Sunday Morning Book Thread 12-19-2021

Infinity Books & Event Space, Tokyo, Japan

Good morning to all you 'rons, 'ettes, lurkers, and lurkettes, wine moms, frat bros, and crétins sans pantalon (who are technically breaking the rules). Welcome once again to the stately, prestigious, internationally acclaimed and high-class Sunday Morning Book Thread, a weekly compendium of reviews, observations, snark, witty repartee, hilarious bon mots, and a continuing conversation on books, reading, spending way too much money on books, writing books, and publishing books by escaped oafs and oafettes who follow words with their fingers and whose lips move as they read. Unlike other AoSHQ comment threads, the Sunday Morning Book Thread is so hoity-toity, pants are required. Even these pants would be acceptable, although if I received them as a Christmas gift, I'd assume I was on somebody's 'naughty' list for the year.

Pic Note:

This is supposedly Tokyo’s last remaining shop specialising in used English-language books:

This [bookstore is] opened in a location between Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple and the Tokyo Skytree by the UK-born former owner of Ikebukuro’s much-loved but now closed Caravan Books, Nick Ward. A nondescript facade (look out for hand-written signboards in English) gives way to a more promising interior that might be described as the quintessential secondhand bookshop, replete with the nostalgic smell of slowly ageing pages. Adding to this charm, the premises is said to be haunted.

An extensive inventory runs the gamut of genres from classical literature through to graphic novels and children’s picture books, and the shop will also buy your unwanted English-language titles (provided they are realistically re-sellable). Infinity also doubles as an event space with beer on tap, with Ward drawing upon past experience as a Tokyo bar owner to host live music, poetry readings, quiz nights and more.

More info on their web page.

It Pays To Increase Your Word Power®

Two things:

1. Thanks to 2020 and 2021, I think this is pretty much all of us.

2. I'll bet there's a word for this exact concept in German.

(click to enlarge)

Hard Boiled Action

I enjoy reading the reviews of occasional moron commenter cool breeze over on Goodreads, because he's always seems to find interesting books that I think would appeal to the Horde. And sometimes I find out about authors I have never heard of before, For example, here is his review of Fast One by Paul Cain, which I'll excerpt almost in its entirety:

This book was written and set in seamy Los Angeles around 1932. LA is wallowing in the depths of the Depression, Prohibition, and corrupt machine politics (some things never change). The novel is more hard-boiled than Dashiell Hammett. It has more hard drinking than The Thin Man...The action is non-stop, slowing only slightly for a few sentences whenever the narrator loses consciousness, or yet another character gasps their last breath, both of which happen frequently. It has more twists and turns, and a higher individual body count, than any other book that I can recall.

This book is easily 5 stars in its genre, one of the best ever written of its kind. It isn’t Tolstoy, but it is Tolstoy within its genre. Raymond Chandler called it the "high point in the ultra hard-boiled manner".

High praise, indeed. Now, how can any fan of the hard-boiled noir detective genre not want to read a book like this? Other Goodread reviewers are equally enthusiastic.

I also like the Amazon blurb:

It's the last days of Prohibition and the first days of the Depression and East Coast crime bosses are vying for control of Los Angeles. Caught in the middle of the intrigues is Gerry Kells, a former New York enforcer now living a life of ease on the West Coast.

As the fiercely independent Kells rejects the appeals of various crime bosses who want to make use of his talents, powerful forces align against him. Being framed for a murder turns out to be the least of his troubles and as the stakes get higher, and the odds get longer, it's only Kells' nerve and toughness that keep him one step ahead of the law—and the reaper.

Featuring one of the most brutal finales in crime fiction history, this lost 1933 masterpiece took hard-boiled writing as far is it safely could. Some say too far.

The Kindle edition of Fast One is only $4.99.

Paul Cain is not to be confused with James Cain (no relation), author of such hard-boiled classics as The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity.

For more hard boiled action, check out this blog post, 20 Must Read Hard Boiled Classics, which is the first of a four-part series.

Who Dis:

(click to enlarge)

Last week's who dis was the delightful Merle Oberon.

Moron Recommendations

357 Good morning, bookworms.

I'm currently reading "My Sister, the Father", by Meri Whitaker. It's about a lady who was ordained into the ministry and has served people ever since, primarily in the local area. She walks the talk and her experiences with people are fascinating. This would seem to be an odd choice for a heathen but she never preaches and I've enjoyed every word.

It's available on Goodreads.

Ms. Whitaker is an ordained Methodist minister and this book is a collection of vignettes of her serving as a missionary to Native Americans in Oklahoma. One Goodreads review said:

The stories are light hearted but hold within each a gem of spiritual truth that makes you smile while touching that place in your heart that tells us we are truly connected to our neighbor. It is a must for those who find themselves feelng jaded about life and the least of the among us!!! It will help you reconnect with the humanity that seems evasive in our lives at time.

Sounds like it would be a refreshing change from all the shouting going on these days. Unfortunately it is OOP, but used copies are available.

___________

I'm listening to Silence and Beauty by Christian Japanese-American artist Makoto Fujimara. It is a reflection on the life of novelist Shusaku Endo and his most famous novel Silence.

It's also about Christianity in Japan. Anyhow I find the book fascinating.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 12, 2021 09:47 AM (eGTCV)

The price for Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering by Makoto Fujimura and Philip Yancy is kind of spendy, so you might want to consider a library loan.

Shusaku Endo's novel Silence, first published in 1966, endures as one of the greatest works of twentieth-century Japanese literature. Its narrative of the persecution of Christians in seventeenth-century Japan raises uncomfortable questions about God and the ambiguity of faith in the midst of suffering and hostility.

Endo's Silence took internationally renowned visual artist Makoto Fujimura on a pilgrimage of grappling with the nature of art, the significance of pain and his own cultural heritage...

In this world of pain and suffering, God often seems silent. Fujimura's reflections show that light is yet present in darkness, and that silence speaks with hidden beauty and truth.

Endo's Silence is, of course, a classic:

Seventeenth-century Japan: Two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to a country hostile to their religion, where feudal lords force the faithful to publicly renounce their beliefs. Eventually captured and forced to watch their Japanese Christian brothers lay down their lives for their faith, the priests bear witness to unimaginable cruelties that test their own beliefs. Shusaku Endo is one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese fiction writers of the twentieth century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece.

I just plunked down some coin for a copy which I'll give to Mrs. Muse on Christmas Morning. Strangely enough, I could not find an English-language Kindle edition, but only Spanish. Weird. But I did see a different book that looked interesting, Christ's Samurai: The True Story of the Shimabara Rebellion, about a real event from Japanese history during 17th century, for only $3.99. Goes on my TBR stack.

___________

Books By Morons

Moron author Shane Gries e-mails:

Back in late October I self-published a short story that had been sitting in my hard drive for the last couple of years. It's a mash-up of military sci fi and alternate history about a secret interstellar war during the Vietnam era. It's a fun read, and feedback has been very positive. The story is called "Fortunate Son" and it is available only on Kindle through Amazon.

Fortunate Son is only 99 cents on Kindle.

___________

Moron author Francis Poretto has just published The Discovery Phase: An Onteora County Romance, about Loren, and underemployed janitor with a troubled past, and Sylvie, whose professional life is taking a turn for the worse:

They met in a blue-collar bar on a Monday evening. Despite their professional, financial, and religious differences, they seemed perfect for one another...but their pasts and unforeseeable events would have their say.

The Amazon blurb has a lot more detail. Available as a Kindle edition is $3.99.

___________

So that's all for this week. As always, book thread tips, suggestions, bribes, insults, threats, ugly pants pics and moron library submissions may be sent to OregonMuse, Proprietor, AoSHQ Book Thread, at the book thread e-mail address: aoshqbookthread, followed by the 'at' sign, and then 'G' mail, and then dot cee oh emm.

What have you all been reading this week? Hopefully something good, because, as you all know, life is too short to be reading lousy books.

Posted by: OregonMuse at 09:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Tolle Lege

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2021 09:01 AM (2JoB8)

2 Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 09:01 AM (7EjX1)

3 Currently on a re-read of the Dies the Fire series.

Posted by: Vic at December 19, 2021 09:01 AM (mpXpK)

4 Who dis Dennis Hopper.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 19, 2021 09:02 AM (PiwSw)

5 Nood called, but still between books, should get something

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2021 09:02 AM (2JoB8)

6 Dennis Hopper

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 09:03 AM (ZLI7S)

7 4 yep

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 09:03 AM (ONvIw)

8 Tokyo can't speak English. Dumb fucks.

Posted by: Coquettish Haberdasher at December 19, 2021 09:03 AM (buTO7)

9 In Inuktitut, "Tagaq" means "COB fury".

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:04 AM (Dc2NZ)

10 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog at December 19, 2021 09:04 AM (svrCU)

11 Morning, Horde...How goes it? That word, "pijaralivuq" basically describes my reaction to the Amazon Wheel of Time series. I'm mainly watching it at this point just to see how bad it gets. There is *no end* in sight...Episode 7 was just bad from start to finish. Episode 8 (the last episode of Season 1) promises to be a dumpster fire of truly epic proportions.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 19, 2021 09:05 AM (K5n5d)

12 Slightly belated author birthday:

https://twitter.com/ModernLibrary/status/1471112700692512775

Posted by: Biden's Dog at December 19, 2021 09:05 AM (svrCU)

13 Good morning

Posted by: Floridachick at December 19, 2021 09:05 AM (fnXaG)

14 Does anyone have any intel on William Alan Webb's The Last Brigade series? He needs to finish the Showdown Trilogy.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 19, 2021 09:06 AM (PiwSw)

15 That looks like a fun bookstore to visit. I've been following a JRT site and a regular poster is a woman from Japan with.a pup named Dougherty. A lotbof English language in that house and in her town.

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 09:06 AM (ONvIw)

16 Is Goodreads an independent entity or it part of the Zuckerberg empire or tied in with Amazon?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (y7DUB)

17 Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?

Posted by: IanDeal at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (YMvfk)

18 Avoid any series made by Amazon and netflix.

Posted by: Floridachick at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (fnXaG)

19 Well, that's a new record. I bought Fast One maybe 60 seconds after the Book Thread was posted.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (FVME7)

20 Off to retrieve pants.. . .

Continued working on Dante's Divine Comedy - now into Purgatorio - just great stuff there. Also in the early chapters of Gorenstein's The Guns of John Moses Browning. A great read so far.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (mD/uy)

21 Stock up on your essentials now. Omicron is going to spread like wildfire. People won't be very sick, but by the 10 day quarantine rules for positives, expect massive supply disruptions again. And probably another multi trillion dollar bailout.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:08 AM (E8EsG)

22 11 Morning, Horde...How goes it? That word, "pijaralivuq" basically describes my reaction to the Amazon Wheel of Time series. I'm mainly watching it at this point just to see how bad it gets. There is *no end* in sight...Episode 7 was just bad from start to finish. Episode 8 (the last episode of Season 1) promises to be a dumpster fire of truly epic proportions.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 19, 2021 09:05 AM (K5n5d)

The Wheel of Time book series turned to sh*t after the 3rd book. The TV series was sh*t from the begining and got worse.

Posted by: Vic at December 19, 2021 09:08 AM (mpXpK)

23 I suspect the Japanese use i-readers, too and are minimizing print edition purchases.

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 09:08 AM (ONvIw)

24 Blazing through the very readable The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King -- the five-star admirals who won the war in the Pacific by Walter R. Borneman.

Said of Leahy: "There was something sinister about his owlish profile and his always solemn manner. He usually looked in his photographs as if he were forever smelling bad fish."

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:09 AM (Dc2NZ)

25 If you're interested in Japanese Christianity you might want to read about the flight leader of the Pearl Harbor attack. Interesting life. Mitsuo Fuchida.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 09:10 AM (7bRMQ)

26 21Omicron is part of global government

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 09:10 AM (ONvIw)

27 I'm continuing with the 100 Days of Dante program. We are up to Canto 10 of the Purgatory segment. To my surprise, I have kept up with the reading and videos. Have to say, The Divine Comedy has been a pleasant and educational experience. I'm glad I started.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (7EjX1)

28 Random thought: The Neverending Story would be a good name for a book about the covid crisis.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (FVME7)

29 IanDeal. Atlas Shrugged. Coming from a dem family with labor union members I was raised dem. AS changed me to repub. 9/11 made me conservative.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (2NHgQ)

30
Stock up on your essentials now. Omicron is going to spread like wildfire.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:08 AM

Any idea what the reproduction (R=) number is?

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (dQvv7)

31 Finished James Jones "From here to Eternity". Book became better by the end. Some parts were really goods and some were a little boring. Anyway, I decided to read second part of trilogy in couple month. Hope, actual war book will be better

Posted by: redmonkey at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (0+Ppk)

32 I read an article this week about the Japanese tradition of eating KFC on Christmas day. It's an odd culture.

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (QX4+f)

33 Hot Coffee!!!...The Conquering Tide...Toll!!!
would love to find a Japanese Soldiers story especially during their run through the South Pacific early 42'
where they totally kicked ass...never seen anything on how their tactics work and what methods they used for all those amphibious landings they accomplished...

Posted by: Qmark at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (emnp2)

34 17Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most
Posted by: IanDeal

"Corazon" (Heart in Spanish). Inspirational short stories aimed at preteens/teens readers. Long, long ago.

Posted by: Floridachick at December 19, 2021 09:12 AM (fnXaG)

35 Random thought: The Neverending Story would be a good name for a book about the covid crisis.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (FVME7)
----
I quite enjoyed the novel by Michael Ende. One of my childhood favorites. Not a huge fan of the movies they made, though the first one was OK.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 19, 2021 09:12 AM (K5n5d)

36 When I was a kid, I came across one of Grandma's Perry Mason books. The title intrigued me, and I decided to read that someday.

At some time I don't remember, I was flipping through a PM and the solution seemed clever. I've wanted to read that book since.

You see where this is going?

"The Case of the Troubled Trustee" checks both of those boxes.

Ironically, now that I've read it, the solution seems too much deus ex machina to me. I think Gardner should have seeded in the key development earlier.

Still, a bucket list two-fer.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 19, 2021 09:13 AM (Om/di)

37 Vic. I enjoyed the first few books of the Dies the Fire series. Couldn't stomach the balance. Did you read them all?

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 09:13 AM (2NHgQ)

38 Nice Jap Event Room.

Those pants are fine for shopping and other gay affairs.

The Who Dis had his mind enlarged by Col. Kurtz.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 19, 2021 09:13 AM (R/m4+)

39 All hail Omicron. Sacrifice your first born at the altar of the vaxxed! Pray that Omicron is pleased with your offering and his spike protein of death passes your household and leaves you unscathed.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:14 AM (E8EsG)

40 Oh, Who Dis looks like Elvis Presley.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 19, 2021 09:14 AM (Om/di)

41 In my reading this week, I finished The Dark Shore, Book 1 of the Dominions of Irth. It was pretty self-contained, so you don't have to read the other books in the series, though they do expand on the lore quite a bit. At least, so I gather from reading the intro material...Not a bad series. Very descriptive imagery.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (K5n5d)

42 Any idea what the reproduction (R=) number is?
Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (dQvv7)

UK estimate is about 4.5. Old Covid was about 1.2, i believe.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (E8EsG)

43 Who dis previous Easy Rider.

Morning Mouth Breathers

Posted by: weirdflunky at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (cknjq)

44 After reading Michael Dirda's book "On Conan Doyle" and revisiting some of the Holmes stories I've been bingeing on books about Holmes. The Holmes 'literature' is mostly by members of the Baker Street Irregulars. The idea is to derive 'facts' about Holmes and Watson and their adventures. It is deliberately silly and/or absurd but fun. The keys are that Holmes and Watson are real people and to make the claims and revelations completely straight-faced. It makes for a lot of enjoyable and creative reading. They make me think of PG Wodehouse, who wrote at least one of the pieces.

Some of the books include:
- The Annotated Sherlock Holmes
- Profiles By Gaslight (love that title)
-The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
- Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street.

These are books you can dip into when the mood strikes and don't have to be read cover to cover in a couple of sittings.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (7EjX1)

45 JTB, regarding The Inferno, did you find the commentary by Dr. Clark to be trite with her references to the 'rona? This was for Canto 29. Her commentary fell far short, for me, of the normally excellent discussion of the other Cantos.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (mD/uy)

46 Is that James Dean at the Griffith Observatory filming Rebel Without A Cause?

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 19, 2021 09:17 AM (2JVJo)

47 My reading week was more for research than for fun. I'm getting anxious about school closures and thinking that the grandsons might be with me again. I looked into the school's reading lists and made some purchases in preparation for this. If nothing changes we can always use them for summer reading.

I also remained annoyed about Vermont canceling Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Eventhough she was pretty liberal for her day, I think it's a crime to toss her work on the intellectual if not the physical bonfire. She focused on self-reliance and responsibility, which are now "conservative" wrong-think, and was against learned helplessness.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:17 AM (ONvIw)

48 An Actor needs new soles.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:19 AM (E8EsG)

49 Good morning morons

6:19 AM and I've been willowed three times already

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2021 09:19 AM (EZebt)

50 Those pants are fine. I'd wear them to a joint session of Congress and vote "Present"!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 09:19 AM (m45I2)

51 39 All hail Omicron. Sacrifice your first born at the altar of the vaxxed! Pray that Omicron is pleased with your offering and his spike protein of death passes your household and leaves you unscathed.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:14 AM (E8EsG)

Are you this vocal at work? I'm retired, but opposed my facility's idiotic vax or mask rules for the flu shot. I failed, but tried.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:20 AM (ONvIw)

52 Oh, Hopper.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 19, 2021 09:20 AM (2JVJo)

53 Who dis is Elvis !

Posted by: runner at December 19, 2021 09:20 AM (V13WU)

54 How much of the current cultural rot is caused by the Marxists making reading a chore, rather than a pleasure?

Posted by: Lrrr at December 19, 2021 09:21 AM (me/Bi)

55 Goodreads is part of Amazon.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:21 AM (QZxDR)

56 Good morning fellow book lovers.
I'm back! Happy to be home and glad it's drizzling so I can spend the day doing the two weeks of accumulated laundry.
Managed to read two books. Review to follow.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 09:22 AM (Y+l9t)

57 Pushing on through Cherryh's Union-Alliance universe with Cyteen. The planet Cyteen and its stations and outposts are in the far beyond of human colonization, having broken away from the cultural and moral strictures of Earth. They are heavily tech-centric and transhumanist, and employed genetics and cloning to fine tune and boost their population.

It's slow going in the beginning because it's mostly politics.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:22 AM (Dc2NZ)

58 I thought it was Elvis too.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 09:23 AM (Y+l9t)

59 I thought it was Elvis too at first glance. Is Hopper at the big telescope in LA? From that movie? About the teens?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:23 AM (Dc2NZ)

60
UK estimate is about 4.5. Old Covid was about 1.2, i believe.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM

Yikes. I ran the numbers yesterday on my guess of R=3 and came up with 19 days to reach over 330 million.

1, 3, 9, 27,81, 243, 729, 2187, 6561,19683, 59049, 177147, 531441, 1594323, 4782969, 14348907, 43046721,129140163, and finally 387,420,489

So if R=4.5 in a perfect scenario of everyone out and about two weeks won't just 'flatten the curve' but put an end to it.

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 09:24 AM (dQvv7)

61 Are you this vocal at work?

No. My boss knows my feelings on the jab and the IVM policy. I keep my mouth shut around the nurses. I never know which one is going to write an embellished letter to the CEO. I am beginning to understand how reluctant a hospital is to fire an MD, but these are screwey times and I am not in a financial position to tempt fate just yet.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:25 AM (E8EsG)

62 Excellent Muldoon. I was sweating coming up with a rejoinder.

Posted by: f'd at December 19, 2021 09:25 AM (Tnijr)

63 37 Vic. I enjoyed the first few books of the Dies the Fire series. Couldn't stomach the balance. Did you read them all?

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 09:13 AM (2NHgQ)

Yes I read them all when I first read the dead tree version. I will only read the 1st 3 on the re-reads.

Posted by: Vic at December 19, 2021 09:26 AM (mpXpK)

64 Interesting little tempest brewing up in the Science Fiction fandom teapot. Every year at the World SF con they vote on where to hold it two years hence. So this year, the winning bid for 2023 was . . . Chengdu, China. Entirely won by a huge number of late mail-in votes submitted by people who bought "supporting" memberships (= not attending this year's convention but can vote on Hugos and con bids) at the last minute.

In short, the Chicoms just bought themselves a Worldcon -- and consequently the Hugo awards for 2023 (if not forever). Nobody except the Chicoms are happy about this.

This is probably the last nail in the coffin for Worldcons and the Hugos.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:26 AM (QZxDR)

65 Boy Franpsycho's favorite bookstore is the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Japantown. When he was still in grade school he collected Thomas the Tank Engine books in Japanese. We were pretty sure he was interpreting the Japanese text but we will never really know for sure.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2021 09:27 AM (EZebt)

66 32 I read an article this week about the Japanese tradition of eating KFC on Christmas day. It's an odd culture.

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (QX4+f)

I've heard that it is a tradition with Jewish people in NYC, and perhaps the East Coast in general, to go out for Chinese food on Christmas day. That sounds like fun.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 09:27 AM (Lnjxc)

67 @51

>>Are you this vocal at work?

As a data point, I went to my cardiologist for a checkup, I had my mask in my pocket, the nurse/assistant told me I had to put my mask on, I said, this is all bullshit, you know that, right?

She said, yes this all bullshit, now put your mask on. Which I had to do because otherwise I wouldn't be allowed to see the Dr.

Once I was in the room, the Dr. came and said take the stupid mask off.

I took it off and was shaking my head.

This is how evil wins.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 19, 2021 09:28 AM (Avp4z)

68 So if R=4.5 in a perfect scenario of everyone out and about two weeks won't just 'flatten the curve' but put an end to it.

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus

Dr Campbell estimates the US will be in the thick of it by mid Jan. The good news is that in South Africa, they have 8000 hospitalized "with" omicron. 1000 require O2, and 80 are on a vent. Wayyyyy less than Old Coof.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:28 AM (E8EsG)

69 Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?
Posted by: IanDeal at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (YMvfk)

Furious Seasons by Raymond Carver, a small press collection of short stories I found in the library. Every spare moment was spent reading it; it wasn't long so I probably finished it in less than two days. I remember finding out about him from an Ann Beattie recommendation; I liked her writing before that ok but after reading Carver she was second rate.

There was always an unsettling edge to his writing like something bad is about to happen. His writing got worse after he got off the sauce and the later books were definitely second rate even as the lit crits foamed at the mouth like idiots over them. Every now and then I'll run into someone like Paul Bowles who strikes me kind of the same way, but Bowles stuff is more hit and miss.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 09:28 AM (y7DUB)

70 >>I thought it was Elvis too.

Look at the book he is reading, An Actor Prepares.

Elvis wouldn't need that. He was from the "wing it" school of acting.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 09:29 AM (ZLI7S)

71 Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?
Posted by: IanDeal

I grew up quite poor in a dysfunctional family as a result of which I was crippled by shyness and feelings of inferiority. The book Conversationally Speaking by Alan Garner taught me to be less socially awkward and today I am the charming sophisticate you see before you.

Similarly, as I was reading that portion of War and Peace in which the formerly fat, stupid, and boring Pierre magically becomes full figured, brilliant, and charming when he surprisingly inherits his absentee father's great wealth and to such an extent as to attract the beautiful but evil Helene, I was so consumed jealousy of what was clearly an unhealthy relationship that I knew that I needed help. I sought counseling and am now only moderately crazy.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (FVME7)

72 I'd wear those pants to Walmart!

Posted by: Rosasharn at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (PzBTm)

73 No. My boss knows my feelings on the jab and the IVM policy. I keep my mouth shut around the nurses. I never know which one is going to write an embellished letter to the CEO. I am beginning to understand how reluctant a hospital is to fire an MD, but these are screwey times and I am not in a financial position to tempt fate just yet.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:25 AM (E8EsG)

Good plan. I retired over the "trans" crap. I am happy not to have to deal with the CRT and wuflu part of hospital life. As for nurses, I'd be more worried about the social workers and aftercare schedulers, these careers draw more karens.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (ONvIw)

74 45 ... "regarding The Inferno, did you find the commentary by Dr. Clark to be trite with her references to the 'rona? This was for Canto 29. Her commentary fell far short, for me, of the normally excellent discussion of the other Cantos."

Tonypete,
Yeah, that one annoyed me. She failed to understand the nature of the sin and then went on to bring in unrelated material she thought (if she thought at all) would make the Canto relevant. It was one of the worst of the videos so far, something I would expect from some 11th grade girl. As you said, most of them have been excellent.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 09:31 AM (7EjX1)

75 Elvis is everywhere.

Posted by: Mojo at December 19, 2021 09:31 AM (Tnijr)

76 Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?
Posted by: IanDeal at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM

Collier's Encyclopedia. M&D got a VERY used set, published in the '20s. It had excerpts from works by Shakespeare and Milton etc., color plates of works by various artists, and a lot of information about The Great War. (Our elderly neighbor, a WWII vet, got a kick out of me thinking he fought the Kaiser.)

There was so much information about the world; I wanted to see it all.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 19, 2021 09:32 AM (/+bwe)

77 I took it off and was shaking my head.

This is how evil wins.
Posted by: Thomas Bender

Because you never know who the terrorist Karen will be who reports you to the authorities for not following protocols. And of course the bitches never tell you directly. They anonymously tell the director, and you get warned about your failure to follow the rules later. "You were seen in the department without your mask on yesterday"

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:32 AM (E8EsG)

78 I've started reading The History of the Church by Eusebius of Caeseria. I suspect it will be a long, slow read of 10 minutes at a time.
If I try reading more than the words become a blur and I understand nothing.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 09:32 AM (eGTCV)

79 That last picture...

*******

Nine, eight, seven, six... - a limerick

The draperies read a book. Imagine that!
Then the darned thing fell, squishing Fluffy flat
In a comic twist of fate
I'm now able to relate
That the book was titled "Curtains For The Cat"

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 09:34 AM (m45I2)

80 Yeah man, you know people from outer space,
People from outer space they come up to me.
They don't look like like Doctor Spock.
They don't look like Klingons,
All that Star Trek jive.
They look like Elvis.

Posted by: Mojo at December 19, 2021 09:34 AM (Tnijr)

81 This is probably the last nail in the coffin for Worldcons and the Hugos.

About friggin' time. Actually, about a decade too late.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 19, 2021 09:34 AM (nfrXX)

82 How much of the current cultural rot is caused by the Marxists making reading a chore, rather than a pleasure?
Posted by: Lrrr at December 19, 2021 09:21 AM (me/Bi)

Probably a lot, particularly history which they turned into mindless recitation of statistics with no consideration for a smoothly flowing narration.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 09:34 AM (y7DUB)

83 Straightforwardly from the NY Post: "A Washington state lawmaker died Friday, weeks after he had announced he tested positive for COVID-19 while in Central America -- though it wasn't clear if the illness is what killed him."

That [probably] AP reported here in a news chyron... "Washington state Senator Doug Ericksen has died at age 52, weeks after he tested positive for Covid-19."

Oddly it doesn't go on to say or have a second paragraph noting that he fought the state's WuFlu mandate. [You know. so he deserved it.] But that's the only reason to mention this gentleman on a Canadian, Toronto-based news station.

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (UHVv4)

84 This is probably the last nail in the coffin for Worldcons and the Hugos.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:26 AM (QZxDR)
---

Enjoy that sulfurous Chengdu air, a-holes.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (Dc2NZ)

85 Because you never know who the terrorist Karen will be who reports you to the authorities for not following protocols. And of course the bitches never tell you directly. They anonymously tell the director, and you get warned about your failure to follow the rules later. "You were seen in the department without your mask on yesterday"
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:32 AM (E8EsG)

In NJ we also had to worry about the surveillance devices, they were everywhere. There used to be more privacy concerns, but except for patient rooms, and a couple of exam rooms, they were everywhere.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (ONvIw)

86
Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?
Posted by: IanDeal

A Twain book where the town preacher takes the town drunk into his household. The drunk climbs out the window every night, gets drunk again, and the preacher bails him out again. Over and over.

I absorbed that lesson and saw it in real life, which is why I could never be on the liberal side of the equation. I guess the lesson is, reward bad behavior and you'll just get more of the same.

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (dQvv7)

87 Guten Tag, fellow Leseratten!

My writing pace has necessarily slowed as I do more research. Records of the Historian by Ssu-ma Ch'ien is basically China's version of The Twelve Caesars - chatty, gossipy, fun to read.

The Chinese have some pretty odd ideas about what's honorable and what's not, that's for sure.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (llXky)

88 Interesting life. Mitsuo Fuchida.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 09:10 AM (7bRMQ)

It definitely was. Growing up I had a comic book about him as well as one about Nate Saint and one based on the autobiography (I found the real book later in a library) Hansi: Girl Who Loved the Swastika. Apparently it was a series of "lives of modern saints and believers from around the world"

In the actual Hansi the author brings out how much Nazism was a cult of personality and how hard it was to trust anyone about anything after the man she'd been taught to think of as diety fell so ignominiously.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (nC+QA)

89 If a very nice male body wearing those pants showed up at my door, I would definitely let him in.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (Y+l9t)

90 How much of the current cultural rot is caused by the Marxists making reading a chore, rather than a pleasure?

My reading has changed. I read all of the classics decades ago, I've pretty much read all of the theological commentaries and STs. I've read all of the Creation/Evolution books worth reading.

Most stuff written in the last decade or three is dreck, mostly because the publishers tell the authors that their audience is mentally retarded with a third grade reading level and so little comprehension that things can never be repeated or dummied down enough.

So I read lots of white-papers, abstracts, specialty journals, and comments on a small handful of blogs because on the more popular one, the comments are more akin to monkeys in a cage masturbating, screaming and throwing feces.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at December 19, 2021 09:36 AM (+LCoQ)

91 In the actual Hansi the author brings out how much Nazism was a cult of personality and how hard it was to trust anyone about anything after the man she'd been taught to think of as diety fell so ignominiously.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (nC+QA)

Obamaites, take note....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 09:37 AM (7bRMQ)

92 Elvis is everywhere.
Posted by: Mojo at December 19, 2021 09:31 AM (Tnijr)

Yup....I once had Elvis pump my gas outside of Richmond, Virginny in 1990. He had lost a few pounds but I kept thinking "this bastard looks like The King".

When I paid him for the gas and a few extra dollars for a tip, he said "Thank you, thank you very much".

That's when I knew.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 19, 2021 09:37 AM (R/m4+)

93 72 I'd wear those pants to Walmart!
Posted by: Rosasharn at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (PzBTm)
---

And you'd be the best dressed person there! Don't forget your Christmas light necklace and antlers.

I actually kind of like deez pantz. They would be worn with a wink, like those suits made out of loud Xmas patterns.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:37 AM (Dc2NZ)

94 Life changing I doubt it, but really kicked into high gear a life long hobby.
Campaigns of Napoleon by David Chandler

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2021 09:37 AM (2JoB8)

95 Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:09 AM (Dc2NZ)

Is that Leahy related to the politician of the same name?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:38 AM (nC+QA)

96 Other than the Bible, what book changed your life the most?
Posted by: IanDeal

Once a person really reads the inspired word of God, everything else is a major let-down.

There is quite a long list of books that have contributed to my understanding and processing of the world around me, but many orders of magnitude less than Scripture.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at December 19, 2021 09:38 AM (+LCoQ)

97 "It was reported to me You were seen in the department without your mask on yesterday"
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:32 AM (E8EsG)

===
I always add this preface for accuracy.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2021 09:39 AM (EZebt)

98 90. I think the dumbing down is an attempt to make reading "fun" by failing to include anything the least bit challenging, and by deleting descriptive passages. I am fortunate that the grandsons' school lists focus on kids' classics and not on woke garbage.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:39 AM (ONvIw)

99 Is that Leahy related to the politician of the same name?
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:38 AM (nC+QA)
---

I just glanced at the politician's Wiki and it didn't mention anything about the admiral. But I don't know.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2021 09:40 AM (Dc2NZ)

100 It's being reported that Manchin just announced, on Fox News of all places, that he is a hard no on Build Back Biden.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 09:41 AM (ZLI7S)

101 I also ordered some light reading. I bought Christie's Parker Pyne Investigates. I recall watching some dramatizations back in the 80s and enjoyed them. Parker Pyne solved his dilemmas by the use of statistics, iirc.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:42 AM (ONvIw)

102 Oddly it doesn't go on to say or have a second paragraph noting that he fought the state's WuFlu mandate. [You know. so he deserved it.] But that's the only reason to mention this gentleman on a Canadian, Toronto-based news station.
Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:35 AM (UHVv4)
===

They want you to believe there is Divine retribution for deviating from the Party line.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2021 09:42 AM (EZebt)

103 Life-changing books:

Lord of the Rings, which continues to resonate with me, and Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy, which brought me to a whole new level of understanding Catholicism.

Waugh is funny, but there's a deeper discussion of faith vs material things that spoke to me at a critical time in my life. I limit my exposure to the book so that I will enjoy it more.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:42 AM (llXky)

104 Osaka police identify 61-year-old prime suspect in psychiatric clinic fire that killed 24; I read the cops searched a house yesterday, so I guess it helped.

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:43 AM (UHVv4)

105 Takeaways from the BMJ study of heart inflammation from the jab:

4.5 million people studied- we need to do a bigger study by injecting millions more and see how many hearts we scar.

Moderna much more likely to cause myocarditis than Pfizer- It is mild, probably, and you will recover just fine, probably. And you might get myocarditis anyway from coof, but we don't know.

Bottom line: jab jabby jabbity jab! Jab yo wife! Jab yo kids! Jab everyone!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:43 AM (E8EsG)

106 Book that changed my life the most besides Torah is Aesop's Fables

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2021 09:44 AM (EZebt)

107 For me the life-changing book was a quite obscure popular-science work by Adrian Berry published in the 1970s, called _The Next Ten Thousand Years_. It was a wonderful antidote to the Malthusian doom & gloom of that decade.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:44 AM (QZxDR)

108 Posted by: Qmark at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (emnp2)

Churchill's WWII series brought out the blinding speed the Japanese moved at throughout Asia. In school we never learned that *a lot* of places were attacked through out Asia at the same time as Pearl Harbor. They essentially had their own Blitzkrieg.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:44 AM (nC+QA)

109 So my backup driver of 1 TB of music was not there on my new machine. Somehow I had set it to admin only access and had to change permissions on the entire file set. Took about 90 seconds but it is there now.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 19, 2021 09:44 AM (yrol0)

110 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 09:45 AM (arJlL)

111 Reading Pressfield's Man At Arms. Glad he went back to historical fiction. So far so good.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 09:45 AM (I5hoQ)

112 As far as my own reading this week, I should finish For Whom the Bell Tolls shortly. It's a good accounting of an American in the Spanish Civil War but the majority of the book is spent waiting for something to happen and getting to know the locals. Maybe this was the book Jones aspired to when he wrote From Here to Eternity.

Also am getting close to the end of a reread of Proust.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 09:46 AM (y7DUB)

113 That ain't Elvis.

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 09:46 AM (arJlL)

114 This is how evil wins.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 19, 2021 09:28 AM (Avp4z)
---
Evil is losing, and its rage is causing it to lash out uncontrollably. Whatever unified plan may have existed is crumbling, which is why you have some Dem governors locking everything down in sight, while others are frozen into inactivity.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:47 AM (llXky)

115 Toronto's transit bus bosses [the TTC] have invented a great way to fight the Moronic and WuFlus -- they're keeping the bus windows open in winter because there's nothing better after standing outside, in the dark especially, with windchill as well as ordinary freezing temperatures than to go into a bus with its [top-third] windows open!

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (UHVv4)

116 107 For me the life-changing book was a quite obscure popular-science work by Adrian Berry published in the 1970s, called _The Next Ten Thousand Years_. It was a wonderful antidote to the Malthusian doom & gloom of that decade.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:44 AM (QZxDR)

I'm going to nominate the fantasy novel Lilith by George McDonald. It turned my troubled heart Godward.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (eGTCV)

117 It's interesting to look back on your life and wonder who you'd be if you'd read a different book, seen a different movie, or made a different friend.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (QZxDR)

118 "That ain't Elvis.
Posted by: JT"

Au contraire

He's in everybody...
Elvis is in your jeans.
He's in your cheeseburgers
Elvis is in Nutty Buddies!
Elvis is in your mom!
He's in everybody.

Posted by: Mojo at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (Tnijr)

119 Moderna much more likely to cause myocarditis than Pfizer- It is mild, probably, and you will recover just fine, probably. And you might get myocarditis anyway from coof, but we don't know.

Bottom line: jab jabby jabbity jab! Jab yo wife! Jab yo kids! Jab everyone!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:43 AM (E8EsG)

But we're making lots of money, so let's push this.

I had a brief period of fatigue and noticed pvcs during my bout of covid, but I recall a similar episode after a pneumonia years earlier. People make a huge mistake by ignoring the fact that flus cause the same things they consider so "dangerous" with wuflu.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (ONvIw)

120 The Discovery Phase is surely fiction. Women rarely get involved with someone below their educational/ / financial class.

Its a welcomed fictional tale though.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (I5hoQ)

121 Similarly, as I was reading that portion of War and Peace in which the formerly fat, stupid, and boring Pierre magically becomes full figured, brilliant, and charming when he surprisingly inherits his absentee father's great wealth and to such an extent as to attract the beautiful but evil Helene, I was so consumed jealousy of what was clearly an unhealthy relationship that I knew that I needed help. I sought counseling and am now only moderately crazy.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (FVME7)

I don't know what to think of Tolstoy. There are some who absolutely despise him, not for his writings, but for who he was. Others seem to think he was a brilliant and prescient critic of government, and so give him a pass for his "eccentric" personality, I suppose.

I've only ever read his short works, none of the long stuff.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 09:50 AM (4IRFc)

122 A flow chart, but every decision branch leads to: Get the jab!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:50 AM (E8EsG)

123 I'm guessing it's already been mentioned but if not, today marks 20 years since Lord of the Rings was released in the U.S.

[I'm guessing the movie and not the novel!]

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:50 AM (UHVv4)

124 Because you never know who the terrorist Karen will be who reports you to the authorities for not following protocols. And of course the bitches never tell you directly. They anonymously tell the director, and you get warned about your failure to follow the rules later.

I lay odds that this, right here, is more of a motivating force by many who have had the taste of working remote to petition to continue the practice indefinitely.

The Karenwafenn destroys more office camaraderie, trust and cohesion than any other force. People really don't like having to watch every word, reconsider every facial expression and pretty much any other movement or sound that could be interpreted as hostile or worthy of complaint to HR.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at December 19, 2021 09:50 AM (+LCoQ)

125 I'm sorry but I'm not sure if George is a McDonald or a MacDonald.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (eGTCV)

126 The second book I read while on vacation was Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Book was loaned to me by Iris. It is the first book I've read by this author.
Book is very interesting as it presents an interesting multi planet universe run by a combine of humans and AI with the hint of a third party coming into play, The Ousters.
The setting and story line is presented through the stories of 7 pilgrims on a journey to the mysterious Shrike who guards the Time Tombs where time is running backwards.
It is very well written all the way up to the end where he leaves you completely up in the air and needing to read the second book to find out what happens. This is so wrong on so many levels. I should have been warned.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (Y+l9t)

127 117 It's interesting to look back on your life and wonder who you'd be if you'd read a different book, seen a different movie, or made a different friend.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (QZxDR)

For me, only the friend part seems important and potentially life changing.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (ONvIw)

128 Bottom line: jab jabby jabbity jab! Jab yo wife! Jab yo kids! Jab everyone!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 09:43 AM (E8EsG)
---
It's interesting how medicine is handling this around here. My cardiologist had been recommending the jab, but when I asked for a review of my particular case, he did a deep dive, and came out against it.

I also learned that local nurses' union has authorized a strike if the hospital imposes a mandate, which kind of wrecks the "SCIENCE!!!" narrative.

I applied for medical exemption from the Guard, haven't heard back yet.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (llXky)

129 Maybe this was the book Jones aspired to when he wrote From Here to Eternity.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt

Glad to see you're feeling better !

Merry Christmas, Captain Hate !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (arJlL)

130 Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 09:16 AM (7EjX1)

The OTR mystery series I'm listening to currently is a Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Most of the stories are "Suggested by an incident in ...).

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 09:52 AM (nC+QA)

131 I loved the early parts of War & Peace -- which were mostly written as slice-of-life portraits of aristocratic Russian life. In the later parts where Tolstoy starts wallowing in the Significance Of It All my attention lapsed a little.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:52 AM (QZxDR)

132 People make a huge mistake by ignoring the fact that flus cause the same things they consider so "dangerous" with wuflu.
Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (ONvIw)

Our betters tell us flu is at record levels low these past couple years.

Weird, huh?

So if that's the case, why are they pushing the flu shot so heavy? Why, it's almost like NONE of this has to do with health and safety.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 09:52 AM (4IRFc)

133 I'm reading "Paul: A Biography" by N.T. Wright and enjoying it very much. Wright is both an Anglican bishop and an excellent historian and really goes into detail explaining the forces and differing worldviews Paul had to deal with the 1st century AD and how much we (wrongly) project our own assumptions backwards onto people who saw the world entirely differently. One example: the common belief that Paul was a Jew who switched religions and became a Christian. Nobody in the 1st century thought in such terms. Religion was not a personal thing practiced quietly at home and set aside in public life. Belief in deities defined communities and every aspect of people's lives. Paul and the early Jewish Christians never thought that they had left Judaism - they believed Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise made by God on Sinai.

Anyway, it's not only thought-provoking, but a fun book - Wright does not get so tangled up in theological thickets that laypeople cannot follow him. And Paul's adventures on the road, described in a very bare bones way in Acts, are fleshed out in a compelling way.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 09:53 AM (HabA/)

134 I don't think I've had a life changing book. I was drawn to the Lord as a young kid without having read the Bible and all the books I have read just follow my outlook of life already.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 09:54 AM (I5hoQ)

135 he Discovery Phase is surely fiction. Women rarely get involved with someone below their educational/ / financial class.

Yeah, but the guy who is a Master plumber or electrician will soon have more money than she could ever hope to see pursuing the chump who thinks he deserves the corner office because of his education and wit.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at December 19, 2021 09:54 AM (+LCoQ)

136 Dis is Dennis Hopper at Griffith Observatory.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko gender fluid at December 19, 2021 09:54 AM (wegMH)

137 I've mentioned that I'm on a Robert Harris kick pursuant to which I read Munich which I thought was pretty good. I see that Netflix has now turned it into a movie to be released next month. From the trailer, it appears they've turned it into more of an action movie.

And speaking of Harris, I'm in the middle of V-2. I know that there's no math on the blog but among the characters is a group of RAF officers who determine the launch points of the rockets by applying known points (including impact points in London) to a parabolic equation.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 09:55 AM (FVME7)

138 Okay, since its Christmas, I'm gonna say that whoever gets the "these pants" as a gift, should get a weedwhacker too !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 09:55 AM (arJlL)

139 46 Is that James Dean at the Griffith Observatory filming Rebel Without A Cause?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 19, 2021 09:17 AM (2JVJo)

Dennis Hopper, but correct setting.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 19, 2021 09:55 AM (H8QX8)

140 Book thread! So much fun. Must go do Christmas errands today but I'll read what y'all recommend later in the afternoon. Reading Jane Eyre again, because the Bronte's are incredible, and I lazily always return to my favorites. That's why I've read some book series (like O'Brian) five or six times.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 19, 2021 09:55 AM (bkrQ4)

141 It's interesting to look back on your life and wonder who you'd be if you'd read a different book, seen a different movie, or made a different friend.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (QZxDR)

Kinda like, asking the girl you didn't, and not asking the girl you did?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 09:56 AM (7bRMQ)

142 Given the title of the book _The Discovery Phase_ I'm guessing that the hard-luck blue-collar guy is a former lawyer who has to get back into the ring for one last big case.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:56 AM (QZxDR)

143 Is Goodreads an independent entity or it part of the Zuckerberg empire or tied in with Amazon?
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 09:07 AM (y7DUB)

I didn't see an answer to this question. I'd be interested too, I don't trust anything I don't already know, from toothpaste to turtle wax. Who are we funding if we buy your shite?

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 09:56 AM (4IRFc)

144
My sister was in social work and reported everyone under the sun to authorities including her own father and brother (me) and most recently someone from her neighborhood who posted a picture on some social media site of being on the grounds of the Capital on J6.

I had to warn my own daughter about contact with her, telling her if she posted a picture for her to see of her children and my sister saw something amiss, my daughter would get a visit from Social Services.

Some rat bastids gotta be bastids. It's in their DNA.

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 09:56 AM (dQvv7)

145 "Yeah, but the guy who is a Master plumber or electrician will soon have more money than she could ever hope to see pursuing the chump who thinks he deserves the corner office because of his education and wit."

So I was reading the 'Book of Jokes' (See what I did there?), and there was the classic...

You know who keeps their yacht tied up next to my cardiologists?

My plumber.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at December 19, 2021 09:57 AM (3D/fK)

146 Dis is Dennis Hopper at Griffith Observatory.
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko gender fluid at December 19, 2021 09:54 AM (wegMH)

With a pipe wrench.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 09:57 AM (4IRFc)

147 Because you never know who the terrorist Karen will be who reports you to the authorities for not following protocols. And of course the bitches never tell you directly. They anonymously tell the director, and you get warned about your failure to follow the rules later.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

******

Things flipped on their head when ancillary staff learned they could turn any criticism from a physician back on the doc as a charge of "disruptive physician". I can imagine how bad that has gotten in the COVID era. I do not envy your position, and am very glad that I retired in early '19. Hang in there, brother!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 09:58 AM (m45I2)

148 Good morning, Horde!

Getting ready to go to the Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater. Our party of nine is now seven, due to the stomach bug.

Posted by: Ladyl at December 19, 2021 09:59 AM (TdMsT)

149 Yeah, but the guy who is a Master plumber or electrician will soon have more money than she could ever hope to see pursuing the chump who thinks he deserves the corner office because of his education and wit.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at December 19, 2021 09:54 AM (+LCoQ)
---
There is a genre of romance where the upper-class, prim and proper lady finds true fulfillment with the more manly guy. Features prominently in Westerns, but it used to be a pretty common trope. It's probably due for a comeback.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:59 AM (llXky)

150 Life changing books:

The World Book Encyclopedia my folks got when I was in grade school. It came with a huge two volume dictionary (not the OED but damn decent) and annual volumes of updates. World maps, transparencies of the human body, and word derivations that might go back millennia. I devoured those things.

In the 7th grade I got my first paperback of LOTR trilogy. To say it opened my eyes to the power of words and imagination beyond anything I had experienced is a huge understatement. Besides, it was fun. My friends and I passed notes written with Dwarf runes.

That exposure to LOTR eventually led to Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, CS Lewis, Michel de Montaigne, and so many others. It was my gateway to an appreciation of language and the creative spirit. Which is why I re-read the trilogy every year.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:00 AM (7EjX1)

151 Now I know I'm old. Granddaughter will turn 20 in Feb. She's a step so that helps since stepdaughter was pregnant with her when Hubby NEC and I married. Now you tell me LOTR the movie is 20 years old and this was the 20th for the first Potter book. Old, old, old. But still young at heart.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 10:02 AM (2NHgQ)

152 Glad to see you're feeling better !

Merry Christmas, Captain Hate !
Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 09:51 AM (arJlL)

Thanks, JT. Going to physical therapy and doing the exercises has me feeling better than I have since heart surgery. Merry Christmas to you too.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:03 AM (y7DUB)

153 Ace-endorsed. Yeo. Read the Virginian where the true love is a cowboy.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 10:03 AM (2NHgQ)

154 Goodreads is Amazon!

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:04 AM (QZxDR)

155 Life changing books:
.........
Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:00 AM (7EjX1)

Not any one book in particular. We had a room with a whole wall of books, and you could stand on this ledge to reach the higher books on the shelves.

Every book was a new adventure, some favorites got taken down more often, but it was the fact that the world was out there, waiting to be discovered, without fear.

Just yesterday I was remembering a silly poem, accompanied by silly drawings, in a book full of silly stories and drawings. The poem rhymed the name Antonio with ice cream coneo.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:04 AM (4IRFc)

156 "Goodreads is Amazon! "

As is ABEBooks, I believe.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at December 19, 2021 10:04 AM (3D/fK)

157 125 ''' "I'm sorry but I'm not sure if George is a McDonald or a MacDonald."

It's MacDonald. (Had to look it up to be sure. Damn aging memory.)

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:05 AM (7EjX1)

158 I don't think many books have changed my life or made alterations in my choices. Seeing as how I was not a part of girl cliques in HS or college or now for that matter, it couldn't turn me off a lifestyle I never shared. I can't imagine reading modern crappy books would do much either. I do know of people who have done stupid things as a result of popular entertainment (books and movies) and it has made me more certain that they're a waste of time and money.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:05 AM (ONvIw)

159 I was at the Shop-Rite before I got here and the place was PACKED !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:05 AM (arJlL)

160 since Japan is one of the least diverse, pop. wise, developed nations

like 99.99 % pure

I think the .01 % are some Peruvians they imported as miners

I'm shocked that there is even one English book store in Tokyo

non-diversity is their strengrh

Posted by: REDACTED at December 19, 2021 10:06 AM (us2H3)

161 Goodreads is part of Amazon.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:21 AM (QZxDR)

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:06 AM (y7DUB)

162 Now I know I'm old. Granddaughter will turn 20 in Feb. She's a step so that helps since stepdaughter was pregnant with her when Hubby NEC and I married. Now you tell me LOTR the movie is 20 years old and this was the 20th for the first Potter book. Old, old, old. But still young at heart.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 10:02 AM (2NHgQ)

People born after 9/11 will be buying beer (legally) next year.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:06 AM (4IRFc)

163 Fact I learned today: Amazon owns Goodreads.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:07 AM (QZxDR)

164 I'm sorry but I'm not sure if George is a McDonald or a MacDonald."

It's MacDonald. (Had to look it up to be sure. Damn aging memory.)
Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:05 AM (7EjX1)

Thank you for doing what I was too lazy to do.

Btw both Lewis and Tolkien were influenced by MacDonald.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 10:07 AM (eGTCV)

165 I'd be more worried about the social workers and aftercare schedulers, these careers draw more karens.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:30 AM (ONvIw)

Don't they just. Long time Moron Thing From Snowy Mountain found out that it was a social worker actively trying to kill his mom (who was on a respirator with covid) by lying to his aunt that his mom was already brain dead.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 10:07 AM (nC+QA)

166 Goodreads is part of Amazon.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 09:21 AM (QZxDR)
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:06 AM (y7DUB)

Thanks, I missed that somehow. So... Chinazon owns Chinareads.

Thanks but no thanks.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (4IRFc)

167 Here we are on the book thread where people are mainly involved in intellectual pursuits whether for knowledge or entertainment. There are both morons and 'Ettes here. Yet, most of the males here seem to think that money is the most important factor when choosing a partner.
What about the ability to carry on a conversation? If we're having an argument, I want someone who can support their opinion. I worked in real estate for many years and met plenty of really smart plumbers etc., but also plenty of dumb ones. Same thing held true in college. It is not the profession that determines compatibility or financial potential. Sometimes it is just where you have an opportunity to interact socially.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (Y+l9t)

168 Hyperion definitely does not have a Soprano's ending...

Posted by: Qmark at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (emnp2)

169 Most influential book?

Moontoons Jokes and Riddles!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:09 AM (7bRMQ)

170 Hi, JT!

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:10 AM (HabA/)

171 Sometimes it is just where you have an opportunity to interact socially.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (Y+l9t)

And sometimes it's about how rich he is and how hot she is.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:10 AM (4IRFc)

172 There is a genre of romance where the upper-class, prim and proper lady finds true fulfillment with the more manly guy. Features prominently in Westerns, but it used to be a pretty common trope. It's probably due for a comeback.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:59 AM (llXky)

I think it has made a comeback in real life already. A lot of women want to marry and see that they will not be getting the millionaire lothario who chases after younger women, and tosses them too. The "Crossing Delancey" situation is not as rare as people think, and as people get to know each other they realize that a degree doesn't always mean much and that a plumber or a guy who owns a motorcycle repair shop might be better educated than the MBA.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:10 AM (ONvIw)

173 I'm guessing Manchin but he wasn't named... West Virginia Democratic senator says he won't back China Joe's $2-trillion social safety net bill. [Sic, very sic.]

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 10:11 AM (UHVv4)

174 Yet, most of the males here seem to think that money is the most important factor when choosing a partner.

Somehow I missed most males here saying that.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:12 AM (y7DUB)

175 And sometimes it's about how rich he is and how hot she is.

Only in the movies.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:12 AM (Y+l9t)

176 Yet, most of the males here seem to think that money is the most important factor when choosing a partner.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (Y+l9t)
---
Men seek youth and beauty, women seek status and security.

I recall an experiment on one of the "SCIENCE!!!" shows where they showed a series of anonymous, random photos to the participants and asked them to rate them based on their attractiveness.

Some of the photos had no identification, just the person. Others showed them posing with their car, and still others listed their occupation.

Among women vehicle and occupation were far more important than appearance. With men, it was irrelevant. Hawt trumped money or career every single time.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:13 AM (llXky)

177 Life changing books:

None really. Maybe Go Dog Go. It had me liking cars at a real young age.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2021 10:13 AM (VwHCD)

178 168 Hyperion definitely does not have a Soprano's ending...
Posted by: Qmark at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (emnp2)

Hyperion by Dan Simmons? Get Fall of Hyperion, stat!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 19, 2021 10:14 AM (PiwSw)

179 Captain Hate, I was referring to how they seem to think that is all women want. Was just trying to say that it is not all of us, especially those of use who come here every day.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:14 AM (Y+l9t)

180 I think the brain hard-wiring is strongest in early adulthood, and life experiences can re-write it over time. So when you're young, the guy wants a woman who's hot and the girl wants a guy who's high-status.

If that flames out and self-destructs, their middle-aged selves may look more for compatibility rather than looks and money.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:14 AM (QZxDR)

181 Somehow I missed most males here saying that.
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:12 AM (y7DUB)

You were too busy trying to get rich, so you could find a trophy wife.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (4IRFc)

182 Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:10 AM (ONvIw)

That's a great movie.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (PiwSw)

183 Hyperion by Dan Simmons? Get Fall of Hyperion, stat!

Yes, have already ordered it from the library but it would have been nice to know in advance.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (Y+l9t)

184 I'm going to nominate the fantasy novel Lilith by George McDonald. It turned my troubled heart Godward.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwd uhriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (eGTCV)

Interestingly either C.S. Lewis or Tolkien (I've forgotten which) credited McDonald's writing with turning him towards Christ as well.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (nC+QA)

185 Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 09:59 AM (llXky)

The plumber who put in our basement bathroom had a degree from a good school, but decided not to go on for the PhD needed to be a psychologist. He now has a great business, and always dresses more for the golf course than for working with plumbing.

Maybe, that's a Princeton thing, but I doubt it. My former facility, had quite a few RNs with degrees in other subjects who went back for an associates in order to pay the bills.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (ONvIw)

186 Speaking of Amazon . . .

Amazon was marketing a collection of President Xi Jinping's speeches and writings on its Chinese website about two years ago, when Beijing delivered an edict, according to two people familiar with the incident. The American e-commerce giant must stop allowing any customer ratings and reviews in China.

A negative review of Xi's book prompted the demand, one of the people said. "I think the issue was anything under five stars," the highest rating in Amazon's five-point system, said the other person.
. . .

But Amazon complied, the two people said.

https://bit.ly/3Ffj9Xk

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:16 AM (FVME7)

187 Yet, most of the males here seem to think that money is the most important factor when choosing a partner.

Bowdlerized, for the ladies:

A man has a choice of marrying three ladies. One is a blonde, one is a brunette, and the third is a redhead. They all have similar jobs, they all make approximately the same money, and they all are similarly attractive. Which one does the man pick?

The one with the biggest boobs.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:16 AM (7bRMQ)

188 Hi, JT!
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v

WHOA !

Hiya Donna of the Ampersands !

And Merry Christmas !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:16 AM (arJlL)

189 Yes, have already ordered it from the library but it would have been nice to know in advance.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (Y+l9t)

The other two books in the series, Endymion and Rise of Endymion are worth reading as well.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (PiwSw)

190 It's also important to remember that a lot of men have a hard time being the lower wage-earner in the household. Again, I think we're hard-wired to be the Provider and if that's not happening it creates insecurity and stress.

Not saying this is right or good, just how it is.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (QZxDR)

191 An aunt gave me a copy of Treasure Island when I was young. It definitely influenced my life.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (ZLI7S)

192 Interestingly either C.S. Lewis or Tolkien (I've forgotten which) credited McDonald's writing with turning him towards Christ as well.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 10:15 AM (nC+QA)

So I've got something in common with one of them.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (eGTCV)

193 And sometimes it's about how rich he is and how hot she is.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:10 AM (4IRFc)
---
There's an entire genre of romance where the woman has to choose between the Rich Mr. Big and the handsome, penniless guy.

That this is even a choice speaks volumes.

And yeah, I included this well-used trope in my amusingly-written but tragically non-selling romance novel, Scorpion's Pass, which has been accurately described as Jane Austen's Dune.

Don't let the genre fool ya - I included a kick-ass battle sequence with giant sailing ships on wheels fighting off hordes of savages.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (llXky)

194 G'morning, Horde.

OM, Meri Whitaker's book, "My Sister the Father" is indeed OOP but my neighbor, who gave me my copy, assures me the author still has a "few" copies left. I would be happy to relay orders. Mynick at CenturyLink with a dot net on the end.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 10:18 AM (cTCuP)

195 Among women vehicle and occupation were far more important than appearance. With men, it was irrelevant. Hawt trumped money or career every single time.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:13 AM (llXky)

Alas, many men will never get the "hawt" model type and most women will never get the rich executive. What you want and what you will accept are very different things. Most people take what they consider to be their best option at the time.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:19 AM (ONvIw)

196 Captain Hate, I was referring to how they seem to think that is all women want. Was just trying to say that it is not all of us, especially those of use who come here every day.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:14 AM (Y+l9t)
---
Wasn't the punch-line of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that the thing all women want is to have their own way?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:20 AM (llXky)

197 Back in my youth, someone once told me that men who drive old, beat up cars tend to be Alpha because they don't need the status symbol.
When I first met my husband to be, he was driving an old beat up Chevy with the rear bumper held on with wire.
We were married for 44 years.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:20 AM (Y+l9t)

198
Sometimes it is just where you have an opportunity to interact socially.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (Y+l9t)

Met my wife at the Joicey shore when we were both in our teens. Drinking age had just been lowered to 18. So between sailing, boating, swimming, the beach, drinking, and clubbing we had a lot of fun. She had no money, but decent education and a career ahead of her, but mainly looked really great in a bikini.

A neighbor woman asked me once, as her husband suddenly announced to her he didn't want to be married anymore, whether my wife and I were 'childhood sweethearts'. I never thought of it that way but I guess we were.

Posted by: Traitor Joe's Military Surplus at December 19, 2021 10:21 AM (dQvv7)

199 People make a huge mistake by ignoring the fact that flus cause the same things they consider so "dangerous" with wuflu.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (ONvIw)

I think a lot of people don't realize it. I know *because of reading old books*. Many also don't realize that recovery time was expected to be fairly long, two weeks to a month if you had the time/money for it.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 10:21 AM (nC+QA)

200 I have to admit, I fell head over heels in love with hubby's vehicle. It was a Lockheed Jetstar.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 10:21 AM (cTCuP)

201 It's also important to remember that a lot of men have a hard time being the lower wage-earner in the household.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (QZxDR)
---
Women have a serious problem with this as well. I personally know three couples that split up the moment the wife made more than the husband. In every case, he paid for her education, too.

That being said, those couples can hold together, but one of the key risk factors for divorce is the woman out-earning the man.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:22 AM (llXky)

202 Picked up in store a book called "Battle Stations" by Stephen Moore. Supposed to be a ship history of USS Yorktown CV-5.

Hopefully this will be a better treatment than the 1960's horrid ra-ra-ra it was all Yorktown book called "Rendezvous at Midway."

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2021 10:23 AM (/pV/Q)

203 Wasn't the punch-line of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that the thing all women want is to have their own way?

+++
I rate this comment:True

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:23 AM (Y+l9t)

204 We were married for 44 years.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

So, you're not really 29 !

Merry Christmas Sharon !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:24 AM (arJlL)

205 197 Back in my youth, someone once told me that men who drive old, beat up cars tend to be Alpha because they don't need the status symbol.
When I first met my husband to be, he was driving an old beat up Chevy with the rear bumper held on with wire.
We were married for 44 years.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:20 AM (Y+l9t)

In 1979, my husband drove an Olds 98 in a sea of guys with sporty cars for the time. Something about the 98 said stable and not flashy, which was what I was looking for.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:25 AM (ONvIw)

206 I don't know about life changing books. I had the good fortune to be raised in a middle-class two-parent Christian family with an ethos of hard work, individual responsibility, education, goal oriented, Boy Scouts and Sunday School. My life's trajectory followed the course you might expect (for the most part, though not without its hiccups). I would be more interested to learn what book my West Point graduate physician brother read that turned him into an Obama-loving, anti-religion, enviroweenie, propaganda spewing leftard. He got broken and lost somewhere along the way.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:25 AM (m45I2)

207 I read an article this week about the Japanese tradition of eating KFC on Christmas day. It's an odd culture.
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at December 19, 2021 09:11 AM (QX4+f)

Well, it's strange until you realize that Japan is not a Christian culture at all.

New Years is basically Japanese Christmas where the family gets together for fun and feating and drinking for 3 days. On New Years Eve, a visit to the local shrine around midnight or the next day might be in the offing.

Christmas is more like for lack of a better word like our New Year. It's a fun day to get together with your sweetie and maybe some friends and laze about eat KFC and have a nice Christmas cake.
That said, you will probably never ever see a better country, including the US, decorated for Christmas. When I was in the Navy, each little town along the way had brilliant fun Christmas lights and figures up.

In the big city, decorations and Christmas lights and music were everywhere. It felt like a deep nostalgia for something I've never had exactly, but always wanted, if you get what I mean.

that said Christmas is not a religious holiday in Japan.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 10:26 AM (5NkmN)

208 Merry Christmas Muldoon !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:27 AM (arJlL)

209 I've listened to Silence, but I think I'll look for other novels by Endo the next time I'm in a bookstore.

Silence is not a light and easy read. In fact I found it heartrending.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 10:27 AM (eGTCV)

210 Mary, did you know?

Posted by: Just wondering at December 19, 2021 10:27 AM (jYQlA)

211 It's also important to remember that a lot of men have a hard time being the lower wage-earner in the household. Again, I think we're hard-wired to be the Provider and if that's not happening it creates insecurity and stress.

Not saying this is right or good, just how it is.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 10:17 AM (QZxDR)

I used to do better than the wife, but then her job offered to pay for her entire education up to her MBA. I told her to do it, but she was worried about the time she wouldn't have to devote to me, or the house, etc. I said screw that, you go get that frigging degree and don't worry about me or the house. She did it. It took 15 years, but she did it.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2021 10:27 AM (VwHCD)

212 Hey JT. Quiet. You weren't supposed to notice that.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:28 AM (Y+l9t)

213 So I read lots of white-papers, abstracts, specialty journals, and comments on a small handful of blogs because on the more popular one, the comments are more akin to monkeys in a cage masturbating, screaming and throwing feces.
---
Oh lord, you are not kidding.
A few years back, I adopted the rule for online news: If it doesn't allow comments, it's not worth reading. Because it was so heavy-handed in censorship, the comments were where you got "the rest of the story."

But now? The comments are monkey cages. All comments on news sites are approved. The liberals flinging poo to enforce the party line, the pretend conservatives flinging poo to discredit conservatives. And all of them clearly uneducated children.

Posted by: Lrrr at December 19, 2021 10:28 AM (me/Bi)

214 He's in everybody...
Elvis is in your jeans.
He's in your cheeseburgers
Elvis is in Nutty Buddies!
Elvis is in your mom!
He's in everybody.
Posted by: Mojo at December 19, 2021 09:49 AM (Tnijr)

Concur. All one has to do is look for Elvis and you will find him.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 19, 2021 10:28 AM (R/m4+)

215 I think a lot of people don't realize it. I know *because of reading old books*. Many also don't realize that recovery time was expected to be fairly long, two weeks to a month if you had the time/money for it.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 19, 2021 10:21 AM (nC+QA)

The lockdowns have exaggerated the recovery periods as well. Previously, you'd get over your worst symptoms and head back to the job ASAP, get absorbed in routine and stop obsessing. Now many people think of nothing but possible symptoms, and if it wasn't tragic it would be Moliere level comic.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:28 AM (ONvIw)

216 KFC. Japan. Christmas. Snowing. Range Rover. And a kitten.

Thus "All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku" opens.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2021 10:28 AM (/pV/Q)

217 That being said, those couples can hold together, but one of the key risk factors for divorce is the woman out-earning the man.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:22 AM (llXky)

Guess that makes me a Counter culture Icon!!! Wife makes more than me and I don't care.

Not working anymore either. Wonder if age is reflected in the divorce stats?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (7bRMQ)

218 Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:08 AM (Y+l9t)

It's just a fact of life that a millionaire guy will have no problem marrying a cocktail waitress. Very rare that you would see a millionaire female real estate agent marry the lawn guy.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (I5hoQ)

219 Off to church. Merry Christmas to JT and all the Christian 'rons and 'ettes!

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (HabA/)

220 I an currently reading Contraband, by Stuart Woods. Its pretty good.

I've read most of the Stone Barrington books, but I liked them better when Barrington was just scraping by.

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:30 AM (arJlL)

221 Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:27 AM (arJlL)

*****

Thanks. Merry Christmas to you as well!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:30 AM (m45I2)

222 Muldoon, I feel your pain. I grew up in a Jewish community where everyone and I mean everyone was and still is a die hard liberal. I still can't figure out why I was the only one who turned out different.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:30 AM (Y+l9t)

223 Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (7bRMQ

It's more educational / class level than a slight difference in income.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:31 AM (I5hoQ)

224 Never had a hankering for reading westerns till i went to Asia.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at December 19, 2021 10:31 AM (66yNo)

225 It's just a fact of life that a millionaire guy will have no problem marrying a cocktail waitress. Very rare that you would see a millionaire female real estate agent marry the lawn guy.
Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (I5hoQ)

I don't see many rich guys marrying way down the educational/professional ladder. They may sleep with the cocktail waitress, but will end up with the marketing specialist with the similarly well off father.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:31 AM (ONvIw)

226 Hey JT. Quiet. You weren't supposed to notice that.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

(Oh. Sorry)

LOL !!!

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:31 AM (arJlL)

227 I would be more interested to learn what book my West Point graduate physician brother read that turned him into an Obama-loving, anti-religion, enviroweenie, propaganda spewing leftard. He got broken and lost somewhere along the way.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:25 AM (m45I2)

I wanna say it was probably a woman what broke him, but I'm already the president of the He-man Women-haters club in the minds of some around here.

But it was probably a woman.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (4IRFc)

228 I am about a hundred pages in to "The Real Anthony Fauci" by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It's a real scorching account not just of his handling of Covid19, but his whole career.
$2.99 on Kindle. Took me three tries to get it, they are obviously trying to throttle sales.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (jTmQV)

229 Want a new idea? Read an old book.

Posted by: Just sayin' at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (jYQlA)

230 Concur. All one has to do is look for Elvis and you will find him.

******

I once shot an Elvis in my pajamas!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (m45I2)

231 Captain Hate, I was referring to how they seem to think that is all women want. Was just trying to say that it is not all of us, especially those of use who come here every day.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:14 AM (Y+l9t)

Ok, I was confused by how you worded it.

My wife and I had very different ideas on attitudes toward work. I told her many times she settled for too little compensation for what she did and that if I didn't think I was being paid what I was worth I'd find some place that would.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (y7DUB)

232 It's just a fact of life that a millionaire guy will have no problem marrying a cocktail waitress.
Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (I5hoQ)

I think that's become pretty rare, though. It used to be that doctors married nurses and the boss married his secretary. Now doctors are more apt to marry other doctors and bosses marry other exec types.

It's worth noting that Melania was a successful businesswoman when she met Trump, not just another pretty face.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (HabA/)

233 It's just a fact of life that a millionaire guy will have no problem marrying a cocktail waitress. Very rare that you would see a millionaire female real estate agent marry the lawn guy.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (I5hoQ)
---
I think Anne Heche was converted from lesbianism by one of the camera guys on a film she was working on. They got married, no idea if they're still together, that was when Ellen! did her big coming out and she was her squeeze.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (llXky)

234 100 It's being reported that Manchin just announced, on Fox News of all places, that he is a hard no on Build Back Biden.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 09:41 AM (ZLI7S)

Oh no. I first read this as Manchin just announced, on Fox News of all places, that he has a hard-on for Build Back Biden.

You morons are corrupting me. Either that or I need more coffee.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (Lnjxc)

235 But it was probably a woman.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (4IRFc)

The choice of partner is more important than any book in shaping your life once you hit adulthood, IMO

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:34 AM (ONvIw)

236 Greetings:

The Japanese foundation myth saw them as the People of the Sun hence the Big Red Rubber Ball flag.

I recently read "Rock Force" about the retaking of Corregidor from the Japanese in 1945. Typical of these days and authors, the frontispiece included a page with the single paragraph wherein the author plighted his progressive troth by mentioning that he only used the words "Japs" and "Nips" because he was directly quoting the (racist ???) American soldiers who had come thousands of miles to free a group of Asian from other (non-racist ???) .

It's rather too rare that Systemic Japanese Racism garners either a mention or any extended treatment in circa World War II histories.

Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 10:34 AM (uuklp)

237 I once shot an Elvis in my pajamas!
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (m45I2)

What a cheeky bugger that Elvis is, what with getting into your pyjamas.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 10:34 AM (eGTCV)

238 It's just a fact of life that a millionaire guy will have no problem marrying a cocktail waitress. Very rare that you would see a millionaire female real estate agent marry the lawn guy.
+++
In a way, didn't you make my point. Wouldn't there be a huge intellectual divide between the millionaire re agent and the lawn guy and the millionaire guy didn't look past the cocktail waitresses boobs?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:35 AM (Y+l9t)

239 It's worth noting that Melania was a successful businesswoman when she met Trump, not just another pretty face.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (HabA/)

Funny how the media went out of their way to avoid mentioning this when her husband was president.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 10:36 AM (Lnjxc)

240 >>Oh no. I first read this as Manchin just announced, on Fox News of all places, that he has a hard-on for Build Back Biden.

Nope. BBB is flaccid and deader than Caesar's ghost. It's actually a lot of fun watching the meltdown on twitter right now.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 10:36 AM (ZLI7S)

241 184 ... "Interestingly either C.S. Lewis or Tolkien (I've forgotten which) credited McDonald's writing with turning him towards Christ as well."

I believe it was CS Lewis.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:37 AM (7EjX1)

242 Boobs?

Posted by: Is this the art thread? at December 19, 2021 10:37 AM (jYQlA)

243 But it was probably a woman.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (4IRFc)

The choice of partner is more important than any book in shaping your life once you hit adulthood, IMO
Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 10:34 AM (ONvIw)

That's because everyone's story is different, and there's no way any writer is going to capture the complexity of a life shaped by the experiences of the characters they create.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:37 AM (4IRFc)

244 Guess that makes me a Counter culture Icon!!! Wife makes more than me and I don't care.

Not working anymore either. Wonder if age is reflected in the divorce stats?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:29 AM (7bRMQ)
---
It's just a risk factor, not a guarantee.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (llXky)

245 Merry Christmas JT.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (Y+l9t)

246 In a way, didn't you make my point. Wouldn't there be a huge intellectual divide between the millionaire re agent and the lawn guy and the millionaire guy didn't look past the cocktail waitresses boobs?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:35 AM (Y+

No my point is women look for completely different things in a partner than a man.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (I5hoQ)

247 I said Xi Xi Xi Liar
Oh see, what you have done
(Yea yea yea)

Posted by: Mitch Ryder and the Detoit Wheels at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (FVME7)

248 On Friday night, Project Veritas released the name of the latest CNN producer to be caught up in a pedophilia scandal.

The employee, Rick Saleeby, is a producer on one of the network's most successful shows "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

According to a press release by Project Veritas, they released the name only after ensuring that the whistleblower and the family involved were safe.

All evidence has been turned over to the proper law enforcement authorities who are currently looking into the claims.

Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (UHVv4)

249 Merry Christmas JT.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (arJlL)

250 It's more educational / class level than a slight difference in income.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:31 AM (I5hoQ)

She's from the provinces, graduated high school. I'm from suburbs, college degree. Makes no difference to me. Just wondering if older man, younger woman makes a difference.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (7bRMQ)

251 222 Muldoon, I feel your pain. I grew up in a Jewish community where everyone and I mean everyone was and still is a die hard liberal. I still can't figure out why I was the only one who turned out different.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:30 AM (Y+l9t)

being an honest, independent thinker is rare, and a heavy burden. Most people in any culture have always feared and usually hated those who have the gift.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (evAgx)

252 I think that's become pretty rare, though. It used to be that doctors married nurses and the boss married his secretary. Now doctors are more apt to marry other doctors and bosses marry other exec types.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (HabA/)

Honestly, I don't have an opinion on this topic, just the observation that men who are rising up the ranks tend to be married, and more or less happily so, whereas women rising in the ranks are single and bitter.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (4IRFc)

253 It's worth noting that Melania was a successful businesswoman when she met Trump, not just another pretty face.
Posted by: Donna&&&&&&&&&v at December 19, 2021 10:33 AM (HabA/)

The disdain the nags showed to Melania was a really ugly caricature whether they wanted to admit it or not.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (y7DUB)

254 Funny how the media went out of their way to avoid mentioning this when her husband was president.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 10:36 AM (Lnjxc)
---
The incandescent hatred of Melania was generated out of high-grade jealousy. Stunningly beautiful and fluent in five (!) languages, she put them all to shame.

For example, if any Dem First Lady served as translator for an intimate discussion with a foreign leader, the media would have gushed over it crazy, but when Melania did it several times, only conservative outlets covered it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:41 AM (llXky)

255 All evidence has been turned over to the proper law enforcement authorities who are currently looking into the claims.
Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 10:38 AM (UHVv4)

So in other words, the Eff Bee Eye will be executing another raid on O'Keefe's home and office?

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:42 AM (4IRFc)

256 Dating is simply the process of determining why the other person isn't married.

Posted by: Just sayin' at December 19, 2021 10:42 AM (jYQlA)

257 An increasing amount of my nonfiction reading is about matters of self-reliance and hobbies: it might be veggie gardening, leatherworking, maintaining and using hand tools, plumbing repairs, and so forth. I'm probably too old to put most of these things into practice but I feel better having some knowledge of them. This is in response to losing faith in government and social and business systems.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 10:43 AM (7EjX1)

258 She's from the provinces, graduated high school. I'm from suburbs, college degree. Makes no difference to me. Just wondering if older man, younger woman makes a difference.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (7bRMQ)

That's the other differences. May December romances usually go one way.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:43 AM (I5hoQ)

259 The disdain the nags showed to Melania was a really ugly caricature whether they wanted to admit it or not.
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 10:40 AM (y7DUB)

I saw a video once, where Melania was standing in some sort of greeting line, I don't know what the event was, but Ivanka came up to her, said something, and Melania gets a stunned look on her face for a moment, then returned to her composed self.

So I think maybe that extends to the President's daughter as well.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:44 AM (4IRFc)

260 Before I go off to read, I'd like to wish the entire Book Horde a Merry Christmas and I'd like to thank our gracious host, OM !

Posted by: JT at December 19, 2021 10:44 AM (arJlL)

261 I would be more interested to learn what book my West Point graduate physician brother read that turned him into an Obama-loving, anti-religion, enviroweenie, propaganda spewing leftard. He got broken and lost somewhere along the way.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:25 AM (m45I2)

This is going to sound snarky, but it's not: have you ever asked him? Or is your relationship with him such that you are beyond the point at which those kinds of meaningful conversations are even possible?

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 10:44 AM (o7FAa)

262 Tom Servo, thank you. That is the best compliment I have ever received. I like to think that is why we are all here. It is a pretty unique group of people and maybe what you have stated is how we all ended up here.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (Y+l9t)

263 But it was probably a woman.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:32 AM (4IRFc)
---
This can have a huge impact. A woman who will stand by you, stand with you, build you up is a treasure beyond compare.

Conversely, one who denigrates, humiliates...toxic.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (llXky)

264 > 126 Sharon. Dan Simmons is a excellent writer. You're in for the long haul with the Hyperion cantos - four books in total - which can now be found in single collection titled Hyperion Cantos Complete. He also wrote the Ilium and Olympos, a far future sci-fi mash of Homer, Shakespeare, post humans, biosphere avatars, Easter island statue worship and Hans Morovec's robots.

Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (+NoIo)

265 I didn't know Silence was recently made into a movie. That's odd. There isn't a single superhero in that story.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (2ABQr)

266 Dating is simply the process of determining why the other person isn't married.
Posted by: Just sayin' at December 19, 2021 10:42 AM (jYQlA)

And getting married is the process of finding the answer to that question.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (4IRFc)

267 Well, if they last long enough, all threads eventually become gun threads so . .

https://www.itemfix.com/v?t=r45suz

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (FVME7)

268 248 On Friday night, Project Veritas released the name of the latest CNN producer to be caught up in a pedophilia scandal.

The employee, Rick Saleeby, is a producer on one of the network's most successful shows "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

pretty amazing to note that for 2 or 3 years now, mouthpieces on the left have been saying "looking at these idiotic conspiratorial right wingers! They actually think there are giant pedophilia rings behind everything!!!"

and now it turns out that almost everyone involved in running CNN was part of a giant pedophilia ring.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 10:47 AM (evAgx)

269 I do not trust manchin, but if he is solid this time, then that is a very merry Xmas to biden for Xmas.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 10:48 AM (Irn0L)

270 That's the other differences. May December romances usually go one way.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 10:43 AM (I5hoQ)

We're more like May - September. Not an issue for us.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 10:48 AM (7bRMQ)

271 Well, if they last long enough, all threads eventually become gun threads so . .

https://www.itemfix.com/v?t=r45suz
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (FVME7)

That last time, I think he shot the principal.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:49 AM (4IRFc)

272 AF is starting to give unjabbed airmen Das Boot.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 10:50 AM (E8EsG)

273 I could use a nap before going to Church. The fact I'm out of coffee may have something to do with my sluggishness.
Maybe I should take a cold shower.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 10:50 AM (eGTCV)

274 Not going to generalize. Everyone's story is different. Mine and Mr NEC's as well. Long story with so little space to tell it. I retired at 48 and then it was my job to support his corporate rise even though I hated what went with it. I wasn't your typical corporate wife since I had worked in mfg. We made it work, some cannot.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 19, 2021 10:50 AM (2NHgQ)

275 and now it turns out that almost everyone involved in running CNN was part of a giant pedophilia ring.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 10:47 AM (evAgx)

That's weird.

Kinda like how some of our politicians who love the China seem to be banging hot China spies.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:51 AM (4IRFc)

276 Conversely, one who denigrates, humiliates...toxic.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (llXky)

Don't I know it.........

Posted by: Billy the C at December 19, 2021 10:51 AM (7bRMQ)

277 Age does not matter if love is there. My first hubby had twenty-two years on me. It mattered not. He became a father for the third time at sixty.

The only fly in the ointment was the Grim Reaper. Love cannot overcome biology. But those twenty years were worth every tear.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 10:52 AM (cTCuP)

278 275 and accepting Chinese loot

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 10:53 AM (n766o)

279 Well, if they last long enough, all threads eventually become gun threads so . .

https://www.itemfix.com/v?t=r45suz

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (FVME7)

Also should become a boob thread. But my boob joke is still just hanging there without a comment! Er....

Posted by: Billy the C at December 19, 2021 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)

280 This is going to sound snarky, but it's not: have you ever asked him? Or is your relationship with him such that you are beyond the point at which those kinds of meaningful conversations are even possible?

Posted by: OregonMuse,

******

I never asked him specifically about books that shaped his thinking, but in the last conversation I had with him I did a deep dive backward in history to find if there was an identifiable foundational principle we could agree on. I got him to agree on rights of life, liberty and pursuit, but not on the "endowed by our Creator". He flat out asked me if I believed in God and when I said, "Yes" he scoffed and derisively sneered, "Really? Seriously?" Yet he stood up in church and eulogized my mom (a sincerely religious woman) and then greeted people with palms together and "Nemaste" after the service. Sneer at my myother's and my beliefs but adopt some pseudo-religion? We don't speak now and I have no regrets about my decision to make it that way.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:53 AM (m45I2)

281 The booster jab only gives 2 weeks of protection from omicron. We are gonna need weekly jabs to be considered "fully vaxxed" or drop the charade altogether. Or go on pretending that the vaccine is meaningful and shun the unjabbed.

Probably option 3.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 10:54 AM (E8EsG)

282 Don't I know it.........
Posted by: Billy the C at December 19, 2021 10:51 AM (7bRMQ)

Preach it, brother.

Posted by: Tiger W, B. Gates, and E. Musk at December 19, 2021 10:54 AM (4IRFc)

283 Like excising a cancer.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:54 AM (m45I2)

284 and now it turns out that almost everyone involved in running CNN was part of a giant pedophilia ring.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 10:47 AM (evAgx)
---
Which is why no one ever got fired for being crappy reporters - they weren't there for news, but for other purposes...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:55 AM (llXky)

285 Back in my youth, someone once told me that men who drive old, beat up cars tend to be Alpha because they don't need the status symbol.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 19, 2021 10:56 AM (nfrXX)

286 Melania is far above Ivanka in so many ways. More gracious, less surgically enhanced, just better.

Posted by: CN at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (n766o)

287 Which is why no one ever got fired for being crappy reporters - they weren't there for news, but for other purposes...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:55 AM (llXky)

Contacts!

Posted by: Comet, The Pizza at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (7bRMQ)

288 That whole Namaste thing is hilarious. Silly enough when it's a Karen, but when it's a man, I can barely keep a straight face. It's just like "how could you be *more* of a caricature, bruh?" Those guys are all van Driessen from Beavis and Butt-Head.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (2ABQr)

289 This is for AHL. archive.org/details/chinese-ways-of-war The author, in two short sub chapters, describes the two ways which western military thinkers generally fall; the Sunzi faction and the Mao Zedong guerrilla warfare faction. He believes both are wrong and details why in his book How Chiang Kai-shek Lost China.

Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (+NoIo)

290 The booster jab only gives 2 weeks of protection from omicron. We are gonna need weekly jabs to be considered "fully vaxxed" or drop the charade altogether. Or go on pretending that the vaccine is meaningful and shun the unjabbed.

-
This attorney, FBI agent, CNN analyst is on it!

Asha Rangappa
@AshaRangappa_
What's the opposite extreme of anti-vax? Like, I would literally get a booster every week if it meant I could live my life and do the things I love doing without killing myself or other people

-
What's the opposite extreme of anti-vax? I think the technical term is "fruitcake".

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:58 AM (FVME7)

291 Like excising a cancer.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:54 AM (m45I2)

A much healthier response than harboring a grudge, and continuing to poke at it.

And, you can pray for him. Not sure what options he has, other than cupping his hands together like a seal.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:59 AM (4IRFc)

292 Like excising a cancer.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 10:54 AM (m45I2)
---
As my stepfather's health declined, my mother became increasingly snarky and caustic to a shocking degree, and we basically took a break from her. After his death, she came back to herself, realizing that she didn't have a lot of time left and if she wanted to have a relationship with her grandkids, she needed to act fast.

Hopefully, your brother will have a similar revelation.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 10:59 AM (llXky)

293 I would literally get a booster every week if it meant I could live my life and do the things I love doing without killing myself or other people

Might as well grab a revolver and play a nice game of Russian Roulette.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (Xrfse)

294 Age does not matter if love is there. My first hubby had twenty-two years on me. It mattered not. He became a father for the third time at sixty.

The only fly in the ointment was the Grim Reaper. Love cannot overcome biology. But those twenty years were worth every tear.
Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 10:52 AM (cTCuP)

I have a much younger woman in my life. I have no issue with her age but, if things proceed, we need to talk about the likelihood that she will be widowed.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (eGTCV)

295 Bad news.

Ultra conservative Jen Rubin says that with Manchin being a no on BBB democracy is hanging by a thread.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

296 I'm sure my dad has been frustrated and disappointed by any number of our life decisions. But, none of us became Communists. That would've broken his heart.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (2ABQr)

297 288 That whole Namaste thing is hilarious.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (2ABQr)

It's such a Justin Trudeau move.

Tip: don't be like Justin Trudeau.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (o7FAa)

298 ...if it meant I could live my life and do the things I love doing without killing myself or other people

-
What's the opposite extreme of anti-vax? I think the technical term is "fruitcake".
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:58 AM (FVME7)

I think if living my life, and doing "the things I love doing" was lecturing others on this damn virus and fake vaxx all the time, I'd welcome the death of an actual microbe more sincere than this stupid Covid thing.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:02 AM (4IRFc)

299 Greetings:

Yesterday the Prog media was pushing a story about how that Biden broad's White House Christmas decorations were being attacked by Trumpskies compared to Melania's when in fact the former's were goofy.

Listening to "Blue Christmas" too much maybe ???

Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 11:02 AM (uuklp)

300 What's the opposite extreme of anti-vax? Like, I would literally get a booster every week if it meant I could live my life and do the things I love doing without killing myself or other people -----

That reads like a valley high school girl wrote it.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM (I5hoQ)

301 Started reading a book called, "Popp's Journal" a couple of years ago. Would take youngest to a reading hour at the local library and browse the stacks while waiting for it to end. Read a few chapters over a couple of weeks, and looked for it the next time. Gone. They reorganized the stacks, but it wasn't in the same section as before. Can't even find it on the Library District website. Is it possible to get it from another library district in another city, I wonder? Anyone know?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM (7bRMQ)

302 What's the opposite extreme of anti-vax? I think the technical term is "fruitcake".
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2021 10:58 AM (FVME7)

The hypochondriacs are in charge now,

Posted by: Napoleon XIV at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM (AiZBA)

303 Ultra conservative Jen Rubin says that with Manchin being a no on BBB democracy is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

It always is with manchin. I still expect him to fold

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM (Irn0L)

304 democracy is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

No Jen, that would be your shriveled and diseased female noodle.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM (4IRFc)

305 Namaste only works if you are a cachectic elderly Indian man wearing a loincloth.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 11:04 AM (E8EsG)

306 Mmmm. Fruitcake.

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:04 AM (4I/2K)

307 Yesterday the Prog media was pushing a story about how that Biden broad's White House Christmas decorations were being attacked by Trumpskies compared to Melania's when in fact the former's were goofy.

Listening to "Blue Christmas" too much maybe ???
Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 11:02 AM (uuklp)

Projection
History only starts yesterday
Congenital lying

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:04 AM (I5hoQ)

308 Ultra conservative Jen Rubin says that with Manchin being a no on BBB democracy is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

It always is with manchin. I still expect him to fold

304 democracy is hanging by a thread.

No Jen, that would be your shriveled and diseased female noodle.

Oh she means if we don't pass it, democracy is over? My bad. Blow me jen

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (Irn0L)

309 Have to do mor laundry and get to the grocery store as there is not a single fresh vegetable in the house.
I really missed being here. Glad to be home.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (Y+l9t)

310 "Mmmm. Fruitcake."

I happen to have a fondness for excellent quality fruitcake.

The kind that one does not find at the supermarket.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice. Asymptomatic raycist at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (3D/fK)

311 It's rather too rare that Systemic Japanese Racism garners either a mention or any extended treatment in circa World War II histories.
Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 10:34 AM (uuklp)

Well, if racism is your big grindstone for WWII, then read:

"War without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War" by John Dower

Which examines racism on both the US and Japanese sides. The author is a lefty, so there's a bit of nonsense, but the you probably won't see this info in any other book. If you want to see what the Japanese thought and why they thought it. This is a great book.

Probably, my favorite book on WWII.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (5NkmN)

312 Democracy means voting with the party line, always. Unless you are a republican. Then democracy is crossing the aisle and voting with democrats.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (E8EsG)

313 Interesting commercials lately on YT. They're pushing flu, pneumonia and other vaccines. Assume this is another attempt to get people accustomed being jabbed.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (cTCuP)

314 Gotta go buy a tree today. I always wait until the week before, especially now that so many family live in other cities. We can set it up and decorate it together on Christmas Eve.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (QZxDR)

315 Have to do mor laundry and get to the grocery store as there is not a single fresh vegetable in the house.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (Y+l9t)

Wait! I have one!!!

Posted by: Dr Jill at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (7bRMQ)

316 >>It always is with manchin. I still expect him to fold

I don't think so. Before going on Fox News to announce he is a permanent no on BBB he told the White House he wasn't going to vote for it.

He's been saying this for 6 months but a lot of people just refused to listen and Schumer and Biden kept insisting they would find a way to get his vote. They didn't.

It's really dead as it currently exists.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (ZLI7S)

317 The booster jab only gives 2 weeks of protection from omicron. We are gonna need weekly jabs to be considered "fully vaxxed" or drop the charade altogether. Or go on pretending that the vaccine is meaningful and shun the unjabbed.

You know, all it will take is some people on Twitter (because policy is now decided on Twitter) saying that this Trump vaccine doesnt work and is letting us down. In fact, Trump is even making the pandemic worse from beyond the presidency.

If that thought gets out vaccine mandates will evaporate so fast it will bend your mind.

Posted by: InCali at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (ov5G+)

318 Mmmm. Fruitcake.
Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:04 AM (4I/2K)

Speaking of shriveled and diseased female noodles...

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (4IRFc)

319 Democracy seems rather fragile.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 11:07 AM (E8EsG)

320 It's really dead as it currently exists.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (ZLI7S)

Yes I agree "as it currently exists" but they will tweek it and he will crawl on board. I hope I am wrong

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:08 AM (Irn0L)

321 Dating is simply the process of determining why the other person isn't married.
Posted by: Just sayin' at December 19, 2021 10:42 AM (jYQlA)

And getting married is the process of finding the answer to that question.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 10:45 AM (4IRFc)

And then you're finished.

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:08 AM (4I/2K)

322 democracy is hanging by a thread.

Under a Martini presidency this type of language would land one in prison. A nice prison on a beach. In Cuba. For life.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 19, 2021 11:08 AM (BFigT)

323 It's really dead as it currently exists.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (ZLI7S)

Somehow that sounds like an invitation for Mitt Rominy to show up with a scratchy record of the old Mighty Mouse song, to lip sync the catch phrase.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:08 AM (4IRFc)

324 Speaking of shriveled and diseased female noodles...
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (4IRFc)

Ha! Hold on a sec. Did you mean me or the actual real live baked heavenly chewy delight known as fruitcake?

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:09 AM (4I/2K)

325 Somehow that sounds like an invitation for Mitt Rominy to show up with a scratchy record of the old Mighty Mouse song, to lip sync the catch phrase.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:08 AM (4IRFc)

If he won't, I will!

Posted by: The Murk at December 19, 2021 11:09 AM (7bRMQ)

326 This is for AHL. archive.org/details/chinese-ways-of-war The author, in two short sub chapters, describes the two ways which western military thinkers generally fall; the Sunzi faction and the Mao Zedong guerrilla warfare faction. He believes both are wrong and details why in his book How Chiang Kai-shek Lost China.

Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 10:57 AM (+NoIo)
---
Thanks! I'm not sure I fully agree with the author about Sun Tzu. One area I wish to highlight is the very different social status accorded to warriors in the West vs China. I think this has a profound impact on battlefield performance.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:10 AM (llXky)

327 Greetings:

Never cared much for Fruitcake much growing up. More of a Plum Pudding or Mincemeat Pie type of guy.

But the ones my favorite Aunt used to send me during my RVN sojourn were a major hit out in the bush. There was a rumor going around that an 11B had beat an NVA to death with one but I'm sure it wasn't me. I was suffering with my fear of intimacy at the time.

Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 11:10 AM (uuklp)

328 Dating is simply the process of determining why the other person isn't married.
Posted by: Just sayin' at December 19, 2021 10:42 AM (jYQlA)

Eh, maybe if you're still single after, say 30 or so, that's probably true.

Before then dating is simply the process of finding out type of woman you like and if you would like to spend the rest of your life with this particular one.

If you choose poorly, you get what you get.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:10 AM (5NkmN)

329 Hah , Hank just caught his mom banging her jewish boyfriend on the kitchen table and went psychologically blind .

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (I5hoQ)

330 Well, my sister will be calling me this evening with what I expect will be a final plea (browbeating guilt trip) to get the jab. I fully expect an "if you ever want to see us again" speech. It will not go well. So very tired of and disgusted with this bullshit.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (Xrfse)

331 Democracy seems rather fragile.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 19, 2021 11:07 AM (E8EsG)

I can't tell you how much I hate the phrase "our democracy."

Democracy has the ability to be as oppressive and authoritarian as any dictator's dream, and these people don't seem to even be trying to hide the fact that what they want is to control us... through "democracy."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (4IRFc)

332 He's been saying this for 6 months but a lot of people just refused to listen and Schumer and Biden kept insisting they would find a way to get his vote. They didn't.

It's really dead as it currently exists.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (ZLI7S)

I agree - and I think the Dem leadership (although not most of the fools in the House) have known this ever since Pelosi threw up her hands just before Thanksgiving and let the progs throw all of the trash they wanted into it. Once you know it's dead, why not lard it up to make the clapping seals happy for a minute or two?

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (evAgx)

333 It is all omicron all the time in the media. They did not get the memo from the Dems I guess.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (3vQN0)

334 Have to do mor laundry and get to the grocery store as there is not a single fresh vegetable in the house.
I really missed being here. Glad to be home.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (Y+l9t)

The only success of the biden regime. They always have a vegetable in the house.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2021 11:12 AM (VwHCD)

335 @320

I've mentioned that the Q types on gab showed a pic of trump greeting Manchin warmly at the SOTU. The pic appeared this fall, and I think was intended to indicate that Manchin had worked a deal.

Cabinet position if there's a second admin? Watch this space

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:12 AM (AwPyG)

336 Jen Rubin is clearly mentally ill.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 11:12 AM (eGTCV)

337 Sorry I thought I had posted watching King of the wax my sanctuary from reality. Marathon on Fx right now.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:12 AM (I5hoQ)

338 Ultra conservative Jen Rubin says that with Manchin being a no on BBB democracy is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

It always is with manchin. I still expect him to fold

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:03 AM

He is out there hitting the Sunday morning shows saying he is never going to vote for BBB.

Posted by: Mister Scot (Formerly GWS) at December 19, 2021 11:13 AM (bVYXr)

339 >>Yes I agree "as it currently exists" but they will tweek it and he will crawl on board. I hope I am wrong

There really are no little tweaks available. The left already tried a little tweak by claiming the programs would end in 3 years but the funding would continue for 10. Everyone knows, and that everyone includes Manchin, that programs like this never end and the CBO scored it as if all programs would continue for 10 year and that's how we got to $5 trillion.

Manchin's constituents in ruby red West Virginia are against the bill by something like 75 - 25. They will likely come up with a bunch of smaller things to try and claim victory but he is also a no on changing the filibuster rules so whatever they do is not going to be anything as extreme as this and expect it to pass.

This is a disaster for the far left and they are freaking out right now because they know it.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:13 AM (ZLI7S)

340 Democracy has the ability to be as oppressive and authoritarian as any dictator's dream, and these people don't seem to even be trying to hide the fact that what they want is to control us... through "democracy."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (4IRFc)

Probably why the founders gave us a republic instead.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2021 11:13 AM (VwHCD)

341 King of the Hill. I need to start proofreading before hitting post,

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (I5hoQ)

342 Greetings:

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (5NkmN) @ 311

Thanks and I shall.

Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (uuklp)

343 There was a rumor going around that an 11B had beat an NVA to death with one

I'd heard that they can also serve as a great mortar round.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (Xrfse)

344 peaking of shriveled and diseased female noodles...
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (4IRFc)

Ha! Hold on a sec. Did you mean me or the actual real live baked heavenly chewy delight known as fruitcake?
Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:09 AM (4I/2K)

I'm sure you're as healthy and good looking as the rest of us, but yes, no. I mean that shriveled disgusting thing people give each other this time of year.

Or bring into the office.

"My wife made this."

That's your problem, pal. I'm not touching it with a ten foot pole.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (4IRFc)

345 The not married before 30 means you are a weirdo trope is about 40 years out of date.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:15 AM (3vQN0)

346 I'm sure you're as healthy and good looking as the rest of us, but yes, no. I mean that shriveled disgusting thing people give each other this time of year.

Or bring into the office.

"My wife made this."

That's your problem, pal. I'm not touching it with a ten foot pole.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (4IRFc)

*whew!* I hear they make great White Elephant gifts and doorstops too.

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:16 AM (4I/2K)

347 We've been so used to betrayals and setbacks that I think most of us can't, or won't, accept just how huge Manchin's statement today is. I'm also going to go full heretic and say that everything Mitch McConnell has done, *including* raising the debt ceiling and passing the infrastructure bill, has been about brining Manchin to this point.

Even though we all love to hate him, McConnell was the admiral who just won our battle of Midway. The war is far from over, but we just sank all of the enemies carriers.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:16 AM (evAgx)

348 @333

I'm hopeful that we're near the end, which is why the media/dems/deepstate are so desperate to lockdown again.

They've got a problem, though--as Clay Travis points out, the red states won't lock down, and then what do you do?

Massive protests in London yesterday, and Lord Frost stepped down from Boris' cabinet. He's the most popular conservative, and engineered Brexit. So; the natives are restless.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:16 AM (AwPyG)

349 So we've given up talking about books?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM (y7DUB)

350 This is a disaster for the far left and they are freaking out right now because they know it.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:13 AM (ZLI7S)

I sure hope so.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM (Irn0L)

351 It's really dead as it currently exists.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM

Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.

Posted by: Miracle Max at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM (Do5/p)

352 https://rumble.com/vqt3p6-jre-1747-dr.-peter-mccullough.html

Complete Rogan interview.

I was about to rage stroke within the first 8 minutes.

Posted by: Fool Otto at December 19, 2021 11:18 AM (DB16e)

353 @347

I'll agree that everything should be taken with a grain of salt, but that being said, there seems to be one lodestar: if Trump publicly criticizes you, he means it.

He's been scorching the RNC leadership for months, and doing it publicly.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:18 AM (AwPyG)

354 Merry Christmas to all my book thread friends. I hope we all have a wonderful and blessed time.

Posted by: JTB at December 19, 2021 11:18 AM (7EjX1)

355 If BBB is indeed dead, the blood letting in the next 12 months amongst the dems should be a real pleasure to watch. And thank G-D all that extra money for the IRS was in BBB and not what has already passed

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:18 AM (Irn0L)

356 They will rename BBB to something else add a new expressway criss crossing W VA and some coal subsidies,and pass it next year with Manchin onboard.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:18 AM (3vQN0)

357 Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.

Posted by: Miracle Max at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM

Dibs on checking his pockets for loose change.

Posted by: Mister Scot (Formerly GWS) at December 19, 2021 11:19 AM (bVYXr)

358 The not married before 30 means you are a weirdo trope is about 40 years out of date.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:15 AM (3vQN0)
---
I'm seeing the opposite, especially for women.

Marrying young and having kids early is the way to go. The older you get, the more set in your ways you become, the more conflict you're going to have.

Science tells us that establishing a "pair bond" early in adulthood strengthens intimacy. Having kids under 30 is much easier and healthier than doing it over 30.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:20 AM (llXky)

359 So we've given up talking about books?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM (y7DUB)

I guess so. Have to figure out where to find Popp's Journal without paying for it....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:20 AM (7bRMQ)

360 So we've given up talking about books?

Nah, I'm halfway through Rush on the Radio by James Golden, aka Bo Snerdley. Not sure what to make of it. I guess it's not quite what I had expected. Some interesting anecdotes on Rush but it's just not grabbing me like I hoped it would. Maybe the second half will pick up.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:21 AM (Xrfse)

361 So we've given up talking about books?

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:17 AM (y7DUB)
--
Yeah, about an hour ago. Been talking about women and dating preferences since then.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:21 AM (llXky)

362 Morning Hordemates!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (axyOa)

363 @358

Totally agree with you. Not to mention that if you've had a few "honeymoons" already with your past girl or boyfriends, the real one doesn't really seem that special.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (AwPyG)

364 349 > we get three hours a week to talk books and two of these hours end up looking like every other daily comment thread.

Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (+NoIo)

365 Looked at a article on Charlemagne questioning The Ho "Who is the President? Here I thought he was really asking who was the President as for sure Sundowner isn't, but it was a prod to get her to smack Manchin down a notch and force the country off the cliff.

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (2JoB8)

366 Toronto's transit bus bosses [the TTC] have invented a great way to fight the Moronic and WuFlus -- they're keeping the bus windows open in winter because there's nothing better after standing outside, in the dark especially, with windchill as well as ordinary freezing temperatures than to go into a bus with its [top-third] windows open!
Posted by: andycanuck (UHVv4) at December 19, 2021 09:48 AM (UHVv4)

Heh. I wonder what fraction of transit riders are conservative-minded voters? Mighty few, I'd reckon. Here in the PHX Metro area, one has to be masked up to ride the buses and streetcars. Oh, goody! Way to go, Metro Transit! Make riding your infernal pods even less attarctive than it was previously. The Lord gave us automobiles just so we could avoid riding buses.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (P3gRi)

367 Like Jack, I've been watching what Manchin has *actually* been saying for the last 6 months - he's been remarkably clear and consistent, even though Schumer, Pelosi, Biden, the MSM, and most everyone here has ignored him.

What he has said, in his own words; he will vote to pass the Lil' Chiddren's Tax Credit for 10 years, which would cost about $1.5 trillion all by itself. That's a huge prog goal. BUT he will only do that if the Dem leadership *drops* all of the rest of the bill, and if they won't, then No Deal.

Now they *could* end up compromising on something like this and passing it with 50 votes; but my guess is that the progs will be so pissed at losing everything else they want that they will kill this potential deal, just out of spite.

Oh and the lagniappe - *ALL* of Biden's enviro bullshit legislation is dying, too.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:24 AM (evAgx)

368 Back when Forbes was solid, they did their "top 400" list, and nearly everyone had one thing in common: they'd married once, and were still married.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:24 AM (AwPyG)

369 The only peeps I know who got married before 30 also divorced shortly thereafter. The ones who got married well into their 30s, myself included, are still together.

I had no intention of even thinking about marriage until I was 30. My 20s were bout having fun, and advancing my career. Kids were the last thing in my mind.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:25 AM (3vQN0)

370 Greetings:
Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:05 AM (5NkmN) @ 311
Thanks and I shall.
Posted by: 11B40 at December 19, 2021 11:14 AM (uuklp)

You'll probably find it fascinating. I used WWM, not as background material or inspiration, so much as an old view that comes into play in my novel, "Wearing the Cat". It's a wildly comic picaresque novel set in the 90s but if you want to read deeper it's about the way forward from the scars of WWII.

Anyway, check it out if that sounds interesting to you. Available on Amazon with a generous preview so you can get an idea of what it is.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:25 AM (5NkmN)

371 349 > we get three hours a week to talk books and two of these hours end up looking like every other daily comment thread.
Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (+NoIo)

The discussion turned when I commented on the subject of the moron authored book. My apologies though no one is being prevented from talking about books.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (I5hoQ)

372 So we've given up talking about books?

*******

Our conversation about books is hanging by a thread.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (m45I2)

373 Mmmmm, Merle Oberon.

Posted by: SFGoth at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (KAi1n)

374 Like Jack, I've been watching what Manchin has *actually* been saying for the last 6 months - he's been remarkably clear and consistent, even though Schumer, Pelosi, Biden, the MSM, and most everyone here has ignored him.

What he has said, in his own words; he will vote to pass the Lil' Chiddren's Tax Credit for 10 years, which would cost about $1.5 trillion all by itself. That's a huge prog goal. BUT he will only do that if the Dem leadership *drops* all of the rest of the bill, and if they won't, then No Deal.

Now they *could* end up compromising on something like this and passing it with 50 votes; but my guess is that the progs will be so pissed at losing everything else they want that they will kill this potential deal, just out of spite.

Oh and the lagniappe - *ALL* of Biden's enviro bullshit legislation is dying, too.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:24 AM

The radical left wing in the House has already said pass the BBB as is or nothing else gets out of the House because they will tank the vote. And there is enough of them to do it even with a few squishy republicans crossing the aisle.

Posted by: Mister Scot (Formerly GWS) at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (bVYXr)

375 Speaking of shriveled and diseased female noodles...

This is about me isn't it?

Posted by: Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (jYQlA)

376 Totally agree with you. Not to mention that if you've had a few "honeymoons" already with your past girl or boyfriends, the real one doesn't really seem that special.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:22 AM (AwPyG)
---
Among my cousins, the only one who has gotten divorced was the one who waited to marry. Everyone else got married in their early 20s and are still together.

I think 'playing the field' really wrecks you, and gets you used to thinking that there's always something else potentially better out there rather than settling down and working with what you have.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (llXky)

377 I'd guess Manchin's vote was predicated on there being nothing in the way of grift for West Virginia.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (BFigT)

378 Inspired by the many, many others who do such a thing, I just finished a re-read of The Hobbit. (I ended up doing a lot of singing to myself while reading.) Now, on to re-reading the main trilogy!

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (Lhaco)

379 Does anyone else think the vintage pic of the couple is staged? It looks like the wall is a drawing, especially at the end behind the woman's head.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (7bRMQ)

380 Our conversation about books is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (m45I2)

I've booked marked that pun.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:28 AM (I5hoQ)

381 If you live way out in the country....it's difficult. A girl don't just walk out of the bush to play spin the carrot.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at December 19, 2021 11:28 AM (xu6Gm)

382 The radical left wing in the House has already said pass the BBB as is or nothing else gets out of the House because they will tank the vote. And there is enough of them to do it even with a few squishy republicans crossing the aisle.
Posted by: Mister Scot (Formerly GWS) at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (bVYXr)

I know this is the book thread, but I can't help but be excited - this is the biggest national level victory for us since the election was stolen - the left has peaked, and is now falling. Our Defensive phase is over, we can start to play offense now.
(Virginia election was big, but that was state level - this is a LOT bigger)

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (evAgx)

383 It's a wildly comic picaresque novel

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:25 AM (5NkmN)
---
You are literally the only person I ever see using the world "picresque."

*tips hat*

I can vouch for the book, btw. Very over the top, almost 'gonzo' novel writing.

Also, a fun look at the Old School Navy. If that's your thing, you will love it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (llXky)

384 >>we get three hours a week to talk books and two of these hours end up looking like every other daily comment thread.

It's really not that often that the entire direction of the country changes with one vote announced on a Sunday morning. Rubin was sorta right about one thing, the fate of our Republic did hang on Manchin's vote and it appears we won a crucial battle.

Sorry if I contributed to the distraction.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (ZLI7S)

385 I've booked marked that pun.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:28 AM (I5hoQ)

Is it binding?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (7bRMQ)

386 Anyone here read Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus?

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (I5hoQ)

387 I'm halfway through a re-read of "Tom Sawyer". That book is like a fine wine...it just gets better with time.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (cTCuP)

388 The only peeps I know who got married before 30 also divorced shortly thereafter. The ones who got married well into their 30s, myself included, are still together.

I was 25 when we got hitched and made a pledge to not go the way of some of our peers and get divorced. It wasn't easy making it work, and children at 27 and 30 brought on new challenges. But we never lost sight of the pledge 46 years later.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (y7DUB)

389 @376

I think that's in part due to on-line dating sites; my daughters said they'd meet a nice guy, but there were so many others available that you rarely dated for very long; you always wanted to "look behind the curtain" at the next one.

So, it's interesting that its a two edged sword.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (AwPyG)

390 the dims could get Manchin to go along with 1.5 trillion of useless spending

but the dims have calculated the issue of the GOP obstruction is worth more to them

you will hear it one billion times next year

"if only we coulda passed BBB, everything would be wonderful but NOOOOOOO, the awful GOP blocked it"

that's worth more than 1.5 trillion

Posted by: REDACTED at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (us2H3)

391 I know this is the book thread, but I can't help but be excited - this is the biggest national level victory for us since the election was stolen - the left has peaked, and is now falling. Our Defensive phase is over, we can start to play offense now.
(Virginia election was big, but that was state level - this is a LOT bigger)
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (evAgx)

Be on guard, the left is devious and the evil they can come up with is endless. But I agree, IF TRUE about manchin, this is a huge victory.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (Irn0L)

392 Our Defensive phase is over, we can start to play offense now.
(Virginia election was big, but that was state level - this is a LOT bigger)

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (evAgx)

Hee hee!

Posted by: Your GOPe at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (7bRMQ)

393 Does anyone else think the vintage pic of the couple is staged? It looks like the wall is a drawing, especially at the end behind the woman's head.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (7bRMQ)
---
Based on the clothes and fashion, the camera would have required a very long exposure time to take that photograph. So yes, staged.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (llXky)

394 Posted by: REDACTED at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (us2H3)

That's spot on regard to what the Left will do.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:32 AM (I5hoQ)

395 Democracy has the ability to be as oppressive and authoritarian as any dictator's dream, and these people don't seem to even be trying to hide the fact that what they want is to control us... through "democracy."

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:11 AM (4IRFc)

Probably why the founders gave us a republic instead.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2021 11:13 AM (VwHCD)

And why the left is so hellbent on killing the reputations of the founders, so we can stop with this nonsense of having actual, you know, voices of the people involved in these important decisions.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:33 AM (4IRFc)

396 @391

And I don't think it's a coincidence that suddenly we're hearing about pedophiles in high places, and that Boris has cocaine parties.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:33 AM (AwPyG)

397 The amazon blurb is right about the finale to Fast One. It is unlike any other book I have read.

Thank you for your kind words, OregonMuse, and for all the work you do at AoSHQ.

Posted by: cool breeze at December 19, 2021 11:33 AM (UGKMd)

398 Can we sweep this jumped up Gollum into the trash heap now?

On ABC News' "This Week":

KARL: "Are we ever going to get to a point where we won't need to wear masks on airplanes?"

FAUCI: "I don't think so. I think when you're dealing with a closed space... you want to take that extra step."

https://bit.ly/3sjwuKz

Posted by: bonhomme at December 19, 2021 11:34 AM (i0wNm)

399 Sorry if I contributed to the distraction.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2021 11:30 AM (ZLI7S)

Threads have their own evolution. Before you there wasn't that much book discussion anyway.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:34 AM (y7DUB)

400 Based on the clothes and fashion, the camera would have required a very long exposure time to take that photograph. So yes, staged.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:31 AM (llXky)

And probably a bit pricey too. Why would you spend money on a photograph and not show much of your faces? What's the point? Forty years later telling your grandkids, "Yep, this is your granny and gramps backsides here."

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:35 AM (7bRMQ)

401 The only peeps I know who got married before 30 also divorced shortly thereafter.

Married at 22. Celebrating 41st anniversary today.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 19, 2021 11:35 AM (ju2Fy)

402 The only peeps I know who got married before 30 also divorced shortly thereafter. The ones who got married well into their 30s, myself included, are still together.

I had no intention of even thinking about marriage until I was 30. My 20s were bout having fun, and advancing my career. Kids were the last thing in my mind.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:25 AM (3vQN0)
---
I guess the question is how long ago that was. That the younger ones blew up early doesn't mean the older ones will last.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (llXky)

403 The vintage picture if really a Tin Type or Wet Plate would be staged, couple may have had to hold position for 30 seconds.

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (2JoB8)

404 I think 'playing the field' really wrecks you, and gets you used to thinking that there's always something else potentially better out there rather than settling down and working with what you have.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:27 AM (llXky

Yep, the Billy Joel phenomenon. "All your choices make you change your mind".

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

405 Jack, I'd tell you that all the bitching here amounts to a hill of shit when it comes to changing the world as we see it. Instead I'll quote someone we all know and love..

#twoweeks

Posted by: 13times at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (+NoIo)

406 336 Jen Rubin is clearly mentally ill.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, the Phillips screwdriver of the gods at December 19, 2021 11:12 AM (eGTCV)

No, she's a typical tikkun olam-er

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

407 Speaking of books, I have a modest proposal. All off topic comments on the book thread must begin with the phrase, "Speaking of books..."

e.g.
Speaking of books, don't Nancy Pelosi's tits hang low?

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:37 AM (m45I2)

408 Our conversation about books is hanging by a thread.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (m45I2)

I've booked marked that pun.
Posted by: Just a side note

That took a bit of spine.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 11:38 AM (mD/uy)

409 And probably a bit pricey too. Why would you spend money on a photograph and not show much of your faces? What's the point? Forty years later telling your grandkids, "Yep, this is your granny and gramps backsides here."

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:35 AM (7bRMQ)
---
You can see their faces. Given that the exposure took so long that no one could hold a smile, this is a nice way to show a couple in a more natural way.

Maybe it's a favorite book?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:38 AM (llXky)

410 Yep, the Billy Joel phenomenon. "All your choices make you change your mind".

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

In the olden times, you wouldn't have as large a pool to choose from as now, either, I'd say.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:38 AM (7bRMQ)

411 Speaking of books, don't Nancy Pelosi's tits hang low?
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:37 AM (m45I2)

-----------

Speaking of books, do they swing to and fro?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (eA1RV)

412 Can we sweep this jumped up Gollum into the trash heap now?

Unfortunately, our overlords still see him as useful. He's the embodiment of all that has gone horribly wrong. Sort of a poster boy for the dark side.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (Xrfse)

413 With all the talk about Cain's books, I'm thinking of reading one. I've seen some of the adaptations, but never read one.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (ONvIw)

414 In some cities, Toronto being one of them most people ride transit. It is really expensive to park downtown so unless you are pretty well off or your employer pays for parking, you take transit to work. So plenty of conservatives re freezing on the bus as well as progs.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (3vQN0)

415 Married at 22. Celebrating 41st anniversary today.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 19, 2021 11:35 AM (ju2Fy)
---
Congratulations!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (llXky)

416 Speaking of books, I'm tanned, rested, and ready.

Posted by: Stacey Abrams at December 19, 2021 11:40 AM (jYQlA)

417 No, she's a typical tikkun olam-er

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)
---
I'm going to go with "pure mercenary."

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (llXky)

418
In the olden times, you wouldn't have as large a pool to choose from as now, either, I'd say.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:38 AM (7bRMQ)

True, fewer people went off to a huge university. Choices indeed make decisions more complex and easier to avoid.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (ONvIw)

419 "Who Dis" is Sal Mineo. The setting is a giveaway clue -- the Griffith Observatory, which figures prominently in "Rebel Without a Cause."

Posted by: Zumkopf at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (BTx0i)

420 Mary Beth Pfeiffer
at_marybethpf

HEARTBREAKING UPDATE on Kathleen Davies from attorney Ralph Lorigo:
"She died yesterday. We got there too late. She was 41 days on the vent before she got her first dose. Hospitals don't care how many people die."

We will not forget.

9:27 AM - Dec 19, 2021 - https://bit.ly/3EcmV2n

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (Do5/p)

421 tocqueville's democracy in america probably lent to the idea that America was a democracy. He interchanged the terms democracy and representative throughout.

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (I5hoQ)

422 I test drive a lot of cars before buying one. But I am supposed to settle down for 50 years with the first woman I meet? Come on.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (3vQN0)

423 Do your tits hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them round your neck
In a pretty little bow?

You gotta do the whole verse, Muldoon. Context is vital.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (cTCuP)

424 You can see their faces. Given that the exposure took so long that no one could hold a smile, this is a nice way to show a couple in a more natural way.

Maybe it's a favorite book?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:38 AM (llXky)

I'm not concerned about smiles, I know early photos took time. Coulda turned a bit more towards the cam, though. Show more of the face.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:42 AM (7bRMQ)

425 Can you throw 'em over your shoulder
Like a Continental soldier

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:42 AM (AwPyG)

426 Wife was 23, I was 24 (week away from my 25th) when we were married in May 1972. 49 years and never had a fight. HAHAHAHAHA. Oh sorry.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at December 19, 2021 11:42 AM (Zvtjl)

427 I'm going to go with "pure mercenary."
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (llXky)

Some of that too. But if you see what's on many congregations' agendas and hear the sermons, you can get a pretty good picture of where she's coming from. Plus, I would put her down as one of the people looking for WWII nazis under her carpets.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (ONvIw)

428 Found the book "Payton Place" on my Mom's bookcase as a young teenager. Certainly changed my my outlook on literature for a while. I had no idea you could find that stuff in books.

Posted by: Javems at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (AmoqO)

429 Speaking of books, Star Trek, (the original series) is neither a hot dog nor a sandwich.

Discuss.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (m45I2)

430 You wonder if the pendulum is going to do a crazy swing, and the younger men will not only look Amish (which they do, now) but will go a' courtin'.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (AwPyG)

431 From Season 2 Ep2 of "The Witcher". Describes the current situation in the Western world nations re: The Great Reset pretty accurately.

In this world, there is no where safe.
You can't run and you can't hide.
What you can do is find power and purpose to survive the horror.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (Do5/p)

432 423> how low does your dick hang?

Posted by: sidney at December 19, 2021 11:44 AM (7/kmB)

433 I test drive a lot of cars before buying one. But I am supposed to settle down for 50 years with the first woman I meet? Come on.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:41 AM (3vQN0)
---
That's how Grandpa did it. Then the Boomers thought they were smarter.

Now we all get to pay the price.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:44 AM (llXky)

434 @429

I miss the Star Trek guy, who kept us posting on the episodes that were airing. I hope he hasn't been beamed up

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:44 AM (AwPyG)

435 The money involved with BBB was a distraction. What the dems really wanted was all the small print, I.E., federal control of election laws.

Posted by: Pork Chops & Bacons at December 19, 2021 11:44 AM (Fs5vw)

436 Defensive phase is over, we can start to play offense now.
(Virginia election was big, but that was state level - this is a LOT bigger)
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (evAgx)

Lmao

Oh I mean yes absolutely.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at December 19, 2021 11:45 AM (ajrY9)

437 Can we sweep this jumped up Gollum into the trash heap now?

Unfortunately, our overlords still see him as useful. He's the embodiment of all that has gone horribly wrong. Sort of a poster boy for the dark side.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (Xrfse)

Nazi/fascism comparisons are almost always tiresome and overwrought but he is the epitome of the soulless technocrat lacking a shred of humanity. That he survived being wrong about nearly everything about AIDS meant he was already out of control.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:45 AM (y7DUB)

438 I'm not concerned about smiles, I know early photos took time. Coulda turned a bit more towards the cam, though. Show more of the face.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:42 AM (7bRMQ)
---
It's more artistic this way - seems like a stolen moment of intimacy rather than a formal portrait.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:45 AM (llXky)

439 No, she's a typical tikkun olam-er

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

Not really Jewish?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (Q9lwr)

440 You wonder if the pendulum is going to do a crazy swing, and the younger men will not only look Amish (which they do, now) but will go a' courtin'.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (AwPyG)

A comeback for Bundling?!

Posted by: Puritans at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (7bRMQ)

441 Speaking of books?

Are discussing audiobooks now?

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (I5hoQ)

442 439. Yep, an Obama worshipper

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (ONvIw)

443 Santa is driving around my town today

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (Irn0L)

444 Not really Jewish?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (Q9lwr)

I got into a fight on twitter with a so called Jew, JINO, who thinks PDT is an anti-semite. Looks like there goes another Xmas Present?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (Irn0L)

445 You wonder if the pendulum is going to do a crazy swing, and the younger men will not only look Amish (which they do, now) but will go a' courtin'.

Posted by: artemis
A comeback for Bundling?!
Posted by: Puritans

Those bonnets have to come off sometime. . . .

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (mD/uy)

446 439. I think a lot of non-religious ethnic Jews found a god in Obama. Probably a lot of secular Christians as well. "We are the ones we've been waiting for" resonated with too many.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (ONvIw)

447 @441

I have a hard time listening to audiobooks, even on a long drive, because I get distracted.

I know a lot of people love them

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (AwPyG)

448 Mmmmm, Merle Oberon.
Posted by: SFGoth at December 19, 2021 11:26 AM (KAi1n)

The latest variant, what's gonna kill us all?

You sicko, you.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (4IRFc)

449 431 From Season 2 Ep2 of "The Witcher". Describes the current situation in the Western world nations re: The Great Reset pretty accurately.

In this world, there is no where safe.
You can't run and you can't hide.
What you can do is find power and purpose to survive the horror.
Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (Do5/p)

Started watching season 2 last night. That statement hit home for me also.

Posted by: Pork Chops & Bacons at December 19, 2021 11:49 AM (Fs5vw)

450 You wonder if the pendulum is going to do a crazy swing, and the younger men will not only look Amish (which they do, now) but will go a' courtin'.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (AwPyG)
---
I guess the university is seeing a surge in Catholic prayer groups - something unknown when I was there. I think young people have seen that the "smart way" to date just brings misery and are looking at what their grandparents had.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:49 AM (llXky)

451 Sidney, I'm dickless. You?

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 11:49 AM (cTCuP)

452 If you are interested in the cutting edge research in How Humans Select & Keep Romantic Partners in Short & Long Term relationships, this is a podcast by Andrew Huberman with Dr. David Buss

In short, men select down and across in status, women across and up, and we base status on a lot of things, but men look for youth and beauty, women for status and productivity. Women have the deciding vote.

https://tinyurl.com/yusf39mr

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2021 11:49 AM (ZMraq)

453 I got into a fight on twitter with a so called Jew, JINO, who thinks PDT is an anti-semite. Looks like there goes another Xmas Present?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (Irn0L)

That always amazes me. Blue eyed man=antisemite, POC can't be prejudiced.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (ONvIw)

454 Ha! Hold on a sec. Did you mean me or the actual real live baked heavenly chewy delight known as fruitcake?

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Superspreader at December 19, 2021 11:09 AM (4I/2K)

Johnny Carson used to joke that there was only one fruitcake in the entire world, and it was just being given from one person to the next. But never actually eaten.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (AP7KD)

455 Sidney, I'm dickless. You?
Posted by: creeper

Reference to Ghostbusters?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (mD/uy)

456 Are discussing audiobooks now?

Posted by: Just a side note at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (I5hoQ)

So I've heard.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (7bRMQ)

457 Yeah, about an hour ago. Been talking about women and dating preferences since then.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:21 AM (llXky)

And fruitcake.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (AP7KD)

458 You wonder if the pendulum is going to do a crazy swing, and the younger men will not only look Amish (which they do, now) but will go a' courtin'.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM

I think that will depend on the younger women. With the era of MeToo, no-fault divorce, women 99.9% given the kids and taking ex for half his finances, there is zero incentive for young men to court women anymore.

Spend most of your life savings on ring, wedding and honeymoon only to have a 50% chance the woman takes your kids and half your future finances later in divorce. No thank you.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 11:51 AM (Do5/p)

459 @444

Hard to claim anti semitic when his grandkids are full Jewish.

Really hurts that narrative.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:51 AM (AwPyG)

460 Reference to Ghostbusters?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (mD/uy)

"It's true -- this man has no dick."

I've always wondered if this was an impromptu line that Murray came up with on the spot.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 11:52 AM (AP7KD)

461 A comeback for Bundling?!

Posted by: Puritans at December 19, 2021 11:46 AM (7bRMQ)
---
I re-watched "Witness" a few weeks ago and did a write-up on it for bleedingfool.com. The film really holds up well, particularly in the contrast between tradition and modernity.

Modernity offers freedom and convenience, but it is violent, dangerous. Tradition may seem restrictive, but it is also safe, comforting and can bring great satisfaction.

If that movie was made today, Kelly McGillis' character would have run away and ended up as a lesbian. Oh wait, that's real life...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:52 AM (llXky)

462 CBD, I don't know how often you attend services, I used to go quite regularly, but the local Conservative and definitely Reform congregations have converted God into a childish option (and I do mean option), while focusing on political action and repairing the world (which is generally accepted to mean a leveling)

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:53 AM (ONvIw)

463 Reference to Ghostbusters?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2021 11:50 AM (mD/uy)

Oh.

I gotta get out more.

Posted by: creeper at December 19, 2021 11:54 AM (cTCuP)

464 Hard to claim anti semitic when his grandkids are full Jewish.

Really hurts that narrative.
Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:51 AM (AwPyG)

Yet, it's a common claim and many accept it.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:54 AM (ONvIw)

465 I never courted anyone. If it clicked it clicked. with the Mrs it clicked really well and we moved in together. and after 2 years of living together we were like ok lets get married.

Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:54 AM (3vQN0)

466 So if you were to recommend a "starter" Cain book, which would it be?

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:55 AM (ONvIw)

467 What I have seen of Dower's points (didn't read the book) were completely unpersuasive and typical attempts (heroic) to somehow make "racism" - the obsession of contemporary moral narcissists and crusaders, though not something they actually think about - the basis for all sorts of things in the Pacific that have obvious alternative explanations.

Yes, of course the era saw both sides with what we would consider today as unworldly and primitive bigotry towards the other (though the Japanese version, logically, was much more fundamental, and obviously was a factor in the much more barbaric mistreatment of victim groups of all kinds).

And I don't believe he even made an effort to explain the brutality on both sides in the ETO, which matched that of the Pacific both on the battlefield and in attacks affecting millions of non-combatants, and where "race" (on the Allied side, and in half the cases, on the German side) obviously had nothing to do with it.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 11:55 AM (OTzUX)

468 I have a hard time listening to audiobooks, even on a long drive, because I get distracted.

I know a lot of people love them

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:48 AM (AwPyG)

*fistbump*

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 19, 2021 11:56 AM (y7DUB)

469
You're Driving Me Buggy - a limerick

Amish courtship's stranger than I feared
Jedediah's best moves are just weird
Once he got the chance to date her
It was just a few months later
She had a baby with suspenders and a beard!!

Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:56 AM (m45I2)

470 Hard to claim anti semitic when his grandkids are full Jewish.

Really hurts that narrative.
Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:51 AM (AwPyG)

Yeah she poo=pooed that. Those with Trump Derangement Syndrome have issues LOL

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:56 AM (Irn0L)

471 NGU, your Jewish online friends do Christmas presents??

(actually I know lots of tribe who do some sort of hybrid gift-giving thing this time of year, which is great)

Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (OTzUX)

472 Spend most of your life savings on ring, wedding and honeymoon only to have a 50% chance the woman takes your kids and half your future finances later in divorce. No thank you.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 11:51 AM (Do5/p)
---
Yes, but men also want a committed romantic relationship. It's less harmful (psychologically) for men to 'play the field,' but ultimately unsatisfying, particularly if you want children.

The solution is to return to tradition, and our parish is seeing significant interest by college kids in becoming Catholic. There's also a lot who drifted away and are now coming back.

When I was an RCIA sponsor, the college-age kids were all about traditional sex roles and lifelong marriage.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (llXky)

473 470.. Many people I know also think a distaste for antifa is rooted in antisemitism.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (ONvIw)

474 So if you were to recommend a "starter" Cain book, which would it be?

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:55 AM (ONvIw)

The Book of Genesis! Oh, wrong Cain....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (7bRMQ)

475
When I was an RCIA sponsor, the college-age kids were all about traditional sex roles and lifelong marriage.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (llXky)

I see this as healthy.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (ONvIw)

476
I've never seen a picture of Jen Rubin with Ruth Buzzi.

Posted by: Frankly at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (VkT0E)

477 What I have seen of Dower's points (didn't read the book

Gotta read the book or, you know, what you say doesn't really mean much at all.

YMMV.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:59 AM (5NkmN)

478

NGU, your Jewish online friends do Christmas presents??

(actually I know lots of tribe who do some sort of hybrid gift-giving thing this time of year, which is great)
Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (OTzUX)

It's just a way of saying I am on her shit list

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 19, 2021 11:59 AM (Irn0L)

479 I've never seen a picture of Jen Rubin with Ruth Buzzi.

Posted by: Frankly at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (VkT0E)

Regular, or as Purse Lady?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 19, 2021 12:00 PM (7bRMQ)

480 NGU, your Jewish online friends do Christmas presents??

(actually I know lots of tribe who do some sort of hybrid gift-giving thing this time of year, which is great)
Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (OTzUX)

I have several Jewish friends, and one very good Muslim friend. Generally speaking, they go harder on the Christmas thing than most Christians I know. The presents, the Santa, the lights and all the rest.

Jeezy in a mangy manger? Not so much, but otherwise...

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 12:00 PM (4IRFc)

481 (actually I know lots of tribe who do some sort of hybrid gift-giving thing this time of year, which is great)

Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 11:57 AM (OTzUX)

...and everybody gets a fruitcake!

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 12:01 PM (AP7KD)

482 NOOD TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF BOOKS

Posted by: Skip guy who says NOOD at December 19, 2021 12:01 PM (2JoB8)

483 And, as if by magic, "racism" accounted for American soldiers' behavior towards Japanese soldiers (it wasn't all that barbaric and treacherous behavior by the Japanese military, mind you, even though the record clearly reflects how that in fact was the progression), yet, yet ..... America made heroic efforts to help and fight with other icky Asian "races", like the Chinese, against Japan.

Gotta admire the precision and versatility of American racism at the time. It made heroes of Chinese and Filipinos and others, and shed American blood fighting with them, yet at the same time anti-Japanese racism accounted for our (completely mundane and below-average, in general) brutality in the Pacific.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 12:02 PM (OTzUX)

484 KARL: "Are we ever going to get to a point where we won't need to wear masks on airplanes?"

FAUCI: "I don't think so. I think when you're dealing with a closed space... you want to take that extra step."

https://bit.ly/3sjwuKz

Posted by: bonhomme at December 19, 2021 11:34 AM

Yep, while everyone is cheering about BBB, the Left continues taking away our freedoms. Mask-wearing, more lockdowns to come with Biden's announcement on Tuesday, mass of firings across the nation coming next month when the vaccine mandates kick in (which will be in addition to the mass of firings that have already happened in 2021), vaccine mandates for children, and of course the renewed focus on H.R.1 to nationalize election fraud for the Left.

I'll be working on finding my power and purpose to survive the horror. BBB may be dead, but the Left has plenty more horrors to bring to us in the year(s) ahead.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 12:02 PM (Do5/p)

485 Speaking of books, Star Trek, (the original series) is neither a hot dog nor a sandwich.

Discuss.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (m45I2)

Hmmm. Im thinking very much chips, dip and a beer. Especially the ones written by Duane and Crispin.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 19, 2021 12:02 PM (axyOa)

486 I think we're seeing the claims of anti-semitism for the same reasons we are being told that black people can't be racist, and transvestites are heroic.

I think many of the bad guys being exposed will fit into these categories.

I don't get it though--I have no problem at all criticizing the Catholic Church and the pope, considering what's going on today.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:02 PM (AwPyG)

487 CBD, I don't know how often you attend services, I used to go quite regularly, but the local Conservative and definitely Reform congregations have converted God into a childish option (and I do mean option), while focusing on political action and repairing the world (which is generally accepted to mean a leveling)

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:53 AM (ONvIw)

We used to go a lot, but then the "rabbi" decided that progressive politics was more important than Judaism or Israel.

See Ya!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (Q9lwr)

488 Many people I know also think a distaste for antifa is rooted in antisemitism.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:58 AM (ONvIw)
---
Is there nothing antisemitism can't do???

BTW, while at the store the other day we saw a Chanukah-themed cookie decorating kit on deep discount and my daughter said we should pick it up.

So I did, noting that it's important for us to remember our family's Jewish heritage. Also, we didn't pay full price!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (llXky)

489 480. We have never done this. I enjoy looking at the lights and displays, but I have never been tempted to do it. I know people who do as they hate to feel "left out" of anything, or are paranoid.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (ONvIw)

490 Suppose I'll force myself to read the book at some point, but reading extensive discussions by Dower of the topic and his debates with others, I feel pretty serene about my grasp of his argument.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (OTzUX)

491 We used to go a lot, but then the "rabbi" decided that progressive politics was more important than Judaism or Israel.

See Ya!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (Q9lwr)

So Jen Rubin fits in quite nicely with that mentality.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 12:04 PM (ONvIw)

492 @484

but who is going to enforce these new mandates/lockdowns? the OSHA one has been delayed again till Feb, even thought the court gave it a green light.

It's all a house of cards. The minute half the world refused to be vaccinated, it was game over.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:05 PM (AwPyG)

493 I have several Jewish friends, and one very good Muslim friend. Generally speaking, they go harder on the Christmas thing than most Christians I know. The presents, the Santa, the lights and all the rest.

Jeezy in a mangy manger? Not so much, but otherwise...

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2021 12:00 PM (4IRFc)
---
It's more a retail event than a religious one these days.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 12:05 PM (llXky)

494
BTW, while at the store the other day we saw a Chanukah-themed cookie decorating kit on deep discount and my daughter said we should pick it up.

So I did, noting that it's important for us to remember our family's Jewish heritage. Also, we didn't pay full price!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 12:03 PM (llXky)

LOL! I tend to buy wrapping paper and non-perishable items at the end of the season, too. It keeps.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 12:05 PM (ONvIw)

495 Posted by: rhomboid at December 19, 2021 12:02 PM (OTzUX)

Again...gotta read the book.

That Americans would make allies of people to defeat the Japanese is just plain ole smart war fighting.

We were allies of the communists, who had stated that they wanted to destroy us previouslyf'rcrissales. (see Russia) And had been early allies of Hitler.War is war and you take your allies where you can.

Your point doesn't really stand on that basis.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 12:07 PM (5NkmN)

496 They've got a problem, though--as Clay Travis points out, the red states won't lock down, and then what do you do?

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 11:16 AM (AwPyG)

On the West coast? Punish the people within your reach because the people who won't comply you can't touch.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2021 12:13 PM (ZMraq)

497 @496

I'm in Socal, and--despite Newsom's latest edict--everybody is unmasked and going about their holiday business. Maybe one mask out of 500, and the mall is mobbed.

And that's in California

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:15 PM (AwPyG)

498 @494

I buy the wrapping paper on sale and then I forget where I put it.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:16 PM (AwPyG)

499 I'm in Socal, and--despite Newsom's latest edict--everybody is unmasked and going about their holiday business. Maybe one mask out of 500, and the mall is mobbed.

And that's in California
Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:15 PM (AwPyG)

Good, omicron will pass more quickly if people don't slow it down

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 12:18 PM (ONvIw)

500 You are literally the only person I ever see using the world "picresque."

*tips hat*

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (llXky)

The original Picaresque novel is Lazarillo de Tormes, and it touched off a landslide of echoing books during the Spanish Golden Era, and later in English lit

Should Moll Flanders and Huckleberry Finn be considered picaresque as well? What about Tom Sawyer?

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2021 12:19 PM (ZMraq)

501 I suppose I should point out that Dower is a leftard and as such his views aren't all that interesting or unexpected with regards to race.

However, what is interesting is the information and historical data that he brings to the table.

That is very interesting. And, you know, a close reading of that info allows you to come to your own conclusions and understanding.

That racism played a parton both sides in the war, there can be no doubt. But, instead of a driving point as Dower might suggest. It was a convenient propaganda point for those who were susceptible. again on both sides.

Anyway, interesting stuff. YMMV.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 12:23 PM (5NkmN)

502 but who is going to enforce these new mandates / lockdowns? the OSHA one has been delayed again till Feb, even thought the court gave it a green light. It's all a house of cards. The minute half the world refused to be vaccinated, it was game over.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:05 PM

I watch and read about a lot of sports, pro and college. They are all enforcing the mandates for players, coaches, schools. I also have a job. My company is enforcing a mandate regardless of court cases. So are other companies across the country. I follow news here, especially in JJ's Morning Report and I read about all the schools mandating masks and soon to be mandating vaccines. I also have been following everything over the past year where every branch of the military, hospitals, "healthcare" industry have all fired people for not meeting vaccine mandates. Are any of those people getting their jobs back? The same people who have been enforcing the lockdowns/mandates the past 22 months are going to continue enforcing them.

I'll believe things are changing when mask policies are ended on airlines and in schools and protocols ended in sports leagues.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 12:28 PM (Do5/p)

503 Speaking of books, Star Trek, (the original series) is neither a hot dog nor a sandwich.
Discuss.
Posted by: Muldoon at December 19, 2021 11:43 AM (m45I2)

It's a burrito. Or maybe a gyro

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2021 12:29 PM (ZMraq)

504 I'm in Socal, and--despite Newsom's latest edict--everybody is unmasked and going about their holiday business. Maybe one mask out of 500, and the mall is mobbed.

And that's in California
Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:15 PM (AwPyG)

Wow. That's great. But up north here in a very blue region of Oregon, everyone is masked up, even outdoors. But in the red areas of the state (which is most of the state), it's more like SoCal.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 12:30 PM (AP7KD)

505 It's a wildly comic picaresque novel
Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 11:25 AM (5NkmN)
You are literally the only person I ever see using the world "picresque."
*tips hat*
I can vouch for the book, btw. Very over the top, almost 'gonzo' novel writing.

Also, a fun look at the Old School Navy. If that's your thing, you will love it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2021 11:29 AM (llXky)

Thanks for the positive mini-review.

You are a gentleman and a scholar, Sir!

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2021 12:30 PM (5NkmN)

506 I watch and read about a lot of sports, pro and college. They are all enforcing the mandates for players, coaches, schools.

I'll believe things are changing when mask policies are ended on airlines and in schools and protocols ended in sports leagues.
Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 12:28 PM (Do5/p)Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 12:28 PM (Do5/p)

I've watched a number of college football games this year, and from the crowd and sideline shots, masks are the rare exception, not the rule. Seeing packed stadiums, with spectators jumping up and down and cheering, with not a mask in sight, cheered my heart.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 12:34 PM (AP7KD)

507 Back in my youth, someone once told me that men who drive old, beat up cars tend to be Alpha because they don't need the status symbol.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Posted by: Oddbob at December 19, 2021 10:56 AM (nfrXX)

Geeze, I must be Uber-Alpha, then, LOL.

I managed to read three books this past week: "The Repo" by Bill Eidson, which I would characterize as much in the same vein as John D. MacDonald's books. OK, but not stellar. Then "Master and Commander", which is, of course, excellent, and "The Rumpole Omnibus", also excellent.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 12:36 PM (P3gRi)

508 Gotta go buy a tree today. I always wait until the week before, especially now that so many family live in other cities. We can set it up and decorate it together on Christmas Eve.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 19, 2021 11:06 AM (QZxDR)

I have yet to see a single Christmas tree sales lot here in the PHX metro area. Have they been hit by supply-chain issues, too?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 12:41 PM (P3gRi)

509 Currently I am reading Elisabeth G. Wolfe's Sister Muses short story collection and every story has been wonderful so far. Very recommended to anyone, particularly Christians.

I have listened to a few audiobooks, and appreciate them, but their cost is astronomical compared to a book, and its just not worth it to me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at December 19, 2021 12:41 PM (KZzsI)

510 My reading has been all over the place this week. Mostly Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Peter Norvig and Magic in the Shadows by Devon Monk.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at December 19, 2021 12:44 PM (ezpv1)

511 @507

I think the Travis McGee series by MacDonald is my very favorite of that type of character--even more than Bosch or Reacher Such a great protagonist.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 12:45 PM (AwPyG)

512 I've watched a number of college football games this year, and from the crowd and sideline shots, masks are the rare exception, not the rule. Seeing packed stadiums, with spectators jumping up and down and cheering, with not a mask in sight, cheered my heart.

Posted by: OregonMuse, AoSHQ Thought Leader, Pants Monitor & Social Distancing Professional at December 19, 2021 12:34 PM

Yeah, I'm referring to the sports teams. The players, coaches and staff all have to be vaccinated, as far as I know. In both college and pro. And NCAAM basketball games are being cancelled, forfeited and postponed left and right the last few weeks "due to COVID".

And NBA, NHL and NFL are going wild with postponements or cancellation of games as teams are hit with half their players force to sit out due to the leagues' COVID protocols. And all the pro teams are forced to have all their players and personnel get the "vaccine".

Super Bowl is in California. Could be cancelled or low in attendance if Newsom keeps the COVID protocols in place.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2021 12:50 PM (Do5/p)

513 I read a book in Chuck Dixon's Levon Cade series, its somewhat like Jack Reacher, but he's less perfect and all-powerful, and he has a particular complication: a young daughter he's trying to take care of and protect. Its well written and exciting and there's a bunch of books in the series.

Dixon is best known for his comic book writing, having written the most comic books of any human being in history. But he's written a bunch of books as well, including a series on time-traveling mercs and a series on Seal Team Six missions. He's also written a few westerns, etc.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at December 19, 2021 12:51 PM (KZzsI)

514 No, she's a typical tikkun olam-er
Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 11:36 AM (ONvIw)

Is that, then, a redundancy?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 12:54 PM (P3gRi)

515 In some cities, Toronto being one of them most people ride transit. It is really expensive to park downtown so unless you are pretty well off or your employer pays for parking, you take transit to work. So plenty of conservatives re freezing on the bus as well as progs.
Posted by: Joe XiDen - I miss the Delta Variant at December 19, 2021 11:39 AM (3vQN0)

If you are willing to submit to that in order to live in a shithole city, you really aren't conservative.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 12:56 PM (P3gRi)

516 Another book thread where I get caught up on comments at the tail-end of the discussions. That's fine. Since most folks have likely moved on by now, some self-promotion.

I don't have books, but I do have webworks.

Seasonally: "Journey to Bethlehem" - not strictly conforming to the Gospel accounts, but I hope is taken as still respectful. Comic book format - I mean, graphic novella.
http://bit.ly/bethlehem-journey

Just a teaser panel from that:
http://bit.ly/Secret2Marriage

Have a week, Hordemates.

Posted by: mindful webworker - the innkeeper got a bad rep at December 19, 2021 12:58 PM (TAu/7)

517 "If you are willing to submit to that in order to live in a shithole city, you really aren't conservative."

With all due respect, friend, I bow to no-one in my conservatism. But having lived and attended university in Toronto, it is no shithole. I raised my five children in Chicago, where we did not need a car (and what a blessing it was not to have to put up with one). Ironically or not, when my three sons enlisted in the Marine Corps, they found that they were much better prepared for the marches and the Crucible than most kids from rural areas, because they had walked so much as they were growing up, instead of driving everywhere. We left Chicago a few years ago, though my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are buried there, because the malgovernance got to us at last; but to this day, I miss not being able to hop on the elevated train and ride down to the Art Institute or the Field Museum or Orchestra Hall, where I could enjoy some of the finest creations of the human mind. So, be careful whom you dismiss as conservative simply because they may not share your preference for a particular mode of transportation.

Posted by: Nemo at December 19, 2021 01:05 PM (S6ArX)

518 @516

Make sure to send your announcements to Mr. Muse; he does an excellent job of promoting the writers here, and more people will see it if he mentions it in the post.

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 01:06 PM (AwPyG)

519 Is that, then, a redundancy?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2021 12:54 PM (P3gRi)

No. If she belongs to a religious group that supports CRT and leftist aims, it's a matter of conformity and "belief", not an illness. And many congregations totally buy the sociology=theology crap that my former congregation put out, as well as the notion that religion is more ethnicity than dogma.

Posted by: CN...FJB at December 19, 2021 01:21 PM (ONvIw)

520 Am I the only one who thought "pijaralivuq" was the latest list of genders according to the Woke Brigade?

Posted by: nerdbert at December 19, 2021 01:49 PM (mayVJ)

521 @519

It you follow the younger people on gab, there seems to be a renewed interest in Orthodox Christian religions, probably because they are holding pretty firm against politicizing their beliefs.

Torba, the founder of gab is one, and believe me, you have to have a pretty strong faith to endure the slings and arrows that have been launched his way

Posted by: artemis at December 19, 2021 01:51 PM (AwPyG)

522 A. H. Lloyd --

Just bought "Scorpion's Pass", based on your description of the first scene. Once I read it, I'll see if I'm allowed to post a review -- last couple of times I tried, I wasn't.

Posted by: Ann Wilson, aka Empire 1 at December 19, 2021 02:29 PM (JJatH)

523 "Kindle" does not equal "books". But you go, girl.

Posted by: Born Free at December 20, 2021 12:08 AM (6VYDs)

524 Am from United States. I was diagnosed with Herpes early this year in 2021 and the doctor told me herpes has no cure. I kept searching for any possible cure. While searching, I came across lots of reviews on facebook about how doctor DOUGRAY used herbal medicine to cure different people from Herpes and other diseases. I made an order for the herpes cure eraser and I received it 5 days later, I took the medicine for 9 days as instructed. While taking the medicine, I noticed some changes in my body. I used the medicine during the outbreak and the outbreak stopped completely. all the itching and pain was gone completely. When I was done taking the herbal medicine, I went for a test and I was confirmed Herpes negative "totally cured". Before I made an order for herbal medicine, I promised Dr DOUGRAY that if his product actually worked for me I was going to share the testimony through all social media so lots of people can be aware that Herpes is curable. you can contact dr dougray via Email: drdougray@gmail.com

Posted by: rachael dazalma at December 20, 2021 05:55 AM (bPpS0)

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