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Wednesday Morning Rant
This needs to stop. Justice and other agencies are starting (publicly, at least - I have no idea if it is sincere) to tackle some of the fraud, but there is likely no way they can contain it. They can punish specific wrongdoers in specific frauds, but the overall system is conducive to fraud. The way the NGO complex is constructed virtually demands fraud, and all but guarantees it. The entire point is to slosh money around outside of accountability systems. The system itself is deeply flawed and designed from the ground up to be exploited. That system needs to be abolished.
There does not need to be cessation of particular projects or programs, or punishment of specific wrongdoers. The wrongdoers must be punished, of course, but that will not solve the problem. New wrongdoers will do the same things - and why not? The system is designed to be abused. That system is what needs to go, not some particular recipient. What we need is a rethink on how taxpayer is spent at all. What I think needs to happen is a new law around how the government is permitted to spend money. It should be restricted to four categories:1. Goods purchased by and for the government, under contract
2. Services purchased by and for the government, under contract
3. State block grants for various programs (Medicaid, Section 8, etc.), with hard requirements that all block-grant funds are directly attributable to a specific end consumer (recipient), however it is delivered, and that records are available to the federal government on demand.
4. Direct welfare payments to named recipients - disability, social security, medicare, etc. The welfare programs are not going to be abolished, but there must be accountability within the government for them. Any dollar that goes out must go out to or on behalf of a known, named, enrolled individual. No organizations. If an organization is paid on behalf of an individual - say, medical transportation for a Medicaid recipient - it must be via a company under legitimate and valid contract per federal standards for bidding and selection, with specific recipient recorded and audited. No cash to anyone else for anything. The government is itself a customer for many businesses, and that can continue. When some agency buys toilet paper under contract, that's fine. When a contractor operates a government facility on behalf of an agency, that's fine. When a supplier or vendor provides services to the government under contract, that's fine. But there must be no more non-contract activity paid for with taxpayer money. No more grants or non-contract outlays. If there is, for example, some research project that people think ought to be undertaken, the government either needs to do it itself at one of its laboratories or the organization doing it needs to bid and negotiate a contract - and that contract must be subject to the same bidding and procurement requirements as any other contract. No more research grants, no more "development" grants, no more grants to universities or hospitals or NGOs not doing specific, named work for the US government under competitive contract. These requirements are bureaucratic and onerous. That is the point. If an organization receives so much as a single penny of federal taxpayer money, it must be for a stated, known purpose under a valid contract and all that this entails. It must be auditable, accountable and transparent. If an NGO, university or other organization doesn't want to both convince someone in government that something is a good idea and then go through competitive bidding to do it, it is welcome to not participate. If an NGO wants to operate without accountability, it is welcome to do so with no victims but its own suckers who gave them money. There is no way to get the fraud problem under control while the current NGO system remains intact. The flow of cash into the NGOs must be stopped in order to reduce the amount of flagrant theft and dishonesty in the system. The government has by now amply demonstrated that it is both unwilling and unable to determine how it spends money without aggressive oversight. The problem has to be cut out at the root, and that is in the standards and requirements for all government outlays. One way to stop this hemorrhaging cash flow into NGOs is to change the law to explicitly define how the government is permitted to spend money, and on what. No payments without specific, named purpose and competitive contract. No transfers without accountability. Make the NGOs into actual non-government entities and let them sink or swim on their own.
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
I'll let those in the Art Thread know this one's gone live.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 21, 2026 11:00 AM (O7YUW)
2
st!
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:00 AM (bFu5X)
3
You people are fast today
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:00 AM (bFu5X)
4
first.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 21, 2026 11:02 AM (0N4FZ)
5
We live in feudal times.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:02 AM (pLaQB)
6
MONKEY!
Posted by: Rainier Wolfcastle at January 21, 2026 11:02 AM (cuae1)
7
Sounds good
Posted by: Zeera. I voted for ALL of this at January 21, 2026 11:02 AM (pscAN)
8
Willowed:
If you love Manos the Hand of Fate, bring it up. Spread the joys!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 10:52 AM (GBKbO)
I do love Manos. I think Hal Warren had a good idea, but he didn't flesh it out enough.
There was a crowdfunded sequel / reboot a few years back called Manos Returns, which, while replicating some of the original, ended up being even more confusing.
I still say there's a good idea in the mess. Maybe I'll take a crack at it someday.
If you love Manos the Hand of Fate, bring it up. Spread the joys!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 10:52 AM (GBKbO)
I do love Manos. I think Hal Warren had a good idea, but he didn't flesh it out enough.
There was a crowdfunded sequel / reboot a few years back called Manos Returns, which, while replicating some of the original, ended up being even more confusing.
I still say there's a good idea in the mess. Maybe I'll take a crack at it someday.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at January 21, 2026 11:03 AM (ufSfZ)
9
They cut my program by $60M. Fuck those guys.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:03 AM (pLaQB)
10
Sounds like white supremacy talk.
- Tampon Tim Walz
- Tampon Tim Walz
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:03 AM (Ryx1w)
11
There are no psuedo-NGO's only grift. Ban them all.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (mlg/3)
12
There is no way to get the fraud problem under control while the current NGO system remains intact. The flow of cash into the NGOs must be stopped in order to reduce the amount of flagrant theft and dishonesty in the system. The government has by now amply demonstrated that it is both unwilling and unable to determine how it spends money without aggressive oversight.
There are government entities that are extremely closely watched, often to an absurd point. I worked for one of them. The problem isn't that accountability isn't called for or required by law, it's that the people dispensing most of the money don't WANT accountability and so just ignore the law. Fix that, and you can fix most of the problem.
There are government entities that are extremely closely watched, often to an absurd point. I worked for one of them. The problem isn't that accountability isn't called for or required by law, it's that the people dispensing most of the money don't WANT accountability and so just ignore the law. Fix that, and you can fix most of the problem.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (Riz8t)
13
There is perhaps no greater misnomer in modern English than "Non-Governmental Organization," or "NGO."
---
They should really be called TGAYM.
There Goes All Your Money.
---
They should really be called TGAYM.
There Goes All Your Money.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (Q4cxx)
14
GONGOs (Government-Organized Non-Governmental Organizations).
Posted by: ShainS -- 'The Warmth Of Collectivism' Is Code For 'Hell On Earth' at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (Fsl9/)
15
The NGO is a facade of the church of the government. Cut the bullshit. Tax free, baby!
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (oT7pT)
16
"Make the NGOs into actual non-government entities and let them sink or swim on their own."
Never going to happen. Congress has delegated the power of the purse over the last 60 years to so many different agencies, contractors and ngo's that is impossible to turn off at this point.
Never going to happen. Congress has delegated the power of the purse over the last 60 years to so many different agencies, contractors and ngo's that is impossible to turn off at this point.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (0N4FZ)
17
Make the NGOs into actual non-government entities and let them sink or swim on their own.
____
But that would dismantle OurDemocracy(TM) !
____
But that would dismantle OurDemocracy(TM) !
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:05 AM (Dv3i1)
18
There is perhaps no greater misnomer in modern English than "Non-Governmental Organization," or "NGO."
---
They should really be called TGAYM.
There Goes All Your Money.
AIR
Accountability is racist.
---
They should really be called TGAYM.
There Goes All Your Money.
AIR
Accountability is racist.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:05 AM (Riz8t)
19
Congress has delegated the power of the purse over the last 60 years to so many different agencies, contractors and ngo's that is impossible to turn off at this point.
It's possible, but it's a matter of will, which doesn't exist at the moment.
It's possible, but it's a matter of will, which doesn't exist at the moment.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Riz8t)
20
Saint Elon of DOGE smote dragon of NGO.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (o2ZRX)
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (GBKbO)
22
There is the obvious graft we’ve all seen.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
It’s the same scam charities operate. At least charities do it with private donation money. NGOs do it with my tax dollars.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
It’s the same scam charities operate. At least charities do it with private donation money. NGOs do it with my tax dollars.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Ryx1w)
23
There are government entities that are extremely closely watched, often to an absurd point. I worked for one of them. The problem isn't that accountability isn't called for or required by law, it's that the people dispensing most of the money don't WANT accountability and so just ignore the law. Fix that, and you can fix most of the problem.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (Riz8t)
++++
Yes, for sure.
But the system is structurally designed to enable bad behavior and it needs to be contained.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:04 AM (Riz8t)
++++
Yes, for sure.
But the system is structurally designed to enable bad behavior and it needs to be contained.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:07 AM (GyQIQ)
24
Vast quantities of taxpayer money are sluiced through the NGO complex
'Sluicing' being a great metaphor. The more sluicing there is, the more spillage! If it were piped, it would all reach the destination.
'Sluicing' being a great metaphor. The more sluicing there is, the more spillage! If it were piped, it would all reach the destination.
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 11:07 AM (BvTxf)
25
19 Congress has delegated the power of the purse over the last 60 years to so many different agencies, contractors and ngo's that is impossible to turn off at this point.
It's possible, but it's a matter of will, which doesn't exist at the moment.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Riz8t)
=====
The House alone has had the power to completely shut down branches of government. Just pass a budget without the funding and go home.
"Defense and Justice are funded. Nothing else. See you in 18 months."
It was always an option.
It's possible, but it's a matter of will, which doesn't exist at the moment.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Riz8t)
=====
The House alone has had the power to completely shut down branches of government. Just pass a budget without the funding and go home.
"Defense and Justice are funded. Nothing else. See you in 18 months."
It was always an option.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (GBKbO)
26
One way to stop this hemorrhaging cash flow into NGOs is to change the law to explicitly define how the government is permitted to spend money, and on what.
Posted by: Joe Mannix
I think there should be a Constitutional amendment prohibiting the payment of Federal funds to any individual or legal entity, except for salaries, payment for goods provided or services rendered, compensation for a taking, and payments made as a result of the government losing or settling litigation.
Posted by: Joe Mannix
I think there should be a Constitutional amendment prohibiting the payment of Federal funds to any individual or legal entity, except for salaries, payment for goods provided or services rendered, compensation for a taking, and payments made as a result of the government losing or settling litigation.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (77rzZ)
27
Did Trump tell everyone at Davos they are under arrest for crimes against humanity?
Posted by: Anna Puma at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (45BvE)
28
Congress is the problem. Committees, oversight( don't choke laughing) hearings don't do squat.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (0KSrI)
29
Well, apparently chess is haram, and a teacher at a school that is 30% Muslim is in hot water for running a student chess club.
England, Islam wants to take away your beer, your bangers and mash, your dogs, your lovely lasses, your delicious English breakfasts with ham...are you going to let it take away chess too? (Someone needs to update the Amelia waifu meme to add chess!)
@BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
England, Islam wants to take away your beer, your bangers and mash, your dogs, your lovely lasses, your delicious English breakfasts with ham...are you going to let it take away chess too? (Someone needs to update the Amelia waifu meme to add chess!)
@BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
30
There is the obvious graft we’ve all seen.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
It’s the same scam charities operate. At least charities do it with private donation money. NGOs do it with my tax dollars.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Ryx1w)
++++
Sure. If they want to rook their own suckers, that's on them and their suckers. But robbing taxpayers with a nod and a wink and a kickback to a bureaucrat or politician is worse. The taxpayer didn't agree to it.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
It’s the same scam charities operate. At least charities do it with private donation money. NGOs do it with my tax dollars.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Ryx1w)
++++
Sure. If they want to rook their own suckers, that's on them and their suckers. But robbing taxpayers with a nod and a wink and a kickback to a bureaucrat or politician is worse. The taxpayer didn't agree to it.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (GyQIQ)
31
I thought muzzies claim to have invented chess.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (Ryx1w)
32
"The welfare programs are not going to be abolished"
They are unsustainable in the long run. They were foolish promises that never could be kept perpetually. There will be a sad reckoning.
They are unsustainable in the long run. They were foolish promises that never could be kept perpetually. There will be a sad reckoning.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (N8ZBc)
33
GPTPOTOAPBTC - Government-Paid Third-Party Organizations To Outsource Actions Prohibited By The Constitution
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (Q4cxx)
34
State block grants for various programs (Medicaid, Section 8, etc.), with hard requirements that all block-grant funds are directly attributable to a specific end consumer (recipient), however it is delivered, and that records are available to the federal government on demand.
Further, if we absolutely cannot rid ourselves of people in Kentucky being taxed to pay for welfare in Los Angeles, no state which receives a federal block grant may use non-federal money for a purpose which specifically violates federal law (I can't believe this needs to be spelled out but here we are), e.g. benefits for non-citizens.
Further, if we absolutely cannot rid ourselves of people in Kentucky being taxed to pay for welfare in Los Angeles, no state which receives a federal block grant may use non-federal money for a purpose which specifically violates federal law (I can't believe this needs to be spelled out but here we are), e.g. benefits for non-citizens.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (ExV1e)
35
32 "The welfare programs are not going to be abolished"
They are unsustainable in the long run. They were foolish promises that never could be kept perpetually. There will be a sad reckoning.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
I don't think we can get even 10 percent of GOP voters to agree to "Cut mine and theirs" instead of "cut theirs, not mine."
They are unsustainable in the long run. They were foolish promises that never could be kept perpetually. There will be a sad reckoning.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
I don't think we can get even 10 percent of GOP voters to agree to "Cut mine and theirs" instead of "cut theirs, not mine."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (GBKbO)
36
The Free Shit Army is always hungry.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (pLaQB)
37
Islam stole everything
Posted by: Anna Puma at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (45BvE)
38
I struggle with the idea that even *good* charitable organizations can receive "government" money. First, because there's no such thing as "government money"--its taken from us taxpayers. I love, love, love St. Jude's and the work they do with childhood cancers. But I already have the ability to donate to them (and I do). Why would my government decide to take money from me via taxes and give even more of my money to them?
Its just a made-up example, but I don't know we allow such things.
Its just a made-up example, but I don't know we allow such things.
Posted by: Crusader at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (TN0g+)
39
37 Islam stole everything
Posted by: Anna Puma at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (45BvE)
======
The Greeks did goat fucking first.
Posted by: Anna Puma at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (45BvE)
======
The Greeks did goat fucking first.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:11 AM (GBKbO)
40
I do love Manos. I think Hal Warren had a good idea, but he didn't flesh it out enough.
There was a crowdfunded sequel / reboot a few years back called Manos Returns, which, while replicating some of the original, ended up being even more confusing.
I still say there's a good idea in the mess. Maybe I'll take a crack at it someday.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
Warren admitted that if recut properly, it might have made a passable comedy.
There was a crowdfunded sequel / reboot a few years back called Manos Returns, which, while replicating some of the original, ended up being even more confusing.
I still say there's a good idea in the mess. Maybe I'll take a crack at it someday.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
Warren admitted that if recut properly, it might have made a passable comedy.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 11:11 AM (77rzZ)
41
I think there should be a Constitutional amendment prohibiting the payment of Federal funds to any individual or legal entity, except for salaries, payment for goods provided or services rendered, compensation for a taking, and payments made as a result of the government losing or settling litigation.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (77rzZ)
++++
I'd support that. That would also be the end of welfare programs, however, which is a much taller order. The two problems are independent. I think it is possible to deal with much of the fraud and theft without touching the welfare programs, which is probably politically a lot more viable.
Not that my approach is viable either, of course. Too many people are getting rich feasting on the body politic.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (77rzZ)
++++
I'd support that. That would also be the end of welfare programs, however, which is a much taller order. The two problems are independent. I think it is possible to deal with much of the fraud and theft without touching the welfare programs, which is probably politically a lot more viable.
Not that my approach is viable either, of course. Too many people are getting rich feasting on the body politic.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:11 AM (GyQIQ)
42
Decades ago I met the Postmaster General, who explained that the Post Office cannot be reformed, because every voting district has postal employees and services.
I suspect this also applies to NGOs as well.
I suspect this also applies to NGOs as well.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:11 AM (wBaIH)
43
Just outlaw NGOs getting federal money. Let the states fund them if they wish. Contracts should be reduced to simple categories. Road construction, prison construction, and military. Vigorously tighten qualifications and spending guardrails to welfare.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:12 AM (g8Ew8)
Posted by: Diogenes at January 21, 2026 11:12 AM (2WIwB)
45
The scale of the corruption is mind-blowing. According to the State Department there are 1.5 million NGOs in the US!
I can only name one, the Quality Learing Center.
I can only name one, the Quality Learing Center.
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 11:12 AM (BvTxf)
46
Hijacked! The Brits created a game about Amelia, the fuschia haired goth chick, to show evil conservative white males are but . . .
https://is.gd/RjvAbK
https://is.gd/RjvAbK
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (L/fGl)
47
The appropriateness of government sponsorship of ostensible charity notwithstanding, the last few months have underscored yet another problem with the idea of government-supported NGOs: accountability. There appears to be none.
------------
There's actually less than none -- is negative accountability a thing? -- as the GloboHomo Deep State and Democrat-Islamunist Party (BIRM) actively enable, encourage, obstruct inquiries and investigations into, refuse to prosecute, and overtly celebrate literally trillions of dollars of fraud and theft of the US Treasury.
And, of course, nothing will happen ...
------------
There's actually less than none -- is negative accountability a thing? -- as the GloboHomo Deep State and Democrat-Islamunist Party (BIRM) actively enable, encourage, obstruct inquiries and investigations into, refuse to prosecute, and overtly celebrate literally trillions of dollars of fraud and theft of the US Treasury.
And, of course, nothing will happen ...
Posted by: ShainS -- 'The Warmth Of Collectivism' Is Code For 'Hell On Earth' at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (Fsl9/)
48
One way to stop this hemorrhaging cash flow into NGOs is to change the law to explicitly define how the government is permitted to spend money, and on what. No payments without specific, named purpose and competitive contract. No transfers without accountability. Make the NGOs into actual non-government entities and let them sink or swim on their own.
Posted by: Joe Mannix
=======
The problem is Congress and its politicians. It was corrupt before the Constitutional Convention and continued that corruption after the new Constitution. And the corruption festered quicker than revenues and borrowing can feed.
The dilemma that leads to republics failing is often that the legislators cannot restrain their greed for power and wealth and then use that as a bludgeon to create a pseudo aristocratic elite but without the feudal duties that were required in ye olde times.
Nor do they have the social pressures enforced by the Roman Catholic church to be a godly leader.
So we have a government of sociopaths.
Posted by: Joe Mannix
=======
The problem is Congress and its politicians. It was corrupt before the Constitutional Convention and continued that corruption after the new Constitution. And the corruption festered quicker than revenues and borrowing can feed.
The dilemma that leads to republics failing is often that the legislators cannot restrain their greed for power and wealth and then use that as a bludgeon to create a pseudo aristocratic elite but without the feudal duties that were required in ye olde times.
Nor do they have the social pressures enforced by the Roman Catholic church to be a godly leader.
So we have a government of sociopaths.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (E4rtv)
49
Good piece, Mr, Mannix, who is suspected of being a cop.
>>>The appropriateness of government sponsorship of ostensible charity notwithstanding, the last few months have underscored yet another problem with the idea of government-supported NGOs: accountability.
Let's not notwithstand this.
The government should not in any circumstance be in the position to take money from one person and give it to charitable organizations for purposes not authorized by that person, which as we have seen, can lead to religious-based organizations being used to import third-worlders to replace the population under the guise of charity.
This is spending that is purely used for political purposes and can and should be cut.
Stop this altogether.
>>>The appropriateness of government sponsorship of ostensible charity notwithstanding, the last few months have underscored yet another problem with the idea of government-supported NGOs: accountability.
Let's not notwithstand this.
The government should not in any circumstance be in the position to take money from one person and give it to charitable organizations for purposes not authorized by that person, which as we have seen, can lead to religious-based organizations being used to import third-worlders to replace the population under the guise of charity.
This is spending that is purely used for political purposes and can and should be cut.
Stop this altogether.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (dK+Kv)
50
White House estimates show just 12 cents of every dollar spent on U.S. humanitarian aid actually reaches its intended recipients.
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 09:33 AM (RHGPo)
They mean stated recipients. It always reaches the intended ones.
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 09:33 AM (RHGPo)
They mean stated recipients. It always reaches the intended ones.
Posted by: ... at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (wEF4H)
Posted by: Bad Andrew at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (DgMqy)
52
I work at a NFP research outfit that gets grants from the NSF (National Science Fund I think) My sub group also has contracts from the Air Force and NOAA. Its extra work for the admins to have to deal with both 'grant' and contracts.
A lot of research is funded by grants. There is not a specific known service or product for a contract. However research has become so corrupted that it maybe would be good if something like Mannix's proposal would happen. Let groups research on their own in order to develop a service or product the government would want to buy.
A lot of research is funded by grants. There is not a specific known service or product for a contract. However research has become so corrupted that it maybe would be good if something like Mannix's proposal would happen. Let groups research on their own in order to develop a service or product the government would want to buy.
Posted by: PaleRider at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (hhkIi)
53
'I don't think we can get even 10 percent of GOP voters to agree to "Cut mine and theirs" instead of "cut theirs, not mine."'
I fully expect that any money saved by cutting SS would simply be stolen or squandered, same as all the money that's been paid into it so far. So objecting to cuts is defensible on that basis.
I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
I fully expect that any money saved by cutting SS would simply be stolen or squandered, same as all the money that's been paid into it so far. So objecting to cuts is defensible on that basis.
I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
54
The Free Shit Army is always hungry.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:10
True. But very little ngo money ever gets to them. It’s all stolen by others.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:10
True. But very little ngo money ever gets to them. It’s all stolen by others.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:14 AM (Ryx1w)
55
There is zero accounting or auditing of any of these NGO's, the magic money machines cut them aa check or push billions into their accounts and they then dole it out to the entities the money was intended to go to, and it's not to the purposes the NGO was created for.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 21, 2026 11:14 AM (XV/Pl)
56
Lots of words. Good, fine words. But words that will never turn into actions, sad to say. Only a complete collapse of the whole government edifice will allow change such as that.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2026 11:14 AM (qIjyO)
57
If an organization derives more than 20% of its income from government sources, it’s not an NGO. It’s a creature of the state.
Posted by: OnPoint at January 21, 2026 11:14 AM (RK/h9)
58
I hear a lot about NGOs but I can’t think of a specific example: Is the Heritage Foundation an NGO… the Ford Foundation? What are some of the bigger more influential NGOs?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at January 21, 2026 11:14 AM (/iXAp)
59
53 I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
We've more than doubled the debt since Paul Ryan said that math dictates that we were unsustainable under Obama spending.
It's amazing what the world reserve currency status can do to keep the ball rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
We've more than doubled the debt since Paul Ryan said that math dictates that we were unsustainable under Obama spending.
It's amazing what the world reserve currency status can do to keep the ball rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GBKbO)
60
Now, keep in mind that a number of Constitutional experts, Turley included, have repeatedly said that the government STILL cannot pay for a third party to do what it can not.
But you have to beat the Dems on each violation of that principle, because they are going to defend all of their graft and all there footholds and hopefully catch a captured judge to delay the rightful decision.
But you have to beat the Dems on each violation of that principle, because they are going to defend all of their graft and all there footholds and hopefully catch a captured judge to delay the rightful decision.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (Q4cxx)
61
If we cut off NGOs, how are politicians going to go from $100k net worth to $50mm net worth in 2 years?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (Dv3i1)
62
Let's not notwithstand this.
The government should not in any circumstance be in the position to take money from one person and give it to charitable organizations for purposes not authorized by that person, which as we have seen, can lead to religious-based organizations being used to import third-worlders to replace the population under the guise of charity.
This is spending that is purely used for political purposes and can and should be cut.
Stop this altogether.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (dK+Kv)
+++++
Concur. I want to see an end to any federal spending on anything not contracted according to bidding rules for specific tasks. If the states want to rob taxpayers to give money to their cronies, it's up to the state's residents to deal with that. But at the federal level? Zero excuse. End it. Completely.
The government should not in any circumstance be in the position to take money from one person and give it to charitable organizations for purposes not authorized by that person, which as we have seen, can lead to religious-based organizations being used to import third-worlders to replace the population under the guise of charity.
This is spending that is purely used for political purposes and can and should be cut.
Stop this altogether.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (dK+Kv)
+++++
Concur. I want to see an end to any federal spending on anything not contracted according to bidding rules for specific tasks. If the states want to rob taxpayers to give money to their cronies, it's up to the state's residents to deal with that. But at the federal level? Zero excuse. End it. Completely.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GyQIQ)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (L/fGl)
64
61 If we cut off NGOs, how are politicians going to go from $100k net worth to $50mm net worth in 2 years?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (Dv3i1)
======
Trading stocks with insider information about upcoming legislation is apparently a game that only a few in Congress can do well.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (Dv3i1)
======
Trading stocks with insider information about upcoming legislation is apparently a game that only a few in Congress can do well.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GBKbO)
65
I think "the system" (our government) has been bastardized so badly that the fraud is, in fact, the system. It'll collapse if there's no fraud. It's debatable whether that's good or bad.
The fight to restore "the system" would be epic tho'.
The fight to restore "the system" would be epic tho'.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (U2OZr)
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (wBaIH)
67
survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
It won’t.
They’ll just increase SS taxes on everyone combined with reducing benefits for “the rich”. It’ll end up being just another welfare program in the long run.
Right now there is a cap on SS taxes up to about $200k a year. If that cap is eliminated it keeps the scam going for a few more decades alone.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
It won’t.
They’ll just increase SS taxes on everyone combined with reducing benefits for “the rich”. It’ll end up being just another welfare program in the long run.
Right now there is a cap on SS taxes up to about $200k a year. If that cap is eliminated it keeps the scam going for a few more decades alone.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Ryx1w)
68
I thought muzzies claim to have invented chess.
Not much is known
Of early days of chess beyond a vague report
That fifteen hundred years ago, two princes fought,
Though brothers,
For a Hindu throne.
- Tim Rice, "The Story of Chess," Chess: The Musical
Not much is known
Of early days of chess beyond a vague report
That fifteen hundred years ago, two princes fought,
Though brothers,
For a Hindu throne.
- Tim Rice, "The Story of Chess," Chess: The Musical
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (ufSfZ)
69
It's amazing what the world reserve currency status can do to keep the ball rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
At some point, foreigners will tire of buying US debt, only to watch its value shrink with the inflation needed to keep the debt train rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
At some point, foreigners will tire of buying US debt, only to watch its value shrink with the inflation needed to keep the debt train rolling.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)
70
@BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
71
I've worked in a sector that requires government grants to get any research done, research that
DOES add to the quality of human life and our understanding of science. Genomics, and other areas connected to human health.
Then I see government grants awarded to people putting shrimp on treadmills, and I despair. These are the kind of grants that don't let us have nice things. That make everyone want to throw the baby out with the bath water.
There are SO many ongoing research projects experiments and trials that shutting off all NGOs overnight would kill. And that would be horrible. But I also feel the wrath of knowing people have grown fat off of wasting my tax money. It's tough to be in the position of seeing the need for NGOs, and also despising the monstrous leeches they have become. I feel like I'm serving two masters, as the Bible says.
DOES add to the quality of human life and our understanding of science. Genomics, and other areas connected to human health.
Then I see government grants awarded to people putting shrimp on treadmills, and I despair. These are the kind of grants that don't let us have nice things. That make everyone want to throw the baby out with the bath water.
There are SO many ongoing research projects experiments and trials that shutting off all NGOs overnight would kill. And that would be horrible. But I also feel the wrath of knowing people have grown fat off of wasting my tax money. It's tough to be in the position of seeing the need for NGOs, and also despising the monstrous leeches they have become. I feel like I'm serving two masters, as the Bible says.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (gWBY1)
72
66 29 wait, what? The beans on toast crowd have delicious breakfasts?
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (wBaIH)
====
Related:
@iconawrites
·
17h
People think I do all the cooking for myself and my husband because I have some trad belief that men don’t belong in the kitchen. The truth is that I am Italian and my husband is English, and I do not believe any English person of any gender belongs in my kitchen.
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (wBaIH)
====
Related:
@iconawrites
·
17h
People think I do all the cooking for myself and my husband because I have some trad belief that men don’t belong in the kitchen. The truth is that I am Italian and my husband is English, and I do not believe any English person of any gender belongs in my kitchen.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (GBKbO)
73
Just outlaw NGOs getting federal money. Let the states fund them if they wish.
Either states can receive federal dollars or states can fund things that federal dollars cannot.
If you say that the feds will give the state a buncha money and the state can spend money on sketchy shit then you're just adding an extra step to the feds spending money on sketchy shit.
Either states can receive federal dollars or states can fund things that federal dollars cannot.
If you say that the feds will give the state a buncha money and the state can spend money on sketchy shit then you're just adding an extra step to the feds spending money on sketchy shit.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (ExV1e)
Posted by: NR Pax at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (99eI0)
75
A lot of research is funded by grants. There is not a specific known service or product for a contract. However research has become so corrupted that it maybe would be good if something like Mannix's proposal would happen. Let groups research on their own in order to develop a service or product the government would want to buy.
Posted by: PaleRider at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (hhkIi)
++++
Yup. Shitty situation, but this is where we are when trust is destroyed and accountability is absent.
It *could* be reworked under a contract scenario. A contract to research Phenomenon X on Timeline Y with deliverable results - positive or negative - by Deadline Z. Let research houses bid on the contract if they want it.
Step 1 would be convincing someone in government to out the RFP. That alone is probably not worth it most of the time.
Posted by: PaleRider at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (hhkIi)
++++
Yup. Shitty situation, but this is where we are when trust is destroyed and accountability is absent.
It *could* be reworked under a contract scenario. A contract to research Phenomenon X on Timeline Y with deliverable results - positive or negative - by Deadline Z. Let research houses bid on the contract if they want it.
Step 1 would be convincing someone in government to out the RFP. That alone is probably not worth it most of the time.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (GyQIQ)
76
69 At some point, foreigners will tire of buying US debt, only to watch its value shrink with the inflation needed to keep the debt train rolling.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)
======
I was assured that point was soon more than a decade ago.
And the rest of the world is just worse.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)
======
I was assured that point was soon more than a decade ago.
And the rest of the world is just worse.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (GBKbO)
77
There's actually less than none -- is negative accountability a thing?
-------
Local government has some accountability
State government has no accountability
Federal government has negative accountability
{Skeletor will be back}
-------
Local government has some accountability
State government has no accountability
Federal government has negative accountability
{Skeletor will be back}
Posted by: ... at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (wEF4H)
78
@59
>>I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
The trick is that the vast majority of our outstanding debt is owed to ourselves.
So theoretically, we could default on our own debt and give ourselves a mulligan.
>>I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
The trick is that the vast majority of our outstanding debt is owed to ourselves.
So theoretically, we could default on our own debt and give ourselves a mulligan.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (XV/Pl)
79
Well, apparently chess is haram, and a teacher at a school that is 30% Muslim is in hot water for running a student chess club.
England, Islam wants to take away your beer, your bangers and mash, your dogs, your lovely lasses, your delicious English breakfasts with ham...are you going to let it take away chess too? (Someone needs to update the Amelia waifu meme to add chess!)
@BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
This is the newest one that indirectly addresses what your talking about.
This one walks a thin line.
Amelia on "Who's British?"
https://tinyurl.com/57ucsnch
Though for a nation that's trying to survive or not, it's a legit question.
England, Islam wants to take away your beer, your bangers and mash, your dogs, your lovely lasses, your delicious English breakfasts with ham...are you going to let it take away chess too? (Someone needs to update the Amelia waifu meme to add chess!)
@BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
This is the newest one that indirectly addresses what your talking about.
This one walks a thin line.
Amelia on "Who's British?"
https://tinyurl.com/57ucsnch
Though for a nation that's trying to survive or not, it's a legit question.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (iJfKG)
80
The truth is that I am Italian and my husband is English, and I do not believe any English person of any gender belongs in my kitchen.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
LOL.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
LOL.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (77rzZ)
81
If the states want to rob taxpayers to give money to their cronies, it's up to the state's residents to deal with that. But at the federal level? Zero excuse. End it. Completely.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GyQIQ)
Putting the theft closer to the voter would have your intended consequence of accountability, presuming free and fair elections.
Yes, I see the flaw in my plan.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GyQIQ)
Putting the theft closer to the voter would have your intended consequence of accountability, presuming free and fair elections.
Yes, I see the flaw in my plan.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (dK+Kv)
82
I hear a lot about NGOs but I can’t think of a specific example: Is the Heritage Foundation an NGO… the Ford Foundation? What are some of the bigger more influential NGOs?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt
Look up NED on Twitter; dataRepublican has been flaming their wig back recently.
Posted by: LinusVanPelt
Look up NED on Twitter; dataRepublican has been flaming their wig back recently.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (mlg/3)
83
4. Direct welfare payments to named recipients - disability, social security, medicare, etc
--------------------------
I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
--------------------------
I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
84
No taxpayer funds to any so called NGOs including write offs.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (xvV+O)
85
A lot of outages. Youtube comments, Academia.edu, and yahoo.com...
Posted by: gKWVE at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (tL5sl)
86
83 I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
======
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
======
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
87
86 Concur. It's welfare.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (N8ZBc)
88
I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
---
Ah, you bought the scam. For a while now the feds have been calling it a "pay-as-you-go" system.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
---
Ah, you bought the scam. For a while now the feds have been calling it a "pay-as-you-go" system.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (Q4cxx)
89
We've more than doubled the debt since Paul Ryan said that math dictates that we were unsustainable under Obama spending.
It's amazing what the world reserve currency status can do to keep the ball rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------
We are at about 100 percent debt to gdp ratio. Japan is past 300 percent, China is close to Japan.
Most of Euroland is at 100 percent or higher debt to gdp ratio and the few nations that are not in debt are often rentier states relying extractive industries where the public has no real elections nor power affecting government spending.
We are one of the bigger and better houses in a slum filled with debtors.
Long run unsustainable but the kleptocrats running these nations figure like Keynes, in the long run we are all dead, so live for today and screw tomorrow. YOLO.
It's amazing what the world reserve currency status can do to keep the ball rolling.
I think we're decades from a collapse, if it happens at all.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------
We are at about 100 percent debt to gdp ratio. Japan is past 300 percent, China is close to Japan.
Most of Euroland is at 100 percent or higher debt to gdp ratio and the few nations that are not in debt are often rentier states relying extractive industries where the public has no real elections nor power affecting government spending.
We are one of the bigger and better houses in a slum filled with debtors.
Long run unsustainable but the kleptocrats running these nations figure like Keynes, in the long run we are all dead, so live for today and screw tomorrow. YOLO.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (E4rtv)
90
The truth is that I am Italian and my husband is English, and I do not believe any English person of any gender belongs in my kitchen.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
This is why it is important to keep the context in your quotations
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
This is why it is important to keep the context in your quotations
Posted by: gKWVE at January 21, 2026 11:21 AM (tL5sl)
91
88 Ah, you bought the scam. For a while now the feds have been calling it a "pay-as-you-go" system.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (Q4cxx)
======
Yes.
SS being an investment was always, always a lie.
It's a tax of money going into the government and welfare payments going out of the government.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (Q4cxx)
======
Yes.
SS being an investment was always, always a lie.
It's a tax of money going into the government and welfare payments going out of the government.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:22 AM (GBKbO)
92
Social Security began as the state's monopoly on pyramid schemes, but somewhere along the line it became "Duh! It's pay as you go!" (redistribution). And then it became payment for all sorts of people who did not pay into it.
I can explain it all in one word: Democrats.
I can explain it all in one word: Democrats.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:22 AM (Q4cxx)
93
I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
++++
Which is a fiction. Social Security is a welfare payment. They print up what looks like an annuity statement and pretend that revenues are coupled to outlays, but they aren't. The Social Security tax is just a tax, and the Social Security benefit payment is just a benefit. The benefit value is tied to some degree to the amount of tax paid, but Social Security is structured as and legally is a welfare program. There is no trust fund, there is no "lock box" and there never has been. It is not an annuity and it is not a pension.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
++++
Which is a fiction. Social Security is a welfare payment. They print up what looks like an annuity statement and pretend that revenues are coupled to outlays, but they aren't. The Social Security tax is just a tax, and the Social Security benefit payment is just a benefit. The benefit value is tied to some degree to the amount of tax paid, but Social Security is structured as and legally is a welfare program. There is no trust fund, there is no "lock box" and there never has been. It is not an annuity and it is not a pension.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:23 AM (GyQIQ)
94
>>> There is the obvious graft we’ve all seen.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
I was surprised at how the remade "House of Cards" was willing to so nakedly expose how non-profits and NGOs like the "Clean Water Institute" are really a pit of vipers.
As long as you put a "$0" profit balance in your ledger, you can abuse the money your NGO gets on luxuries a grunt at the bottom like me can only dream of.
A secondary source of graft is the salaries these ngos pay out. $300,400,500k a year for executives.
I was surprised at how the remade "House of Cards" was willing to so nakedly expose how non-profits and NGOs like the "Clean Water Institute" are really a pit of vipers.
As long as you put a "$0" profit balance in your ledger, you can abuse the money your NGO gets on luxuries a grunt at the bottom like me can only dream of.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:23 AM (gWBY1)
95
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out raping goats and white kids.
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out raping goats and white kids.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:23 AM (ExV1e)
96
Also cap maximum salaries at $80,000/yr. Cap all expenses at 5% of funds raised, not including any taxpayer monies.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at January 21, 2026 11:23 AM (xvV+O)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
98
But Social Security is salvageable and it's a third rail for no reason. It isn't *too* far out of balance.
Raise or eliminate the earnings cap on it and get SSDI fraud under control and Social Security will be largely stable. Raising or eliminating the tax cap will be seen - accurately - as hugely unfair, but it would solve most of the problem and since it's *not* a pension scheme and *is* a welfare scheme, there is no reason they couldn't.
Raise or eliminate the earnings cap on it and get SSDI fraud under control and Social Security will be largely stable. Raising or eliminating the tax cap will be seen - accurately - as hugely unfair, but it would solve most of the problem and since it's *not* a pension scheme and *is* a welfare scheme, there is no reason they couldn't.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (GyQIQ)
99
>>>The beans on toast crowd have delicious breakfasts?
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov
>Great, now I want chili with beans and cornbread. Hold the carrots.
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov
>Great, now I want chili with beans and cornbread. Hold the carrots.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (oT7pT)
100
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
Now you see how convincing I am!
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
Now you see how convincing I am!
Posted by: John Roberts at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (X9p3i)
101
It *could* be reworked under a contract scenario. A contract to research Phenomenon X on Timeline Y with deliverable results - positive or negative - by Deadline Z. Let research houses bid on the contract if they want it.
That's exactly what happens now.
Here's the hard truth: scientific research is not the problem. Scientific results are very easy to measure, because the goals are clear and quantifiable. Getting rid of all scientific research would make no discernible difference to the problem. The real problem is that we hand out oceans of money to politically favored people with no clear goals, metrics, or deadlines.
That's exactly what happens now.
Here's the hard truth: scientific research is not the problem. Scientific results are very easy to measure, because the goals are clear and quantifiable. Getting rid of all scientific research would make no discernible difference to the problem. The real problem is that we hand out oceans of money to politically favored people with no clear goals, metrics, or deadlines.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)
102
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland in Davos speech
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
---
Well, I for one am glad to hear him say that.
Not that I ever thought he would. Because he's a 80s-90s Dem, although not the scheming kind.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
---
Well, I for one am glad to hear him say that.
Not that I ever thought he would. Because he's a 80s-90s Dem, although not the scheming kind.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Q4cxx)
103
That's exactly what happens now.
Here's the hard truth: scientific research is not the problem. Scientific results are very easy to measure, because the goals are clear and quantifiable. Getting rid of all scientific research would make no discernible difference to the problem. The real problem is that we hand out oceans of money to politically favored people with no clear goals, metrics, or deadlines.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)
++++
And it can keep happening. Cash handouts to "organizations" without a stated purpose, known goal and competitive bidding wouldn't.
Here's the hard truth: scientific research is not the problem. Scientific results are very easy to measure, because the goals are clear and quantifiable. Getting rid of all scientific research would make no discernible difference to the problem. The real problem is that we hand out oceans of money to politically favored people with no clear goals, metrics, or deadlines.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)
++++
And it can keep happening. Cash handouts to "organizations" without a stated purpose, known goal and competitive bidding wouldn't.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:26 AM (GyQIQ)
104
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
Further, the payout has diminishing returns for higher earners. Further, people with higher ss payments run the risk of being taxed on those payments AND paying higher Medicare fees.
It's welfare disguised.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
Further, the payout has diminishing returns for higher earners. Further, people with higher ss payments run the risk of being taxed on those payments AND paying higher Medicare fees.
It's welfare disguised.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:26 AM (ExV1e)
105
104
It's welfare disguised.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:26 AM (ExV1e)
======
There's no disguise. There's just a narrative.
That way too many people bought into to make themselves feel better for not being "on the dole".
It's welfare disguised.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:26 AM (ExV1e)
======
There's no disguise. There's just a narrative.
That way too many people bought into to make themselves feel better for not being "on the dole".
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (GBKbO)
106
How will we get rich if we spend all our time documenting our theft.
Posted by: DC-Plex at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (FhXTo)
107
Hijacked! The Brits created a game about Amelia, the fuschia haired goth chick, to show evil conservative white males are but . . .
https://is.gd/RjvAbK
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM
Julia wept.
https://is.gd/RjvAbK
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM
Julia wept.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (bFu5X)
108
>>> 29 wait, what? The beans on toast crowd have delicious breakfasts? You're losing me LizLem.
Have you never had a true English breakfast? They have sausages AND ham! And not crappy Canadian bacon ham, true ham. At least where I had it. It was great.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Have you never had a true English breakfast? They have sausages AND ham! And not crappy Canadian bacon ham, true ham. At least where I had it. It was great.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (gWBY1)
109
TACO!
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland in Davos speech
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
---
Chickens out of WHAT, though?
The most fevered, bed-wetting nightmare of Dems?!!
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland in Davos speech
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
---
Chickens out of WHAT, though?
The most fevered, bed-wetting nightmare of Dems?!!
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:28 AM (Q4cxx)
110
The trick is that the vast majority of our outstanding debt is owed to ourselves.
So theoretically, we could default on our own debt and give ourselves a mulligan.
Posted by: Thomas Bender
=======
The federal reserve has essentially floated bad checks, known as US currency, to cover spending so we are being squeezed by inflation because of it.
This is the soft default option where like in Covid, the debt was effectively devalued by about 25 percent from the Biden inflation brought about by massive US fiscal deficits that were covered by Fed Reserve issuing fiat currency.
That can go on until the government becomes unable to make interest payments on the debt due to rejection of those bonds at market and people refuse to accept the currency as tender for trade.
We have essentially sailed beyond the prudence level on GDP to debt and sooner or later soft defaults via inflation become hard ones via default.
When that is, no one knows but it has led to suspicion that is one of the reasons that the financiers in the West want continental scale wars to cover the eventual defaults.
So theoretically, we could default on our own debt and give ourselves a mulligan.
Posted by: Thomas Bender
=======
The federal reserve has essentially floated bad checks, known as US currency, to cover spending so we are being squeezed by inflation because of it.
This is the soft default option where like in Covid, the debt was effectively devalued by about 25 percent from the Biden inflation brought about by massive US fiscal deficits that were covered by Fed Reserve issuing fiat currency.
That can go on until the government becomes unable to make interest payments on the debt due to rejection of those bonds at market and people refuse to accept the currency as tender for trade.
We have essentially sailed beyond the prudence level on GDP to debt and sooner or later soft defaults via inflation become hard ones via default.
When that is, no one knows but it has led to suspicion that is one of the reasons that the financiers in the West want continental scale wars to cover the eventual defaults.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:28 AM (E4rtv)
111
Yeah nobody “paid into social security”. That’s marketing nonsense. It’s a tax that everyone paid while working which funds a program called Social Security which pays current retirees. You have as much right to SS as to anything else the govt spends money on, that is to say you have no right to it if the govt decides to stop funding it.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:29 AM (Ryx1w)
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 21, 2026 11:29 AM (tgvbd)
113
Cuber is now declaring war but does not identify its enemy. This is Haitian levels of stupid.
Posted by: pudinhead at January 21, 2026 11:29 AM (pLaQB)
114
I like this. A contract binds the money, and it provides recourse to redress abuse. No more slush funds.
Posted by: nogooddeed at January 21, 2026 11:29 AM (4Af9R)
115
Have you never had a true English breakfast? They have sausages AND ham! And not crappy Canadian bacon ham, true ham. At least where I had it. It was great.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (gWBY1)
---
I have not had a true English Breakfast, but what I've heard from people who have the sauce they make for the beans really pulls it together.
And beans for breakfast didn't sound good to them either, but they liked the authentic English Breakfast.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM (gWBY1)
---
I have not had a true English Breakfast, but what I've heard from people who have the sauce they make for the beans really pulls it together.
And beans for breakfast didn't sound good to them either, but they liked the authentic English Breakfast.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:30 AM (Q4cxx)
116
At some point, foreigners will tire of buying US debt, only to watch its value shrink with the inflation needed to keep the debt train rolling.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)
======
I was assured that point was soon more than a decade ago.
And the rest of the world is just worse.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (GBKbO)
Yup. The bottom is going to drop out has been predicted for a long long time. But as long as people trust that the dollar has value, the hangman's lever will never be pulled.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)
======
I was assured that point was soon more than a decade ago.
And the rest of the world is just worse.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:17 AM (GBKbO)
Yup. The bottom is going to drop out has been predicted for a long long time. But as long as people trust that the dollar has value, the hangman's lever will never be pulled.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (g8Ew8)
117
The worst is when the govt gives a grant to 1 NGO solely for the purpose of deciding how to distribute that money to other NGOs. It’s the ultimate in laziness and fraud.
And this happens a lot.
And this happens a lot.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (GWvli)
118
70 Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
When you make killing the only approved outlet, you may be surprised how many people are wanting and excited to go out and kill.
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
When you make killing the only approved outlet, you may be surprised how many people are wanting and excited to go out and kill.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (uEmCf)
119
@Five_Starrr
·
Jan 17
**NC WEEKLY VOTER REG UPDATE**
1/10-1/17
Net🔴+1,210
Overall Lead🔴+6,012
Active Voter Lead🔴+115,002
-----
Listen...I don't think people appreciate the fact that Roy Cooper should be considered an underdog for NC this year.
Senate races drive up turnout in the states that have them to near presidential levels, meaning that overall PVI becomes much more predictive of the race in question.
And NC just...keeps...trending...Republican.
·
Jan 17
**NC WEEKLY VOTER REG UPDATE**
1/10-1/17
Net🔴+1,210
Overall Lead🔴+6,012
Active Voter Lead🔴+115,002
-----
Listen...I don't think people appreciate the fact that Roy Cooper should be considered an underdog for NC this year.
Senate races drive up turnout in the states that have them to near presidential levels, meaning that overall PVI becomes much more predictive of the race in question.
And NC just...keeps...trending...Republican.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:32 AM (GBKbO)
120
I disagree. #3 is EXACTLY what needs to be eliminated.
Posted by: GWB at January 21, 2026 11:32 AM (JJOjf)
121
English breakfast? If you like the things in it, what difference does it make what time it is when you eat them??
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (qIjyO)
122
The Social Security tax is just a tax, and the Social Security benefit payment is just a benefit. The benefit value is tied to some degree to the amount of tax paid, but Social Security is structured as and legally is a welfare program. There is no trust fund, there is no "lock box" and there never has been. It is not an annuity and it is not a pension.
Well, I guess we're doing this again. There is merit in both sides of the argument because some people actually do get welfare in the sense that they get out a lot more than they ever put in (and it's going to get much worse when they inevitably start means-testing). OTOH, people like me, who would much rather have left the system and paid into a personal retirement account, will get much less than what they paid for in terms of their "pension", and the estate that I otherwise would have built and passed on to my kids will just go in to the general slush fund to keep paying the takers.
Well, I guess we're doing this again. There is merit in both sides of the argument because some people actually do get welfare in the sense that they get out a lot more than they ever put in (and it's going to get much worse when they inevitably start means-testing). OTOH, people like me, who would much rather have left the system and paid into a personal retirement account, will get much less than what they paid for in terms of their "pension", and the estate that I otherwise would have built and passed on to my kids will just go in to the general slush fund to keep paying the takers.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (Riz8t)
123
113 Cuber is now declaring war but does not identify its enemy. This is Haitian levels of stupid.
Posted by: pudinhead
We shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!
Posted by: pudinhead
We shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (Dv3i1)
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (XuXeR)
125
@110
>>We have essentially sailed beyond the prudence level on GDP to debt and sooner or later soft defaults via inflation become hard ones via default.
There is effectively no way to "pay off" our debt, so whether we are 100, 125, 150, 200 pct debt to GDP ratio, it doesn't matter, it's all really a shell game and can you get enough people to believe in the magic tricks any longer.
>>We have essentially sailed beyond the prudence level on GDP to debt and sooner or later soft defaults via inflation become hard ones via default.
There is effectively no way to "pay off" our debt, so whether we are 100, 125, 150, 200 pct debt to GDP ratio, it doesn't matter, it's all really a shell game and can you get enough people to believe in the magic tricks any longer.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (XV/Pl)
126
116 Yup. The bottom is going to drop out has been predicted for a long long time. But as long as people trust that the dollar has value, the hangman's lever will never be pulled.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (g8Ew
====
As long as the dollar is better than the Euro and the yuan.
And medium term futures for political strength of Europe and China seem...weak.
China is in the middle of an outright collapse of its population, won't import the third world to make up for it, and will have a population about 1/4 of its current size in 50 years.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (g8Ew
====
As long as the dollar is better than the Euro and the yuan.
And medium term futures for political strength of Europe and China seem...weak.
China is in the middle of an outright collapse of its population, won't import the third world to make up for it, and will have a population about 1/4 of its current size in 50 years.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (GBKbO)
127
Have you never had a true English breakfast? They have sausages AND ham! And not crappy Canadian bacon ham, true ham. At least where I had it. It was great.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM
A real English Breakfast is the shizznit. The rest of their food...not so much, although they do a good roast beast and Yorkie pudding.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM
A real English Breakfast is the shizznit. The rest of their food...not so much, although they do a good roast beast and Yorkie pudding.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (bFu5X)
128
I disagree. #3 is EXACTLY what needs to be eliminated.
Posted by: GWB at January 21, 2026 11:32 AM (JJOjf)
++++
I agree, but ending the state block grant system is a much bigger change than requiring all funds to be spent according to legitimate competitive contract or on direct transfer to qualified individuals.
Posted by: GWB at January 21, 2026 11:32 AM (JJOjf)
++++
I agree, but ending the state block grant system is a much bigger change than requiring all funds to be spent according to legitimate competitive contract or on direct transfer to qualified individuals.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (GyQIQ)
129
But Social Security is salvageable and it's a third rail for no reason. It isn't *too* far out of balance.
Raise or eliminate the earnings cap on it and get SSDI fraud under control and Social Security will be largely stable. Raising or eliminating the tax cap will be seen - accurately - as hugely unfair, but it would solve most of the problem and since it's *not* a pension scheme and *is* a welfare scheme, there is no reason they couldn't.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (GyQIQ)
Make Medicare catastrophic coverage and let people buy whatever other insurance they want without stupid requirements like it having "trans care". Aggressively prosecute abuse by healthcare providers to inflate claims and get rid of the illegals from the system.
Also, I've been very good this year, Santa, and I deserve a pony.
Raise or eliminate the earnings cap on it and get SSDI fraud under control and Social Security will be largely stable. Raising or eliminating the tax cap will be seen - accurately - as hugely unfair, but it would solve most of the problem and since it's *not* a pension scheme and *is* a welfare scheme, there is no reason they couldn't.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:25 AM (GyQIQ)
Make Medicare catastrophic coverage and let people buy whatever other insurance they want without stupid requirements like it having "trans care". Aggressively prosecute abuse by healthcare providers to inflate claims and get rid of the illegals from the system.
Also, I've been very good this year, Santa, and I deserve a pony.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (ExV1e)
130
The worst is when the govt gives a grant to 1 NGO solely for the purpose of deciding how to distribute that money to other NGOs. It’s the ultimate in laziness and fraud.
And this happens a lot.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (GWvli)
---
Yup. That should be fraud by Congress.
Congress should not be allowed to hand over powers, because some of them should be considered responsibilities to their voters.
It is arguably shifting away from a "republican form of government".
And this happens a lot.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at January 21, 2026 11:31 AM (GWvli)
---
Yup. That should be fraud by Congress.
Congress should not be allowed to hand over powers, because some of them should be considered responsibilities to their voters.
It is arguably shifting away from a "republican form of government".
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (Q4cxx)
131
TACO!
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (BvTxf)
132
The thing I suppose I don't understand is :
If China is just as leveraged (if not moreso) than the rest of the world, why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?
If China is just as leveraged (if not moreso) than the rest of the world, why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (uEmCf)
133
Well, I guess we're doing this again. There is merit in both sides of the argument because some people actually do get welfare in the sense that they get out a lot more than they ever put in (and it's going to get much worse when they inevitably start means-testing). OTOH, people like me, who would much rather have left the system and paid into a personal retirement account, will get much less than what they paid for in terms of their "pension", and the estate that I otherwise would have built and passed on to my kids will just go in to the general slush fund to keep paying the takers.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (Riz8t)
++++
There is a logical and psychological basis to either argument, but there is one legal reality.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:33 AM (Riz8t)
++++
There is a logical and psychological basis to either argument, but there is one legal reality.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (GyQIQ)
134
Generally speaking low income workers get a much better return on their social security taxes than high earners. For them, it’s a great deal. For mid-level earners it’s break even. For high earners it’s outright theft.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (Ryx1w)
135
132 The thing I suppose I don't understand is :
If China is just as leveraged (if not moreso) than the rest of the world, why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (uEmCf)
====
Because China conquers through bribes of the political elite.
And that won't last.
If China is just as leveraged (if not moreso) than the rest of the world, why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (uEmCf)
====
Because China conquers through bribes of the political elite.
And that won't last.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (GBKbO)
136
China's population may be decreasing but a billion people is still a billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (0KSrI)
137
If China is just as leveraged (if not moreso) than the rest of the world, why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (uEmCf)
---
They hate God.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:35 AM (uEmCf)
---
They hate God.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (Q4cxx)
138
Cuber is now declaring war but does not identify its enemy"
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (XuXeR)
139
Make Medicare catastrophic coverage and let people buy whatever other insurance they want without stupid requirements like it having "trans care". Aggressively prosecute abuse by healthcare providers to inflate claims and get rid of the illegals from the system.
Also, I've been very good this year, Santa, and I deserve a pony.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (ExV1e)
+++++
Medicare/aid is an entirely different problem and is not salvageable. Social Security is salvageable.
Also, I've been very good this year, Santa, and I deserve a pony.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (ExV1e)
+++++
Medicare/aid is an entirely different problem and is not salvageable. Social Security is salvageable.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (GyQIQ)
Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (XV/Pl)
141
Well, apparently chess is haram, and a teacher at a school that is 30% Muslim is in hot water for running a student chess club.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
Chess is not specifically haram in Islam. There are imams who make it haram because you can gamble on it (as you can on almost any human activity /eyeroll/ ). Others say that as long as you're not betting on it, it's not haram. (Arabs are who introduced chess to Europe, as far as I know.)
Also, the video that accompanied that tweet was not Muslims "destroying a chess set" but a couple of morons being stupid. The difference between the Bloods burning a store and a couple of teens pantsing the owner.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
Chess is not specifically haram in Islam. There are imams who make it haram because you can gamble on it (as you can on almost any human activity /eyeroll/ ). Others say that as long as you're not betting on it, it's not haram. (Arabs are who introduced chess to Europe, as far as I know.)
Also, the video that accompanied that tweet was not Muslims "destroying a chess set" but a couple of morons being stupid. The difference between the Bloods burning a store and a couple of teens pantsing the owner.
Posted by: GWB at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (JJOjf)
142
>>> 97 TACO!
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland in Davos speech
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
Morons are civilians.
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland in Davos speech
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Like Shakespeare Except More Betterer at January 21, 2026 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
Morons are civilians.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (ULPxl)
143
131 TACO!
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
US probably already has more troops (allowed by treaty) in Greenland than these 34 EU tranny troops.
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
US probably already has more troops (allowed by treaty) in Greenland than these 34 EU tranny troops.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (Dv3i1)
144
English breakfast? If you like the things in it, what difference does it make what time it is when you eat them??
-----
Corrollary: I've had more hamburgers at Whataburger during "breakfast hours" than I've had breakfast items during breakfast hours. Its one of the things I love about Whataburger--they'll make you a burger whenever you want one.
-----
Corrollary: I've had more hamburgers at Whataburger during "breakfast hours" than I've had breakfast items during breakfast hours. Its one of the things I love about Whataburger--they'll make you a burger whenever you want one.
Posted by: Crusader at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (TN0g+)
145
136 China's population may be decreasing but a billion people is still a billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (0KSrI)
=====
1. Is it a billion? Can we trust China's numbers on that?
2. When 2/3 of your population is over 40, that changes what you can do with your nation and the kind of power you can demonstrate.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (0KSrI)
=====
1. Is it a billion? Can we trust China's numbers on that?
2. When 2/3 of your population is over 40, that changes what you can do with your nation and the kind of power you can demonstrate.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (GBKbO)
146
why are so many countries begging them to take over as Sole Superpower?"
And the #1 answer is...
Envy
And the #1 answer is...
Envy
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (XuXeR)
147
Posted by: Joe Mannix
=======
Raising the retirement age by one month per year to 69-70 now would make the Social Security project failure go beyond 2060. When it was instituted, Social Security was designed to cover about 3-5 years of payments before death. Average lifespan is about 72-73 for males and 77 for females but a bit higher when you delete childhood mortality figures.
There is a reason that every single government has some sort of elderly pension. One is that without it, less workers are available as the family used to be the source of care for the elderly whether they liked it or not.
Two, care of elderly parents becomes much more tough when families shrink in part because women entered the workforce for paid jobs.
Three, elderly that can no longer work without family without a pension would be screwed. Everyone gets old and unable to work unless you happen to die in your prime.
Ideally, one could argue that savings should be encouraged but when the governments resort to ZIRP to finance their own deficits, that becomes a loser argument. Same with massive ETFs, etc that are diverted from highest earnings into boondoggles like Larry Fink has done.
=======
Raising the retirement age by one month per year to 69-70 now would make the Social Security project failure go beyond 2060. When it was instituted, Social Security was designed to cover about 3-5 years of payments before death. Average lifespan is about 72-73 for males and 77 for females but a bit higher when you delete childhood mortality figures.
There is a reason that every single government has some sort of elderly pension. One is that without it, less workers are available as the family used to be the source of care for the elderly whether they liked it or not.
Two, care of elderly parents becomes much more tough when families shrink in part because women entered the workforce for paid jobs.
Three, elderly that can no longer work without family without a pension would be screwed. Everyone gets old and unable to work unless you happen to die in your prime.
Ideally, one could argue that savings should be encouraged but when the governments resort to ZIRP to finance their own deficits, that becomes a loser argument. Same with massive ETFs, etc that are diverted from highest earnings into boondoggles like Larry Fink has done.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (E4rtv)
148
China can't even make a seaworthy carrier.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (Q4cxx)
149
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black
It's because pawns, knights & bishops can all jump the queen. 😉
Posted by: Lady in Black
It's because pawns, knights & bishops can all jump the queen. 😉
Posted by: rickb223 at January 21, 2026 11:38 AM (FMAqD)
150
148 China can't even make a seaworthy carrier.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (Q4cxx)
=======
I wonder if they're going to have to spend more on domestic programs to keep their population happy or less in the near future?
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (Q4cxx)
=======
I wonder if they're going to have to spend more on domestic programs to keep their population happy or less in the near future?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:38 AM (GBKbO)
151
Sure. If they want to rook their own suckers, that's on them and their suckers. But robbing taxpayers with a nod and a wink and a kickback to a bureaucrat or politician is worse. The taxpayer didn't agree to it.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (GyQIQ)
It's not with just a nod and a wink, though. It's standing behind the guy with the gun who is robbing you.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (GyQIQ)
It's not with just a nod and a wink, though. It's standing behind the guy with the gun who is robbing you.
Posted by: GWB at January 21, 2026 11:38 AM (JJOjf)
152
English breakfast is very, very good... well, except the beans. But the tomatoes and mushrooms? Yum!
Posted by: Ann at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (w9jrX)
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (BvTxf)
154
Baby Bush had a chance to allow people to keep their money and invest it how they saw fit. It would have been a fundamental transformation of retirement and would have made everyone better off.
But he and the gop ran away from it like the little bitches they always are.
But he and the gop ran away from it like the little bitches they always are.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (Ryx1w)
155
147 Well stated.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (N8ZBc)
156
Cuber is now declaring war but does not identify its enemy"
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM
Damned straight, jefe! They're poaching my fish!
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM
Damned straight, jefe! They're poaching my fish!
Posted by: The Old Man at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (bFu5X)
157
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
I was pondering this recently, and came up with a theory. Trump's goal here is to make it as plain as can be to the Euros that their military is a joke, and they need to get serious. The inability to even send a platoon to Greenland is a wake-up call.
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
I was pondering this recently, and came up with a theory. Trump's goal here is to make it as plain as can be to the Euros that their military is a joke, and they need to get serious. The inability to even send a platoon to Greenland is a wake-up call.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:39 AM (Riz8t)
158
Where my EBT card at? I need me some mo Doritos and grape Nehi!
Posted by: LaQuisha at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (2Ez/1)
159
Here's why we need Greenland:
https://x.com/patriot_savvy/status/2013754193970966751?s=20
It's educational TV!!!
No joke.
https://x.com/patriot_savvy/status/2013754193970966751?s=20
It's educational TV!!!
No joke.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (iJfKG)
160
The biggest component of the welfare state is now Medicare and Medicaid and those are the least funded and fastest growing. Medicare payroll taxes should be about 3-4 times what they are now for program stability and Medicaid was always welfare but is eating a lot of state budgets as well as federal due to shipping jobs overseas, endless welfare clients from abroad, and abuse.
I would not be surprised that about half of all medicare and medicaid expenditures are fraud, waste, or abuse. That alone is about 800 billion bucks.
I would not be surprised that about half of all medicare and medicaid expenditures are fraud, waste, or abuse. That alone is about 800 billion bucks.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (E4rtv)
161
English breakfast? If you like the things in it, what difference does it make what time it is when you eat them??
---
I generally feel that my stomach is more ginger in the morning. So, really bold and savory flavors are preferred later in the day. I feel that the standard breakfasts seem to reinforce that idea. Except, huevos rancheros.
---
I generally feel that my stomach is more ginger in the morning. So, really bold and savory flavors are preferred later in the day. I feel that the standard breakfasts seem to reinforce that idea. Except, huevos rancheros.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (Q4cxx)
162
Corrollary: I've had more hamburgers at Whataburger during "breakfast hours" than I've had breakfast items during breakfast hours. Its one of the things I love about Whataburger--they'll make you a burger whenever you want one.
Posted by: Crusader at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM
The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast!
Posted by: Crusader at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM
The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast!
Posted by: Jules Winfield at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (bFu5X)
163
... Ideally, one could argue that savings should be encouraged but when the governments resort to ZIRP to finance their own deficits, that becomes a loser argument. Same with massive ETFs, etc that are diverted from highest earnings into boondoggles like Larry Fink has done.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (E4rtv)
++++
I'm not even on the "get rid of Social Security" train. We may *have* to - when the rest of it falls apart - but like I said, the program is salvageable. There a bunch of ways to salvage it. Social Security is far from our biggest problem and we can afford it. It does, however, need reform.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:37 AM (E4rtv)
++++
I'm not even on the "get rid of Social Security" train. We may *have* to - when the rest of it falls apart - but like I said, the program is salvageable. There a bunch of ways to salvage it. Social Security is far from our biggest problem and we can afford it. It does, however, need reform.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (GyQIQ)
164
When does SNAP run out of money?
Posted by: I gotta ask at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (2Ez/1)
165
The James Madison, a site I use says it's 1.4 billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
166
According to AI, there is debate if chess is even haram. But yes, let's fire a teacher for it anyway.
"Whether chess is haram in Islam is a debated topic among scholars...due to potential gambling links, time-wasting, distraction from religious duties, while others permit it if played responsibly, emphasizing its intellectual benefits and moderation. There's no explicit mention in the Quran, some hadith mention prohibiting games like Nardashir, with potential for neglect or gambling. A balanced view suggests it's permissible if it doesn't interfere with prayers or family obligations.
Arguments for Chess Being Forbidden (Haram):
Distraction from obligatory prayers (Salah) and other religious duties; linked to gambling (like nardashir); viewed as a waste of time and money; fosters enmity; the chess pieces resemble idols.
Arguments for Chess Being Permissible (Halal): Chess is a game of skill and intellect, unlike pure gambling games of chance; in moderation, it's a pastime that can sharpen the mind; Caliphs and other figures thought it a noble pursuit, not universally banned; some prohibitions in hadith were context-specific and scholars argue they don't apply now. "
"Whether chess is haram in Islam is a debated topic among scholars...due to potential gambling links, time-wasting, distraction from religious duties, while others permit it if played responsibly, emphasizing its intellectual benefits and moderation. There's no explicit mention in the Quran, some hadith mention prohibiting games like Nardashir, with potential for neglect or gambling. A balanced view suggests it's permissible if it doesn't interfere with prayers or family obligations.
Arguments for Chess Being Forbidden (Haram):
Distraction from obligatory prayers (Salah) and other religious duties; linked to gambling (like nardashir); viewed as a waste of time and money; fosters enmity; the chess pieces resemble idols.
Arguments for Chess Being Permissible (Halal): Chess is a game of skill and intellect, unlike pure gambling games of chance; in moderation, it's a pastime that can sharpen the mind; Caliphs and other figures thought it a noble pursuit, not universally banned; some prohibitions in hadith were context-specific and scholars argue they don't apply now. "
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (gWBY1)
167
Then I see government grants awarded to people putting shrimp on treadmills, and I despair.
Putting the shrimp on treadmills is the easy part. Getting them into the leotards and legwarmers is something else entirely.
Then I see government grants awarded to people putting shrimp on treadmills, and I despair.
Putting the shrimp on treadmills is the easy part. Getting them into the leotards and legwarmers is something else entirely.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (y9nCu)
168
165 The James Madison, a site I use says it's 1.4 billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
======
According to China's own internal numbers.
Can we trust China's own internal numbers?
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
======
According to China's own internal numbers.
Can we trust China's own internal numbers?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (GBKbO)
169
When does SNAP run out of money?
Posted by: I gotta ask at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM
When the left wants its troops to flood the streets.
Posted by: I gotta ask at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM
When the left wants its troops to flood the streets.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (bFu5X)
170
I would not be surprised that about half of all medicare and medicaid expenditures are fraud, waste, or abuse. That alone is about 800 billion bucks.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (E4rtv)
+++++
Medicare/aid is also downstream from the medical industry, and that entire industry is fraught with waste and fraud and cost-shifting.
"Fixing" Medicare/aid probably requires radical reform of the entirely regulatory system around medicine in general, major changes to the tax code, etc. A much, much, much bigger problem than Social Security.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:40 AM (E4rtv)
+++++
Medicare/aid is also downstream from the medical industry, and that entire industry is fraught with waste and fraud and cost-shifting.
"Fixing" Medicare/aid probably requires radical reform of the entirely regulatory system around medicine in general, major changes to the tax code, etc. A much, much, much bigger problem than Social Security.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (GyQIQ)
171
Example of an NGO? National Forest Service Foundation -- it raises private donations for the Forest Service such as organizing trees planting sponsored by private companies such as REI and Lands End.
The way NGOs are supposed to work, but more the exception than the rule.
The way NGOs are supposed to work, but more the exception than the rule.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (wBaIH)
172
AmericanThinker: Leftist women and their Romper Room mentality
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
173
When does SNAP run out of money?
Posted by: I gotta ask at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM
---
Whenever you're wearing a barrel and suspenders.
Posted by: I gotta ask at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM
---
Whenever you're wearing a barrel and suspenders.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Q4cxx)
174
Between employer and employee, 12.4% of every dollar you earn goes to SS tax. Imagine if everyone could keep that money and invest in their own. Instruments as they see fit.
Government taking it from you is the greatest theft the world has seen.
Government taking it from you is the greatest theft the world has seen.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Ryx1w)
175
There is a very easy solution to this problem: the GOP controls both chambers of Congress and can gut the funding for all this assfucking scumbaggery. Yes, I hear you all laughing. Stop it. Seriously, stop laughing!
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)
176
The Pituffik Space Base (formerly the Thule Air Base) in Greenland has about 150 US troops.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Dv3i1)
177
There is a very easy solution to this problem: the GOP controls both chambers of Congress and can gut the funding for all this assfucking scumbaggery. Yes, I hear you all laughing. Stop it. Seriously, stop laughing!
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)
++++
LOL
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)
++++
LOL
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (GyQIQ)
178
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
179
China Needs (Comfort) Women
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (pkeXY)
180
70 @BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out goat sex....
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out goat sex....
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (QGaXH)
181
178 Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
=====
Oh, no. What will we do with only 75% of American universities?
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
=====
Oh, no. What will we do with only 75% of American universities?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (GBKbO)
182
China can't even make a seaworthy carrier.
I've been watching a lot of videos on the new Fujian carrier. The carrier is not nuclear-powered, its EMALS is crap, the deck is so poorly laid out that they can't launch and land planes simultaneously, and the "stealthy" fighters slated to fly from it are so fuel-hungry their range is severely limited and their loiter time is measured in single digits of minutes. Admittedly, a lot of this is speculation and inference, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true.
I've been watching a lot of videos on the new Fujian carrier. The carrier is not nuclear-powered, its EMALS is crap, the deck is so poorly laid out that they can't launch and land planes simultaneously, and the "stealthy" fighters slated to fly from it are so fuel-hungry their range is severely limited and their loiter time is measured in single digits of minutes. Admittedly, a lot of this is speculation and inference, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)
183
138 Cuber is now declaring war but does not identify its enemy"
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (XuXeR)
This is really quite funny; they desperately want a war as some way to focus what they're doing, and they can't handle the fact that the US is just standing by, waiting for them to collapse.
Which is coming soon enough.
There's two guys from out of Islamorada fishing right over there....
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (XuXeR)
This is really quite funny; they desperately want a war as some way to focus what they're doing, and they can't handle the fact that the US is just standing by, waiting for them to collapse.
Which is coming soon enough.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (giMmT)
184
If congress had to rely solely on Medicare for their healthcare after age 65, it would gets fixed stat.
Posted by: nurse ratched at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (W2Pud)
185
My very favorite is we spent 4 million dollars teaching African men to wash their junk.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (0KSrI)
186
173 Whenever you're wearing a barrel and suspenders.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Q4cxx)
You think they're going to let you afford a barrel?
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Q4cxx)
You think they're going to let you afford a barrel?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:45 AM (uEmCf)
187
I will vote up egg and cheesy beans on toast. Don't knock it til you've tried it!
Posted by: ... at January 21, 2026 11:45 AM (wEF4H)
188
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
Okay.
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
Okay.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:45 AM (g8Ew8)
189
... @BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
++++
:: eye twitch ::
He or she. Not they.
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:08 AM (gWBY1)
++++
:: eye twitch ::
He or she. Not they.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
190
189 :: eye twitch ::
He or she. Not they.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
======
That's what they said.
He or she. Not they.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
======
That's what they said.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
191
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
++++
Okay.
Good. Let them go bankrupt Someone can buy the physical site and plant and try again at a more reasonable price with better results.
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
++++
Okay.
Good. Let them go bankrupt Someone can buy the physical site and plant and try again at a more reasonable price with better results.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
192
What will we do with only 75% of American universities?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (GBKbO)
I have an idea.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (GBKbO)
I have an idea.
Posted by: ... at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (wEF4H)
193
That's what they said.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
++++
LOL
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
++++
LOL
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (GyQIQ)
194
Medicare For All!
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (1Au9i)
195
Perhaps the govt could, instead of handing me $2K/mo to sit on my ass in front of a screen doomscrolling all day, could find me a job paying $2K/mo sitting on my ass in front of a screen doing the exact same data entry job they're currently paying some DC bureaucrat $12K/mo to do.
They'd get some productivity out of me, and save $10K/mo to boot.
They'd get some productivity out of me, and save $10K/mo to boot.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (N8ZBc)
196
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM
Oh, no!
Anyway...
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM
Oh, no!
Anyway...
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (bFu5X)
197
@188
>>Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns.
Roughly 75pct of all colleges are useless diploma mills.
I get the opportunity to interview what's coming out of the higher education system, and it's not pretty.
>>Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns.
Roughly 75pct of all colleges are useless diploma mills.
I get the opportunity to interview what's coming out of the higher education system, and it's not pretty.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (XV/Pl)
198
I wonder if they're going to have to spend more on domestic programs to keep their population happy or less in the near future?
Xi recently told the young Chinese that they must eat bitterness and like it. (I may have added the last three words)
Xi recently told the young Chinese that they must eat bitterness and like it. (I may have added the last three words)
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)
199
If a game is "haram" because it wastes time and takes time from other religious duties, then I suppose no youth that are Islamic can play video games and be a true gamer? Because that's like all you do. (Yes, I love gaming. But it's truly a massive time suck. And a glorious one.)
No wonder the Iranian youth are trying to revolt. Give me Prince of Persia or give me death!
No wonder the Iranian youth are trying to revolt. Give me Prince of Persia or give me death!
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (gWBY1)
200
Thx CBD. If we are going to continue NGO funding then absolute transparency as to spending including campaign contributions. Of course given how much is dumped into the uniparties coffers that will never happen
Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (PTsqM)
201
193 That's what they said.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
++++
LOL
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
https://is.gd/9ROZej
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
++++
LOL
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
https://is.gd/9ROZej
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GBKbO)
202
Child care center fraud
Emergency vehicle service fraud
Tuition fraud
NGO fraud
Gawd. How much less would our taxes be if not for these?
Emergency vehicle service fraud
Tuition fraud
NGO fraud
Gawd. How much less would our taxes be if not for these?
Posted by: Diogenes at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (2WIwB)
203
Whenever you're wearing a barrel and suspenders.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Q4cxx)
You think they're going to let you afford a barrel?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:45 AM (uEmCf)
---
You're right. Some Somali might have to sacrifice the highest tier of their chosen luxury car, if we all have barrels.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (Q4cxx)
You think they're going to let you afford a barrel?
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:45 AM (uEmCf)
---
You're right. Some Somali might have to sacrifice the highest tier of their chosen luxury car, if we all have barrels.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (Q4cxx)
204
189 He or she. Not they.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
If one doesn't know the sex (because the source refuses to reveal it), one should use male words.
And if that offends people, all the better.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:46 AM (GyQIQ)
If one doesn't know the sex (because the source refuses to reveal it), one should use male words.
And if that offends people, all the better.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (uEmCf)
205
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
206
198 I wonder if they're going to have to spend more on domestic programs to keep their population happy or less in the near future?
Xi recently told the young Chinese that they must eat bitterness and like it. (I may have added the last three words)
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)
=====
"Well, we can accept that as long as you send me to die in a foreign war."
Xi recently told the young Chinese that they must eat bitterness and like it. (I may have added the last three words)
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)
=====
"Well, we can accept that as long as you send me to die in a foreign war."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GBKbO)
207
They are unsustainable in the long run. They were foolish promises that never could be kept perpetually. There will be a sad reckoning.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
I don't think we can get even 10 percent of GOP voters to agree to "Cut mine and theirs" instead of "cut theirs, not mine."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (GBKbO)
==
The medical ones are for sure. Medicare is just sucking the Treasury dry. SS actually isn't in that bad of shape if you just reform SSDI. And adjust retirement age.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:09 AM (N8ZBc)
=======
I don't think we can get even 10 percent of GOP voters to agree to "Cut mine and theirs" instead of "cut theirs, not mine."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:10 AM (GBKbO)
==
The medical ones are for sure. Medicare is just sucking the Treasury dry. SS actually isn't in that bad of shape if you just reform SSDI. And adjust retirement age.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (GZYu7)
208
I've been watching a lot of videos on the new Fujian carrier. The carrier is not nuclear-powered, its EMALS is crap, the deck is so poorly laid out that they can't launch and land planes simultaneously, and the "stealthy" fighters slated to fly from it are so fuel-hungry their range is severely limited and their loiter time is measured in single digits of minutes. Admittedly, a lot of this is speculation and inference, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)
---
Yeah, I've watched a couple of those videos. Just the fact that they have fewer elevators on the flight deck compared to a US carrier gives them a significant disadvantage in combat.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)
---
Yeah, I've watched a couple of those videos. Just the fact that they have fewer elevators on the flight deck compared to a US carrier gives them a significant disadvantage in combat.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (ESVrU)
209
If one doesn't know the sex (because the source refuses to reveal it), one should use male words.
And if that offends people, all the better.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (uEmCf)
++++
Yuuuuuup
And if that offends people, all the better.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (uEmCf)
++++
Yuuuuuup
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (GyQIQ)
210
205 This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (GBKbO)
211
Someone can buy the physical site and plant and try again at a more reasonable price with better results.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)
Another data center.
Someone can buy the physical site and plant and try again at a more reasonable price with better results.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)
Another data center.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (pkeXY)
212
Medicare For All!
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (1Au9i)
---
Except the White People! -- Democrats 2030.
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (1Au9i)
---
Except the White People! -- Democrats 2030.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (Q4cxx)
213
BasilTheGreat
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out goat sex....
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (QGaXH)
____
There are many Muslim chess players and quite a few grandmasters. Only an idiot thinks the cum-rag Quoran forbids an highly intellectual and prestigious game.
A Teacher in England faces losing their job because they organised a Chess Club
A third of his class is Muslim and Chess is Haram
This is the insanity of the UK right now
Islam has no place here
--
Playing a game is forbidden? WTH? The only things they're allowed to do, it seems, is beat their women, live off of taxpayer money, crank out endless kids, and kill anyone who doesn't adhere to their demonic "religion."
Posted by: Lady in Black at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (qBdHI)
You left out goat sex....
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (QGaXH)
____
There are many Muslim chess players and quite a few grandmasters. Only an idiot thinks the cum-rag Quoran forbids an highly intellectual and prestigious game.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (iFTx/)
214
>>> 168 165 The James Madison, a site I use says it's 1.4 billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
======
According to China's own internal numbers.
Can we trust China's own internal numbers?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (GBKbO)
The stated population in 1950 was near 1/2 billion. How many children were couples having before the one-child policy went into effect in 1979, and then after?
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
======
According to China's own internal numbers.
Can we trust China's own internal numbers?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:42 AM (GBKbO)
The stated population in 1950 was near 1/2 billion. How many children were couples having before the one-child policy went into effect in 1979, and then after?
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (ULPxl)
215
81 If the states want to rob taxpayers to give money to their cronies, it's up to the state's residents to deal with that. But at the federal level? Zero excuse. End it. Completely.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GyQIQ)
Putting the theft closer to the voter would have your intended consequence of accountability, presuming free and fair elections.
Yes, I see the flaw in my plan.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (dK+Kv)
Remember it took a constitutional amendment to impose an income tax. Prior to that the courts kept striking it down based on the takings clause.
Maybe we start threatening to repeal it and the one lowering the voting age to 18 which I personally feel is what caused a lot of the politicing (sp) of our colleges and universities.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:15 AM (GyQIQ)
Putting the theft closer to the voter would have your intended consequence of accountability, presuming free and fair elections.
Yes, I see the flaw in my plan.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 11:18 AM (dK+Kv)
Remember it took a constitutional amendment to impose an income tax. Prior to that the courts kept striking it down based on the takings clause.
Maybe we start threatening to repeal it and the one lowering the voting age to 18 which I personally feel is what caused a lot of the politicing (sp) of our colleges and universities.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (QGaXH)
216
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
---
I propose we start an NGO to study the effects of providing her with a properly-sized bikini.
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
---
I propose we start an NGO to study the effects of providing her with a properly-sized bikini.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (ESVrU)
217
212 Medicare For All!
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (1Au9i)
---
Except the White People! -- Democrats 2030.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (Q4cxx)
====
"Kill Whitie. Give citizenship to all deported people from Trump. Trans the kids."
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 11:47 AM (1Au9i)
---
Except the White People! -- Democrats 2030.
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (Q4cxx)
====
"Kill Whitie. Give citizenship to all deported people from Trump. Trans the kids."
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (GBKbO)
218
There are 3000 colleges and universities in the US.
By comparison the UK has 150.
Yeah I think we can survive with only 2200.
By comparison the UK has 150.
Yeah I think we can survive with only 2200.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (Ryx1w)
219
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
____
But her sugar-daddy does!
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
____
But her sugar-daddy does!
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)
220
Another data center.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (pkeXY)
++++
Sure, whatever. The new owner can do with it what he pleases. A whole university campus is probably worth keeping a university. Lots of special-purpose construction is already done. Up to the new owner, though.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (pkeXY)
++++
Sure, whatever. The new owner can do with it what he pleases. A whole university campus is probably worth keeping a university. Lots of special-purpose construction is already done. Up to the new owner, though.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (GyQIQ)
221
A number of years ago I remember there was quite a bit of press on how most of the big named charities/NGOs mostly existed to funnel money to the people at those charities as opposed to doing whatever the charity was nominally for.
There were a few half hearted attempts to reform this but nothing really effective - basically people had to learn to pay attention to who they were giving their money to and do some research.
I wonder if this is when the left realized just how big of a cash cow NGOs could be since there was functionally "no legal controlling authoritiy" to quote the guy who created the internet...
There were a few half hearted attempts to reform this but nothing really effective - basically people had to learn to pay attention to who they were giving their money to and do some research.
I wonder if this is when the left realized just how big of a cash cow NGOs could be since there was functionally "no legal controlling authoritiy" to quote the guy who created the internet...
Posted by: 18-1 at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (sKqQm)
222
There is no reason (besides theft and fraid) that nowdays every expense of the federal governmnet isn't available for open download and analysis by the public and Ai to look for fraud.
All expenses shoul be open records except for the truly national security related expenses (which I'm sure would be rife with fraud opportunity but ideally there would be an internal fraud Ai group to watch that).
All expenses shoul be open records except for the truly national security related expenses (which I'm sure would be rife with fraud opportunity but ideally there would be an internal fraud Ai group to watch that).
Posted by: hate_the_deepstate at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (2Nfh9)
223
Okay, fine. It's a tax, not an investment.
I'll look forward to receiving my "tax rebate" every month from now on.
I'll look forward to receiving my "tax rebate" every month from now on.
Posted by: one hour sober at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (Y1sOo)
224
Good morning!
Posted by: Piper at January 21, 2026 11:52 AM (OoFl2)
225
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
____
But her sugar-daddy does!
That reminds me...Hunter Biden's favorite hooker got COVID funds for her business...
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
____
But her sugar-daddy does!
That reminds me...Hunter Biden's favorite hooker got COVID funds for her business...
Posted by: 18-1 at January 21, 2026 11:52 AM (sKqQm)
226
"Kill Whitie. Give citizenship to all deported people from Trump. Trans the kids."
-Democrat platform in 2028
Slowpoke.
https://is.gd/BC7hhU
-Democrat platform in 2028
Slowpoke.
https://is.gd/BC7hhU
Posted by: Abigail Spanberger at January 21, 2026 11:52 AM (Riz8t)
227
Okay, fine. It's a tax, not an investment.
I'll look forward to receiving my "tax rebate" every month from now on.
Posted by: one hour sober at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (Y1sOo)
---
I'd like a dividend, please?
I'll look forward to receiving my "tax rebate" every month from now on.
Posted by: one hour sober at January 21, 2026 11:51 AM (Y1sOo)
---
I'd like a dividend, please?
Posted by: Axeman at January 21, 2026 11:52 AM (Q4cxx)
228
I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (GZYu7)
229
The islam has always been the problem and it will only get worse. Minnesota will be islam in 5 years.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (o2ZRX)
230
67 survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
It won’t.
They’ll just increase SS taxes on everyone combined with reducing benefits for “the rich”. It’ll end up being just another welfare program in the long run.
Right now there is a cap on SS taxes up to about $200k a year. If that cap is eliminated it keeps the scam going for a few more decades alone.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Ryx1w)
I don't think that will work. There's a feedback loop in that the more you make/pay in, the more you get in benefits. You have to raise the payroll tax which will be real popular (sarc) but in this case justifiable.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
It won’t.
They’ll just increase SS taxes on everyone combined with reducing benefits for “the rich”. It’ll end up being just another welfare program in the long run.
Right now there is a cap on SS taxes up to about $200k a year. If that cap is eliminated it keeps the scam going for a few more decades alone.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Ryx1w)
I don't think that will work. There's a feedback loop in that the more you make/pay in, the more you get in benefits. You have to raise the payroll tax which will be real popular (sarc) but in this case justifiable.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (QGaXH)
231
What will we do with only 75% of American universities?
Supposedly we have 19 million current college students.
That's a lot of kids who saw no hope of working out in the field.
Supposedly we have 19 million current college students.
That's a lot of kids who saw no hope of working out in the field.
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 11:54 AM (BvTxf)
232
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (GBKbO
***
Classic sultry come hither.
And...no tan lines.
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (GBKbO
***
Classic sultry come hither.
And...no tan lines.
Posted by: Diogenes at January 21, 2026 11:54 AM (2WIwB)
233
> China can't even make a seaworthy carrier.
---------
Military Morons™ have speculated that with the admittedly insane speed that China builds, commissions, and puts into service warships, planes and other military kit... it's likely most of it's so poorly designed and built they'd never stand-up in an actual war.
But quantity has it's own merits I guess.
---------
Military Morons™ have speculated that with the admittedly insane speed that China builds, commissions, and puts into service warships, planes and other military kit... it's likely most of it's so poorly designed and built they'd never stand-up in an actual war.
But quantity has it's own merits I guess.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 21, 2026 11:54 AM (U2OZr)
234
Two ways to get no tan lines...
Don't leave the house and clearly she has...or leave the clothes at home...
Don't leave the house and clearly she has...or leave the clothes at home...
Posted by: 18-1 at January 21, 2026 11:54 AM (sKqQm)
235
The stated population in 1950 was near 1/2 billion. How many children were couples having before the one-child policy went into effect in 1979, and then after?"
Ah, Pittsburgh at noon?
Not good at cipher'n
Ah, Pittsburgh at noon?
Not good at cipher'n
Posted by: man at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (XuXeR)
236
I don't think that will work. There's a feedback loop in that the more you make/pay in, the more you get in benefits. You have to raise the payroll tax which will be real popular (sarc) but in this case justifiable.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (QGaXH)
They will raise taxes, ie remove the cap but not raise benefits for those making above the cap. Super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (QGaXH)
They will raise taxes, ie remove the cap but not raise benefits for those making above the cap. Super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (Ryx1w)
237
205 This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM
---
Does she know about the cup sizes?
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM
---
Does she know about the cup sizes?
Posted by: Frank Costanza at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (2Ez/1)
238
>>>If an NGO wants to operate without accountability, it is welcome to do so with no victims but its own suckers who gave them money.
GoFundMe!
GoFundMe!
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (SSiCQ)
Posted by: ... at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (wEF4H)
240
uEmCf)
205 This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
That's some fine flesh right there.
205 This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
That's some fine flesh right there.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (g8Ew8)
241
He's not wearing a bikini- thank goodness-, but as a woman writer from Legal Insurrection says, "He's easy on the eyes", is smart and articulate. If you have an interest watch to the end as Bessent wittily dismisses Gavin Newsom:
https://tinyurl.com/bddrrzhj
https://tinyurl.com/bddrrzhj
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 21, 2026 11:55 AM (7RYym)
242
Muslims don't like chess unless the pawns have splodey vests.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:56 AM (wBaIH)
Posted by: Flyin' Green Dildo at January 21, 2026 11:56 AM (DDJSl)
244
>>> Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns.
There is a huge "enrollment cliff" coming up panicking higher education, because of the Great Recession. Millennials couldn't find jobs at that time, and put off getting married and having babies. Add to that they think 1/3 or so of Gen z was aborted. Between the economy and abortion, there are just less American kids in this current generation living to attend school.
Which also explains the massive, MASSIVE increase in schools accepting foreign students. They can charge them three times as much as an American student and they will make up the enrollment cliff gap. But they also crowd out actual Americans getting an education, and a good job. So the enrollment cliff cycle will repeat.
There is a huge "enrollment cliff" coming up panicking higher education, because of the Great Recession. Millennials couldn't find jobs at that time, and put off getting married and having babies. Add to that they think 1/3 or so of Gen z was aborted. Between the economy and abortion, there are just less American kids in this current generation living to attend school.
Which also explains the massive, MASSIVE increase in schools accepting foreign students. They can charge them three times as much as an American student and they will make up the enrollment cliff gap. But they also crowd out actual Americans getting an education, and a good job. So the enrollment cliff cycle will repeat.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:56 AM (gWBY1)
245
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
Wrong. That's the hero image for THOT Leaders, Inc. They lobby the government to make sunnier days for hot chicks, tugging at the heartstrings with photos of forlorn bikini models on cloudy days.
Won't you help her? Dig dip. It's going to require $100b for atmospheric lensification.
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
Wrong. That's the hero image for THOT Leaders, Inc. They lobby the government to make sunnier days for hot chicks, tugging at the heartstrings with photos of forlorn bikini models on cloudy days.
Won't you help her? Dig dip. It's going to require $100b for atmospheric lensification.
Posted by: Bill Gates at January 21, 2026 11:56 AM (BI5O2)
Posted by: one hour sober at January 21, 2026 11:56 AM (Y1sOo)
247
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)
======
The problem with Social Security, Medicare, etc. is the idea that one is vested with private property rights (Scotus rejects this idea btw) of such. People have been encouraged to think of their own personal accounts but in reality, the Trust Fund is a group of non marketable securities that Social Security can only redeem at the Treasury.
The money has been spent already dating back from the Johnson years as president and used to make our deficit look better. There is no Trust Fund, only an IOU from Treasury that must be covered the usual way, general taxes or debt issuance.
Collectively all the taxpayers believed lies and not looking at what Fedgov was doing since the 1960's--Greatest Generation, Silents, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z is just realizing that they are screwed. The last three realize what they pay in and get are not likely to be equal. These generations won't get what they paid in. Boomers will possible break even depending on when they were born. Silents and Greatest got far more benefits than they paid taxes to get.
======
The problem with Social Security, Medicare, etc. is the idea that one is vested with private property rights (Scotus rejects this idea btw) of such. People have been encouraged to think of their own personal accounts but in reality, the Trust Fund is a group of non marketable securities that Social Security can only redeem at the Treasury.
The money has been spent already dating back from the Johnson years as president and used to make our deficit look better. There is no Trust Fund, only an IOU from Treasury that must be covered the usual way, general taxes or debt issuance.
Collectively all the taxpayers believed lies and not looking at what Fedgov was doing since the 1960's--Greatest Generation, Silents, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z is just realizing that they are screwed. The last three realize what they pay in and get are not likely to be equal. These generations won't get what they paid in. Boomers will possible break even depending on when they were born. Silents and Greatest got far more benefits than they paid taxes to get.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (E4rtv)
248
86 83 I take umbrage sir. Social Security is NOT 'welfare'. I paid for it over 50 or so years of working, plus had to 'qualify' by contributing over a set number of quarters.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
======
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
We have to go back to see what the enabling legislation said. My understanding was I was being forced to buy 'old age insurance'.
Welfare is an entitlement that you get just by existing. You have to pay in to qualify for SS. You don't just get it. Same with Medicare.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:19 AM (QGaXH)
======
It meets every definition of welfare.
You didn't pay into it. You were taxed.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:20 AM (GBKbO)
We have to go back to see what the enabling legislation said. My understanding was I was being forced to buy 'old age insurance'.
Welfare is an entitlement that you get just by existing. You have to pay in to qualify for SS. You don't just get it. Same with Medicare.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (QGaXH)
249
Only something like 10% of people make more than the SS cap. It’s the easiest political thing ever to fuck over that 10% in order to give more to the other 90%.
SS always has been a welfare program where poor people got subsidized by rich people. But at least the rich got some token benefits. With the cap removal it goes 100% welfare, with the rich paying in but getting nothing out.
SS always has been a welfare program where poor people got subsidized by rich people. But at least the rich got some token benefits. With the cap removal it goes 100% welfare, with the rich paying in but getting nothing out.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (Ryx1w)
250
20 Saint Elon of DOGE smote dragon of NGO.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (o2ZRX)
This does sound like Doge Country.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2026 11:06 AM (o2ZRX)
This does sound like Doge Country.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (SSiCQ)
251
This brunette in a somewhat undersized bikini has never run a phony-baloney NGO:
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM
Nice philtrum, though.
http://tiny.cc/4cyx001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:48 AM (GyQIQ)
=====
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM
Nice philtrum, though.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (bFu5X)
252
Willowed: “I suspect it didn't make the news because it would draw unwanted attention to unqualified truckers on the road”
———
There is an epidemic of crime or incidents of every sort that are not reported. Grudgingly if they have to.
I arrived minutes after an 18 wheeler ran off the road by Mexican Hat hauling a load of Red Bull and bottled water. The truck itself was a mangled mess of unrecognizable scrap. Unbelievable. I searched online for reportage for a couple weeks. Driver fatality for certain. Not a peep.
———
There is an epidemic of crime or incidents of every sort that are not reported. Grudgingly if they have to.
I arrived minutes after an 18 wheeler ran off the road by Mexican Hat hauling a load of Red Bull and bottled water. The truck itself was a mangled mess of unrecognizable scrap. Unbelievable. I searched online for reportage for a couple weeks. Driver fatality for certain. Not a peep.
Posted by: Common Tater at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (qBPIs)
253
This is about us, isn't it?
Posted by: brunettes in a somewhat undersized bikinis at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (2Ez/1)
254
217 "Kill Whitie. Give citizenship to all deported people from Trump. Trans the kids."
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (GBKbO)
"Free Fentanyl. Free Abortions. All non-train transportation is banned, and energy must be made unaffordable for all but the elect!"
-The rest of the 2028 Dem platform.
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (GBKbO)
"Free Fentanyl. Free Abortions. All non-train transportation is banned, and energy must be made unaffordable for all but the elect!"
-The rest of the 2028 Dem platform.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (uEmCf)
255
Welfare is an entitlement that you get just by existing. You have to pay in to qualify for SS. You don't just get it. Same with Medicare.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (QGaXH)
++++
UBI is an entitlement you get just by existing. All welfare programs are gated and not everyone qualifies. I couldn't get Section 8, for example. I earn too much. No housing subsidy for me. I don't qualify.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (QGaXH)
++++
UBI is an entitlement you get just by existing. All welfare programs are gated and not everyone qualifies. I couldn't get Section 8, for example. I earn too much. No housing subsidy for me. I don't qualify.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GyQIQ)
256
keep the debt train rolling.
It's not that Monty was wrong. It's that none of could believe the Coyote wouldn't look down for this long.
It's not that Monty was wrong. It's that none of could believe the Coyote wouldn't look down for this long.
Posted by: DaveA at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (FhXTo)
257
254 217 "Kill Whitie. Give citizenship to all deported people from Trump. Trans the kids."
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (GBKbO)
"Free Fentanyl. Free Abortions. All non-train transportation is banned, and energy must be made unaffordable for all but the elect!"
-The rest of the 2028 Dem platform.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (uEmCf)
=======
"At least they don't hate the gays."
-like, 40% of America
-Democrat platform in 2028
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:50 AM (GBKbO)
"Free Fentanyl. Free Abortions. All non-train transportation is banned, and energy must be made unaffordable for all but the elect!"
-The rest of the 2028 Dem platform.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (uEmCf)
=======
"At least they don't hate the gays."
-like, 40% of America
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GBKbO)
258
I never expected to draw SS in the first place. I planned to die at my desk at work, but the work went belly up. Then I found job-searching futile and humiliating, so I said fuck it all. Let the govt find me a job (within my current abilities) that pays my $2K/mo survival dole, and I'll do it until I die.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (N8ZBc)
259
wtf is up with that face?
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM
I'd let her make me sammiches.
1/10
Would not bang.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM
I'd let her make me sammiches.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 21, 2026 12:00 PM (dK+Kv)
260
There is a huge "enrollment cliff" coming up panicking higher education, because of the Great Recession. Millennials couldn't find jobs at that time, and put off getting married and having babies. Add to that they think 1/3 or so of Gen z was aborted. Between the economy and abortion, there are just less American kids in this current generation living to attend school.
Which also explains the massive, MASSIVE increase in schools accepting foreign students. They can charge them three times as much as an American student and they will make up the enrollment cliff gap. But they also crowd out actual Americans getting an education, and a good job. So the enrollment cliff cycle will repeat.
Posted by: LizLem
If disparate impact goes out the window due to constitutional reasons (majority minority districts are up for being eliminated), then Griggs v. Duke Power no longer forbids using company specific tests for hiring as used to be the case.
US overinvested in college educations for jobs that do not require it and shortchanged technical education at the same time because the elites don't want to pay for such. And Griggs v. Duke Power is what kicked all of this off.
Which also explains the massive, MASSIVE increase in schools accepting foreign students. They can charge them three times as much as an American student and they will make up the enrollment cliff gap. But they also crowd out actual Americans getting an education, and a good job. So the enrollment cliff cycle will repeat.
Posted by: LizLem
If disparate impact goes out the window due to constitutional reasons (majority minority districts are up for being eliminated), then Griggs v. Duke Power no longer forbids using company specific tests for hiring as used to be the case.
US overinvested in college educations for jobs that do not require it and shortchanged technical education at the same time because the elites don't want to pay for such. And Griggs v. Duke Power is what kicked all of this off.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:00 PM (E4rtv)
261
Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
I was pondering this recently, and came up with a theory. Trump's goal here is to make it as plain as can be to the Euros that their military is a joke, and they need to get serious. The inability to even send a platoon to Greenland is a wake-up call.
Posted by: Archimedes
From The Bee:
Trump disguises himself as muslim so Greenland will let him invade.
Greenland is too well-defended by those 34 EU troops who showed up. Those must be the best of the best, since they have zero troops fighting the Russians.
Posted by: t-bird
I was pondering this recently, and came up with a theory. Trump's goal here is to make it as plain as can be to the Euros that their military is a joke, and they need to get serious. The inability to even send a platoon to Greenland is a wake-up call.
Posted by: Archimedes
From The Bee:
Trump disguises himself as muslim so Greenland will let him invade.
Posted by: rickb223 at January 21, 2026 12:00 PM (FMAqD)
262
I got a fever. The only cure is more Flying Green Dildo.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 12:00 PM (wBaIH)
263
NGOs seem unconstitutional to me. It lacks the oversight required and Congressional approval for the specific spending.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 21, 2026 12:00 PM (KDPiq)
264
Yes.
SS being an investment was always, always a lie.
It's a tax of money going into the government and welfare payments going out of the government.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:22 AM (GBKbO)
==
Social security does not payout more than it receives via taxes - so in essence it is an investment - with a mighty damn poor return I might add. SSDI is a welfare program built within SS.
SS being an investment was always, always a lie.
It's a tax of money going into the government and welfare payments going out of the government.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 11:22 AM (GBKbO)
==
Social security does not payout more than it receives via taxes - so in essence it is an investment - with a mighty damn poor return I might add. SSDI is a welfare program built within SS.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:01 PM (GZYu7)
265
SS is like state retirement systems in Illinois. The recipients WILL be paid no matter what. If it bleeds people and businesses, too bad. I know people who get state retirement over there and they. get. paid, with a nice COLA raise every year. The way it is.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:01 PM (pDt9x)
266
>>> There are many Muslim chess players and quite a few grandmasters. Only an idiot thinks the cum-rag Quoran forbids an highly intellectual and prestigious game. Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 21, 2026 11:49 AM (iFTx/)
The part of Islam forbidding chess as haram is probably also the same group that believes blowing yourself up in jihad gets you a harem of virgins in the afterlife. It's not all of them. Just the part that's causing us all the current problems.
I wonder, if this school is willing to fire a teacher for starting a chess club, because 30% of their students are Muslim and object... how robust is the school's LGBT club????
The part of Islam forbidding chess as haram is probably also the same group that believes blowing yourself up in jihad gets you a harem of virgins in the afterlife. It's not all of them. Just the part that's causing us all the current problems.
I wonder, if this school is willing to fire a teacher for starting a chess club, because 30% of their students are Muslim and object... how robust is the school's LGBT club????
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 12:01 PM (gWBY1)
267
You kids put those beans on your toast and eat it! Bah!!
Posted by: Crone From Bleak Hill Boarding School at January 21, 2026 12:02 PM (oftw2)
268
People laughed at the US for negotiating the purchase of Alaska, too.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (SSiCQ)
269
127 Have you never had a true English breakfast? They have sausages AND ham! And not crappy Canadian bacon ham, true ham. At least where I had it. It was great.
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM
A real English Breakfast is the shizznit. The rest of their food...not so much, although they do a good roast beast and Yorkie pudding.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (bFu5X)
This may be OT but in the movie Bridge of Spies, Tom Hank's character gets fed up with his accomodations at one point and goes to the Hilton (I think) in the American Sector and orders 'the American breakfast'....
They also invented the Scotch Egg, a hard boiled surrounded in sausage and fried. One of the UK's greatest culinary gifts to mankind.
Britain's indigenous culture, and especially its food culture, is not compatible with Islam.
Posted by: LizLem at January 21, 2026 11:27 AM
A real English Breakfast is the shizznit. The rest of their food...not so much, although they do a good roast beast and Yorkie pudding.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:34 AM (bFu5X)
This may be OT but in the movie Bridge of Spies, Tom Hank's character gets fed up with his accomodations at one point and goes to the Hilton (I think) in the American Sector and orders 'the American breakfast'....
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (QGaXH)
270
228 I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (GZYu7)
The problem - cancer has exploded in women under 50. So you will never have the votes to change any health plan.
https://www.cancer.org/research /acs-research-news/cancer- incidence-rate-for-women-under-50-rises-above-mens.html
I've given thought why that is, and why it's likely even worse for moms vs non-mom women (b/c women are so susceptible to environmental factors during pregnancies). But this trend is not reversing - if anything, it's increasing, so hopefully RFK is on this, too...
And this isn't a Medicare scam thing with under 50s. And it's Precovid data for up to 2020...
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM (GZYu7)
The problem - cancer has exploded in women under 50. So you will never have the votes to change any health plan.
https://www.cancer.org/research /acs-research-news/cancer- incidence-rate-for-women-under-50-rises-above-mens.html
I've given thought why that is, and why it's likely even worse for moms vs non-mom women (b/c women are so susceptible to environmental factors during pregnancies). But this trend is not reversing - if anything, it's increasing, so hopefully RFK is on this, too...
And this isn't a Medicare scam thing with under 50s. And it's Precovid data for up to 2020...
Posted by: Nova Local at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (tOcjL)
271
So, the NGO is like the French Foreign Legion then.
Answerable to the government, but not to the people.
Answerable to the government, but not to the people.
Posted by: Speller at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (pSotA)
272
UBI is an entitlement you get just by existing. All welfare programs are gated and not everyone qualifies. I couldn't get Section 8, for example. I earn too much. No housing subsidy for me. I don't qualify.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GyQIQ)
Anyone can qualify if you’re lazy and corrupt enough.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GyQIQ)
Anyone can qualify if you’re lazy and corrupt enough.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (KDPiq)
273
Nice philtrum, though.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (bFu5X)
You're going to get up her nose, if you suggest philtrum sex.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2026 11:58 AM (bFu5X)
You're going to get up her nose, if you suggest philtrum sex.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2026 12:04 PM (iJfKG)
274
268 People laughed at the US for negotiating the purchase of Alaska, too.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (SSiCQ)
=====
Seward's Follies were great vaudeville while it lasted.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (SSiCQ)
=====
Seward's Follies were great vaudeville while it lasted.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 12:04 PM (GBKbO)
275
I have wondered how many Eskimaux were in Alaska at the time of the American purchase.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:04 PM (pDt9x)
276
Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at January 21, 2026 12:03 PM (OjhFS)
You must have a job as a goal post mover in between your shift at the glory hole.
You must have a job as a goal post mover in between your shift at the glory hole.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 21, 2026 12:05 PM (KDPiq)
277
258 I never expected to draw SS in the first place. I planned to die at my desk at work, but the work went belly up. Then I found job-searching futile and humiliating, so I said fuck it all. Let the govt find me a job (within my current abilities) that pays my $2K/mo survival dole, and I'll do it until I die.
Posted by: gp
A lot of issues go away if the endless streams of foreigners taking US jobs are stopped up. That means people can be drawn into the job market that are retired in part due to not being able to find a job.
And I would remove any reduced benefit bullshit for earnings from jobs letting people receiving Social Security to work. Same with disability, rate it at percentages like the VA does.
The work restrictive clauses were put there to produce a tight labor market for unions, but are no longer needed in an aging nation that restricts immigration.
Posted by: gp
A lot of issues go away if the endless streams of foreigners taking US jobs are stopped up. That means people can be drawn into the job market that are retired in part due to not being able to find a job.
And I would remove any reduced benefit bullshit for earnings from jobs letting people receiving Social Security to work. Same with disability, rate it at percentages like the VA does.
The work restrictive clauses were put there to produce a tight labor market for unions, but are no longer needed in an aging nation that restricts immigration.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:05 PM (E4rtv)
278
I couldn't get Section 8, for example. I earn too much. No housing subsidy for me. I don't qualify.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GyQIQ)
Weird. I make $700k a year running a daycare and I qualify for all of it.
- Somali in Minneapolis
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 11:59 AM (GyQIQ)
Weird. I make $700k a year running a daycare and I qualify for all of it.
- Somali in Minneapolis
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Ryx1w)
279
I have wondered how many Eskimaux were in Alaska at the time of the American purchase.
All of them?
All of them?
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Riz8t)
280
Weird. I make $700k a year running a daycare and I qualify for all of it.
- Somali in Minneapolis
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Ryx1w)
++++
Sure, but you're a crook. I'm not.
I'm a sucker.
- Somali in Minneapolis
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Ryx1w)
++++
Sure, but you're a crook. I'm not.
I'm a sucker.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (GyQIQ)
281
I don't think that will work. There's a feedback loop in that the more you make/pay in, the more you get in benefits.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM
--------------
Only to a point. The more you pay in the smaller the incremental increase in benefits. And there is a maximum benefit, it's something over $5000 a month currently.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:53 AM
--------------
Only to a point. The more you pay in the smaller the incremental increase in benefits. And there is a maximum benefit, it's something over $5000 a month currently.
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (1Au9i)
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Kt19C)
283
China's population may be decreasing but a billion people is still a billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (0KSrI)
==
It will be at 650M in 25 years, and will drop below 400M 25-30 years after that. There is absolutely no way they can stop the decline, they have way too few women of child bearing age, and the cost of major urbanization means it is wildly expensive for them to have too many.
In a way, our major cities showing themselves to be unmanageable, as well as the improvement in technology means much of the reason for people to congregate in large metropolitan areas is being reduced. Midsized cities that can have a mixed economic base of service and retail and manufacturing, with more reasonable cost of living will help us hopefully increase our birth rate - oh, and the forced round up and imprisonment of AWFLS so they can stop screwing up new adult women's minds.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:36 AM (0KSrI)
==
It will be at 650M in 25 years, and will drop below 400M 25-30 years after that. There is absolutely no way they can stop the decline, they have way too few women of child bearing age, and the cost of major urbanization means it is wildly expensive for them to have too many.
In a way, our major cities showing themselves to be unmanageable, as well as the improvement in technology means much of the reason for people to congregate in large metropolitan areas is being reduced. Midsized cities that can have a mixed economic base of service and retail and manufacturing, with more reasonable cost of living will help us hopefully increase our birth rate - oh, and the forced round up and imprisonment of AWFLS so they can stop screwing up new adult women's minds.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (GZYu7)
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (2Ez/1)
285
Did I miss the Don Lemon perp walk?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (2Ez/1)
++++
Nope. And you never will.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (2Ez/1)
++++
Nope. And you never will.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (GyQIQ)
286
282 Yorkie pudding
An obama favorite!
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats
Hey, I'm standing right here. Just got back from wokking the dog.
An obama favorite!
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats
Hey, I'm standing right here. Just got back from wokking the dog.
Posted by: Barry Soetero at January 21, 2026 12:08 PM (oftw2)
287
Ah Mr. Mannix. Another enjoyable piece. Thank you.
Posted by: front toward enemy at January 21, 2026 12:09 PM (TIizU)
288
279 I have wondered how many Eskimaux were in Alaska at the time of the American purchase.
All of them?
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Riz8t)
Okay I smiled, but only with half my face.
All of them?
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Riz8t)
Okay I smiled, but only with half my face.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:09 PM (pDt9x)
289
In a way, our major cities showing themselves to be unmanageable, as well as the improvement in technology means much of the reason for people to congregate in large metropolitan areas is being reduced. Midsized cities that can have a mixed economic base of service and retail and manufacturing, with more reasonable cost of living will help us hopefully increase our birth rate - oh, and the forced round up and imprisonment of AWFLS so they can stop screwing up new adult women's minds.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (GZYu7)
----
This is basically the background of Clifford D. Simak's short story "City" (1944). Technology has moved on, making cities obsolete.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:07 PM (GZYu7)
----
This is basically the background of Clifford D. Simak's short story "City" (1944). Technology has moved on, making cities obsolete.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (ESVrU)
290
Odds on the Lemon Man being charged?
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
291
282 Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Kt19C)
You were mentioned late in the last thread:
343 I am waiting for the AWFLs to decide to 'embrace' the suck. Perhaps a nice festive pussy hat with AWFL emblazoned on them might serve.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 10:56 AM (E4rtv)
350 Perhaps a nice festive pussy hat
We've got a commissar who can supply those!
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 10:58 AM (77rzZ)
You were mentioned late in the last thread:
343 I am waiting for the AWFLs to decide to 'embrace' the suck. Perhaps a nice festive pussy hat with AWFL emblazoned on them might serve.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 10:56 AM (E4rtv)
350 Perhaps a nice festive pussy hat
We've got a commissar who can supply those!
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 10:58 AM (77rzZ)
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (SSiCQ)
292
So Chess is forbidden for the goat fuckers but it's totally OK to rape, beat, kill, persecute for the slightest grievance.
To hell with these insults of humanity. I'm ready tired of this shit-stain of a *religion
To hell with these insults of humanity. I'm ready tired of this shit-stain of a *religion
Posted by: melodicmetal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (61TgR)
293
Only to a point. The more you pay in the smaller the incremental increase in benefits. And there is a maximum benefit, it's something over $5000 a month currently.
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (1Au9i)
That’s if you wait to start collecting at 70. And if you earned the max for your entire working career.
Posted by: Democrats at January 21, 2026 12:06 PM (1Au9i)
That’s if you wait to start collecting at 70. And if you earned the max for your entire working career.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (Ryx1w)
294
290 Odds on the Lemon Man being charged?
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (uEmCf)
295
The James Madison, a site I use says it's 1.4 billion.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
==
Probably a UN site. It is way wrong - probably between 1.1 and 1.0B. now. And you can make an argument its under 1B.
India is currently number one.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 11:41 AM (0KSrI)
==
Probably a UN site. It is way wrong - probably between 1.1 and 1.0B. now. And you can make an argument its under 1B.
India is currently number one.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (GZYu7)
296
294 290 Odds on the Lemon Man being charged?
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (uEmCf)
Higher than zero.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (uEmCf)
Higher than zero.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (SSiCQ)
297
Piece of what?
Posted by: Brunette in a slightly undersized bikini at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (2Ez/1)
298
Odds on the Lemon Man being charged?
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
++++
One in three, maybe.
Him being arrested? Maybe one in twenty.
Him doing any fail time? Zero.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
++++
One in three, maybe.
Him being arrested? Maybe one in twenty.
Him doing any fail time? Zero.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (GyQIQ)
299
The last job I applied for was at a factory that makes steel punches, about a half-mile from my QTH. I sent them a carefully prepared resume and cover letter.
The bitch called me quickly.
Q: "How will you get to work?"
A: "As I clearly explained in my cover letter, I live a half-mile away."
Q: "Can you work an 11 hour shift with NO breaks."
A: "I know YOU can't, you fucking cunt!"
And I hung up on her. That's what job-searching is like.
The bitch called me quickly.
Q: "How will you get to work?"
A: "As I clearly explained in my cover letter, I live a half-mile away."
Q: "Can you work an 11 hour shift with NO breaks."
A: "I know YOU can't, you fucking cunt!"
And I hung up on her. That's what job-searching is like.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (N8ZBc)
300
I survive on SS, so I am arguing against my own personal interests here, but the damn thing is going to collapse on its own soon.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: Black JEM
You don't have to raise the age to retire. Just kick off every cocksucking thief.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 11:13 AM (N8ZBc)
==
Except it isn't. They've been saying this for almost 60 years. It is somewhat actuarially sound. Medicare will not survive because it is not. SS just needs to continually be adjusted for life expectancy and work capability.
Posted by: Black JEM
You don't have to raise the age to retire. Just kick off every cocksucking thief.
Posted by: rickb223 at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (FMAqD)
301
300
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (SSiCQ)
Posted by: melodicmetal at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (61TgR)
303
I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
304
296 294 290 Odds on the Lemon Man being charged?
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (uEmCf)
Higher than zero.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (SSiCQ)
Remember to put a zero in front of the decimal.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:10 PM (pDt9x)
Zero.
Posted by: XTC at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (uEmCf)
Higher than zero.
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:11 PM (SSiCQ)
Remember to put a zero in front of the decimal.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (pDt9x)
305
303 I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (GBKbO)
306
Technology has moved on, making cities obsolete.
____
But what about that Old Urine smell? Can't get that anywhere else.
____
But what about that Old Urine smell? Can't get that anywhere else.
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (qUkBO)
307
I haven’t played chess since my boy was small. I tried to play with him, but he’d howl like a banshee if I so much as captured a pawn, so I gave up.
Posted by: Bulg at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (2jR+b)
308
But what about that Old Urine smell? Can't get that anywhere else.
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (qUkBO)
++++
1. Use bathroom
2. Do not clean bathroom
3. Wait a couple of months
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (qUkBO)
++++
1. Use bathroom
2. Do not clean bathroom
3. Wait a couple of months
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (GyQIQ)
309
265 SS is like state retirement systems in Illinois. The recipients WILL be paid no matter what. If it bleeds people and businesses, too bad. I know people who get state retirement over there and they. get. paid, with a nice COLA raise every year. The way it is.
Posted by: tubal
Until they are not. States can and have gone bankrupt and Illinois is a likely state to do so. When Detroit went bankrupt, something like 30-40 percent of their pension monthly check got paid from the PBGC. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or some such.
The rest went poof. So Illinois courts are going to take a loss because when the money ain't there, the pensions are not going to be paid. And Pritzker is busy wrecking the Illinois economy for illegals and other wasteful spending in the process. Illinois and Chicago pension funds are 9 out of 15 of the least funded pension funds in the US. Average about 40 cents on the dollar. Illinois when you take all of the pension liabilities and aggregate them, has about 52 percent funding of its pension promises to state and local workers. 51st of all states plus DC.
Posted by: tubal
Until they are not. States can and have gone bankrupt and Illinois is a likely state to do so. When Detroit went bankrupt, something like 30-40 percent of their pension monthly check got paid from the PBGC. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or some such.
The rest went poof. So Illinois courts are going to take a loss because when the money ain't there, the pensions are not going to be paid. And Pritzker is busy wrecking the Illinois economy for illegals and other wasteful spending in the process. Illinois and Chicago pension funds are 9 out of 15 of the least funded pension funds in the US. Average about 40 cents on the dollar. Illinois when you take all of the pension liabilities and aggregate them, has about 52 percent funding of its pension promises to state and local workers. 51st of all states plus DC.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (E4rtv)
310
305 303 I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (GBKbO)
It seems the word cooter has fallen out of fashion.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (GBKbO)
It seems the word cooter has fallen out of fashion.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (pDt9x)
311
It's a write off, Jerry.
They just write it off.
They just write it off.
Posted by: Kramer at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (2Ez/1)
312
The last job I applied for was at a factory that makes steel punches, about a half-mile from my QTH. I sent them a carefully prepared resume and cover letter.
The bitch called me quickly.
Q: "How will you get to work?"
A: "As I clearly explained in my cover letter, I live a half-mile away."
Q: "Can you work an 11 hour shift with NO breaks."
A: "I know YOU can't, you f***ing c***!"
And I hung up on her. That's what job-searching is like.
So, did you get the job?
The bitch called me quickly.
Q: "How will you get to work?"
A: "As I clearly explained in my cover letter, I live a half-mile away."
Q: "Can you work an 11 hour shift with NO breaks."
A: "I know YOU can't, you f***ing c***!"
And I hung up on her. That's what job-searching is like.
So, did you get the job?
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (Riz8t)
313
I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen
......
Uh-oh. This is getting complicated.
The good thing is I already know the answer to every question:
Bewbs.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
=====
Some of the answers have to be minge.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen
......
Uh-oh. This is getting complicated.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (UjdFS)
314
"They've been saying this for almost 60 years."
'Things that haven't happened yet won't happen.'
I don't buy that argument.
'Things that haven't happened yet won't happen.'
I don't buy that argument.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (N8ZBc)
315
It will be at 650M in 25 years, and will drop below 400M 25-30 years after that. There is absolutely no way they can stop the decline, they have way too few women of child bearing age, and the cost of major urbanization means it is wildly expensive for them to have too many.
--------------
I chuckle to myself every time I ponder how spectacularly China's 1-child / forced abortion policy has backfired.
--------------
I chuckle to myself every time I ponder how spectacularly China's 1-child / forced abortion policy has backfired.
Posted by: Bigsmith at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (1Au9i)
316
308 But what about that Old Urine smell? Can't get that anywhere else.
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (qUkBO)
++++
1. Use bathroom
2. Do not clean bathroom
3. Wait a couple of months
___
Bathroom? Oh, you mean the subway!
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:13 PM (qUkBO)
++++
1. Use bathroom
2. Do not clean bathroom
3. Wait a couple of months
___
Bathroom? Oh, you mean the subway!
Posted by: Urban Rube at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (qUkBO)
317
I play chess online and recently I’ve been getting my ass kicked. My rating has dropped 100 points in the last month.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (Ryx1w)
318
315 I chuckle to myself every time I ponder how spectacularly China's 1-child / forced abortion policy has backfired.
Posted by: Bigsmith at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (1Au9i)
======
Well, the first order effect was achieved.
That China never figured that second order effects isn't really a surprise because, you know, communists.
Posted by: Bigsmith at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (1Au9i)
======
Well, the first order effect was achieved.
That China never figured that second order effects isn't really a surprise because, you know, communists.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, barreling through the action thrills with Wolfgang Petersen at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (GBKbO)
319
We've got a commissar who can supply those!
Posted by: Bulg
=======
Would really be useful in telling us who to avoid in public.
Posted by: Bulg
=======
Would really be useful in telling us who to avoid in public.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (E4rtv)
320
I kind of like the building cities they had in Dredd if they weren’t all ghettos.
I would love to walk to my doctor, grocery store, movie theater, etc.
They are doing these type of complexes in a lot of cities on a significantly smaller scale.
I would love to walk to my doctor, grocery store, movie theater, etc.
They are doing these type of complexes in a lot of cities on a significantly smaller scale.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (KDPiq)
321
303 I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
You are going to be trained online to sexually harass people?
Posted by: wth at January 21, 2026 12:12 PM (UjdFS)
You are going to be trained online to sexually harass people?
Posted by: m at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (SSiCQ)
322
317 I play chess online and recently I’ve been getting my ass kicked. My rating has dropped 100 points in the last month.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (Ryx1w)
Bots and cheaters.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (Ryx1w)
Bots and cheaters.
Posted by: Game in one window, Stockfish in the other at January 21, 2026 12:16 PM (TbWk/)
323
"So, did you get the job?"
She didn't want employees. She wanted people she could shit on all day.
She didn't want employees. She wanted people she could shit on all day.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 12:16 PM (N8ZBc)
324
English breakfast? If you like the things in it, what difference does it make what time it is when you eat them??
Posted by: OrangeEnt
Well, don't eat blood sausage in front of a hemophiliac.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
Well, don't eat blood sausage in front of a hemophiliac.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (mlg/3)
325
I am forever grateful for being self employed.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (0KSrI)
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (pDt9x)
327
> Can you work an 11 hour shift with NO breaks.
OK, I hate unions for the most part, but this is why they're sometimes necessary. 11 hours punching steel with no breaks? What the hell kind of third world shithole factory is this?
OK, I hate unions for the most part, but this is why they're sometimes necessary. 11 hours punching steel with no breaks? What the hell kind of third world shithole factory is this?
Posted by: bonhomme at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (Yp6az)
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (O7YUW)
329
That China never figured that second order effects isn't really a surprise because, you know, communists.
You'd think communists would eventually figure out the second-order effects of their policies since they keep happening like clockwork, but nope.
You'd think communists would eventually figure out the second-order effects of their policies since they keep happening like clockwork, but nope.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (2ocoG)
330
play chess online and recently I’ve been getting my ass kicked. My rating has dropped 100 points in the last month.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (Ryx1w)
Quit using the Queen’s Gambit!
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:15 PM (Ryx1w)
Quit using the Queen’s Gambit!
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (KDPiq)
331
Good column.
Also, Don Lemon won't be charged. You'll be lucky if he doesn't set up a GFM so he can become pastor of the Branch Lemonian Church on Fire Island.
Also, Don Lemon won't be charged. You'll be lucky if he doesn't set up a GFM so he can become pastor of the Branch Lemonian Church on Fire Island.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (BI5O2)
332
Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z is just realizing that they are screwed. The last three realize what they pay in and get are not likely to be equal. These generations won't get what they paid in. Boomers will possible break even depending on when they were born. Silents and Greatest got far more benefits than they paid taxes to get.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (E4rtv)
==
Eh, doubt it. You;ll get you half to 1% return and be happy about it. Which is what I as a boomer will get.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (E4rtv)
==
Eh, doubt it. You;ll get you half to 1% return and be happy about it. Which is what I as a boomer will get.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (GZYu7)
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at January 21, 2026 12:18 PM (Kt19C)
334
315 I chuckle to myself every time I ponder how spectacularly China's 1-child / forced abortion policy has backfired.
Posted by: Bigsmith at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (1Au9i)
Except for birth tourism so that they can make "American citizens" who can vote, from China, however Xi wants them too.
Posted by: Bigsmith at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (1Au9i)
Except for birth tourism so that they can make "American citizens" who can vote, from China, however Xi wants them too.
Posted by: night lifted at January 21, 2026 12:18 PM (kJmLc)
335
Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z is just realizing that they are screwed. The last three realize what they pay in and get are not likely to be equal.
I've always set things up like SocSec won't exist when I retire, and I know a fair number of other Gen X that are the same way.
I've always set things up like SocSec won't exist when I retire, and I know a fair number of other Gen X that are the same way.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (2ocoG)
336
"OK, I hate unions for the most part, but this is why they're sometimes necessary. 11 hours punching steel with no breaks?"
The infuriating thing is that she didn't even read my cover letter or resume. She just needed somebody to chew out first thing in the morning.
The infuriating thing is that she didn't even read my cover letter or resume. She just needed somebody to chew out first thing in the morning.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (N8ZBc)
337
OK, I hate unions for the most part, but this is why they're sometimes necessary. 11 hours punching steel with no breaks? What the hell kind of third world shithole factory is this?
Posted by: bonhomme at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (Yp6az)
++++
One in flagrant violation of federal labor law?
Posted by: bonhomme at January 21, 2026 12:17 PM (Yp6az)
++++
One in flagrant violation of federal labor law?
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (GyQIQ)
338
Welfare is an entitlement that you get just by existing. You have to pay in to qualify for SS. You don't just get it. Same with Medicare.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (QGaXH)
==
You did not pay nearly enough for medicare to even suggest you've paid for it. No one has - it is an entitlement free and clear which the government pays well beyond any inputs received form taxpayers for the system specifically.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 11:57 AM (QGaXH)
==
You did not pay nearly enough for medicare to even suggest you've paid for it. No one has - it is an entitlement free and clear which the government pays well beyond any inputs received form taxpayers for the system specifically.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:21 PM (GZYu7)
339
>>>I have to take online sexual harassment training today.
Speak up early and tell them you don't sexually harass women online, you do it in person.
Then walk out.
Speak up early and tell them you don't sexually harass women online, you do it in person.
Then walk out.
Posted by: one hour sober at January 21, 2026 12:21 PM (Y1sOo)
340
TJM and Joe Mannix and others - thank you for good discussion on SS.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at January 21, 2026 12:22 PM (QGaXH)
341
I've always set things up like SocSec won't exist when I retire, and I know a fair number of other Gen X that are the same way.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (2ocoG)
Same here.
If SS exists when I retire great, it’ll be a bonus. But it’s not part of my retirement planning.
Posted by: Ian S. at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (2ocoG)
Same here.
If SS exists when I retire great, it’ll be a bonus. But it’s not part of my retirement planning.
Posted by: Really?? at January 21, 2026 12:22 PM (Ryx1w)
342
OK, I hate unions for the most part, but this is why they're sometimes necessary. 11 hours punching steel with no breaks?
You needed to press "2" for Spanish for the real government-subsidized job, where the employer didn't have to pay taxes or insurance or anything.
You needed to press "2" for Spanish for the real government-subsidized job, where the employer didn't have to pay taxes or insurance or anything.
Posted by: t-bird at January 21, 2026 12:23 PM (BvTxf)
343
If disparate impact goes out the window due to constitutional reasons (majority minority districts are up for being eliminated), then Griggs v. Duke Power no longer forbids using company specific tests for hiring as used to be the case.
US overinvested in college educations for jobs that do not require it and shortchanged technical education at the same time because the elites don't want to pay for such. And Griggs v. Duke Power is what kicked all of this off.
==
Yes, Griggs created disparate impact. Was unnecessary to even add to the decision, a little known greatest hits of SCOTUS over reach in the 60's and 70's.
US overinvested in college educations for jobs that do not require it and shortchanged technical education at the same time because the elites don't want to pay for such. And Griggs v. Duke Power is what kicked all of this off.
==
Yes, Griggs created disparate impact. Was unnecessary to even add to the decision, a little known greatest hits of SCOTUS over reach in the 60's and 70's.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:24 PM (GZYu7)
344
Posted by: rickb223
====
The biggest fraud is SSI which is heavily used by immigrants bringing in parents, etc. And that is not charged to Social Security but paid for by general revenues.
There is some fraud in Social Security but overall it is better run than many other programs because it is fairly simple to who qualifies--work x quarters, be of X age, then benefits. The major fraud comes in when illegals work and submit someone else's SSN and that person ends up getting more benefits as a result. People also don't report deaths and keep getting checks from Gramps and Grandma after they pass on.
Disability is the one area where fraud is murky but we do know that a) the all or nothing tends to keep people collecting the checks rather than trying to work if younger, b) it is related to a loss of US jobs where older workers that worked disabled can no longer find a job and apply.
Medicare, however, has much more fraud primarily by providers and the tax rate is too low for what it is paying out and that has been the case for decades. Never got fixed. Essentially it is a welfare program relying on general revenues instead of its own payroll taxes to meet expenditures.
====
The biggest fraud is SSI which is heavily used by immigrants bringing in parents, etc. And that is not charged to Social Security but paid for by general revenues.
There is some fraud in Social Security but overall it is better run than many other programs because it is fairly simple to who qualifies--work x quarters, be of X age, then benefits. The major fraud comes in when illegals work and submit someone else's SSN and that person ends up getting more benefits as a result. People also don't report deaths and keep getting checks from Gramps and Grandma after they pass on.
Disability is the one area where fraud is murky but we do know that a) the all or nothing tends to keep people collecting the checks rather than trying to work if younger, b) it is related to a loss of US jobs where older workers that worked disabled can no longer find a job and apply.
Medicare, however, has much more fraud primarily by providers and the tax rate is too low for what it is paying out and that has been the case for decades. Never got fixed. Essentially it is a welfare program relying on general revenues instead of its own payroll taxes to meet expenditures.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:24 PM (E4rtv)
345
One in flagrant violation of federal labor law?
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (GyQIQ)
I doubt it exist
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 21, 2026 12:19 PM (GyQIQ)
I doubt it exist
Posted by: MAC V SOG at January 21, 2026 12:24 PM (P4Pk9)
346
wait, what? The beans on toast crowd have delicious breakfasts?
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (wBaIH)
precisely what I was thinking. The sun never set on the British Empire because they were scouring the globe for better shit to eat than was available at home.
You're losing me LizLem.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at January 21, 2026 11:16 AM (wBaIH)
precisely what I was thinking. The sun never set on the British Empire because they were scouring the globe for better shit to eat than was available at home.
Posted by: OneEyedJack at January 21, 2026 12:25 PM (Hx0tZ)
347
There is no Trust Fund, only an IOU from Treasury that must be covered the usual way, general taxes or debt issuance.
——-
That is NOT true.
They are actually IOUs for …. IOUs. LOL
Social security T-Bills are “special” and not tradeable on the markets..
——-
That is NOT true.
They are actually IOUs for …. IOUs. LOL
Social security T-Bills are “special” and not tradeable on the markets..
Posted by: Common Tater at January 21, 2026 12:25 PM (66/qG)
348
342 I wouldn't have necessarily needed lunch or rest breaks, but nobody can go 11 hours without a bathroom break, least of all that nasty-assed bitch.
Posted by: gp at January 21, 2026 12:26 PM (N8ZBc)
349
SS is like state retirement systems in Illinois. The recipients WILL be paid no matter what. If it bleeds people and businesses, too bad. I know people who get state retirement over there and they. get. paid, with a nice COLA raise every year. The way it is.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:01 PM (pDt9x)
==
Actually SS can be amended and tweaked. Illinois public employees pensions are enshrined in the State Constitution and must be paid out in full until such time as it is amended. A judge at some point will double the state income tax to pay for it. And that will be fun to watch, given that the state is essentially bankrupt and the pensions - like all public pensions - is woefully underfunded.
Posted by: tubal at January 21, 2026 12:01 PM (pDt9x)
==
Actually SS can be amended and tweaked. Illinois public employees pensions are enshrined in the State Constitution and must be paid out in full until such time as it is amended. A judge at some point will double the state income tax to pay for it. And that will be fun to watch, given that the state is essentially bankrupt and the pensions - like all public pensions - is woefully underfunded.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:27 PM (GZYu7)
350
I've always set things up like SocSec won't exist when I retire, and I know a fair number of other Gen X that are the same way.
Posted by: Ian S.
======
The biggest thing most younger generations never consider is disability and thus a really long period of not being able to work. It happens far more than people think as a result of car accidents, work on the job accidents, disease, or genetic issues.
If you have disability policies, really peruse the fine print and also consider whether you pay for them with after tax dollars (non taxable as of now to receive benefits) or tax deductibility of the payments (which means benefits are taxable). Be sure to closely peruse limitations, requirements, what is covered and not, and keep your medical records even from long ago to justify if you have to get those benefits. Also make sure you understand short term benefit policies.
If you do not have such, then get a disability policy. I think Weirddave as a cob can direct you to good companies.
Posted by: Ian S.
======
The biggest thing most younger generations never consider is disability and thus a really long period of not being able to work. It happens far more than people think as a result of car accidents, work on the job accidents, disease, or genetic issues.
If you have disability policies, really peruse the fine print and also consider whether you pay for them with after tax dollars (non taxable as of now to receive benefits) or tax deductibility of the payments (which means benefits are taxable). Be sure to closely peruse limitations, requirements, what is covered and not, and keep your medical records even from long ago to justify if you have to get those benefits. Also make sure you understand short term benefit policies.
If you do not have such, then get a disability policy. I think Weirddave as a cob can direct you to good companies.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:31 PM (E4rtv)
351
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
My alma mater is in serious financial trouble. They're cutting faculty and pay and no longer contributing to pension funds. If they lose their accreditation, it's likely curtains.
Up to 25 percent of U.S. colleges may close soon, Brandeis president warns
Posted by: SMOD at January 21, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)
My alma mater is in serious financial trouble. They're cutting faculty and pay and no longer contributing to pension funds. If they lose their accreditation, it's likely curtains.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 21, 2026 12:32 PM (tgvbd)
352
Anglo-American full breakfast: We're building an empire.
Continental breakfast: We're taking August off.
Anglo-American full breakfast: We're building an empire.
Continental breakfast: We're taking August off.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 21, 2026 12:33 PM (tgvbd)
353
That is NOT true.
They are actually IOUs for …. IOUs. LOL
Social security T-Bills are “special” and not tradeable on the markets..
Posted by: Common Tater
=====
A non marketable security that is not publicly traded is essentially an IOU from one govt bureau to another. Because of Scotus decisions, if Treasury refused to pay, Soc. Sec. probably would not be able to sue. There is no property right to receive social security benefits, Scotus has decreed. That means Congress and the President dictate what gets paid regardless of past regulations (see the Notch baby lawsuits among others).
They are actually IOUs for …. IOUs. LOL
Social security T-Bills are “special” and not tradeable on the markets..
Posted by: Common Tater
=====
A non marketable security that is not publicly traded is essentially an IOU from one govt bureau to another. Because of Scotus decisions, if Treasury refused to pay, Soc. Sec. probably would not be able to sue. There is no property right to receive social security benefits, Scotus has decreed. That means Congress and the President dictate what gets paid regardless of past regulations (see the Notch baby lawsuits among others).
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:34 PM (E4rtv)
354
My alma mater is in serious financial trouble. They're cutting faculty and pay and no longer contributing to pension funds. If they lose their accreditation, it's likely curtains.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
======
Small private colleges are likely going to be the first to go, then state schools in unpopular areas and declining states like Illinois.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
======
Small private colleges are likely going to be the first to go, then state schools in unpopular areas and declining states like Illinois.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:35 PM (E4rtv)
355
The rest went poof. So Illinois courts are going to take a loss because when the money ain't there, the pensions are not going to be paid. And Pritzker is busy wrecking the Illinois economy for illegals and other wasteful spending in the process. Illinois and Chicago pension funds are 9 out of 15 of the least funded pension funds in the US. Average about 40 cents on the dollar. Illinois when you take all of the pension liabilities and aggregate them, has about 52 percent funding of its pension promises to state and local workers. 51st of all states plus DC.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (E4rtv)
==
Well, as I noted elsewhere - the Illinois Constitution says they must be paid, and so they will be paid before everyone else, in full, until someone has the balls to change it. The first step will be a State Supreme Court Justice ordering a 50% increase in the state sales and income tax.
They will be paid first, because to not do so is unconstitutional in the state.
Posted by: whig at January 21, 2026 12:14 PM (E4rtv)
==
Well, as I noted elsewhere - the Illinois Constitution says they must be paid, and so they will be paid before everyone else, in full, until someone has the balls to change it. The first step will be a State Supreme Court Justice ordering a 50% increase in the state sales and income tax.
They will be paid first, because to not do so is unconstitutional in the state.
Posted by: Black JEM at January 21, 2026 12:46 PM (GZYu7)
356
I don't believe government can give money to a religious NGO & then ban prayer in school based on separation of church/state.
Posted by: Don DeVan at January 21, 2026 01:00 PM (6inc5)
357
It's funny how much of this cash ends up back in the pockets of the politicians that dispensed it. And by funny, I mean sad.
Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at January 21, 2026 01:08 PM (L6dcX)
358
1. I believe Joe Mannix is absolutely correct
2. I doubt the Congress will ever change the system because they and theirs are making bank through the current system
2. I doubt the Congress will ever change the system because they and theirs are making bank through the current system
Posted by: Al in St. Louis at January 21, 2026 02:01 PM (pKne7)
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