Father's Day Weekend, 2026

Happy Father's Day Weekend! Are you seeing or doing anything different from other Father's Day Weekends? Like maybe,

Remembering the Founding Fathers

John Adams

Abigail Adams

Statues: The People They Salute:

Abigail Adams wrote these words to her husband, John Adams, the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill having learned about the death of their dear friend Dr. Joseph Warren during the battle.
“The Day; perhaps the decisive Day is come on which the fate of America depends. My bursting Heart must find vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear Friend Dr. Warren is no more but fell gloriously fighting for his Country— saying better to die honourably in the field than ignominiously hang upon the Gallows. Great is our Loss. He has distinguished himself in every engagement, by his courage and fortitude, by animating the Soldiers and leading them on by his own example.”- Abigail Adams (June 18, 1775)

I began to think about their ages on that day...Joseph Warren had recently turned 34, Abigail was 30 & John was 39. Somehow we think of the founding generation as elderly. . . most were not.

Pictured is John Trumbull’s painting “The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775.”

Look familiar?

* * * * *

Appreciating America

Everybody knows who Freddy is now, right?

Freddy headed home to Germany https://t.co/9X2Y4r3FiM pic.twitter.com/O2ncpeirfT
— Brandon (@BS_355) June 18, 2026

* * * * *

Who Is America's Homer? - Your choice?

The answer is obvious. https://t.co/3nlAS1POrw pic.twitter.com/ZPHGKnaXsX
— Tidewater Cavalier (@TDomhnaill) June 16, 2026

And now we have a Museum of the Bible, with some special lectures for a special anniversary . . .

* * * * *

We've discussed air conditioning. What about other Great American Inventors?

Norman Borlaug — good Lutheran from Iowa — might be the most impactful figure of the 20th century that you’ve never heard of. https://t.co/paeZ6OWtiR
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) June 19, 2026

* * * * *

Weekend

Week in Pictures, World Cup Edition

With an assist from the Babylon Bee:

So-Called 'World's Greatest Dad' Not Even In Top Five

* * * * *

Music

Suggestion from last week:

34 American composer Samuel Barber and his Adagio for Strings.
Try to listen to that without getting emotional.
Posted by: banana Dream - I double dog dare you at June 13, 2026 12:03 PM

And here's the Washington Post March, because we need some Sousa, too.

* * * * *

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, June 13, Getting close to that big anniversary: What and whom do you appreciate?

Reminder - reading for the bathroom:

I wrote the entry on chicken fried steak. I believe it is the best essay on chicken fried steak that has ever been written. If you read it and don't think so please send me the better one. https://t.co/28siRsSaub
— Walter Kirn (@walterkirn) June 14, 2026

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 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 WTF?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 19, 2026 01:57 PM (2YhKe)

2 NOW he's done it......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 19, 2026 01:57 PM (2YhKe)

3 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 11:17 AM (Ia/+0)

4 Juneteenth holiday and Father's Day on same weekend. Ironic racism I guess.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:17 AM (KC5Lt)

5 Idiots Out Walking Around

(I learned that from a prof from IA in college)

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2026 11:18 AM (T6aVk)

6 Obama Gives Glowing Tribute to Clintons and Bushes, Barely Mentions Biden's at Presidential Library Grand Opening

-
Wait. I thought George W. Chimpy McHitler Bush was the worst president ever.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at June 20, 2026 11:19 AM (ndZc7)

7 Who Is America’s Homer?

If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have?

J. D. Salinger, man. The Catcher in the Rye changed my life.

Posted by: Some stoned retard who's now in his 70s at June 20, 2026 11:20 AM (ycI94)

8 So don't comment on this post?

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:20 AM (KC5Lt)

9 Working in Morrisville, statue of Robert Morris is but couple blocks away. Another Founding Father

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 11:20 AM (Ia/+0)

10 Thanks, KT!

Posted by: RandomDave at June 20, 2026 11:20 AM (aJQbY)

11 Wait. I thought George W. Chimpy McHitler Bush was the worst president ever.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

Reagan was literally Hitler first!

Posted by: The wheel of liberal fickle at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (ycI94)

12 I think Tennessee Williams is our Shakespeare.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (KC5Lt)

13 Willowed from morning thread-

327 314 Hollywood doing Hollywood.
“Matlock” Reboot Writer Sues CBS and Showrunner for Alleged Racism, Sexual Harassment
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at June 20, 2026 11:08 AM (ndZc7)
Don't you mean the Andy Griffith Show? Wall to wall wypipa on that one. Now Matlock was a virtual this-n-that, a paint color choice catalog of humanity. No racism there except the occasional 'white guy did it'.
Posted by: Eromero at June 20, 2026 11:15 AM (LHPAg)

Posted by: Eromero at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (LHPAg)

14 https://iotwreport.com/robble-robble/

"Wild Bill says:
Saturday, 20 June 2026, 10:17 at 10:17 am

She looks like Judge Doom from Roger Rabbit."

I laughed outloud and woke up people

Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (jrgJz)

15 Dave Barry.

Posted by: Eromero at June 20, 2026 11:22 AM (LHPAg)

16 Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (jrgJz)

Best character on the Andy Griffith Show.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:22 AM (KC5Lt)

17 Morning.

I've heard Twain thrown about as the Great American writer.

Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:23 AM (b4s65)

18 Samuel Adams makes better beer than John.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at June 20, 2026 11:24 AM (0sNs1)

19 Please don't say Ernest Hemingway.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:25 AM (KC5Lt)

20 If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have?

Tempted to put in a word for Robert E Howard.

Posted by: the riddle of steel at June 20, 2026 11:25 AM (W0KIM)

21 17 Morning.

I've heard Twain thrown about as the Great American writer.
Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:23 AM (b4s65)

Ugh.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2026 11:26 AM (T6aVk)

22 At DM: "Take the 10-second finger exercise that may reveal your risk of dementia"

tl;dr: Stick it in your ear and palpate your brain. Lumpy? That's normal. (Remember to remove finger from ear after the procedure.)

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:26 AM (Jr5Lq)

23 As it happens I will be passing through Quincy, MA in a couple hours. Just last year Quincy dedicated a new park in the heart of the city to its namesake John Quincy Adams complete with a new statue of Q. You don't see Democrats putting up a lot of statues these days but they put that one up.

Boston is full of statues and monuments to our founders. So many you almost don't notice them after a while. No matter what you think of massholes if you are a fan of US history its a great city to visit.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 20, 2026 11:26 AM (viF8m)

24 I would choose Mark Twain as our Homer.

Posted by: Enola Gay Pride at June 20, 2026 11:27 AM (Skc+N)

25 Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (jrgJz)

Best character on the Andy Griffith Show.
Posted by: polynikes

"It's me, it's me! It's Ernest T!"

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 20, 2026 11:28 AM (l26NL)

26 22 At DM: "Take the 10-second finger exercise that may reveal your risk of dementia"

tl;dr: Stick it in your ear and palpate your brain. Lumpy? That's normal. (Remember to remove finger from ear after the procedure.)
Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:26 AM (Jr5Lq)

So many quack clickbait scam ads, so little time.

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2026 11:28 AM (T6aVk)

27 "Who Is America’s Homer?"

Herman Wouk? Herman Melville? 'Herman' sounds a little bit like 'Homer.' At least if you have bad hearing like I do.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:29 AM (Jr5Lq)

28 Tempted to put in a word for Robert E Howard.
Posted by: the riddle of steel at June 20, 2026 11:25 AM (W0KIM)

Ever been to his home in Cross Plains, TX?

Posted by: Cow Demon at June 20, 2026 11:29 AM (T6aVk)

29 Freddy tweeted that his luggafe aline was 11pounds overweight lol

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 11:30 AM (dE3DB)

30 @Polymarket
JUST IN: Cuba’s Communist Party approves sweeping free-market reforms in an unprecedented move to open the economy.
Jun 18, 2026 · 10:23 PM UTC

#winning

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 11:31 AM (W0KIM)

31 Tempted to put in a word for Robert E Howard.
Posted by: the riddle of steel

Tom Wolfe, maybe? Maybe?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 20, 2026 11:31 AM (l26NL)

32
If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have

SAT question :

Who above does not belong in the group?

Dante. The rest are considered playwrights

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:31 AM (KC5Lt)

33 I picked up a cheap bluray copy of the HBO produced John Adams miniseries. Watched it. It was freakin' good! Really freakin' good! Definitely a recommend from me.

It's not perfect. For example early on when they're going over the debates on independence the guy who played John Rutledge played him as if he were a flaming queer. I really have no idea why. It was...bizarre. But the focus is on John Adams and Paul Giamatti was outstanding. Laura Linney played Abigail Adams and was very easy on the eyes.

The book is obviously WAY better but I think the miniseries is definitely worth your time.

Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:32 AM (b4s65)

34 I saw the Bible Museum when it came through Colorado Springs several years ago. I was amazed at how many items were in the collection. I recommend seeing it if you get the opportunity.

Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace at June 20, 2026 11:32 AM (FMtrg)

35 33 Concur.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:32 AM (Jr5Lq)

36 Salena Zeto retweeted this 😆 as "pretty accurate"

@PabloEscoburner

At this rate Freddy - after gaining 20 pounds - will be flying back to Germany on the back of a bald eagle, shooting an AR-15 while drinking Miller Lite, flanked by F-35s streaming red, white, and blue across the sky while Free Bird is playing from the heavens.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 11:32 AM (6U1c2)

37 32
If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have

SAT question :

Who above does not belong in the group?

Dante. The rest are considered playwrights

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:31 AM (KC5Lt)

That's because Dante played wrong...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at June 20, 2026 11:33 AM (l3cgK)

38 Who's "Shakespeare"?

Posted by: Ben Jonson at June 20, 2026 11:33 AM (W0KIM)

39 I'd say that this country is best known for the invention of musicals. Shakespearean stories put to music.

Oh....and ROCK & ROLL!!

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 20, 2026 11:34 AM (1qLmG)

40 Good morning Hordemates!

Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 11:34 AM (2WIwB)

41 Maybe a good book thread discussion
Mark Twain maybe?

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 11:34 AM (Ia/+0)

42 "That's because Dante played wrong..."

What is it with the word 'playwright' anyway? "I'm Arthur Miller, and I implore you to see all the plays I wrought."

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:35 AM (Jr5Lq)

43 I do not recognize the guy in the photo about America's Homer.

Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace at June 20, 2026 11:35 AM (FMtrg)

44 42 "That's because Dante played wrong..."

What is it with the word 'playwright' anyway? "I'm Arthur Miller, and I implore you to see all the plays I wrought."

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:35 AM (Jr5Lq)

There's iron in those words...wrought iron.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at June 20, 2026 11:35 AM (l3cgK)

45 I picked up a cheap bluray copy of the HBO produced John Adams miniseries. Watched it. It was freakin' good! Really freakin' good! Definitely a recommend from me.
Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit!

I'm starting it now, dadgummit. I don't like the episode where they give the cow pox as a vaccine to stop small pox. It's too painful. But it worked. Dr Fauci, care to comment?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 20, 2026 11:36 AM (l26NL)

46 Bacon is in the skillet. Coffee in the mug.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 11:36 AM (1z8ji)

47 I remember at one time they taught history in school. But these days it's more about race and sex and how much the country owes you. Oh, and of course, how underpaid teachers are.

Posted by: Case at June 20, 2026 11:36 AM (IY9No)

48 Where is the Adams statue?

Where is the Adagio filmed?

Posted by: I left my real nic in my other pair of pants at June 20, 2026 11:36 AM (i0sUn)

49 If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have

---

Aflfred Hitchcock

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 11:36 AM (6U1c2)

50 Eugene ONeil and Authur Miller are two other great American playwrights.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:37 AM (KC5Lt)

51 America's best poet was Poe and it's not close.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 11:37 AM (W0KIM)

52 12 I think Tennessee Williams is our Shakespeare.
Posted by: polynikes

My mother has always been big into community theater, so I've been obligated to attend all sorts of shows. My recollection of Tennessee Williams was "boring" and "dysfunctional, mean-spirited and anti-American," but after looking up the two plays I specifically recalling, he is absolved.

"Buried Child" by Sam Shepard and "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Eugene O'Neill. People sitting around being miserable and hating each other seems to be compelling storytelling to far too many people.

Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:38 AM (ycI94)

53 John and Samuel Adams were cousins, if I remember right.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 20, 2026 11:38 AM (l26NL)

54 Well that cited post answered it's own question, Shelby Foote, right?

Posted by: rhomboid at June 20, 2026 11:40 AM (U/Byj)

55 I do not recognize the guy in the photo about America's Homer.
Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace

Shelby Foote, iirc ...

Posted by: Adriane the Chronologically Challanged Hump Day Critic . . . at June 20, 2026 11:40 AM (3ZUWJ)

56 @Polymarket
JUST IN: Cuba’s Communist Party approves sweeping free-market reforms in an unprecedented move to open the economy.
Jun 18, 2026 · 10:23 PM UTC

#winning
Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 11:31 AM (W0KIM)

Cuba takes it's next step into Elbonia. New product: signs saying: My Hovel, My Pig.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at June 20, 2026 11:41 AM (qx7Zg)

57 Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:38 AM (ycI

Death of a Salesman isn't a joyous play either.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:41 AM (KC5Lt)

58 America's Homer? It's a tie between Donald Hamilton, author of the Matt Helm series, and John D. MacDonald,
author of Travis McGee.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at June 20, 2026 11:41 AM (vOjEn)

59 38 Who's "Shakespeare"?
Posted by: Ben Jonson

An old white racist colonizer who stole ideas from the indigenous colored English and labeled them as his own original work!!!

Posted by: Rep Jasmine Crockett at June 20, 2026 11:42 AM (ycI94)

60 I like the movie based on This Property is Condemned though as always in plays it is a tragic ending.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:43 AM (KC5Lt)

61 >>Where is the Adams statue?

His hometown, Quincy, MA.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 20, 2026 11:43 AM (viF8m)

62 On Family Feud: "Who Is America’s Homer?"

Survey says: "Homer Simpson!"

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:43 AM (Jr5Lq)

63 Yes, the photo matches the ones I saw online of Shelby Foote.

Thanks, Horde, you bunch of experts!

Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace at June 20, 2026 11:43 AM (FMtrg)

64 The Founding Fathers

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at June 20, 2026 11:44 AM (yQ27C)

65 "Death of a Salesman isn't a joyous play either."

Probably my fave.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:44 AM (Jr5Lq)

66 "Shakespeare"... An old white racist colonizer who stole ideas from the indigenous colored English and labeled them as his own original work!!!
Posted by: Rep Jasmine Crockett at June 20, 2026 11:42 AM (ycI94)

Get thee to a nunnery, virago.

Posted by: Sir Thomas North at June 20, 2026 11:45 AM (W0KIM)

67 No, wait. My fave is "Glengarry Glen Ross."

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:46 AM (Jr5Lq)

68 Sort of depends upon whether you regard Homer as a poet or a storyteller, doesn't it?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 11:46 AM (1z8ji)

69 This Father's Day is different than the others just for the simple fact that my husband is now a landowner in the country, and that he now lives less than a half mile from our youngest daughter, her husband, and our two granddaughters.

Took him almost 60 years, but better late than never.

Sitting here on the porch, watching the horses graze on our pasture (crazy to even say those words), I thank God that He brought us here, and in this moment of time.

Fifty years ago, when I was seven and living in military housing in the Bay Area, I witnessed all the hoopla surrounding the Bicentennial and it was something to behold.

Little did I know then that fifty years later, I'd be living in the country in the Ozarks in Missouri, watching my daughter's horses possibly destroy the apple tree saplings.

God Bless America.

BRB

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 11:47 AM (ZHOnm)

70 46 Bacon is in the skillet. Coffee in the mug.

Whiskey in the jar?

Posted by: Archimedes at June 20, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)

71 Death of a Salesman isn't a joyous play either."

Probably my fave.
Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:44 AM (Jr5Lq)

About as depressing as can be. To me anyway.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:48 AM (KC5Lt)

72 Buried Child" by Sam Shepard and "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Eugene O'Neill. People sitting around being miserable and hating each other seems to be compelling storytelling to far too many people.
Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:38 AM (ycI94)

This is true. And if you've noticed, every backstory of almost every character in movies has a tragic or really fucked up childhood. I get so sick of it that I usually start to think that shitty little brat deserved it.

I'd like to see a main character have a wonderful childhood with TWO (a man and a woman) loving parents for once.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 20, 2026 11:48 AM (1sDNq)

73 Who's "Shakespeare"?
Posted by: Ben Jonson

An old white racist colonizer who stole ideas from the indigenous colored English and labeled them as his own original work!!!

Posted by: Rep Jasmine Crockett

Greek homo.

Posted by: Al Sharpton at June 20, 2026 11:48 AM (Riz8t)

74 "Sort of depends upon whether you regard Homer as a poet or a storyteller, doesn't it?"

He was an epicist. Whoa, that's a real word. IDNKT!

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:48 AM (Jr5Lq)

75 >>> 52
==
"Buried Child" by Sam Shepard and "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Eugene O'Neill. People sitting around being miserable and hating each other seems to be compelling storytelling to far too many people.
Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:38 AM (ycI94)

I looked up summaries of both (had never even heard of the first one) and holy @(%*& the writers sound like miserable douchebags.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at June 20, 2026 11:49 AM (R+iUD)

76 Buried Child" by Sam Shepard and "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Eugene O'Neill. People sitting around being miserable and hating each other seems to be compelling storytelling to far too many people.
Posted by: Moron Analyst

Pffffffft.

Posted by: Henrik Ibsen at June 20, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)

77 I remember at one time they taught history in school. But these days it's more about race and sex and how much the country owes you. Oh, and of course, how underpaid teachers are.
Posted by: Case
--------

'Sociology' replaced 'Civics'. It's been downhill ever since.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 20, 2026 11:50 AM (XeU6L)

78 An old white racist colonizer who stole ideas from the indigenous colored English and labeled them as his own original work!!!
Posted by: Rep Jasmine Crockett at June 20, 2026 11:42
+++

Thereby hangs a tail.

Posted by: IYKYK at June 20, 2026 11:50 AM (D2IX4)

79 >>No, wait. My fave is "Glengarry Glen Ross."

Ironically, also about the death of a salesman.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 20, 2026 11:50 AM (viF8m)

80 America's best poet was Poe and it's not close.
Posted by: gKWVE
------

Concur

Posted by: Ace's crow at June 20, 2026 11:51 AM (XeU6L)

81 The original list already varied between poets, authors and playwrights...maybe we could branch a bit more into other arts?

John Philip Sousa for music?
Early Norman Rockwell for art?

Both kind of capture the original American spirit.

Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:51 AM (ycI94)

82 Puts in plug for Louis L'Amour.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 11:51 AM (1z8ji)

83 I'm kinda partial to Lorraine Hansberry, because reasons.

A Raisin in the Sun is a story that strikes a chord in many people.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 11:52 AM (ZHOnm)

84 SMH!

That sounds wonderful. Congratulations on the move and being closer to grandbabies and their parents.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at June 20, 2026 11:53 AM (R+iUD)

85 I think I'd like to make Rudyard Kipling an honorary American. He's my favorite writer/poet.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:53 AM (KC5Lt)

86 I got a little kick out of Aristophanes "The Clouds." If you hate faux academics and "experts," that's the play for you.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:53 AM (Jr5Lq)

87 Buried Child" by Sam Shepard and "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Eugene O'Neill. People sitting around being miserable and hating each other seems to be compelling storytelling to far too many people.
Posted by: Moron Analyst

Pffffffft.
Posted by: Henrik Ibsen
--------
pffffffffft.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Posted by: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at June 20, 2026 11:54 AM (XeU6L)

88 That sounds wonderful. Congratulations on the move and being closer to grandbabies and their parents.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at June 20, 2026 11:53 AM (R+iUD)

Likewise from me!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 11:56 AM (1z8ji)

89 SMH, I am so happy for you! May the Lord make your family and land fruitful.

Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace at June 20, 2026 11:56 AM (FMtrg)

90 I'm partial to Ernie Pyle as far as greatest writer

Best song is Damn Yankees "Don't Tread on Me"

I eat hotdogs with ketchup

I throw rocks

Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 20, 2026 11:57 AM (jrgJz)

91 I think I'd like to make Rudyard Kipling an honorary American. He's my favorite writer/poet.
Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:53 AM (KC5Lt)

Didn't he live in America for a bit? Like somewhere in New England?

Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:57 AM (b4s65)

92 Helena!

Their horses moved in before we did.

Daughter and SiL saw all the pasture, and as soon as the papers were signed and they got the keys from the seller, their three horses and a donkey were moved in to feast on 3+ acres of overgrown pasture.

The pasture on their property is very rocky and it's pretty much depleted, so they're usually fed hay.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 11:58 AM (ZHOnm)

93 I looked up summaries of both (had never even heard of the first one) and holy @(%*& the writers sound like miserable douchebags.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket

In contrast, the play Driving Miss Daisy, by Alfred Uhry, was wonderful and positive. Don't know much about him personally, but the play itself is a good, uplifting story.

Posted by: Moron Analyst at June 20, 2026 11:58 AM (ycI94)

94 "Our Town" is maybe the only play I've seen in person, performed on stage. It seemed profound at the time, but many decades later, I'm thinking 'tripe.'

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 11:58 AM (Jr5Lq)

95 Didn't he live in America for a bit? Like somewhere in New England?
Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:57 AM (b4s65)

He lived with Mary in Brattleboro.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:59 AM (KC5Lt)

96 The question raises a deep subject.

At least two fathoms deep.

Posted by: Samuel Langhorne Clemens at June 20, 2026 11:59 AM (D2IX4)

97 Thanks Emmie!

Best thing of all, no longer living in Illinois, lol.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:00 PM (ZHOnm)

98 Poe fits America's greatest poet to a T.
POE-T

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:00 PM (6U1c2)

99 43 I do not recognize the guy in the photo about America's Homer.

neither do we

Posted by: the stonecutters at June 20, 2026 12:01 PM (qdr3M)

100 "Ironically, also about the death of a salesman."

I despise salesmen, but I love dramas about salesmen.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 12:01 PM (Jr5Lq)

101 Thanks AOP. : )

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:02 PM (ZHOnm)

102 Yup, sounds like SMH is living a happy ever after.
Wonderful!

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:02 PM (6U1c2)

103 He lived with Mary in Brattleboro.
Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:59 AM (KC5Lt)

Ooohhhh, so THAT was the white man's burden he was talking about!

Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 12:02 PM (b4s65)

104 Poe is great but his genre ain't my thing.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:02 PM (KC5Lt)

105 Who is the most quotable in America?

For me England has a toss up between Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill.

Mark Twain or Will Rogers are some candidates for America.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:05 PM (KC5Lt)

106 Best thing of all, no longer living in Illinois, lol.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:00 PM (ZHOnm)

I can relate. It's kinda depressing what Denver and Boulder are doing to my beloved Colorado. But I'm loving the wholesome and sweet culture of Arkansas. (When I was researching for the primaries, I noticed the candidate websites nearly always mentioned what church the candidate attends.)

Posted by: Emmie, celebrating 250 years of God's grace at June 20, 2026 12:06 PM (FMtrg)

107 Yup, sounds like SMH is living a happy ever after.
Wonderful!
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:02 PM (6U1c2)
___

All this is just a foretaste for what's to come when Jesus returns.

Imagine what the new Heavens and Earth are going to look like after the Master Craftsman gets done with them both.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:08 PM (ZHOnm)

108 Best thing of all, no longer living in Illinois, lol.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy

Best to get out of commieland while one can.

I saw a post by Gad Saad bemoaning the fact that when he started to plsn to leave Canada, he realized that Canada's departure tax would take the equivalent of ten tears of savings snd spend it on anti-semitic immigrants

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:11 PM (6U1c2)

109
Puts in plug for Louis L'Amour.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 11:51 AM (1z8ji)

I'm partial to Elmore Leonard myself, but I'll accept L'Amour, especially Last of the Breed.

Poe is probably the serious choice, unless you're a poofter academic, then you can slap-fight each other over Whitman vs Thoreau.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at June 20, 2026 12:11 PM (y9nCu)

110 @GadSaad:
"I decide to leave Quebec/Canada because:

1) the taxation system is astounding, rendering it nearly impossible to accumulate enough money to truly retire
2) the government's open immigration policies have made it unsafe for my family to remain here (due to the exponential increase in Jew-hatred).

Today I found out that I shall have to pay a departure tax for exercising my right to leave, and the money that will be taken from me (because the obscene amount of taxes that I've already paid in full is not enough) will be given to new incoming immigrants who hate Jews. My taxes funded my forced exit and will fund the harassment of any remaining Jews in Canada.

It would take me 10+ more years of work to save the amount that is likely to be taken via the departure tax.

Is this moral? Ethical? Just? In any case, off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day."

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:12 PM (6U1c2)

111
83 I'm kinda partial to Lorraine Hansberry, because reasons.

A Raisin in the Sun is a story that strikes a chord in many people.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 11:52 AM

--------

Was the raisin a grape when it was first put out in the sun?

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at June 20, 2026 12:13 PM (KDsZt)

112 "departure tax" Cripes.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 12:13 PM (Jr5Lq)

113 Damn patriotism is going to make me watch soccer. I won't watch the Turkey match but will the match after which counts.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:14 PM (KC5Lt)

114 I saw a post by Gad Saad bemoaning the fact that when he started to plsn to leave Canada, he realized that Canada's departure tax would take the equivalent of ten tears of savings snd spend it on anti-semitic immigrants
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:11 PM (6U1c2)
___

Good luck if Illinois tries to collect a dime from us.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:14 PM (ZHOnm)

115 I should probably go get some feed before the stores close.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at June 20, 2026 12:15 PM (R+iUD)

116 I saw a post by Gad Saad bemoaning the fact that when he started to plsn to leave Canada, he realized that Canada's departure tax would take the equivalent of ten tears of savings snd spend it on anti-semitic immigrants
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 12:11 PM (6U1c2)

I did not know we had a departure tax. Turns out the only substantial assets I own are exempt categories, Canadian real estate, and registered retirement income fund.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 12:15 PM (1z8ji)

117 A Raisin in the Sun is a story that strikes a chord in many people.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 11:52 AM

The movie was very good. Of course I don't know how much they edited the play for the big screen.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:17 PM (KC5Lt)

118 So the cinemas here are cluttered with "Girls Like Girls" and "Leviticus", and nobody's playing "Citizen Vigilante".
Standing up against criminals: bad
Teenaged homosexuals: good

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 12:18 PM (KAw7u)

119 "A Raisin in the Sun" (1961) Added to my list, thanks! It looks like there was a 1989 film too.
youtube.com/watch?v=rG7PSC9ICeU

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 12:22 PM (Jr5Lq)

120 I will vote for Truman Capote for best writer. Sure he was gay, an alcoholic, and drug abuser. But he also wrote the truth about high society snobs who needed to be ratted out.

Posted by: Case at June 20, 2026 12:24 PM (IY9No)

121 No, I'm #1 Dad!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 20, 2026 12:25 PM (6h45X)

122 The movie was very good. Of course I don't know how much they edited the play for the big screen.
Posted by: polynikes
___

The movie was adapted from the Broadway play.

In fact, Lorraine Hansberry herself wrote the screenplay, and most of the Broadway cast reprised their roles in the movie.

So there's little difference between the play and movie.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:25 PM (ZHOnm)

123 Is this moral? Ethical? Just? In any case, off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day."
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport
___

Moral? No.
Ethical? No.
Just? No.

Expected from a country that murders its citizens over being depressed? Yes.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:29 PM (ZHOnm)

124 I did not know we had a departure tax. Turns out the only substantial assets I own are exempt categories, Canadian real estate, and registered retirement income fund.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 12:15 PM (1z8ji)

Yup, there's the Canadian one and Quebec has one too. He lives in Quebec so it's really ugly for him.

Posted by: Vendette at June 20, 2026 12:31 PM (1ieqq)

125 Departue tax is the same as kidnapping.
You can't leave until we are paid.

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2026 12:34 PM (wjnjX)

126 Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:25 PM (ZHOnm)

Good to know.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:35 PM (KC5Lt)

127 Departure tax is the same as kidnapping.
You can't leave until we are paid.
Posted by: Reforger
___

Yep.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:35 PM (ZHOnm)

128 Yup, there's the Canadian one and Quebec has one too. He lives in Quebec so it's really ugly for him.
Posted by: Vendette at June 20, 2026 12:31 PM (1ieqq)

He should find a good tax lawyer and accountant, and find a way to structure his assets to avoid, or evade the departure tax.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 20, 2026 12:35 PM (1z8ji)

129 Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:25 PM (ZHOnm)

You might like some books/plays by Charlayne Woodard. I was a close friend with her brother when I lived in NY.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:38 PM (KC5Lt)

130 He should find a good tax lawyer and accountant, and find a way to structure his assets to avoid, or evade the departure tax.

Gad's already lived in Mississippi for almost a year, I think.

Ole Miss installed him at their Constitution Center. Because a Lebanese-born Jew from Canada is more patriotic than Democrats.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 20, 2026 12:38 PM (QZThv)

131 Escape From Canada.
Having been severely punished by exile to Canada for shutting off the lights. Snake Pliskin again is on the run. This time it's financial.

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2026 12:40 PM (wjnjX)

132 Leaving Canada is expensive? I'm not at all surprised. It's probably the template California's dreaming of implementing as people and businesses flee the warm embrace of socialism there.

It's also expensive to immigrate TO Canada. After Trump's second election the number of "ex-pats" heading to Canada spiked. But many were unprepared for the costs associated, and the other requirements about buying property there, employment, and so on.

Much sobbing ensued.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 20, 2026 12:41 PM (jehhT)

133 Number 1 dad?

It's GO time!

https://youtu.be/_NXEZFR9uxw

Posted by: Obligatory Seinfeld reference at June 20, 2026 12:42 PM (D2IX4)

134 Didn't realize the time, way past lunch time

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 12:42 PM (Ia/+0)

135 I'm taking off to the hospital to visit Mama Publius. She was admitted last night - had a hematoma on her calf that is one of the grossest things I've ever seen. It opened up and that triggered the trip to the ER. It was 4 hours before they could bring her into the ER room, and another 3 hours before we finally left her (I was falling asleep - there's nothing that makes you more somnolent than waiting in a hospital ER).

They're giving her IV antibiotics. Not sure how long they'll keep her, but one hopes not long.

The doctor said they're putting her on IV lasik to combat edema. He wants to put her comfort first, which is exactly right (the edema is what lies behind the hematoma, I think).

The house is empty without her. The oxygen concentrator stands silent. There is no sound of a bell ringing for an escort to the bathroom to carry the oxygen hose for her and prevent her from tripping over it (she loves the PureWick thing the hospitals use).

A foreshadowing. Losing his father was hard, but losing his mother is going to be brutal. And it's inevitable.

Prayers are always appreciated.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 20, 2026 12:42 PM (w6EFb)

136 Gad's already lived in Mississippi for almost a year, I think.

Ole Miss installed him at their Constitution Center. Because a Lebanese-born Jew from Canada is more patriotic than Democrats.

Posted by: Ian S. at June 20, 2026 12:38 PM (QZThv)

If he was up there for part of 2025 he'd file a tax return, so that's how they got him on the departure taxes. Canada's filing season is a bit later than the U.S. season.

Posted by: Vendette at June 20, 2026 12:43 PM (1ieqq)

137 The US has an exit tax if you renounce your citizenship but it's not putative.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:44 PM (KC5Lt)

138 Welcome, Gad. Have some Conecuh sausage?

Posted by: Southeastern Conference football fans at June 20, 2026 12:45 PM (D2IX4)

139 Filled up 87 octane for $3.99/gal today.

Posted by: gp at June 20, 2026 12:46 PM (Jr5Lq)

140 No matter what you think of massholes if you are a fan of US history its a great city to visit.

DC is the same. Not sure I can recommend just walking it nowadays, but you can’t toss a conveniently-laid brick without hitting the statue of some obscure historical figure well worth reading up on.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:46 PM (kYmoU)

141 Prayers up, Miley.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:46 PM (ZHOnm)

142 If you keep your citizenship but relocate to another country you still get taxed on your income but you also get to deduct the foreign taxes you pay. (Simplified explanation)

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 12:47 PM (KC5Lt)

143 It's also expensive to immigrate TO Canada. After Trump's second election the number of "ex-pats" heading to Canada spiked. But many were unprepared for the costs associated, and the other requirements about buying property there, employment, and so on.

Much sobbing ensued.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 20, 2026 12:41 PM (jehhT)

Because they're not part of the favored groups for which the government rolls out the welcome mat and provides handouts. If you're not one of them, absolutely it's a pain to move there. And not shockingly, Quebec is the hardest province to emigrate to because they have their own rules in addition to the federal ones.

Posted by: Vendette at June 20, 2026 12:47 PM (1ieqq)

144 Incidentally, vis-a-vis the Adams’s statues, this July 4 also marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Of the first five presidents, three died on Independence Day, two of them within hours of each other on the Jubilee of 1826.

I’ve been going through the post July 4, 1826, newspapers reading eulogies and other writings, pursuant to my July 4 blog post. There are times when I think God is attempting to prove Oolon Colluphid right.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:48 PM (kYmoU)

145 https://iotwreport.com/robble-robble/
"Wild Bill says:
Saturday, 20 June 2026, 10:17 at 10:17 am
She looks like Judge Doom from Roger Rabbit."
I laughed outloud and woke up people
Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM (jrgJz)

Hillz is trying to pull off the Melania-in-the-bolero-hat look.

Like everything else she has done, she failed.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 20, 2026 12:49 PM (rbvCR)

146
Carney is a European Socialist, you see, whose family lives in the United States, along with his money.

When you live north of the border looking down comes naturally.

Posted by: Auspex at June 20, 2026 12:50 PM (Y8DZL)

147 Our Homer? No question: Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:50 PM (kYmoU)

148 Though I do agree with AOP that Louis l’Amour is a strong contender.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:51 PM (kYmoU)

149 Don't know who I'd peg as the American Homer. But for my money, the Great American Tragedy is Robert Anderson's I Never Sang for My Father. And the novels of Don Robertson should have been given a spot in the Library of America's catalog years ago. Ditto Irwin Shaw.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (q3u5l)

150 You might like some books/plays by Charlayne Woodard. I was a close friend with her brother when I lived in NY.
Posted by: polynikes
___

Will look her up, though to be honest, the only reason I even heard about Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun is because she's family (dad's aunt, so my great-aunt, I guess), and the movie was shown constantly when I was growing up.

I read the play when I was well into adulthood, as well as her other writings.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (ZHOnm)

151 Homer would have to be discussing the legendary past of THIS planet, not someone else's, so ERB wouldn't count.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (KAw7u)

152 So here in Washington state, the dems are trying to undermine the election of county sheriffs by making them subject to a state board. At a local county meeting, one lefty Karen got her panties all in a wad became didn't like what she was hearing. So she dialed 911 to have the police come arrest those horrible people saying things that offended her. The cops came, laughed, and left.
This is how stupid these people are.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (2WIwB)

153 Now this is a place you don't want to enter without permission.

https://is.gd/G3YoRO

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at June 20, 2026 12:54 PM (qx7Zg)

154
So the cinemas here are cluttered with "Girls Like Girls" and "Leviticus", and nobody's playing "Citizen Vigilante".
Standing up against criminals: bad
Teenaged homosexuals: good
Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 12:18 PM (KAw7u)

Citizen Vigilante has two seemingly insurmountable obstacles. A subject matter which the Hollywood commies despise, and Uwe Boll.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at June 20, 2026 12:55 PM (y9nCu)

155 Who could have guessed the Soviets didn't have the idea of a exet fee and let anyone out that wanted to go.
Maybe the Gulag system having workers workfor free was making more money that letting them leave for a few thousand rubles

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 12:55 PM (Ia/+0)

156 I've heard Twain thrown about as the Great American writer.
Posted by: Robert wants to see Rush, dammit! at June 20, 2026 11:23 AM (b4s65

Twain, Grant, and Lincoln defined the modern American voice. Prior it was all sorts of purple prose and Feinmoor Cooper alliteration, even Twain's actual contemporaries were overly intricate and cloyingly saccharine in their language.
Twain got sucked into that voice when he was being literary, but in his newspaper articles and the stories he was selling for money, he was very clean and open in his language.

The current bests, in my opinion, are David Drake and Larry Correia. They are both excellent technical writers who also have imagination, something to say, and a keen vision on people.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 20, 2026 12:56 PM (rbvCR)

157 Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" is arguably an Odyssey.
American letters are littered with wouldbe Iliads, most clustered in Civil War literature.
"Gone With The Wind" might count alongside one of those posthomeric fanfics which didn't get copied by the Romans and those after them.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 12:56 PM (KAw7u)

158 Homer would have to be discussing the legendary past of THIS planet, not someone else's, so ERB wouldn't count.

Leaving aside how much of his planetary stories were about Americans on an Odyssey in very foreign lands, it is always a good idea to read more ERB. Tarzan, for example. And the Earth’s Core series.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:57 PM (kYmoU)

159 More prayers up, Miley.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at June 20, 2026 12:57 PM (qx7Zg)

160
In "Good Will Hunting" Matt Damon, who is wicked smaht, definitively pegged Howard Zinn as America's Homer 'cause he was right about everything.

Posted by: Auspex at June 20, 2026 12:58 PM (Y8DZL)

161 Cloyingly Saccharine used to tour with Up With People.

Posted by: Back in the day at June 20, 2026 12:58 PM (D2IX4)

162 Uwe Boll is to cinema what Jerry Sandusky was to college sports.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 20, 2026 12:58 PM (KAw7u)

163 Prayers up, Miley.

Yes.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 12:59 PM (kYmoU)

164 *Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" is arguably an Odyssey.
American letters are littered with wouldbe Iliads, most clustered in Civil War literature.*

(ahem)

Posted by: My name's Gump. Forrest Gump. at June 20, 2026 01:00 PM (D2IX4)

165 Writers?
Twain, and Steinbeck. Maybe Hemingway.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 01:01 PM (2WIwB)

166 In "Good Will Hunting" Matt Damon, who is wicked smaht, definitively pegged Howard Zinn as America's Homer 'cause he was right about everything.
Posted by: Auspex at June 20, 2026 12:58 PM (Y8D

Definitely the worst part of the movie .

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:03 PM (KC5Lt)

167 Prayers upward Miley.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 01:05 PM (2WIwB)

168 American Homer. Three choices come to mind. Mark Twain, Wendell Berry, and Shelby Foote. Washington Irving would be in the race except he was too early in the 1800s.

Posted by: JTB at June 20, 2026 01:06 PM (yTvNw)

169 Don't know who I'd peg

Woo woo!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at June 20, 2026 01:07 PM (Kt19C)

170 I read the play when I was well into adulthood, as well as her other writings.
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (ZHOnm)

Good reason to read it. Same reason I'm familiar with Woodards plays , which are about family similar to RitS, is because of my friendship with her brother.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:07 PM (KC5Lt)

171 Miley, so many prayers for you, mama Publius, and of course Publius.

Posted by: Piper at June 20, 2026 01:08 PM (Wmg4n)

172 Prayers for Mama Publius and Miley.

Posted by: JTB at June 20, 2026 01:09 PM (yTvNw)

173 12 I think Tennessee Williams is our Shakespeare.
Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM
——-
Yea, if Shakespeare was a poofter.

Posted by: Dirac_Delta at June 20, 2026 01:09 PM (PY/mn)

174 Thanks, SMH!

Taking off now.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at June 20, 2026 01:09 PM (w6EFb)

175 >>>If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have? Do we have a great poet who captures the American spirit, the American story, the American identity?

>Dr. Seuss

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at June 20, 2026 01:11 PM (fkjGs)

176 Regarding departure fees: Why not just convert your assets to cash and then sneak out without telling anyone you're leaving? If they send you a bill, just chuck it in n the round for me.

Posted by: Toad-0 at June 20, 2026 01:14 PM (cct0t)

177 If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have? Do we have a great poet who captures the American spirit, the American story, the American identity?

“I am no wordsmith dripping words divine
Into the golden chalice of a sonnet;
If love songs witch you, close this book of mine,
Waste no time on it.”

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:16 PM (kYmoU)

178 "for me" was supposed to be "file"

Posted by: Toad-0 at June 20, 2026 01:16 PM (cct0t)

179 I think Tennessee Williams is our Shakespeare.
Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 11:21 AM
——-
Yea, if Shakespeare was a poofter.
Posted by: Dirac_Delta at June 20, 2026 01:09 PM (PY/

The guy wrote more about getting tail than any other playwright even if liked the D.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:18 PM (KC5Lt)

180
Sweden getting stomped by the Dutch. Couldn't happen to a more deserving country.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2026 01:19 PM (O0L8i)

181 Sweden getting stomped by the Dutch. Couldn't happen to a more deserving country.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2026 01:19 PM (O0L8i)

More than the Dutch who hate us more bigley than the Swedes?

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:19 PM (KC5Lt)

182 I'm rooting for injuries and a tie.

Posted by: Reforger at June 20, 2026 01:21 PM (wjnjX)

183 merican Homer. Three choices come to mind. Mark Twain, Wendell Berry, and Shelby Foote. Washington Irving would be in the race except he was too early in the 1800s.
Posted by: JTB

James A. Michener... if anybody actually read him.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2026 01:22 PM (/lPRQ)

184 James A. Michener... if anybody actually read him.

Technically, nobody read Homer either.

I’d say, as long as the movies are popular, not being read isn’t a disqualification.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:24 PM (kYmoU)

185
More than the Dutch who hate us more bigley than the Swedes?

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:19 PM (KC5Lt)

____________

Sweden, the pioneer country of abortion, pornography, smug neutralism and making bank selling iron ore to the Nazis. An asshole country with asshole people.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2026 01:24 PM (O0L8i)

186 And Larry McMurtry?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at June 20, 2026 01:25 PM (q3u5l)

187 Writers?
Twain, and Steinbeck. Maybe Hemingway.
Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 01:01 PM (2WIw

First two go candidates. Never got the Hemingway love.

As modern authors go, I think Steven Pressfield should be considered. Anyone who can write Gates of Fire and The Legend of Bagger Vance and have both project the western warrior ethos should be a candidate.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:26 PM (KC5Lt)

188 If England has Shakespeare, Spain has Cervantes, Italy has Dante, and Russia has Pushkin, then who do we have? Do we have a great poet who captures the American spirit, the American story, the American identity?

----------
Stephen Vincent Benet.

"John Brown's Body."

That is all.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at June 20, 2026 01:27 PM (amcLV)

189 160
In "Good Will Hunting" Matt Damon, who is wicked smaht, definitively pegged Howard Zinn as America's Homer 'cause he was right about everything.
Posted by: Auspex

He secretly wanted to BE pegged by Howard Zinn.

Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at June 20, 2026 01:28 PM (ycI94)

190 Praying for Mama Publius, Miley

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 01:28 PM (MyPTh)

191
American composer Samuel Barber and his Adagio for Strings.

Try to listen to that without getting emotional.

_____________

Thomas Schippers conducting the New York Philharmonic. Accept no substitutes.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2026 01:29 PM (O0L8i)

192 Sweden vs Netherlands game could be confused for an Algeria vs Nigeria game if only going back player names.

Posted by: Heroq at June 20, 2026 01:31 PM (7YTFo)

193 If we're going list negatives, the Dutch are far worse imo.

Posted by: polynikes at June 20, 2026 01:33 PM (KC5Lt)

194 https://legalinsurrection.com/nhs trailblazing first transgender lawmaker sentenced to 33 years for child sex crimes

A mental illness will send you to the Big House

Posted by: Skip at June 20, 2026 01:33 PM (Ia/+0)

195 A mental illness will send you to the Big House

I don’t think you can exclude the Senate from that maxim…

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:35 PM (kYmoU)

196
In his long career, the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan conducted exactly two (2) works by American composers, once each. The Barber Adagio wasn't one of them. Makes you wonder how it would have sounded.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 20, 2026 01:37 PM (O0L8i)

197 I think about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson a lot. They had to work together while working against each other, here and in France and England, over and over again their whole careers, until their dying days, which were the same day.

It's spooky. It's like they were born to offset each other.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at June 20, 2026 01:37 PM (BI5O2)

198 ...transgender lawmaker sentenced to 33 years for child sex crimes

A mental illness will send you to the Big House
Posted by: Skip

Who would have guessed that a depraved pervert would amp up their depravity to criminal levels?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 20, 2026 01:38 PM (/lPRQ)

199 Apropos of very little, I happened to run across the John Williams soundtrack for 1941 at a record store while traveling a few weeks ago. It was very good, and much better than I remembered from watching the movie.

In fact, it made me want to watch the movie again. Not surprising, since I enjoyed the movie, but it has been a very long time.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:40 PM (kYmoU)

200 On topic for Father's Day - we just finished the 8 episode Netflix show "I Will Find You"
Its a Harlan Coben thriller starring Sam Worthington and that redhead from Severance.
Fun watch and a tribute to fatherhood

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at June 20, 2026 01:43 PM (cSByu)

201 In fact, it made me want to watch the movie again. Not surprising, since I enjoyed the movie, but it has been a very long time.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:40 PM (kYmoU)
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Watch the director's cut. So much was left out of the theatrical cut that the movie becomes inexplicable.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at June 20, 2026 01:44 PM (amcLV)

202
Great American writer is Twain -- for prose. His fiction isn't that great -- narratives, plots, pacing, etc.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at June 20, 2026 01:44 PM (XJ22o)

203 It's spooky. It's like they were born to offset each other.

“At the grave of such men envy dies, and party animosity blushes while she quenches her fires.”

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:45 PM (kYmoU)

204
Posted by: Diogenes at June 20, 2026 12:53 PM (2WIwB)

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The legislation and budgeting coming out of Sacramento (California) right now is not to be believed. Out of all the hellish data I could drop, I'll keep it to this:
Another $1bil PER YEAR for the Train To Nowhere

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at June 20, 2026 01:51 PM (XJ22o)

205 Watch the director's cut. So much was left out of the theatrical cut that the movie becomes inexplicable.

Thanks! I actually have the extended version on DVD, but it’s very old and looks horrible on a modern television. Despite it being much longer, I don’t recall it being overly long—like some other extended editions I’ve had—I remember on the extended Blues Brothers, the director talks about some of the scenes he cut from Aykroyd’s phonebook script, and for very good reason—and at least one of those scenes are in the new cut!

I’ll make sure that when I replace it the replacement also has the extended cut.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at June 20, 2026 01:53 PM (kYmoU)

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