Weekend Question Thread
What were you afraid of as a kid, and are you still afraid of it? I still hate spiders. Bugs of all kinds really, but mostly spiders. Fuck those things. A. Continue reading Weekend Question Thread
Month: January 2015
Shorter Scott Walker to the UW System: Let them eat cake
The University of Wisconsin System is now facing a 13 percent budget cut over the next two years, thanks to Scott Walker’s desire to balance the budget. The budget was put in crisis for some utterly known reason: March 24, 2014– Lowering taxes for the third time in less than a year, Gov. Scott Walker signed his $541 million tax cut bill in a ceremony Monday at a farm in Cecil as he travels through central and northern Wisconsin touting it. Speaking at Horsens Homestead Farms, about 35 miles northwest of Green Bay, Walker called it a great day … Continue reading Shorter Scott Walker to the UW System: Let them eat cake
Friday Ferretblogging: DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTIIIIIIINNNNNAAAAA
Claire can be dramatic. A. Continue reading Friday Ferretblogging: DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTIIIIIIINNNNNAAAAA
Friday Guest Catblogging: Troublemaker
I seem to know many Stephanies, three of whom used to work togther. One of the sea of Stephanies has a cat named Milo and he’s a piece of work. Here are a few examples of his “work” with captions by his human. I’m looking for my bowl: Pursuing the last lizard of fall: Water tastes so much better when it’s THEIR water… Continue reading Friday Guest Catblogging: Troublemaker
Liar Liar Pence On Fire
Hoosier Governor is in denial: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), in an interview with a conservative radio host, denied knowing anything about a state-run news site he reportedly planned to start. Pence’s denial comes after the Indianapolis Star reported that Pence planned to start “Just IN,” a state-run news site staffed by Pence press officials. The news site, according to documents, would compete with independent news organizations on news about Pence’s administration and offer pre-written stories to local news organizations. “As governor, I can assure you that [the plan] did not meet my expectations and if this website doesn’t meet my … Continue reading Liar Liar Pence On Fire
And Then, The Unfriending…
From Album 5 Well, a little schadenfreude can be fun, and that’s at least one feeling I get from watching former fanboyz like Matt Lewis realize the error if not horror of their, um, infatuation…though to me it’s less rats deserting the sinking ship and more rats realizing that Our Lady of the Tundra couldn’t command a rubber duck in a bathtub, much less the reigning superpower. Christ, could you imagine Palin “representing” the United States at some major international event? Hell, I’d DEMAND she chew gum, just to keep from actually speaking. Well, anyway, not that it was ever … Continue reading And Then, The Unfriending…
Pulp Fiction Thursday: 2 Headed Baby
Even though I wasn’t crazy about the Freak Show finale, I was glad that the Tattler twins survived and conjoined together with Jimmy the Darling Lobster Boy. This Fred G. Johnson sideshow banner is dedicated to them: Continue reading Pulp Fiction Thursday: 2 Headed Baby
PBJ Unbuckles The Bible Belt
Bobby Jindal’s deeply silly attempt to transform his image from dorky butt ugly technocrat to manly butt ugly culture warrior continues. He tried out a new-ish look at last weekend’s Hate Group Prayerpalooza in Red Stick. Note the cowboy boots, tight jeans and Garth Brooks type headset. The only thing missing is a ten gallon hat to complete his transformation into a Bollywood shitkicker. But don’t call him that because he’s ashamed of his Indian heritage and/or doesn’t want to be a so-called “hyphenated American.” I don’t get it. There’s *nothing* wrong with being proud of your ethnic heritage. It’s the … Continue reading PBJ Unbuckles The Bible Belt
Autonomy Comes At Too High A Cost
I originally posted this in a comment, but then I remembered that it’s Wednesday and I’m (nominally) the Wednesday guest poster here, sooooo: I got an email from the chancellor of UW-Madison yesterday, as I’m an employee of the university. You may remember that former chancellor Biddy Martin was the one advocating for greater autonomy from the state for the UW system, and UW-Madison in particular in the first place, and she actually left in no small part because it hadn’t gone through fast enough for her. Current chancellor Rebecca Blank, however, is less excited about all of this: The $300 … Continue reading Autonomy Comes At Too High A Cost
Album Cover Art Wednesday: A Date With Elvis
You’re neither seeing double nor am I repeating myself. Last week it was Elvis, this week it’s the Cramps: Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: A Date With Elvis
Autonomy’s Just Another Word for “Fuck You Wisconsin.” Love, Scott Walker
I would ask if he hasn’t done enough damage but obviously not: The University of Wisconsin System will be given more autonomy, while having its state funding slashed by 13 percent over the next two years, under the budget Gov. Scott Walker will submit to the Legislature next week. Walker released details of his budget plan as it affects the UW System to The Associated Press on Monday ahead of a public announcement on Tuesday. “It will make the University of Wisconsin more efficient, more effective and ultimately more accountable,” Walker said. The State Journal first reported this month that … Continue reading Autonomy’s Just Another Word for “Fuck You Wisconsin.” Love, Scott Walker
Roger Simon Has a Sad
Guys, the Republican party is terrible right now and it’s because these fucking hicks don’t know their place: Sarah Palin, who has been teasing the press with hints she might actually run for president, appeared to end much hope of that Saturday by delivering a 33-minute speech of such incoherence that even veteran Palin-watchers were puzzled. Some sample lines from Palin: “Screw the left and Hollywood!” “Coronation, rinse, repeat.” Obama “is so over it. America, he’s just not that into you.” “The man can only ride you when your back is bent.” I would provide some context, but there wasn’t … Continue reading Roger Simon Has a Sad
BREAKING NEWS MUST CREDIT POLITICO OR LOSE THE MORNING: Obama Chewed Some Gum, Guys
Oh, fuck’s sakes: This wasn’t the first time Obama has received criticism for chewing gum at public events. The president, who has been known to use nicotine chewing gum, chewed gum during a trip to China in November, at a ceremony in France for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and during his inauguration in 2013. I want the president to have whatever he needs to have to be happy. ESPECIALLY on an overseas trip. If he needs chewing gum to stay awake during a parade, then he should have chewing gum. If he needs a smoke now and then to keep from ripping off the head … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS MUST CREDIT POLITICO OR LOSE THE MORNING: Obama Chewed Some Gum, Guys
Odds & Sods: Catching Up Edition
I’m way behind, so I’m going to offer some scattershot snark about stuff that happened last week. Scattershot snark is what I do best, after all.
PBJ’s Excellent Adventure: The pinhead who sporadically governs my state was in the news last week. PBJ has gotten to the point where he craves any publicity including bad publicity. It’s a good thing, that’s all he got.
First, he went to Europe, which is something Oval One wannabes do. It’s supposed to make them look statesmanlike but PBJ chose to follow in the path of Willard Mittbot Romney and make a total ass of himself. He peddled the discredited, even at Fox News, line about Muslim no go zones in the UK and EU. PBJ went to woody old London hoping to meet with some senior Tory pols but they all hid in tube tunnels after he insisted on being the kookiest kook in cloud cuckoo land. That in a wingnut shell is his campaign strategy. I remember when he ran as a technocrat. Those days are long gone.
Second, he held what I call alternately PBJ’s Folly or Prayerpalooza at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) on the LSU campus in Red Stick. The characters invited to this zany event included a preacher who claims the ability to raise the dead. That’s an alarming thought, given overpopulation and all the damn fool wingers already running around the planet. Do we really want to resurrect Ronnie and Maggie?
You know a putative campaign is in deep shit and sinking fast when it has an event modeled after one thrown in 2011 by Former Texas Governor Oops. They also scheduled on the same day as Steve King’s Iowa clown show and the Koch Brothers public ass kissing event. PBJ’s people are both delusional and not ready for prime time, speaking of which:
There They Go Again: Why does the GOP keep trotting out its “rising stars” to answer the SOTU. I recall when they’d have their Congressional leaders or folks like Ronald Reagan do so. The list of embarrassments stretches back to Bobby Jindal being compared to Kenneth the Page on 30 Rock and included Marco Rubio’s infamous water bottle reach to cure his bad case of dry mouth. I think the hog castrating chick, Joni Ernst, topped them all. Bread bags on your feet? Really, Senator? I wonder bread if they carried it to extremes in even poorer areas: “We were so poor that we used hot dog bun bags as condoms.” It’s just as, uh, plausible and even sillier.
More catching up after the break.
Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – hicks in the wall edition
Good morning, everyone! Things have been going so well for the Freeperati of late – Obummer’s been snubbed by Bibi the bomb-drawer, Joni Ernst replaced the irreplaceable Michelle Bachmann, and there was a whopping 1.5 weeks between the ending of the fall Freepathon and the currently running winter Freepathon.
Then suddenly – last bummer…
Mitt Romney: Climate Change Is Real, Human-Induced, And We Must Tackle It
WashingtonTimes ^ | January 21, 2015Posted on 1/23/2015 12:34:44 AM by Steelfish
Mitt Romney: Climate Change Is Real, Human-Induced, And We Must Tackle It
Uh oh.
To: Steelfish
To: SteelfishA huge FUMR!!!
4 posted on 1/23/2015 12:36:37 AM by JDoutrider
.
Oh – sorry – I thought PBJ88 said huge FEMUR!
To: Steelfish
To: SteelfishReason number 659 to totally reject out of hand anything this opportunist attempts to seek. Under NO circumstances will I ever vote for this asshat again.
60 posted on 1/23/2015 5:02:24 AM by Buckeye Battle Cry (Hey Obama! Wake up and piss! The World’s on FIRE!)
What??
You actually voted for Mittens?
After all your screaming that you would never ever ever vote for a RINO?
Imagine that.
To: SteelfishFirst it’s concern for the poor. Now it’s climate change. Is possible that Romney has gone batty over the last two years? Or battier as the case may be?
84 posted on 1/23/2015 6:30:25 AM by DoodleDawg
Concern for the poor??
EEEEWWW! How gross.
A ray of sunshine:
To: SteelfishFReepers should be delighted by this. Romney has blunted Jeb Bush’s momentum and split donors. We need him to keep this up until well late in 2015.
There is a massive disconnect between the elites and reality. Let them continue in fantasyland while we coalesce around a successful conservative governor.
Then we strike.
87 posted on 1/23/2015 6:35:17 AM by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
“Face-to-foot style! How’d you like it?”
More after the groin-to-fist Freeper attack.
Continue reading “Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – hicks in the wall edition”
Back By Popular Demand
Probably not, but a few people asked why I wasn’t blogging this week when so much funny shit was happening. It’s not down to Krewe Du Vieux even though that’s eaten my month. According to my ISP “another entity” cut the cable serving my house and other users. My money is on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. There was a crew working way after dark Tuesday and they’re not known for their competence. I’ll be playing catch-up for a few days and then return to the Krewe Du Vieux bubble at the end of the week. I should post … Continue reading Back By Popular Demand
Year One or, a List of 15 Things, in No Particular Order, For My Daughter to Tell Her Therapist Someday
1. You ate a dust bunny last week. I probably could have stopped you and fished it out of your mouth, but I didn’t. 2. In my defense, I had fished the following things out of your mouth that very day: A water bottle cap, a feather from a pillow, seven pine needles, and the stuffed baby Jesus from the stuffed nativity scene your godmother gave you for Christmas. I was done fishing things out of your mouth. After you tried to eat Jesus I decided the next thing you ate would be your responsibility. 3. I laughed really hard when you … Continue reading Year One or, a List of 15 Things, in No Particular Order, For My Daughter to Tell Her Therapist Someday
Iraq War Facts: American Sniper and What We Verify
The Rude Pundit, being not rude but merely awake: Through it all, all the people he shoots (and, truly, Bradley Cooper seems like he’s acting in a different, much deeper film), all the scenes of him watching fellows soldiers get killed and wounded, all the psychological damage he does to his poor wife when he calls her during firefights, Kyle maintains a pathetic belief in the good of his mission and in the protection of his “brothers.” It has an effect on him – he suffers from PTSD – but the film wants us to believe that it was necessary. … Continue reading Iraq War Facts: American Sniper and What We Verify
Weekend Question Thread
Kick’s first birthday (!!!!) is tomorrow, so we’re hosting some folks at our place and watching a baby mush cake into her face. Are birthdays a big deal to you? After about age 10, my family kind of started to just go out to dinner instead of having cake and singing, but Mr. A’s family had birthdays as a week of festivities, like Mardi Gras. A. Continue reading Weekend Question Thread
Note to the NFL: Deflate Belichick’s balls
You have to cheat in the right way. That’s the take-away I’ve picked up from the NFL’s recent dealings with “Deflate-gate.” (Side note: Someone noted on my Facebook feed that they wish Nixon’s people had busted into a Double Tree Inn, as “Deflate-Tree” would have a much nicer ring to it. Me? I’d have liked it to be a Howard Johnson’s so we could call things “Deflate-Ho” or such.) The Patriots are no stranger to taking things to the edge. The “Spy-gate” scandal had finally petered out a year or two ago. In that one Coach Bill Belichick was found … Continue reading Note to the NFL: Deflate Belichick’s balls
Friday Ferretblogging: Flavor Edition
Bucky is delicious. A. Continue reading Friday Ferretblogging: Flavor Edition
The Tez Cruz Discount Doubletake
From Album 5 Not a particularly good week for the wingers — Tailgunner Ted fumbled pretty badly in his SOTU response and otherwise came off as decidedly not ready for prime time…and not in a good way. Joni Ernst regaled us with tales of growing up in poverty during the reign of Ronaldus Magnus, he who walked — minus bread bags on his feet — without sin. Meanwhile, across the pond good old PBJ played Minister of Silly Wonks, doubling down on something so ridiculous even Faux News had to admit they made it up (points for irony when you remember his … Continue reading The Tez Cruz Discount Doubletake
Be Just Like Everybody Else … Fail
Jay Rosen: ProPublica: what is the mission? Not to be “the number one provider and news and information” in blah, blah, blah region. Not: everything you need to know about… Or “all the news that’s…” No. It’s more tightly defined than that: Our work focuses exclusively on truly important stories, stories with “moral force.” We do this by producing journalism that shines a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong and on the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them. From whom is that statement of purpose rented? No one! They made it themselves. “Journalism … Continue reading Be Just Like Everybody Else … Fail
Album Cover Art Wednesday: A Date With Elvis
January 8th would have been the King’s 80th birthday so I’ve had Elvis on my mind. A Date With Elvis was issued in 1959 whilst he was in the army.It was, of course, when he went from being a menace to society to an all-American boy: Here’s the opening track. Not sure if it makes one want to date Elvis: Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: A Date With Elvis
SOTU Crack Van
First van in the new place, guys. Hold on tight. Update: Van closed. Thanks to all for being here. The minute the speech ended Wolf and Jake Tapper fell all over themselves to declare that it was just a bunch of words, and Republicans would be mean about it, and wasn’t this all just about 2016 anyway. Speeches are a bunch of words. It’s true. But imagine for a moment President John McCain up there. Imagine President Mitt Romney. Hell, you don’t have to imagine George W. Bush’s state of the union speeches. We lived through them: We’ve got the … Continue reading SOTU Crack Van
What Do YOU Want?
So tonight these are your choices: Continue reading What Do YOU Want?
None Of It Matters: SOTU Edition
For fuck’s sake, NPR, this is NOT HELPFUL: But on Tuesday Obama will try to use his speech to frame the debates for the next two years and set the table for the 2016 election. Here are five things to watch: 1. How does the president talk about the economy? [snip because HOW DOES HE TALK ABOUT IT, not WHAT DOES HE SAY] 2. What tone will he take toward Congress? [snip because THE TONE, which is critical as U.S. Goddamn Congress has delicate feelings which are easily hurt] 3. Will Obama challenge his own party? [snip because IT ONLY … Continue reading None Of It Matters: SOTU Edition
Satire is FUNNY
Okay, Joe Walsh: Former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) said during his radio show on Wednesday evening that his social media post earlier in the day calling for Islamic terrorists to “behead the cowards at CNN, MSNBC” and other news outlets was “satire.” Walsh was upset that numerous news outlets had refused to show cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad that were originally published by the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which was the target of a deadly terrorist attack last week. Two things: 1. I see the GOP’s strenuous defense of journalism continues. 2. Fuck this guy and fuck my … Continue reading Satire is FUNNY
In The Bubble
I haven’t been writing as much of late because I have been immersed in preparing for the upcoming Krewe du Vieux parade, which occurs in a mere 12 days. I’ve been more involved in Spank business this year; doing what I do best: pulling strings, trading favors, and generally operating behind the scenes. I am glad, however, that the smoke filled room is a thing of the past. I don’t know about you but smoke gets in my eyes. Dr. A and I escaped the bubble to suburbia to have lunch, do some big box shopping and to finally see Unbroken. … Continue reading In The Bubble
Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – gruesome grab-bag edition
Morning, everyone! Time to spin that airlock door wheel and do a quick roundup of threads that need to be addressed, but haven’t yet.
Starting with the most recent – Holder on – I’m coming!
Holder limits seized-asset sharing process that split billions with local, state police
Washington Post ^ | 16 Jan 2015 | Robert O’Harrow Jr., Sari Horwitz and Steven RichPosted on 1/16/2015 4:07:39 PM by oblomov
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Friday barred local and state police from using federal law to seize cash, cars and other property without proving that a crime occurred.
Holder’s action represents the most sweeping check on police power to confiscate personal property since the seizures began three decades ago as part of the war on drugs.
Since 2008, thousands of local and state police agencies have made more than 55,000 seizures of cash and property worth $3 billion under a civil asset forfeiture program at the Justice Department called Equitable Sharing.
The program has enabled local and state police to make seizures and then have them “adopted” by federal agencies, which share in the proceeds. The program allowed police departments and drug task forces to keep up to 80 percent of the proceeds of the adopted seizures, with the rest going to federal agencies.
“With this new policy, effective immediately, the Justice Department is taking an important step to prohibit federal agency adoptions of state and local seizures, except for public safety reasons,” Holder said in a statement.
Holder’s decision allows some limited exceptions, including illegal firearms, ammunition, explosives and property associated with child pornography, a small fraction of the total. This would eliminate virtually all cash and vehicle seizures made by local and state police from the program.
While police can continue to make seizures under their own state laws, the federal program was easy to use and required most of the proceeds from the seizures to go to local and state police departments. Many states require seized proceeds to go into the general fund.
****************************
Did pigs sprout wings while I was at work today? I agree with this wholeheartedly!
Did Freepers start favouring facts over preconceptions while I was taking a nap yesterday?
To: oblomovHe doesn’t want the competition stealing.
3 posted on 1/16/2015 4:11:13 PM by TheThirdRuffian (RINOS like Romney, McCain, Christie are sure losers. No more!)
Forget I asked.
To: oblomovWhy is the whole administration ruling by fiat?
Because ruling by Volvo is so 80s?
Why isn’t the republican oligarchy doing anything??5 posted on 1/16/2015 4:12:09 PM by aMorePerfectUnion ( “I didn’t leave the Central Oligarchy Party. It left me.” – Ronaldus Maximus)
One Freeper attempts to inject some sanity:
And is quickly shouted down:
To: Star Traveler
Well, well … one thing I back him on! I would have never thought this would happen.Very little has happened. The Feds can still seize cash (without any evidence of a crime) and the local LEOs can too.It’s just a matter of Holder wanting to dry up some of the seized money going to local LE.Holder and Obama don’t like local LE.
One Freeper stumbles over the obvious:
To: El Cid
Duh.
To: babygeneWon’t work… Take away the goodies from the locals and it will stop.OK, what is the racist, America-hating, commie agitator up to then?
Maybe the other posters were correct in that he is doing this as a feint, to diffuse the objections to his replacement that has a gross history of indulging in asset confiscation.
Double dumbass on you.
One more Freeper attempts to unjerk the collective knee:
To: El CidThis a good thing. In Wisconsin there is a formula on how seized property is distributed among various units of government. If a drug arrest is made under Federal Law the Arresting Department gets to keep the assets. We find many Police Departments are using the Federal law so they can keep the spoils.
40 posted on 1/17/2015 6:02:45 AM by Pardeeville Liberator
Rebuttal?
To: oblomovFirst you give them the heroin, let them get addicted, then you take it away.
They got all the lower levels of LE to out grow their local funding, now every state and local law enforcement organization will be supporting the bigger federal government candidates, so they can get federal grants from higher federal taxes.
We lose again.
33 posted on 1/16/2015 7:00:53 PM by Born to Conserve
And now – the post of the thread!
Continue reading “Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – gruesome grab-bag edition”