop video that depicts him wearing a crown and flying a fighter jet that dumps runny shit all over American cities. No, really, that happened.

Trump posts AI video showing him literally dumping shit on America

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 18, 2025 at 10:36 PM

Probably no reporters will ask Mike Johnson and John Thune about that because it’s just normal now, government by toxic 4chan weirdos. Millions of Americans inflicted a narcissistic injury on Trump by taking to the streets, so it’s our fault, really.

***

Republicans say we’re too broke to subsidize healthcare for Americans, but somehow they found enough change in the sofa cushions to give Kristi Noem and her psycho boyfriend a pair of Gulfstreams:

When government service becomes a path to luxury and riches it ceases to be “service.” Noem, like all Trump’s top officials is looting Treasury and stealing from taxpayers. Trump and his minions are amassing staggering wealth and living like royalty at taxpayer expense. Gift Article.

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— Predictive Stupidity (@onemoney.bsky.social) October 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM

I believe Noem and the abusive side-piece are also living in a palatial house at government expense too. Y’all, we can’t go on this way.

Open thread!

Sunday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (294)

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Do we throw up our hands or do we roll up our sleeves? (hint, door #2)

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

Trump’s cabinet: like a magic 8 ball that only gives wrong answers.

People identifying as christian while ignoring christ and his teachings is a strange thing indeed.

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

The world has changed, and neither one recognizes it.

We do not need to pander to people who do not like what we stand for.

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

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Oh FFS you might as well trust a 6-year-old with a flamethrower.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Books are my comfort food!

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

To the privileged, equality seems like oppression.

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

When I was faster i was always behind.

Northern Colorado No Kings Event

Sunday Night Open Thread

No Kings – Compilation 2 – PA, CO, PA again, NM

No Kings – BarcaChicago – Chicago!

Sunday Open Thread: Neutering Opus Dei

No Kings – Compilation – PA, TX, VA, TN, SC, FL

Sunday Morning Open Thread