I got nuthin’ Open Thread

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by Ugh

The perpetual infrastructure week debacle is entertaining in an "OMFG look at that train wreck" dumpster fire-esque sort of way. I think.

I'm sure our deal-maker-yet-can't-get-the-hush-money-NDA-correct-in-chief will end up getting North Korea to… eh.  Maybe he'll end up like John McCain, tweeting about his visit with "Qadhafi" and how he is an "interesting man." "Wow, your people really love you little rocket man, we should do this in the United States.  How big are your military parades?"

Selection Sunday is, uh, Sunday, so let the Madness begin. My super tournament idea has yet to be adopted though.  Also they need to pay the players.

Finished Westworld, pretty good, although I wonder what they have in store for next season now that they seem to have gone through a lot of the mystery and intrigue (though the trailer looks awesome). 

What else? Bueller?  Open. Thread.

252 thoughts on “I got nuthin’ Open Thread”

  5. hsh. enriching himself at taxpayer expense was one of his campaign promises, right? or, maybe a liberal did something somewhere. either way, i’m sure there’s nothing to see.

  6. hsh. enriching himself at taxpayer expense was one of his campaign promises, right? or, maybe a liberal did something somewhere. either way, i’m sure there’s nothing to see.

  9. Speaking of Qadhafi, I suspect the North Koreans have noticed what can happen when you give up your nuclear weapons program.

  10. Speaking of Qadhafi, I suspect the North Koreans have noticed what can happen when you give up your nuclear weapons program.

  15. Waah waah waah waah left-tard cry babies still crying; can’t understand that reasonable people won’t accept their stupid ideas.
    Keep doubling down, idiots, please. It keeps good men like Trump in office.

  16. Waah waah waah waah left-tard cry babies still crying; can’t understand that reasonable people won’t accept their stupid ideas.
    Keep doubling down, idiots, please. It keeps good men like Trump in office.

  21. “What if Obama had done this?”
    He did, and then let Iran keep their nukes and paid them billions in cash. Your point?

  22. “What if Obama had done this?”
    He did, and then let Iran keep their nukes and paid them billions in cash. Your point?

  23. He did…
    I didn’t know he owned any office towers.
    And he didn’t “pay” Iran. It was Iranian money we had frozen.
    What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?

  24. He did…
    I didn’t know he owned any office towers.
    And he didn’t “pay” Iran. It was Iranian money we had frozen.
    What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?

  29. So nice when the Russian bots/wannabes show up here. Makes me appreciate the folks who at least bother to use fake facts to back up actual arguments.

  30. So nice when the Russian bots/wannabes show up here. Makes me appreciate the folks who at least bother to use fake facts to back up actual arguments.

  31. Weird hsh, I read it thinkong i was in the other thread so I lost all context. So, to answer your question, it has nothing to do with it.

  32. Weird hsh, I read it thinkong i was in the other thread so I lost all context. So, to answer your question, it has nothing to do with it.

  33. What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?
    It clearly shows that Trump is a canny businessman who knows intimately the needs and desires of his market.

  34. What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?
    It clearly shows that Trump is a canny businessman who knows intimately the needs and desires of his market.

  35. Wow. Gone 3 1/2 years (since October 2014) and “Mighty Whitey” is still the same bigoted twit he was then. That’s consistency!

  36. Wow. Gone 3 1/2 years (since October 2014) and “Mighty Whitey” is still the same bigoted twit he was then. That’s consistency!

  37. What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?
    Well, an extreme cynic** would say that it shows that he views his campaign fund the same as he views the government’s money: as an opportunity to enrich himself.
    ** Which I really do try not to be. But currently it’s a challenge.

  38. What the hell does that have to do with renting nearly empty rooms to your own campaign at donors’ expense (thereby neatly turning campaign money into personal money)?
    Well, an extreme cynic** would say that it shows that he views his campaign fund the same as he views the government’s money: as an opportunity to enrich himself.
    ** Which I really do try not to be. But currently it’s a challenge.

  39. So, open thread and all.
    My Congressman,Tom Garrett, is freedom caucus nazi (notice, GftNC, the small n). Lots of folks have stepped up to challenge him, although with gerrymandering, it’s going to be hard.
    I would encourage people in safe D districts to watch this race, and if you have extraterritorial money to spend, to consider putting some $$ here in VA’s 5th district.
    I’m supporting RD Huffstetler in the primary (which is actually, weirdly, a caucus).
    His wife just had a baby, and I saw them all today. A beautiful family. Authentic and optimistic. Young and hopeful.
    His ad seems a bit much, but it’s actually him. His wife is from CA, the Bay Area. Go figure. He’s the real thing from the furniture belt.
    He’s facing, in the primary, other incredibly great D’s. I’ll be back to voice my support for the one who gets the D nomination, with all my energy. Yes, I’m a partisan. For now, go RD!

  40. So, open thread and all.
    My Congressman,Tom Garrett, is freedom caucus nazi (notice, GftNC, the small n). Lots of folks have stepped up to challenge him, although with gerrymandering, it’s going to be hard.
    I would encourage people in safe D districts to watch this race, and if you have extraterritorial money to spend, to consider putting some $$ here in VA’s 5th district.
    I’m supporting RD Huffstetler in the primary (which is actually, weirdly, a caucus).
    His wife just had a baby, and I saw them all today. A beautiful family. Authentic and optimistic. Young and hopeful.
    His ad seems a bit much, but it’s actually him. His wife is from CA, the Bay Area. Go figure. He’s the real thing from the furniture belt.
    He’s facing, in the primary, other incredibly great D’s. I’ll be back to voice my support for the one who gets the D nomination, with all my energy. Yes, I’m a partisan. For now, go RD!

  41. We have two shots out here at displacing R congresscritters with real human beings. Neither my district so I support from afar. I am also donating to Beto in Texas. I am kind of confused about Ryan’s district in WIsconsin I see FB ads regulary for two different people who seem to be running against Ryan and neither efer mentions the other. A very politie primary race between Dems?

  42. We have two shots out here at displacing R congresscritters with real human beings. Neither my district so I support from afar. I am also donating to Beto in Texas. I am kind of confused about Ryan’s district in WIsconsin I see FB ads regulary for two different people who seem to be running against Ryan and neither efer mentions the other. A very politie primary race between Dems?

  45. The challenge in California is our “top two” primary system. Usually, especially in statewide elections, it ends up with no Republicans on the ballot. But in the several Congressional districts where Republicans are vulnerable, there are so many Democrats on the ballot splitting the vote that those districts could end up choosing between two Republicans in November.
    Of course one may hope that the relatively sane Republican will win in those cases. But the prospect of Nunes or Rohrbacher getting reelected, when they are eminently defeatable, is irritating.

  46. The challenge in California is our “top two” primary system. Usually, especially in statewide elections, it ends up with no Republicans on the ballot. But in the several Congressional districts where Republicans are vulnerable, there are so many Democrats on the ballot splitting the vote that those districts could end up choosing between two Republicans in November.
    Of course one may hope that the relatively sane Republican will win in those cases. But the prospect of Nunes or Rohrbacher getting reelected, when they are eminently defeatable, is irritating.

  47. Since it’s an open thread: I know we don’t usually post twitter threads, but this 20-tweet thread (from hilzoy’s feed) by David Roberts of Vox seems such an excellent analysis of today’s conservatism, and its mouthpieces, that I thought some might like to read it. I was particularly struck by tweets #14 and #15, which seemed to me an exact description of what our house conservatives (Marty and particularly McKinney) so often do, but giving context.
    https://twitter.com/drvox/status/972915124032888832

  48. Since it’s an open thread: I know we don’t usually post twitter threads, but this 20-tweet thread (from hilzoy’s feed) by David Roberts of Vox seems such an excellent analysis of today’s conservatism, and its mouthpieces, that I thought some might like to read it. I was particularly struck by tweets #14 and #15, which seemed to me an exact description of what our house conservatives (Marty and particularly McKinney) so often do, but giving context.
    https://twitter.com/drvox/status/972915124032888832

  53. I really wish that Roberts, in his attempt to recognize reality, had taken the next step. What he describes is not a conservative worldview but a reactionary one.
    Granted, the reactionary view has appropriated the label. But realism requires acknowledging that. Granted also that reaction has largely taken over the Republican Party, and the behavior of GOP politicians reflects that reality. But still — reality.
    At that point, there is still a reason for the NYT to recruit a real (as opposed to label) conservative. Conservatism may be mostly relocated to the Democratic Party. But it remains a different view than the liberal one. It’s worthy of consideration, and a platform to make its case.

  54. I really wish that Roberts, in his attempt to recognize reality, had taken the next step. What he describes is not a conservative worldview but a reactionary one.
    Granted, the reactionary view has appropriated the label. But realism requires acknowledging that. Granted also that reaction has largely taken over the Republican Party, and the behavior of GOP politicians reflects that reality. But still — reality.
    At that point, there is still a reason for the NYT to recruit a real (as opposed to label) conservative. Conservatism may be mostly relocated to the Democratic Party. But it remains a different view than the liberal one. It’s worthy of consideration, and a platform to make its case.

  55. It’s worthy of consideration, and a platform to make its case.
    sure.
    but i think he’s right in that the NYT’s attempt to give Republicans representation on their opinion page is failing because the old-school conservatives they publish are a minority in the GOP. the actual GOP isn’t David Brooks, it’s Hannitized Foxy Trumpism. the NYT isn’t educating anyone by pretending its conservatives are representative.

  56. It’s worthy of consideration, and a platform to make its case.
    sure.
    but i think he’s right in that the NYT’s attempt to give Republicans representation on their opinion page is failing because the old-school conservatives they publish are a minority in the GOP. the actual GOP isn’t David Brooks, it’s Hannitized Foxy Trumpism. the NYT isn’t educating anyone by pretending its conservatives are representative.

  57. Agreed that they should be clear that they are offering a conservative perspective, not GOP one. And, from my perspective, they would be doing a service by publicly making that distinction.

  58. Agreed that they should be clear that they are offering a conservative perspective, not GOP one. And, from my perspective, they would be doing a service by publicly making that distinction.

  63. liberals – not to be confused with elites! or, gasp! neo-liberals!
    conservatives – not to be confused with reactionaries!
    nazis and/or fascists – hey, some of them are “good people”!
    socialists – not be be confused with Communists!
    communists – dirty ‘effing hippy Stalinists.

  64. liberals – not to be confused with elites! or, gasp! neo-liberals!
    conservatives – not to be confused with reactionaries!
    nazis and/or fascists – hey, some of them are “good people”!
    socialists – not be be confused with Communists!
    communists – dirty ‘effing hippy Stalinists.

  65. I must be one of wj’s real conservatives, since he and I seldom disagree.
    As a real conservative, BTW, I can’t see the point of twitter. At least not of twitter “threads”. Dave Barry once dismissed usenet as “just CB radio, but with more typing”. Twitter with more (and more) typing seems like usenet with hard breaks inserted every 280 characters. That twitter has become popular with kidz today fills me with resentment.
    –TP

  66. I must be one of wj’s real conservatives, since he and I seldom disagree.
    As a real conservative, BTW, I can’t see the point of twitter. At least not of twitter “threads”. Dave Barry once dismissed usenet as “just CB radio, but with more typing”. Twitter with more (and more) typing seems like usenet with hard breaks inserted every 280 characters. That twitter has become popular with kidz today fills me with resentment.
    –TP

  67. conservatives — TO be confused with “elites”. Or at least we like to think so. (But that’s one way to easily tell that we’re not part of what today’s GOP considers its base.)

  68. conservatives — TO be confused with “elites”. Or at least we like to think so. (But that’s one way to easily tell that we’re not part of what today’s GOP considers its base.)

  69. Yeah, what ever happened to those “Country Club Republicans”? I guess their in some other dimension battling the Dixiecrats.

  70. Yeah, what ever happened to those “Country Club Republicans”? I guess their in some other dimension battling the Dixiecrats.

  73. I’m sure it ought to be possible to be elite, while have zero interest in country clubs (or golf in general). It really ought to be….

  74. I’m sure it ought to be possible to be elite, while have zero interest in country clubs (or golf in general). It really ought to be….

  75. Tony P: apologies on the twitter thread. But I still thought it was a pretty good, concise way to make a good point. FWIW, I rarely disagree with you or wj either, and according to that questionnaire many of us filled in months ago, I am a dyed-in-the-wool liberal!

  76. Tony P: apologies on the twitter thread. But I still thought it was a pretty good, concise way to make a good point. FWIW, I rarely disagree with you or wj either, and according to that questionnaire many of us filled in months ago, I am a dyed-in-the-wool liberal!

  79. Yup. Just watching the current debate in Parliament on developments and next steps. Russia is a gangster state, led by a thug who (probably) owns your POTUS. O brave new world.

  80. Yup. Just watching the current debate in Parliament on developments and next steps. Russia is a gangster state, led by a thug who (probably) owns your POTUS. O brave new world.

  81. I think it is also wrong to describe the US Right as simply reactionary since that would imply a specific state they would want to return to. That is only partially correct in that they want to eliminate certain ‘progressive’ developments but completely incorrect that they would also restore certain other elements that got lost.
    The reactionaries of the past also insisted on certain standards applied to themselves (not just to others). We might not agree with the value system behind that but it was there. The modern Right (and the Nazis were part of that while most other fascist states were not) defines itself to a degree in opposition to the old reactionaries (e.g. the paleoconservatives) and an important part was/is the abandonment of the self-imposed rules for the rulers.
    The current GOP differs from its (not even that far) ancestry by its eagerness to scrap standards of behaviour, in some cases for the sake of it.
    Similar things can be observed on the extreme Left but this is less relevant here since it lacks the power currently to enact its own ‘rules are for suckas’ regime.

  82. I think it is also wrong to describe the US Right as simply reactionary since that would imply a specific state they would want to return to. That is only partially correct in that they want to eliminate certain ‘progressive’ developments but completely incorrect that they would also restore certain other elements that got lost.
    The reactionaries of the past also insisted on certain standards applied to themselves (not just to others). We might not agree with the value system behind that but it was there. The modern Right (and the Nazis were part of that while most other fascist states were not) defines itself to a degree in opposition to the old reactionaries (e.g. the paleoconservatives) and an important part was/is the abandonment of the self-imposed rules for the rulers.
    The current GOP differs from its (not even that far) ancestry by its eagerness to scrap standards of behaviour, in some cases for the sake of it.
    Similar things can be observed on the extreme Left but this is less relevant here since it lacks the power currently to enact its own ‘rules are for suckas’ regime.

  83. I think it is also wrong to describe the US Right as simply reactionary since that would imply a specific state they would want to return to.
    what they want is to make the US the opposite of whatever they imagine the left wants.

  84. I think it is also wrong to describe the US Right as simply reactionary since that would imply a specific state they would want to return to.
    what they want is to make the US the opposite of whatever they imagine the left wants.

  85. Maybe we need to send Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on a barnstorming tour of the country to advocate for the exact opposite of what sane people should consider to be the best policies. Then we can all feign horror when the GOP becomes hell-bent on enacting the policies we’d secretly like to be put in place.
    Mandatory school prayer! Cut taxes even more! End all environmental regulations! Let the banks do whatever they want! Outlaw abortion AND birth control! Double military spending! Abolish Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid! Liberals love this stuff!

  86. Maybe we need to send Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on a barnstorming tour of the country to advocate for the exact opposite of what sane people should consider to be the best policies. Then we can all feign horror when the GOP becomes hell-bent on enacting the policies we’d secretly like to be put in place.
    Mandatory school prayer! Cut taxes even more! End all environmental regulations! Let the banks do whatever they want! Outlaw abortion AND birth control! Double military spending! Abolish Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid! Liberals love this stuff!

  87. GftNC,
    My snark about twitter was absolutely NOT aimed at you! In fact I clicked on your link immediately, and enjoyed reading it. My only point was to lament the decline of the essay form in favor of this newfangled tweet thing.
    Meanwhile I wish George Smiley was a real person, right about now.
    Meanwhile, too: the Austin mail bomber appears to be targeting black people. Can’t wait to learn his voting record.
    –TP

  88. GftNC,
    My snark about twitter was absolutely NOT aimed at you! In fact I clicked on your link immediately, and enjoyed reading it. My only point was to lament the decline of the essay form in favor of this newfangled tweet thing.
    Meanwhile I wish George Smiley was a real person, right about now.
    Meanwhile, too: the Austin mail bomber appears to be targeting black people. Can’t wait to learn his voting record.
    –TP

  89. In mixed news: there are attempts on the Right to accuse Hillary Clinton of being behind the London spy poisonings.
    Don’t they know that witches use the Evil Eye or at best batrachotoxins not artificial nerve agents?

  90. In mixed news: there are attempts on the Right to accuse Hillary Clinton of being behind the London spy poisonings.
    Don’t they know that witches use the Evil Eye or at best batrachotoxins not artificial nerve agents?

  91. Obviously “evil eye” was what you called nerve gas poisonings in the days before people knew about nerve gases. Obviously.

  92. Obviously “evil eye” was what you called nerve gas poisonings in the days before people knew about nerve gases. Obviously.

  95. Not sure even Hillary has access to Novichok agents.
    I think we can confidently put this one down to the murderous thug in the Kremlin.

  96. Not sure even Hillary has access to Novichok agents.
    I think we can confidently put this one down to the murderous thug in the Kremlin.

  97. today’s word of the day is: Novichok
    I guessed as much the day after the attack given they were struggling to identify the chemical – and Porton Down is just up the road.

  98. today’s word of the day is: Novichok
    I guessed as much the day after the attack given they were struggling to identify the chemical – and Porton Down is just up the road.

  99. what’s fun is if you google “Hillary Russian poison”, you see that people were wondering if Trump and Russia had poisoned Hillary, when she was sick during the campaign.

  100. what’s fun is if you google “Hillary Russian poison”, you see that people were wondering if Trump and Russia had poisoned Hillary, when she was sick during the campaign.

  101. cleek, that’s the first name that comes up but if you ask me it would have been surprising, if that charge had not been made by someone on that end of the spectrum.
    Nigel, of course. But the current official talking point is that Hillary is the one always colluding with the Russians and just projecting on Trump. Just like her running a kiddie prawn ring from the basement of that pizzeria (which has no basement btw) while accusing Trump of sekshual miss con duct.

  102. cleek, that’s the first name that comes up but if you ask me it would have been surprising, if that charge had not been made by someone on that end of the spectrum.
    Nigel, of course. But the current official talking point is that Hillary is the one always colluding with the Russians and just projecting on Trump. Just like her running a kiddie prawn ring from the basement of that pizzeria (which has no basement btw) while accusing Trump of sekshual miss con duct.

  103. “kiddie prawn ring from the basement of that pizzeria”
    I’ll take anchovies with that.

  104. “kiddie prawn ring from the basement of that pizzeria”
    I’ll take anchovies with that.

  115. if you google “Hillary Russian poison”, you see that people were wondering if Trump and Russia had poisoned Hillary
    She poisoned herself in a clumsy play for sympathy.
    Fortunately, we all saw through it.
    Bring it the fuck on.
    The future for the Onion is looking bleak. In America, we parody ourselves.

  116. if you google “Hillary Russian poison”, you see that people were wondering if Trump and Russia had poisoned Hillary
    She poisoned herself in a clumsy play for sympathy.
    Fortunately, we all saw through it.
    Bring it the fuck on.
    The future for the Onion is looking bleak. In America, we parody ourselves.

  121. Dupes among us, all around. Your neighbors, your friends, your family members. Towing the Party line. Populating the conservative husk all these decades, while we slept.
    https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018/03/12/how-putin-courted-the-groups-that-became-trumps-base/
    Senator McCarthy would have his hands full today, far beyond his tiny imagination.
    Maybe HE was one of them, like Ayn Rand, one of the first of the stinkbugs.
    All was foretold, but America, that dumb shit, misinterpreted the message:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n541A3Q7xFw
    It started in Reagan country. Santa Mira, the fake news town.
    NRA staff and members, republican politicians and media and the evangelical right placing the alien seed pods in basements and the trunks of cars across the country to infest the population, one by one, night after night.
    Show no emotion.
    It’s the dead giveaway of our humanity and the enemy infestation will destroy you for it, which is what they mean when they warn you that is too soon to talk about it.

  122. Dupes among us, all around. Your neighbors, your friends, your family members. Towing the Party line. Populating the conservative husk all these decades, while we slept.
    https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018/03/12/how-putin-courted-the-groups-that-became-trumps-base/
    Senator McCarthy would have his hands full today, far beyond his tiny imagination.
    Maybe HE was one of them, like Ayn Rand, one of the first of the stinkbugs.
    All was foretold, but America, that dumb shit, misinterpreted the message:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n541A3Q7xFw
    It started in Reagan country. Santa Mira, the fake news town.
    NRA staff and members, republican politicians and media and the evangelical right placing the alien seed pods in basements and the trunks of cars across the country to infest the population, one by one, night after night.
    Show no emotion.
    It’s the dead giveaway of our humanity and the enemy infestation will destroy you for it, which is what they mean when they warn you that is too soon to talk about it.

  123. From the Count’s Town Hall link, we have this threat from some dude named Schlichter:
    Remember what two untrained idiots did in Boston with a couple of pistols? They shut a city down.
    And where are they now? Wanna trade places with Dzokhar in the Florence Supermax?
    I’ve been listening to jerks like this guy fantasize about the Second Civil War for 15 years now. I never thought I’d see them seize on the Tsarnayev’s as role models.
    Live and learn.

  124. From the Count’s Town Hall link, we have this threat from some dude named Schlichter:
    Remember what two untrained idiots did in Boston with a couple of pistols? They shut a city down.
    And where are they now? Wanna trade places with Dzokhar in the Florence Supermax?
    I’ve been listening to jerks like this guy fantasize about the Second Civil War for 15 years now. I never thought I’d see them seize on the Tsarnayev’s as role models.
    Live and learn.

  125. Bring it the fuck on
    I was particularly struck by the line about how the Democrats lost the Civil War, and would lose the next one. Cheerfully ignoring the fact that the Democrats who lost the first one are all Republicans now. So he’s half right: the same people who lost the first one would lose another one. Only the labels have changed.
    Those who are (determinedly) ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it.

  126. Bring it the fuck on
    I was particularly struck by the line about how the Democrats lost the Civil War, and would lose the next one. Cheerfully ignoring the fact that the Democrats who lost the first one are all Republicans now. So he’s half right: the same people who lost the first one would lose another one. Only the labels have changed.
    Those who are (determinedly) ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it.

  127. TPM has a reporter in federal court where Kobach and Kansas are defending their voter id law. The reporter is doing multiple small updates per day. Kobach’s office decided to do their own defense, rather than bring in the state AG or outside counsel. Reads like that decision has bit them in the butt, with the judge dressing them down repeatedly over rules of evidence, federal court procedure, etc.

  128. TPM has a reporter in federal court where Kobach and Kansas are defending their voter id law. The reporter is doing multiple small updates per day. Kobach’s office decided to do their own defense, rather than bring in the state AG or outside counsel. Reads like that decision has bit them in the butt, with the judge dressing them down repeatedly over rules of evidence, federal court procedure, etc.

  131. I have little sympathy for Californian politics and politicians who seem determined to take a ride with Thelma & Louise. I do like that they’re thumbing their noses/giving the finger to the Feds.

  132. I have little sympathy for Californian politics and politicians who seem determined to take a ride with Thelma & Louise. I do like that they’re thumbing their noses/giving the finger to the Feds.

  137. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are setting bombs off in Austin, Texas:
    https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/03/12/far-right-media-immediately-float-conspiracy-theories-about-austin-bombings/219610
    What are filthy vermin conservative republicans going to do about this?
    Surely the arrests of the liberals, millions of them across the country, are in order.
    C’mon, patriots, do something with those gunsfor a change, instead of just whacking off to them

  138. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are setting bombs off in Austin, Texas:
    https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/03/12/far-right-media-immediately-float-conspiracy-theories-about-austin-bombings/219610
    What are filthy vermin conservative republicans going to do about this?
    Surely the arrests of the liberals, millions of them across the country, are in order.
    C’mon, patriots, do something with those gunsfor a change, instead of just whacking off to them

  141. Kobach’s office decided to do their own defense, rather than bring in the state AG or outside counsel. Reads like that decision has bit them in the butt, with the judge dressing them down repeatedly over rules of evidence, federal court procedure, etc.
    Well, if it’s an article of faith that all expertise is bogus, then of course you can represent yourself! (And be astounded when you lose….)

  142. Kobach’s office decided to do their own defense, rather than bring in the state AG or outside counsel. Reads like that decision has bit them in the butt, with the judge dressing them down repeatedly over rules of evidence, federal court procedure, etc.
    Well, if it’s an article of faith that all expertise is bogus, then of course you can represent yourself! (And be astounded when you lose….)

  143. I admit to being torn on the representing-yourself issue. There’s something wrong if defending yourself in court requires that you have to hire $300+/hr professionals just to get the procedures right, so the evidence is “admissible”.

  144. I admit to being torn on the representing-yourself issue. There’s something wrong if defending yourself in court requires that you have to hire $300+/hr professionals just to get the procedures right, so the evidence is “admissible”.

  145. Every field has bits of expert knowledge that you need to work effectively in it. So it’s no wonder if law does, too.
    I would agree that you ought to be able to represent yourself, at least if you are willing to ask for (and take) advice from the judge on process details. Which, it appears, they weren’t.
    I would also say that, if you are representing the state, you ought to have a clue what you are doing — which is to say, you’ve got experts (e.g. that state AG) available (and paid for already), so why the hell aren’t you using them?

  146. Every field has bits of expert knowledge that you need to work effectively in it. So it’s no wonder if law does, too.
    I would agree that you ought to be able to represent yourself, at least if you are willing to ask for (and take) advice from the judge on process details. Which, it appears, they weren’t.
    I would also say that, if you are representing the state, you ought to have a clue what you are doing — which is to say, you’ve got experts (e.g. that state AG) available (and paid for already), so why the hell aren’t you using them?

  147. I admit to being torn on the representing-yourself issue.
    What we need is a social grievance procedure that is fair, relatively swift, and inexpensive…you know, just like unions routinely bargain for in the workplace.
    But I guess that is a bridge too far for many…you know, union “thugs”(but no!!!!!Never capitalist thugs!!!), Jimmy Hoffa, shady Italian mob bosses, communist organizers, you know, the usual shit.

  148. I admit to being torn on the representing-yourself issue.
    What we need is a social grievance procedure that is fair, relatively swift, and inexpensive…you know, just like unions routinely bargain for in the workplace.
    But I guess that is a bridge too far for many…you know, union “thugs”(but no!!!!!Never capitalist thugs!!!), Jimmy Hoffa, shady Italian mob bosses, communist organizers, you know, the usual shit.

  151. I’ve been listening to jerks like this guy fantasize about the Second Civil War for 15 years now.
    but remember, the REAL problem is college kids who don’t like listening to professional right wing trolls on their campus.

  152. I’ve been listening to jerks like this guy fantasize about the Second Civil War for 15 years now.
    but remember, the REAL problem is college kids who don’t like listening to professional right wing trolls on their campus.

  153. Maybe the Kansas AG was just as happy to be relieved of the task.
    The quotes I’ve seen from the AG could be summarized as “We were not approached…” I think it’s fairly clear that Korbach believes, both for the federal commission and for this court case, that he was told “The fix is in. You don’t even have to put up an appearance of being reasonable.” As it turns out, someone badly misjudged what the courts would think/do.

  154. Maybe the Kansas AG was just as happy to be relieved of the task.
    The quotes I’ve seen from the AG could be summarized as “We were not approached…” I think it’s fairly clear that Korbach believes, both for the federal commission and for this court case, that he was told “The fix is in. You don’t even have to put up an appearance of being reasonable.” As it turns out, someone badly misjudged what the courts would think/do.

  155. The Confederates are counting on help from Putin in Civil War Two.
    Listen up, my fellow Americans: if you do not vote for the Democrat in every race, at every level, in which you are eligible to vote, until He, Trump and his enablers are locked up (prison or psycho ward, depending) then you are in some measure a traitor to the United States.
    Cry me a river if it makes you feel better. But don’t pretend either you or I are too stupid to recognize the Putin-Confederate alliance against the US and its institutions.
    And cheer up: not all Democrats are librul do-gooders. Plenty of them even deserve to be replaced by sane Republicans if and when such creatures come back from near-extinction. But the surest way to guarantee the final extinction of sane Republicans is to allow the Putin-Confederate party to continue in power.
    We can go back to debating “conservative” versus “liberal” policies on Social Security and environmental regulation, not to mention abortion and taxes, AFTER the US government is back in American hands.
    –TP

  156. The Confederates are counting on help from Putin in Civil War Two.
    Listen up, my fellow Americans: if you do not vote for the Democrat in every race, at every level, in which you are eligible to vote, until He, Trump and his enablers are locked up (prison or psycho ward, depending) then you are in some measure a traitor to the United States.
    Cry me a river if it makes you feel better. But don’t pretend either you or I are too stupid to recognize the Putin-Confederate alliance against the US and its institutions.
    And cheer up: not all Democrats are librul do-gooders. Plenty of them even deserve to be replaced by sane Republicans if and when such creatures come back from near-extinction. But the surest way to guarantee the final extinction of sane Republicans is to allow the Putin-Confederate party to continue in power.
    We can go back to debating “conservative” versus “liberal” policies on Social Security and environmental regulation, not to mention abortion and taxes, AFTER the US government is back in American hands.
    –TP

  157. I dont think that Republican politicians are reactionaries. I think they are authoritarians who would very much like the US to be a kleptocracy like Russia. The base–they are primitives. They are cave people, basically. They think that their tribe is entitled to be at the front of the bus and they think that government exists to serve them (only them) and from that standpoint of entitlement, they perceive everyone else as a threat. Their primary issue is their need to feel that they are the favored ones. Republican politicians play on that. That’s how I see it.

  158. I dont think that Republican politicians are reactionaries. I think they are authoritarians who would very much like the US to be a kleptocracy like Russia. The base–they are primitives. They are cave people, basically. They think that their tribe is entitled to be at the front of the bus and they think that government exists to serve them (only them) and from that standpoint of entitlement, they perceive everyone else as a threat. Their primary issue is their need to feel that they are the favored ones. Republican politicians play on that. That’s how I see it.

  159. That’s how I see it.
    to be honest, I think it really just comes down to cleeks law.
    if the (D)’s were pro-gun, they’d be against ’em.
    if the (D)’s wanted to build the wall, they’d swear a solemn vow to tear it down.
    if the (D)’s wanted to utterly abolish personal income and corporate taxes, they’d find a way to embrace Eisenhower era tax rates.

  160. That’s how I see it.
    to be honest, I think it really just comes down to cleeks law.
    if the (D)’s were pro-gun, they’d be against ’em.
    if the (D)’s wanted to build the wall, they’d swear a solemn vow to tear it down.
    if the (D)’s wanted to utterly abolish personal income and corporate taxes, they’d find a way to embrace Eisenhower era tax rates.

  167. Tillerson…
    A day after backing the UK over the suspected Russian attack – gives us a nice warm feeling…
    I note you now have a torturer in charge of the CIA, too.
    And what’s with John McEntee being slung out without even his jacket ?

  168. Tillerson…
    A day after backing the UK over the suspected Russian attack – gives us a nice warm feeling…
    I note you now have a torturer in charge of the CIA, too.
    And what’s with John McEntee being slung out without even his jacket ?

  169. Tillerson was also a voice for caution/relative sanity regarding the North Korea summit. Which, as much as anything, may explain the timing of his departure.
    Trump on Tillerson: “I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service. A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months.” I’m trying to figure out what, other than the hollowing out of the State Department, was accomplished. Anybody got any insights?

  170. Tillerson was also a voice for caution/relative sanity regarding the North Korea summit. Which, as much as anything, may explain the timing of his departure.
    Trump on Tillerson: “I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service. A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months.” I’m trying to figure out what, other than the hollowing out of the State Department, was accomplished. Anybody got any insights?

  171. Tillerson must have shown unacceptable signs of competence.
    I hope the nomination of Haspel as head of the CIA is resisted with everything civilised politicians in the USA have got. She ought to be on trial instead.

  172. Tillerson must have shown unacceptable signs of competence.
    I hope the nomination of Haspel as head of the CIA is resisted with everything civilised politicians in the USA have got. She ought to be on trial instead.

  173. I hope the nomination of Haspel as head of the CIA is resisted with everything civilised politicians in the USA have got. She ought to be on trial instead.
    With the current majority of GOP lickspittles? She’ll not only be confirmed, they’ll cover her in rose petals and say she’s the very model of a modern spy manager.

  174. I hope the nomination of Haspel as head of the CIA is resisted with everything civilised politicians in the USA have got. She ought to be on trial instead.
    With the current majority of GOP lickspittles? She’ll not only be confirmed, they’ll cover her in rose petals and say she’s the very model of a modern spy manager.

  175. I know nothing of Haspel. But being a worse choice than Sen Cotton, who was apparently getting serious consideration, would be difficult.

  176. I know nothing of Haspel. But being a worse choice than Sen Cotton, who was apparently getting serious consideration, would be difficult.

  179. I doubt it – she was confirmed as deputy at the CIA despite *vehement protests from some in the Senate. She’ll be confirmed.
    (*Sheldon Whitehouse:
    “I am especially concerned by reports that this individual was involved in the unauthorized destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes, which documented the CIA’s use of torture against two CIA detainees. My colleagues Senators Wyden and Heinrich have stated that classified information details why the newly appointed Deputy Director is ‘unsuitable’ for the position and have requested that this information be declassified. I join their request…”)
    Meanwhile, Trump leaves us twisting in the wind;
    https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/973553670892802050
    “As soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we’ll condemn Russia.”

  180. I doubt it – she was confirmed as deputy at the CIA despite *vehement protests from some in the Senate. She’ll be confirmed.
    (*Sheldon Whitehouse:
    “I am especially concerned by reports that this individual was involved in the unauthorized destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes, which documented the CIA’s use of torture against two CIA detainees. My colleagues Senators Wyden and Heinrich have stated that classified information details why the newly appointed Deputy Director is ‘unsuitable’ for the position and have requested that this information be declassified. I join their request…”)
    Meanwhile, Trump leaves us twisting in the wind;
    https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/973553670892802050
    “As soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we’ll condemn Russia.”

  181. I know nothing of Haspel.
    it’s a safe bet that anyone nominated by the worst President in history will be terrible.

  182. I know nothing of Haspel.
    it’s a safe bet that anyone nominated by the worst President in history will be terrible.

  183. It’s a safe bet that anyone nominated by the worst President in history will be terrible.
    A safe bet, certainly. But not a sure thing. Even Trump can make mistakes in his quest to surround himself with people more incompetent than he is.

  184. It’s a safe bet that anyone nominated by the worst President in history will be terrible.
    A safe bet, certainly. But not a sure thing. Even Trump can make mistakes in his quest to surround himself with people more incompetent than he is.

  189. That leaves the chief of staff, McMaster (spelling?)to leave or be relieved. Rumors have been circulating for some time now that he is soon to be replaced by John ‘Yosemite Sam’ Bolton.

  190. That leaves the chief of staff, McMaster (spelling?)to leave or be relieved. Rumors have been circulating for some time now that he is soon to be replaced by John ‘Yosemite Sam’ Bolton.

  191. Haspel’s background is a feature, not a bug.
    I was highly skeptical of Tillerson, but IMO he was a respectable Sec of State. He took the job and his responsibilities seriously. Not much more you can ask. I’m sorry he’s out. I expect Pompeo to be a disaster.
    Another three years of this to go, y’all.

  192. Haspel’s background is a feature, not a bug.
    I was highly skeptical of Tillerson, but IMO he was a respectable Sec of State. He took the job and his responsibilities seriously. Not much more you can ask. I’m sorry he’s out. I expect Pompeo to be a disaster.
    Another three years of this to go, y’all.

  193. I was highly skeptical of Tillerson, but IMO he was a respectable Sec of State. He took the job and his responsibilities seriously. Not much more you can ask. I’m sorry he’s out.
    God knows I hate to disagree with you, russell, but an old friend of mine retired from the senior foreign service of the State Department says the damage done there will take more than a generation to fix. He had no idea what he was dealing with, and a little bit of intelligent listening would have encouraged some (although not all, clearly) who have left to stay. The loss of expertise will cost the US dear for years. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.

  194. I was highly skeptical of Tillerson, but IMO he was a respectable Sec of State. He took the job and his responsibilities seriously. Not much more you can ask. I’m sorry he’s out.
    God knows I hate to disagree with you, russell, but an old friend of mine retired from the senior foreign service of the State Department says the damage done there will take more than a generation to fix. He had no idea what he was dealing with, and a little bit of intelligent listening would have encouraged some (although not all, clearly) who have left to stay. The loss of expertise will cost the US dear for years. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.

  199. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.
    That’s, unfortunately, all we have.

  200. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.
    That’s, unfortunately, all we have.

  201. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.
    Glad you’ve conceded “bozos” since Nazis is too dear.

  202. IMO Tillerson only looked reasonable when compared to Trump and some of the other bozos.
    Glad you’ve conceded “bozos” since Nazis is too dear.

  213. Clownish:
    “An exhaustive Senate report on the program described the frightening toll inflicted. At one point, the report said, Zubaida was left “completely unresponsive, with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth.”
    Internal CIA memos cited in a Senate report on the agency’s interrogation program described agency officials who witnessed the treatment as distraught and concerned about its legality. “Several on the team [were] profoundly affected,” one agency employee wrote, “. . . some to the point of tears and choking up.”

  214. Clownish:
    “An exhaustive Senate report on the program described the frightening toll inflicted. At one point, the report said, Zubaida was left “completely unresponsive, with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth.”
    Internal CIA memos cited in a Senate report on the agency’s interrogation program described agency officials who witnessed the treatment as distraught and concerned about its legality. “Several on the team [were] profoundly affected,” one agency employee wrote, “. . . some to the point of tears and choking up.”

  215. wj, my point is pretending that what’s going on is not what it is.
    They are nazis (glad to use a small n – that’s for you GftNC). Not “bozos”.

  216. wj, my point is pretending that what’s going on is not what it is.
    They are nazis (glad to use a small n – that’s for you GftNC). Not “bozos”.

  217. And my point is that they are worse than nazis.
    “nazi” isn’t actually the bottom of the barrel. And these guys are closer to that bottom (wherever it is).

  218. And my point is that they are worse than nazis.
    “nazi” isn’t actually the bottom of the barrel. And these guys are closer to that bottom (wherever it is).

  223. lying republican vermin called out:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/13/ice-spokesman-resigns-over-false-statements-by-top-officials-about-calif-immigrant-arrests/?utm_term=.fd881602f838
    I’ve been thinking that immigrant families having their children kidnapped from them, as during the days of slavery and as practiced by enemies such as ISIS, and deported, could make common cause with right wing filth like the Oath Keepers and other militias, and the Bundy family, and most of the white supremacist republican cocksuckers in this piteous excuse for country who despise all gummint and the rule of law.
    I mean, it would be counter-intuitive in many ways, and we know what those are.
    But, after all, both share a hatred and fear of federal power and jackbooted and armed federal agents (who knew there so many right wing vermin among federal employees; I thought all of them were lazy, overpaid, fag liberal snowflakes from listening to republican haters hate them all these decades).
    It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    You’d think the right wing militias could lend a hand … and some automatic weaponry and ammo.
    Maybe team up with MS-13 to liberate these children from detention centers.

  224. lying republican vermin called out:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/13/ice-spokesman-resigns-over-false-statements-by-top-officials-about-calif-immigrant-arrests/?utm_term=.fd881602f838
    I’ve been thinking that immigrant families having their children kidnapped from them, as during the days of slavery and as practiced by enemies such as ISIS, and deported, could make common cause with right wing filth like the Oath Keepers and other militias, and the Bundy family, and most of the white supremacist republican cocksuckers in this piteous excuse for country who despise all gummint and the rule of law.
    I mean, it would be counter-intuitive in many ways, and we know what those are.
    But, after all, both share a hatred and fear of federal power and jackbooted and armed federal agents (who knew there so many right wing vermin among federal employees; I thought all of them were lazy, overpaid, fag liberal snowflakes from listening to republican haters hate them all these decades).
    It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    You’d think the right wing militias could lend a hand … and some automatic weaponry and ammo.
    Maybe team up with MS-13 to liberate these children from detention centers.

  225. You want the real news, tune in to Moscow:
    https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/you-are-welcome-to-him.html
    mp is theirs! they own t, r, and u, too.
    Every registered republican, every mp voter, every conservative, every piece of crap who thwarted the election of Hillary Clinton, many things she is, but not a traitor, all of you dupes and fellow traveler turncoats, you fucking Dreyfus’, the tens of millions of you, are from this day forward eternal suspects, the enemy under every bed, moles, double agents in league with Putin’s government.
    You will be fired from your jobs, blackballed, denied housing, shunned, harassed, labeled as traitors. You will have to wear a patch on your clothing identifying your iffy natures and loyalties to the United States of America, you sellouts.
    You will report your whereabouts and activities to the authorities weekly.
    We’ll bug you, photograph you, tail you, and we’ll thwart any of your attempts to enjoy the American dream, you borchst-guzzling, cabbage-eating Cossacks, you spying KGB murderers and election thieves.
    That plan McCarthy and John Birch had for liberals since the early 1950’s?
    Now it’s your turn.

  226. You want the real news, tune in to Moscow:
    https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/you-are-welcome-to-him.html
    mp is theirs! they own t, r, and u, too.
    Every registered republican, every mp voter, every conservative, every piece of crap who thwarted the election of Hillary Clinton, many things she is, but not a traitor, all of you dupes and fellow traveler turncoats, you fucking Dreyfus’, the tens of millions of you, are from this day forward eternal suspects, the enemy under every bed, moles, double agents in league with Putin’s government.
    You will be fired from your jobs, blackballed, denied housing, shunned, harassed, labeled as traitors. You will have to wear a patch on your clothing identifying your iffy natures and loyalties to the United States of America, you sellouts.
    You will report your whereabouts and activities to the authorities weekly.
    We’ll bug you, photograph you, tail you, and we’ll thwart any of your attempts to enjoy the American dream, you borchst-guzzling, cabbage-eating Cossacks, you spying KGB murderers and election thieves.
    That plan McCarthy and John Birch had for liberals since the early 1950’s?
    Now it’s your turn.

  229. the bar these days is:
    are you using your office to make hotel development deals in other countries?
    are you accepting money from other governments to buy a million dollars worth of rugs?
    are you offering to kidnap foreign nationals and render them to countries that want to imprison them? for $15M, natch?
    tillerson had minimal qualifications and was in over his head. nonetheless, he was not nakedly out for his own advantage.
    in context, he was a standout.
    also, i’m generally not on board with the “nazis” thing. the nazis were the product of a particular place and time. when people say “nazi”, everyone’s mind immediately turns to stiff-arm salutes and jackboots. it’s too obvious.
    it remains to be seen what Trump et al turn out to be. we breed our own strains of noxious diseases over here in the good old USA.

  230. the bar these days is:
    are you using your office to make hotel development deals in other countries?
    are you accepting money from other governments to buy a million dollars worth of rugs?
    are you offering to kidnap foreign nationals and render them to countries that want to imprison them? for $15M, natch?
    tillerson had minimal qualifications and was in over his head. nonetheless, he was not nakedly out for his own advantage.
    in context, he was a standout.
    also, i’m generally not on board with the “nazis” thing. the nazis were the product of a particular place and time. when people say “nazi”, everyone’s mind immediately turns to stiff-arm salutes and jackboots. it’s too obvious.
    it remains to be seen what Trump et al turn out to be. we breed our own strains of noxious diseases over here in the good old USA.

  231. It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    No, it’s not.
    unlike all of the folks who wave their guns around and threaten insurrecton, immigrants in general actually love this country and have endured no small degree of sacrifice to be here.
    they’re not docile, they’re grateful.
    too bad we can’t find it in ourselves to reciprocate.

  232. It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    No, it’s not.
    unlike all of the folks who wave their guns around and threaten insurrecton, immigrants in general actually love this country and have endured no small degree of sacrifice to be here.
    they’re not docile, they’re grateful.
    too bad we can’t find it in ourselves to reciprocate.

  233. also, i’m generally not on board with the “nazis” thing. the nazis were the product of a particular place and time. when people say “nazi”, everyone’s mind immediately turns to stiff-arm salutes and jackboots. it’s too obvious.
    As a German I agree. I also do not like it when nazism and fascism are used simply as synonyms. There were some specific differences (duly noted at the time). Tendencies of the US Right are more towards the latter than the former but with more old-conservative elements* in it than classical fascism retained.
    *for wj et al.: I deliberately say ‘elements of’. More raisins in a cake than bulk substance.

  234. also, i’m generally not on board with the “nazis” thing. the nazis were the product of a particular place and time. when people say “nazi”, everyone’s mind immediately turns to stiff-arm salutes and jackboots. it’s too obvious.
    As a German I agree. I also do not like it when nazism and fascism are used simply as synonyms. There were some specific differences (duly noted at the time). Tendencies of the US Right are more towards the latter than the former but with more old-conservative elements* in it than classical fascism retained.
    *for wj et al.: I deliberately say ‘elements of’. More raisins in a cake than bulk substance.

  235. I’m seeing a report on the PA-18 Congressional special election. It says that, at 100% of the precincts reporting, Lamb is up by about 600 votes out of 227,000 cast. Sufficiently razor thin that I expect a recount. But in a district that Trump carried by 20%, definitely a straw in the wind.

  236. I’m seeing a report on the PA-18 Congressional special election. It says that, at 100% of the precincts reporting, Lamb is up by about 600 votes out of 227,000 cast. Sufficiently razor thin that I expect a recount. But in a district that Trump carried by 20%, definitely a straw in the wind.

  237. It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    It’s not odd if you think that they have two challenges that contradict each other-to become ‘American’ (whatever the hell that means) and to try and keep their own identity. Unfortunately, what it means to be American is never set and so you have guys with names like von Spakovsky telling us about massive voter fraud while Kobach’s team simultaneously makes the argument that finding ‘foreign sounding’ names on a spreadsheet is an appropriate metric of voter fraud.
    The difference between Nazism and these clowns is that nazis had some logical consistency…

  238. It is odd, this docility from the immigrant community.
    It’s not odd if you think that they have two challenges that contradict each other-to become ‘American’ (whatever the hell that means) and to try and keep their own identity. Unfortunately, what it means to be American is never set and so you have guys with names like von Spakovsky telling us about massive voter fraud while Kobach’s team simultaneously makes the argument that finding ‘foreign sounding’ names on a spreadsheet is an appropriate metric of voter fraud.
    The difference between Nazism and these clowns is that nazis had some logical consistency…

  239. Just a little something for the debate about guns in the classroom. (And yes, I realize I’m speaking to the choir here.)
    https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/03/13/students-injured-when-monterey-county-teacher-accidentally-fires-handgun-in-class/
    The teacher wasn’t just any old instructor. He was a reserve police officer. And, in 2013, was reserve officer of the year. So, presumably, someone who knew what he was doing. (He was just saying that he was going to check to confirm that the gun was not loaded when it discharged….)

  240. Just a little something for the debate about guns in the classroom. (And yes, I realize I’m speaking to the choir here.)
    https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/03/13/students-injured-when-monterey-county-teacher-accidentally-fires-handgun-in-class/
    The teacher wasn’t just any old instructor. He was a reserve police officer. And, in 2013, was reserve officer of the year. So, presumably, someone who knew what he was doing. (He was just saying that he was going to check to confirm that the gun was not loaded when it discharged….)

  243. In other news, RIP Stephen Hawking. His serious contributions are well-known, but I liked this:

    On June 28, 2009, he threw a party for time travellers.
    Surrounded by bottles of champagne and plates of hors d’oeuvres, Professor Hawking waited … and waited … but no-one showed up.
    In his television series, he said:
    “I have experimental evidence that time travel is not possible.
    “I gave a party for time travellers, but I didn’t send out the invitations until after the party.”

  244. In other news, RIP Stephen Hawking. His serious contributions are well-known, but I liked this:

    On June 28, 2009, he threw a party for time travellers.
    Surrounded by bottles of champagne and plates of hors d’oeuvres, Professor Hawking waited … and waited … but no-one showed up.
    In his television series, he said:
    “I have experimental evidence that time travel is not possible.
    “I gave a party for time travellers, but I didn’t send out the invitations until after the party.”

  247. As a Trump critic doubtful of the most panicked narratives about this presidency, my watchword thus far has been: It could be worse. But if it eventually does get worse, a week like this one, with a president chafing against his bonds and snapping some of them, is how a descent from farce to tragedy might begin.
    From Ross Douthat in this morning’s NYT, on the possible consequences of Cohn, Tillerson et al being gone. I can’t help feeling that this, together with the humiliating (to Trump) result in Pennsylvania, may lead to truly horrendous actions to try to sway the midterms…

  248. As a Trump critic doubtful of the most panicked narratives about this presidency, my watchword thus far has been: It could be worse. But if it eventually does get worse, a week like this one, with a president chafing against his bonds and snapping some of them, is how a descent from farce to tragedy might begin.
    From Ross Douthat in this morning’s NYT, on the possible consequences of Cohn, Tillerson et al being gone. I can’t help feeling that this, together with the humiliating (to Trump) result in Pennsylvania, may lead to truly horrendous actions to try to sway the midterms…

  249. RIP Stephen Hawking. I am surprised at how strong my reaction is. Somewhere in my subconscious I must have decided that since he had beaten odds and expectations for so long, he was going to beat them forever.
    Time….

  250. RIP Stephen Hawking. I am surprised at how strong my reaction is. Somewhere in my subconscious I must have decided that since he had beaten odds and expectations for so long, he was going to beat them forever.
    Time….

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