Mid-Morning Art Thread

Spring Woods
Henry Ward Ranger

Posted by: CBD at 09:30 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 ART

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:31 AM (gbOdA)

2 I spotted the Ranger!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:31 AM (Wnv9h)

3 Trees, ergo Art.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:31 AM (Wnv9h)

4 Looks humid and damp and muddy. I'll sit this woods walk out, thanks.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 09:32 AM (J2vNu)

5 The MET

Title: Spring Woods

Artist: Henry Ward Ranger (American, Syracuse, New York 1858–1916 New York)

Date: ca. 1895–1900

Culture: American

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 28 1/4 x 36 in. (71.8 x 91.4 cm)

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:32 AM (gbOdA)

6
What? They were having a sale on green paint.

Posted by: Henry Ward Ranger at February 06, 2025 09:32 AM (dg+HA)

7 Bit early for Spring pix when so much of the land is getting ice and snow storms this week.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:32 AM (ctrM5)

8 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (vf0Uk)

9 The tree to the right looks as if it's about to spit lightning from that long branch.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (J2vNu)

10

Spring Wood? Baby, I'm year 'round!

Posted by: Sandra Fluker at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (HRQvT)

11 It's OK, not as detailed as would like

Posted by: Skip at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (fwDg9)

12 Izzat a rock wall...or a dead tree?

Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (Yj6Os)

13 Moss.......must be a lot of rain in them thar woods.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (vf0Uk)

14 Needs more green.

Posted by: redridinghood at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (NpAcC)

15 SPONGE!!!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (Wnv9h)

16 The little graves in the foreground are unexpected.

Posted by: huerfano at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (n2swS)

17 Bit early for Spring pix when so much of the land is getting ice and snow storms this week.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025

***
We're starting to sweat and run the A/C down here in Da Swamp, unfortunately.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 09:34 AM (J2vNu)

18 Morning wood >> Spring woods

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 09:34 AM (Q4IgG)

19 Springtime for Treebeard in Fangorn.

Posted by: Quickbeam at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM (Dxsn+)

20 The little graves in the foreground are unexpected.
Posted by: huerfano at February 06, 2025

***
Wait, what?

There are graves?

Posted by: Ghouls in the Springtime at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM (J2vNu)

21 Initially seems too yellow. At the right time of day, right weather? Also a bit too fuzzy.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM (bss/y)

22 Needs more Ents.
Thx CBD. Would hang, very serene

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM (EUtBO)

23 Reminds me of years gone by, walking in the woods.

The smell, the damp cold, the sounds... a lifetime ago.

Alas.

Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM (QJHy9)

24 I like it. And I spotted the sniper right off.

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 09:36 AM (Wg6v7)

25 We're starting to sweat and run the A/C down here in Da Swamp, unfortunately.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
-------
May a cool breeze blow your humidity back to the Gulf of America.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:36 AM (ctrM5)

26 Spring looks a little fuzzy.

Posted by: dantesed at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (Oy/m2)

27 There are graves?
Posted by: Ghouls in the Springtime at February 06, 2025 09:35 AM

In a wooded area? Shallow ones.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (Wnv9h)

28 I'd far rather be hiking uphill along a rocky or dusty trail in the Southwest. But the painting is effective and well done.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (J2vNu)

29 24 I like it. And I spotted the sniper right off.
Posted by: Pudinhead
---------
But not the snares, punji sticks, and covered pits with stakes in them.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (ctrM5)

30 You know who else Celebrated Springtime?

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (gbOdA)

31 A robin would have been a nice touch.

Posted by: redridinghood at February 06, 2025 09:38 AM (NpAcC)

32 We're starting to sweat and run the A/C down here in Da Swamp, unfortunately.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
-------
May a cool breeze blow your humidity back to the Gulf of America.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025

***
It might. Come November or December.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 09:38 AM (J2vNu)

33
I always liked that time of year. The sense of anticipation that new life would soon appear.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 09:38 AM (dxSpM)

34 Im sure this is one that looks much better in person.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 06, 2025 09:38 AM (IOGah)

35 26 Spring looks a little fuzzy.
Posted by: dantesed
-------
Pollen mixed in with morning mists. Looks like that in low light.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:38 AM (ctrM5)

36 34 Im sure this is one that looks much better in person.
--------------
Its 3 feet wide. This is a big picture.

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 09:39 AM (Wg6v7)

37
In a wooded area? Shallow ones.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (Wnv9h)

________

The Pine Barrens?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 09:39 AM (dxSpM)

38 Izzat a rock wall...or a dead tree?
Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (Yj6Os)

I'm gonna say dead tree, but even blown up it's hard to tell.

Of course, if you walk through the woods, you will sometimes find rocks piled up, and it's really not clear if someone piled them, or they are a formation that God laid down.

Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:39 AM (QJHy9)

39
There's a Big Al's Carpet store on that site now.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (dxSpM)

40 Getty Lee is the sniper!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (F6wR0)

41 Oh, very nice. Very soothing. Would hang. Thanks, CBD!

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (77rzZ)

42 NO springs!

Posted by: Coily The Spring Sprite at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (vFG9F)

43 I think that is a fallen birch tree.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (bss/y)

44 A couple of spaniels would really tune up this painting.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (km/Kl)

45 Very nice. I like the contrasting colors and the white trunk of the tree ( Sycamore?) against the greens and yellows.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (D+fHk)

46 Of course, if you walk through the woods, you will sometimes find rocks piled up, and it's really not clear if someone piled them, or they are a formation that God laid down.
Posted by: BurtTC
--------
Around here, farmers used to pile rocks at the edge of the fields. We repurposed all the rocks for planting beds around the homestead.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (ctrM5)

47 40 Getty Lee is the sniper!
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (F6wR0)

I don't see any bird monsters...

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (bss/y)

48
It's the most
Murkiest time
Of the year

Posted by: Springtime at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (vFG9F)

49 I can hear the squirrels chittering

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (+iIV1)

50 If there's no dog but there's a groundhog, is it art?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (aSBjH)

51 The trees in this painting are obviously phallic symbols demonstrating representing the white cis-het patriarchal structure that defines our society which is in turn defined by rape culture. The open and shameless penetration of the soil and sky by these trees is an overt reference to the constant and consistent rape of the feminine by this phallocentric, rape-centric structure. The rock wall symbolizes the indifference of this society to its wymyn, all of whom have been repeatedly raped by white patriarchal cis-het men.

Posted by: Feminist art critic at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (URPBf)

52 Don't let him scream! The scream is deadly!

*checks rifle*

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (bss/y)

53 It might. Come November or December.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
------
You really need to talk with JJ or CBD and borrow their weather machine for a spell.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:43 AM (ctrM5)

54
I would sit on what's left of that rock wall and just listen to birds

would hang, in the library of my country estate

Posted by: Don Black at February 06, 2025 09:43 AM (AOsQT)

55 SPONGE!!!
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:33 AM (Wnv9h)

Woot!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 06, 2025 09:43 AM (vf0Uk)

56 A couple of spaniels would really tune up this painting.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 06, 2025 09:41 AM (km/Kl)
******
That would have been awesome.

Posted by: redridinghood at February 06, 2025 09:43 AM (NpAcC)

57 There's a Big Al's Carpet store on that site now.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 09:40 AM (dxSpM)

remind me of one of the digs you give your golf playing partner after your drives.

Did you see where they are building a new Walmart?

No, where?

Between your ball and mine.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 06, 2025 09:43 AM (IOGah)

58 Embiggens nicely. Really fine, detailed brushwork.

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (DsA2n)

59 50 If there's no dog but there's a groundhog, is it art?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (aSBjH)

Judges would have accepted Marmot.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (gbOdA)

60
I like it. And I spotted the sniper right off.
Posted by: Pudinhead
---------
But not the snares, punji sticks, and covered pits with stakes in them.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:37 AM (ctrM5)

All are distractions from the kitteh.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (FoIOl)

61 You can almost smell it. The damp, dank earth and leaves.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (Q4IgG)

62 I see this exact image out my back window

Posted by: SMOD at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (GITLP)

63 you could stick the Wizard of Oz foursomes into the painting.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 06, 2025 09:45 AM (IOGah)

64 45 Very nice. I like the contrasting colors and the white trunk of the tree ( Sycamore?) against the greens and yellows.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
============
Fun fact, lots of people are allergic to Sycamore tree pollen. We had one taken down in our yard because it was too close to the house and only about 80 ft high or so.

Wasn't fond of the big leaves when autumn came nor the dead branches it dropped everywhere.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:45 AM (ctrM5)

65 If there's no dog but there's a groundhog, is it art?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (aSBjH)

Judges would have accepted Marmot.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (gbOdA)

Which is a type of weasel.

Posted by: Horde Zoologist at February 06, 2025 09:45 AM (URPBf)

66
If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better go in disguise!
...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZANKFxrcKU

Everybody sing along!

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 09:45 AM (iJfKG)

67

"Happy little trees.."

*it's like I don't know you anymore

Posted by: runner at February 06, 2025 09:45 AM (g47mK)

68 I get the impression that there's an old neglected rock wall there, like an old pasture being reclaimed by the woods

Posted by: Don Black at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (AOsQT)

69 What kind of trees are those?

Posted by: dantesed at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (Oy/m2)

70 Trees, ergo Art.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 09:31 AM (Wnv9h)
--------

I miss our AASI. I hope he still lurks around here.

Posted by: bluebell at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (79pEw)

71 69 What kind of trees are those?
Posted by: dantesed at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (Oy/m2)

Birch?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (bss/y)

72 65 If there's no dog but there's a groundhog, is it art?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 09:42 AM (aSBjH)

Judges would have accepted Marmot.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (gbOdA)

Which is a type of weasel.
Posted by: Horde Zoologist
========
Badgers > Groundhogs.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (ctrM5)

73 "What kind of trees are those?
Posted by: dantesed"

Unhappy.

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (vFG9F)

74 I am not a fan of yellow in such quantities, to be honest with you.

Posted by: runner at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (g47mK)

75 We got a big pin oak next to the house. Trash tree, but landscapers apparently use them all the time because they grow super fast. Driveway is lined with siberian elm, which is literally an invasive species, and even more filthy, but they planted them anyway.

I still like them though.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (+iIV1)

76 I see the sni....(thud)

Posted by: Darth Randall at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (idnWf)

77
Very bland and harmless, and non-memorable.

Perfect dentist waiting room fodder.

I rate it 4 out of 5 Dabs of Mayonnaise.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 09:48 AM (iJfKG)

78 I am not a fan of yellow in such quantities, to be honest with you.
Posted by: runner at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (g47mK)

My man.

Posted by: Hunter Biden at February 06, 2025 09:48 AM (+iIV1)

79 I don't know if it's great at or not, but it's easy to see me and my dad in that scene. With our German Shepherd off chasing something (hopefully not a skunk thus time.)

Two (four if Dad was still here) thumbs up.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (k/U8Z)

80 I am not a fan of yellow in such quantities, to be honest with you.
Posted by: runner

*Fist bump

Posted by: Hunter Biden at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (DsA2n)

81 When I was a teenager I could spring woods in seconds.

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (vFG9F)

82 My attention span is way, way too short for this painting.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (RIvkX)

83 I am not a fan of yellow in such quantities, to be honest with you.
Posted by: runner

*fist bump*

Posted by: Hunter Biden at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (77rzZ)

84 Spring woods = poison ivy, aka, Leaves of Three - Indian TP

Posted by: rickb223 at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (WXgbp)

85 71 69 What kind of trees are those?
Posted by: dantesed at February 06, 2025 09:46 AM (Oy/m2)

Birch?
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---------
Possibly beech.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:49 AM (ctrM5)

86 This is a pretty one. Would hang. Any dogs?

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 09:50 AM (4780s)

87 Oh my, Horde Mind is strong this morning.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:50 AM (77rzZ)

88 Very bland and harmless, and non-memorable.

Perfect dentist waiting room fodder.

I rate it 4 out of 5 Dabs of Mayonnaise.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 09:48 AM (iJfKG)
===
Yes. This should be hung in the breakfast bar at Holiday Inn Express.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 06, 2025 09:50 AM (RIvkX)

89 You can almost smell it. The damp, dank ~~earth and leaves~~ rapperette.

Posted by: Martini Farmer

Fixed.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 06, 2025 09:51 AM (WXgbp)

90 There's no point going into woods like that. You'll never find your ball. Take a mulligan.

Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 09:51 AM (j8aAi)

91 I have the opportunity to go on a truffle hunt this weekend. The local club is putting out invites.
I will be blessed if we get into woods that open.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (D7oie)

92 One of those things I find most interesting about this type of work, I try to imagine the artist, over 100 years ago, wandering through the woods with his sketch pad.

What made him stop... here? What caught his eye?

Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (QJHy9)

93 84 Spring woods = poison ivy, aka, Leaves of Three - Indian TP
Posted by: rickb223
=====
Gotta nip that stuff in the bud or it takes over your wooded areas. I positively hate the climbing poison ivy that climbs trees, and kudzu, and muscadine, and Virginia creeper. Don't like smilex either.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (ctrM5)

94 Badgers > Groundhogs.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:47 AM (ctrM5)

Honey Badgers > Badgers > Groundhogs

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (gbOdA)

95 See that hole in the lower limb of the larger tree?

The squirrels have deposited their savings in a branch orifice.

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (/iMjX)

96 One of those things I find most interesting about this type of work, I try to imagine the artist, over 100 years ago, wandering through the woods with his sketch pad.

What made him stop... here? What caught his eye?
Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (QJHy9)

He stepped in badger poop?

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (iJfKG)

97 Honey Badgers > Badgers > Groundhogs
Posted by: rhennigantx
=====
No love for mongooses?

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (ctrM5)

98 Spring Woods
Henry Ward Ranger

************

Art Preservation - a limerick

It seems that this painting was in danger
So they hired an "art location changer"
The new destination
is a temporary location
Now the locals call this piece "The Loaned Ranger"

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (/iMjX)

99 Lot of famous paintings of the forests. Van Gogh did at least a half dozen. Andrew Wyeth did a couple. Gustav Klimt, Ivan Ivanovich, etc.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (IOGah)

100 No love for mongooses?
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (ctrM5)

mongeese

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:53 AM (gbOdA)

101 Although, now that I look at it from zoomed out, I suspect this isn't in the MIDDLE of the woods, but at the edge.

Just behind him, is a small cottage. That's an old wall, no longer of use, and further behind him a village. He merely had to walk out his door to find this scene.

Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:54 AM (QJHy9)

102 95 See that hole in the lower limb of the larger tree?

The squirrels have deposited their savings in a branch orifice.
Posted by: muldoon
==========
My dogs view squirrels as tennis balls thrown by the Lord.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:54 AM (ctrM5)

103 mongeese
Posted by: rhennigantx
====
That right there just looks wrong.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:54 AM (ctrM5)

104
Honey Badgers > Badgers > Groundhogs
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:52 AM (gbOdA)

Oh, screw off. I don't wanna be some weasel's breakfast.

Posted by: Cobra at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (FoIOl)

105 Finally. Good art again. I know, I know, terribly subjective, but a few of these recent entries almost put me off of the MMAT. Almost.

Looks like every hike I've ever done on a rainy morning in the woods of middle Tennessee.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (dVN87)

106 Wakes up
Scratches
Looks around
Dang. That's no sniper in the woods. Someone called the copse.
Goes looking for coffee.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (W/lyH)

107 103 mongeese
Posted by: rhennigantx
====
That right there just looks wrong.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:54 AM (ctrM5)

At least they do not crap all over the sidewalk and act like territorial psychopaths.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (bss/y)

108 Badgers? We don' nneed no steenking badgers!

Posted by: The Groundhogs at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (/iMjX)

109 This is crap. I did it better myself when i was ten. Paint-by-numbers.

I much prefer the Norwegian Mental Illness art from last week. This dreck pales in comparison.

Posted by: Norse Saga at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (G5+As)

110 Dang. That's no sniper in the woods. Someone called the copse.
Goes looking for coffee.
Posted by: Diogenes at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (W/lyH)

*golfclap*

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (bss/y)

111 The Larch.

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (3drxe)

112 This wall was a turning point in the War Between the States. The engagement drove in the Confederate left flank and allowed Hooker's men to assist in the Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day, which routed Bragg's army, lifting the siege of Union forces in Chattanooga, and opening the gateway into the Deep South.

Posted by: War Between The States Facts at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (vFG9F)

113 108 Badgers? We don' nneed no steenking badgers!
Posted by: The Groundhogs at February 06, 2025 09:55 AM (/iMjX)

ha

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (gbOdA)

114 Have they found out who stole the truckload of eggs yet?

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (77rzZ)

115 At least they do not crap all over the sidewalk and act like territorial psychopaths.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---------
Badgers keep the skunks away.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 09:57 AM (ctrM5)

116 Well, that's what Kirk and Spock are trying to do.

They're trying to Bob the entire Federal Leviathan and downsize Initech.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 06, 2025 09:31 AM
-----
... using stone knives and bearskins.

However, it does give me a Vulcan mind-boner recalling Zarabeth on Sarpeidon, circled by Beta Niobe.

Mmm. Meat.

https://tinyurl.com/44ay9ye6

Posted by: lt. commander spock at February 06, 2025 09:57 AM (5LoD7)

117 114 Have they found out who stole the truckload of eggs yet?
Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (77rzZ)

Most likely some hard boiled criminals.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (gbOdA)

118 Someone called the copse.
Goes looking for coffee.
Posted by: Diogenes

************

Bush puns make me thicket to my thtomach!

Posted by: The Groundhogs at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (/iMjX)

119 mongoose

mongeese

mongi?

Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (Yj6Os)

120 This wall was a turning point in the War Between the States. The engagement drove in the Confederate left flank and allowed Hooker's men to assist in the Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day, which routed Bragg's army, lifting the siege of Union forces in Chattanooga, and opening the gateway into the Deep South.
Posted by: War Between The States Facts

It seems like every major Civil War battle had a stone wall, an orchard, and a field of grain.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (77rzZ)

121 Have they found out who stole the truckload of eggs yet?
Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 09:56 AM (77rzZ)

Most likely some hard boiled criminals.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (gbOdA)

no one cracked the case, yet!

Posted by: runner at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (g47mK)

122 Have they found out who stole the truckload of eggs yet?
------
Poachers.

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (5LoD7)

123 /whistlepig sock off

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (/iMjX)

124 I wonder if Trump promised the autists at DOGE a hug from Melania as incentive?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (bss/y)

125 There's no point going into woods like that. You'll never find your ball. Take a mulligan.
Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 09:51 AM (j8aAi)

hah and this remind me of a quip from a buddy while playing after he hit his ball into an overgrown gulley.

Asked him if he was going to look for his ball. he replied he wouldn't look for his five year old kid if he was lost down there.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (IOGah)

126 Can't think of anything easier to fence than eggs. Small bucks tho.

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (4780s)

127 119 mongoose

mongeese

mongi?
Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (Yj6Os)

Mongooses?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (bss/y)

128 I rate artwork based on how difficult it would be as a jigsaw puzzle. This is in the neighborhood of 8.

Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (j8aAi)

129 I wonder if Trump promised the autists at DOGE a hug from Melania as incentive?

Oh? Sign me up!

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (dVN87)

130 Bush puns make me thicket to my thtomach!
Posted by: The Groundhogs

Then stay away from Pron Shrub.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:00 AM (77rzZ)

131 The addition of a cozy cabin with smoke wafting from the chim-o-lee and a nukular glow coming from the window would spice this mess right up. And a water wheel.

Posted by: Painter of Light at February 06, 2025 10:00 AM (G5+As)

132 Can't think of anything easier to fence than eggs. Small bucks tho.
Posted by: From about That Time

Eggs, Bill??? Really???
-- Fagin

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:02 AM (77rzZ)

133 Can't think of anything easier to fence than eggs. Small bucks tho.
Posted by: From about That Time

=====

Word

Posted by: Milo Minderbinder at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (k/U8Z)

134 Those payments to the “Lutheran” groups were made after the election. They were just shoveling money out the door! The one in Congressional district MD7: Baltimore, Kweisi Mfume

Now you know why Schumer was surrounded by a bunch of blacks in that protest earlier.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (Vh9CX)

135 128 I rate artwork based on how difficult it would be as a jigsaw puzzle. This is in the neighborhood of 8.
Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (j8aAi)

Yeah, the general fuzziness would make it difficult to find hard lines to match up. If this was a huge puzzle with a ton of small pieces? Fuck.

You realize there are entire generations who would not understand this conversation?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (bss/y)

136 So PDJT got all of his docs back
1. Were the really classified?
2. Why did Archives contract GSA to move boxes they packed to Mar Lago?
3. Archive Act has no penalty sections.
4. The just got sent back.

I call bullshit

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (gbOdA)

137 131 The addition of a cozy cabin with smoke wafting from the chim-o-lee and a nukular glow coming from the window would spice this mess right up. And a water wheel.
Posted by: Painter of Light at February 06, 2025 10:00 AM (G5+As)

*golfclap*

Subtle shitposting is best shitposting.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:04 AM (bss/y)

138 Very nice. Calming.

Posted by: Archimedes at February 06, 2025 10:05 AM (xCA6C)

139 Wonderful painting. Makes me anxious for the spring and trees starting to leaf out. Thanks for posting.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at February 06, 2025 10:05 AM (opJSc)

140 136 So PDJT got all of his docs back
1. Were the really classified?
2. Why did Archives contract GSA to move boxes they packed to Mar Lago?
3. Archive Act has no penalty sections.
4. The just got sent back.

I call bullshit
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (gbOdA)

It was all just a pretext to raid and hopefully find something to hang him with- beyond the hope that they could get him to show up in person and catch a bullet... by accident. Plus the humiliation. This was always multilayered as hell.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:05 AM (bss/y)

141 Popcorn time yet again!

Trump is creating a White House Faith Office.

Teeth gnashing is so rampant nowadays that 80% of libs only have tiny gum nubs.

Posted by: IrishEi at February 06, 2025 10:06 AM (3ImbR)

142 When I was younger, I preferred the big sweeping vistas of the West. Eastern landscapes like this painting were boring. I have become much fonder of serenity as I approach 29.

Posted by: Archimedes at February 06, 2025 10:07 AM (xCA6C)

143 mongoose
mongeese
mongi?
Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 09:58 AM (Yj6Os)
~~~~~

mongae

Posted by: IrishEi at February 06, 2025 10:07 AM (3ImbR)

144 NEW - Lego can be "anti-LGBT" because the bricks have "male or female parts" that are made to "mate" with each other, says Science Museum in London — Telegraph
--------

They just want to be able to visit each other in the hospital. Swearsies.

Posted by: ... at February 06, 2025 10:08 AM (8AR3F)

145 My wife was on a jigsaw puzzle kick a few years ago. This one puzzle.... a cat in a kitchen was a real head scratcher because it was in a box that had a completely different picture on it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 10:08 AM (Q4IgG)

146 I thought we were in for six more weeks of winter...

How can it now be spring?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 06, 2025 10:08 AM (7fElN)

147 ha I fart in you general direction

mon·goose ˈmän-ˌgüs ˈmäŋ-
plural mongooses also mongeese

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:09 AM (gbOdA)

148 What? I like the comma.

Posted by: Henry Ward, Ranger at February 06, 2025 10:09 AM (W5ArC)

149 142 When I was younger, I preferred the big sweeping vistas of the West. Eastern landscapes like this painting were boring. I have become much fonder of serenity as I approach 29.
Posted by: Archimedes at February 06, 2025 10:07 AM (xCA6C)

Nothing more beautiful than driving down 10 in West Texas. You can see for miles and it be sunny where you are, but see a massive thunderstorm in the distance. God, your works are wonderful.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:09 AM (bss/y)

150 139 Wonderful painting. Makes me anxious for the spring and trees starting to leaf out. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly

Our forsythia, daphne, and witch hazel are getting ready to bloom. The crocuses are already up.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (ctrM5)

151 I rate artwork based on how difficult it would be as a jigsaw puzzle. This is in the neighborhood of 8.
Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 09:59 AM (j8aAi)

Yeah, the general fuzziness would make it difficult to find hard lines to match up. If this was a huge puzzle with a ton of small pieces? Fuck.

You realize there are entire generations who would not understand this conversation?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:03 AM (bss/y)

--

It's a strange pastime when you think about it.

Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (j8aAi)

152 NEW - Lego can be "anti-LGBT" because the bricks have "male or female parts" that are made to "mate" with each other, says Science Museum in London — Telegraph
---
How much were they paid by USAID to say that?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (7fElN)

153 Is Elon still giving everybody the old fascist salute?

Posted by: Things No One Cares About A Week Later at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (y7KuV)

154 145 My wife was on a jigsaw puzzle kick a few years ago. This one puzzle.... a cat in a kitchen was a real head scratcher because it was in a box that had a completely different picture on it.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 10:08 AM (Q4IgG)

great white elephant idea
buy 2 puzzles
carefully open boxes and exchange pieces
wrapped up
wait till next year to see what happened

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (gbOdA)

155 The truckload of eggs was probably stolen by the Greater Pennsylvania Shakespeare Company.

They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (/iMjX)

156 155 The truckload of eggs was probably stolen by the Greater Pennsylvania Shakespeare Company.

They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"
Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (/iMjX)

======

*nods sagaciously*

A reference to King Lear.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (GBKbO)

157 Here is that search engine I use to find grants

https://datarepublican.com/award_search/?keywords=

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (gbOdA)

158 "great white elephant idea
buy 2 puzzles
carefully open boxes and exchange pieces
wrapped up
wait till next year to see what happened
Posted by: rhennigantx "

Ooh. That's dastardly.

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:12 AM (vFG9F)

159 One of the trees is actually a appalachian cryptid snyper. A little murdery but otherwise a nice enough bloke.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 06, 2025 10:12 AM (Y6IkP)

160 They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"
Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (/iMjX)

Youre a good egg Mul

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:12 AM (gbOdA)

161 It's a strange pastime when you think about it.
Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (j8aAi)

Honestly, I think it is a subtlety a great learning exercise. Three dimensional spatial awareness. The ability to visualize the picture and see it coming together. Making sure the pieces fit just so and not forced.

Like bringing order out of chaos.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:12 AM (bss/y)

162 They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"
Posted by: muldoon
======
That is a cracked idea.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:13 AM (ctrM5)

163 World’s Richest Men Take on World’s Poorest Kids Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

HA

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:13 AM (gbOdA)

164 144 NEW - Lego can be "anti-LGBT" because the bricks have "male or female parts" that are made to "mate" with each other, says Science Museum in London — Telegraph
____

Just add a 'bonus hole' that is extremely difficult to insert into unless you add copious amounts of lubricant, and also throw in some strap on detachable 'tab A's. There, fixed. Now go away.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at February 06, 2025 10:13 AM (Dv3i1)

165 They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"
-------
Always as you like it at IHOP.

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:13 AM (5LoD7)

166 155 The truckload of eggs was probably stolen by the Greater Pennsylvania Shakespeare Company.

They are preparing for a big production of "Omelet"
Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:11 AM (/iMjX)

=======

"Literally the only thing USAID paid for ever was food for poor children."
-It's a take, for sure

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (GBKbO)

167 > Driveway is lined with siberian elm

Unpopular trees, for sure, but they often have beautiful gnarly grain. If you ever do decide to have them taken out, try to salvage the lumber, or at least offer them to someone who will.

I think that most of their bad reputation is because they're rock star trees. Grow fast, die young and pretty.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (W5ArC)

168 Expecting those of whom we dare not speak...

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (5FPX4)

169 What? They were having a sale on green paint.
Posted by: Henry Ward Ranger

I have a '99 Ward Ranger, the greens were much more vivid by then.

Posted by: t-bird at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (/3Wsk)

170 Late to the thread, dammit. This painting is gorgeous with the subtle variations of green for early spring and the way Ranger catches the textures of the stone wall (yes, they really look like that) and the bark of the older trees. The blue sky peeking through the foliage makes a nice contrast and adds to the sense of a gentle spring day. I would definitely hang this one and most of the landscapes of his I saw.

Posted by: JTB at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (yTvNw)

171 > 163 World’s Richest Men Take on World’s Poorest Kids Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

So Bill Kristol counts as a "poor kid" now.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (W5ArC)

172 If there's no dog but there's a groundhog, is it art?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025
*
Judges would have accepted Marmot.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025

***
When do I get my moment?

Posted by: The Nutria at February 06, 2025 10:15 AM (J2vNu)

173 Do they make Legos where the square peg fits into the round hole?

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 10:15 AM (F6wR0)

174 >Have they found out who stole the truckload of eggs yet?
---

when they finally caught the guy, he was a shell of his former self

Posted by: Don Black at February 06, 2025 10:15 AM (AOsQT)

175 Why do I still laugh at Bevis and Butthead clips?

"Wood. Heh-heh-he-heh-he."

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at February 06, 2025 10:15 AM (S+kp7)

176 171
So Bill Kristol counts as a "poor kid" now.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (W5ArC)

======

Kristol wasn't paid by USAID.

Kristol was paid by a Donor Advised Fund which was entirely funded by a grant from an NGO which was entirely funded from USAID.

Totally different.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:16 AM (GBKbO)

177 It's like complaining that all the plantation owners couldn't feed all those poor negro children anymore.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 06, 2025 10:16 AM (+iIV1)

178 Good morning! Painting: very nice.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:16 AM (u01/w)

179
The sickly yellow pall hanging over these woods alerts you to the danger. But, should you see three large flat stones aligned in a row with the North Star, turn and flee for your very soul!

But, if, ignoring the alarmed twittering of your soul and gibbering of your mind, you approach these stones you will see that they are covered in weather-worn, ancient ruins. For beneath these stones lie The Three Eldritch Horrors of Bindingham:

Glomp-shouz the Child Eater, who roams the dark on moonless nights to feast on the sweet hearts and livers of the most innocent.

Toshkibble the Cat-Laden- She who stalks cats and kittens on Halloween Night and absorbs them into her very flesh leaving only their heads to yowl and scream into the darkness

And most terrible of all...

Loutnarf the Blue-Haired - a mountainous blob of diseased skin and blubber howling outrage on the sidewalks near your home every damn day for for he has severed his penis from his groin and attached it to his head and now insists that you proclaim him to be the Most Beautiful of Women!!!

Get ye hence from these stones should you see them. Step on them not. Dig not beneath them. Lest you release these creatures!!!

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:17 AM (iJfKG)

180 this painting is lovely and imparts a serene feeling
the viewer feels the woodsy atmosphere and the artist did a great job of depicting texture: the tree bark, the stone, all the things

Posted by: kallisto at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (dCxaZ)

181 The yoke is on you.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (F6wR0)

182 A certain ethnic group in SE Asia raises Hmongeese.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (77rzZ)

183 A judge in WA just blocked Trump's order to prevent men from raping women in prison. The order requires prisons to give the men raping access over the women.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (Y6IkP)

184 Just for fun, from the archives:

TO BOTHER OR NOT TO BOTHER

It's the start of a worrisome trend
But I didn't watch the play to the end
So I'm embarrassed to say
That to this very day
I thought Hamlet was Pooh's little friend

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (/iMjX)

185 I rate artwork based on how difficult it would be as a jigsaw puzzle. This is in the neighborhood of 8.
Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at February 06, 2025

***
For me it would be 800 on a scale of 805 (aka: impossible)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM (J2vNu)

186 zoomed in. looks like the painter used impasto technique

Posted by: kallisto at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM (dCxaZ)

187 183 A judge in WA just blocked Trump's order to prevent men from raping women in prison. The order requires prisons to give the men raping access over the women.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 06, 2025 10:18 AM (Y6IkP)

=======

I have a feeling that this is the period in American history when the national injunction from a judge without national authority comes to an end.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM (GBKbO)

188 My wife was on a jigsaw puzzle kick a few years ago. This one puzzle.... a cat in a kitchen was a real head scratcher because it was in a box that had a completely different picture on it.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 10:08 AM

The mom got a puzzle one Christmas that didn't come with a picture. It came with a short mystery story to figure out, that was sort of illustrated by the finished puzzle. It was...challenging.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM (kgE5c)

189 The EBT program allowing unlimited purchase of sugary drinks, chips, cheese doodles, Little Debbies, cookies, etc. never made any sense.
---
I saw a clip, and I honestly cannot tell if it's real or not but:
Some obese white gal was complaining that she got arrested 'cause she went to Walmart, bought her soda with her EBT and was pouring it out in the parking lot--like she always does--and the security guard called the cops.
And she was upset 'cause how else is she supposed to get cash?

And, like I said, I honestly cannot tell if that's real or fake.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM (S+kp7)

190 167 > Driveway is lined with siberian elm

Unpopular trees, for sure, but they often have beautiful gnarly grain. If you ever do decide to have them taken out, try to salvage the lumber, or at least offer them to someone who will.

I think that most of their bad reputation is because they're rock star trees. Grow fast, die young and pretty.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia
============
I have worked with some elm due to its occasional use in gunstocks but not one of my favorites.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:20 AM (ctrM5)

191 For an extra thirty-five bucks I'll stick in a bear.

Posted by: Henry Ward Ranger at February 06, 2025 10:20 AM (dDmld)

192
*sigh*

ruins = runes

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:20 AM (iJfKG)

193 I wonder if Matthew Lesko is living under an underpass yet.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (77rzZ)

194 I have a feeling that this is the period in American history when the national injunction from a judge without national authority comes to an end.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------
Technically, the judge can only order for a specific person who sued, not for others as they are not parties to the case. Reagan administration used that technique during the 80's regarding SSDI claims.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (ctrM5)

195 I rate artwork based on how difficult it would be as a jigsaw puzzle. This is in the neighborhood of 8.

I was never much of a puzzle solver, then my friend had a puzzle that was a Vincent Van Gogh painting, Nighttime Cafe, or something like that. All the pieces were exactly the same shape. It was a challenge, and the draw for me was locating where the color bits existed, since Vincent used every color of the spectrum.
Most puzzles are just kind of meh though, IMHO

Posted by: kallisto at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (dCxaZ)

196 Even the morning Fox News radio got into the egg puns, saying that authorities were "scrambling" to "crack" the case, and that somebody was going to end up with egg on his face.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (J2vNu)

197 Loutnarf the Blue-Haired - a mountainous blob of diseased skin and blubber howling outrage on the sidewalks near your home every damn day for for he has severed his penis from his groin and attached it to his head and now insists that you proclaim him to be the Most Beautiful of Women!!!

Get ye hence from these stones should you see them. Step on them not. Dig not beneath them. Lest you release these creatures!!!
Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:17 AM

OK...which one of you moved that stone?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (kgE5c)

198 194 Technically, the judge can only order for a specific person who sued, not for others as they are not parties to the case. Reagan administration used that technique during the 80's regarding SSDI claims.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM (ctrM5)

=======

Technically, that's not how it's been working for decades, of course.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (GBKbO)

199 zoomed in. looks like the painter used impasto technique
Posted by: kallisto

Cannelloni?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (mlg/3)

200 Snow on the beach! It's heavy and slushy and will melt by this afternoon.

Supposed to freeze tonight though. Ice is no bueno. Steep hills get kinda dangerous.

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (mca1W)

201 183 I think preventing ALL prison rape would be a good idea. It's just a big joke in our society that it's acceptable and fitting to get raped in our prisons. There's gotta be a way to design them to keep the savages strictly apart.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (u01/w)

202 Liz Cheney is defending her being part of the USAID grift, saying it helped beat communism. She said Musk wasn't a citizen when that occurred.
Joey Jones at Fox responded "I was a soldier when your daddy made billions sending us to places like Afghanistan and Iraq"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (EUtBO)

203 And she was upset 'cause how else is she supposed to get cash?
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

She does know that she can get a real job, right? I also include the $20, same as downtown job in that comment too.

I am sick and tired of supporting degenerate free shit army slugs.

Posted by: BifBewalski .308 / .45ACP at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (6hmLg)

204 Besides just enjoying the painting, I am further impressed that it is a watercolor with a feel of Impressionism. I would love to know how Ranger handled the paints and achieved so much texture.

Posted by: JTB at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (yTvNw)

205 202 Liz Cheney is defending her being part of the USAID grift, saying it helped beat communism. She said Musk wasn't a citizen when that occurred.
Joey Jones at Fox responded "I was a soldier when your daddy made billions sending us to places like Afghanistan and Iraq"
Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (EUtBO)

======

So...since communism is dead (don't laugh) we can kill USAID no problem.

This ain't the March of Dimes.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (GBKbO)

206 Speaking of eggs, Klobuchar's big "ha ha" line was that anyone who wants to throw eggs can't because they cost too much. Ooh the burn....

But semi seriously, had a Zoom call with a successful and otherwise intelligent lawyer today who I know from prior comments has a longstanding case of TDS. He was all snarky about how "they're taking apart the government" and doubtless has an Elon Voodoo doll on his desk now.

It's like a frickin malware infection in their brains that just responds to whatever inanity the MSM decide to put there this morning. But while those infected may be incurable, I do think the rate of new infection has fallen off a cliff. The younguns and the Zeitgeist are just not doing that anymore.

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (5FPX4)

207 Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:17 AM (iJfKG)

*********

A masterpiece!

Toshkibble the Cat-Laden in my mind's eye resembles The Banshee of Chappaqua, aka St. Hillary or Rodham.

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (/iMjX)

208 Supposed to freeze tonight though. Ice is no bueno. Steep hills get kinda dangerous.
---------------
Wear spiked shoes.

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 10:24 AM (Wg6v7)

209 Of course, if you walk through the woods, you will sometimes find rocks piled up, and it's really not clear if someone piled them, or they are a formation that God laid down.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 06, 2025 09:39 AM (QJHy9)

Chinese placer miners.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 06, 2025 10:24 AM (8zz6B)

210 All the pieces were exactly the same shape.

Even the edge pieces?

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:24 AM (77rzZ)

211 Egg prices should be sub-$2 in like 6 months (as stock comes back to proper levels) and everyone on the left will have no memory of ever hanging onto egg prices as the major reason that Trump's first 2 weeks in office were dismal failures.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:24 AM (GBKbO)

212 >>>Even the morning Fox News radio got into the egg puns, saying that authorities were "scrambling" to "crack" the case, and that somebody was going to end up with egg on his face.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

>That’s mighty white of them. Omelette that one go for now.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 10:24 AM (F6wR0)

213 Did Lois Loerner receive money from USAID?

Just a thought.

Posted by: dantesed at February 06, 2025 10:25 AM (Oy/m2)

214 "Here is that search engine I use to find grants
https://datarepublican.com/award_search/?keywords=
Posted by: rhennigantx "

"Island Stage Left" is supposedly 100% funded by USAID. This from their web site:

"Island Stage Left's funding is almost entirely from voluntary contributions."

Am I missing something?

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:25 AM (vFG9F)

215 204 Besides just enjoying the painting, I am further impressed that it is a watercolor with a feel of Impressionism. I would love to know how Ranger handled the paints and achieved so much texture.
----------------
I'd guess dry brush over washes.

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 10:26 AM (Wg6v7)

216 CBD, Thanks for today's art. It is especially nice on a cold, gray, rainy day that we are having. Perfect reading weather.

Posted by: JTB at February 06, 2025 10:26 AM (yTvNw)

217 Totally different.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:16 AM (GBKbO)

Like the Kennedys using bootleg money to buy a Senate seat and then the White House.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:26 AM (gbOdA)

218 Cannelloni?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (mlg/3)

It's been a long long time since I had cannelloni. *sad face*

Posted by: kallisto at February 06, 2025 10:26 AM (dCxaZ)

219 Just the name "Island Stage Left" ought to tell you all you need to know about that organization.

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (vFG9F)

220 215 Today's painting is oil, I think.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (u01/w)

221 "Egg prices should be sub-$2 in like 6 months (as stock comes back to proper levels) and everyone on the left will have no memory of ever hanging onto egg prices as the major reason that Trump's first 2 weeks in office were dismal failures."

And if they weren't so intent on trying for "Covid Part Deux: The New Bird Flu" stock would be just fine now.

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (5FPX4)

222 I could do a whole bunch of egg + fish puns in a roe.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (77rzZ)

223 "Island Stage Left's funding is almost entirely from voluntary contributions."

Am I missing something?
Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:25 AM (vFG9F)

The gun toting IRS agent wanting to speak with you about this years donations.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (gbOdA)

224 "I could do a whole bunch of egg + fish puns in a roe."
Lay it on me..

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (5FPX4)

225 >Even the morning Fox News radio got into the egg puns, saying that authorities were "scrambling" to "crack" the case, and that somebody was going to end up with egg on his face.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
*
>That’s mighty white of them. Omelette that one go for now.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025

***
We just need to take stories like this over easy.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (J2vNu)

226
I, too, had breakfast with Democrat inlaws this morning and their coping mechanism is... total denial.

So, all this USAID stuff isn't really happening, you see.

My wife and I laughed all the way home.

Posted by: Auspex at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (j4U/Z)

227 Technically, that's not how it's been working for decades, of course.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
-----------
Depends on the parties to the case. An injunction by a district court judge is only required to be honored in the circuit it belongs to. Does not apply to other circuits. The lawsuit that I saw had a single named plaintiff that was suing to prevent transfer to another prison.

The injunction applies to it and not others. There is a broader based challenge in DC district court.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (ctrM5)

228 221 And if they weren't so intent on trying for "Covid Part Deux: The New Bird Flu" stock would be just fine now.
Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:27 AM (5FPX4)

======

Yeah. Eggs don't seem to be a big import or export item, so all problems with eggs are domestic.

Rising energy costs in America? Will affect egg prices.
Killing tens of millions of egg laying chickens? Will affect egg prices.
Trump threatening tariffs on Canada? Probably won't affect eggs prices at all.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (GBKbO)

229 I wonder if Matthew Lesko is living under an underpass yet.
Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:21 AM

Sadly, no. According to Wikipedia one of his sons was a White House staffer under the SCOAMF (surprising no one).

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (kgE5c)

230 "Literally the only thing USAID paid for ever was food for poor children."
-It's a take, for sure
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (GBKbO)

I'm waiting for them to release a photo of a burned out building with a sign in front reading "Baby Milk Factory".

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:29 AM (ExV1e)

231 I looked a little into one of the Lutheran groups now called GlobalRefuge.

They get hundreds of millions from the Feds, 90% of their income. I bet the rest is just more Fed money passed through other NGOs.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 10:29 AM (DZ03a)

232 This weekend, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will take a historic step and disconnect from the Russian and even post-Soviet power system controlled by Moscow. They will join the Western European grid. Preparations for this process have been underway for 15 years.

Posted by: SMOD at February 06, 2025 10:29 AM (GITLP)

233 231 I looked a little into one of the Lutheran groups now called GlobalRefuge.

They get hundreds of millions from the Feds, 90% of their income. I bet the rest is just more Fed money passed through other NGOs.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 10:29 AM (DZ03a)

=======

"I donated!"
-Barbra Streisand, probably

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (GBKbO)

234 You know what happens when trees start to leaf out like this-pollen! Not only pollen, but little bits of leaf crap and tree "flowers" that pollute the air, coat my cars, and fill my majestic nose. I don't even think of opening my pool until that mess is done. Thanks a lot, CBD, for making me remember this lousy, upcoming time of year.

Posted by: A-a-a-a-choooo! at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (G5+As)

235 >>I saw a clip, and I honestly cannot tell if it's real or not but:
Some obese white gal was complaining that she got arrested 'cause she went to Walmart, bought her soda with her EBT and was pouring it out in the parking lot--like she always does--and the security guard called the cops.
And she was upset 'cause how else is she supposed to get cash?

And, like I said, I honestly cannot tell if that's real or fake.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at February 06, 2025 10:19 AM

Fake. No fat, white girl is pouring her soda on the round. Unpossible.

Posted by: huerfano at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (n2swS)

236 226
I, too, had breakfast with Democrat inlaws this morning and their coping mechanism is... total denial.

So, all this USAID stuff isn't really happening, you see.

My wife and I laughed all the way home.
-----------------
Then there is the Treasury Dept audit. Good times. Hopefully with repercussions.

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (Wg6v7)

237 330933946 WIXIM MINISTRIES INC (2023) $272,318 $272,318 $0 $0 $272,318 100.00%

Whatever this is it is 100% govt.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (gbOdA)

238 When I think of USAID I think of Yuri Bezmenov who pointed out that for generations, the majority of KGB ops during the Cold War were "information operations."
Only now we're the baddies.

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM (5FPX4)

239 201 183 I think preventing ALL prison rape would be a good idea. It's just a big joke in our society that it's acceptable and fitting to get raped in our prisons. There's gotta be a way to design them to keep the savages strictly apart.
Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:22 AM (u01/w)

This. It's a cruel, evil joke.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (bss/y)

240 226
I, too, had breakfast with Democrat inlaws this morning and their coping mechanism is... total denial.

So, all this USAID stuff isn't really happening, you see.

My wife and I laughed all the way home.
Posted by: Auspex at February 06, 2025 10:28 AM (j4U/Z)

=======

In what way is it "not happening"?

The USAID isn't deeply corrupt and a funnel for leftist causes without oversight?

Or, The USAID isn't being audited and shut down?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (GBKbO)

241 So who else has failed to meet their payroll?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (azCAX)

242 Judges would have accepted Marmot.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 09:44 AM (gbOdA)

Trust not the genus Marmota
Not a tetch, nor a little iota.
Groundhog, or woodchuck,
Your ass they will fuck,
In order to keep up their quota.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (8zz6B)

243 241 So who else has failed to meet their payroll?
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (azCAX)

=======

Is this a double entendre?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (GBKbO)

244
So Bill Kristol counts as a "poor kid" now.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (W5ArC)

__________

Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard. Poor guy. He's unemployment.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 10:32 AM (dxSpM)

245 Count
166,385
Contributions Total
$723,954,385,005
Government Grants
$314,378,379,337

So around 40% of all so called charities suck the Big Govt teat.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (gbOdA)

246 'tree "flowers"'

They really are flowers in the true botanical sense. Except ginkgos I think.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (u01/w)

247 Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:17 AM (iJfKG)

*********

A masterpiece!

Toshkibble the Cat-Laden in my mind's eye resembles The Banshee of Chappaqua, aka St. Hillary or Rodham.

Posted by: muldoon at February 06, 2025 10:23 AM (/iMjX)

*faints from the mind-shredding horror of the image*

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (iJfKG)

248 Why did the chicken cross the roe? The spawn was on the other side.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (F6wR0)

249
After this, let's do the DOD.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (dxSpM)

250 So Bill Kristol counts as a "poor kid" now.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:14 AM (W5ArC)

__________

Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard. Poor guy. He's unemployment.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 10:32 AM (dxSpM)

Heh. He's 'Julia.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (bss/y)

251 Frozen mastodons with flowers in stomach > Democrats on Copium.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (azCAX)

252 "330933946 WIXIM MINISTRIES INC (2023) $272,318 $272,318 $0 $0 $272,318 100.00%

Whatever this is it is 100% govt.
Posted by: rhennigantx a"

From their web site:

"Purpose
To provide spiritual and emotional support to law enforcement officers, employees and citizens that they contact
To provide pastoral services as necessary: counseling, weddings, funerals, sacraments, invocations, benedictions, etc."

Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (vFG9F)

253 Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 06, 2025 10:31 AM (8zz6B)

ha

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (gbOdA)

254 234 You know what happens when trees start to leaf out like this-pollen! Not only pollen, but little bits of leaf crap and tree "flowers" that pollute the air, coat my cars, and fill my majestic nose. I don't even think of opening my pool until that mess is done. Thanks a lot, CBD, for making me remember this lousy, upcoming time of year.
--------------
You're complaining about Bukakke Spring?

Posted by: Pudinhead at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (Wg6v7)

255 252 From their web site:

"Purpose
To provide spiritual and emotional support to law enforcement officers, employees and citizens that they contact
To provide pastoral services as necessary: counseling, weddings, funerals, sacraments, invocations, benedictions, etc."
Posted by: fd at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (vFG9F)

======

Man, that separation between church and state is ironclad, huh?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (GBKbO)

256 WIXIM sounds like that sex cult from a few years ago... NXSIUM?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (bss/y)

257 >>You know what happens when trees start to leaf out like this-pollen! Not only pollen, but little bits of leaf crap and tree "flowers" that pollute the air, coat my cars, and fill my majestic nose. I don't even think of opening my pool until that mess is done. Thanks a lot, CBD, for making me remember this lousy, upcoming time of year.

Posted by: A-a-a-a-choooo! at February 06, 2025 10:30 AM

I used to live where there were a lot of cottonwood trees. Little wisps of allergens floated through the air for weeks. It was followed by Russian olive season, sweet smelling brush pollen that drilled directly into the sinus cavities. I do not miss it.

Posted by: huerfano at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (n2swS)

258 I looked a little into one of the Lutheran groups now called GlobalRefuge.

They get hundreds of millions from the Feds, 90% of their income. I bet the rest is just more Fed money passed through other NGOs.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 10:29 AM (DZ03a)

I wonder if any of the "Lutheran" groups are in any way associated with the Lutheran Church other than in name.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (ExV1e)

259 186 zoomed in. looks like the painter used impasto technique
--------
So it's not a genuine Ranger but by an impasto??!!!

There's going to be one ticked off museum curator soon.

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:35 AM (5LoD7)

260 Breath deeply the spiky sex spores:
https://tinyurl.com/4zc6sdnn

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:35 AM (u01/w)

261 DOGE delivers a noodge

Posted by: SMOD at February 06, 2025 10:35 AM (GITLP)

262 It's really ... ummm ... 'great' if your favorite color happens to be green(-ish). See what happens when Sherwin-Williams has a sale on 'decorator colors' ... ?

Posted by: Dr_No at February 06, 2025 10:35 AM (ayRl+)

263 Modest proposal: tax all charities including churches.
Let those who want to give money give money. Get government out of what amounts to an establishment of religion/religious ideology (in spirit, even if not legally).

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:36 AM (5FPX4)

264 He really had some nice paintings. I particularly like the ones in sunrise or sunset:

https://tinyurl.com/bdh5tbzm

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (PEtP3)

265 Frozen mastodons with flowers in stomach > Democrats on Copium.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 06, 2025

***
At least the mastodons would have been impressive and grand to see walking.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (J2vNu)

266 "Island Stage Left" is supposedly 100% funded by USAID. This from their web site:

"Island Stage Left's funding is almost entirely from voluntary contributions."

Am I missing something?
Posted by: fd

The IRS proudly states that the income tax is voluntary.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (43QQU)

267 263 Modest proposal: tax all charities including churches.
Let those who want to give money give money. Get government out of what amounts to an establishment of religion/religious ideology (in spirit, even if not legally).
Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:36 AM (5FPX4)

======

More modest proposal:

Tax only consumption, if you must tax the American citizen at all.

A flat sales tax for all consumer purchases, unhidden and transparent.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (GBKbO)

268 WIXIM sounds like that sex cult from a few years ago... NXSIUM?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025

***
That was the purple pill for acid reflux that used to float through red rock canyons on TV, wasn't it?

Oh. No, wait. That was Nexium.

Okay, go back to whatever you were doing.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:39 AM (J2vNu)

269 With money the US government emulated the Soviet Union and PRC by creating state churches fully under their thumb.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 06, 2025 10:39 AM (azCAX)

270 Somewhat OT:

I'm reviewing a professor's geology course right now. He has images of "cleavage-bedding relationships."

My immediate thought was what the Horde could do with that...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 06, 2025 10:39 AM (7fElN)

271 249
After this, let's do the DOD.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 06, 2025 10:33 AM (dxSpM)

HHS work started yesterday.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:39 AM (gbOdA)

272 More modest proposal:

Tax only consumption, if you must tax the American citizen at all.

A flat sales tax for all consumer purchases, unhidden and transparent.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (GBKbO)

This. Truly 'progressive.' The more you buy, the more you pay in. Hard to get around. MUCH less need for paperwork or bureaucracy. No 'Tax Day'. You buy something, you pay tax, done.

KISS.

('Keep it simple, stupid' for those playing the home game.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:40 AM (bss/y)

273 If you want to prevent charity going to the wrong places, the logical place to start is your own church. I'm not entirely happy with the way my church spends its money, and said so. Investigate the financials.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:41 AM (u01/w)

274 Just spent an hour (groan) on the floor with my three (and a half!) year Old granddaughter playing legos.
The London Science Museum can fuck off.

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 10:41 AM (4780s)

275 262 It's really ... ummm ... 'great' if your favorite color happens to be green(-ish). See what happens when Sherwin-Williams has a sale on 'decorator colors' ... ?
Posted by: Dr_No

I love Sherwin-Williams. Coolest motto ever-"Cover the Earth". Go big or go home, I say.

Posted by: Two Coats! One Afternoon! at February 06, 2025 10:41 AM (G5+As)

276 I wonder if any of the "Lutheran" groups are in any way associated with the Lutheran Church other than in name.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (ExV1e)

———

They have a few Lutheran “reverends” on the board.

I just went to their website and they have a big messages up

URGENT: The government has halted all funding for recently arrived refugee families. Your support is needed now!

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 10:41 AM (Vh9CX)

277 More modest proposal:

Tax only consumption, if you must tax the American citizen at all.

A flat sales tax for all consumer purchases, unhidden and transparent.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:37 AM (GBKbO)

And make first 40k or so tax free with a family rebate. Like EBT so your first 40k (enough to house and feed a family of 4) is essentially tax free.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:42 AM (gbOdA)

278 How much were they paid by USAID to say that?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 06, 2025 10:10 AM (7fElN)

This is a sad and highly trenchant question.

Posted by: ... at February 06, 2025 10:42 AM (8AR3F)

279 This. Truly 'progressive.' The more you buy, the more you pay in. Hard to get around. MUCH less need for paperwork or bureaucracy. No 'Tax Day'. You buy something, you pay tax, done.

KISS.

('Keep it simple, stupid' for those playing the home game.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:40 AM (bss/y)

OMG! That's so regressive! What about the poor? Why do you hate the poor? They have to spend every penny they make on food. None of them have new smart phones, or expensive sneakers, or fake nails, or whatever.

You monster!

-- this message brought to you by the Democrat party

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:42 AM (ExV1e)

280 Technically, that's not how it's been working for decades, of course.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
The broader based challenge is the DC case where three plaintiffs (out of 16 held at BoP) are alleging as a class that the administrator cannot enforce Trump's policy because it violates their constitutional rights. Judge Royce Lamberth in DC issued the ruling today. The older ruling in Boston only applied to one inmate.

It gets complicated on injunctions because it depends on jurisdiction. The DC district courts and the DC Circuit are so powerful because agencies are based there and so an order via injunction to an administrator of an agency applies to the whole agency based in DC because the District Courts of DC have jurisdiction over the agency actions. That is not necessarily the case where the injunction was issued elsewhere like in Boston.

Did not know whether you were referring to the older Boston decision or today's DC ruling.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (ctrM5)

281 Brave AI gives eight bullet points why consumption taxes are bad. It's worth a look before proceeding.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (u01/w)

282 One cannot tax churches. Doing so would run afoul of the First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

I mean, if one wants to open that can of worms, go for it.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (tT6L1)

283 While we're at it the USG should start cutting back "higher education" loan guarantees for non STEM or non trade schools. If that's too controversial, then maybe just put a cap on it, at the rate of the State School tuition where the student lives.

Even if you go as far as "everyone should have access to higher education" it doesn't mean everyone "should have access to the highest tuition private school."

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (5FPX4)

284 277 And make first 40k or so tax free with a family rebate. Like EBT so your first 40k (enough to house and feed a family of 4) is essentially tax free.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:42 AM (gbOdA)

========

Nah.

Keep the government out of family income completely. It's not the government's business.

5% on food is not going to bankrupt anyone.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:44 AM (GBKbO)

285 I see the lady that Preached to PDJT got $53 M to one of her charities.
Bishop Mariann Budde, who famously criticized Trump during an inaugural prayer service, has been found to have pocketed a staggering $53 million in taxpayer funds through her organization, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM).

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:44 AM (gbOdA)

286 OMG! That's so regressive! What about the poor? Why do you hate the poor? They have to spend every penny they make on food. None of them have new smart phones, or expensive sneakers, or fake nails, or whatever.

You monster!

-- this message brought to you by the Democrat party
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:42 AM (ExV1e)

Yes. So poor and unable to fend for themselves. Maybe if they paid into the system, they might want the government to do fewer things too.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:44 AM (bss/y)

287 Recipient
DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE USA
UEI: FMJFFFXHQJ93
Locale: United States of America
Amount
$78,727,814.00
Awarded by
Department of Health and Human Services : Administration for Children and Families
ASST_NON_90RP0117_7590
Ends
2026-09-29
Description
EMM INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Here is $78 M for illegals health care.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:45 AM (gbOdA)

288
EM' PREGNATE FOADDY-SEBUN1!!!11

Posted by: Al Greens' eye bags at February 06, 2025 10:45 AM (EFZgU)

289 @282, I'm aware of the text. Not sure I agree with your interpretation. One could make an equal protection argument that allowing religious exemptions amounts to unequal treatment (or establishment/state support) of religion vis a vis the non religious.

Also, I don't see how taxation prevents "free exercise" of (the content) of a religion. It simply renders to Ceasar that which is Ceasars....

Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (5FPX4)

290 How many Fed agencies give grants?

Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (Yj6Os)

291 "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

I mean, if one wants to open that can of worms, go for it.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (tT6L1)

Keyword Catholic

Taxpayer money spent: $3,344,561,881.10

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (gbOdA)

292 290 How many Fed agencies give grants?
Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (Yj6Os)

We do not even know how many agencies there are!

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:47 AM (gbOdA)

293 290 How many Fed agencies give grants?
Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (Yj6Os)

My guess would be all of them.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:47 AM (bss/y)

294 How many agencies were established by grant?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:47 AM (bss/y)

295 > I wonder if any of the "Lutheran" groups are in any way associated with the Lutheran Church other than in name.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:34 AM (ExV1e)

Well, there is no single "Lutheran Church" in the sense there is a "Roman Catholic Church" (although even there there are other churches that call themselves "Catholic").

Probably at least half a dozen legitimate church groups go by some variant of "Lutheran", and that's not even counting grifting organizations like these.

It's like the way that crap dictionaries always call themselves "Webster's" this-or-that.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:48 AM (W5ArC)

296 We do not even know how many agencies there are!

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:47 AM (gbOdA)

I believe you.

Posted by: BignJames at February 06, 2025 10:48 AM (Yj6Os)

297 Preached AT not TO Trump I'd opine.

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:48 AM (5LoD7)

298 I just tried asking Brave LEO, their AI thingummy, about "pipe smoking." It immediately assumes that smoke from a pipe is inhaled. Uh, no.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 10:49 AM (J2vNu)

299 Even if you go as far as "everyone should have access to higher education" it doesn't mean everyone "should have access to the highest tuition private school."
Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:43 AM (5FPX4)

Make the schools loan the money.

We shall see how many dance schools of chicks with dicks programs get funded.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:49 AM (gbOdA)

300 Keyword Catholic

Taxpayer money spent: $3,344,561,881.10
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (gbOdA)
-------------

Taxing the tax dollars Catholic Charities should not have received in the first place seems an odd argument to make.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:49 AM (tT6L1)

301 Brave AI gives eight bullet points why consumption taxes are bad. It's worth a look before proceeding.
Posted by: The Smell Of The gp

AI is primarily GIGO. I don't trust AI any more than the lefty programmer who told it what to say. A consumption tax raises revenue from everyone, including drug dealers, hookers, and everyone earning income off the books.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 06, 2025 10:49 AM (ExvrY)

302 Who will be the last Muslim?. And when that religion dies, it dies.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at February 06, 2025 10:50 AM (JunCY)

303 301 Brave AI gives eight bullet points why consumption taxes are bad. It's worth a look before proceeding.
Posted by: The Smell Of The gp

=======

I can list reasons why income taxes are far, far worse.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:50 AM (GBKbO)

304 I was going to comment on taxation, but all of the good bon mots have already been used. The Democrat model is “ less bread, more taxes” while our model is the opposite. ( Hat tip to Lewis Carroll for the Democrat Model)…

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:50 AM (PCK5/)

305 FALSE NOOD!!!

And no undernood -- I checked!!!

Oh no! Ace had his USAID funding cut just like Politico!!!!

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:50 AM (5LoD7)

306 Baptist only got

Taxpayer money spent: $161,766,724.23

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (gbOdA)

307 I'm reviewing a professor's geology course right now. He has images of "cleavage-bedding relationships."

My immediate thought was what the Horde could do with that...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Probably not more than his students are doing with it.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (77rzZ)

308 Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (5FPX4)

I agree. Religious institutions should be taxed just like everyone else.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (g0MSz)

309 302 Who will be the last Muslim?. And when that religion dies, it dies.
Posted by: humphreyrobot at February 06, 2025 10:50 AM (JunCY)

The Last Mohammedan.

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (gbOdA)

310 Baptist only got

Taxpayer money spent: $161,766,724.23
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (gbOdA)

They were just going to spend it on dancing and booze.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (ExV1e)

311 #305 261 DOGE delivers a noodge
Posted by: SMOD
===
BTW, my apologies if I misread that, SMOD.

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (5LoD7)

312 How many agencies were established by grant?
Posted by: Aetius451AD

Hayes established more.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (77rzZ)

313 Some of you will appreciate this from 2016.

https://youtu.be/ZbM6WbUw7Bs

Posted by: Archimedes at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (xCA6C)

314 Dems are aghast at Trump talking about abolishing the IRS. Think of all the talking points the Dems will have to re-write. Also, no Earned Income Tax Credit anymore without the IRS?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (Dv3i1)

315 Make the schools loan the money.

We shall see how many dance schools of chicks with dicks programs get funded.
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 06, 2025 10:49 AM (gbOdA)
-----------------

Instead of student debt forgiveness, a class action suit against colleges for fraudulent degrees should be allowed.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (tT6L1)

316 308 Posted by: Zek at February 06, 2025 10:46 AM (5FPX4)

I agree. Religious institutions should be taxed just like everyone else.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (g0MSz)

Taxed on what?.

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (PCK5/)

317 This. Truly 'progressive.' The more you buy, the more you pay in.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 06, 2025 10:40 AM (bss/y)
-

Why do you want to discourage consumer purchases?

What's wrong with a simple flat income tax, which might be minimally scaled according to certain income levels to accommodate low income earners?

In any case, all this assumes a lean and mean government, funded to do no more that to be best in it's limited responsibilities.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 10:53 AM (aSBjH)

318 The propaganda ministries are still at it. Every couple of days I google Haiti or Sudan. The reports from the papers are that the stoppage of US will kill millions. No indication that they say U SAID might have caused the hell

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 06, 2025 10:53 AM (EUtBO)

319 Consumption tax would be good. The only thing exempted should be raw food, nothing manufactured. Dairy, eggs, meat, produce. Only processing allowed is safety and packaging, including drying or freezing.

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 10:53 AM (4780s)

320 I agree. Religious institutions should be taxed just like everyone else.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:51 AM (g0MSz)

Taxed on what?.
Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (PCK5/)
-

Everyone knows the answer to that.

Prophets.

Basic economics.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (aSBjH)

321 Also, no Earned Income Tax Credit anymore without the IRS?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (Dv3i1)

No income tax, no Earned Income Tax Credit.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (ExV1e)

322 301 Well, some of the points are the same as taught in any classical econ 101 text. They don't seem like they have lefty cooties.

Different tax regimes have different downsides, and they ALL have downsides, and I think it's a good idea to consider them at least briefly when proposing a policy. Everything's tradeoffs.

Posted by: The Smell Of The gp, The Roar Of The Crowd at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (u01/w)

323 Vote on Kash Patel delayed one week. Democrats playing games.

They are only pissing us off and delaying the inevitable.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (LkLld)

324 319 Consumption tax would be good. The only thing exempted should be raw food, nothing manufactured. Dairy, eggs, meat, produce. Only processing allowed is safety and packaging, including drying or freezing.
Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 10:53 AM (4780s)

========

Once you allow one exemption, you open the door for more.

I'd say no exemptions at all. Ironclad.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (GBKbO)

325 Leviathan will always get its’ money, one way or the other… The problem is Leviathan.

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (PCK5/)

326 Taxed on what?.

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (PCK5/)

Land, buildings, and income.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (g0MSz)

327 Would hang....in the darkest, least used room of my house.

Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:55 AM (azSra)

328 By the way, the price of eggs has skyrocketed locally, I told my wife the egg shortage appears to have been created by government overreach with panic spread by government paid propagandists.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:55 AM (tT6L1)

329 Religious institutions should be taxed just like everyone else.
---------
A properly run church earns little to no "profit". Taking them wouldn't accomplish much.

Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (azSra)

330 Huh,

Here's the trailer for the new Fantastic Four movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzMo-FgRp64&t=3s

It looks like Marvel is rebranding...even down to the studio logo and colors.

Looks like they're attempting to enter Normalville.

Will they make it? Or, too little, too late?

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (iJfKG)

331 > Probably at least half a dozen legitimate church groups go by some variant of "Lutheran",

I was wrong. There are way more than that.

https://tinyurl.com/58hmhp3k

I remember an episode of Cheers where Woody and his girlfriend were splitting up because she was (something) Lutheran, while he was Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (W5ArC)

332 By the way, the price of eggs has skyrocketed locally, I told my wife the egg shortage appears to have been created by government overreach with panic spread by government paid propagandists.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:55 AM (tT6L1)
-

So the chickens aren't coming home to roost.

I knew Wright was wrong!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (aSBjH)

333 No food, you die. Should be taxed for being alive.

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 10:57 AM (4780s)

334 Why do you want to discourage consumer purchases?

- The idea that people won't buy stuff to avoid taxes is odd. Most people don't think about things.
- It would be nice to try and shift people from a throw-away consumer culture to a buy and keep one.
- If people did spend a bit less, they might save some for their dotage which would allow us to start unwinding the SS/Medicare ponzi scheme.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:57 AM (ExV1e)

335 326 Taxed on what?.

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (PCK5/)

Land, buildings, and income.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:54 AM (g0MSz)

Property tax… a state matter, unless you want a Federal property tax.. and a tax on individual donations to the church, viewed as income.

Posted by: tubal at February 06, 2025 10:57 AM (PCK5/)

336 A properly run church earns little to no "profit". Taking them wouldn't accomplish much.
Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (azSra)

Kind of the point, right?

You wanna be the first national bank of Jesus, then you're gonna be treated like a bank.

You want to be an actual church and do actual church things, then 30% of nothing is nothing.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (+iIV1)

337 329 Religious institutions should be taxed just like everyone else.
---------
A properly run church earns little to no "profit". Taking them wouldn't accomplish much.
Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (azSra)

Yeah, my Church's financials have "earnings" under $100K total at most...and normally, it's losses, so you'd actually be paying them if they filed taxes...they send financials every year in the bulletin as does our bishop (who also rarely has any "earnings", but a lot of revenue and expenses that match)...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (exHjb)

338 These guys seem mainly Protestant to me although they have 'Catholic' types listed I've never heard of before:

Church World Service
https://cwsglobal.org/ member-communions/

BTW, oddly enough they have a popup now they didn't have when I bookmarked it many, many months ago.

"Urgent: Sweeping funding suspensions and restrictive policies have forced CWS to make painful cuts, leaving vulnerable families without critical support. As a community of compassion and action, we refuse to turn our backs on those in need. Your donation today can help bridge the gaps, ensuring that refugees, communities battling hunger, and disaster-affected families receive the care and protection they deserve. Give now to keep hope alive."

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (5LoD7)

339 The price of eggs jumped for two reasons.
1. Printing too much money by the fed.
2. The government ordering the killing of millions of chickens.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (d1asr)

340 A properly run church earns little to no "profit". Taking them wouldn't accomplish much.

Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (azSra)

That's not the point. Everyone should be treated equally under the law.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (g0MSz)

341 282 One cannot tax churches. Doing so would run afoul of the First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

I mean, if one wants to open that can of worms, go for it.
Posted by: blake

Technically, churches can be taxed as long as it is a general tax such as a property tax, church thrift stores can have administer sales tax, a church running a store has taxable revenue, and so on. Some churches participate in Social Security (voluntary) and pay the taxes on their employees, etc. Ministers have to pay income taxes on earnings and so on.

There is something called a ministerial exception which has an entire line of cases that go back and forth over just who should be considered a 'minister' for issues like employment laws and discrimination. Justice Scalia's lousy Smith v. Oregon decision muddied the waters of the free exercise clause by allowing a state to rely upon a rational basis test for actions that hurt churches, etc.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (ctrM5)

342 334 Why do you want to discourage consumer purchases?

- The idea that people won't buy stuff to avoid taxes is odd. Most people don't think about things.
- It would be nice to try and shift people from a throw-away consumer culture to a buy and keep one.
- If people did spend a bit less, they might save some for their dotage which would allow us to start unwinding the SS/Medicare ponzi scheme.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:57 AM (ExV1e)

=======

Increasing the price on something is discouragement.

Like increasing the price of labor through income taxes discourages labor.

It's a tradeoff, one that favors savings, which I don't think is a bad idea.

King TJM for a day would implement something like a 1% sales tax, decree that it can never move up or down without any exemptions for any product type, and then let it play out.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (GBKbO)

343 . As a community of compassion and action, we refuse to turn our backs on those in need. Your donation today can help bridge the gaps, ensuring that refugees, communities battling hunger, and disaster-affected families receive the care and protection they deserve. Give now to keep hope alive."
Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (5LoD7)

"Refugees" ? That's a no...

Posted by: It's me donna at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (VE6XX)

344 > Instead of student debt forgiveness, a class action suit against colleges for fraudulent degrees should be allowed.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 10:52 AM (tT6L1)

Allow students to "cancel" their degrees (no transcripts, diplomas are invalid, etc.), upon which the school becomes responsible for any student loans.

If the degree is shitty enough that the student is willing to throw it away outright, why should the school get to keep the money?

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (W5ArC)

345 Kind of the point, right?

You wanna be the first national bank of Jesus, then you're gonna be treated like a bank.

You want to be an actual church and do actual church things, then 30% of nothing is nothing.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (+iIV1)

But now you invite audits on every Church not towing the government line...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (exHjb)

346 Land, buildings, and income.
-------
Hospitals and food banks too??

Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (5LoD7)

347 Even the Son of God paid Caesar. Granted it was from a fish but still.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (Vh9CX)

348 - The idea that people won't buy stuff to avoid taxes is odd. Most people don't think about things.
- It would be nice to try and shift people from a throw-away consumer culture to a buy and keep one.
- If people did spend a bit less, they might save some for their dotage which would allow us to start unwinding the SS/Medicare ponzi scheme.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 06, 2025 10:57 AM (ExV1e)
-

Educate people and let the market decide. You're also hurting producers.

Again, what's wrong with a somewhat scaled simple flat income tax?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (aSBjH)

349 Should not, repeat not, be taxed for being alive. Hence not on raw food.

Posted by: From about That Time at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (4780s)

350 Noodus simianus (MH)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (J2vNu)

351 A properly run church earns little to no "profit". Taking them wouldn't accomplish much.

Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 10:56 AM (azSra)

That's not the point. Everyone should be treated equally under the law.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (g0MSz)

Exactly.

A simple, let's go with consumption tax, without exceptions would be one page long (maybe two).

Easy to understand and totally fair.

Zero to complain about.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (iJfKG)

352 Are the "religious" institutions listed as scarfing USAID monies really... "religious?" As in affiliated with a church. A real church.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (Q4IgG)

353 Get a gun and you can rob somebody.
Get a bank and you can rob everybody.

Posted by: Willie Sutton at February 06, 2025 11:01 AM (dg+HA)

354 Nood ape

Posted by: weew at February 06, 2025 11:01 AM (ELLLX)

355 348 Again, what's wrong with a somewhat scaled simple flat income tax?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:00 AM (aSBjH)

=======

Because an income tax gives the government the greater right to the fruits of my labor more than myself.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 11:01 AM (GBKbO)

356 There is something called a ministerial exception which has an entire line of cases that go back and forth over just who should be considered a 'minister' for issues like employment laws and discrimination. Justice Scalia's lousy Smith v. Oregon decision muddied the waters of the free exercise clause by allowing a state to rely upon a rational basis test for actions that hurt churches, etc.
Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 10:58 AM (ctrM5)
---------------

I should have known the First has been circumvented, much like the Second.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at February 06, 2025 11:01 AM (tT6L1)

357 > Hospitals and food banks too??
Posted by: andycanuck (5LoD7) at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (5LoD7)

Not food banks, probably, but if hospitals aren't making a hefty profit at the rates they charge, their management needs to be replaced with a competent one.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at February 06, 2025 11:01 AM (W5ArC)

358 I remember an episode of Cheers where Woody and his girlfriend were splitting up because she was (something) Lutheran, while he was Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.
--------
That's not as far-fetched as it might sound on the surface. The Missouri Synod doesn't tolerate the open practice of homosexuality nor women ministers--whereas a couple of other different Synods embrace both.

Posted by: Crusader at February 06, 2025 11:02 AM (azSra)

359 U nas yest' NOOD.

Posted by: Bulg at February 06, 2025 11:02 AM (77rzZ)

360 Property tax… a state matter, unless you want a Federal property tax.. and a tax on individual donations to the church, viewed as income.
Posted by: tubal
-----------
Federal property tax is unconstitutional as a direct tax unless apportioned by states and their population.

That is why an income tax required a constitutional amendment despite being in and out of use by Fedgov during and after the Civil War. Direct constitutional challenge to the income tax came about in the 1894 in Pollock v. Farmer's Loan and Trust. Pollock claimed that the tax was a direct one and not apportioned by state and population as the Constitution requires. That is how we ended up getting the Income Tax Amendment.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 11:03 AM (ctrM5)

361 >Vote on Kash Patel delayed one week. Democrats playing games.
----

'we gotta find something on this guy...anything, make it up'

Posted by: Don Black at February 06, 2025 11:04 AM (AOsQT)

362 Again, what's wrong with a somewhat scaled simple flat income tax?
Posted by: Biden's Dog

An income tax is a tax on productivity while a sales tax is a tax on consumption. It is preferable to tax consumption and promote saving. Also, an income tax is always subject to progressivism, which is a bad idea.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 06, 2025 11:04 AM (hywts)

363 Eventually we will go to an electronic funds transfer tax.

It’ll be small too, on the order of 0.5%.

This will also stop a shit ton of the gaming of the stock market.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 06, 2025 11:05 AM (Vh9CX)

364 75. Posted by: Warai-otoko

Good for control of water.

Ours began dying off after more than 75 years of age and 90 feet of height, requiring costly removal & then expanding the sump pumps in the cellar.

The pumps are fine unless there's a power failure. So then backup batteries had to be installed.

One thing leads to another. Keep the trees.

Posted by: L - No nic, another day at February 06, 2025 11:05 AM (NFX2v)

365 Like increasing the price of labor through income taxes discourages labor.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 10:59 AM (GBKbO)
-

Nope. People gotta work. People don't gotta buy 10000 inch (diagonal) OLED entertainment systems.

And of course, people are a lot less discouraged paying 15% up front in taxes than 55%.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:06 AM (aSBjH)

366 @ 272 More modest proposal:

Tax only consumption, if you must tax the American citizen at all. ______________________________

Agreed - but isn't this a concept that was floated when Reagan was President ... ? It obviously makes WAY too much sense and reduces Federal Bloat™ too much to ever be implemented. The drones needs dey li'l 'jawbz!' ...

Posted by: Dr_No at February 06, 2025 11:07 AM (ayRl+)

367 I should have known the First has been circumvented, much like the Second.
Posted by: blake

Ironically, as far as free exercise of religion, the Warren Court and Burger Courts were better-Yoder v. Wisconsin and Sherbert v. Werner required strict scrutiny if the state regulations burdened a honestly expressed religious belief.

But,Scalia hated druggies worse than he loved the Constitution in Smith v. Oregon and Gonzalez v. Raich.

Posted by: whig at February 06, 2025 11:07 AM (ctrM5)

368 365 Nope. People gotta work. People don't gotta buy 10000 inch (diagonal) OLED entertainment systems.

And of course, people are a lot less discouraged paying 15% up front in taxes than 55%.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:06 AM (aSBjH)

========

My dad knew a Swede.

Academic. Well respected.

He outright chose to stop working at a certain point in the year, refused any further short courses and things, because it jumped him into another tax bracket and he'd lose all that he gained by taking the jobs.

Yes, income taxes are a discouragement to working.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 11:08 AM (GBKbO)

369 Also, an income tax is always subject to progressivism, which is a bad idea.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 06, 2025 11:04 AM (hywts)
-

By "progressivism" do you simply mean increases?

I'm in Israel, where the VAT rate just moved up from 17% to 18%. (Don't even ask me about the cost of gas here - worse than the EU!).

It's a daily burden, highly bureaucratic, and a painful reminder whenever you purchase anything.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:12 AM (aSBjH)

370 He outright chose to stop working at a certain point in the year, refused any further short courses and things, because it jumped him into another tax bracket and he'd lose all that he gained by taking the jobs.

Yes, income taxes are a discouragement to working.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching B-movies with Roger Corman at February 06, 2025 11:08 AM (GBKbO)
-

I wasn't clear enough. Very minimal bracket scaling for a flat tax, perhaps just to accommodate the poor. The Swedish scenario is like the one here in Israel. I know plenty of professional people for whom it didn't pay to work or work harder. They wouldn't have said that if they were only flat taxed only for an amount needed to keep the government functioning in what it should be limited in doing.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 06, 2025 11:16 AM (aSBjH)

371 This Lutheran guy, who ever he is is pretty slick.

Posted by: pawn at February 06, 2025 11:25 AM (QB+5g)

372 And yeah, pollen. That is exactly how my subconscious reacted to the picture. It's pretty but...that yellow is....

Ack, cough, hack.....

Posted by: pawn at February 06, 2025 11:28 AM (QB+5g)

373 I would love for this to be my back and front yard. Beautiful.

Posted by: Joe at February 06, 2025 01:22 PM (rzwGB)

374 SPRING IS HERE TRA-LAH TYRA-LAH

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