I usually kvetch about the weather on Saturday. I’m bending that rule and complaining today. It’s been cold, nasty, damp, and gray this week. It’s the kind of weather that usually visits New Orleans in January. It’s early this year, much like this irksome things post inspired by the lousy weather. In a word: Ugh.

Weather induced crankiness can only mean one thing: It’s time for some vexatious venting about irksome things.

We begin in New Orleans:

I’m irked that the much ballyhooed immigration sweep in South Louisiana has finally begun. I’m also irked that the MAGA DHS has two different mission names: Swamp Sweep and Catahoula Crunch.

It sucks either way, but the confusion gives me a chance to name drop Ira Gershwin: You say Swamp Sweep, I say Catahoula Crunch. Let’s call the whole thing off:

Let’s stay in the Gret Stet of Louisiana:

I’m irked that The Clownfish DBA Jeff Landry was behind LSU hiring his fellow selfish jerk, Lane Kiffin. He’s a coach who never met a bridge he didn’t burn. Who leaves a job with your team in the College Football Playoff? Lane Kiffin, that’s who.

I’m irked that Landry feigned fiscal outrage when Brian Kelly was fired. Kiffin has an even more egregious buyout clause than his predecessor. I’m sure it will come into play when the NFL comes calling for Kiffin and he resumes his career as a job hopper.

I’m irked that the New Orleans Pelicans continue to build the team around Zion Williamson. He’s always injured and has played in a mere 224 games in 7 years. He’s out of action again. Oy, just oy.

It’s time to get off the Zion Train:

I’m irked that the Trump administration is top heavy with grifters like David Sacks. He’s a Silicon Valley puke who is the regime’s AI and Crypto Creep. He’s formulating policies that benefit himself and his fellow tech moguls. But do they benefit Creeps Like Me?

I’m irked that Trump is sending his son-in-law to cut a peace deal with Putin. Jared Kushner claims to be a deal maker, but his mission is to sell out Ukraine. The only peace terms palatable to Putin are his own. Putin and Jared have something in common: They’re both creeps.

I’m irked that it has taken so long for the media to notice shit like this:

images of Trump dozing during today's cabinet meeting(Chip Somodevilla/Getty & Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty)

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-12-02T20:22:48.691Z

I’m irked that the Kaiser of Chaos is lobbying Israeli president Isaac Herzog for a pardon for Netanyahu. Bibi’s corruption trial has dragged on for years and Trump believes he’s suffered enough.  Corrupt pieces of shit gotta stick together. Here’s hoping President Herzog poses this question as he ponders a pardon:  

I’m irked that the British Labour government wants to limit the number of jury trials in criminal cases. You may have noticed that I still think like a criminal defense lawyer, so I’m big on the rights of the accused. The government has been forced to water the measure down but it’s disappointing that this was floated by Team Starmer. Why? Labour is running scared of the far right.

Finally, I’m irked to learn that anyone prefers Jim Carrey to Boris Karloff as the Grinch. Special effects be damned: I’m Team Karloff, now and forever.

The last word goes to Aimee Mann: