Wednesday Morning Rant

Winning the Future

One of the obvious and glaring differences between the 2016 and 2024 Trump Administrations has been in the cabinet. This time around, Trump has some real fighters and loyalists doing critical work for his administration, and who can meaningfully "move the ball down the field" on key objectives. The person most people would probably mention first if asked is Marco Rubio. Sure, he is Secretary of State and doing a tremendous job there, he has also become something of a "minister without portfolio," jumping in wherever he's needed and whipping things into shape while wiping the floor with the opposition. Rubio is a key policymaker and much of what he is doing will pay dividends for years to come.

Looking past Rubio, there are other cabinet standouts. Linda McMahon has been doing meaningful work at Education, working to roll back much of the prior era's disastrous wokification of public education and working to cut some of the supports out from under the ideological sewer that is "higher education." Sean Duffy has been quarterbacking major initiatives around air traffic control and cutting back on Biden-era regulatory nightmares like the "green" highway construction requirements. Chris Wright has been a dynamo at Energy (pun intended, enjoy), clearing the decks for increased atomic power and helping to degrade the war on oil. There are various others doing the work to move the agenda and set the country up for success, but there may be no cabinet secretary who is doing more to secure the future of the Republic than Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth burst into office promising to modernize the armed forces to respond to emerging threats and to refocus their efforts on actual warfighting and preparedness, shifting away from ideological loyalty and cronyism. Much of the woke crap is gone. The double standards in the armed forces for men and women are being rolled back. It's about war, being ready for war, being capable of war. He made a lot of waves in the press last year when he gave his address at Quantico, targeted squarely at senior officers and rank-and-file policy. There was much pearl clutching when he told them that they were expected to be fit, well-groomed and competent and they were expected to focus on the business of war instead of on progressive politics.

He's gotten to work on it, and has had a good year and an especially good month. The biggest press waves came from this year's address at Quantico, mostly because - horror of horrors - he was mean about progressive sacred cows and emphasized that major reduction in force for the top ranks will continue. There was much pearl-clutching because of two particular parts of the speech:

No more social engineering, no more weaponized IG policies. The complainers, the ideologues, and the poor performers are no longer in the driver's seat. No more silly PowerPoint trainings or drag queen shows. No more diversity quotas, no more gender pronouns, no more identity months, only the warrior ethos. And I know you feel it because I've been to your units and met with your troops. It has transformed entire formations as it was intended to do. But it's worth saying again, so that the fake news understands it. We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that, no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals, just warriors, just tough, ready, committed troops. The war department, as you know, is colorblind, gender-neutral, and merit-based.

You see, the number crunchers say we've fired 10% of the generals and admirals across the force, and that number sounds about right. And I know because I directed it that we've also reduced the overall number of general officer slots by an additional 10%. So yes, 20% reduction across the board. Now the media calls that a purge. I call it accountability and long overdue, and frankly, the bare minimum. As usual, what the media levels as an accusation, I wear as an accomplishment. You see, you can't change a culture with the same people who enabled it. Personnel is policy at every single level.

The first, whatever. It's good, of course, and it consumed most of the column-inches because he called trannies weird. Between that and the "FORTRESS America" announcement, most of the press only briefly mentioned the crucial part of Hegseth purging the higher office ranks, which is itself a follow-on to the huge reforms he implemented in the same area earlier.

A bit before the annual address at Quantico, Hegseth announced a new system for promotions to general or admiral ranks, called the "Joint Warfighter Evaluation." This new scheme will test colonels and captains in war games and simulations to ensure they can effectively manage combat and competently command forces as a condition of promotion. Making general or admiral will no longer be primarily a political game of loyalty and ideological purity, but an exercise in the demonstration of skill and competence. That is a major and important development to help ensure that the next set of flag officers know what they're doing. And that next set is going to be needed and needed soon, as the War Department starts cycling out flag officers installed under the old rules.

For 12 of the past 18 years, Obama and Biden headed the most ideologically ruthless administrations in modern history and had plenty of time to install loyalists throughout the government, and the military was no exception. Hegseth said that the press would call his reductions at the flag level a "purge" and I would call it that, too. Unlike the press, however, I am not criticizing it. While trimming out progressive ideologues from the highest ranks is crucial, Hegeth's work to help secure the military's future by making the promotions process less political and more focused on actual combat and military operations is even more important. Yes, it is a very good thing that the "trannies, beardos, weirdos, wimps and radicals" are being removed and that should not be downplayed, but this year's initiatives are about helping to secure that progress.

The groundwork Hegseth laid last year was more about the lower ranks. Last year's focus on eliminating double standards based on sex or rank, eliminating time-wasting, soul-crushing and nonsensical woke "training," eliminating ideological or identity-based promotions or carve-outs, etc. all help clean up the pipeline and ensure that the boots on the ground and those NCOs and junior officers who keep the gears turning are competent and ready. This year, he's targeting the higher part of the hierarchy, not just through eliminating personnel but through refilling those positions in a better, more reliable, more competent and less political way.

Trump's cabinet has been doing generally good and sometimes exceptional work day in and day out on the important business of winning the present. Of all the secretaries, however, Hegseth may be doing the most to win the future.

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sponge!

Posted by: rickb223 at October 07, 2026 11:00 AM (V4M8q)

2 st!

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:00 AM (TN0g+)

3 Lol!

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:01 AM (TN0g+)

4 !!

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:01 AM (rOKnE)

5 1st?

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:01 AM (77rzZ)

6 FIRST WITH THE BLADE

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:01 AM (iFTx/)

7 Bah

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:01 AM (77rzZ)

8 Scott Bessent is my favorite

Posted by: Kamala at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (+gK6I)

9 This time around, Trump has some real fighters and loyalists doing critical work for his administration, and who can meaningfully "move the ball down the field" on key objectives.

=======

He doesn't just have fighters.

He has killers.

Bessent is the most cold-blooded mother fucker to ever have control of the Treasury Department.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (RWrid)

10 Too slow

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (N1DT3)

11 "Take No Prisoners" Hegseth.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (ndZc7)

12 regulatory nightmares like the "Hershey" highway construction requirements for the old dirt road.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (IKtdx)

13 A bit before the annual address at Quantico, Hegseth announced a new system for promotions to general or admiral ranks, called

Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 07, 2026 11:03 AM (V4M8q)

14 >>Of all the secretaries, however, Hegseth may be doing the most to win the future.

Yes. Especially with removing civilian War college instructors. Not only does this remove a lot of the wokeness fed to the troops, it gives military people more opportunity to fill those spots.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:03 AM (rOKnE)

15 8 Scott Bessent is my favorite

Posted by: Kamala at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (+gK6I)

Off sock/

Posted by: It's me donna at October 07, 2026 11:03 AM (+gK6I)

16 >>Bessent is the most cold-blooded mother fucker to ever have control of the Treasury Department.

THIS.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:04 AM (rOKnE)

17 Bessent writing regulations to choke illegals out of the American financial system will probably have more long term positive effects than Hegseth's laudable efforts to clean up the military.

Remember, immigration is the number 1 issue we face as a nation, everyone told me through Biden's term, and we must now ignore all the immigration news because the NYT doesn't feature it on the front page.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:04 AM (RWrid)

18 Hegseth is teh awesome and he is doing exactly what he said he would do in his book.

Colin Joost does a good parody but Hegseth is his own best caricature.

I voted for that!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 07, 2026 11:04 AM (RIvkX)

19 Of all the secretaries, however, Hegseth may be doing the most to win the future.

I vote for Treasury's Bessent. The entire world order is being upended. Massive paradigm-shifting actions have boosted the US and shafted our enemies.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (gLYp7)

20 Hegseth could cement his accomplishments with a successful audit of the department. How many times have they failed recent audit - like 8? Gotta remove the rampant fraud.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (rOKnE)

21 Rubio ‘28 Baby!

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (RowGD)

22 He has killers.

Bessent is the most cold-blooded mother fucker to ever have control of the Treasury Department.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (RWrid)
=====

Trump is trainable.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (RIvkX)

23 For those of you losing track, yes, Linda McMahon
is the spouce of Vince McMahon of WWE (pro wrestling). This fact continues to amuse the heck outta me.

Posted by: Brother Tim, still standing at October 07, 2026 11:06 AM (ENA4W)

24 23 He has killers.

Bessent is the most cold-blooded mother fucker to ever have control of the Treasury Department.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:02 AM (RWrid)
=====

Trump is trainable.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (RIvkX)

======

Trump would have been a boring president if Democrats had treated him so.

Just give him what he wants in the stupid infrastructure bill, build the wall, and let him bask in having accomplished something relatively minor.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:07 AM (RWrid)

25
Trump 45: Pope, McClellan, Burnside

Trump 47: Grant, Sherman, Sheridan

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (eRlcH)

26 Mamdani remembers October 7.

https://tinyurl.com/45rs6abv

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (ndZc7)

27 Hegseth could cement his accomplishments with a successful audit of the department. How many times have they failed recent audit - like 8? Gotta remove the rampant fraud.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:05 AM (rOKnE)

I think it's important to point out that audit failure does not indicate fraud or missing funds.

Instead, it means auditors could not verify the accuracy of the Pentagon’s financial statements with enough confidence to issue a clean opinion.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (gLYp7)

28 Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 07, 2026 11:03 AM (V4M8q)

I like the sound of that!!

Posted by: Talarico at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (5EeHw)

29 26 Mamdani remembers October 7.

https://tinyurl.com/45rs6abv
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (ndZc7

So... Free,free palestine !

Posted by: It's me donna at October 07, 2026 11:09 AM (+gK6I)

30 "Simple translation of that, no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals, just warriors, just tough, ready, committed troops."

Methodists?

P.S. What's a "beardo"? Some gay-curious twit with an oh-so-trendy long scraggly beard?

But every time I see pics of special forces dudes, they look like ZZ Top, and not the drummer.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:09 AM (iFTx/)

31 #MeToo

Posted by: Pete Bootyjudge at October 07, 2026 11:09 AM (RowGD)

32 The person most people would probably mention first if asked is Marco Rubio.

Secretary of State, Border Czar, Governor General of Cuba, Viceroy of Greenland.

The man wears many hats.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (4NO2D)

33 Without a doubt the best cabinet if my lifetime. Across the board, they are doing exceptional stuff.

Don't ignore what's going on at the DOJ. You don't just hop into the most corrupt agency in DC and turn it around overnight. Lawfare against average Americans is over and the people we elect to represent us is over.

It's no longer a crime to be a normal American citizen.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (viF8m)

34 I think it's important to point out that audit failure does not indicate fraud or missing funds.

Instead, it means auditors could not verify the accuracy of the Pentagon’s financial statements with enough confidence to issue a clean opinion.
------

That's a big deal though. It means there were multiple procedural and internal control issues.

Posted by: Crusader, Former Federal Bank Examiner at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (TN0g+)

35 But every time I see pics of special forces dudes, they look like ZZ Top, and not the drummer.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:09 AM (iFTx/)

Not anymore.

Hegseth removed the dispensation for SOCOM/WARCOM kids to have the beards. He also removed the dispensation for unofficial logos/icons.

You can apply for a case-by-case exception for a particular operation, but in general, everyone in uniform will abide by uniform standards. That's a clean shave.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (gLYp7)

36 This is all good. Now it's up to us to keep it going.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (g8Ew8)

37 Making general or admiral will no longer be primarily a political game of loyalty and ideological purity

We can hope but that system existed long before Obama (although he cranked it to 11). Dialing it back is a win but it seems unrealistic to think it can be pulled out by the roots.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 07, 2026 11:12 AM (vTZFs)

38 OMG nooooo!

Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:12 AM (ndZc7)

39 That's a big deal though. It means there were multiple procedural and internal control issues.

Posted by: Crusader, Former Federal Bank Examiner at October 07, 2026 11:11 AM (TN0g+)

Absolutely correct. It's ridiculous that money isn't being tracked - to the penny - from appropriation to execution.

I'm just pointing out that 'we can't replicate your data' is not itself an indicator of fraud or missing funds.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:13 AM (gLYp7)

40 25
Trump 45: Pope, McClellan, Burnside

Trump 47: Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
=======
Good call. We are in fact in a cold civil war. Much like the old Cold War with the Soviet Union. And I think Trump is trying to prevent it from going hot as much as he can.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:13 AM (E4rtv)

41 Don't ignore what's going on at the DOJ. You don't just hop into the most corrupt agency in DC and turn it around overnight. Lawfare against average Americans is over and the people we elect to represent us is over.

It's no longer a crime to be a normal American citizen.
-----

I agree. And I'd like the Feds to weigh in (with whatever legal action necessary) to force an overturn of whatever state enacted that unconstitutional ban of peaceful assembly in front of abortion providers. People have been sentenced to incarceration for merely exercising a constitutional right.

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (TN0g+)

42 We are in fact in a cold civil war. Much like the old Cold War with the Soviet Union. And I think Trump is trying to prevent it from going hot as much as he can.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:13 AM (E4rtv)

It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (gLYp7)

43 Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying
--------

Can't be true I'm still here

Posted by: Barry Obama at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (5EeHw)

44 >>I think it's important to point out that audit failure does not indicate fraud or missing funds.

Instead, it means auditors could not verify the accuracy of the Pentagon’s financial statements with enough confidence to issue a clean opinion.

Fair enough.
After DOGE, I have become extremely cynical!

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (rOKnE)

45 For those of you losing track, yes, Linda McMahon
is the spouce of Vince McMahon of WWE (pro wrestling). This fact continues to amuse the heck outta me.
Posted by: Brother Tim, still standing at October 07, 2026 11:06 AM

I keep confusing him with Ed McMahon.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (bFu5X)

46 38 OMG nooooo!

Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

Eh, the AIDS drugs mentioned were pennies for treatment and are all generics made in India by now. By all rights, she should be directing her comments to India, not the US.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (E4rtv)

47 It's already Mannix Wednesday and the chimp is on a roll!

And thank you Pete Hegseth for purging trannies, freaks, weirdos!

Posted by: Dream Cabinet at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (EdP2u)

48 Haha! Yessssss!

Posted by: Ed McMahon at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (4NO2D)

49 The surprising thing about Bessent is that based on his background he should totally be on the other side.

Crazy rich, gay, kinda nebbish, worked for Soros, and a bit of a nepo baby.

But he's just the opposite of what you'd think: he's a MAGA ax murderer. That rarely happens on our side.

I wish we had a 100 more like him.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (iFTx/)

50 It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider

I'm willing to open it up.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (V4M8q)

51 It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (gLYp7)

THIS!

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (g8Ew8)

52 After DOGE, I have become extremely cynical!

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (rOKnE)

You're far too young to be so cynical.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (gLYp7)

53 >26 Mamdani remembers October 7.

https://tinyurl.com/45rs6abv

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:08 AM (ndZc7)

This fucking guy. He could not just stop after the first paragraph.

Posted by: Heavy Meta at October 07, 2026 11:16 AM (vr4To)

54 49 The surprising thing about Bessent is that based on his background he should totally be on the other side.

Crazy rich, gay, kinda nebbish, worked for Soros, and a bit of a nepo baby.

But he's just the opposite of what you'd think: he's a MAGA ax murderer. That rarely happens on our side.

I wish we had a 100 more like him.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (iFTx/)

========

He learned everything from Soros about currency manipulation and is applying it in America's interests instead of against America's interests.

He has the resume of a WEF stooge, but he does more to undo the multi-polar fantasy of the WEF than most people who scream about the WEF will ever dream of doing.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (RWrid)

55 While working for the US Army as a civilian Program Manager, my duties revolved around two recruiting and retention systems. Complicated. They were supposed to award points towards promotion potential, measure Solider performance and so on.

Yet... all it took was a call from someone well connected to get so-and-so's reject Warfighter promoted or stationed somewhere cushy.

The software wasn't designed to take politics into account... so it was done "off the books."

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (RORbl)

56 >>Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying
--------

"Bring Our Girls Back"
-- Michelle Obama sign

*Hey, remember when Obama said he would not rest until the girls were back home?
How's he sleeping after completely forgetting that pledge?

Posted by: Lizzy at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (rOKnE)

57 It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider:
---------
That was true of the Cold War too between the two adversaries. Soviet Union did most of the shooting via proxies.

A hot civil war resembles the ACW, the Spanish Civil War, the French and Russian Revolutions, or the English Civil War, or the implosion of Yugoslavia. I think the closest resemblance is the Spanish Civil War as it is an urban-rural split with the suburbs being the battle ground.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (E4rtv)

58 It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider

I'm willing to open it up.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (V4M8q)

Someone is going to have to be first.

I'm quite open about the fact that it isn't going to be me. I've still got too much to lose. I'm a single dad with young kids.

Wars are not fought only by childless men, but I'm not ready to start squeezing triggers yet. When I realize that time has come for me, I guarantee I won't be posting here.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:18 AM (gLYp7)

59 For those of you losing track, yes, Linda McMahon
is the spouce of Vince McMahon of WWE (pro wrestling). This fact continues to amuse the heck outta me.
Posted by: Brother Tim, still standing at October 07, 2026 11:06 AM

I keep confusing him with Ed McMahon.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (bFu5X)

Heyyy oooh!

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at October 07, 2026 11:18 AM (g8Ew8)

60 I think the closest resemblance is the Spanish Civil War as it is an urban-rural split with the suburbs being the battle ground.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (E4rtv)

Some guy here wrote a really good book on this exact topic.

And yes - SCW and the Balkans are likely in our future.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:19 AM (gLYp7)

61 OMG nooooo!

Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:12 AM (ndZc7)
________

The left: Being a whore is empowering! Sex work is real work!

Also the left: how dare the Cornell 7 take advantage of that virginal postulant who just wanted to snort drugs off some rando's dick!

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:19 AM (iFTx/)

62 >>I agree. And I'd like the Feds to weigh in (with whatever legal action necessary) to force an overturn of whatever state enacted that unconstitutional ban of peaceful assembly in front of abortion providers. People have been sentenced to incarceration for merely exercising a constitutional right.

Harmeet Dhillon is a warrior and she seems to have assembled a great team. Our elections are far from perfect but she's working hard to make them as honest as possible.

People forget sometimes that during Trump I he had a hard time getting anyone to work for him because they didn't want to get investigated, sued or lose their livelihood. John Eastman is still fighting his disbarment by the CA Bar for having the audacity of giving Trump perfectly normal and legal lawyerly advice.

That shit is over now. Trump and his DOJ have made it possible for us to fight back.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 07, 2026 11:19 AM (viF8m)

63 He doesn't just have fighters.

He has killers.

Bessent is the most cold-blooded mother fucker to ever have control of the Treasury Department.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
___________

This is why these midterms don't scare me all that much. Even if they took the house and senate, their legislation will be vetoed and impeachment will never get the numbers necessary in the senate. Let them flail with their investigations and go full commie, while Trump continues to do everything possible through regs and executive action. It would only help for 28.

This isn't Trump 1.0 with Sessions et al, and they no longer have complete control of the media thanks to Musk.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (JzUSu)

64 Talarico October surprise incoming...?

Posted by: gay porn pedo? at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (Ovx+P)

65 I keep confusing him with Ed McMahon.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 07, 2026 11:14 AM (bFu5X)

Continuing the last thread's talk of ancient celebrities, Doc Severinson is 99.

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (77rzZ)

66 63 This is why these midterms don't scare me all that much. Even if they took the house and senate, their legislation will be vetoed and impeachment will never get the numbers necessary in the senate. Let them flail with their investigations and go full commie, while Trump continues to do everything possible through regs and executive action. It would only help for 28.

This isn't Trump 1.0 with Sessions et al, and they no longer have complete control of the media thanks to Musk.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (JzUSu)

======

Yup.

And DHS is fully funded and appropriated through 2028.

Democrats taking the House, barely, and turning the next Congress into "we're going to impeach Trump for shit the public doesn't care about" does nothing but strengthen the GOP brand relative to the Democrat brand going into 2028.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (RWrid)

67 Talarico October surprise incoming...?

Posted by: gay porn pedo? at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (Ovx+P)

That would explain why he's been buttoned up for the past ten days - prepping their response.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (gLYp7)

68 He learned everything from Soros about currency manipulation and is applying it in America's interests instead of against America's interests.

He has the resume of a WEF stooge, but he does more to undo the multi-polar fantasy of the WEF than most people who scream about the WEF will ever dream of doing.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
True. Hamilton just had to deal with domestic opposition. Bessent is dealing with the entire globo homo apparatus on an international level as well as domestic opposition. And I think the nat sec Deep State is upset because he is affecting the use of their magic money machines to fund unrest world wide.

Trump is fighting the Cold Civil War and internationally primarily by money and economics---and that is holy water splashed on the globo homo WEF creatures of the dark.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (E4rtv)

69 The person most people would probably mention first if asked is Marco Rubio.

I'm curious as to what most would consider his top 3 accomplishments. Sure, he wears a lot of hats, but he represents the policies of the Trump administration, not his own. Is being a good mouthpiece really an accomplishment?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (Riz8t)

70 Talarico October surprise incoming...?

Posted by: gay porn pedo? at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (Ovx+P)

That would explain why he's been buttoned up for the past ten days - prepping their response.
------

We might as well run with that then. We know the other side would if the roles were reversed.

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:22 AM (TN0g+)

71 69 The person most people would probably mention first if asked is Marco Rubio.

I'm curious as to what most would consider his top 3 accomplishments. Sure, he wears a lot of hats, but he represents the policies of the Trump administration, not his own. Is being a good mouthpiece really an accomplishment?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (Riz8t)

=======

He's doing it eagerly, energetically, and well.

It's not directing the overall policy of state like Trump does as chief executive, but it's a strong signal.

Still...he's sus as fuck. 2013 Gang of 8, man.

2013 Gang of 8.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:22 AM (RWrid)

72 Is being a good mouthpiece really an accomplishment?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (Riz8t)

Under that metric, NONE of Trump's Cabinet members can get any credit for anything. They're just speaking for The Boss, after all.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:22 AM (gLYp7)

73 Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:12 AM (ndZc7)

So? The survivors will make more money.

Sorry to have missed the Art Thread. That painting is a gooder, CBD.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 07, 2026 11:23 AM (i9VX2)

74 >> Trump's cabinet has been doing generally good and sometimes exceptional work day in and day out on the important business of winning the present

Yes, but we should throw it all away and vote for Democrats because the price of gas is currently too high and my impression is the price of food is too high.

Plus I am too lazy to vote this year.

Posted by: Apathetic Voter Who Needs an Ass Kicking at October 07, 2026 11:24 AM (9GwoN)

75 Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare

----------

With just $5 a day you can keep a Kenyan hooker on her knees, working the conventions and truck stops of this great nation. Won't you help?

Posted by: Sally Struthers at October 07, 2026 11:24 AM (wpRMV)

76 In Germany: AfD Wins the Speakership of the Saxony-Anhalt Parliament.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:24 AM (gLYp7)

77 Wasn't the D. of Ed. supposed to be shut down entirely?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 07, 2026 11:24 AM (RRe/6)

78 Talarico October surprise incoming...?

Posted by: gay porn pedo? at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (Ovx+P)

That would explain why he's been buttoned up for the past ten days - prepping their response.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (gLYp7)
_________

I suspect the creep might be trying to run out the clock to avoid debating Paxton. I think that would be an assfuck rager, and not the kind Talacreepo would enjoy.

I don't know how good Paxton is on stage, but Talacreepo is terrible whenever he has to go off script. He gets flustered and starts stammering like a retarded deer in the headlights in the face of even friendly questions at campaign events. He would get chopped up into little pieces on a debate stage.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:25 AM (iFTx/)

79 Still...he's sus as fuck. 2013 Gang of 8, man.

2013 Gang of 8.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

That was 13 effing years ago. You think maybe his position might have changed since then?

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

80 77 Wasn't the D. of Ed. supposed to be shut down entirely?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 07, 2026 11:24 AM (RRe/6)

=======

Created by statute, it can only be shut down by statute.

Trump has reduced it to its statutory minimum.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:25 AM (RWrid)

81 79 Still...he's sus as fuck. 2013 Gang of 8, man.

2013 Gang of 8.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

That was 13 effing years ago. You think maybe his position might have changed since then?

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

=======

I'd need proof, not assertion.

He chose to make himself the face of immigration reform backed by Chuck Schumer.

Yes, it takes a lot to live that down.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:26 AM (RWrid)

82 Talarico October surprise incoming...?

Posted by: gay porn pedo? at October 07, 2026 11:20 AM (Ovx+P)

That would explain why he's been buttoned up for the past ten days - prepping their response.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:21 AM (gLYp7)

I suppose it's possible.

The most recent(?) Tallywhacker commercial has him yammering about deep fake videos.

So, they could be trying to set the battlefield for what's coming.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 07, 2026 11:26 AM (YSUhf)

83 With just $5 a day you can keep a Kenyan hooker on her knees, working the conventions and truck stops of this great nation. Won't you help?
Posted by: Sally Struthers
----

I'm gonna stick to TV & VCR repair.

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:26 AM (TN0g+)

84 > I'm curious as to what most would consider his top 3 accomplishments.

Do you think most people can even name the last SoS or his accomplishments? You know besides assuring with the illegal aliens invasion and sucking every dick he could at the UN and in NATO?

The entirety of central and South America has changes or is changing for the better. That’s not just Trump. Rubio has ALOT to do with how it was done, and what the future will look like. That’s just for starters. He’s leading on Iran and with the EU.

Posted by: Apathetic Voter Who Needs an Ass Kicking at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (9GwoN)

85 > It's not a cold civil war. It's just that only one side is doing the shooting.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider
-----------
This.

And the fact the other side hasn't acknowledged it, yet.

And probably won't. Because nobody wants to "be first" on our side to shoot back. And we know whoever "is first" (unlike a first here) will not fair well, as a warning to the rest of us.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (RORbl)

86
Wasn't the D. of Ed. supposed to be shut down entirely?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey

I believe that a total elimination of that department will require a vote of both houses of Congress.

Fat chance of that happening right now, so starve it of funds in the meantime.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Deport! Deport! Deport! at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (ixS3i)

87 Someone here coined what is my favorite Talerico snark-name: Baalerico. It's apt. Very, very apt.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (PSEDc)

88 Some guy here wrote a really good book on this exact topic.

And yes - SCW and the Balkans are likely in our future.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider

Yeah, I bought and read AH's book. Yugoslavia though was more like the American Civil War if the US had split into several different ethnic groups during it. With today's ethnic splits, we may get the more complicated Yugoslavian story if a hot civil war ever happens. US is now far more diverse ethnically and by region that us or Spain were during past Civil Wars. Same goes for comparisons with the English Civil War.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (E4rtv)

89 The North Vietnamese IC chief knew the media was ant-American and planted the bullshit about the Tet Offensive. The war is lost, said Fuckhead Cronkite.

The 25 page letter from the IRGC is the same. They know the media are mostly hacks and buffoons. Same same.

No new ideas under the sun from the commies.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 07, 2026 11:28 AM (/THgZ)

90 Another MAGA hate crime.

https://tinyurl.com/3n4r7r32

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:29 AM (ndZc7)

91 >> With just $5 a day you can keep a Kenyan hooker on her knees, working the conventions and truck stops of this great nation. Won't you help?
Posted by: Sally Struthers

The waitress who served me breakfast this morning was Kenyan. Suddenly I don’t feel too good.

Posted by: Apathetic Voter Who Needs an Ass Kicking at October 07, 2026 11:29 AM (9GwoN)

92 The most recent(?) Tallywhacker commercial has him yammering about deep fake videos

That doesn't sound like a winner.
Nobody is doing real fake videos, if that's a term. Parodies of shitty Democrat politicians presiding over the results of their shitty policies, like Los Angeles, sure.
I think Paxton wins this race. He just needed to assure most Cornyn voters, who only voted Cornyn because "Electable", that he's a serious candidate so electable too.

Posted by: 88C+u at October 07, 2026 11:30 AM (sDWtc)

93 That was 13 effing years ago. You think maybe his position might have changed since then?

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

Yup. I do. I know that I don't hold the same positions today that I did 13 years ago. I've been radicalized by what's happened since then. Hell, I was radicalized watching Trump get shot in the face and seeing the left simultaneously cheer that he was shot and mourn that he survived.

But I also know that many, very well-respected commenters here don't believe he has actually moved on policy because the only billets he's been in since then involve him speaking for Trump, not for himself.

The fear is that should he ever be in a position to speak for himself - say, as President - then his pro-amnesty roots will come out and he'll fuck us.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:30 AM (gLYp7)

94 Under that metric, NONE of Trump's Cabinet members can get any credit for anything. They're just speaking for The Boss, after all.

Yeah, I thought about that. Hegseth wrote a book about what was wrong with the military, and how he'd fix it. That's why Trump picked him.

As was noted above, Bessent has more real world financial experience than just about anyone. He knows how the system works (as does Trump, but I suspect that's why Trump picked him).

My point is that people people are praising Rubio for "his" policies, when in fact they're really just saying he's done a good job running State. That's certainly important, and if he really wants to run for President, that executive experience is necessary, but I really have no idea what his policies are now. That's why I'm STILL one of the people who doesn't trust him after the immigration fiasco.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:30 AM (Riz8t)

95 I suspect the creep might be trying to run out the clock to avoid debating Paxton. I think that would be an assfuck rager, and not the kind Talacreepo would enjoy.

I don't know how good Paxton is on stage, but Talacreepo is terrible whenever he has to go off script. He gets flustered and starts stammering like a retarded deer in the headlights in the face of even friendly questions at campaign events. He would get chopped up into little pieces on a debate stage.
Posted by: Elric The Blade
=========
It is commentary like this why AOS excels in political commentary. Sort of like The Thick of It show.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:31 AM (E4rtv)

96 I think the new cabinet is one good thing that came because of Biden. Had Trump continued in the presidency in 2020, he would have had the same traitors and saboteurs in his cabinet.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at October 07, 2026 11:31 AM (CHHv1)

97 I'd need proof, not assertion.

He chose to make himself the face of immigration reform backed by Chuck Schumer.

Yes, it takes a lot to live that down.

But I also know that many, very well-respected commenters here don't believe he has actually moved on policy because the only billets he's been in since then involve him speaking for Trump, not for himself.

The fear is that should he ever be in a position to speak for himself - say, as President - then his pro-amnesty roots will come out and he'll f*** us.

Word!

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

98 Bessent writing regulations to choke illegals out of the American financial system will probably have more long term positive effects than Hegseth's laudable efforts to clean up the military.

-------

His work is laudable.

It will be immediately rolled back.

You can't roll back a military purge. The machine will have to be rebuilt, and it will take a long time.

Like it took before - and now the enemy will be stripped of a loyal officer corps at a time when they really need and want one.

These are officers who were supposed to keep us all in line during the coming storm. They're gone.

The rank and file are also being reformed, by nature of the officer purge itself, and the new standards in place.

Hegseth will leave the regime with an unreliable Army. It's a huge blow to them, perhaps an insurmountable one.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 07, 2026 11:32 AM (BI5O2)

99
Media warns that Kenyan prostitutes are dying because American taxpayers are no longer funding their healthcare

Local news story, with local meaning Nairobi.

In the meantime, Red Kammie can travel over there to provide pointers on techniques and whatnot.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Deport! Deport! Deport! at October 07, 2026 11:32 AM (ixS3i)

100 Do deer really stammer, though?

Posted by: far cry at October 07, 2026 11:32 AM (X+NGn)

101 There is an undercurrent of amnesty for illegal aliens that runs through a number of GOP veins. Some have even been bold enough to continue to mention it. I would be suspicious of anyone who has held those beliefs at all until I understood their alleged conversion.

Posted by: Apathetic Voter Who Needs an Ass Kicking at October 07, 2026 11:33 AM (9GwoN)

102 The most recent(?) Tallywhacker commercial has him yammering about deep fake videos

Like the ones that showed Biden was a doddering, pudding-brained, diaper-filling, kid-sniffing, racist, brainless, bug-eyed, sack of monkey shit he is?

Hallelujah! Holy Shit! Where's the Tylenol?

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:33 AM (gLYp7)

103 That's why I'm STILL one of the people who doesn't trust him after the immigration fiasco.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:30 AM (Riz8t)

To me, your position is flawed only in that it isnt' falsifiable. There is literally nothing Rubio can say/do to assuage your fear.

Unless/until he's the President, you can say 'he's not the President, so how could I actually KNOW what he'll do?

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:35 AM (gLYp7)

104 Send Conan O'Brien to Nairobi. They can film the documentary "Kenyan Whores Are Great Already". Or maybe he can just drop by Obama's home in Martha's Vineyard and get head there

Posted by: 88C+u at October 07, 2026 11:36 AM (sDWtc)

105 Do deer really stammer, though?
Posted by: far cry at October 07, 2026 11:32 AM (X+NGn)
-----------
According to a singing reindeer record I had as a kid, yes, they can.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 07, 2026 11:36 AM (amcLV)

106 103 To me, your position is flawed only in that it isnt' falsifiable. There is literally nothing Rubio can say/do to assuage your fear.

Unless/until he's the President, you can say 'he's not the President, so how could I actually KNOW what he'll do?

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:35 AM (gLYp7)

=======

His actions in the past on immigration were to try and push amnesty.

His words since have countered that, but we've so no actions that could really be considered his with the same weight.

So, yes, Rubio dug himself an impossible hole for many people who consider immigration a very important issue. That's on him. Not on us.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:36 AM (RWrid)

107 102 Hallelujah! Holy Shit! Where's the Tylenol?

Save the neck for me, Clark...

Posted by: MD Mike at October 07, 2026 11:36 AM (cJWvF)

108 To me, your position is flawed only in that it isnt' falsifiable. There is literally nothing Rubio can say/do to assuage your fear.

Unless/until he's the President, you can say 'he's not the President, so how could I actually KNOW what he'll do?

A good start would be to acknowledge that he made an enormous error 13 years ago, including why he now thinks it was an error, and then forcefully and unequivocally reject amnesty in all its forms. That would go some distance with me, but of course it would do short-term damage to his political chances. He may be gambling that enough people will have forgotten about his apostasy, so he doesn't need to.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:37 AM (Riz8t)

109 He may be gambling that enough people will have forgotten about his apostasy, so he doesn't need to.

I have not forgotten.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:38 AM (Riz8t)

110 108 A good start would be to acknowledge that he made an enormous error 13 years ago, including why he now thinks it was an error, and then forcefully and unequivocally reject amnesty in all its forms. That would go some distance with me, but of course it would do short-term damage to his political chances. He may be gambling that enough people will have forgotten about his apostasy, so he doesn't need to.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 07, 2026 11:37 AM (Riz8t)

=======

In the end, the debate doesn't really matter because he's not going to run for president in 2028.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:38 AM (RWrid)

111 101 There is an undercurrent of amnesty for illegal aliens that runs through a number of GOP veins. Some have even been bold enough to continue to mention it. I would be suspicious of anyone who has held those beliefs at all until I understood their alleged conversion.
Posted by: Apathetic Voter

GOP donors want cheap labor legal or illegal versus the actual voters for the GOP that don't. So you get some GOP pols that keep raising the issue (seriously or not) to keep donors happy. Cornyn, for example, would sell out Texas voters in a New York minute, like he did for 2A advocates, if he could get a nickel plus 'bipartisan' reach around approval for amnesty. Tillis, likewise.

Chamber of Commerce wants growth at all costs in labor force and demand and does not give one damn about the effects on native Americans and their salaries, safety, or taxes from hordes of legal visa workers and illegals. And that is in part because among our upper corporate class, they view themselves as global citizens, not US and they have more in common with their peers in UK, China, etc. than they do with the people in their own supposed homeland.

Same as aristo network in Euroland in the day

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:39 AM (E4rtv)

112
With just $5 a day you can keep a Kenyan hooker on her knees, working the conventions and truck stops of this great nation. Won't you help?
Posted by: Sally Struthers
----

I'm gonna stick to TV & VCR repair.
Posted by: Crusader

Gun repair

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 07, 2026 11:39 AM (Cqx++)

113
Talarico October surprise incoming...?

He has a momentous question to answer: "Should I be discovered with a dead young girl or a live young boy?"

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Deport! Deport! Deport! at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM (ixS3i)

114 So, yes, Rubio dug himself an impossible hole for many people who consider immigration a very important issue. That's on him. Not on us.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:36 AM (RWrid)

I'm not blaming ANYONE who holds this position. I don't anymore, but your (and Archimedes's) stance is reasonable and fact-based.

I don't accept the idea that the right can't extend grace on big topics, particularly when the time passed is so large and the effort put forth since is equally large.

Do you believe Rubio would so gleefully and forcefully execute Trump's immigration policies if he didn't believe in them? Do you think Trump would put Rubio in a position to absolutely fuck him on immigration if he didn't have faith that Rubio wouldn't fuck him?

I don't.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM (gLYp7)

115 Same as aristo network in Euroland in the day
Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:39 AM (E4rtv)
----------
A la lanterne!

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM (amcLV)

116
POKER MONKEY

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM (y9nCu)

117 In the end, the debate doesn't really matter because he's not going to run for president in 2028.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:38 AM (RWrid)

I can see him running on a ticket WITH Vance.

And really, even if he doesn't, the debate does matter - just not now. It'll matter in 10 years. Rubio's ambitions don't max out at Foggy Bottom.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (gLYp7)

118 114 I don't accept the idea that the right can't extend grace on big topics, particularly when the time passed is so large and the effort put forth since is equally large.

Do you believe Rubio would so gleefully and forcefully execute Trump's immigration policies if he didn't believe in them? Do you think Trump would put Rubio in a position to absolutely fuck him on immigration if he didn't have faith that Rubio wouldn't fuck him?

I don't.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM (gLYp7)

========

I don't see his actions so far as parallel.

He's effectively a Cold War warrior at State, not head of DHS in charge of mass deportations. Deporting communists here on visas is a far cry from standing strong in the face of Goode and Pretti getting killed while trying to interfere with deportation efforts.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (RWrid)

119 Another MAGA hate crime.

https://tinyurl.com/3n4r7r32
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 07, 2026 11:29 AM (ndZc7)

Ship the fucker to China. They will flip his Uighur.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (i9VX2)

120 Hallelujah! Holy Shit! Where's the Tylenol?

Can't see the line, can ya, Russ.

Posted by: far cry at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (X+NGn)

121
There is an undercurrent of amnesty for illegal aliens that runs through a number of GOP veins.

My Maria

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (Cqx++)

122 Amnesty is a money making effort for the GOP (and, of course, the Democrats.) A lot of NGO's are still afloat and pumping money into that scheme. It's designed to pull on your heart strings for the poor migrants who just want a better life.

You're not ever supposed to know about the enormous amount of fraud that fuels it.

Because that fraud is paying the GOP and the left. Handsomely too.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 07, 2026 11:42 AM (RORbl)

123 Rubio imbibes water inappropriately. There's video evidence.

Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at October 07, 2026 11:43 AM (IUcfu)

124
Who I fervently wish would just disappear is that shambling, gibbering, flecks of spittle emitting a-hole, Bernie.

Sick of his shit, I am.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Deport! Deport! Deport! at October 07, 2026 11:43 AM (ixS3i)

125 Rubio imbibes water inappropriately. There's video evidence.
Posted by: it puts the lotion in the basket at October 07, 2026 11:43 AM (IUcfu)
----------
You're saying he has a drinking problem? *splash*

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 07, 2026 11:44 AM (amcLV)

126 Lil' Marco is giving heck of speech about Western Civilization while in Athens and in the background is the Acropolis. As the months go by, I'm coming to the conclusion he would make an outstanding president.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at October 07, 2026 11:44 AM (VyD10)

127 POKER MONKEY
Posted by: IllTemperedCur
______

Cheating poker monkey. He's holding at least six cards.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 07, 2026 11:45 AM (JzUSu)

128 115 Same as aristo network in Euroland in the day
Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:39 AM (E4rtv)
----------
A la lanterne!
Posted by: Captain Obvious
======
I'd imagine that some true sons of France are muttering that very phrase right now.

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:46 AM (E4rtv)

129 Deporting communists here on visas is a far cry from standing strong in the face of Goode and Pretti getting killed while trying to interfere with deportation efforts.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (RWrid)

I agree they're not the same.

That's why the 'gleeful' part is important to me. Rubio seems to absolutely love kicking these people out. He's not sullenly towing the line for the Administration, he's getting a kick out of it.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:46 AM (gLYp7)

130 The Social Reckoning:

The Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz: “insufferably sanctimonious fantasia of blue-state boomers.”

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:46 AM (RWrid)

131 129 Deporting communists here on visas is a far cry from standing strong in the face of Goode and Pretti getting killed while trying to interfere with deportation efforts.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:41 AM (RWrid)

I agree they're not the same.

That's why the 'gleeful' part is important to me. Rubio seems to absolutely love kicking these people out. He's not sullenly towing the line for the Administration, he's getting a kick out of it.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:46 AM (gLYp7)

=======

Deporting Arabs who call for the end of America is not the same thing as ordering the removal of Maria working in hospitality quietly in El Paso.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:47 AM (RWrid)

132 >>The entirety of central and South America has changes or is changing for the better. That’s not just Trump. Rubio has ALOT to do with how it was done, and what the future will look like. That’s just for starters. He’s leading on Iran and with the EU.

It's also one autistic trillionaire.

Elon will do down in history not just for his defense of free speech but for championing the crackdown on government waste and fraud and helping gut the deep state.

It's not a coincidence that since USAID was hammered all these changes are happening around the world. The CIA is not funding our demise like they used to.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 07, 2026 11:48 AM (viF8m)

133 Kicking commies out of the country, kicking them out of helicopters - it should be a joyous time.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 07, 2026 11:50 AM (/THgZ)

134 Deporting Arabs who call for the end of America is not the same thing as ordering the removal of Maria working in hospitality quietly in El Paso.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:47 AM (RWrid)

Which is why it's so important that Rubio got agreements with 20 separate countries to accept Maria if she doesn't want to go back to Guatemala.

DHS can leverage those agreements now. "Sorry, Maria - you're off to Cameroon!"

"Oh... I guess just send me back to Guatemala, then."

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:50 AM (gLYp7)

135 By the way, in regard to Pres. Trump's speech that some are saying is weird and incomprehensible:

Where the transcript seems to show "...You wanna see a tremendous victory, because it verifies all the things we did. And again, remember, with the word, it's just artificial, it's a little bit high. It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe..."

He DID NOT say "word." He said "war." It makes a lot more sense then.

Posted by: Brunnhilde at October 07, 2026 11:51 AM (3AwA+)

136 Speaking of little Marco, he's in Greece giving a speech right now and absolutely hammering globalism and global bureaucrats trying to run the world and defending nationalism.

I voted for this.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (viF8m)

137 Hegseth is a viking.

Posted by: Eromero at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (LHPAg)

138 134 Which is why it's so important that Rubio got agreements with 20 separate countries to accept Maria if she doesn't want to go back to Guatemala.

DHS can leverage those agreements now. "Sorry, Maria - you're off to Cameroon!"

"Oh... I guess just send me back to Guatemala, then."

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:50 AM (gLYp7)

=======

The legal infrastructure to get those agreements were in place long before Trump. It took Trump to get the ball rolling, to order it to happen, and Rubio followed orders.

And those third-nation deportations happen because of criminality, not because of preference. The home country refuses them, usually because the deportee has a criminal history (or, it's just Cuba).

So, propping that up is saying that Rubio will deport the worst of the worst, not Maria.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (RWrid)

139 POKER MONKEY
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at October 07, 2026 11:40 AM

Poker monkey? I don't even know her monkey!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 07, 2026 11:53 AM (bFu5X)

140 Hegseth is a viking.
Posted by: Eromero at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (LHPAg)

Meaning he'll choke in the playoffs?

Posted by: Pug Mahon at October 07, 2026 11:53 AM (PSEDc)

141 Deporting Arabs who call for the end of America is not the same thing as ordering the removal of Maria working in hospitality quietly in El Paso.
----

I'd like Maria deported (or to self-deport) just the same.

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:53 AM (TN0g+)

142 Wakes up
Scratches
Looks around
Dang. I really slept in!
Goes looking for coffee.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 07, 2026 11:54 AM (2WIwB)

143 From X, no comment necessary.

Homeland Security News
@defense_civil25
·
2h

Commentary account
🚨Update: The Army is considering using World War 2 era M1 Garand rifles for the upcoming execution at Fort Hood, Texas. The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO) is more powerful than the standard US Army M4/16 5.56 rifle round. The Execution Officer will make the final decision soon!

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:54 AM (E4rtv)

144 I didn't hand Rubio the shovel and tell him to dig himself in with what he thought was the future of the party in 2013 based on the autopsy from 2012 of Romney's campaign.

He took up that shovel of his own volition and shoved that spade in to get every foot he's deep in it.

The opportunism of his 2013 stance is matched by his opportunism of his 2026 stance.

Who's the real Rubio and what will he do when he's not chasing the conventional wisdom and can shape the conventional wisdom on his own?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (RWrid)

145 The legal infrastructure to get those agreements were in place long before Trump. It took Trump to get the ball rolling, to order it to happen, and Rubio followed orders.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (RWrid)

This is going to the sticking point for Rubio's political future.

It's a shame he did this to himself. I think he'd be great in the big chair, but he's got an awful big hill to climb.

The absolute number one issue for Trump Voters is immigration. The absolute biggest weakness for Rubio is how he is perceived (because of his own actions) by a subset of Trump Voters on immigration.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (gLYp7)

146 Posted by: It's me donna at October 07, 2026 11:03 AM (+gK6I)

Well, if that happens another time, Donna, you could do some torturous incomprehensible delivery via stupid sock Kamala, about how she doesn't like Hegseth and thinks that the military needs to regularly use appropriate pronouns for transgenders. It will be a stretch for you because you're neither incomprehensible or stupid and it would be entertaining for the rest of us.😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (JrHfD)

147 145 This is going to the sticking point for Rubio's political future.

It's a shame he did this to himself. I think he'd be great in the big chair, but he's got an awful big hill to climb.

The absolute number one issue for Trump Voters is immigration. The absolute biggest weakness for Rubio is how he is perceived (because of his own actions) by a subset of Trump Voters on immigration.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (gLYp7)

=======

And Vance has a better record on immigration. Better than Trump.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (RWrid)

148 Meaning he'll choke in the playoffs?

Posted by: Pug Mahon at October 07, 2026 11:53 AM (PSEDc)

He said he was a VIKING, not a ROMO.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:56 AM (gLYp7)

149 This administration and the Republican Congress just added $1.7 trillion to the national debt for the fiscal year ending October 1. When the debt to GDP ratio is 125% and the annual deficit is 6%, none of the improvements mentioned matters.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at October 07, 2026 11:56 AM (wGerL)

150 Thx Joe.
Of course Hegseth, to the left, is a drunk and a rapist. Nothing he does even if it wins every war , will change their minds

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 07, 2026 11:56 AM (xfATr)

151 And Vance has a better record on immigration. Better than Trump.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (RWrid)

Which is bonkers. True, and bonkers.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:56 AM (gLYp7)

152 Another datapoint from Scott Pressler on PA,

ThePersistence
@ScottPresler
·
2h
At this same point in 2022 for Pennsylvania,

📈 Republican mail-in ballot requests are ⬆️

📉 Democrat mail-in ballot requests are ⬇️

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (E4rtv)

153 151 And Vance has a better record on immigration. Better than Trump.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:55 AM (RWrid)

Which is bonkers. True, and bonkers.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:56 AM (gLYp7)

=======

This will be ground zero of the (brief) 2028 Republican primary.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (RWrid)

154 152 Another datapoint from Scott Pressler on PA,

ThePersistence
@ScottPresler
·
2h
At this same point in 2022 for Pennsylvania,

📈 Republican mail-in ballot requests are ⬆️

📉 Democrat mail-in ballot requests are ⬇️

Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (E4rtv)

========

And PA doesn't have any elections of import.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (RWrid)

155 The Minnesota Vikings were the original Buffalo Bills.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (/THgZ)

156 140 Hegseth is a viking.
Posted by: Eromero at October 07, 2026 11:52 AM (LHPAg)

Meaning he'll choke in the playoffs?
Posted by: Pug Mahon at October 07, 2026 11:53 AM (PSEDc)
Metaphor?

Posted by: Eromero at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (LHPAg)

157 This will be ground zero of the (brief) 2028 Republican primary.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (RWrid)

Number. One. Issue.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (gLYp7)

158 157 This will be ground zero of the (brief) 2028 Republican primary.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (RWrid)

Number. One. Issue.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at October 07, 2026 11:57 AM (gLYp7)

======

Well, we say this, and we agree on it, but the right has forgotten immigration as an issue and are completely open to psyops saying that there's no deportation effort at all.

It takes CATO complaining about Trump's immigration policies to get any notice at all.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:58 AM (RWrid)

159 >>>Speaking of little Marco, he's in Greece giving a speech right now and absolutely hammering globalism and global bureaucrats trying to run the world and defending nationalism.
~~~~~

Got a standing ovation when he walked in too.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at October 07, 2026 11:59 AM (3ImbR)

160 ...you can't change a culture with the same people who enabled it.

There is iron in the words of Hegsex.

Now somebody do our fcking "intel" agencies...

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 07, 2026 11:59 AM (3mtzY)

161 This is hilarious.

https://tinyurl.com/2etr33sj

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 07, 2026 11:59 AM (36x1j)

162 The Minnesota Vikings were the original Buffalo Bills.
----

Both are 0-4 in Super Bowls.

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 11:59 AM (TN0g+)

163 Commentary account
🚨Update: The Army is considering using World War 2 era M1 Garand rifles for the upcoming execution at Fort Hood, Texas. The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO) is more powerful than the standard US Army M4/16 5.56 rifle round. The Execution Officer will make the final decision soon!
Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:54 AM (E4rtv)

I suggested last night that they use Thompson guns. Then auction the used Tommy guns off for charity. A genuine Hasan chopper ought to fetch a big dollar from collectors.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 07, 2026 12:00 PM (i9VX2)

164 I suggested last night that they use Thompson guns. Then auction the used Tommy guns off for charity. A genuine Hasan chopper ought to fetch a big dollar from collectors.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 07, 2026 12:00 PM (i9VX2)
----------
Stick magazine or drum?

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 07, 2026 12:00 PM (amcLV)

165 >>Which is bonkers. True, and bonkers.

Depends on whether you are talking about words or deeds.

Trump has done more on immigration than anyone in my lifetime. Not talk, deeds.

Nobody running for the Republican nomination will say anything other than continue the Trump administration policies on the border and immigration issues.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 07, 2026 12:01 PM (viF8m)

166 Marco comforting Bobby.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 07, 2026 12:01 PM (36x1j)

167 Good observations, Mr. Mannix.

I've never served, but I've played a lot of Risk™️. The relaxation of military readiness has been concerning to me since at least when, after the fall of the Soviet Union, they started reducing our forces and closing our bases. "What th…!? Didn't anyone notice that big China thing still there?"

As the decades of opposition to the USA by the likes of Iran have demonstrated, we are at war, call it hot, cold, or warm, declared or not, and ought to act like it.

Acknowledging that status by changing the very name of the department from Defense back to War was especially encouraging.

Posted by: mindful webworker - a mere keyboard warrior at October 07, 2026 12:01 PM (uhtpA)

168 >>> 40 25
Trump 45: Pope, McClellan, Burnside

Trump 47: Grant, Sherman, Sheridan
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
=======
Good call. We are in fact in a cold civil war. Much like the old Cold War with the Soviet Union. And I think Trump is trying to prevent it from going hot as much as he can.
Posted by: whig at October 07, 2026 11:13 AM (E4rtv)

This would be a great t-shirt. Bumper sticker might be a little small.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 07, 2026 12:01 PM (3mtzY)

169 > Commentary account
🚨Update: The Army is considering using World War 2 era M1 Garand rifles for the upcoming execution at Fort Hood, Texas. The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO) is more powerful than the standard US Army M4/16 5.56 rifle round. The Execution Officer will make the final decision soon!
------------
The execution thread is going to be so fucking lit....

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 07, 2026 12:02 PM (RORbl)

170 169 > Commentary account
🚨Update: The Army is considering using World War 2 era M1 Garand rifles for the upcoming execution at Fort Hood, Texas. The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO) is more powerful than the standard US Army M4/16 5.56 rifle round. The Execution Officer will make the final decision soon!
------------
The execution thread is going to be so fucking lit....

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 07, 2026 12:02 PM (RORbl)

=

A nice palate cleanser after Democrats win 415 seats in the House and 97 seats in the Senate.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 12:02 PM (RWrid)

171 Now somebody do our fcking "intel" agencies...
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 07, 2026 11:59 AM (3mtzY)

-------

In systems like ours this falls to the military. It can't be reined in by the Party, they're all compromised, and the spooks *are* the State.

Hegseth is leaving behind an Army that may actually be able to assert itself within this triangle of power & hate.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 07, 2026 12:02 PM (BI5O2)

172 Update: The Army is considering using World War 2 era M1 Garand rifles for the upcoming execution at Fort Hood, Texas. The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO) is more powerful than the standard US Army M4/16 5.56 rifle round. The Execution Officer will make the final decision soon!
Posted by: whig
------

Uh... The .30-06 Springfield round (7.62×51mm NATO). No.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at October 07, 2026 12:03 PM (XeU6L)

173 Stick magazine or drum?
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 07, 2026 12:00 PM (amcLV)

Full meal deal, obviously!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 07, 2026 12:03 PM (i9VX2)

174 Paul Anka is a youngster at 85, but his income took a sharp drop when Johnny retired and the Tonight Show theme was shelved. Not sure the shirt market has taken up the slack.

Posted by: Won't You Give Generously? at October 07, 2026 12:03 PM (EdP2u)

175 7.62×51mm NATO is M14

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at October 07, 2026 12:04 PM (XeU6L)

176 >>> 54 49 The surprising thing about Bessent is that based on his background he should totally be on the other side.

Crazy rich, gay, kinda nebbish, worked for Soros, and a bit of a nepo baby.

But he's just the opposite of what you'd think: he's a MAGA ax murderer. That rarely happens on our side.

I wish we had a 100 more like him.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 11:15 AM (iFTx/)

========

He learned everything from Soros about currency manipulation and is applying it in America's interests instead of against America's interests.

He has the resume of a WEF stooge, but he does more to undo the multi-polar fantasy of the WEF than most people who scream about the WEF will ever dream of doing.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at October 07, 2026 11:17 AM (RWrid)

Ok, but I *still* want the next WEF conference in Davos to be attacked by 50-foot chickens.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 07, 2026 12:04 PM (3mtzY)

177 Don't get me wrong, I like what Trump is doing a lot. Some more Sherman would be nice.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 07, 2026 12:05 PM (/THgZ)

178 Stick magazine or drum?
-----

Clip

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at October 07, 2026 12:05 PM (XeU6L)

179 Hegseth may be doing the most to win the future.

The difference in walking around Ft Lewis (in Washington State) from now to three years ago is incredible. Soldiers are sharp, the facilities are cleaner, equipment looks better. Still too many overweight troops but that's changing too.
It does an old soldier good.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 07, 2026 12:05 PM (2WIwB)

180 I refuse to get involved in the Rubio mischegas. But generally speaking, I don't really care what motivates any politician to do what I want him to do. So long as he does it.

Sure, in a perfect world they would all do what I want them to do because they too want it done.

But fear and self-preservation are some of the best motivators there are. If a politician fears backlash from me and other voters, and is scared into doing what we want him to do, then that's fine by me.

Even true believers can get seduced by donors, media outrage, etc. But politicians scared they'll get punted out by voters? They might be the most reliable votes of all.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 07, 2026 12:06 PM (iFTx/)

181 A nice palate cleanser after Democrats win 415 seats in the House and 97 seats in the Senate.
-----

I hate it when that happens!

Posted by: Billy Crystal at October 07, 2026 12:06 PM (TN0g+)

182 Are they going to execute Hasan with the guns that have the thing that goes up?

Posted by: Bulg at October 07, 2026 12:06 PM (77rzZ)

183
The groundwork Hegseth laid last year was more about the lower ranks. Last year's focus on eliminating double standards based on sex or rank, eliminating time-wasting, soul-crushing and nonsensical woke "training," eliminating ideological or identity-based promotions or carve-outs, etc. all help clean up the pipeline and ensure that the boots on the ground and those NCOs and junior officers who keep the gears turning are competent and ready. This year, he's targeting the higher part of the hierarchy, not just through eliminating personnel but through refilling those positions in a better, more reliable, more competent and less political way.

The one criticism that I have for Hegseth is that he should have started this project with the officer corps rather than the rank and file. Purge the brass and give the troops leaders to look up to, leaders to follow, leaders who will support their Secretary of War when he reforms the lower ranks. That would actually make it easier to reform both cohorts, in my opinion.

Still, despite that mistake he's doing a fantastic job, so I'm good with giving him some slack.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at October 07, 2026 12:06 PM (y9nCu)

184 Don't get me wrong, I like what Trump is doing a lot. Some more Sherman would be nice.
------

Atlanta seems like its about ready for another round...

Posted by: Crusader at October 07, 2026 12:07 PM (TN0g+)

185
The execution thread is going to be so fucking lit....

Will the Hawaiian judge wait until the last minute to cancel it?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 07, 2026 12:09 PM (Cqx++)

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