Turning long stories into short stories

How many people here expected the visit between President Trump and King Charles to turn out as friendly as it did? Somehow, the long history between the UK and the USA became just a personal visit. How did that happen?

A lot of surprising things have happened this week that are based in long stories. But some of the events which occurred during the week took me by surprise. They fit well in Ace's "Quick Hits".

* * * * *

I think that sometimes seeing a story in the Babylon Bee tends to turn it into a short story, too. Some of their commentary on last Saturday's big event: Poll Shows Majority Of Democrats Believe Lincoln Assassination Staged

U.S. — The growing rift between the political right and left in the country became even more evident this week, as a new poll showed that a majority of Democrats believe the Lincoln assassination was staged.
Though long held to be a historical fact, a plurality of Democratic voters went on record in a research study to confirm that they now suspect that President Abraham Lincoln was never actually assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, and that the entire incident was simply an elaborate hoax.
"That whole situation was suspicious," lifelong Democrat Dean Stinson posted on social media. "Sure, the government and the educational system want you to believe that President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater, but let's be honest here, things don't add up. First of all, do you know what John Wilkes Booth did for a living? That's right — he was an actor. Actors literally spend their time playing roles and pretending. Sounds like just the guy you'd want to pull off a staged assassination, am I right?" . . .

Unfortunately, the right-ish "all-conspiracy" site I mentioned last week also suggested that the attempted assassination could have been staged to increase Trump's popularity. No consideration was given to how the suspect was recruited.

Back to the Bee:

Media Still Stumped As To Motive Of Gunman With Manifesto Titled 'Why I'm Going To Kill Donald J. Trump'

U.S. — Members of the national media remained completely baffled as to the target or motive of a gunman carrying a detailed, 47-page manifesto entitled "Why I'm Going To Kill Donald J. Trump."
The document reportedly provided a handy bullet-pointed list of grievances along with a helpful table of contents detailing primary and secondary motivations for wanting to kill the president, but after hours of reviewing the manifesto, journalists came up empty as to who the gunman may have been targeting and why.
"It's a mystery," said CBS correspondent Norah O'Donnell, thumbing through the papers. "See right here, the gunman says that he plans to use a gun to shoot President Donald J. Trump, and explains that he's doing so because he believes that Trump is a dangerous fascist who must be stopped at all costs. I wonder who the gunman is talking about here? Who was he after that night, and for what reason? We may never know."
Experts explained that the gunman's repeated references to President Trump, including a chapter called "Yes, Trump Is My Target, And Here Is Why," should not be taken as definitive evidence of intent.
"This is going to be a tough nut to crack," said CNN's Kaitlan Collins. "We're looking at everything. What drove this man to attempt such a heinous act? Was it class imbalance? Was it gluten? The search has only just begun."

And the "all-conspiracy" site is in a double-quandary, since they don't trust anyone to accurately report what the manifesto says. But this might get them going:

Forty-five years before the alleged assassination attempt against President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night, a different President was shot at the same Washington, D.C., hotel.
Then-President Ronald Reagan was outside the Washington Hilton, the venue where the WHCA dinner is held each year, in 1981 when a man named John Hinckley Jr. made an attempt on his life.

* * * * *

ENDLESS NEWS IN CALIFORNIA

The BEE

Homeless Declare Victory In Gavin Newsom's Fight Against Homelessness

Heh.

The problem we deal with every day, via Ed Driscoll:

Bill Maher just brought up some of Gavin Newsom’s biggest failures right to his face — including California’s DISASTROUS high-speed rail project, to which Maher said:

“I say this as a friend, you got to let that train go!”

Newsom wasn’t expecting it and he was CRUSHED the… pic.twitter.com/WrlOEDlfwv
— Overton (@overton_news) May 2, 2026

More details in this thread. We do not need a Democratic presidential candidate from California next time around:

😂😂 this was supposed to be done 6 years and billions of dollars ago. It hasn’t even really *started* yet. https://t.co/T3GuAeQdPf
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) May 2, 2026

* * * * *

WEEKEND

The Week In Pictures: Missed Me Again Edition

Leading the week’s news was the Democrats’ third failed assassination attempt against President Trump. Murder isn’t funny, but that didn’t prevent meme-makers from weighing in. The rest of the week’s news was lighter: King Charles visited America and addressed Congress, and it turned out that Democrats love kings after all. James Comey was indicted, the SPLC continued to draw fire, and Ilhan Omar displayed a remarkable grasp of world history.
So here we go–The Week In Pictures, Missed Me Again Edition. This week features three pirate-related memes, which must be a record. Watch for them:

* * * * *

Music

“Saints In Heaven”- gospel music in a New Orleans Dixieland style. This should make you smile. #worship #dixielandgospel #songsfromtheheart pic.twitter.com/AmKbTxlasj
— Thomas Land (@tomland1953) March 18, 2026

* * * * *

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

Serving your mid-day open thread needs

* * * * *

Last week's thread, April 25, A visit with an all-conspiracy influencer site

Comments are closed so you won't ban yourself by trying to comment on a week-old thread. But don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 11:16 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 11:17 AM (Ia/+0)

2 Somehow a copy of the Constitution will be lost on King Chuck, might as well be written in Arabic.
But then he might be able to read that for all I know

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 11:19 AM (Ia/+0)

3 Hi, Skip!

Posted by: KT at May 02, 2026 11:21 AM (7vIsy)

4 It did make me smile. Thanks for the music and the rest of the thread, K.T.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 02, 2026 11:23 AM (Yl2Ob)

5 Report: Trump Says UFC Cage Construction at White House Begins Next Week

-
Hold on there.
- Judge Komonaiwannalaya

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:23 AM (ndZc7)

6 Good morning and good post K.T. … wow it’s roomy in here this morning

Posted by: kelly at May 02, 2026 11:24 AM (5g2X+)

7 Reminder: The gay burrito was wrapped up like a lame gay burrito.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 02, 2026 11:26 AM (bss/y)

8 I was really surprised at how quickly the mood of the King Charles visit changed things. I think it is partly due to the way our media and social media are now structured.

Posted by: KT at May 02, 2026 11:26 AM (7vIsy)

9 Trump Tells German Chancellor Merz “Fix Your Broken Country,” Weighs Pulling Troops From Spain and Italy

-
Is Chuck One Hundred Eleven listening?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)

10 And I thought the Jews were tricksey!

Iran Considers Explosive Dolphins to Strike Back at U.S. Blockade

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:28 AM (ndZc7)

11 Speaking of "gay burritos", the "all conspiracy" site characterized Trump's comments on the Secret Service as "gay" because he called them "strong" and "attractive" as a group rather than say, "well-trained".

Posted by: KT at May 02, 2026 11:30 AM (7vIsy)

12 First of all, do you know what John Wilkes Booth did for a living? That's right — he was an actor. Actors literally spend their time playing roles and pretending. Sounds like just the guy you'd want to pull off a staged assassination, am I right?" . . .

I don't know how many of you remember the cartoonist Peter Bagge. His most famous creation was "Buddy Bradley," a cynical, foul-mouthed semi-slacker living in Seattle. He also had a parody of a talk-show host named "Studs Kirby."

I bring this up because one of the "Kirby" stories had him interviewing a conspiracy professor who insisted that Booth was a time-traveler dressed as Marilyn Monroe to seduce and kill Lincoln, but returning to the present time drove him crazy and he was now in prison under the name of Charlie Manson.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at May 02, 2026 11:32 AM (qRla/)

13 KT, thank you for all you do.

We live in remarkable times!

We could power dynamos and national grids with the changes in narratives from the Dems.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 02, 2026 11:33 AM (u82oZ)

14 Every normal person in this country needs to stop using the terms Progrsssive, Liberal, Left etc and label everyone associated with insane policies and insane violence as "Democrat" Let the D alone act as a label for the insanity. It might resonate in the voting booth with the small percentage of low info voters who are not the fully committed Useful Idiots that Lenin spoke of.

Posted by: Reprogramming the bots at May 02, 2026 11:33 AM (guCKp)

15 Iran Considers Explosive Dolphins to Strike Back at U.S. Blockade
-----

Eventually the laser sharks and LSD-enhanced explosive dolphins are going to join forces and turn on us.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at May 02, 2026 11:33 AM (kpS4V)

16 Eyes Wide Shut.

Legendary Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick’s Daughter Attacks Erika Kirk, Demands Trump “Kill” Turning Point USA

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:35 AM (ndZc7)

17 I thought this was quite a good, thoughtful editorial from "The Christian Post- "Exposing darkness or consuming it. The fine line every Christian must walk.":

https://tinyurl.com/3xf2925v

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 02, 2026 11:36 AM (PXbw4)

18 9 Trump Tells German Chancellor Merz “Fix Your Broken Country,” Weighs Pulling Troops From Spain and Italy
--

I like the part where Germany gave Trump permission to pull our troops.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:36 AM (Lw/3D)

19 All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes

Good luck with that.

Turning on humanity is a fatal mistake. We humans are the most deadly mammal in the entire world.

No worried from killer sharks or IED dolphins.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 02, 2026 11:37 AM (u82oZ)

20 Robert Downey Jr. Says Modern Celebrity Culture Is “Absolute Horses***”

-
Well, he did play Sherlock Holmes.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:37 AM (ndZc7)

21 {{{All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes }}}

Just because you raise the level of conversation.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 02, 2026 11:38 AM (u82oZ)

22 I can't comment at PowerLine, so I'll say it here. The ships representing "Nazis" are actually from the Kaiser's High Sea Fleet.

Posted by: Eeyore at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (AlhUl)

23 I watched again the 1981 video of Reagan being shot at that hotel. The Secret Service Agents were all over the shooter quickly, and at least one agent appeared to try to get in the way of the bullets. I believe he got off six shots, which might have taken only two seconds. So, was that good protection?

One agent pulled out an Uzi (or similar).

Trump's incident: why have a bunch of law enforcement guarding the entrance if only one has eyes on the pathway of the threat?

Posted by: JM in Illinois at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (Fg64+)

24 > Every normal person in this country needs to stop using the terms Progrsssive, Liberal, Left etc and label everyone associated with insane policies and insane violence as "Democrat"
---------
Probably a good idea. They continually use Trump/MAGA in their denigration of nominal Republicans. Or "right wing." But there's no mistaking who they mean; us.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (jehhT)

25 They think that because they would do it. I'm sure they considered fabricating some threat against the terribly unpopular Brandon. But, first of all, there's no way they could trust him to stay on script, and even if he did, a majority of Americans would shrug and say "it doesn't make much difference, he's already effectively dead anyway."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (BI5O2)

26 Great music KT! Thanks.

Here's an alternate source:
https://youtu.be/cKF5X5dJE9Q

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (2Ez/1)

27 As to the Babylon Bee I have no traffic with them.
This nation is in a fight for its life internally and externally. It's fine that some have the constitution for such humor, personally, I find it defamatory.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (Lw/3D)

28 Caitlin Clark Takes Another Flagrant Hit — 13 Free Throws Later, Questions Mount Over WNBA Officiating

-
Basketball thugs? Why, I never heard of such!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:41 AM (ndZc7)

29 - I just watched this. Put up 3 or 4 hours ago. About 6 min long.

https://tinyurl.com/5hyy3uft

I guess ace and others gonna have to add congresswoman Luna to the list of wacko, conspiracy nuts.

Posted by: TeeJ at May 02, 2026 11:41 AM (PpROq)

30 The Bee article would have been improved if it was a copy of the Magna Carta. A reminder of what Britain was and its responsibilities for its subjects.

Unlike the paramilitary police state of today, where the Neo-Vandals and Neo-Visigoths get to r@pe and plunder (literally aided by said police!) while the citizens are jailed for "mean tweets".

Posted by: Another Anon at May 02, 2026 11:42 AM (4h45B)

31 Missed Powerline week in pictures until now.
Some really good ones

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Ia/+0)

32 Trump's incident: why have a bunch of law enforcement guarding the entrance if only one has eyes on the pathway of the threat?
Posted by: JM in Illinois at May 02, 2026 11:39 AM (Fg64+)

They were probably not taking it seriously. They're all from DC; those of them who don't actively want him to die don't care if he lives or not, and all of them resent having to guard Orangemanbad when they could be on a beat somewhere shaking down hookers for BJs and selling stolen drugs.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 02, 2026 11:42 AM (BI5O2)

33 'Commies' is so much more accurate and easy.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 02, 2026 11:43 AM (bss/y)

34 Judging by that picture, King Charlie needs to up his Metamucil intake.

Posted by: muldoon at May 02, 2026 11:43 AM (I0N4X)

35 It's fine that some have the constitution for such humor, personally, I find it defamatory.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others

Lighten up, Francis.
If you can't laugh at life, no have no life.

Posted by: MkY at May 02, 2026 11:44 AM (q6tQZ)

36 21 {{{All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes }}}

Just because you raise the level of conversation.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 02, 2026 11:38 AM (u82oZ)
---

I can always be counted on to lower the level of discourse.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at May 02, 2026 11:45 AM (kpS4V)

37 Housing foreclosures highest in 6 years!
People can not afford to pay their mortgages

Gasoline st national avg of $4.45

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ECONOMY STUPID that is THE mid term issue

Posted by: Paul at May 02, 2026 11:46 AM (ZRQNi)

38 Trump giving there framed copy of the Declaration would have been funny. Having a copy of the Declaration of Independence with Trump's signature on it is sacrilege.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:46 AM (Lw/3D)

39 I don't think "The Babylon Bee" is defamatory. I think it's humorous. They also have their serious website, "Not the Bee." It's clear they're conservative Christians.

Your mileage may vary which is your right and privilege , and I'm not in the mood for arguing today.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 02, 2026 11:47 AM (sk+Tm)

40
Lighten up, Francis.
If you can't laugh at life, no have no life.
Posted by: MkY
---

Anything goes

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:47 AM (Lw/3D)

41 Magna Carta would have been better

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 11:48 AM (Ia/+0)

42 Tim Graham: The Elitist Media Despise Black Conservatives

-
Also white conservatives and, as were seeing with the Acting Secretary of the Navy, yellow conservatives.

Red brown yellow black and white
We will hate them all on sight
Elites hate the conservatives of the world

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at May 02, 2026 11:48 AM (ndZc7)

43 39 I don't think "The Babylon Bee" is defamatory. I think it's humorous. They also have their serious website, "Not the Bee." It's clear they're conservative Christians.

Your mileage may vary which is your right and privilege , and I'm not in the mood for arguing today.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
---

Well, that settles it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Lw/3D)

44 Turning long stories into short stories is sort of the concept of building a meme. Distilling the long narrative into a quick, slick shot that goes down smooth, with enough discontinuities and awkward corners to make a second thought obligatory, which turns it into introspection on the subject. It is the opposite of a stage magician's "prestige", the observer is tempted into figuring out the trick on his own.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 11:50 AM (rbvCR)

45 The best memes make people knot up like a cut snake.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 11:51 AM (rbvCR)

46 Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Lw/3D)

I didn't say it settles it. I just said I didn't want to argue about it. I don't even want to argue about arguing. 😉 Have a nice day. I'm out.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 02, 2026 11:52 AM (2sfNr)

47 20 Robert Downey Jr. Says Modern Celebrity Culture Is “Absolute Horses***”

-
Well, he did play Sherl

Right? I see that RDJ has completely withdrawn from that culture and no longer uses it to make obscene amounts of money for very little work.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 02, 2026 11:52 AM (Riz8t)

48 If you look at public life in America and don't just burst out laughing at least a dozen times a week, you must have had your sense of humor burned off in a tragic fire at a comedy club or something.

The collapse of this particular republic has such a uniquely unserious, farcical flavor to it that it's all just one big, slow-rolling joke. It's a dark, twisted joke with a bloodsoaked punchline, but you can't ignore how funny it so often is.

A gay Chipotle burrito attacked the President and shot a cop. A fucking furry, of all things, killed a major political figure. Brandon was President four of history's funniest years. Anerica is like a Monty Python sketch in Hell.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 02, 2026 11:52 AM (BI5O2)

49 Thx K.T., hope all is well.
Watched the Maher segment with Newsom. You literally want to slap him every time he lies. I actually hope the Dems nominate him in 28, I think he'll be easier to beat than Harris

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 02, 2026 11:55 AM (gu0hJ)

50 It occurs to me that the latest assassination attempt was at an event with (mostly) Democrats... the media and print "journalists." I would wager the security was somewhat lax as it was, basically, an event held in enemy territory with mostly enemy participants.

Who'd be crazy enough to shoot-up their own house?

Well, that should be a consideration for the Secret Service, no? Bet it is now.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 02, 2026 11:57 AM (jehhT)

51 Paul's a nickelfucker, but I'm afraid he hits on a truth: most people vote only based on their personal circumstances. There are very few (the Horde excepted) who can vote while seeing the larger picture of a nuclear Iran, a destabilized ME and ongoing domestic insurrection. Reagan's "are you better off than you were four years ago?" remains, IMO, the central political message for any politician.

I frankly think the GOP deserves to lose the midterms, but my opinion doesn't matter.* If gasoline prices remain at their current high (about $4/gal in my area), then voters are going to wonder, rightly, why Trump is dicking around every country in the world and not taking care of the working American stiff.

*I am, after all, only an asshole commenter on a Smart Military Blog.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at May 02, 2026 11:57 AM (qRla/)

52
The purpose of a meme is to disturb the humorless, and to humor the disturbed.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at May 02, 2026 11:57 AM (2Ez/1)

53
Poor Caitlin Clark! Can you believe what those mean girls are doing to her? You gotta watch the WNBA!!!

Green dildos are too respectful.

Posted by: Auspex at May 02, 2026 11:58 AM (DECkL)

54 Mary4P they may deserve to lose but the country cant afford it.
We would see another show impeachment, everything President Trump tried would be stopped. That disfunction would most likely lead to a All Democrat/ Marxist takeover in 2028

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 12:01 PM (Ia/+0)

55 *I am, after all, only an asshole commenter on a Smart Military Blog.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
---

Economy (GPD) is up 2% this quarter, 181,000 jobs added in '25, and 130,000 in January of this year alone.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 12:03 PM (Lw/3D)

56 Carried over from Coffee Thread:
On the other hand, doing to little allows atrophy. But yes, it appears everything has its lifespan.

Have you heard of the wonderful one-hoss-shay,
That was built in such a logical way?
It ran a hundred years to a day,
And then, of a sudden, it—ah, but stay,
I'll tell you what happened without delay.
Posted by: Kindltot

********

Only So Many Shots in a Cannon - a limerick

There once was a horse named Maloney
Who called exercise a "bunch of baloney"
Ninety nine times he tried
But on the hundredth he died
It seems he was a One-Last-Trick Pony

Posted by: muldoon at May 02, 2026 12:06 PM (I0N4X)

57 The Babylon Bee produces the sharpest satire on the Internet. The nineteenth century had Thomas Nast, we have the Bee.

Posted by: mrp at May 02, 2026 12:07 PM (rj6Yv)

58 41 Magna Carta would have been better

fight card > big card

Posted by: anachronda at May 02, 2026 12:08 PM (xDvMN)

59 I guess ace and others gonna have to add congresswoman Luna to the list of wacko, conspiracy nuts.
Posted by: TeeJ at May 02, 2026 11:41 AM (PpROq)

She talks about mass migration as a weapon against the west, UFOs, UAPs and the Book of Enoch, and this is what makes you think she is focused on hidden conspiracies?

I mean, she hasn't even gotten to the "Hitler in Argentina" yet.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 12:08 PM (rbvCR)

60 >>>Poll Shows Majority Of Democrats Believe Lincoln Assassination Staged

Progtards cannot keep up with their lies.
Lincoln was assassinated before The Parties Switched.
That would make Lincoln a Democrat assassinated by evil slavery and KKK supporting Republican JW Booth.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:11 PM (/lPRQ)

61 We would see another show impeachment, everything President Trump tried would be stopped.

-----

This is a misperception. In a Trump administration, Congress is irrelevant. Look around... he is *already* governing by fiat alone, because "his" Party despises him. All that changes with a Dem Congress is a bunch of sham impeachments that he will be able to largely ignore because they will not be able to obtain convictions, and he'll have to veto a bunch of stuff they won't be able to override, because the only thing that exceeds the GOP's avarice and treachery is its moral cowardice.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 02, 2026 12:11 PM (BI5O2)

62 I can always be counted on to lower the level of discourse.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at May 02, 2026 11:45 AM (kpS4V)

As they used to say, if you are going to get a pig over a stile, you can lift the pig or lower the fence.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 12:17 PM (rbvCR)

63 Anti-Trump ‘86 47’ Graffiti Found on Bottom of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Feds Vow Full Investigation
- GWP

But all it means is "Don't give this guy the Pastrami on Rye", yeah, That is what Comey was thinking months later after his flying monkeys saturated the net with restaurant anecdotes.
Wait until you hear what "shit on a shingle" and "bury him the desert" mean.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:18 PM (/lPRQ)

64 In other hereditary-privilege news, Labour is terminating the 92 posts in Lords which are such. So it is no longer really a house of lords. It is now a Caesarite senate which Labour is packing with cronies.

Posted by: gKWVE at May 02, 2026 12:18 PM (gKWVE)

65 The purpose of a meme is to disturb the humorless, and to humor the disturbed.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at May 02, 2026 11:57 AM (2Ez/1)

Yasssss!

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 12:20 PM (rbvCR)

66 Posted by: TeeJ at May 02, 2026 11:41 AM (PpROq)

Do you have a blog? Maybe you can post on that one if you don't like the main content. I'm sure it'll get twice the traffic as this one.

Posted by: gKWVE at May 02, 2026 12:21 PM (gKWVE)

67 OK, folks, got to run to the grocery and hardware store, then get back to working on my novel.

Hope you all have a lovely day.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at May 02, 2026 12:22 PM (qRla/)

68 Florida built some high-speed train. It started years after Calis Dream Graft Project and was completed years ago... Why someone would want to ride a train from Orlando to Miami IDGAF.

Bastards stopped me at a RR crossing a couple days ago. And before the gates could open another one of them things came from the opposite direction.
At least at the busier roads they have RR - street grade separation.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:24 PM (/lPRQ)

69 Judging by that picture, King Charlie needs to up his Metamucil intake.
Posted by: muldoon at May 02, 2026 11:43 AM (I0N4X)

Good news. A fetid and a stinking stool. The color good, well shaped, and a prodigious quantity! Mind you, the urine is a little dark. Or is it the light?

Posted by: The Madness Of King Charles the 111 at May 02, 2026 12:24 PM (LM2lW)

70 66 Posted by: TeeJ at May 02, 2026 11:41 AM (PpROq)

Do you have a blog? Maybe you can post on that one if you don't like the main content. I'm sure it'll get twice the traffic as this one.
Posted by: gKWVE
----------

Is this a closed thread?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 12:25 PM (Lw/3D)

71 Muldoon, when my grandmother went into her final decline, her doctor mentioned to my dad that she was like the one-hoss-shay, but she'd just thrown a wheel at that point.

It has been 30 some-odd years, bed-side manner has changed. But that is why I know that poem.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 12:25 PM (rbvCR)

72 Caitlin Clark Takes Another Flagrant Hit — 13 Free Throws Later, Questions Mount Over WNBA Officiating

-
Basketball thugs? Why, I never heard of such!
==
They should be throwing rose petals at Clark's feet and sending her a part of their newly increased paychecks. The ONLY reason the WNBA got their new pay contract was because of her. The game is still boring, their stars (Clark excepted) are mostly assholes, and without the NBA the league would have folded decades ago. They will lose money through this contract as well unless they shape up and take advantage of what their white straight wunderkind has delivered to them.

WNBA players are a walking talking testament to the wisdom of overturning of the 19th amendment.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 12:26 PM (UVyKP)

73 Somehow a copy of the Constitution will be lost on King Chuck, might as well be written in Arabic.
But then he might be able to read that for all I know
Posted by: Skip

Some history guy is a frequent guest on our local news/talk channel. He had several installments going over virtually every line in the Declaration explaining how most were a dig at England because they claimed to uphold the same principles but a few years before.
Basically we read back their own doctrine back to them.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:28 PM (/lPRQ)

74 >>>Bastards stopped me at a RR crossing a couple days ago. And before the gates could open another one of them things came from the opposite direction.
At least at the busier roads they have RR - street grade separation.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher
-------

Back in town the Rail Road traffic became an impediment to city vehicle traffic. City told the R.R. they must build an overpass. R.R. told city, we were here first and you built around us. You build the over pass.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 12:29 PM (Lw/3D)

75 They will lose money through this contract as well ~~unless they shape up and take advantage of what their white straight wunderkind has delivered to them~~.

The WNBA is not going to turn a profit. Likely ever but certainly as long as they're paying the players what they think they'd owed.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 02, 2026 12:30 PM (ExV1e)

76 Speaking of "gay burritos", the "all conspiracy" site characterized Trump's comments on the Secret Service as "gay" because he called them "strong" and "attractive" as a group rather than say, "well-trained".
Posted by: KT

"well-regulated"
Trained and equipped to be the best, the standard from which all others are judged.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:30 PM (/lPRQ)

77 This is a misperception. In a Trump administration, Congress is irrelevant. Look around... he is *already* governing by fiat alone, because "his" Party despises him. All that changes with a Dem Congress is a bunch of sham impeachments that he will be able to largely ignore because they will not be able to obtain convictions, and he'll have to veto a bunch of stuff they won't be able to override, because the only thing that exceeds the GOP's avarice and treachery is its moral cowardice.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 02, 2026 12:11 PM (BI5O2)
==
The only hope the dems have is for gas to stay high, but the underlying dynamics don't favor that outcome. There is a bunch of more oil coming on line - the Trump admin has discovered the reality that the Iranian government is going broke quickly, Hezbollah is getting destroyed in Lebanon, and China now understands just how precarious their energy supply lines are, and how easily we can cut them. Downward pressure on prices will become obvious in less than a month, once the Memorial Day gas spike passes prices will probably start to fall dramatically, if not earlier. The dems made the wrong bet.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 12:34 PM (UVyKP)

78 Iran Considers Explosive Dolphins to Strike Back at U.S. Blockade

Now I'm imagining PETA in that "two button" meme.

Posted by: Oddbob at May 02, 2026 12:34 PM (vTZFs)

79 His motive may never be known, they vowed.

Posted by: toby928(c) at May 02, 2026 12:34 PM (4NO2D)

80 That picture of the Dixie band disturbs me. The guy on the right has a sousaphone bell as his head and a trumpet bell right below that. Obvious AI pic.
Waiting on hubby to get ready so we can go look at some mattresses. Going to check out a Purple Mattress store. I've heard great things about them but they are pricey. Also looking at the adjustable bases. Yes, I am 29.

Posted by: lin-duh at May 02, 2026 12:35 PM (9AdGW)

81 Caitlin Clark Takes Another Flagrant Hit — 13 Free Throws Later, Questions Mount Over WNBA Officiating

-
Basketball thugs? Why, I never heard of such!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy
==

They want to boost ratings?

Clark's team needs to bring in about six ringers - Shaq clones who identify as women whose sole function is to foul opposing team members into the hospital.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:35 PM (/lPRQ)

82 They will lose money through this contract as well unless they shape up and take advantage of what their white straight wunderkind has delivered to them.

The WNBA is not going to turn a profit. Likely ever but certainly as long as they're paying the players what they think they'd owed.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 02, 2026 12:30 PM (ExV1e)
==
Most likely true. Probably almost 100% true.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 12:35 PM (UVyKP)

83 76 Speaking of "gay burritos", the "all conspiracy" site characterized Trump's comments on the Secret Service as "gay" because he called them "strong" and "attractive" as a group rather than say, "well-trained".
Posted by: KT
------------

They always misunderstand Trump's words.
He put it on the men to look sharp and not like thugs while calling women's attention to them.
Thus creating a positive feedback loop for the men, the agency and the public.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 12:38 PM (Lw/3D)

84 Paul's a nickelfucker...

*I am, after all, only an asshole commenter on a Smart Military Blog.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)

Yeah, but one with your own instantly recognizable, bespoke epithet. Which is pretty cool.

Posted by: Oddbob at May 02, 2026 12:40 PM (vTZFs)

85
My WNBA team would have 5 dudes that identify as chicks and let the judges back me up.

Posted by: Auspex at May 02, 2026 12:40 PM (DECkL)

86 YD - another thing to keep in mind is that the redistricting fight is over. The VRA act means more GOP seats in the south. Virginia's attempt will be struck down either by the Viginia Supreme Court, or SCOTUS. After Kagan's brazenly political action trying to stall the ruling, Virginia has no chance, and neither will any challenges to late changing southern state redistricting that is going to happen.

And based upon the ruling, California's redistricting is also going to be rechallenged on racial grounds, as I believe that was a stated contributing factor. If timing saves it in 26, it won't in 28.

The dems are totally fucked. If a GOP president is elected in 28 the dems will spend the next 12 years in the political desert, look for every sneaky trick in the book in 28.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 12:42 PM (UVyKP)

87 RR's have a 15 min. window to impede traffic.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at May 02, 2026 12:43 PM (+YoHw)

88 And the Oscar for worst performance goes to the TSA for seizing an Oscar statue because they said it could be a weapon and then 'losing' it for a bit.

Sure Jan.

Posted by: Anna Puma at May 02, 2026 12:46 PM (og9zY)

89 If a GOP president is elected in 28 the dems will spend the next 12 years in the political desert, look for every sneaky trick in the book in 28.
Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 12:42 PM (UVyKP)

If a GOP president is elected in 28 then they will be in the WH for the 2030 census so they can ensure that it's an actual enumeration, as required, rather than an estimate, ensure that no extra seats are, oops, given to blue states, and try to force the immigration question to prevent seats being allocated for illegals.

If the first two things happen, blue states will lose 10-20 seats. If all three happen, they could lose 40. I don't know how they recover from that without completely changing what the Democrat party is.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 02, 2026 12:47 PM (ExV1e)

90 It's an amazing thing to see Caitlin Clark get beaten repeatedly. She's that leagues meal ticket but the rest of the players are too racist and stupid to realize it. The only other interesting thing to come out of that league was the guys on the Internet betting that Angel Reese would miss her first shot of every game. They made nice bank

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 02, 2026 12:50 PM (gu0hJ)

91 RR's have a 15 min. window to impede traffic.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory

Some of the freight trains can take a while. The fast train must close the gates much sooner because it comes through at 70+ mph. Seems like you sit there a while waiting for the train, then whoosh, it's gone.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:50 PM (/lPRQ)

92 Florida built some high-speed train. It started years after Calis Dream Graft Project and was completed years ago... Why someone would want to ride a train from Orlando to Miami IDGAF.

Florida didn't, a private company (Brightline) did. That's why it's clean, safe, reliable, and makes a profit.

When I lived in Orlando I would've loved to be able to go to Miami without driving the 5 hours each way. (I'm sure Miami residents like being able to hit Disney/Universal/SeaWorld without driving too).

Posted by: Ian S. at May 02, 2026 12:51 PM (QZThv)

93 87 RR's have a 15 min. window to impede traffic.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory
---

That's a local regulation agreed upon with the R.R.'s consent.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 12:51 PM (Lw/3D)

94 Not that any European country ever had a conservative party as we would imagine, but they constantly move their governments Leftward until no where in Western Europe it will ever go the other way. Even in elections its predicted to go the other way it doesn't or barely enough to change anything.

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 12:51 PM (Ia/+0)

95 It's an amazing thing to see Caitlin Clark get beaten repeatedly. She's that leagues meal ticket but the rest of the players are too racist and stupid to realize it. The only other interesting thing to come out of that league was the guys on the Internet betting that Angel Reese would miss her first shot of every game. They made nice bank
Posted by: Smell the Glove

Fool.
You must beat the goose to get more golden eggs!

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:51 PM (/lPRQ)

96 Not that any European country ever had a conservative party as we would imagine, but they constantly move their governments Leftward until no where in Western Europe it will ever go the other way. Even in elections its predicted to go the other way it doesn't or barely enough to change anything.

Fraud doesn't *require* mail-in voting, it just makes it easier.

As far as Europe's Overton window, Germany's AfD is widely considered to be the Fourth Reich when their policies are 100% identical to Bernie Sanders' except they don't want mass immigration. And the party's leader is an open lesbian.

Posted by: Ian S. at May 02, 2026 12:55 PM (QZThv)

97 Florida built some high-speed train. It started years after Calis Dream Graft Project and was completed years ago... Why someone would want to ride a train from Orlando to Miami IDGAF.

Florida didn't, a private company (Brightline) did. That's why it's clean, safe, reliable, and makes a profit.

When I lived in Orlando I would've loved to be able to go to Miami without driving the 5 hours each way. (I'm sure Miami residents like being able to hit Disney/Universal/SeaWorld without driving too).
Posted by: Ian S.

Strictly speaking, Florida did.
It is possible that a private contractor offered an unsolicited proposal. But the State did all the legal and regulator efforts to 'let' it happen including but not limited to eminent domain action.
And IF there was no "unsolicited proposal" then the State put out invitations for bid.

Now, California may be micromanaging the their project and breaking out multiple contracts and probably paying cost+.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 02, 2026 12:56 PM (/lPRQ)

98 It is possible that a private contractor offered an unsolicited proposal. But the State did all the legal and regulator efforts to 'let' it happen including but not limited to eminent domain action.

DeSantis said something to the effect of "they wanted to build it and we got the government out of their way". Quite the opposite of Cali.

Posted by: Ian S. at May 02, 2026 01:00 PM (QZThv)

99 Tomorrow Land?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 02, 2026 01:00 PM (AvxYT)

100 I guess I don't understand Caitlin Clark. Why someone would subject themself to such public humiliation (it is humiliation) while playing a game against a bunch of hood rat thugs is beyond me.

Either go epic and start slashing them or go home.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 02, 2026 01:02 PM (jehhT)

101 Brightline Florida Warns of Likely Insolvency in Financial Audit

May 1, 2026, 10:06 AM CDT

Martin Z. Braun
Bloomberg News

Auditors for Brightline, the struggling Florida passenger railroad, warned the private company doesn’t have the cash to service its debt and meet financial obligations over the next 12 months, raising “substantial doubt” about its ability to survive.

Ernst & Young opinion disclosed in Brightline’s audited financial statement for 2025.

Brightline says it is working to raise more capital and obtain extensions on its debt.

Negotiations with creditors over how to handle its $5.5 billion debt began in recent weeks.

Florida’s Brightline Seeks Rescue to Avoid a Possible Bankruptcy.

Posted by: one hour sober at May 02, 2026 01:04 PM (Y1sOo)

102 If the first two things happen, blue states will lose 10-20 seats. If all three happen, they could lose 40. I don't know how they recover from that without completely changing what the Democrat party is.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 02, 2026 12:47 PM (ExV1e)

The democrat party will always be around because the weirdos, freaks, fags, karens, hippies, moochers, looters, public school teachers and canadians will always be around, watching and waiting and needing a place to play.

Posted by: Minnesota at May 02, 2026 01:05 PM (LM2lW)

103 what is the purpose of removing 5000 US troops from Germany achieve? Is there a huge financial impact?

Posted by: lin-duh at May 02, 2026 01:08 PM (9AdGW)

104 what is the purpose of removing 5000 US troops from Germany achieve? Is there a huge financial impact?

It might collapse the market for hookers in the areas around the bases.

Posted by: Oddbob at May 02, 2026 01:12 PM (vTZFs)

105 That picture of the Dixie band disturbs me. The guy on the right has a sousaphone bell as his head and a trumpet bell right below that. Obvious AI pic.[ . . . ]
Posted by: lin-duh at May 02, 2026 12:35 PM (9AdGW)

Here, try Tuba Skinny instead

youtu.be/_ZdMxFiUf9Q

Posted by: Kindltot at May 02, 2026 01:12 PM (rbvCR)

106
The democrat party will always be around because the weirdos, freaks, fags, karens, hippies, moochers, looters, public school teachers and canadians will always be around, watching and waiting and needing a place to play.
Posted by: Minnesota
-------
Put another way, we have become a Godless nation. We are become Babylon.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 02, 2026 01:12 PM (XeU6L)

107 It might collapse the market for hookers in the areas around the bases.
Posted by: Oddbob
----
LOL

Posted by: lin-duh at May 02, 2026 01:16 PM (9AdGW)

108 And 50 yrars of indoctrination by Cultural Marxists Seminaries, look st Seminaries letting students out to go to May Day Socialists parade and rallies

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 01:16 PM (Ia/+0)

109 Florida built some high-speed train. It started years after Calis Dream Graft Project and was completed years ago... Why someone would want to ride a train from Orlando to Miami IDGAF.

Florida didn't, a private company (Brightline) did. That's why it's clean, safe, reliable, and makes a profit.

When I lived in Orlando I would've loved to be able to go to Miami without driving the 5 hours each way. (I'm sure Miami residents like being able to hit Disney/Universal/SeaWorld without driving too).
Posted by: Ian S. at May 02, 2026 12:51 PM (QZThv)
==
My wife was visiting the Mouse with one of the JEM minions. Afterwards I met them in Miami to enjoy some beach time. They took the train, said it was excellent.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 01:17 PM (UVyKP)

110 Most which seems to be anti ICE rallies

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 01:18 PM (Ia/+0)

111 I guess I don't understand Caitlin Clark. Why someone would subject themself to such public humiliation (it is humiliation) while playing a game against a bunch of hood rat thugs is beyond me.

Either go epic and start slashing them or go home.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 02, 2026 01:02 PM (jehhT)
==
She is making generational wealth for her and her family.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 01:20 PM (UVyKP)

112 Brightline Florida Warns of Likely Insolvency in Financial Audit

May 1, 2026, 10:06 AM CDT

Martin Z. Braun
Bloomberg News

Auditors for Brightline, the struggling Florida passenger railroad, warned the private company doesn’t have the cash to service its debt and meet financial obligations over the next 12 months, raising “substantial doubt” about its ability to survive.

Ernst & Young opinion disclosed in Brightline’s audited financial statement for 2025.

Brightline says it is working to raise more capital and obtain extensions on its debt.

Negotiations with creditors over how to handle its $5.5 billion debt began in recent weeks.

Florida’s Brightline Seeks Rescue to Avoid a Possible Bankruptcy.
Posted by: one hour sober at May 02, 2026 01:04 PM (Y1sOo)
==
That is unfortunate, but a common denominator for passenger train travel in the US. The rails move material, not people.

Posted by: Black JEM at May 02, 2026 01:21 PM (UVyKP)

113 >>>It might collapse the market for hookers in the areas around the bases.

As well as the markets for tattoo parlors and pawn shops

Posted by: one hour sober at May 02, 2026 01:22 PM (Y1sOo)

114 ==
She is making generational wealth for her and her family.
Posted by: Black JEM
--

Bingo

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 01:23 PM (Lw/3D)

115 Muldoon, when my grandmother went into her final decline, her doctor mentioned to my dad that she was like the one-hoss-shay, but she'd just thrown a wheel at that point.
Posted by: Kindltot

**********

I like that description in that context.

Posted by: muldoon at May 02, 2026 01:23 PM (I0N4X)

116 It's freezing and gray but still a great start to the weekend. Lots of yard work to keep me busy. Vivek says Ohioans are stupid and lazy, but we won't take it personally. We will, however, be bluer than Michigan after the November elections.

Posted by: Oglebay at May 02, 2026 01:28 PM (2ap+5)

117 That picture of the Dixie band disturbs me. The guy on the right has a sousaphone bell as his head and a trumpet bell right below that. Obvious AI pic.[ . . . ]
Posted by: lin-duh

*******

Oooh, you're right. Now that you have gotten my attention, the guy up front has the slide of his trombone hooked over the bell of the horn of the guy next to him

Posted by: muldoon at May 02, 2026 01:30 PM (I0N4X)

118 Florida’s Brightline Seeks Rescue to Avoid a Possible Bankruptcy.
Posted by: one hour sober at May 02, 2026 01:04 PM (Y1sOo)
==
And despite never turning a profit in FL, they now have a Brightline West. Which they have already started construction on. It will supposedly connect LA and Vegas.
All of their ventures will probably end up being bailed out by the taxpayers. Because that's how we roll in this country now.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at May 02, 2026 01:33 PM (Lo97M)

119 the guy up front has the slide of his trombone hooked over the bell of the horn of the guy next to him

That's gay

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at May 02, 2026 01:34 PM (Kt19C)

120 GARDEN THREAD IS BLOOMING NOOD

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 01:35 PM (Ia/+0)

121 L.A. to Vegas sounds like a winner as long as they keep the thugs in line. (old time conductors with billyclubs)

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 02, 2026 01:36 PM (Lw/3D)

122 I didn't want to listen to the tune. I was choking on the extra sloppy AI slop picture with extra slop.

Tubabellface is there, the slide trumpet has its bell tangled in the slide of the trombone beside him, and apparently New Orleans has a shortage of left shoes...

Posted by: Minuteman at May 02, 2026 01:49 PM (m7z+M)

123 Kentucky Derby is later today

Posted by: Skip at May 02, 2026 01:52 PM (Ia/+0)

124 Pope Leo Appoints Former Illegal Alien and Rabid Progressive as Bishop In Deep Red West Virginia

Nova bulla eadem cum bulla veteri

Posted by: Maj. Healey at May 02, 2026 02:01 PM (abIsI)

125 King Chuckles is a distraction away from the issue of insuring commerce in the strait.

Lloyd's of London is a huge stakeholder.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at May 02, 2026 02:47 PM (Fbc0I)

126 AI seems to have as much a problem worth trombone slides as hands. Not really a dis because AI is not alone in this.

Posted by: pawn at May 02, 2026 03:15 PM (5qng6)

127 And it's another crazy person putting up objectionable content on social media. This one is a Stewardness for Southwest Airlines who hopes the next Trump assassin has better aim.

And I'm dubious of the deep Christian faith of anyone prays to the 'baby Jesus" and hope for someone who's a better shot. Also, how stupid are to call Trump supporters " Hillbilly Isis"?

NY Post:

https://tinyurl.com/kt9a5bea

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 02, 2026 03:24 PM (9OpPK)

128 Ian S,

Brightline has never operated at a profit. Ij fact if thing don't turn around in a year they are probably going bye-bye.

None of their turn-around schemes are working .

Posted by: pawn at May 02, 2026 03:31 PM (5qng6)

129 California's High-Speed Train has been a spectacular success if you look at it from the point-of-view of a Lefty politician: billions of dollars extracted from the tax-payers have been put into the pockets of the politician's stooges and patrons. Those stooges and patrons then give some of that money back to the politician. Win-Win.

Actually carrying passengers from Point A to Point B is not the objective.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at May 02, 2026 04:03 PM (ksbjf)

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