Friday Catblogging: Basket Case
Paul Drake is a large cat who is an expert at squeezing into small spaces. Continue reading Friday Catblogging: Basket Case
Month: June 2018
Ave Geezer
GOP paterfamilias Don Donald might be a cult leader…but the GOP faithful are the cult itself, and they’ve been bending their knees to his brand of vicious bigotry and authoritarianism for some time. Charles Pierce: I don’t mean to keep beating this tin drum as loudly as I have been, but I think it’s important to keep reminding people that the current president* is an aberrational modern Republican only in the crudeness of a) his rhetoric and, b) the way he wields his power. (Also, he’s something of a nut, which, in my experience, transcends politics anyway.) For example, as was … Continue reading Ave Geezer
Pulp Fiction Thursday: The Judas Cat
I’m not sure which of the covers below is from the first paperback edition. I have a guess, it’s the one with the old man and the cat. What’s a vintage pulp fiction cover without either a femme fatale or … Continue reading Pulp Fiction Thursday: The Judas Cat
Chiming In
I’m on the road and should zip my lip but I’m not very good at being silent when there’s this much news. I guess you’ve noticed that already. I prefer writing on the mighty Wurlitzer that is my desktop keyboard but a laptop will just have to do. I’m not, however, a fan of track pads. I find them user hostile and unatracktive… The G-7 summit was a Trumped up fiasco. Remember when even jerky American presidents made nice with our allies? How is it possible to fight with Canada, which currently has one of the most amiable leaders in … Continue reading Chiming In
Album Cover Art Wednesday: The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw
The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw is one of the best album titles ever. Pigboy Crabshaw was the nickname/alter ego of Elvin Bishop. Why anyone would want to be called Pigboy is beyond me, but I’m not from rural America like … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw
Tuesday Catblogging
The cats continue to just be the best, even if they destroy shit (Ada and my wineglasses) and refuse the expensive food we buy them in favor of trash-ass Fancy Feast (Slade). They play with each other pretty aggressively, not so much that I have to break it up, but Ada will sit underneath Slade and bat at and chew his tail until he’s forced to discipline her, and he’ll lie in wait and jump her as she wanders by. Then ten seconds later I find them like this. Silly kiddens. A. Continue reading Tuesday Catblogging
Keep Bashing Craigslist, It’s Sure to Work Any Day Now
Just stop it: It’s also a tacit (and appreciated) recognition of how Craigslist killed classified ads, the economic lifeblood of many local papers… https://t.co/uj4DZqGB0a — Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) June 11, 2018 So Craig Newmark gave a squillion dollars to CUNY’s J-school, which is more than any wealthy media organizations have ever done, and the Internet is full of Very Serious Journalists dunking on him like “thanks for destroying the industry and then giving us peanuts, asshole.” IT IS 2018. It is the year of our lord 2018 and Craigslist went online in 1995 and in 23 years the only solution … Continue reading Keep Bashing Craigslist, It’s Sure to Work Any Day Now
And Then?
Donald Trump is not gonna quit. Donald Trump is not gonna get impeached, tried, convicted and removed from office. Donald Trump is not gonna be indicted, probably. Stop fantasizing about these scenarios. Donald Trump will be president until 2020.* No matter what happens with Russia, no matter what happens with Congress. We have him for two more years, and we just have to handle that. You know why? I’M FUCKING READY TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF THOSE FUCKING LIBERAL BITCHES!!!! FUCK HOLLYWOOD!!!!! FUCK THE #GRAMMYs BUNCH OF BITCHES!!!! — Steve Trevino (@StTrevino) January 29, 2018 Because any other scenario … Continue reading And Then?
Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – Hearts and minds and hands and knees edition
Hi, people. Easing back into this thing, one thread only today – but it’s a pip.
Rudy Giuliani says Kim Jong-un got ‘on his hands and knees’ and begged for US-Korea summit
The Cairns Post ^ | June 6, 2018 | The Associated Press and News Corp. Australia NetworkPosted on 6/6/2018, 11:44:27 AM by 2ndDivisionVet
DONALD Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani says Kim Jong-un was so desperate for the meeting between the US and North Korea that he begged to reschedule it.
Mr Giuliani told a business conference in Israel that Mr Trump’s tough line had forced the North Korean leader’s hand.
Mr Giuliani said there was no choice but to cancel the June 12 summit after Kim insulted the US vice president and national security and threatened nuclear war.
“We said, ‘Well, we’re not going to have a summit under those circumstances,”’ Mr Giuliani said. “Well, Kim Jung-un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it, which is exactly the position you want to put him in.”(continued)
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And in the “Understatement of the year” finalists:
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Not. Helpful.
2 posted on 6/6/2018, 11:46:47 AM by Basket_of_Deplorables (Donate to Mike Flynn’s legal fund: https://mikeflynndefensefund.org/)
Ya think?
To: 2ndDivisionVet
If he was, how could you tell?
To: 2ndDivisionVet.Mr Giulianiis WAY ouside of his portfolio.
He HAS a portfolio????
To: 2ndDivisionVet
Shut this man up. Giuliani. Trump knows that KJU needs to save face in this meeting. Giuliani knows nothing about that concept.
7 posted on 6/6/2018, 11:50:23 AM by I want the USA back (Lying Media: willing and eager allies of the hate-America left.)
To: Basket_of_Deplorables
I’m feeling a consensus here….
To: 2ndDivisionVet
Sorry, Rudy, I loved ya at the WTC but…
this is not the kind of statement to make when you have potentially important negotiations pendingNot a good one, Rudy.
12 posted on 6/6/2018, 11:53:10 AM by faithhopecharity (“Politicans aren’t born, they’re excreted.” -Marcus Tillius Cicero (3 BCE))
To: 2ndDivisionVet
You know something? I don’t even have to comment any more. This shit literally writes itself.
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More mass Freeper facepalming after the “readus moreus”
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One Hundred Fifty Days
And then the rest of our lives, ladies and motherfuckers. The rest of our lives. … Republicans have, at best, continued to stand by and allow Trump to undermine and obstruct the FBI. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan acknowledged, on Wednesday, that there is no evidence to support Trump’s spying lies, but at a press conference Thursday, still defended the sham “oversight” that has been used to try and out a legitimate FBI informant. Trump’s abuses of power are frightening, but they would not be possible without the complicity of Republicans in Congress. One hundred and fifty days and then I don’t want to hear anymore … Continue reading One Hundred Fifty Days
SMV: Farewell To The World 20th Anniversary Concert
Crowded House week continues at First Draft. In 1996, Crowded House said farewell to the world by playing a show outside the Sydney Opera House. Since they regrouped in 2006, they decided to celebrate the earlier celebration on its 20th anniversary. How celebratory of them. Pop open some bubbly and enjoy. Continue reading SMV: Farewell To The World 20th Anniversary Concert
Saturday Odds & Sods: Saturday Sun
It feels like August outside as I write this with the ceiling fan whirring up above my head. It’s time to dispense with the weather report lest I sound whinier than I am. And I’m pretty damn whiny even though, unlike Della and Paul, I don’t have a fur coat to contend with. Paul Drake deals with his by shedding copiously. Della Street rages against the elements in her own way. She is one mouthy cat, y’all.
I may have cats on my mind but the rest of the city is obsessed with rats in a French Quarter eatery. There’s a viral video and everything. Oh wait, there’s always a viral video in 2018. As someone who worked in the Quarter for many years, the thought of rats near the Big Muddy is not shocking. I’m not planning to go to that restaurant but even good places with clean kitchens have the odd rat. Repeat after me: to live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough. She-doo-be.
The new Mayor is “being intentional” by launching a PR campaign dubbing New Orleans the City of Yes. In the immortal words of movie mogul Sam Goldwyn, include me out, unless it involves the veteran prog rock band. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell “being intentional” means. So it goes.
When I started this regular feature in 2015, I used songs about Saturday as theme songs for the first few weeks. Saturday Sun is one I somehow missed but I’ve had Neil Finn on my mind and in my ear of late. We have two versions for your listening pleasure: the promo video and a live performance on the BBC.
Now that we’ve basked in the Saturday Sun, it’s time to put on some sun screen and jump to the break.
Anthony Bourdain & Tee Eva Perry, R.I.P.
Depression is a horrible thing. From the outside, Anthony Bourdain was on the top of the world with a job he loved and more adventures on the horizon. The hoary aphorism “never judge a book by its cover” rings true … Continue reading Anthony Bourdain & Tee Eva Perry, R.I.P.
Friday Catblogging: Born Again Lap Cat
Della Street was an aloof cat for the first 9 years of her life. Our running joke was that she was Oscar’s cat and he was all she needed. Slowly but surely she became a lap cat: first with Dr. … Continue reading Friday Catblogging: Born Again Lap Cat
Scott Pruitt: Chickenshit Grifter
Watching Scotty Grift. Continue reading Scott Pruitt: Chickenshit Grifter
Worst Reality Television Ever
Each day brings a new “can you believe what this idiot said?” moment, notwithstanding that despite being a clown and a moron, Trump’s also bringing a history of hatred and bigotry, with real consequences for actual people…not that he or his base give a shit. But, and sorry to keep repeating, his base might be loyal, might be rabid, and certainly might be dangerous, but they’re not a majority and, despite the lazy narrative of the media, they’re not any more “the real Americans” than the rest of us…which means they can be outvoted come November…and goddamn, let’s hope that … Continue reading Worst Reality Television Ever
Pulp Fiction Thursday: James Meese
James Meese week continues at First Draft. He’s something of an internet man of mystery. I wasn’t able to learn much about him other than he was as short-lived as he was as prolific as a pulp fiction illustrator. I’ll … Continue reading Pulp Fiction Thursday: James Meese
Burning Down The (White) House
Donald Trump, amateur historian, has struck again: President Donald Trump reportedly justified the tariffs he placed on Canadian steel and aluminum by asking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a phone call: “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?” … Continue reading Burning Down The (White) House
You Say Jungle Primary, I Say Open Primary
There’s even a third alternative used to describe electoral systems such as California and the Gret Stet of Louisiana: top two. I prefer open but hate the system itself. It led to much advance agita about yesterday’s election in California. There is rare good news: Democrats were NOT locked out of any Congressional primaries. A collective sigh of relief was heaved, otherwise we might have hurled. I admit that I was surprised when California adopted an open primary system via ballot initiative in 2011. No state should emulate Gret Stet politics but they did. At least the California lege can pass … Continue reading You Say Jungle Primary, I Say Open Primary
Album Cover Art Wednesday: Reach Out
I hadn’t planned to do three consecutive Motown album covers in this space but that’s how it worked out. The cover is by painter James Meese who is best known for his pulp fiction paperback covers. As you can see, … Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Reach Out
Get In The Streets All You OTHER People
Jesus H, unless you are literally tweeting from the American streets, stop telling other people to get in the streets. And America isn’t in the streets. This is how stuff dies. https://t.co/CrgWEbyhAa — papabybike (@papabybike) June 5, 2018 Look, I am as outraged about Trump as anyone, and I’ve actually been in the streets multiple times in the past year, but I get irritated at revolutionaries who want to yell about how apathetic everybody ELSE is, like, charter a bus and sign people up, then. Stop being disgusted with the rest of us and set a damn example. And once … Continue reading Get In The Streets All You OTHER People
Tuesday Catblogging
Ada peeks out from under the afghan my great-aunt Marie made for me 40 years or so ago. My parents brought the thing with on their last visit and Ada has become completely enamored of it. She’ll sit outside the bedroom and yowl until allowed to come inside and snuggle up in it. A. Continue reading Tuesday Catblogging
It’s Good To Be Kaiser
The Kaiser of Chaos was feeling feisty this morning. He tweeted out a preposterous assertion of executive authority: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1003616210922147841 So, why tweet this if you’re a not guilty man? (Like “collusion,” “innocent” is not a legal term of art: please … Continue reading It’s Good To Be Kaiser
Trumpy Bear?
I thought of Henry Adams when I learned of the Trumpy Bear this morning on a friend’s Facebook feed. The grandson of our most brilliant president and great-grandson of Paul Giamatti famously said: “The progress of evolution from President Washington … Continue reading Trumpy Bear?
Separations
Kick has had the same caregiver since she was eight weeks old. We are unendingly blessed to have, in our life-with-newborn state of dazed terror, stumbled upon a woman who has spent the past four years filling our daughter’s life with joy and adventure. I fully believe this person puts my child’s happiness above her own on a daily basis and would stop at nothing to keep Kick from harm. She has keys to my house and we’ve borrowed each other’s cars and I trust her completely. Yet at least once a day I freak out at my desk because … Continue reading Separations
Saturday Odds & Sods: I Heard It Through The Grapevine
It’s been a long, hot pre-summer so far, which has me feeling languid and ennui laden. We went to an anniversary/hurricane season opening day party yesterday at Chez Homan. Long time readers might recall Michael as my blog nemesis. The feud is over and I won.
I’m still suffering withdrawal symptoms from the end of The Americans. A bit of Moscow summer weather sounds rather appealing at this point. Of course, they make you drink vodka so I’ll pass. I guess that makes me as stubborn as a Moscow Mule…
It’s too hot to be wordy so I’ll keep this snappy. I know, famous last words and all that shit.
This week’s theme song was written by the brilliant Motown songwriting team of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966. It was originally recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips but Marvin Gaye’s rendition was the bigger radio hit. It’s a foolproof song, which has been recorded many times over the years. We’re featuring Gladys, Marvin, and CCR today.
Now that we’ve shared some juicy gossip. lets find some shade and jump to the break.
Continue reading “Saturday Odds & Sods: I Heard It Through The Grapevine”
The Cheaper The Crook, The Gaudier The Patter
Thus spake Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon to the Fat Man’s gunsel Wilmer. Crime fiction buffs out there will recall that Wilmer was the patsy in that classic novel and movie. I thought of Spade’s put down of Wilmer … Continue reading The Cheaper The Crook, The Gaudier The Patter
Malaka Of The Week: Jesse Duplantis
Come fly with Malaka D. Continue reading Malaka Of The Week: Jesse Duplantis
Friday Catblogging: Porcelain Paul
Paul Drake is the first of our cats to spend much time in the bathroom. I guess it’s the whole shamus thing or is that shameless? Beats the hell outta me. Continue reading Friday Catblogging: Porcelain Paul