The American Political Divide Is Cultural Too

[Warning: Generalization and extrapolation ahead]

The conservative movement in America can wax poetic about the vast political divide between the blue states, with their soy-latte-sipping hipsters and pink-haired freaks, and the more common but quieter normal Americans outside of the big cities (and the suburban belts around them). The differences are stark and obvious: Big government, restrictions on God-given rights for the sake of safety or to prevent "misinformation," destruction of the sense of individuality that is quintessentially American, and a host of other degradations of what is American Exceptionalism.

Perhaps the greatest destruction is the sense of community, which seems counter-intuitive, because the goal of the progressive movement has been to create a communitarian society that makes people identical...fungible cogs in the machine. But that also destroys the sense that one is a part of a larger whole while maintaining independence and distinctiveness.

That is the wonderful paradox of freedom. We maintain our uniqueness and separation from the whole, but simultaneously respect the others who make up that whole. And that is what is missing in the great socialist experiment of the last 100 years in America. When people are reduced to being cogs in the machine, there is no reason to respect them as individuals, and no reason to treat them as anything other than just another cog...without individuality or importance.

The teeming masses in the cities demonstrate this every day. They are more interested in snapping photos of someone's troubles than actually being human and helping. Women are beaten in the streets of our cities, and we have endless video of those attacks, but curiously, no one reaches out a hand to help. We see it in the way the law-abiding deal with their fellow citizens...that free-floating aggression that manifests in a thousand ways: in their driving and walking and talking and eating in restaurants and shopping for milk.

If everyone is the same, then there is no reason to treat others as individuals...no reason to treat them as human beings...no reason to grant them the sense of uniqueness for which we all strive.

But vast swaths of America do treat others as individuals. The perhaps mythical small-town America does exist in some form, and it is those people who carry the spark of American Exceptionalism. That exceptionalism isn't just political...it is social and cultural and respects the sense that while we are part of a great whole, we are also unique, and deserve to be respected as individuals.

That's why outside of the big blue cities our murder rate is vanishingly low. That's why Americans give generously, that's why "thank you," and "yes ma'am" are words in common usage, and letting people through an intersection is part of many American's lives, and not just a punch line for some blue-haired lunatic or oblivious drunk soccer mom (the archetypal AWFL).

It is easy to objectify and diminish the people around you; it is much harder to maintain your individuality while respecting the individuality of the people around you. Andrew Breitbart was prescient when he said that "politics is downstream from culture." We see that today more than any time in our history, and it does not bode well for the health of our great country.

Posted by: CBD at 12:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 hiya

Posted by: JT at October 22, 2023 12:01 PM (T4tVD)

2 Everything is Cultural

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:01 PM (fwDg9)

3 'but curiously, no one reaches out a hand to help. '
Yeah. No shit.

Posted by: Daniel Penny at October 22, 2023 12:07 PM (roH4R)

4 The left has an unquenchable thirst to live in a world that is "just perfect."

To them.

The sense of belonging to the greater good, in their eyes, is being of the State, for the State and nothing beyond the State. Anything more complicated is too difficult for them to deal with.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2023 12:07 PM (Q4IgG)

5
Coming up to the counter of a convenience store, fast foodery or truck stop, I always first ask (in rolling tones) the person behind it, "How are you today?" The look of astonishment or the smile broken into is remarkable.

In the same way, when Her Majesty and I go out to a nice restaurant for dinner, we may ask for the manager to come over. When we tell them we had a very nice meal and the server took good care of us, they almost collapse with relief.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:07 PM (MoZTd)

6 I think the tolerance movement has created a sense of a wider cultural divide than actually exists.

The vast majority of people do not adhere to the leftist cultural tenets. People live with those tenets BECAUSE we have been brainwashed into believing not offending anyone is the most important thing we can do.

So the weirdos, the freaks, the perverts... they benefit from being allowed to parade their weirdness, mostly online, but also in meatspace, because no one wants to offend.

But the vast majority still know they're weirdos and freaks and perverts.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:08 PM (QBaJw)

7 Government assuming almost parental “responsibility” for what used to be everyday personal obligations seems to have freed many people from common courtesy and assistance. One thing I notice in my new neck of the woods if you see a car stopped by the roadside you stop and ask if they need help or a call to be made. No one, myself included did that in my former multi million inhabitant area.

Posted by: Pete Bog at October 22, 2023 12:08 PM (6zZjf)

8
Willowed

I guess secret separations are a thing now.

Oscar Winner Meryl Streep and Husband Secretly Split Six Years Ago After 45 Years of Marriage
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at October 22, 2023 12:07 PM (FVME7)

Does anyone think Bill and Hillary or Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (MoZTd)

9 We have a book thread, they watch tockety ticks videos.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (Angsy)

10 The "coexist" We Are The World doofi don't understand that Islam demands convert or die. The cultures of hate find common ground in hate, yet they hate each other. satan hates his minions

Posted by: Marybel Smiles at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (b2Tnl)

11 It's even worse though, you get your life ruined if you try and help someone. Like that Marine that intervened when the crazy homeless person on the subway started threatening to kill people. Or look at Kyle Rittenhouse.

Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 12:10 PM (nOwMR)

12 Brietbart was so right…. I sometimes wonder about the paradox of people who live their own lives in a culturally conservative way (married with children, community orgs maybe even regular church, responsible employment, work hard, play by the rules) but regularly vote for the party that rewards and works for the opposite.

I was a fan of the old TV show The Waltons…. That show depicted an almost ideal family life… and yet they were always gathered around the radio to almost worshipfully listen to FDR who was socializing the country. John Boy quotes FDR in his HS graduation speech

Humans are complex and contradictory

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 22, 2023 12:11 PM (tdwvO)

13 Does anyone think Bill and Hillary or Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (MoZTd)

Of course they do! Just not with each other.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 22, 2023 12:11 PM (Angsy)

14 I guess this is, like, cultural.

Cowboys Legend Michael Irvin Calls Out Son’s Fake Thug Rap Persona: “You Grew up in a Gated Community Your Whole Life”

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at October 22, 2023 12:12 PM (FVME7)

15 Does anyone think Bill and Hillary or Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (MoZTd)

I can honestly say that I never wondered about that.

Posted by: JT at October 22, 2023 12:12 PM (T4tVD)

16 I can honestly say that I never wondered about that.

===

Seconded !

Posted by: runner at October 22, 2023 12:12 PM (V13WU)

17 Good topic CBD. Now go out and yell at someone. It’s your right!

Posted by: Pete Bog at October 22, 2023 12:13 PM (6zZjf)

18 I can honestly say that I never wondered about that.

Posted by: JT at October 22, 2023 12:12 PM (T4tVD)

But you were secretly wondering about us, weren't you?

Posted by: AOC's Boobs at October 22, 2023 12:13 PM (Angsy)

19 I guess secret separations are a thing now.

Oscar Winner Meryl Streep and Husband Secretly Split Six Years Ago After 45 Years of Marriage
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at October 22, 2023 12:07 PM (FVME7)

Does anyone think Bill and Hillary or Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (MoZTd)

The public faces belong to sociopaths, who don't have anything resembling real relationships, with real human connections, and real emotions. They are constructs.

Not all of them, but enough that we're being controlled and manipulated, by the mere fact we BELIEVE these people are actually married couples, like the rest of us have (or want).

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:14 PM (QBaJw)

20 Cultural divide: arab/muslim murdered - Islamophobia! Hate! Jew murdered - we have no suspects or a motive ! It's a mystery ! There is no racial or religious component !

Posted by: runner at October 22, 2023 12:15 PM (V13WU)

21 6 - BurtTC, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Tolerance (sigh)…. It’s contradictory anyway as you never see the wokists tolerating us traditionalists… it only goes one direction apparently

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 22, 2023 12:16 PM (tdwvO)

22 I was a fan of the old TV show The Waltons…. That show depicted an almost ideal family life… and yet they were always gathered around the radio to almost worshipfully listen to FDR who was socializing the country. John Boy quotes FDR in his HS graduation speech

Humans are complex and contradictory
Posted by: LinusVanPelt
____

The Bible Belt used to be the most solid part of the Democrat coalition. But that was the era where culturally and morally, we were mostly on the same page. We were just arguing where to spend money and since the South was so poor, they liked what the Democrat Party was selling.

Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 12:16 PM (nOwMR)

23 You've got to teach them young.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay says he won't miss a game for his son's birth because that kid knows not to come during a game 😂

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at October 22, 2023 12:16 PM (FVME7)

24
The same people who call industrial chicken farms inhumane are also the ones who want us packed into communal apartments, dependent on public transportation and subsisting on bug bread.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (MoZTd)

25 They are more interested in snapping photos of someone's troubles than actually being human and helping.

Wherever I see a crime or tragedy in progress video seeing people pull out phones to take pictures instead of helping bugs me to no end

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (fwDg9)

26 Really good post, CBD. I would only take exception to the implication that everything is relatively rosy in the geopolitical swath of non-blue America. Apathy and indifference seem to be infecting most of our populace, regardless of locale. At least that has been my observation, to be taken with a grain of salt.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (V8he0)

27 I was a fan of the old TV show The Waltons…. That show depicted an almost ideal family life… and yet they were always gathered around the radio to almost worshipfully listen to FDR who was socializing the country. John Boy quotes FDR in his HS graduation speech

Humans are complex and contradictory
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 22, 2023 12:11 PM (tdwvO)

FDRism (a version of Marxism) was an Americanized way to sell the idea of family writ large.

We're your family, you are ours. Of COURSE we all collectively look out for each other, like a family.

So give me what you got. I need it. For them. Your poor relatives.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:19 PM (QBaJw)

28 Good morning, Pete Bog

Posted by: Ben Had at October 22, 2023 12:19 PM (swhK5)

29 Individuality is abrogated upon a membership in a cult. Why should I treat those members as individuals ? or respect their individuality, if they have none ?

Posted by: runner at October 22, 2023 12:19 PM (V13WU)

30 from the end of the book thread;
314 Many who frequent the Book Thread appreciate the use of language. Here is Dmocrat Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee using some language.

https://tinyurl.com/mtty6xjy
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at October 22, 2023 12:00 PM (FVME7)

this audio is pretty f'ing hilarious, and the best part is that she's right. Should be titled "Sheila Jackson Lee realizes the consequences of hiring nothing but woke affirmative action employees."

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 12:21 PM (q3gwH)

31
Having lived in rural areas for nearly 30 years, I've learned that out in the country, you can't depend on the government to do Thing One to help you. For example, I know if the power goes out, my road will be the last to have it restored. So you can only depend on your own resources or have good neighbors who can help.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:21 PM (MoZTd)

32 But you were secretly wondering about us, weren't you?

Posted by: AOC's Boobs

No, no, I've been pretty up front about that.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 12:22 PM (I/Qkd)

33 Barky and Mooch took separate vacations even while in the White House, and separate planes going to the same location.

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:23 PM (fwDg9)

34 Wherever I see a crime or tragedy in progress video seeing people pull out phones to take pictures instead of helping bugs me to no end
Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (fwDg9)

There was an incident in St. Louis County last week, a trunk or treat event in a nicer area, a guy was acting weird, took out his gun, fired it into the sky, announcing everyone was going to die.

He was tackled by others at the event, his mug shot shows how not-very-gently they treated him.

Turns out he's a cop, the son of the former prosecutor who refused to indict the cop who shot Michael Brown (not that that's related).

How many would have died if men hadn't acted? I don't know. Interestingly, I haven't seen any video of the event anywhere.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:23 PM (QBaJw)

35
Coming up to the counter of a convenience store, fast foodery or truck stop, I always first ask (in rolling tones) the person behind it, "How are you today?" The look of astonishment or the smile broken into is remarkable.

I make a point of talking to folks behind the register at stores. It was something that I recall my Dad doing and he was a far, far more outgoing person than I am. I thank them, too, for asking whether I want a printed receipt or a bag.

For me, spending my first five working years after finishing college in South Carolina was a real eye opener. Everyone waved or honked to everyone else, it seemed. There was an air of charm among folks.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at October 22, 2023 12:24 PM (KEWIC)

36 Leftists really want a society that prevents any sort of surprise. They're really not all that good at dealing with adversity, of any kind. It's why they want to tame the weather, cancel anyone with wrong thoughts... basically live the way they think everyone should live.

It why they insist, sometimes violently that everyone must obey them.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2023 12:25 PM (Q4IgG)

37 Barky and Mooch took separate vacations even while in the White House, and separate planes going to the same location.
Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:23 PM (fwDg9)

I noticed when Biden was talking to reporters, on the plane the other day, Jill wasn't hovering.

Did she go with him?

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:27 PM (QBaJw)

38 No, no, I've been pretty up front about that.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 12:22 PM (I/Qkd)

Yes, I remember wedo stick out in your mind.

Posted by: AOC's Boobs at October 22, 2023 12:28 PM (Angsy)

39 For me, spending my first five working years after finishing college in South Carolina was a real eye opener. Everyone waved or honked to everyone else, it seemed. There was an air of charm among folks.

I remember that, as well. Sigh.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 12:28 PM (V8he0)

40 I was recently waiting in the security line in Frankfurt airport, and something had gone catastrophically wrong, so that the line literally snaked through a good portion of that very large airport. They finally sort of waved people through, and the frazzled young woman at the first gate perfunctorily said "have a nice flight". I said "and you have a nice day". You'd have thought I gave her a million dollars. She looked at me with gratitude and said "thank you so much". It made my day. Little things can mean a lot.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 12:29 PM (I/Qkd)

41 I think about these things often and it saddens and terrifies me. Vast swaths of America are like robots now, seemingly devoid of empathy or respect for others. I've seen this more living in a big city than anywhere else. When I visit family living back home, in the small town I grew up in, then the difference is as stark as artic cold and glowing warmth.

I believe small towns and small communities still stand as beacons of hope, because the church and family are still sacrosanct. As Winston Smith stated "if there was hope, it must lie with the proles." Small town America, small community America, they are our proles in 2023.

Posted by: Tracy at October 22, 2023 12:32 PM (xXmC1)

42 We wave to each other on the road, out here. Just not something that we did in PNW. When I lived out in the woods, people did stop to help during the winter.

I think self sufficient people have the ability to help others. Dependent people don't help anyone. They don't know how.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 22, 2023 12:32 PM (cLWyk)

43 Without leaving the house, I have four different ways to brew coffee and I'm feeling like a lazy bum. So I'm thinking Nescafe and boiling water and a splash of CoffeeMate, not because I'm a corporate shill, but because I'm just THAT fucking lazy today.

After 5 or 6 cups, I may want to go kick some asses.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at October 22, 2023 12:32 PM (KVGVf)

44 Yes, I remember wedo stick out in your mind.
Posted by: AOC's Boobs at October 22, 2023 12:28 PM (Angsy)

Most of these leftist women come off as asexual. Their femininity is subverted, because the persona they must adopt is harsh, cruel, ugly.

No matter what bodily attributes they have, they don't behave like women.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 12:33 PM (QBaJw)

45 Not that it matters much, but does anyone know why emojis aren't available on Firefox, but they are on Opera?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 22, 2023 12:34 PM (Angsy)

46 When I am out on walks, I used to wave at a passing cop car, all five fingers!
And then, I waved and the female cop backed up and asked me what the hell was wrong with me, so I don't do that any more.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 12:35 PM (MeG8a)

47 The public faces belong to sociopaths, who don't have anything resembling real relationships, with real human connections, and real emotions. They are constructs.

Uh oh.
No real relationships, check.
No real human connections, check.
No real emotions...not sure. I don't know if I feel an emotion because I'm actually feeling it or because I've been programmed to feel it or think I'm supposed to feel it in a given situation.

Posted by: I might not be a real person. This is troubling. at October 22, 2023 12:38 PM (B9RjC)

48 > We wave to each other on the road, out here. Just not something that we did in PNW.
__________

When I'm at the end of my driveway, down by the road working, some people will wave as they drive by. Almost always someone in a work truck, farm truck or whatever.

I tend to look pretty disheveled when I'm out working and I guess they want to make sure I'm ok.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2023 12:39 PM (Q4IgG)

49 Maybe my elected representatives should stop thinking of me and my children as useless eaters and inveterate, irredeemable racists.

Let's start there.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 12:39 PM (RIvkX)

50 46 When I am out on walks, I used to wave at a passing cop car, all five fingers!
And then, I waved and the female cop backed up and asked me what the hell was wrong with me, so I don't do that any more.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 12:35 PM (MeG8a)

Glad that's all she did. Could've gotten a tazing and ride to jail out of that.

Posted by: Never ever voluntarily interact with cops at October 22, 2023 12:39 PM (B9RjC)

51 People are strange. Weird, even.

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 22, 2023 12:40 PM (4I/2K)

52 "6-So the weirdos, the freaks, the perverts... they benefit from being allowed to parade their weirdness, mostly online, but also in meatspace, because no one wants to offend."

That "OMG we can't possibly offend anyone" attitude has now infiltrated the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church. I watched in amazement the other day as, on Raymond Arroyo's Thursday night program on EWTN, some Archbishop or Cardinal or whatever actually said the Church needs to express its teachings so as not to offend anyone. I can't find where Jesus said that anywhere in the Gospels, but I guess I am just an old-fashioned hater for thinking that if a Church teaching offends you, the problem is not with the Church. Oh, well.

Posted by: Frank at October 22, 2023 12:42 PM (5kiYx)

53 When I see face tatts and face piercings, I know that person has made at least 2 bad decisions in their lives.

Posted by: BignJames at October 22, 2023 12:42 PM (AwYPR)

54 When I am out on walks, I used to wave at a passing cop car, all five fingers!
And then, I waved and the female cop backed up and asked me what the hell was wrong with me, so I don't do that any more.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 12:35 PM (MeG8a)

In these days, raising five digits at cops means, $50 same as in town.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 12:43 PM (BdMk6)

55 God Is Great, Beer Is Good And People Are Crazy...

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 12:43 PM (R/m4+)

56 >>>"That is the wonderful paradox of freedom. We maintain our uniqueness and separation from the whole, but simultaneously respect the others who make up that whole."

That's a foundational part of the Judeo Christian ethic.

Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 12:44 PM (u44Cz)

57 test

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 12:45 PM (5g9YU)

58 BignJames agree

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:46 PM (fwDg9)

59 It is easy to objectify and diminish the people around you; it is much harder to maintain your individuality while respecting the individuality of the people around you. Andrew Breitbart was prescient when he said that "politics is downstream from culture." We see that today more than any time in our history, and it does not bode well for the health of our great country.

My town, Huntsville, AL, had a pro-Pali rally downtown yesterday. Evidently they want the Israeli citizens to be meek and turn the other cheek. No violence, just a bunch of one-sided failure to even care.

^^^^that^^^^ right there, makes me not give a shit about the Pali problem. No empathy for the families, grandmothers, babies, and helpless defensless people makes me not GAS about the Palis. They can one and all eff off. Bring the FNM with them when they go.

Posted by: BifBewalski at October 22, 2023 12:46 PM (3CCua)

60 I've done ride alongs w cops in the past. One of the most memorable was w a cop friend of mine. The beat was Palo Alto. Nice beat, right? Wait, that includes East Palo Alto. So we're out riding, in Palo Alto west of 101, window is down, citizens wave and smile. East of 101, windows get rolled up, citizens frown and scowl and give the one fingered salute, and the occasional egg gets thrown.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 12:47 PM (MeG8a)

61
Wherever I see a crime or tragedy in progress video seeing people pull out phones to take pictures instead of helping bugs me to no end

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM

It's all part of the ghetto lottery; you might hit big if you score the video footage for a lawsuit. Then you take that money, buy scratch offs until all the money is gone.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at October 22, 2023 12:48 PM (enJYY)

62 Once more, I give thanks to have the privilege of living in the most exceptional country on the planet, populated by an extraordinary people, governed by the most unique political system ever devised.

One will notice in light of the current situation that a look at our history will show we've met and prevailed over issues even more serious, with an unbroken record of success. In fact, it's become a significant part of our heritage to continue the struggle our predecessors engaged in to ensure that our beloved Republic endures.

Posted by: irongrampa at October 22, 2023 12:49 PM (KATBx)

63 In the end, all forms of collectivism* require sacrificing the individual for the collective, and they all try to pretend the contradictions inherent in that are solved. Most of what we encounter is just various coats of pain on that endlessly-repeated activity.

*I firmly believe individualism vs collectivism is the root conflict underlying the vast majority of political struggle over the past couple centuries.

Posted by: Cortillaen at October 22, 2023 12:49 PM (6kADi)

64 We live in a small subdivision in a rural area. Son and his family live in the same zip code but a larger subdivision much nearer to Austin. Everyone in our subdivision waves. They don't in son's subdivision.

It's the pernicious influence of Austin. It wasn't like that when I was growing up there. Didn't really become a surly place until it got infested with hipsters in the 2010s.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at October 22, 2023 12:50 PM (fTtFy)

65 I think self sufficient people have the ability to help others. Dependent people don't help anyone. They don't know how.

Bingo.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 12:50 PM (V8he0)

66 Today is Curly Howard's birthday.

Nyuk, nuuk, nyuk.

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 22, 2023 12:51 PM (4I/2K)

67 I live very rural, 30 miles from the closest town, pop 2500.

The school district consists of 1 high school, one jr. high, and two elementary schools.

The town is controlled by three old families, who own much of the land and businesses. If you didn't go to these schools, or haven't been here for 30 years or more, you are an outsider with no business opining on local politics.

The school district has been overtaken by wokeness, and the politics of the school board trustees and parents have become quite vicious over SEL,CRT, and trans agendas. The wokes are are winning, and the surrounding communities totally divided. It's ugly and disheartening, especially because I always thought this was a quite conservative area.

The school board battles are being orchestrated and paid for by state and national teachers union policy wonks. There will be NO alternate opinions allowed, and if you speak up, your life or business will be destroyed.

You are on you own and small town America is being destroyed. On purpose. It's an evil battle.

Posted by: Derak at October 22, 2023 12:51 PM (e8f0f)

68 That "OMG we can't possibly offend anyone" attitude has now infiltrated the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church.
Posted by: Frank at October 22, 2023 12:42 PM (5kiYx)

Concur. When I go to Mass, I have to tune out the commie feel good, plastic banana good times rock n roll bull crap. When the sodomites pretending to be "priests" showed up in numbers all the Pope had to do was tell them to get the hell out and stay out and take the rest of your sodomite buddies with ya and call the cops to come haul their molesting asses away.

But noooooo. Can't offend you see. Can't enforce the law you see. You can rape and molest and groom all you want, but don't offend anyone.

The horror, the horror...

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 12:51 PM (R/m4+)

69 >>>The vast majority of people do not adhere to the leftist cultural tenets. People live with those tenets BECAUSE we have been brainwashed into believing not offending anyone is the most important thing we can do.
---

Not to mention the much greater potential for punitive reward.

Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 12:52 PM (u44Cz)

70 I always wave at the sheriff and his deputies. Often times I'm approached and they like to have friendly conversations. It's cathartic.

I will always have the sheriff's back because a sense of order is a necessity.

I have never met a corrupt sheriff, because a corrupt sheriff is a dead sheriff.

On the other hand, city cops are bullies with a badge.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at October 22, 2023 12:52 PM (KVGVf)

71 We wave to each other on the road, out here. Just not something that we did in PNW. When I lived out in the woods, people did stop to help during the winter.

I think self sufficient people have the ability to help others. Dependent people don't help anyone. They don't know how.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 22, 2023 12:32 PM (cLWyk)

We "wave" to each other here as well! It's called the "Jersey Salute", and we practice it every day on our daily driving trips. Good neighbors, and all, ya know.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at October 22, 2023 12:52 PM (h4nev)

72 *The sense of belonging to the greater good, in their eyes, is being of the State, for the State and nothing beyond the State. Anything more complicated is too difficult for them to deal with.*

North Korea has entered the chat.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 12:53 PM (NBVIP)

73 I think it can be said that a person has two identities, one individual and one collective.

Humans tend to act differently individually or collectively.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 12:53 PM (5g9YU)

74 It seems that advances in technology plays a large part in the divide. Big government controls and monitoring. But individuals also act like on-line lynch mobs to cancel and destroy.

It is now an exception to find a free state like Florida or free countries like Poland and Hungary.

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at October 22, 2023 12:54 PM (XizFB)

75 This guy's culture is Political Division. Vicious partisan division.

https://tinyurl.com/262kth87

Along with decrepitude and being sharp as a bowling ball. No wonder The Handlers work to keep non-Junta photographers away when Joe isn't wearing his public appearance make-up. (Photo taken yesterday at the beach house)

unrelated but very important: BenHad is The BEST!

Posted by: Gref at October 22, 2023 12:55 PM (5fDan)

76 Having lived in rural areas for nearly 30 years, I've learned that out in the country, you can't depend on the government to do Thing One to help you. For example, I know if the power goes out, my road will be the last to have it restored. So you can only depend on your own resources or have good neighbors who can help.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 22, 2023 12:21 PM (MoZTd)

Which is why rural folks are already half-prepped.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 12:56 PM (Mzdiz)

77 68
'but don't offend anyone.'

But offending people is my God given talent.
Would you have Mozart not create music?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 12:57 PM (roH4R)

78 You are on you own and small town America is being destroyed. On purpose. It's an evil battle.
Posted by: Derak at October 22, 2023 12:51 PM (e8f0f)

What state do you live in?

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 12:57 PM (BdMk6)

79 This guy's culture is Political Division. Vicious partisan division.
Along with decrepitude and being sharp as a bowling ball. No wonder The Handlers work to keep non-Junta photographers away when Joe isn't wearing his public appearance make-up.

Separated at birth?
https://tinyurl.com/262kth87
https://tinyurl.com/yc3p276b

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 12:59 PM (I/Qkd)

80 I'm not a slow prepper. I'm not a fast prepper. I'm more of a half-fast prepper.

Posted by: Sorry couldn't resist at October 22, 2023 12:59 PM (NBVIP)

81 Weak people fear giving offense because they lack the courage of their convictions.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 12:59 PM (RIvkX)

82 "You don't have to marry your cousin if you live in a city"

This explains a lot.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 12:59 PM (5g9YU)

83 80
'I'm more of a half-fast prepper.'
How prepped do you have to be to kill leftists and take their stuff?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 01:00 PM (roH4R)

84 Pokes two fingers towars Cound de Monet's eyes

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 01:01 PM (fwDg9)

85 Apathy and indifference seem to be infecting most of our populace, regardless of locale.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (V8he0)

Sadly, I think you are correct..thus my last paragraph.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:01 PM (3Gtis)

86 Hey, Moe!

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:01 PM (V8he0)

87 "You don't have to marry your cousin if you live in a city"

This explains a lot.
Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 12:59 PM (5g9YU)

Then why did FDR marry his cousin?

Posted by: BignJames at October 22, 2023 01:02 PM (AwYPR)

88 Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 12:57 PM (BdMk6)

Idaho.

Posted by: Derak at October 22, 2023 01:02 PM (e8f0f)

89 Urbana Oyster Festival November 4th. Urbana Va. Just saying

Posted by: LMD at October 22, 2023 01:02 PM (/lamF)

90 Bonk bonk on the head

Posted by: Dr. Varno at October 22, 2023 01:02 PM (X+Ku8)

91 Little things can mean a lot.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 12:29 PM (I/Qkd)

They sure can, and you want to be one of the people who sends ripples of goodwill out into the world.

I took my MiL to the urgent care to have her leg looked at (could have been dermatitis). She cut some flowers to give to the receptionist - something she loves to do. She saves plastic and styrofoam cups to put zinnias and dahlias in for nurses and pretty much everywhere she has an appt. So she gave a cup of these flowers to the girl there, and boy did her face light up. I said, "See? Good things can happen on Friday the 13th!"

Well, yesterday she got a thank you note from that girl. She wrote that it had been a very rough day for her, and there at the end of her shift she got the gift of flowers, and it meant the world to her.

My MiL is such a wonderful example of a fine and caring woman.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:03 PM (Mzdiz)

92 85
'Apathy and indifference'

This is the intended effect of prosecuting law abiding citizens.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 01:03 PM (roH4R)

93 Growing trend for genz is loneliness. They have a bazillion fake online friends but no real friends.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:03 PM (bWsRe)

94 I waved and the female cop backed up and asked me what the hell was wrong with me, so I don't do that any more.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 12:35 PM (MeG8a)

"Sorry officer; I made the mistake of thinking that you were human."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:03 PM (3Gtis)

95 CBD was quick on the trigger and blasted a comment by Paul and that was my reaction, out of context now.

I thought the comment was interesting (for Paul) but he hurt CBDs feelings.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:04 PM (5g9YU)

96 I'm headed to Cape Cod next week (dad's 80th birthday). Off-season Cape Cod is very much like a small town. You see the same people every day, at the same shops, everybody waves and says Hi and asks if you saw the sunset/sunrise/whatever. Looking forward to it.

Posted by: Lincolntf at October 22, 2023 01:04 PM (2cS/G)

97 Sadly, I think you are correct..thus my last paragraph.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:01 PM (3Gtis)

There was another paragraph? Guess I'd oughta go back and read it. Nah, too tired.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 22, 2023 01:04 PM (Angsy)

98 Not to mention the much greater potential for punitive reward.
Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 12:52 PM (u44Cz)

That's true. The greatest crime you can commit is offending a protected class person.

Well, second greatest, the greatest crime is walking through the Capitol while conservative.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:05 PM (QBaJw)

99 Cop probably thought you were hitting on her.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:05 PM (5g9YU)

100 Apathy and indifference seem to be infecting most of our populace, regardless of locale.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 12:17 PM (V8he0)

Sadly, I think you are correct..thus my last paragraph.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:01 PM (3Gtis)

There's not much hope with a boot on your face. And with no hope, there's no motivation.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (BdMk6)

101 Waving to a constable-on-patrol "gives them something to think about." I've found the old range-riders' nod is usually welcome.

Seen the new Ford truck ads, "We're not brothers but our DNA..."? Top selling vehicle in the country for over 40 years, and all of a sudden they need muh-150'ers to do the Jeepfinger.

Just a new ad crew no doubt, but it looks as if they've realized how deeply they have stepped in it. May be starting late on this.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (4PZHB)

102 Thank you CBD for a great post. I deal with a lot of the soccer moms and their behavior...and that of their kids...has gone downhill over the last few years. I see so much bad behavior, so I try to always be polite and say please and thank you and yes ma'am in my social interactions.

It works out well for me almost all the time.

Posted by: NC Ref at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (fnmJK)

103
But noooooo. Can't offend you see. Can't enforce the law you see. You can rape and molest and groom all you want, but don't offend anyone.

The horror, the horror...
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 12:51 PM (R/m4+)

///

I did not have direct experience with the Catholic grooming culture, but I was near it. I attended a large city high school that employed at least one priest/repeat-molester; a graduate-school seminary that had devolved partly, but deeply, into gay culture. Not good role models for the young men they would later teach. The 70s were not good

Posted by: Anonymous at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (XizFB)

104 Oh, wise guy, eh?

Posted by: Larry Fine at October 22, 2023 01:07 PM (NBVIP)

105 Growing trend for genz is loneliness. They have a bazillion fake online friends but no real friends.

I have a younger family member who is like that. My heart aches for her.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:07 PM (V8he0)

106 98
'protected class person'

I had an HR required training that had a section explaining protected classes.
I had to shut it off and go do something else. Fuck your protected classes.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 01:08 PM (roH4R)

107 Urbanna, VA: poor men east of Richmond.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:08 PM (NBVIP)

108 Moe, Larry, cheese! Moe, Larry, cheese!

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 22, 2023 01:08 PM (4I/2K)

109 I suppose those videoing crimes are afraid they may get hurt. But that shouldnt stop them from turning evidence over to LEOs rather than posting it.

On the plus side it can undercut the lying media.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov, now, where does a war hero get some lubrication around here? at October 22, 2023 01:09 PM (nnp+f)

110
The school district has been overtaken by wokeness, and the politics of the school board trustees and parents have become quite vicious over SEL,CRT, and trans agendas. The wokes are are winning, and the surrounding communities totally divided. It's ugly and disheartening, especially because I always thought this was a quite conservative area.

——

Same thing happened in my small city. Over the last 10 years the woke have taken over school boards and city council seats. The population is conservative majority but too apathetic to vote. The prog minority gets its people out. And when people find out about the tranny bathrooms they’re shocked and ask how can it happen here? Well because you allowed it to happen by ignoring school board elections, that’s how.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:10 PM (bWsRe)

111 My wife and I were in one of our favorite restaurants a few days ago. It was packed, and we had to wait a bit. When we sat down we were served by a very friendly an engaging waitress who made the experience better (the food was excellent).

As we were leaving I asked to speak with the manager, and the look of fear and horror on the faces of the two young ladies running the front (they were also quite pleasant) was amazing...and sad. I had to reassure them that it was going to be a good conversation!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:10 PM (3Gtis)

112 I'm headed to Cape Cod next week (dad's 80th birthday). Off-season Cape Cod is very much like a small town. You see the same people every day, at the same shops, everybody waves and says Hi and asks if you saw the sunset/sunrise/whatever. Looking forward to it.
Posted by: Lincolntf at October 22, 2023 01:04 PM (2cS/G)

=====

That sounds really nice.

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 22, 2023 01:10 PM (RJn7O)

113 It is Jordan. it's my favorite place in the world (minus three months in the summer when it can be a bit hectic).

Posted by: Lincolntf at October 22, 2023 01:12 PM (2cS/G)

114 I try to always be polite and say please and thank you and yes ma'am in my social interactions.

Posted by: NC Ref at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (fnmJK)

Amazing...isn't it! Because that attitude goes both ways. I do the same, because I enjoy doing it!

And for those of you who know me, I am perfectly capable of going from zero to 11 in about three seconds if you give me a reason, but my default is different.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:13 PM (3Gtis)

115 Cop probably thought you were hitting on her.
Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:05 PM (5g9YU)

And she's a lesbian, so....

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:13 PM (QBaJw)

116
Moe: Burnt toast and a rotten egg? Whatta ya want that for?"

Curly: I got a tapewoim and that's good enough for him!

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:14 PM (V8he0)

117 Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:04 PM (5g9YU)

I haven't blasted any comments.

The troll was probably using an already-banned IP address. Sometimes those comments show up for a few seconds before the system recognizes them and deletes them.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:15 PM (3Gtis)

118 I went out with the mrs Friday night. I had a beer she had a cocktail. She had a burger, I had tacos, we shared a desert. Total with tax and tip was $80. This same night out at this restaurant was $50 a couple of years ago.

Place however was overflowing with people. Peeps are still out spending money even with the massively inflated prices.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:15 PM (bWsRe)

119 It's all part of the ghetto lottery; you might hit big if you score the video footage for a lawsuit. Then you take that money, buy scratch offs until all the money is gone.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at October 22, 2023 12:48 PM (enJYY)

I know, right?! I see folks buying scratchers at the local store, and typically they drop $20-$50. What the actual f*ck?

I might buy a lottery ticket once in a blue moon, but usually I'm not even thinking about it.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:15 PM (Mzdiz)

120 Fortunately I'm grumpy and morose so I'm not tempted to wave at cops but most cops in my small town are okay.

Posted by: That Northernlurker what lurkd at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (HfNu5)

121 the goal of the progressive movement has been to create a communitarian society that makes people identical

Economically at least. Culturally, their promotion "multiculturalism" is inherently tribal. The "melting pot" in which disparate cultures are woven into the greater American fabric is an anathema to them.

Posted by: Halfhand at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (87w4A)

122
*Off-season Cape Cod is very much like a small town.*

Mary Jo Kopechne unavailable for comment.

Posted by: Obligatory at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (NBVIP)

123 Growing trend for genz is loneliness. They have a bazillion fake online friends but no real friends.

I have a younger family member who is like that. My heart aches for her.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:07 PM (V8he0)

One of the lessons I learned in life was, once one's youthful appearance and sillinesses are used up, they're gone. They don't work anymore. The age that this happens may vary, but it always happens.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:17 PM (BdMk6)

124 Lottery tickets is just another addiction. Makes no rational sense.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:17 PM (bWsRe)

125 Here in small town Arkansas, I get addressed as Sir more often than not. I always chuckle and say that's not necessary because I'm common enlisted. Always get the "Mom and Dad insisted". Also, the common greeting in Arkansas seems to be "Are you doin' alright?". They tolerate my Youngstownish "Hey, howya doin?".

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:17 PM (0EOe9)

126 some of you met my 11 year old grandson at the MoMe yesterday, he hangs out with me a lot. He showed me that he's discovered Andrew Tate on the web, and through his eyes I now understand Tate's appeal - at least so far he just thinks Tate is very Funny.

Tate is an ass - but boys of that age get all of their information from an overtly feminized education establishment that tries to get them to deny their nature every minute of every day - of COURSE they resent that. What's more, so many boys now have no strong male figure in their life to show or teach them how they should act to become men. Into this gap strides a bombastic street preacher like Tate, telling them to disbelieve everything and that it's fine to be a thuggish asshole all the time to everyone. Something always beats nothing, and a whole lot of younger boys are eating his shit up. And I can't really blame them.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:18 PM (q3gwH)

127 *Off-season Cape Cod is very much like a small town.*
----
Mary Jo Kopechne unavailable for comment.
Posted by: Obligatory at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (NBVIP)

Sounds like the kind of place that could use more busloads of illegals.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:18 PM (QBaJw)

128 Culturally, their promotion "multiculturalism" is inherently tribal.

Posted by: Halfhand at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (87w4A)

Yes...absolutely. But even their multiculturalism makes the individual a part of a group defined by the least common denominator, which is in and of itself demeaning and offensive.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:18 PM (3Gtis)

129 TMC aired "Soup to Nuts" this morning. Debut of the Stooges, a project of Rube Goldberg. Now it is clear why it was on.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at October 22, 2023 01:18 PM (4PZHB)

130 I guess I am just an old-fashioned hater for thinking that if a Church teaching offends you, the problem is not with the Church. Oh, well.
Posted by: Frank at October 22, 2023 12:42 PM (5kiYx)

////

The Church leaders seem to have forgotten the righteous anger of Jesus, driving people from the Temple

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at October 22, 2023 01:19 PM (XizFB)

131 The problem is that the school board battle enters into every other institution that exists in this rural area.

The same people that are the teachers, the shopkeepers, the contractors, the utility linemen, the retirees, the friends of any and all, pick a side.

These same people built up and participate and fund the community institutions.

They take that battle into the churches, the barbecues, the community fishing events, the pub, the restaurants, and pretty soon half the people are marginalized, quit attending and contributing and just turtle if you happen to be on the losing side. Both sides then lose half their customers /constituents. So much winning, and there goes the economy.

It's so ugly. You can't escape it.
Only in a small town.

Divide and conquer in living color right on my doorstep.

Posted by: Derak at October 22, 2023 01:20 PM (e8f0f)

132 Into this gap strides a bombastic street preacher like Tate, telling them to disbelieve everything and that it's fine to be a thuggish asshole all the time to everyone. Something always beats nothing, and a whole lot of younger boys are eating his shit up. And I can't really blame them.
Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:18 PM (q3gwH)

I generally don't pay attention, but once he was arrested, I was trying to find out what I could about the guy.

The impression a lot of people have is he's a younger, Muslim version of Jordan Peterson. What he "preaches" is not disrespect towards women, but pushback against the feminists. And does it with humor and garish opulence.

Not my cup of tea, but then, I don't care for tea.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:22 PM (QBaJw)

133 I went out with the mrs Friday night. I had a beer she had a cocktail. She had a burger, I had tacos, we shared a desert. Total with tax and tip was $80. This same night out at this restaurant was $50 a couple of years ago.

Place however was overflowing with people. Peeps are still out spending money even with the massively inflated prices.
Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:15 PM (bWsRe)

You should have lurked at the cash register for a time to see how many use a credit card to pay.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:22 PM (BdMk6)

134 @126 Tom Servo-Tate preaches its ok to be a thuggish a-hole(?) not even close. He does not preach being a thuggish a-hole. We need to stop forming opinions based on what we've heard others say.

Posted by: JROD at October 22, 2023 01:22 PM (IlL6s)

135 I'm lucky to live in normieville, where people demonstrate common courtesy.

Something Posobiec said a while back, about people being on edge do adjust your behavior to deescalate any situations that may arise, has stuck with me. I've tried to be extra polite and calm in public (i.e. not myself

)

Posted by: All Hail Eris at October 22, 2023 01:23 PM (vnfYO)

136 *Off-season Cape Cod is very much like a small town.*

Mary Jo Kopechne unavailable for comment.

Posted by: Obligatory at October 22, 2023 01:16 PM (NBVIP)

Yeah but that was in July.

Posted by: Zombie Ted Kennedy at October 22, 2023 01:24 PM (Mzdiz)

137 Do you ever go out and while you're out say this is why I don't go out?

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:25 PM (NBVIP)

138 Sorry for jumping to conclusions CBD. It was actually a useful post but he took a dig at you. I'm glad to hear you didn't blast it.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:27 PM (5g9YU)

139
You should have lurked at the cash register for a time to see how many use a credit card to pay.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:22 PM (BdMk6)

99.9% would be my guess. I use a cc for everything. Then either pay it off in full or let it ride with a 0% offer. I realize I’m in a pretty small minority though.

But really nobody pays with cash for anything anymore.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:27 PM (bWsRe)

140 Do you ever go out and while you're out say this is why I don't go out?

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:25 PM (NBVIP)

Yes. Yesterday...which was the impetus for this post.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:28 PM (3Gtis)

141 Andrew Tate is Muslim? I had no idea.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:28 PM (bWsRe)

142 I was on the East coast last week and restaurants there are adding a fee if you don't pay cash.

Surprised that kind of chiseling isn't ubiquitous here. Yet.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:28 PM (RIvkX)

143 It was actually a useful post but he took a dig at you. I'm glad to hear you didn't blast it.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:27 PM (5g9YU)

No worries. What was his point? If was worthwhile, then by all means...repeat it!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:29 PM (3Gtis)

144 But really nobody pays with cash for anything anymore.

Well, I guess that I'm the rare exception.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:29 PM (V8he0)

145 "Do you ever go out and while you're out say this is why I don't go out?"

Every single time. We can't wait to get back home--and the dog's greeting makes it 100% worthwhile.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at October 22, 2023 01:29 PM (fTtFy)

146 Just got to my hotel in Anaheim. Coming from my sleepy little ville in Washington. The difference is night and day. Including the hateful stare I got from a raghead wandering the lobby.
Must of been my charming self and Army golf shirt. But mostly the golf shirt I think.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2023 01:29 PM (IPxF/)

147
*I was on the East coast last week*

Ok, I think I've found your problem.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:29 PM (NBVIP)

148 Do you ever go out and while you're out say this is why I don't go out?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:25 PM (NBVIP)

Not anymore, no. It's possible to be conditioned to believe we must react to the world as it is. Sometimes, but not always, it is possible cause the circle of the world in which we travel, to react to the way we are.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:30 PM (QBaJw)

149 Do you ever go out and while you're out say this is why I don't go out?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:25 PM (NBVIP)

It only took a few times. I just don't go out anymore.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (BdMk6)

150 I don't think Tate preaches to be a thuggish a**hole but does promote masculine pride and excellence. A lot of younger, less secure men take that too far.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (RIvkX)

151 139 I have two CCs. One is my "utility card" that pays my phone, car insurance, Sirius. I keep it paid off, usually paying as a charge gets posted. The other I use for a lot of stuff and make sure it's paid in full when the statement hits. It's not much, but the cash back between the two of them usually covers the phone and Sirius.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (0EOe9)

152 I love living semi-rural (new development breaking ground around the corner, gah!). We're inundated with offers to buy land. Latest was $96K for the 3 acres across the street.

Why would we want neighbors across the street? It's a wooden lot with a dissolving trailer on it.

Backstory: Publius' daddy was kind enough to allow some folks to put a trailer up while their house was being built, since hookups were already in place from a previous set-up. Then they rented it out to someone else and finally abandoned it. Now it's a critter hangout.

So that crap happens even out here in the country.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (Mzdiz)

153 The impression a lot of people have is he's a younger, Muslim version of Jordan Peterson. What he "preaches" is not disrespect towards women, but pushback against the feminists. And does it with humor and garish opulence.

Not my cup of tea, but then, I don't care for tea.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:22 PM (QBaJw)

For an example of something that made me roll my eyes and laugh out loud at the same time - and also that made me remember that at 11, 12, and 13 the funniest thing in the world today was when someone says in public those things that Cannot be Said in Public - well, just saw this piece where Tate loudly proclaims that every time a women complains about a man, that just means she really wants Big Black Dick. (and I'm not making that up)

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (q3gwH)

154 Of all the people in America whom Jake Tapper could've interviewed on "State of the Union" today, he chose an ex-Congresswoman from WY who lost her seat by 40 points.

Huh. Go figure.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 01:33 PM (NLIak)

155 Once you sit next to an old man on the 1 California clipping his nails, you lose all faith in humanity. And he's wearing a mask.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:33 PM (RIvkX)

156 He was contrasting the homicide rate and the suicide rate in rural and urban America. He was getting the point across that although it was more dangerous to be around other people it was aloo less likely you were to be lonely.

But it was just statistics. He also said if you live in a city you don't have to marry your cousin which I found to be amusing.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:33 PM (5g9YU)

157 Andrew Tate is Muslim? I had no idea.
Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:28 PM (bWsRe)

Yep, eastern European, which is very different culturally, from middle eastern muslims... most of the time.

Crowder mentioned the other day, Tate reached out to him, about this latest business in Israel. He says Tate was very respectfully disagreeing with him about something or other, and he hopes to have Tate as a guess at some point.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:34 PM (QBaJw)

158 Chappaquiddick is on Martha's Vineyard, so I don't really consider it on the Cape. Hyannisport is a half hour from my family's place, so we never see or saw any Kennedys. Mike Dukakis used to have a condo right next to our beach, saw him and Kitty once in a while. Oh, and John Kerry used to have a place about half a mile from us, we'd see him at the ice cream place once in a while. The only celebrities we cared about as kids were the ones who showed up for Kevin McHale's charity golf tournament every summer. Booby Orr, Steve Grogan, Larry Bird and a few others were prized spottings.

Posted by: Lincolntf at October 22, 2023 01:34 PM (2cS/G)

159 On a personal level I get along well with my neighbors. I live in a small blue enclave of an otherwise red area. At the precinct level my precinct and the ones immediately next to mine voted 60% Biden, in a County that voted 65% Trump.

My two next door neighbors on both sides are bigly big Dems. Neighbors across the street are As right wing as you get. But we’re all cool with each other, say hi, chat if we’re both out checking the mail or whatever. We all got together last 4th of July for a bbq. And another neighbor down the street who is MAGA to the core goes fishing with my next door neighbor who fills his front yard with signs for every Democrat running for any election every year.

Not sure if our block is filled with weirdos
or this is a lot more common but people think it doesn’t exist.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:35 PM (bWsRe)

160 99.9% would be my guess. I use a cc for everything. Then either pay it off in full or let it ride with a 0% offer. I realize I’m in a pretty small minority though.

But really nobody pays with cash for anything anymore.

Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:27 PM (bWsRe)

I'm in the same situation, but I try to pay cash unless it's an online thing. I don't blame them for adding a credit card surcharge. It's a convenience fee, I figure.

We should really try to use cash whenever possible. CBDCs are going to be awful.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:35 PM (Mzdiz)

161 I thought Andrew Tate was a brit. Yes, his dad was or is a muslim. I watched the Tucker interview with him. I seem to recall that bit. That, and both wore nice shoes with no socks.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 01:36 PM (MeG8a)

162 Not sure if our block is filled with weirdos
or this is a lot more common but people think it doesn’t exist.

I guarantee you'll never appear on the evening news.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 01:37 PM (I/Qkd)

163 Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:33 PM (5g9YU)

Yes...suicide rates are higher in rural settings.

I doubt very much it is a function of loneliness.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 22, 2023 01:37 PM (3Gtis)

164 For an example of something that made me roll my eyes and laugh out loud at the same time - and also that made me remember that at 11, 12, and 13 the funniest thing in the world today was when someone says in public those things that Cannot be Said in Public - well, just saw this piece where Tate loudly proclaims that every time a women complains about a man, that just means she really wants Big Black Dick. (and I'm not making that up)
Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:31 PM (q3gwH)

Crude, to be sure. Given where he's battling, I guess there's a point there, but yeah, I confess it's not a point I find very illuminating or useful.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:38 PM (QBaJw)

165 Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?
...
I can honestly say that I never wondered about that.

Ponder who's the big spoon for extra brain bleach needs.

Posted by: DaveA at October 22, 2023 01:38 PM (FhXTo)

166 Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, whatever... it's all the same. Just like people from New England say Alabama, Mississippi, whatever... it's all the same.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:39 PM (NBVIP)

167 Silver linings:

https://tinyurl.com/43mbzj88

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2023 01:39 PM (I/Qkd)

168 It's the ultimate loneliness.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:40 PM (5g9YU)

169 99.9% would be my guess. I use a cc for everything. Then either pay it off in full or let it ride with a 0% offer. I realize I’m in a pretty small minority though.

But really nobody pays with cash for anything anymore.
Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:27 PM (bWsRe)

Hmmm. I'm starting to feel unique.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:40 PM (BdMk6)

170 Posted by: Montec at October 22, 2023 01:35 PM (bWsRe)
====

No one really knew the neighbors' politics when I was a kid.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:40 PM (RIvkX)

171 I was on the East coast last week and restaurants there are adding a fee if you don't pay cash.

Surprised that kind of chiseling isn't ubiquitous here. Yet.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:28 PM (RIvkX)

Nothing new. Many years ago, when I was in the service/retail bizz, the banks would charge me 4.5% on any credit card billing. Gas stations would routinely have two different prices displayed.....one for cash, one for credit.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at October 22, 2023 01:42 PM (h4nev)

172 164
'Crude, to be sure. '

It sounds like it's intended to outrage whoever he is saying to or about.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 01:43 PM (roH4R)

173 No one really knew the neighbors' politics when I was a kid.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Or what they look like in their underwear.

Posted by: SFGoth at October 22, 2023 01:43 PM (KAi1n)

174 Andrew Tate is an eastern European muslim? You mean like Bosnia? I've always wondered how those Mohammedans compare to the Gaza Mohammedans.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (NBVIP)

175 160 Using cash whenever possible. My neighbor, a pretty much squared away guy keeps no cash around and uses a debit for everything. Now, I keep two C notes in the wallet (used to be one, thank you, Retardo) and a hundred or so in a cup on my desk (tip money, or if one of the neighbors needs a fiver until after work). The neighbor who uses the debit card was over when I just got in. I was recording an atm withdrawl in the checkbook. He asks why I did that and I said I like to keep track of things. He says "it's on line". I said not if the Wifi is down.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (0EOe9)

176 Tate is half-British half-American and a recent Muslim convert. His brother is still Christian.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (RIvkX)

177 If I left the wrong impression, I'll add that I think Tate is the natural reaction to the feminist takeover of education and society. They don't realize the harsh backlash they're bringing about.

as to suicide - the most recent numbers from the CDC point out that the problem is now increasing with men of all ages:
"The largest increase in the rate of suicide occurred among males ages 15-24 – an 8% increase. Suicide rates also increased for males ages 25-34, 35-44, and 65-74."

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (q3gwH)

178 No one really knew the neighbors' politics when I was a kid.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Or what they look like in their underwear.

====

*there has got to be a story....

Posted by: runner at October 22, 2023 01:45 PM (V13WU)

179 In Myrtle Beach a lot of mom & pop places have CC service charges on their bills. Almost all prefer you pay cash because they don't like screwing their customers on the Bank's behalf.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov, now, where does a war hero get some lubrication around here? at October 22, 2023 01:46 PM (nnp+f)

180 As a Show Me State voter, the most fun I have with my pants on is seeing Clare McCaskill described now as an "MSNBC political analyst" and "frequent Morning Joe and Lawrence O'Donnell show" guest.

You're all welcome, America!

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 01:46 PM (NLIak)

181 Or what they look like in their underwear.

*there has got to be a story....
Posted by: runner

Nope, just commentary on today's society.

Posted by: SFGoth at October 22, 2023 01:47 PM (KAi1n)

182 I did not have direct experience with the Catholic grooming culture, but I was near it. I attended a large city high school that employed at least one priest/repeat-molester; a graduate-school seminary that had devolved partly, but deeply, into gay culture. Not good role models for the young men they would later teach. The 70s were not good
Posted by: Anonymous at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (XizFB)

Yup...the 70's was when the sodomite offensive began. Our parish had a priest, a real nice fella, but something was off, around 1979. My Gaydar lit up and I always kept my distance. Sure enough, years later out came the molest molest molest stories and lawsuits. Dude ended up in some sodomite priest retirement home when the Bishop should have taken a baseball bat to his ass years earlier. But can't offend, gotta be nice.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 01:47 PM (R/m4+)

183
*the most recent numbers from the CDC*

Oh, yeah. THEY'VE got credibility.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:47 PM (NBVIP)

184 I can remember when using a credit card (by anyone) was a very rare event.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:48 PM (BdMk6)

185 Aren't the Boston Bombers Bosnian.?

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 01:48 PM (fwDg9)

186 Andrew Tate is an eastern European muslim? You mean like Bosnia? I've always wondered how those Mohammedans compare to the Gaza Mohammedans.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (NBVIP)

I'm really not sure. I was assuming he was in Romania for a reason.

One thing that was being talked about years ago, which I don't pay attention to anymore, is how young Americanized Bosnian males were going over the middle east to participate in Jihad. Not necessarily in great numbers, but some of them.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:48 PM (QBaJw)

187 185

Chechnyan

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2023 01:49 PM (roH4R)

188 And the big sliding CHA-CHUNG device with the carbon copies.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:49 PM (NBVIP)

189 I can remember when American Express cards were little blue and white pieces of paper.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 01:50 PM (NLIak)

190 "Does anyone think Bill and Hillary or Barry and Mike snuggle together in bed after watching TV in the evening?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh"

Hillary probably doesn't even call medics for Bill's periodic flying lamp injuries.

Posted by: Ripley at October 22, 2023 01:50 PM (JojsZ)

191 Tate resides in Romania.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 22, 2023 01:50 PM (RIvkX)

192 No one really knew the neighbors' politics when I was a kid.

One of my earlier memories was when my Mom hosted a "Gals for Goldwater" brunch. I'll bet 3/4 of the ladies in our 'hood showed up.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 01:50 PM (V8he0)

193 I can remember when using a credit card (by anyone) was a very rare event.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:48 PM (BdMk6)

Yup...it meant you were a big wheel. Is Diner's Club Still around?

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 01:51 PM (R/m4+)

194 The Boston Bombers was my favorite Roller Derby team.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:51 PM (NBVIP)

195 189 Remember when a vendor would telephone the CC company to see if it was valid? Gives you an idea of lack of volume in the olden days.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:51 PM (0EOe9)

196 as to suicide - the most recent numbers from the CDC point out that the problem is now increasing with men of all ages:
"The largest increase in the rate of suicide occurred among males ages 15-24 – an 8% increase. Suicide rates also increased for males ages 25-34, 35-44, and 65-74."
Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:44 PM (q3gwH)

I haven't seen any urban/rural breakdowns on numbers, but yeah, suicide is mostly a male problem.

And no doubt getting worse by the feminization of the nation.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:52 PM (QBaJw)

197 The Boston Bombers were/are from Kyrgyzstan/Dagestan. There was a lot of discussion in that area about what exactly they were; claiming Chechen ethnicity but had never lived in Chechnya.
Some might not care but it does matter.

Posted by: LenNeal at October 22, 2023 01:52 PM (/BBNv)

198 183
*the most recent numbers from the CDC*

Oh, yeah. THEY'VE got credibility.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:47 PM (NBVIP)

I get your point - but there's no reliable private source for statistics like that, and this isn't an ideological number that would be faked for some reason. In many areas, we're stuck with a bad choice - either go with the "official'' numbers, or throw up our hands and say we can't believe anything, so there are no numbers and no verifiable knowledge about anything. But if that's true, what's the point of even talking about it?

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2023 01:53 PM (q3gwH)

199 And the big sliding CHA-CHUNG device with the carbon copies.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 22, 2023 01:49 PM (NBVIP)

I still have that device on a shelf in the basement from the days of my business back in the 70's and early 80's. Kept one copy of the booklet we received each week from the banks listing stolen credit cards. Before we accepted a credit card, we would look up the number in the book to see if it was listed. Much different time.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at October 22, 2023 01:54 PM (h4nev)

200 I saw a movie the other day online from the 70's and some dude just flew in to L.A. and as he was walking out of the terminal I had forgotten about the rows and rows of pay phones.

All gone now.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 22, 2023 01:54 PM (R/m4+)

201 I pay cash for gasoline to get a little discount.
I also pay cash at bars just so I remember how stupid it is to drink at bars.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (MeG8a)

202 Amazingly, there was a gathering yesterday in Texas where the people were very polite and considerate of each other.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (h10GJ)

203 As a Show Me State voter, the most fun I have with my pants on is seeing Clare McCaskill described now as an "MSNBC political analyst" and "frequent Morning Joe and Lawrence O'Donnell show" guest.

You're all welcome, America!
Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 01:46 PM (NLIak)

I remember listening to a debate on the radio, eons ago. I'm pretty sure it was the race for governor, and it was all the Democrat candidates, of which she was one.

I don't recall who was eventually nominated that year, I'm certain this was pre-Carnahan, and Vince Schoemel, the St. Louis mayor, was one of the candidates.

Anyhoo... McCaskill was the sane, moderate in the debate. Let that sink in.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (QBaJw)

204 194 It was The San Francisco Bay Area Bombers roller derby team, appearing at Eagles Lodges from coast to coast on midget wrestling nights.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (0EOe9)

205 I can remember when using a credit card (by anyone) was a very rare event.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:48 PM (BdMk6)

I remember when you couldn't use a credit card at the grocery store.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:57 PM (Mzdiz)

206 People don't want to feel the jolt of the cattle prod.

Posted by: davidt at October 22, 2023 01:57 PM (SYTee)

207 It was always the teachers in my HS who encourage us to get into politics. They considered it part of our civic duty.

But the fact was that the mob ran my town and all the pols were Democrats.

Posted by: pawn at October 22, 2023 01:58 PM (5g9YU)

208 There are few, if any, places around here--mom&pop, big box store, whatever--where you get a discount for cash. But I DO get a discount for using a credit-card (anywhere from 1 to 5% back). Haven't used cash for a commercial transaction in 50 years.

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at October 22, 2023 01:58 PM (XMwZJ)

209 I don't recall who was eventually nominated that year, I'm certain this was pre-Carnahan, and Vince Schoemel, the St. Louis mayor, was one of the candidates.

Anyhoo... McCaskill was the sane, moderate in the debate. Let that sink in.
Posted by: BurtTC
___

Wasn't she the one that that had a "for sure" loss coming up and Republicans nominated Akin who started talking about rape babies?

I honestly think that whole discussion helped Obama in his election also.

She admitted she helped Akin win. I see lots of parallels to this today. Democrats are choosing the candidate they know they can beat.

Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 01:59 PM (wMRY8)

210 It was The San Francisco Bay Area Bombers roller derby team, appearing at Eagles Lodges from coast to coast on midget wrestling nights.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (0EOe9)

Now THAT was entertainment.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 01:59 PM (BdMk6)

211 201 Some of the big time discount stations around here have a dime a gallon surcharge on CC purchases. My local doesn't, but he's about a dime higher than the discounts.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 02:00 PM (0EOe9)

212 It was The San Francisco Bay Area Bombers roller derby team, appearing at Eagles Lodges from coast to coast on midget wrestling nights.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 01:55 PM (0EOe9)

Yeah, but they were once the Brooklyn Bombers, until those greedy bastards, the O'Malleys moved them out to the left coast.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 02:00 PM (QBaJw)

213 Midget wrestling was a hoot.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023 02:00 PM (V8he0)

214 Chechnyan
Posted by: Dr. Claw

Gesundheidt !

Posted by: JT at October 22, 2023 02:01 PM (T4tVD)

215 A significant portion of the people in those cities aren't Americans, citizens or no. Many of them came after the idea of the melting pot went away, and a most of those whose family has lived there for generations have renounced adherence to Heritage America in favor of Soviet America.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 22, 2023 02:01 PM (XqcwY)

216 I've never, in my life, seen a gas station with a case discount.

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at October 22, 2023 02:02 PM (XMwZJ)

217 Thanks, didn't remember

Anyway

FIRSTLY NOOD

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2023 02:02 PM (fwDg9)

218 Overall the cities are cancers on the body politic. If Biden ever got the nuclear war he wants with Vlad it would like work like radiation treatment...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 22, 2023 02:02 PM (XqcwY)

219 210 212 Available in glorious black and white on Mom and Dad's Zenith! On nights where you could stay up late after the monster movies.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 02:02 PM (0EOe9)

220 203 BTC

Hawley deserves much credit. A very smart fellow who ran a superb campaign. It wasn't easy taking her out.

I remember when she defeated incumbent GOP Senator Jim Talent. Unspeakably depressing. Talent was a good guy. That was the race which somehow devolved into a referendum on embryo cell stem research, and Michael J. Fox parachuted into MO to tell everyone that Jim Talent was trying to kill him.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:03 PM (NLIak)

221 every time a women complains about a man, that just means she really wants Big Black Dick.

Just one?

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at October 22, 2023 02:03 PM (fXRJa)

222 All gas stations in my area have 2 prices, one for cash, one for credit card. Usually cash is $.10 less per gallon.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 02:04 PM (MeG8a)

223 Overall the cities are cancers on the body politic. If Biden ever got the nuclear war he wants with Vlad it would like work like radiation treatment...
Posted by: 18-1 at October 22, 2023 02:02 PM (XqcwY)

This is true.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 22, 2023 02:04 PM (BdMk6)

224 Zenith?
Phillips!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko stuff in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at October 22, 2023 02:04 PM (fXRJa)

225 224 Grandpa and Grandma had a Muntz, big sucker with the radio and record player.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2023 02:06 PM (0EOe9)

226 I wish Israel would get this Gaza ground incursion started already. It's going to get ugly before it gets better, so lets get it on already.

Posted by: Gloo at October 22, 2023 02:07 PM (qUkBO)

227 Wasn't she the one that that had a "for sure" loss coming up and Republicans nominated Akin who started talking about rape babies?

I honestly think that whole discussion helped Obama in his election also.

She admitted she helped Akin win. I see lots of parallels to this today. Democrats are choosing the candidate they know they can beat.
Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 01:59 PM (wMRY

Actually, I just looked it up. She beat Jim Talent in '06, then won re-election due to Rapin' Akin being nominated. And yes, she and corporate media (BIRM) ran an op that made sure Akin won the nomination.

But needless to say, there were a number of reasons the Republicans lost to Ubama in '12, and since Rominy won Missouri, I'm not sure Akin had much to do with the overall loss.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 02:07 PM (QBaJw)

228 209 Blago

Akin first mentioned his tinfoil hat ideas about rape AFTER HE WAS NOMINATED-- not before.

Before he won the GOP primary, he was just another obscure GOP congressman known for his religiosity-- not unlike John Ashcroft.

I hate it when GOP primary voters (I voted for one of Akin's opponents, btw) get blamed for choosing a pro-rape nutball. They DIDN'T.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:09 PM (NLIak)

229 I remember when she defeated incumbent GOP Senator Jim Talent. Unspeakably depressing. Talent was a good guy. That was the race which somehow devolved into a referendum on embryo cell stem research, and Michael J. Fox parachuted into MO to tell everyone that Jim Talent was trying to kill him.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:03 PM (NLIak)

Ugh...stem cell research... so long ago, forgotten now.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 02:10 PM (QBaJw)

230 Ugh...stem cell research... so long ago, forgotten now.

The FNM *guaranteed* it was going to cure all cancers or something like that...if they could just keep aborting babies.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 22, 2023 02:12 PM (XqcwY)

231 Akin first mentioned his tinfoil hat ideas about rape AFTER HE WAS NOMINATED-- not before.

Before he won the GOP primary, he was just another obscure GOP congressman known for his religiosity-- not unlike John Ashcroft.

I hate it when GOP primary voters (I voted for one of Akin's opponents, btw) get blamed for choosing a pro-rape nutball. They DIDN'T.
Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:09 PM (NLIak)

Not that it matters, but there had been a reporter, I think for the Post-Dispatch, who had the goods on Akin's... eh, novel views on rape, and held it until after the nomination.

So yeah, voters didn't know, but McCaskill and the corporate press knew.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 02:12 PM (QBaJw)

232 In many areas, we're stuck with a bad choice - either go with the "official'' numbers, or throw up our hands and say we can't believe anything, so there are no numbers and no verifiable knowledge about anything.

"I don't know" is a perfectly good answer. At the very least, we ought to be skeptical of what we know or how sure we are if the basis for knowing is a government statistic. I have not encountered a government measurement that does not get gamed in some fashion. And that's no even taking into account mistakes, incompetence, etc.

Posted by: Sorry, but I'm not the bad actor who decided we'd have a low-trust society. at October 22, 2023 02:13 PM (KFhLj)

233 I remember when you couldn't use a credit card at the grocery store.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at October 22, 2023 01:57 PM (Mzdiz)

Most consumable items couldn't be charged on a credit card. Most gasoline companies issued their own credit card in the late 60's, early 70's. My first "charge card" was a Shell card.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at October 22, 2023 02:15 PM (h4nev)

234 All gas stations in my area have 2 prices, one for cash, one for credit card. Usually cash is $.10 less per gallon.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at October 22, 2023 02:04 PM (MeG8a)

Most here have dropped that. A few "off brands" still do it.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at October 22, 2023 02:17 PM (h4nev)

235 Well, if somebody "had the goods on Akin & rape" before the primary, that didn't come out AFTER the primary either-- it was 100% about his post-primary rape comment.

McCaskill's famous pro-Akin TV & radio ads accused Akin of being "too conservative for Missouri."

If Akin had had ONE GOP primary opponent instead of 2 (Steelman & Braun), I suspect Akin wouldn't have won. But again, prior to his nomination he was just regarded as a non-entity, not a screwball.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:20 PM (NLIak)

236 Parking lot I frequent charges $1.14 if you use a cc.
I mentioned that to a lady as I was walking from the machine
she said yeah as she stuck her card into the reader.

Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 02:22 PM (u44Cz)

237 But needless to say, there were a number of reasons the Republicans lost to Ubama in '12, and since Rominy won Missouri, I'm not sure Akin had much to do with the overall loss.

Posted by: BurtTC
___

I think the "war on women" meme gained a lot of traction nationwide from that whole discussion. I'm not saying that single handedly carried the election, but I think it was a factor that affected white women. Sort of like 2022.

Missouri is a pro-life state, but the nonsense Akin was spouting was just extra over the top.

Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 02:22 PM (IRzK9)

238 The "coexist" We Are The World doofi don't understand that Islam demands convert or die. The cultures of hate find common ground in hate, yet they hate each other. satan hates his minions
Posted by: Marybel Smiles at October 22, 2023 12:09 PM (b2Tnl)
_______________

They don't grasp that they're preaching to the wrong people. They need to put "coexist" stickers on the Muslims camels and goats.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at October 22, 2023 02:23 PM (azMeO)

239 Hawley would make a good VP pick for Trump.

I'd LOVE to see Hawley debate Kamala!

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:23 PM (NLIak)

240 Well, if somebody "had the goods on Akin & rape" before the primary, that didn't come out AFTER the primary either-- it was 100% about his post-primary rape comment.

McCaskill's famous pro-Akin TV & radio ads accused Akin of being "too conservative for Missouri."

If Akin had had ONE GOP primary opponent instead of 2 (Steelman & Braun), I suspect Akin wouldn't have won. But again, prior to his nomination he was just regarded as a non-entity, not a screwball.
Posted by: mnw

___

He had a long history of saying really stupid shit.

McCaskill wrote a Politico article basically crowing about how she saw he was a nut and had her campaign try and get him to win the nomination.

Our side just does not vet candidates. Either one of those other Republicans would have won, Romney won the state by almost double digits.

Posted by: Blago at October 22, 2023 02:25 PM (IRzK9)

241 I think Romney's overall loss was caused by Democrat cheating.

Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 02:27 PM (u44Cz)

242 I remember when she defeated incumbent GOP Senator Jim Talent. Unspeakably depressing. Talent was a good guy. That was the race which somehow devolved into a referendum on embryo cell stem research, and Michael J. Fox parachuted into MO to tell everyone that Jim Talent was trying to kill him.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:03 PM (NLIak)

Ugh...stem cell research... so long ago, forgotten now.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 22, 2023 02:10 PM (QBaJw)
_______________

Talent WAS a good guy, and I was sorry to see him lose.

In an act of pure madness, the People's Republic of California established its own agency for funding stem cell research in the state. No opportunities for graft there.

Researcher #1: "I'll recommend funding your research if you do the same for mine."

Researcher #2: "Deal."

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at October 22, 2023 02:28 PM (azMeO)

243 Anyone think Byron Donalds has a chance at being Speaker?

Posted by: Braenyard at October 22, 2023 02:29 PM (u44Cz)

244 I think the "war on women" meme gained a lot of traction nationwide from that whole discussion. I'm not saying that single handedly carried the election, but I think it was a factor that affected white women.
__________________

One of the more gullible demographics of the electorate. Only blacks are more gullible.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at October 22, 2023 02:29 PM (azMeO)

245 239 Hawley would make a good VP pick for Trump.

I'd LOVE to see Hawley debate Kamala!
Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:23 PM (NLIak)
__________________

Seconded. Put that on PPV!

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at October 22, 2023 02:30 PM (azMeO)

246 Romney was destined to lose from the moment he was nominated in my opinion. "We oppose Obamacare," say the people who nominated Romney was an impossible-to-defend choice. We can make whatever lawyerly distinctions we want about Romney's state-level version, but those are the kind of policy details are for wonks, not normal
voters. Totally deflating. That, and Romney is very much of the wing of the party focused on things like capital gains tax cuts, which does not resonate with the people who have to be persuaded in blue wall states.

Posted by: One good debate or not, he was always going to lose. at October 22, 2023 02:35 PM (KFhLj)

247 @244 Well, there's Catholics.
While "we" are taking the vote away and sending people back where they came from, let's remember the grand traditions.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at October 22, 2023 02:40 PM (4PZHB)

248 But for his famous rape gaffe, I believe Akin would've beaten McCaskill also. The polls had the race close before that. MO doesn't have any problem with evangelicals-- Ashcroft first gained attention by being a popular church choir soloist.

Again, I voted for the articulate & respectable businessman in that GOP primary, not Akin. Braun (?) would've eaten Sky Queen Claire's lunch.

Posted by: mnw at October 22, 2023 02:43 PM (NLIak)

249 We obviously need more young men of military age from Shitholeistan coming across our southern border!

Posted by: Unkaren at October 22, 2023 03:55 PM (+dPsZ)

250 I did not have direct experience with the Catholic grooming culture, but I was near it. I attended a large city high school that employed at least one priest/repeat-molester; a graduate-school seminary that had devolved partly, but deeply, into gay culture. Not good role models for the young men they would later teach. The 70s were not good
Posted by: Anonymous at October 22, 2023 01:06 PM (XizFB)

The Catholic seminaries were purposefully infected with Communists in the 1930s and later (per later admission by Bella Dodd). Those men got into positions of power by the 1960s and 70s; they infected the seminaries with the homosexuals. It was bad for the Catholic Church.

The good news is that most of those bad priests are dead or close to death. Ironically, the "plastic banana, good time, rock-n-roll" hippy "spirit of Vatican II" parishes don't see many men pursue the vocation of the priesthood; thus, the younger priests tend to be pretty rad-trad -- this gives the hippies the sads. LOL

Whatever stupid $h!t the Synod on Synodality comes up with will be quickly ignored and forgotten.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at October 22, 2023 04:06 PM (pJWtt)

251 For me, spending my first five working years after finishing college in South Carolina was a real eye opener. Everyone waved or honked to everyone else, it seemed. There was an air of charm among folks.

I remember that, as well. Sigh.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at October 22, 2023

Years ago my niece came to visit from North Carolina. She went to the grocery store with me, and at th deli counter I was relieved to see my favorite person wait on us. As we were walking away after getting our order my niece asked softly ifshe was always that rude. I was surprised cause that person had always been the only friendly deli person and she had actually said hi to my niece when I introduced her! It was when I realized that friendly in Michigan is a far cry from friendly in the Carolina's!

Posted by: Chillin the most at October 22, 2023 04:15 PM (0uQp2)

252 Leftists really want a society that prevents any sort of surprise. They're really not all that good at dealing with adversity, of any kind. It's why they want to tame the weather, cancel anyone with wrong thoughts... basically live the way they think everyone should live.

It why they insist, sometimes violently that everyone must obey them.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2023 12:25 PM (Q4IgG)
==
The good book has that story about the tower of Babel.

Another example of how much is right in the bible and how much is wrong with leftist totalitarians.

Posted by: Black JEM at October 22, 2023 06:34 PM (UVyKP)

253 Knowing this crowd, this point has already probably been made. But in order to act like little Gods who have the right to dictate everything that your fellow humans do, you necessarily need to feel Superior to them. This of course appeals to people who can't attain a great deal of superiority on their own. And also is how they rationalize ordering everyone around, because they have convinced themselves that they are morally and intellectually and aesthetically Superior to the people they regard as subhuman.

It's all part of the same package of playing God which is always the appeal of socialism and communism. See, for example, Whitaker Chambers in his magnificent memoir, "Witness.: He said people always asked him why he was a communist spy in America and he said it is the oldest temptation of all: "Ye shall be as gods."

("Witness" is the book that Ronald Reagan said "changed his life.")

Posted by: Beverly at October 22, 2023 07:31 PM (Epeb0)

254 “A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.”
Robert Heinlein

Posted by: Bilderback at October 22, 2023 08:14 PM (ts2F1)

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