Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Silent Prayer: May Our Media in the US Learn From This

by WaterGirl| August 13, 202310:00 am| 130 Comments

With Trump in particular, we would have benefited from this. We still can. If the mainstream media wants to actually call out bullshit rather than promoting it.

Perhaps one of our talented BJ peeps could mock something up like this for DeSantis? Blah blah blah would have to become woke woke woke, I think!

*image from Aidan

Totally open thread.

Silent Prayer: May Our Media in the US Learn From ThisPost + Comments (130)

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Beware the Wrath of the Butter Cow

by Anne Laurie| August 13, 20237:37 am| 88 Comments

This post is in: 2024 Primaries, Excellent Links, Open Threads, Republican Politics, Schadenfreude

Candidates as a whole this year seem to have learned a key lesson here at the state fair: Avoid the corndogs. https://t.co/90mfpZj8EX

— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) August 12, 2023

I, for one, do not miss watching Democratic candidates attempt to eat corn dogs without making fools of themselves.

Actual journalism (the butter cow is recycled!) from Mr. Pierce, at Esquire:

In 1911, a guy named J. K. Daniels sculpted a cow out of butter and sent it along to the annual Iowa State Fair. To this day, about 600 pounds of butter is spread upon a wood-and-metal frame in a refrigeration unit kept at a steady 40 degrees. After the fair, they turn up the heat, and when the butter is soft enough to be removed, they collect it in five-gallon buckets and use it again the following year. The butter cow is eternal…

Every four years, it has become customary for presidential candidates of both parties to attend the Iowa State Fair as part of their campaign to win and/or survive the Iowa caucuses, a nominating mechanism so preposterously arcane that even when it awarded the win to Pete Buttigieg in 2020, a considerable chunk of the population didn’t believe it. In 2012, Mitt Romney was the unofficial winner for two weeks, until the state party reversed itself and gave the victory to Rick Santorum. It can be said that there never has been a real winner to this day.

At the fair, they stand behind a bunch of hay bales outside the pavilion in which the Butter Cow is kept, and they talk to a crowd of beer-drinking farmers and sunburnt children and a huge, unruly scrum of reporters and camera crews.

never change, State Fair People https://t.co/mM7WnDr6Fe

— The Mall Krampus (@cakotz) August 11, 2023

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The great exception came during the run-up to the 2016 caucuses. While the other candidates were working the midway to get their five minutes on the soapbox, Donald Trump was giving people rides in his helicopter, which was stationed on a ball field by the fairgrounds. So people would gather to hear, say, Jeb Bush outside the Butter Cow pavilion, and then the Trump copter would clatter on overhead and everybody would look up, completely ignoring the speaker on the ground. In retrospect, after the election, the symbolism of these events verged on ham-handed. They also may have marked the beginning of the end of the bipartisan consensus that nominating a president should begin amid hay bales on the midway of the Iowa State Fair.

In December 2022, the Democratic National Committee decided it had had enough. The Democrats determined that it no longer made sense to begin winnowing their primary field in Iowa and then New Hampshire—a pair of states that are too old, too insignificant in the general election, and far, far too white to have any relevance to the election’s ultimate outcome. It hadn’t made sense for a long time, and the fact that Iowa had made a terrible hash out of the 2020 caucuses made the move imperative…

WATCH: Ron DeSantis’s team threw COURIER’s @RushTheWriter out of an event in Iowa.

Ty Rushing is an award-winning journalist who serves as president of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists.

This is not what democracy looks like. https://t.co/Q8ANqvccpf

— COURIER (@CourierNewsroom) August 11, 2023

One question is asked, endlessly, every four years. The other question is almost never asked. Its answer is simply assumed, as though it were some sort of natural law in operation within our politics. It is a curious paradigm that shows no sign of dissolving, and one that is illustrated sharply by the adjustments made in how we elect a president for the whole country.

The first question has given birth to a journalistic cliché over the past seven years. The country was so gobsmacked by the election of Donald Trump that the elite political media went into an intellectual frenzy. What had they missed? Where had they gone so very wrong? This begat what later became known as Diner Stories—or, less graciously, the Cletus Safari. Reporters were sent out to the wilds of Ohio and the scrapple wastelands of western Pennsylvania to talk to the good burghers who had fallen so very hard for the blandishments of a Manhattan real estate sharpie who claimed to be working for them. This, in turn, summoned to mind the recurring question of when and how the Democrats had “lost” rural and exurban white America, and how the party could get these voters back.

That brings us to the rarely asked second question. The Democrats have changed the schedule to empower their most loyal voters—the Black and Latino voters who brought Biden back from the dead in 2020. The question is almost never raised as to why Republicans “lost” these voters. After all, Black voters once reliably voted for Republicans. Party of Lincoln and all that. And Republicans were central to the passage of both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But we had none of the deep thinking about how Republicans had “lost” those voters because the answer to that question is obvious. The GOP didn’t “lose” Black voters. It threw them away…

The division is also central to why the Republicans have maintained the status quo. The decision merely acknowledges a situation that the GOP has created for itself over the past half century. They are going to dance with who brung them, as so many phony hayshaker Republican politicians have put it. This election will be conducted on parallel tracks, and it is entirely possible that the last truly neutral character this year will be the Butter Cow, the first victim of the divisive politics of the 2024 presidential election.

The entourage following Ron DeSantis’ every move at the Iowa State Fair today pic.twitter.com/OVyBAi91FI

— Hannah Knowles (@KnowlesHannah) August 12, 2023

Protesters who had been blowing whistles and ringing bells during DeSantis interview get removed. pic.twitter.com/gtjdgoha3P

— David Weigel (@daveweigel) August 12, 2023

Trump’s team is giving out these hats at the Iowa state fair ahead of his visit tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/biMK0B5Qv9

— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) August 11, 2023

Kari Lake is now behind the bar, pouring some beers for people here at the state fair: pic.twitter.com/rb6fnjdrUf

— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) August 11, 2023

Protestors are disrupting Ron DeSantis Fair-Side chat with Reynolds.

Reynolds got on the mic to let them know this isn't "Iowa Nice." pic.twitter.com/qNPTtZaczi

— Ty Rushing (@Rushthewriter) August 12, 2023

Very significantly larger crowd assembled to catch a glimpse of Trump at the Iowa State Fair than the one for DeSantis at Reynolds’ event earlier. And another, separate big group of Trump supporters waiting down at Steer N’ Stein pic.twitter.com/BvusPMDOVy

— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) August 12, 2023

Moooo…

Trump supporters chant “We love Trump!”, then DeSantis folks chant “U-S-A” for a bit, but mostly people just standing around pic.twitter.com/zVCgbK3ai2

— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) August 12, 2023

Trump spent less than two hours at the Iowa State Fair. Part of why people don't perceive him as old is that he doesn't let them. His carefully choreographed image disguises the fact that he is 77 now. https://t.co/bTSu8pt4j5

— Drew Savicki (@DrewSav) August 12, 2023

Everybody is laughing at Mr. Trump for leaving the Iowa State Fair after less than an hour, but it’s 88 degrees in Des Moines.

It’s not safe for someone of his advanced age to spend so much time in high temperatures. pic.twitter.com/pbPiOf0i11

— Max-a-Lago X (@MaxNordau) August 12, 2023

Minor candidates: At least Burgum’s team had the sense to send him out before the fairgoers got bored with speeches…

Almost as many reporters as Iowans watching Doug Burgum at the Iowa State Fair soapbox. He’s the first candidate to take the stage this cycle. pic.twitter.com/6bX5fDgQCp

— Dylan Wells (@dylanewells) August 10, 2023

Once again my “the Iowa Caucuses were absolutely destructive to the Iowa Democratic Party for reasons that make Twitter mad, but were Good in the sense that watching high-powered people humiliate themselves at the State Fair for peanuts is incredibly funny” position is vindicated https://t.co/hRH8CwrzhF

— The Mall Krampus (@cakotz) August 12, 2023

Hayley reiterated a line from her stump speech about wanting term limits and mental competency tests for elected officials, but she noted that she knows Chuck Grassley would pass it.

Grassley is serving in his eighth term representing Iowa in the US Senate. https://t.co/S1UkGZLsae pic.twitter.com/gKZzt16Ink

— Ty Rushing (@Rushthewriter) August 12, 2023

Minor, minor candidates:

Bad photo but saw Steve King chatting with Dennis Kucinich (his “good friend”) at a downtown Des Moines hotel just now pic.twitter.com/enl2EbjU6b

— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) August 12, 2023

(Remember, Kucinich is RFK Jr’s campaign manager.)

And then again, seriously…

Some news from the Iowa State Fair:

Staff had to print more petitions for the weekend supporting abortion rights and opposing vouchers after the IDP booth ran out in just two days.

Come by the booth in the Varied Industries Building and sign today! pic.twitter.com/qhhbeMS8q0

— Iowa Democrats (@iowademocrats) August 12, 2023

Sunday Morning Open Thread: <em>Beware the Wrath of the Butter Cow</em>Post + Comments (88)

Saturday Evening Open Thread: Senator Tommy Tuberville, Florida Man

by Anne Laurie| August 12, 20237:29 pm| 176 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., Military, Open Threads, Republican Venality

Florida man/Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking over 300 military appointments – threatening our national security and disrespecting our servicemembers. https://t.co/qXmosgb2dY

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 11, 2023

You’d think this would mean something to the Alabamans who voted him into office, but then again, maybe they respect a rich dude who had the sense to get out of Alabama?

Campaign finance documents and property records suggest Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s main home is in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. https://t.co/QremiLUPt2

— AL.com (@aldotcom) August 10, 2023

NEW poll: 58 percent of Alabama voters say @SenTuberville should drop his unprecedented, months long holds on military nominations, which threaten our military readinesshttps://t.co/NO5YC6E3z7

— Chris Meagher (@chrismeagher) August 9, 2023

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Two decades! I will never understand the Republican mind. He doesn’t even both to lie to them, and yet.

“Campaign finance reports and his signature on property documents indicate that his home is actually a $3 million, 4,000-square-foot beach house he has lived in for nearly two decades in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., located in the Florida Panhandle.” https://t.co/NQvHwzcbdH

— Max Boot ???????? (@MaxBoot) August 10, 2023

You can undermine U.S. national security from many addresses https://t.co/QBDDaGwU0d

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 10, 2023

People need to know this: Sen. Tommy Tuberville has now held up 301 military postings. He has even put a hold on the head of the Indo-Pacific command.

“This is a gift to China, and it’s a gift that keeps giving day in and day out…” https://t.co/rlaz1dSh7i

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 12, 2023

Surprise !

GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville parroted Russian propaganda on Fox News while continuing to hold up US military preparedness

https://t.co/PIGc6EGYQO

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) August 9, 2023

When my former comrades on the right piss and moan that people like me are no longer either conservative or Republican, all I can say is that if Tuberville is a conservative Republican, you're right. That's not me. https://t.co/7sKEFAbhSm

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 9, 2023

I can say with absolute confidence that if today's Republicans were in charge of the US government in the 1930s and 40s that the Nazis would have taken control of Europe.

Bunch of fascist appeasers, the entire lot of them. https://t.co/dZa1BD4TEq

— The Biden Accomplishments Guy (on Threads) (@What46HasDone) August 11, 2023

Tommy Tuberville's political agenda shouldn't come at the cost of 300+ Military Officers' careers. This disrespect is un-American and unpatriotic!

Join the fight to stop this assault on our Military – sign @DougJones' petition now!

➡️https://t.co/6UasdTHAiG

— VoteVets (@votevets) August 12, 2023

Saturday Evening Open Thread: Senator Tommy Tuberville, Florida ManPost + Comments (176)

War for Ukraine Day 535: Strike the Kerch Bridge!

by Adam L Silverman| August 12, 20235:29 pm| 34 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Earlier today the Ukrainians struck the Kerch Bridge:

The Kerch bridge right now.
It’s going to go down as a military logistics facility sooner or later. pic.twitter.com/apRJQpM6nM

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) August 12, 2023

Is it really that hard to swim up, capture a decent shot, just so everyone gets what's happening over there? pic.twitter.com/WZFS5X5VxR

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) August 12, 2023

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

show full post on front page

It is important that every week Russia sees new international activity in support of Ukraine – address of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

12 August 2023 – 21:21

Dear Ukrainians, I wish you good health!

We have another result in our work with partners for security guarantees – Greece joined the G7 declaration regarding guarantees for Ukraine. This is already the 14th country.

Along with Greece, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden have joined. I thank each state!

And our team will continue working – for the sake of new participants, for the sake of every state and for every leader interested in peace and security being able to show their leadership in one or another format of security cooperation.

Peace has no alternative. Every country that works with us within the framework of security guarantees for Ukraine, within the framework of the Peace Formula, sends exactly this signal to the aggressor state. There will be peace. Aggression loses.

It is very important that every week Russia sees new international activity in support of Ukraine and normal life.

Today, I want to give special thanks to several countries that this week took new steps for greater security, greater protection of our people.

First of all, Germany. Two additional Patriot launchers, it is very important. Thank you! Thank you, Germany, thank you, people, thank you, Olaf!

Every significant strengthening of our air defense means thousands of saved lives and a real approach to a full-fledged air shield for Ukraine. Every city, every village must be protected. This will become the basis of a pan-European air shield. When Russian terror loses in Ukraine, all of Europe will win.

This week, our border guards received mobile medical complexes from the Netherlands. In general, the Netherlands is among the leaders in defense cooperation with Ukraine, in political cooperation. They really protect life. And the humanitarian dimension is also meaningful. I thank the people of the Netherlands for that! Thank you all! Mark, thank you!

Azerbaijan is ready to provide a new humanitarian support package, including demining equipment. This is also one of the key directions of our work with partners – demining.

Ukraine also needs equipment from partners, and it is very crucial to create a production base in Ukraine so that we can clear our land of Russian mines. And this task should be completed not in decades, but in years.

In total, as of now, 174,000 square kilometers of our country are potentially dangerous due to mines and unexploded ammunition. Every day, our specialists detect hundreds of explosive objects. And the more we have demining machines, the more special drones we have for demining, the more actively we would be able to restore security. Thankful to every country that helps us!

And today I would like to thank all our specialists engaged in demining. They really work on the ground. Fields, the territory of settlements, power lines, infrastructure facilities are demined. Last day, 133 pyrotechnic units worked across the country. Most of them are in Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. I thank you – each who cleanses the Ukrainian land from the traces of Russian terror!

I would especially like to mention a few specialists.

This is Anton Volos, a deminer of the pyrotechnic works department, Bohdan Olshevsky, a driver-mechanic-deminer. They both work in the emergency and rescue squad of the Emergency Service of Luhansk region. Thanks, guys!

Serhiy Siroshtan, head of the pyrotechnic works group, the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kherson region. Thank you, Serhiy!

Police officers: lieutenant colonel Valentyn Melnyk, lieutenant colonel Ihor Pidlisny, colonel Yaroslav Kostiv. They took turns leading groups of the explosive engineering service – 10-15 groups – in Kharkiv region. From September 22 until now – in the territory liberated from the occupiers. Very active. Thank you! And very effective.

Thank you to everyone who works for the security of Ukraine and Ukrainians! Thank you to everyone who fights for our country – Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, Shakhtarsk direction, Kupiansk, southern directions. Glory to you, warriors! Glory to all who destroy the occupier! Glory to all who support Ukraine, support Ukrainians! Thank you!

Glory to Ukraine!

More on the Kerch Bridge:

Crimean bridge now. It’s not entirely clear if it is the explosions or another smoke screen exercise which take place there from time to time. pic.twitter.com/JD4qvVLkbJ

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

/3. The Russian-appointed Crimean authorities claim that two missiles were shot down by air defense forces in the area of the Kerch Strait. According to them, the Crimean Bridge is not damaged. pic.twitter.com/1dxxhNHffm

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

/5. According to Russian claimes, they have intercepted S-200 missile near the Crimean bridge

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

/7. Smoke screen again on the Crimean bridge. pic.twitter.com/yiedoo3WeO

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

Kherson:

/2. ~16km from the right bank of Dnipro river. pic.twitter.com/CKSfymxHQ9

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

In the Kherson region, sappers discovered and neutralised an unusual, modified Russian "Tochka-U" missile. This missile was with a warhead in the form of a modified FAB-500T aerial bomb. https://t.co/Fle2INOb9D pic.twitter.com/P69KAlsnPt

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

Urozhayne:

Russian military channels say Ukrainian troops have liberated Urozhayne, on the seam between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions.

— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) August 12, 2023

Urzuf:

🔥 A skirmish took place between the "Kadyrovtsy" and the Russian military in the temporarily occupied Urzuf (near Mariupol)

Report on the dead from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. There are also civilian casualties. pic.twitter.com/lfAEVbApaH

— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) August 12, 2023

Zhytomyr:

Lyubov Yarosh, a 103-year-old resident of Zhytomyr region, together with her daughters and neighbors, weaves "Kikimora" camouflage suits for our soldiers.
Four of her grandsons are now defending Ukraine.

📷 @HolodomorMuseum pic.twitter.com/QP5K6cFqiH

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 12, 2023

Kaliningrad:

/2. Reportedly this the Russian Su-30 which crashed in Kaliningrad region today pic.twitter.com/pJ8172i9vI

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2023

Tatarigami assesses the effects of last year’s Kherson campaign. First tweet from the thread followed by the rest from the Thread Reader App:

When our troops liberated Kherson and advanced to the Dnipro River, the russians dispersed and relocated their equipment, helicopters, and C2 to various bases beyond the reach of HIMARS. Why is this significant, and what can be learned from this situation?
🧵Thread pic.twitter.com/AkKi1TSdyi

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 12, 2023

2/ In this instance, compiled satellite imagery reveals the establishment of a new base to the south of Henichesk. Its construction commenced around November, aligning with our troops’ liberation of Kherson and the departure of russian forces from Chaplynka.

3/ Their decision was correct – shortly after our forces secured Kherson, Chaplynka base experienced several strikes. Nevertheless, most of the equipment, the command and control center, and the helicopters had been relocated. Only minimal logistical operations were still there.

4/ While determining the role of this new base is problematic, it’s crucial to recognize that the mere existence of a weapon with an approximate 80 km reach compelled the russians to entirely reconfigure their logistical and command and control operations in the South.

5/ While long-range munitions like ATACMS, Taurus, and Storm Shadow offer significant capabilities, their scarcity, slower production rate, and high cost necessitate the inclusion of more affordable yet equally efficient options such as long-range loitering munitions and GLSDB

6/ Undoubtedly, in response, Russians will relocate equipment and decentralize command and logistics into smaller nodes. However, this exacerbates preexisting logistical challenges and curtails their capacity to efficiently manage substantial force concentrations.

7/ Hence, in my perspective, it remains crucial for Ukraine to get a diverse range of long-range weaponry, all the while continuing the development and utilization of its own resources, as exemplified by the successful deployment of our drones in both russia and sea environment.

Your contributions via Buy Me A Coffee have enabled the availability of this satellite imagery and others. Next week, a significant analysis will assess russian tank repair facility, made feasible by your invaluable support. Do not forget to help with like and retweet.

For you naval drone enthusiasts:

🔥 Продовжуємо нищити московських загарбників на землі, в повітрі й на воді!

🇺🇦 Слава Україні! pic.twitter.com/8GjXxEMtLn

— Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) August 12, 2023

The cost:

Young Ukrainian girl dealing with the fact that Russia is firing missiles on her city.

Via @Gerashchenko_en pic.twitter.com/9CDfWjTEJN

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 11, 2023

Volunteers were distributing backpacks and school supplies to first graders in Kryvyi Rih this morning when there was an explosion in the city – a Russian missile attack.

Look at the kids' fear. This is awful.

📷: Svoi. Kryvyi Rih pic.twitter.com/MGHuYIscOv

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 12, 2023

Paratrooper Mykhailo Yurchuk lost his arm and leg while rescuing his fellow soldiers from an APC hit in a battle near Izium.
Mykhailo is the first to receive Ukrainian-made bionic prostheses. Today, he holds his newborn daughter in his arms.
📷 1st Medical Association of Lviv pic.twitter.com/gKmriD4rja

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 12, 2023

To switch gears, very quickly, back to the forced starvation of the residents of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh:

"[US officials] fear that within two months, as winter approaches, the population [of Nagorno-Karabakh ] could face starvation", @IgnatiusPost
writes for @washingtonpost
https://t.co/rZcQp2UpII pic.twitter.com/hUK4A20bTy

— Ani Avetisyan (@AvetissianAn) August 11, 2023

I’ve had my fill of watching this stuff happen and too many just shrug, at best. I don’t care if you are pro-Armenian or pro-Azerbaijani in this dispute or you’ve never really thought about it, it is 2023 making war on innocent people by starving them out to achieve your strategic objectives cannot be allowed to happen!

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets, but there is a new slideshow at his official TikTok. Click across to see it.

However, after the last few days I figured we should finish with something a but lighter, so:

Our Defender cooks together with Granny!

It looks delicious!

📹: ruslan_moktytskyi/TikTok pic.twitter.com/EYjxTa0Xqk

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 12, 2023

War for Ukraine Day 535: Strike the Kerch Bridge!Post + Comments (34)

I’m Looking for a Word for Dog Whistle x100

by WaterGirl| August 12, 20235:23 pm| 127 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

I’m looking for a word to describe a dog whistle x100. Anybody have one?

Less than 24 hours after being admonished by a black judge in DC, he goes full grand wizard on the Fulton County DA and her community. pic.twitter.com/d7jJkiv8pa

— Just Jack (@7Veritas4) August 12, 2023

Open thread.

I’m Looking for a Word for Dog Whistle x100Post + Comments (127)

NYC Meetup Over Labor Day Weekend (NotMax Visits)

by WaterGirl| August 12, 20234:03 pm| 55 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

You may know from the comments or from the general meetup thread from a week or so ago, but NotMax will be visiting his Mom in NYC and is looking to meet up with some BJ pee.s!

Ideas / Possibilities from NotMax:

Looking at a possible Balloon Juice meet-up in NYC sometime over Labor Day weekend.

Soliciting input as to preferred date:

Friday, September 1

Saturday, September 2

Sunday, September 3

Monday, September 4

Preferred time:

brunch

mid-afternoon

late afternoon/evening

evening

Where?

Here are several unexplored possibilities convenient to mass transit; always open to any other suggestions:

The Baylander
https://baylander.nyc/

Cantina Rooftop
https://www.cantinarooftop.com/

Dutch Fred’s in Midtown

Also, places we’ve previously met:

Tir Na Nog
https://www.tirnanognyc.com/location/tir-na-nog/

The Shakespeare
https://www.theshakespearenyc.com/

Bryant Park Classical Theatre of Harlem presents Young, Gifted, and Black (Sept.1)
https://bryantpark.org/calendar/event/the-classical-theatre-of-harlem/2023-09-01

Gonna toss in a slightly off-the-wall event which caught the eye, but it’s on Thursday, August 31 in the evening, way downtown:

https://feverup.com/m/129063

ABBA Drag Bingo at The Cauldron (tickets are $15)

https://thecauldron.io/nyc

Out of the running

~~Mom’s~~
https://www.eatatmomsnyc.com/location/moms-kitchen-bar-midtown/

NotMax will be here to answer questions!

Open thread.

NYC Meetup Over Labor Day Weekend (NotMax Visits)Post + Comments (55)

Legal Zoom with Imm Plans Adjusted

by WaterGirl| August 12, 20232:44 pm| 16 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Hey everybody,

About 25 of you RSVP’d for the legal zoom were were planning with Imm for this Sunday, but we need to have that on the following Sunday, which is Aug 20th.

Sometimes life just intervenes. Besides, it’s not like anything interesting happened on the legal front this week. :-) We will have all that much more to talk about next week.

OPTION: But seriously we can still have the legal zoom tomorrow just to TALK ABOUT all the legal happenings, and then have the legal zoom next week with Imm.

Let me know what you guys think about whether we still want to get together and gab about the current legal events tomorrow. Either way, mark your schedules for next Sunday, Aug 20.

If you RSVP’d for this week, you don’t need to send me another email for the one next week. But if you hadn’t already RSVP’d you get another bite at the apple!

Totally open thread.

Legal Zoom with Imm Plans AdjustedPost + Comments (16)

Bill Arnold on Saturday Night Open Thread (Nov 15, 2025 @ 11:10pm)

Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) on Interesting Read: Inside the Sandwich Guy’s Jury Deliberations (Nov 15, 2025 @ 11:09pm)

Craig on Saturday Night Open Thread (Nov 15, 2025 @ 11:08pm)

Shalimar on Saturday Night Open Thread (Nov 15, 2025 @ 11:07pm)

MagdaInBlack on Interesting Read: Inside the Sandwich Guy’s Jury Deliberations (Nov 15, 2025 @ 11:05pm)

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

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

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

“A king is only a king if we bow down.” – Rev. William Barber

“In this country American means white. everybody else has to hyphenate.”

Usually wrong but never in doubt

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

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.

Hey hey, RFK, how many kids did you kill today?

Trump should be leading, not lying.

Disagreements are healthy; personal attacks are not.

The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

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

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

If ‘weird’ was the finish line, they ran through the tape and kept running.

Silent Prayer: May Our Media in the US Learn From This

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Beware the Wrath of the Butter Cow

Saturday Evening Open Thread: Senator Tommy Tuberville, Florida Man

War for Ukraine Day 535: Strike the Kerch Bridge!

It is important that every week Russia sees new international activity in support of Ukraine – address of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

I’m Looking for a Word for Dog Whistle x100

NYC Meetup Over Labor Day Weekend (NotMax Visits)

Legal Zoom with Imm Plans Adjusted