The Morning Rant: Minimalist Edition

The absolutely idiotic suggestion that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution can be used to invalidate the power of the purse, which the Constitution invests solely in Congress is just one more step down the road to a completely lawless republic ( in name only) whose governing document can be ignored, manipulated, tortured and otherwise destroyed in service to craven political goals.

Democrats pressure Biden to ready 14th Amendment for the debt ceiling

Biden previously kept the use of the 14th Amendment on the table, but cautioned it would likely "be litigated and in the meantime, without an extension, it’d still end up in the same place." Biden has also repeatedly underscored that default is "not an option."
The 14th Amendment stipulates that the “validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.” However, the Constitution also grants Congress the power of the purse.
A growing number of progressives such as Sanders appear nervous that Biden may cede too much during deliberations with Republicans as his team reportedly mulls over concessions on spending caps and considers some work requirement options.
Initially, the White House was adamant that a standalone debt limit hike bill was non-negotiable. However, Biden's team has held discussions with Republicans about spending reforms.
Backers of using the amendment argue that it can nullify the debt ceiling altogether.

Parse the damned thing! The 14th Amendment says nothing about future spending, only that the debt incurred by the United States is valid. There are oceans of revenue available to pay the debt...the issue is the ongoing costs of The Leviathan. That can be cut significantly in a financial crisis so that the 14th can be honored both in spirit and in fact.

But the issue is not the debt; the issue is the continued explosion of federal spending to remake America into a dependent, socialist hellhole.

Lewis Carroll knew exactly what was going on!

“When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’
’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’
’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”

But for the purposes of argument, let us grant an expansive interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Observe the portion of section 4!

Section 4
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

That suggests that debt incurred specifically to damage the interests of the United States shall not be honored, which means that all spending on funneling illegal aliens into the heartland is null and void; that spending on objectively insane military policies in furtherance of Woke initiatives should be canceled; that the destruction of our domestic energy production and funding of unproven and hugely expensive "green" technologies are illegitimate uses of our tax dollars...

And there's more! The Constitution vests the power to enforce this specifically in Congress, and not the executive. So even if a compliant federal court found that the 14th Amendment applies, it is the purview of Congress...not ersatz president Biden.

Section 5
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Of course none of this will be needed. The uniparty will posture and pontificate and huff and puff, but in the end, we will have our debt limit raised in exchange for some trivial reductions in spending, which will kick the can down the road to insolvency for another few weeks or months.

Posted by: CBD at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sponge!!!

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at May 18, 2023 11:01 AM (OgrpQ)

2 Sponge also!!!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:01 AM (PiwSw)

3 Since when did the Constitution matter to these people ?

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:02 AM (bs+z0)

4 Since when did the Constitution matter to these people ?

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:02 AM (bs+z0)

Seems to be just a list of suggestions.

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (AwYPR)

5 I culled the otters.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (Mpg1P)

6 Parse the damned thing! The 14th Amendment says nothing about future spending, only that the debt incurred by the United States is valid. There are oceans of revenue available to pay the debt...the issue is the ongoing costs of The Leviathan. That can be cut significantly in a financial crisis so that the 14th can be honored both in spirit and in fact.
++++
Assume there isn't. Assume we can't service the debt because there's too much of it.

The 14th still doesn't preclude that. That Amendment says we won't repudiate or invalidate the debt. If we can't pay the debt - bankruptcy - we can't pay it. It's legally valid, but uncollectable. There is some recourse - the lender can bring suit, accept a settlement of some non-monetary thing like title to public lands, accept that he can't be repaid, etc.

The 14th is about legal repudiation of debt. Not default. Not political games or selective default. Not future spending. It just makes it illegal for the United States to declare that the debts it has incurred are not legally valid anymore.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (DU+/6)

7 That suggests that debt incurred specifically to damage the interests of the United States shall not be honored, which means that all spending on funneling illegal aliens into the heartland is null and void

There are a million ways the GOP could stop the southern invasion. Our problem is that they don't want to stop the invasion.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (lc5cP)

8 The 14th amendment is a complete mess. It contains good things but is poorly worded and covers way too much stuff. It needs to be superceded by a series of amendments, each dealing with one concept, and much more carefully worded.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:05 AM (0hOvj)

9 I GOT NUTHIN. IT'S NOT FUNNY.

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at May 18, 2023 11:05 AM (EdLEa)

10 Willowed.

I might be able to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in MA next month. Has anyone been there? Is it worth the detour?
Posted by: Kris at May 18, 2023 10:36 AM

It's a lovely area, and a nice little museum. You could do it in maybe 2 hours if you're in a hurry.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:03 AM

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM (Wnv9h)

11 If there were an opposition party they would endlessly talk about how Bidenflation caused by Bidenspending is why your groceries cost 2X what they did under Trump.

If.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM (lc5cP)

12 1 Sponge!!!
Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at May 18, 2023 11:01 AM (OgrpQ)

2 Sponge also!!!
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:01 AM (PiwSw)

I am...Sponge!

Posted by: Darrell Harris at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM (/iWhV)

13 Willowed:

"Henry Ford was a dyed-in-the-wool Jew-Hater. "

He even wrote a book about it. I can't recall the title, but I did read it years ago.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 18, 2023 11:00 AM (MeG8a)

Are you thinking of The International Jew? That was a series of articles in his newspaper The Dearborn Independent.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM (AW0uW)

14 These people would know this if they ever tried actually reading the Constitution.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (Ga8Fv)

15 There are a million ways the GOP could stop the southern invasion. Our problem is that they don't want to stop the invasion.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (lc5cP)

New voters for dems, cheap labor for gope.

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (AwYPR)

16 Speaking of the senile old fool.. he already screwed up in Japan.. Called the Prime Minister President... He also brought his Grand daughter whom I assume is Transgender ?

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (bs+z0)

17 A lot of folks identifying as Sponge today…

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (Mpg1P)

18 10 Willowed.

I might be able to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in MA next month. Has anyone been there? Is it worth the detour?
Posted by: Kris at May 18, 2023 10:36 AM

It's a lovely area, and a nice little museum. You could do it in maybe 2 hours if you're in a hurry.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:03 AM
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM
Go now before Norman Rockwell is unpersoned.

Posted by: Eromero at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (Uv0D2)

19 That suggests that debt incurred specifically to damage the interests of the United States shall not be honored, which means that all spending on funneling illegal aliens into the heartland is null and void; that spending on objectively insane military policies in furtherance of Woke initiatives should be canceled; that the destruction of our domestic energy production and funding of unproven and hugely expensive "green" technologies are illegitimate uses of our tax dollars...
++++
Hypothetically, maybe. There's a good argument that since there are not usually purpose-specific debts incurred by the federal government (they are bonds for general use, divvied up according to the budget), there is no way to identify which bonds were for which purposes. Stuff like that probably cannot be legally repudiated, either.

It doesn't matter. This entire line of argument is absurd. Nobody is talking about repudiating the debt. There is talk of default - not at all the same thing - and they're trying to call it something it isn't. Default is a choice - the Administration's choice, in this case - and they are trying to deflect the blame with a stupid argument.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (DU+/6)

20 He also brought his Grand daughter whom I assume is Transgender ?

If she smells like a girl who cares what she has downstairs right?

Posted by: Joe Biden at May 18, 2023 11:07 AM (lc5cP)

21 Of course none of this will be needed. The uniparty will posture and pontificate and huff and puff, but in the end, we will have our debt limit raised in exchange for some trivial reductions in spending, which will kick the can down the road to insolvency for another few weeks or months.

At this point, I'm hoping for a few more years. I have no children, so if there's going to be a collapse, let it happen after I'm dead and gone. I'm too old to beg and RMBS hasn't taught me to shoot yet.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM (AW0uW)

22 Yeah, monkey time

Posted by: Zeera. 'We want fun and we wanna get wasted!' at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM (hIKhs)

23 LOL.

Legal pot shops in California are facing an "extinction event".

Why? California taxes, of course:

According to a report in SFGATE, the state’s cannabis industry could be on the verge of an “extinction event,” with shops going out of business as they miss tax payments and sink under millions of dollars of debt.

State law recently shifted the burden for paying cannabis excise taxes from distributors to retailers, with the first tax payments due May 1. “Retailers have historically had the most trouble paying their bills, and it appears that many shops lack the cash to pay their state excise taxes,” says SFGATE.

According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Over 13% of the state’s weed retailers failed to make any tax payment by the May 1 deadline,

Those businesses are now facing a 50% penalty on the taxes they owe, “which could be a death blow to many shops,” says SFGATE.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM (2tUFv)

24 >>The 14th amendment is a complete mess. It contains good things but is poorly worded and covers way too much stuff. It needs to be superceded by a series of amendments, each dealing with one concept, and much more carefully worded.

There is almost no way you would get an amendment passed these days.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM (Ga8Fv)

25 ...and adopted.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:09 AM (Ga8Fv)

26
There is almost no way you would get an amendment passed these days.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM (Ga8Fv

Thank God

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:09 AM (bs+z0)

27 Chad Prather (@WatchChad)

Why did Ford put the rainbow colors on a truck they call the Predator?!?!?

Of course they took it muddin’.

https://bit.ly/3BDPsPu

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at May 18, 2023 11:09 AM (Do5/p)

28 "Are you thinking of The International Jew?"

Yes. I got a pdf of it from Gutenberg.org for free.
The 1920's and onward saw quite a lot of anti semitism.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 18, 2023 11:09 AM (MeG8a)

29 The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.

--------------

That's the key part. For the 14th to matter, the debt must be authorized by law not just conjured up by the tween sniffer.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (z99Zw)

30 @8

>>The 14th amendment is a complete mess.

Yes, but the fifth article clearly states who has the responsibility and authority to enforce and interpret the meaning and it's not the executive.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (vgYvF)

31 There are a million ways the GOP could stop the southern invasion. Our problem is that they don't want to stop the invasion.

That's what it comes down to. You can tell because the only times they TRY to do so, is when they don't have the votes to even get it to the floor.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (0hOvj)

32 These people would know this if they ever tried actually reading the Constitution.

They could care less.

All they care about is the pursuit of power.

The Constitution is only useful to them when they can use it to hamstring their opponents.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (2tUFv)

33
The 14th is about legal repudiation of debt. Not default. Not political games or selective default. Not future spending. It just makes it illegal for the United States to declare that the debts it has incurred are not legally valid anymore.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:04 AM (DU+/6)

Yeah that seems correct and pretty straightforward. It doesn't look like prohibits default or deferred payment(which is a form of default) at all. The debt just still exists.

Although the "authorized by law" part means that all debt must be approved by the legislature, otherwise it would seemingly be possible to repudiate.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (eYoxG)

34 "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law.... shall not be questioned."

This is a very stupid debate. If there is a law that sets a debt ceiling, and the debt exceeds that ceiling, that debt is not "authorized by law," is it?

Posted by: tommylotto at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (CRqTc)

35 >>Legal pot shops in California are facing an "extinction event".

Why? California taxes, of course:

According to a report in SFGATE, the state’s cannabis industry could be on the verge of an “extinction event,” with shops going out of business as they miss tax payments and sink under millions of dollars of debt.

Pretty sure California, like NJ and others, tried to market this biz model to minorities only.

No surprise that they didn't hold back the Taxes for Payment.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Ga8Fv)

36 The road in front of my house is being re-paved. It's very noisy out there.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Wy1BU)

37 I too am SPONGE, but he trademarked it so I have to go by 'Gerry Gallo'-> knocks chess pieces over...

Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:12 AM (3byMq)

38 Democrat wanted this program to increase by $100b. We gave them an increase of $90b. So we cut spending by 10%!!!

- GOP for the last 25 years

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:12 AM (65Tai)

39 34 "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law.... shall not be questioned."

This is a very stupid debate. If there is a law that sets a debt ceiling, and the debt exceeds that ceiling, that debt is not "authorized by law," is it?
Posted by: tommylotto at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (CRqTc)

Yes, and consequently such debt would not necessarily be valid. It could be valid, but wouldn't have to be, so the government could declare it void.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:12 AM (eYoxG)

40 24 >>The 14th amendment is a complete mess. It contains good things but is poorly worded and covers way too much stuff. It needs to be superceded by a series of amendments, each dealing with one concept, and much more carefully worded.
There is almost no way you would get an amendment passed these days.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:08 AM25 ...and adopted.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:09 AM
Oh, yeah? Stick around say...5 years when all the illegals are onboard and voting.

Posted by: Eromero at May 18, 2023 11:13 AM (Uv0D2)

41 36 The road in front of my house is being re-paved. It's very noisy out there.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Wy1BU)

Is it being re-paved with good intentions?

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:13 AM (AsOWV)

42 How can you lose money selling weed? Lol. JFC.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:13 AM (65Tai)

43 35 >>Legal pot shops in California are facing an "extinction event".

Why? California taxes, of course:

According to a report in SFGATE, the state’s cannabis industry could be on the verge of an “extinction event,” with shops going out of business as they miss tax payments and sink under millions of dollars of debt.

Pretty sure California, like NJ and others, tried to market this biz model to minorities only.

No surprise that they didn't hold back the Taxes for Payment.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Ga8Fv)

Doesn't pay to go legit.

Posted by: Hard work and obeying the law are for chumps at May 18, 2023 11:14 AM (FEapg)

44 Although the "authorized by law" part means that all debt must be approved by the legislature, otherwise it would seemingly be possible to repudiate.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:10 AM (eYoxG)
++++
Yup, which is why if Treasury decides to YOLO it and issue more debt anyway once the limit is reached, it will arguably - and probably correctly - *not* be "authorized by law" and the market will know it. And demand a very steep premium to offset the very real risk of repudiation.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:14 AM (DU+/6)

45 >>Oh, yeah? Stick around say...5 years when all the illegals are onboard and voting.

You think people Vote on Amendments?

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM (Ga8Fv)

46 >>>There are oceans of revenue available to pay the debt...the issue is the ongoing costs of The Leviathan.

Perhaps there is a Congress-critter who might make that argument?

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM (AsOWV)

47 Everyone goes to great lengths to define the problems, and I'll add very accurately, there is no dispute in that respect.

It's when it comes to HOW that the silence becomes deafening. Y'all know perfectly well what fixing this issue involves, what that fix must be is only hinted at.

Did I manage to capture the parameters adequately?

Posted by: irongrampa at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM (KATBx)

48
Yes, and consequently such debt would not necessarily be valid. It could be valid, but wouldn't have to be, so the government could declare it void.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:12 AM (eYoxG)

Our entire fucking government is invalid and void.

Posted by: A nullity at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM (FEapg)

49 Democrat wanted this program to increase by $100b. We gave them an increase of $90b. So we cut spending by 10%!!!

- GOP for the last 25 years

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:12 AM (65Tai)

Fiscal Hawks practicing austerity

Democrats: Republicans HATE X program!!!

Posted by: ... at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (yp/Ao)

50 “When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’
’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’

’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”

Careful fat boy. They broke your ass into so many pieces they didn't try to fix you.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (5fCiA)

51 Squad Member Cori Bush Introduces Resolution for $14 Trillion in Reparations to Black Americans

.. and the right to be the "first owner" of each and every Cadillac

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (RHGPo)

52 Pretty sure scotus would say nah bruh if Biden did that though. And he (or his people) know it. Which is why they won’t do it.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (65Tai)

53 Illegitimate government.

Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (3byMq)

54 51 Squad Member Cori Bush Introduces Resolution for $14 Trillion in Reparations to Black Americans

.. and the right to be the "first owner" of each and every Cadillac
Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (RHGPo)

Prima Brougham?

Posted by: It's Latin and shit at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (FEapg)

55 Pretty sure defaulting on the debt means the debt is real and has not been questioned.

Posted by: t-bird at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (bt2PN)

56 California itself is in one long "extinction event" last time I looked. Every time I go downtown, more shops boarded up, even big names. In my neighborhood there was a trend of homes being bought, fixed up, then being unoccupied nor on the market. Just sitting there. Now we have homes for sale for months, no offers.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (MeG8a)

57 45 >>Oh, yeah? Stick around say...5 years when all the illegals are onboard and voting.

You think people Vote on Amendments?
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM
People vote on politicians.

Posted by: Eromero at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (Uv0D2)

58 You think people Vote on Amendments?
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:15 AM (Ga8Fv)

—

They elect people who vote on amendments.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (65Tai)

59 Our entire f***ing government is invalid and void.

You're invalid and void!

Posted by: Rep. Daniel Goldman at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (eOEVl)

60 How can you lose money selling weed? Lol. JFC.
Posted by: Montec

How do you lose money on a legal whorehouse?

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (5fCiA)

61 56 Gourmand, where are you in Cali?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (Mpg1P)

62 Pretty sure California, like NJ and others, tried to market this biz model to minorities only.

No surprise that they didn't hold back the Taxes for Payment.

One of the funniest things about legal marijuana is that a lot of states reserved licenses for pot shops and whatnot for black people, on the assumption that black people suffered most in the drug war, and that owning one of the pot licenses would be a gold mine.

It turns out that marijuana is just an agricultural crop, and unless you take steps to sharply limit the number of licenses, you end up with an oversaturation of pot shops, and no one makes any money.

Oops.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (2tUFv)

63 56 California itself is in one long "extinction event" last time I looked. Every time I go downtown, more shops boarded up, even big names. In my neighborhood there was a trend of homes being bought, fixed up, then being unoccupied nor on the market. Just sitting there. Now we have homes for sale for months, no offers.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 18, 2023 11:17 AM (MeG8a)

Plus everything in the entire goddamn world has been found to fucking cause cancer there.

Posted by: Avoid cancer! Stay out of California! at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (FEapg)

64 >>>The Morning Rant: Minimalist Edition

This rant didn't seem minimalist at all, CBD.

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:19 AM (AsOWV)

65 One of the funniest things about legal marijuana is that a lot of states reserved licenses for pot shops and whatnot for black people, on the assumption that black people suffered most in the drug war, and that owning one of the pot licenses would be a gold mine.

It turns out that marijuana is just an agricultural crop, and unless you take steps to sharply limit the number of licenses, you end up with an oversaturation of pot shops, and no one makes any money.

Oops.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:18 AM (2tUFv)

The left and not understanding economics. Name a more iconic duo.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:19 AM (eYoxG)

66 I just recently was in traffic with a sweet Caddy Brougham. Had the lipsticked offset rims on average sized wheels which surprised me, but the stereo was loosening all the bolts so was in character.

Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (3byMq)

67 64 >>>The Morning Rant: Minimalist Edition

This rant didn't seem minimalist at all, CBD.
Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:19 AM (AsOWV)

=========

Still no "Guess Who," so it's minimialist.

We miss you OM!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (LvTSG)

68 California’s slide to hell is affecting me as well. My small city has been infested with Californians over the past 5 years. And our politics has changed quite drastically. It’s still Republican but a lot of “I’ve been a conservative all my life but we absolutely need more funding for schools” types now live here.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (65Tai)

69 52 Pretty sure scotus would say nah bruh if Biden did that though. And he (or his people) know it. Which is why they won’t do it.
Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023

Except the Gov of NJ just floated ignoring SCOTUS if they rule in a way they don’t like. I think that was a pretty big trial balloon and we should take warning.

Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (ZdaMQ)

70 $14 Trillion in Reparations is a Good Start...

Posted by: BLM Activists at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (PiwSw)

71 Legal pot shops in California are facing an "extinction event".

-
Well, California itself is facing an extinction event so . . .

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (FVME7)

72 Debt Ceiling It feels like we are going to get compromised and poor people are going to get screwed. Zero concessions. The president should use the 14 Amendment to force the issue.

We should not be any negotiating. We should not be debating a future budget to get the existing bills paid.

Negotiating with insurrectionists They are using their slim advantage to threaten the global economy, in order to get things they can't get by constitutional processes. These are people who collaborated with the violent overthrow of the government on J6.

The 14th amendment isn't some sort of magical get out of jail free card. There would be real consequences in the market, similar to an actual default

So you support Republican work requirements to get Social Security or Medicaid or Medicare? I see absolutely nothing good coming of this for Democrats if we give into Republican demands. The Republican budget is toxic and will cause significant harm to the already desperately poor. They know that.

Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (JCZqz)

73 >>They elect people who vote on amendments.

Most importantly, they Vote Locally for the People who Ratify the Amendment.

So, no. I don't think the influx of 3rd world illiterates will increase the likelihood of the adoption of new Amendments.

The Bar is simply too high for our Culture.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (Ga8Fv)

74 Is it being re-paved with good intentions?
Posted by: m

They intend to re-pave so my cousin, the school bus driver who lives down the road, will stop calling the county to bitch about how bad this road had gotten. Her daily calls have convinced the county to actually pave another road she has to travel. It's always been good old gravel. But now folks over there are getting a paved road! All 5 of them will be thrilled.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (Wy1BU)

75 68 California’s slide to hell is affecting me as well. My small city has been infested with Californians over the past 5 years. And our politics has changed quite drastically. It’s still Republican but a lot of “I’ve been a conservative all my life but we absolutely need more funding for schools” types now live here.
Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (65Tai)

The teacher's union is incredibly powerful in CA. Guess that must be rubbing off on expats.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (eYoxG)

76 72 So you support Republican work requirements to get Social Security or Medicaid or Medicare? I see absolutely nothing good coming of this for Democrats if we give into Republican demands. The Republican budget is toxic and will cause significant harm to the already desperately poor. They know that.
Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (JCZqz)

========

Damning the greatest success of the Clinton presidency?

Hilarious.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (LvTSG)

77 You can lose money on a legal whorehouse if you pay Elton John to play piano in it. He don't come cheep.

Posted by: Penniless Pimp at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (Nn3xT)

78 73 The Bar is simply too high for our Culture.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (Ga8Fv)

========

What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (LvTSG)

79 56 California itself is in one long "extinction event" last time I looked. Every time I go downtown, more shops boarded up, even big names.

... I've been watching these walk-about video of Tokyo and have noticed that it looks like 50's America (there are lots of stores) with lots of lights, but interestingly no churches.

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (RHGPo)

80 There is no problem with income. Cut spending.

A pipe dream, I know.

*hits pipe again*

Posted by: fd at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (iayUP)

81 Wasn't watching the time

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (DHxRE)

82 A constitutional convention is more likely to lead to the breakup of the Union than a single amendment.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (LvTSG)

83 80 There is no problem with income. Cut spending.

A pipe dream, I know.

*hits pipe again*
Posted by: fd at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (iayUP)

========

EVERY. SINGLE. DIME. GOES. TO. POOR. PEOPLE. THEY. WILL. STARVE. WITHOUT. IT.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (LvTSG)

84 What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Hawaii and California are expelled from the union.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (5fCiA)

85 This rant didn't seem minimalist at all, CBD.

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:19 AM (AsOWV)

Ah...I chose the name many years ago, because in comparison to OregonMuse's rant's, mine were indeed minimalist.

But there has been a bit of creep in volume, so I guess I could rename it "Local Minimalist."
[That's a math joke]

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZCCyW)

86 The Democrat/Socialists now Marxists stretched the Constitution way out of the lines for the last Century

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (DHxRE)

87 Johannes Brahms used to play piano in brothels.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (Mpg1P)

88 teacher's union is incredibly powerful in CA. Guess that must be rubbing off on expats.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM (eYoxG)

Lots of CA “conservatives” are conservative relative to CA. But outside CA, they’re center-left.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (65Tai)

89 >>What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?

Exactly.

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (Ga8Fv)

90 The Republican budget is toxic and will cause significant harm to the already desperately poor. They know that.

Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (JCZqz)

Can't get the newest smart phone?

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (AwYPR)

91 authorized by law

Well, let me see how laws are made...Oh YES! Congress has to pass bills which, if the President signs become law! So if (P)Resident Biden says he can do it, well, if Congress says no, he can't (legally). Then again, we're no longer a Constitutional Republic, just a illegitimate Gov't wearing its skin.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (ynpvh)

92 78 What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?

.. I keep trying to imagine all the "woke" stuff with a fully functioning Equal Rights Amendment.

Women would be the biggest losers

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (RHGPo)

93 There is no problem with income. Cut spending.

A pipe dream, I know.

*hits pipe again*
Posted by: fd at May 18, 2023 11:22 AM (iayUP)

========

EVERY. SINGLE. DIME. GOES. TO. POOR. PEOPLE. THEY. WILL. STARVE. WITHOUT. IT.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Sweet. Sounds like a self correcting problem.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (5fCiA)

94 Why did Ford put the rainbow colors on a truck they call the Predator?!?!?

Of course they took it muddin’.

-
Does it have a loose tailgate?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (FVME7)

95 The road in front of my house is being re-paved. It's very noisy out there.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023
*
Is it being re-paved with good intentions?
Posted by: m at May 18, 2023

***
If so, I do *not* want to see where it goes!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (J2vNu)

96 89 >>What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?

Exactly.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (Ga8Fv)

=========

Maybe term limits. Maybe.

That's about it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (LvTSG)

97 The Department of Education is now advocating "banning the box" on college applications, which would prohibit schools from asking about applicant's criminal records, following laws in a lot of places to "ban the box" for job applications and housing applications.

One slight problem:

However, Campus Reform previously reported on a University of Michigan study that found that Ban the Box efforts might actually increased racial discrimination against Black Americans seeking employment.

"[T]he UMich study found that such legislation actually leads to more discrimination, with African American applicants receiving fewer callbacks because 'employers may make assumptions about criminality based on the applicant’s race,'" reported Campus Reform.

Turns out that if you are a law-abiding 22-year-old black male, you get harmed if you can't report that you are law-abiding on a job application.

Who could have predicted such a thing?

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (2tUFv)

98 $14 Trillion in Reparations is a Good Start...
Posted by: BLM Activists
-----------
EACH!!!

Posted by: not very Rev. J. Jackson at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (Vwz3I)

99 >>EVERY. SINGLE. DIME. GOES. TO. POOR. PEOPLE. THEY. WILL. STARVE. WITHOUT. IT.

Soylent Green Energy : You Gotta Start Somewhere

Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (Ga8Fv)

100 96 89 >>What kind of amendment gets support from 3/4 of states?

Exactly.
Posted by: garrett at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (Ga8Fv)

=========

Maybe term limits. Maybe.

That's about it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (LvTSG)

From the populace perhaps, but it's hard to imagine the political class going for it.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (eYoxG)

101 100

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (AsOWV)

102 How do you lose money on a legal whorehouse?

Have Tranheuser-Busch manage it for you.

Posted by: t-bird at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (Sv58p)

103 robbed

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (AsOWV)

104 Think of how many poor people you could feed with the salaries of 87,000 IRS agents.

Posted by: fd at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (iayUP)

105 77 You can lose money on a legal whorehouse if you pay Elton John to play piano in it. He don't come cheep.
Posted by: Penniless Pimp at May 18, 2023 11:21 AM
Now that almost mad me spew last bit of coffee. I shan't read more until I've dragged brush to the burnpile.

Posted by: Eromero at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (Uv0D2)

106 82 A constitutional convention is more likely to lead to the breakup of the Union than a single amendment.
---------------
This would be a good thing.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (NsE9F)

107 So, intelligence, logic, rationality - sure that's a winning argument.

But its not an argument your having. Its a civil war. They are going to do whatever they want. The theatre around what they do, is the only thing that is in flux.

There's no way the psychopaths and criminals feeding at the money trough are going to tighten their belts and make do with less. The entire practical reason for the continued existence of the puppet show is so they can continue to use our credit to transfer money from the future into the present for distribution to themselves and their grift partners. They have created two interconnected black holes - a worm hole - in which OUR money from the future comes to the present and then gets disappeared and never seen again by US.

Posted by: Its Science Fiction Horror, Like Alien at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (sh1GZ)

108 Maybe term limits. Maybe.

That's about it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (LvTSG)

I don't get it

Posted by: Debbie Dingell at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (us2H3)

109 102 How do you lose money on a legal whorehouse?

Have Tranheuser-Busch manage it for you.
Posted by: t-bird at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (Sv58p)

Don't forget us

Posted by: Target now with transgender baby wear ! at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (bs+z0)

110 94 Why did Ford put the rainbow colors on a truck they call the Predator?!?!?

Of course they took it muddin’.

-
Does it have a loose tailgate?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (FVME7)

Shoulda been their van line. "Hey, kid, I've got puppies inside"...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (ynpvh)

111 67 64 Still no "Guess Who," so it's minimialist.
We miss you OM!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (LvTSG)

85 Ah...I chose the name many years ago, because in comparison to OregonMuse's rant's, mine were indeed minimalist.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZCCyW)

I did not know that!

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (AsOWV)

112 These are people who collaborated with the violent overthrow of the government on J6.
—

Wait…who overthrew the government? Did that happen?

Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (ZdaMQ)

113 Does Joe shit in the woods??

Sarah 🥨 @cosmopterix · 1h
Gm. These alien-looking stalks are known as bear corn. It is a non-photosynthesizing plant that derives its nutrients from oak tree roots. Bears eat it in the spring and benefit from its laxative effects after a long winter of hibernation. (Conopholis americana)

https://tinyurl.com/5bmdtkdf

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (Vwz3I)

114 @79 ... I've been watching these walk-about video of Tokyo and have noticed that it looks like 50's America (there are lots of stores) with lots of lights, but interestingly no churches.

----

Tokyo - and the rest of Japan - is almost completely Shinto (possibly with Buddhism mixed in). Other religions are present, but only in extremely small numbers. And Shinto doesn't have churches.

Posted by: junior at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (trTR5)

115 100 Maybe term limits. Maybe.

That's about it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (LvTSG)

From the populace perhaps, but it's hard to imagine the political class going for it.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (eYoxG)

========

That's why it's a maybe, but the convention gets formed with separate elections from any other, leading to a slim chance of a different makeup of representatives.

But the larger point is that only the most anodyne of amendments would get that kind of support. Balanced budget? Ha! The states rely way too much on fed money to vote for that.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (LvTSG)

116 68 California’s slide to hell is affecting me as well. My small city has been infested with Californians over the past 5 years.

and now you've got avocado toast. win-win.

Posted by: anachronda at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (sGtp+)

117 Never been to a brothel. Soup isn't really a meal.

Posted by: Stewing In My Own Juices at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (Nn3xT)

118 There is almost no way you would get an amendment passed these days.

Yeah, it doesn't matter what the content is. You could write an amendment that said that you were banned from raping kittens and there'd be a divide in the country and the thing wouldn't get voted for.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (0hOvj)

119
Wait…who overthrew the government? Did that happen?
Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (ZdaMQ)

Yes.. Biden... When the election was certified

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (bs+z0)

120 102 How do you lose money on a legal whorehouse?

Have Tranheuser-Busch manage it for you.
Posted by: t-bird at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM

You don't shut down all the illegal whore houses?

Posted by: Pimp at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (JCZqz)

121 101 100

Posted by: m at May 18, 2023 11:25 AM (AsOWV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rMkMDFjK8U

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:29 AM (ynpvh)

122 My county exec was in the radio last year before her election. At the time she was on the NYS marijuana control board. She said the legalization roll out would be done with equity, social justice and by putting people who had been negatively impacted by marijuana laws at the forefront of getting licenses. NYC has seen illegal pot shops pop up all over the place, with a lot of violence around them and the black market still thrives. Taxes are sky high, while illegal sales pay no taxes. Only government could be incompetent drug dealers

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 18, 2023 11:29 AM (lRky4)

123 If so, I do *not* want to see where it goes!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

It's a dead end. You have to turn around and back track to the highway.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023 11:29 AM (Wy1BU)

124 So you support Republican work requirements to get Social Security or Medicaid or Medicare?

.. there has never been a work requirement to get Social Security or Medicare, as these are not considered welfare programs for the poor. In fact, you get screwed if you work after starting SS after 62 but before you are fully vested (66+ years now).

Medicaid is a different story. Medicaid is geared toward the poor. The abled have been off and on required to work, lest they become "welfare queens".

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:29 AM (RHGPo)

125 Biden: SCROTUS [So-Called Ruler of the United States]

freshly-stolen

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at May 18, 2023 11:29 AM (Vwz3I)

126 106 82 A constitutional convention is more likely to lead to the breakup of the Union than a single amendment.
---------------
This would be a good thing.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:26 AM (NsE9F)

My fear it would be infiltrated by enemies of and from the FED, and would be come a socialist's wet dream.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (ynpvh)

127 OK, OK, let's see, I bought some Bud Light to support Dylan, and then got a Nike sports bra (even though I don't run) and then swung around to hit Target to get little Kayden some non-binary appropriate clothes, and now we're on our way to an All-Ages Drag Show!

Posted by: Karen Che Che at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (PiwSw)

128 119
Yes.. Biden... When the election was certified
Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023

Is there an emoji for BINGO?

Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (ZdaMQ)

129 The road in front of my house is being re-paved. It's very noisy out there.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Wy1BU)

.... do you live down the street from me?

Although "repaved", while true, doesn't quite describe the "tearing out the concrete and pouring a new road" that's happening in front of my house.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (N1DT3)

130 Republic.. Interesting word. Looking around the world “ Republic” can mean a lot of things, in application. We are in process of conforming to the world standard.

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (PCK5/)

131 part of the debt deal will be another 50 billion for our friends in Kraine

Posted by: REDACTED at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (us2H3)

132 Is there an emoji for BINGO?
Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:30 AM (ZdaMQ)

*farmer emoji*

*dog emoji*

Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (9UlRk)

133 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

134 > That suggests that debt incurred specifically to damage the interests of the United States shall not be honored, which means that all spending on funneling illegal aliens into the heartland is null and void; that spending on objectively insane military policies in furtherance of Woke initiatives should be canceled; that the destruction of our domestic energy production and funding of unproven and hugely expensive "green" technologies are illegitimate uses of our tax dollars...
__________
That's one way to look at it, but not the interpretation the junta/left/GOP/uniparty/whatever will use. Sadly.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (Q4IgG)

135 114 @79 ... I've been watching these walk-about video of Tokyo and have noticed that it looks like 50's America (there are lots of stores) with lots of lights, but interestingly no churches.

----

Tokyo - and the rest of Japan - is almost completely Shinto (possibly with Buddhism mixed in). Other religions are present, but only in extremely small numbers. And Shinto doesn't have churches.

Posted by: junior at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (trTR5)

At the end of WW2, there was a wave of Christian converts. My dad remembered one Japanese guy that worked in the Army kitchen that said, "Your God must be very powerful to defeat ours"

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (ynpvh)

136 133 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

Sticky places..

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (PCK5/)

137 Yesterday got a unsolicited phone call (picked up by my answering machine) about “how the Republicans have a plan to drain money from Medicare” and I should call my Senator to demand we stop “those MAGA Republicans” by pressing 0.

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (RHGPo)

138 I like this Japanese religion, Shitto. I practice it every day.

— Joe Biden

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (Mpg1P)

139 California’s slide to hell is affecting me as well. My small city has been infested with Californians over the past 5 years.

My formerly deep red Portland suburban county is now 50-50.

There was a proposal to ban plastic straws in the county, and a bunch of local Karens got on Nextdoor to talk about how wonderful that would be, and how they could support the ban.

I bet they were all living in Portland five years ago, and moved to the suburban county because the taxes were lower and the schools were better, and are now going to support all the things that caused them to leave Portland.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (2tUFv)

140 113 Does Joe shit in the woods??

Sarah 🥨 @cosmopterix · 1h
Gm. These alien-looking stalks are known as bear corn. It is a non-photosynthesizing plant that derives its nutrients from oak tree roots. Bears eat it in the spring and benefit from its laxative effects after a long winter of hibernation. (Conopholis americana)

https://tinyurl.com/5bmdtkdf

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at May 18, 2023 11:27 AM (Vwz3I)

Depends.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:33 AM (ynpvh)

141 My dad remembered one Japanese guy that worked in the Army kitchen that said, "Your God must be very powerful to defeat ours"
----------------
They are a very logical people. Its interesting to be around them.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:33 AM (NsE9F)

142 "As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. "

I imagine the atmosphere is like a cannery.

Posted by: fd at May 18, 2023 11:33 AM (iayUP)

143 Debt is slavery, which is why we have it.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 18, 2023 11:33 AM (MeG8a)

144 "Johannes Brahms used to play piano in brothels."

So did Harpo Marx.

Like my parent said, when asked why would the most decorated WWII hero, Audie Murphy, agree to headline in such awful cowboy movies after the war?

"He can't eat his medals."

Posted by: Ju at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (aTmM/)

145 Think of how many poor people you could feed with the salaries of 87,000 IRS agents.
Posted by: fd

Two families. After overhead and program fees.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (5fCiA)

146 85 But there has been a bit of creep in volume, so I guess I could rename it "Local Minimalist."

there are some folks here who would like a word with you.

Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

147 117 Never been to a brothel. Soup isn't really a meal.

Posted by: Stewing In My Own Juices at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM (Nn3xT)

Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (ynpvh)

148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

149 So you support Republican work requirements to get Social Security or Medicaid or Medicare? I see absolutely nothing good coming of this for Democrats if we give into Republican demands. The Republican budget is toxic and will cause significant harm to the already desperately poor. They know that.
Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at May 18, 2023 11:20 AM (JCZqz)
++++
Wait, Social Security *already* has a "work requirement" because it emulates - in some respects - a pension scheme. Why would "work requirements" be such a bad thing for other programs? Expecting that you do *something* get a benefit isn't unreasonable. I've never understood this. The "work requirements" floated are usually easily achievable and will at least prevent people who do *nothing* but sit at home from collecting federal bennies.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM (DU+/6)

150 "He can't eat his medals."
-----------------
Yep.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM (NsE9F)

151 133 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

Sounds like Pete Townshend of the Who when he went looking to see what child porn was like .. just before he got arrested

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM (RHGPo)

152 @82 I can't understand those who seem to think that a constitutional convention would be some kind of panacea. Who do they think would be the states representatives ? It would be the same jackasses who got us into this mess in the first place.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM (lRky4)

153 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one

Ah, yes. "Doing research"

Posted by: Anthony Fauci at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (bt2PN)

154 TRUMP IS A FACIST!!!

BIDEN HAS THE AUTHORITY TO CANCEL THE DEBT LIMIT ALL ON HIS OWN!!!

-Same people

Posted by: Jay in PA at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (i7Q7S)

155 136 133 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

Sticky places..

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (PCK5/)

Bring the blacklight?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (ynpvh)

156 I might be able to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in MA next month. Has anyone been there? Is it worth the detour?
Posted by: Kris at May 18, 2023 10:36 AM

It's a lovely area, and a nice little museum. You could do it in maybe 2 hours if you're in a hurry.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:03 AM
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:06 AM (Wnv9h)

If you want to see something more eclectic - check out the Woodman Museum in Dover NH. This is Dover's 400th anniversary being established in 1623 and is the 7th Settlement. The museum has a very nice civil war exhibit, interesting items around Sen. John Hale/Abraham Lincoln/John Wilkes Booth.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (N39Ws)

157 Joe Biden and his puppet masters will dwell in the 9th level of hell.

Posted by: Dante's Other Brother Darrell at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (VsUo2)

158 147
Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May

—

This is really funny. I am sorry.

Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (ZdaMQ)

159 "Johannes Brahms used to play piano in brothels."

So did Harpo Marx.

Like my parent said, when asked why would the most decorated WWII hero, Audie Murphy, agree to headline in such awful cowboy movies after the war?

"He can't eat his medals."
Posted by: Ju

Little Johnny: Mom, I told my teacher today that dad played piano in a whorehouse.

Mom: WHY on earth would you do that???

Little Johnny: Because I couldn't face my friends if they knew dad was a politician.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (5fCiA)

160 I imagine the atmosphere is like a cannery.

I assume there's a feeling of misery and stale hopeless drudgery. I imagine the women have the look of someone who has shut down all their feelings and hopes and go through the motions, like a waitress working 50 hours a week in the worst dive trying to get tips.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (0hOvj)

161 138 I like this Japanese religion, Shitto. I practice it every day.

— Joe Biden

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:32 AM (Mpg1P)

Sounds plenty crappy to me.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (ynpvh)

162 153 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one

Ah, yes. "Doing research"
Posted by: Anthony Fauci at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (bt2PN)

Ram Ranch would be more to Fauci's liking.

Posted by: Or Man's Country at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (FEapg)

163 More clutter for your midday political fix.

The whistleblower's testify live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWLuklDyeVw

Gerry Connolly doing perfect phone calls...

Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (3byMq)

164 Expecting that you do *something* get a benefit isn't unreasonable. I've never understood this. The "work requirements" floated are usually easily achievable and will at least prevent people who do *nothing* but sit at home from collecting federal bennies.
------------------
In Azerbaijan all women on state subsidies are required to sweep the streets clean every morning. The beauty of this policy is the women have no time to watch The View. This should be our first initiative once Joetater is dispatched.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (NsE9F)

165 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)

166 Palate cleanser:

"With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
-- Wired Magazine

Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (a3Q+t)

167 147
Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (ynpvh)

So the words "Since we are here......." never came up then?

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (N39Ws)

168 Morning.

It seems to me Section 4 of the 14th is meant to distinguish debts incurred by the Union versus debts incurred by the Confederacy.

"These debts here are valid. These others debts over there ain't and if you don't like it you can get fucked."

And then there's that sticky little "authorized by law" line. Biden wants to go act like a king and pretend he's the lawmaker and I think Congress and the Courts are going to disagree. Not like that's going to stop the left. *Spit*

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (0w1/t)

169 Wait, Social Security *already* has a "work requirement" because it emulates - in some respects - a pension scheme. Why would "work requirements" be such a bad thing for other programs? Expecting that you do *something* get a benefit isn't unreasonable. I've never understood this. The "work requirements" floated are usually easily achievable and will at least prevent people who do *nothing* but sit at home from collecting federal bennies.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM (DU+/6)

Honestly, if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc. I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.

Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (exHjb)

170 Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:37 AM (3byMq)

I heard the Dems on the committee are being particularly nasty to them

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (bs+z0)

171 as a kid, I went to Acuna many times

not really a brothel, more of a wild west town, complete with the dirt streets and dirtier women

at 14, you could practice drinking beer at a bar and eating cabrito on a stick

the only rule in Acuna was don't use the streets as a bathroom

cuz you'll spend the night in the box and they had boxes on every corner

Posted by: REDACTED at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (us2H3)

172 "or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void."

Late to the party; but, I think an argument can be made that the above could be used to stop any reparations at least at the fed level.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (iB5Wb)

173 As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

I did some research for my first Theda Bara novel and I have two madams' memoirs that were illuminating. I'll send you an e-mail with the titles.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (AW0uW)

174 FBI employees do not have the right to defend themselves in federal court or a third-party appeals agency against adverse personnel actions using whistleblower retaliation, according to a recent ruling from the Federal Circuit.

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (RHGPo)

175 149 Why would "work requirements" be such a bad thing for other programs? Expecting that you do *something* get a benefit isn't unreasonable. I've never understood this.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:35 AM

Citizens owe the government and society NOTHING! It's all a one-way transaction, with government giving people free everything so they can live their best lives as artists, poets, and all those other great jobs that they want, but can't pursue because of food and healthcare insecurity, or something.

Posted by: Liberal Activists at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (JCZqz)

176 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

I think their located opposite the hall of the redundacy department of redundancy.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (ynpvh)

177 With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
==
FFS I hope they are getting paid for that kind of lavage.

Posted by: otherwise they are just sluts at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (sh1GZ)

178 Whorehouses have one of those “ take a number” boards, like at the DMV, yes?

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (PCK5/)

179
It turns out that marijuana is just an agricultural crop, and unless you take steps to sharply limit the number of licenses, you end up with an oversaturation of pot shops, and no one makes any money.

Oops.
Posted by: The ARC of History!

Plus, every tweeker, MS13 goon and philthy hippie scum in the state can grow their own weed crop in their apartment with some pots, water, plant food and a few grow lights.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (n+4am)

180 Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)

Was it a large marble building in Washington D.C. topped with a dome?

Posted by: Architect of the Capital at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (VsUo2)

181 Honestly, if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc. I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.
Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (exHjb)
++++
Then just pay them to do that. Like the WPA for urban residents - except instead of building national parks, they're cleaning streets, scrubbing graffiti, planting trees, etc. in their own neighborhoods.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (DU+/6)

182 @135
At the end of WW2, there was a wave of Christian converts. My dad remembered one Japanese guy that worked in the Army kitchen that said, "Your God must be very powerful to defeat ours"

----

Yeah, members of other faiths live there. But they effectively didn't exist in Japan prior to VJ Day. So the "wave" meant that they changed from "virtually non-existent" to "traces".

This has led to some interesting cultural foul-ups in entertainment. For example, nuns are popular in anime. But there are so few Catholics in Japan that most Japanese don't understand what nuns are, and conflate them with Shinto shrine maidens.

Posted by: junior at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (trTR5)

183 Sounds like Pete Townshend of the Who when he went looking to see what child porn was like .. just before he got arrested

Yeah, the problem with that is that he didn't do anything whatsoever related to his "research" and came up with it as an excuse.

There's a reason that authors joke about their search history. You should have seen the godawful stuff I had on tabs while writing Life Unworthy. Backgrounds on how the nazis started to kill Jews, methods that changed, procedures, etc. Background of the things Mengele actually did etc.

I can try to write about stuff that I've never experienced, or studied, but I would much rather know and understand more clearly. I went to visit a guy in the local jail, and I spent a lot of the time looking around trying to memorize what things looked like, how they were designed, why they were set up that way.

The guy concluded I was scared and would never last in prison, because he had no idea what I was doing or why.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (0hOvj)

184 "With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
-- Wired Magazine
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (a3Q+t)

His only blend is lube, cum, and feces.

Posted by: Remarkable it is not at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (FEapg)

185 Doesn’t Shinto have shrines?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (Mpg1P)

186 Citizens owe the government and society NOTHING! It's all a one-way transaction, with government giving people free everything so they can live their best lives as artists, poets, and all those other great jobs that they want, but can't pursue because of food and healthcare insecurity, or something.
Posted by: Liberal Activists at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (JCZqz)
++++
Then they have a job...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:41 AM (DU+/6)

187 Palate cleanser:

"With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
-- Wired Magazine
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (a3Q+t)

Is there another Pete Buttigieg I'm unaware of? Cause the one I know is a dissembling little shithead who blames everything on Trump and whitey and then gets his ass plowed.

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:41 AM (0w1/t)

188 184 "With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
-- Wired Magazine
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (a3Q+t)

LOL... I read that as public intercourse

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:41 AM (bs+z0)

189 FBI employees do not have the right to defend themselves in federal court or a third-party appeals agency against adverse personnel actions using whistleblower retaliation, according to a recent ruling from the Federal Circuit.
==
You didn't expect the deep state to hamstring their own enforcers did you?

Posted by: Like the Nazi would tell the SS not to shoot people without trials at May 18, 2023 11:41 AM (sh1GZ)

190 82 A constitutional convention is more likely to lead to the breakup of the Union than a single amendment.

—-

I don’t see the downside.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:41 AM (65Tai)

191 181 Honestly, if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc. I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.
Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (exHjb)
++++
Then just pay them to do that. Like the WPA for urban residents - except instead of building national parks, they're cleaning streets, scrubbing graffiti, planting trees, etc. in their own neighborhoods.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (DU+/6)

If it were me, that's what I'd change "welfare" to...show up every day as a "day laborer" for a government paycheck...comes with lunch and take home dinner, obviating the need for foodstamps for individuals, too...

Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (exHjb)

192 Honestly, if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc. I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.

Mister, we could use a force like the White Wings again.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (AW0uW)

193 158 147
Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May

—

This is really funny. I am sorry.

Posted by: Piper at May 18, 2023 11:36 AM (ZdaMQ)

Tis okay, we laugh about it. On the drive back, we took a different road that led us up to mountains and a bistlecone pine forest. That part was great.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (ynpvh)

194 Fantasy Land. The federales will never cut spending. They just move their smoke and mirrors around, scream and shout, turn theyselves about and fart a bit and the spending continues to grow.

Too many parasites, layabouts, vagabonds and scofflaws depend on the federale teet.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (i0IO3)

195 191 If it were me, that's what I'd change "welfare" to...show up every day as a "day laborer" for a government paycheck...comes with lunch and take home dinner, obviating the need for foodstamps for individuals, too...
Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (exHjb)

========

The line to become the platoon's diversity officer will be a mile long.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (LvTSG)

196 It turns out that marijuana is just an agricultural crop, and unless you take steps to sharply limit the number of licenses, you end up with an oversaturation of pot shops, and no one makes any money.

Around here, marijuana grows wild, its hard NOT to grow anything in Oregon. We find plants growing in ditches and alongside the road.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (0hOvj)

197 if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc.

In other words, we can get rewarded for creating our mess?

Posted by: In Da Hood at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (bt2PN)

198 194 Fantasy Land. The federales will never cut spending. They just move their smoke and mirrors around, scream and shout, turn theyselves about and fart a bit and the spending continues to grow.

Too many parasites, layabouts, vagabonds and scofflaws depend on the federale teet.
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2023 11:42 AM (i0IO3)

=========

They kind of cut spending once over the past few decades. sequestration.

Our side hated on it because Obama signed the law and it affected the military.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (LvTSG)

199 I haven’t followed this closely. What work requirements are proposed specifically?

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (65Tai)

200 165 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)

"Pikers"--The Spartans

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)

201 It cracks me up the way Humpty Dumpty is always changing the meaning of words. It is just like a shell game.

Posted by: Muldoon at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (kXYt5)

202 Squad Member Cori Bush Introduces Resolution for $14 Trillion in Reparations to Black Americans

.. and the right to be the "first owner" of each and every Cadillac
Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:16 AM (RHGPo)

1. Agree to pay out $20T to any US citizen, regardless of race, who feels aggrieved by the nation's history.
2. In order to collect you must surrender your citizenship and move elsewhere.
3. State publicly, and repeatedly, the this debt is totally not repudiated.
4. Never pay a penny.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (z99Zw)

203 166 Palate cleanser:

"With a remarkable blend of intellect and empathy, Pete Buttigieg brings a fresh perspective to the forefront of public discourse."
-- Wired Magazine

Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (a3Q+t)

I don't think forefront when I think Bootyjudge.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (ynpvh)

204 Being logical folks, I hope the Japanese hosts keep Joe away from any tween girls. I remember him copping a feel and sniffing young Asian targets of opportunity before.

Posted by: Won't Anyone Stop This Creep? at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (Nn3xT)

205 Urban Dictionary definition of a place some Navy and Marine friends have told me about:

Orchard Towers "The Four Floors Of Whores" is a 18 story building in Sinagpore frequented by military personnel. The first five floors have different clubs and bars in it, but is more known as a Whore house. Where a someone can pick up prostitutes.

Posted by: Military Moron at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (JCZqz)

206 there is no common interest in the US and therefore no middle ground

the left has devolved into the party of spite

and the right, the party of the appalled

Posted by: REDACTED at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (us2H3)

207 174 FBI employees do not have the right to defend themselves in federal court or a third-party appeals agency against adverse personnel actions using whistleblower retaliation, according to a recent ruling from the Federal Circuit.
Posted by: SMOD

...speaking of whorehouses

Posted by: Hon. Justice Pimp of the Circuit Court at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (VsUo2)

208 Never been to a brothel. Soup isn't really a meal.
Posted by: Stewing In My Own Juices at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM

No soup for you!

Posted by: Soup Nazi at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (a3Q+t)

209 185 Doesn’t Shinto have shrines?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (Mpg1P)

Yeah. Shinto is kind of a weird religion though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (eYoxG)

210
Honestly, if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc. I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.
Posted by: Nova Local

Yeah, whatever. Now where's my fuckin' check.

Posted by: The Single White Trash Mother in St Elmo's Fire at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (n+4am)

211 This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:31 AM (0hOvj)

I did some research for my first Theda Bara novel and I have two madams' memoirs that were illuminating. I'll send you an e-mail with the titles.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (AW0uW)

Can't we just read Steinbeck and have a pretty good idea?

Posted by: TexasDan at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (z/ifB)

212 167 147
Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (ynpvh)

So the words "Since we are here......." never came up then?

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (N39Ws)

Um, NO. I'll put it to you this way; we tried not to touch anything or sit down anywhere.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (ynpvh)

213
but in the end, we will have our debt limit raised in exchange for some trivial reductions in spending

Or in exchange for promises of trivial reductions.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (63Dwl)

214 200 165 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)

"Pikers"--The Spartans
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)

"..." - Fetterman

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)

215 @185 Doesn’t Shinto have shrines?

----

Yes. My understanding (which might be flawed) is that they're usually found in places like public parks or cemeteries.

Posted by: junior at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (trTR5)

216 197 if you look at the conditions of inner cities, there's so much work to do - cleaning graffiti, cleaning up litter, mowing lawns, fixing broken signs, sweeping streets and sidewalks, fixing fences, etc, etc, etc.

In other words, we can get rewarded for creating our mess?
Posted by: In Da Hood at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (bt2PN)

Vs being rewarded for creating the mess and wallowing in it all day, as we do now?

Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (exHjb)

217 It may not be this time, but eventually Joe or another Leftist POTUS (G-d please no!) will paraphrase a totalitarian icon and ask, "How many divisions does the Supreme Court have?"

Posted by: Gref at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (AMIL/)

218 204 Being logical folks, I hope the Japanese hosts keep Joe away from any tween girls. I remember him copping a feel and sniffing young Asian targets of opportunity before.
Posted by: Won't Anyone Stop This Creep? at May 18, 2023 11:44 AM (Nn3xT)

Joe brought his Grand Daughter .. As a handler I assume.. And she was dressed in a suit and tie.. Wonder if she is trans ? Oh.. Ans he called the Prime Minister President

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (bs+z0)

219 That suggests that debt incurred specifically to damage the interests of the United States shall not be honored, which means that all spending on funneling illegal aliens into the heartland is null and void; that spending on objectively insane military policies in furtherance of Woke initiatives should be canceled; that the destruction of our domestic energy production and funding of unproven and hugely expensive "green" technologies are illegitimate uses of our tax dollars...
=================
The argument I hear being made is that "debt" is created not when the Treasury issues a bond, but when Congress passes a spending bill. Prospective spending is therefore "debt", and cannot be questioned.

Don't shoot the messenger here, I'm just reporting what I have heard said; and, after all, this is the same crowd defining reductions in spending growth as "cuts that will kill the elderly!!".

Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (7tUHB)

220
I, I,, m-m-m-my uh-I, fingers-my, my uh,, fingers are-uh, are-uh, m-m-my numb

yeah

Posted by: John Fetterman at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (vwCZJ)

221 I would be happy if "work" was even just "get off you a$$ and pitch in" stuff that would improve communities. Anyone who is able bodied can pick up litter - it takes no intellect, ambition, or skill.

I see videos and articles every so often where some guy cleans up a beach in Thailand or a street somewhere. And, God bless them for their work to make things nicer. But unless the entire culture changes, unless the people as a whole decide "well let's stop taking a crap in this underpass" and "let's stop throwing our trash in the river" its just going back to the way it was in a matter of weeks or months.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (0hOvj)

222 Plenty of lazy sacks of shit collecting welfare for generations, outside the ghetto as well.

Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (65Tai)

223 With all the specious and absurd 14th Amendment crap, this bikini blonde is pretty sure that all these politicians and press whores think that she's stupid:
https://is.gd/ygDgCu

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

224 172 "or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void."

Late to the party; but, I think an argument can be made that the above could be used to stop any reparations at least at the fed level.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (iB5Wb)

Yes! Good point. We have no obligations to those debts.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (ynpvh)

225 Never been to a brothel. Soup isn't really a meal.
Posted by: Stewing In My Own Juices at May 18, 2023 11:28 AM

No soup for you!
Posted by: Soup Nazi at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (a3Q+t)

Rainy, cool day here, so I'm having tomato/basil soup for lunch.

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (AwYPR)

226 reductions in spending
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr

Reduction in the increase of spending > 0

Posted by: micky at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (3byMq)

227
"..." - Fetterman
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)

I saw a clip of him in some committee and he was as bad as one would expect

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (bs+z0)

228 147
Went with the wife accidentally once. The advertisement said museum of prostitution history, but was a bar outside a brothel with newspaper clippings. What an f'n disappointment.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (ynpvh)

Any Kamala clippings or memorabilia there?

Posted by: Gref at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (AMIL/)

229 Doesn’t Shinto have shrines?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (Mpg1P)

Yeah. Shinto is kind of a weird religion though.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (eYoxG)

It's more of a hobby.

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (5NCVw)

230 I saw Four Floors of Whores open for the Go-Go's at Whiskey a Go Go in '82.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (AW0uW)

231 174 FBI employees do not have the right to defend themselves in federal court or a third-party appeals agency against adverse personnel actions using whistleblower retaliation, according to a recent ruling from the Federal Circuit.

Posted by: SMOD at May 18, 2023 11:39 AM (RHGPo)

And what is the purpose of Whistleblower protections then?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (ynpvh)

232 223 With all the specious and absurd 14th Amendment crap, this bikini blonde is pretty sure that all these politicians and press whores think that she's stupid:
https://is.gd/ygDgCu
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

Ah. It’s the Summoning..

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (PCK5/)

233 Joe brought his Grand Daughter .. As a handler I assume.. And she was dressed in a suit and tie.. Wonder if she is trans ? Oh.. Ans he called the Prime Minister President
Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (bs+z0)

That's just Joe being Joe.

Posted by: Napoleon XIV at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (AiZBA)

234 Great commentary, CBD. I agree wholeheartedly… it’s seems our constitution is a dead letter. If I’m not mistaken, the old USSR had a constitution that sounded pretty good to read… but obviously wasn’t followed.

I’m beginning to wonder if we can’t just ride the fiat money tiger indefinitely. All the way back to Reagan and before that Carter I’ve heard lots of doomsday talk about debt but it never comes to pass. Actually, I think doomsday already occurred and we just don’t realize it… fiat money for 5 decades has brought us to our current soft fascism and that alliance between big corp and big guv.

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (xT8gx)

235
It turns out that marijuana is just an agricultural crop, and unless you take steps to sharply limit the number of licenses, you end up with an oversaturation of pot shops, and no one makes any money.

Oops.
Posted by: The ARC of History!

Slippery slop to Gov control.
You let the people open businesses as they please and let them fail as they will.
Ex: Restaurants... you can open one; but, you may not make it.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (iB5Wb)

236 222 Plenty of lazy sacks of shit collecting welfare for generations, outside the ghetto as well.
Posted by: Montec at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (65Tai)

There's work everywhere. I hear there's plants to pick, trees to cut back on roads, sidewalks to fix, snow to remove, etc, etc, etc...

Posted by: Nova Local at May 18, 2023 11:49 AM (exHjb)

237 With all the specious and absurd 14th Amendment crap, this bikini blonde is pretty sure that all these politicians and press whores think that she's stupid:
https://is.gd/ygDgCu

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

Looks a little...thinnish.

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:49 AM (AwYPR)

238 redactions in spending is more like it

Posted by: REDACTED at May 18, 2023 11:49 AM (us2H3)

239 178 Whorehouses have one of those “ take a number” boards, like at the DMV, yes?

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (PCK5/)

Avoid union whorehouses...

https://is.gd/uIEHiP

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:50 AM (ynpvh)

240 https://is.gd/ygDgCu
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

She looks cold. I think I should warm her up.

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:50 AM (5NCVw)

241
I never liked that dude Humpty Dumpty
He strikes me as a bit of a numpty
He can fall off his shelf
And go f**k himself
A bit of self-contained rumpty-pumpty!!

Posted by: Muldoon at May 18, 2023 11:50 AM (kXYt5)

242 Does it have a loose tailgate?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (FVME7)

It's heated, so you won't freeze your hands while trying to push it out of a three-inch snowbank.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at May 18, 2023 11:50 AM (p9JkV)

243 Look, it's simple, if they don't respect and follow the laws and Constitution we have, what makes anyone think new laws and amendments will change anything?

We do not have a systems problem. We have a people problem. Solving that sort of thing is...fraught.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at May 18, 2023 11:50 AM (OUMaO)

244 With all the specious and absurd 14th Amendment crap, this bikini blonde is pretty sure that all these politicians and press whores think that she's stupid:
https://is.gd/ygDgCu

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

Looks a little...thinnish.
Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:49 AM (AwYPR)

I believe the word is Stygian. Maybe.

Posted by: Napoleon XIV at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (AiZBA)

245 115 100 Maybe term limits. Maybe.

That's about it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

From the populace perhaps, but it's hard to imagine the political class going for it.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead

Oooh, I thought you meant term limits FOR THE POPULACE.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (tQL7r)

246 The argument I hear being made is that "debt" is created not when the Treasury issues a bond, but when Congress passes a spending bill. Prospective spending is therefore "debt", and cannot be questioned. ...
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (7tUHB)
++++
Which is absurd on its face. Spending is authorized but not funded in the spending bill. It is funded with revenue or debt. The debt is incurred when the Treasury sells a debt instrument. The spending bill authorizes the outlay, and the tax laws and debt ceiling laws authorize the collection of revenue and issuance of debt to fund that outlay.

When you pledge $100 to NPR, you promise to pay them. If you subsequently go broke and can't pay that $100, then NPR doesn't get it. They mark down the pledge, but that pledge doesn't become revenue until the check clears.

This is a foolish argument and if they are seriously making that argument, then they're either morons or liars (or the evergreen power of and).

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (DU+/6)

247 That video has to be fake. There is no way enough people on the UPenn campus would chant that to be audible, unless every last one of them were standing directly behind that cameraman.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (oINRc)

248 Pretty sure scotus would say nah bruh if Biden did that though. And he (or his people) know it. Which is why they won’t do it.
______________________
Yup. Would bring popcorn to watch Gorsuch, Alito, and the other conservatives cut Biden and the Dems a new one on trying to use the 14A argument.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (uY1j2)

249
I see videos and articles every so often where some guy cleans up a beach in Thailand or a street somewhere. And, God bless them for their work to make things nicer. But unless the entire culture changes, unless the people as a whole decide "well let's stop taking a crap in this underpass" and "let's stop throwing our trash in the river" its just going back to the way it was in a matter of weeks or months.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

I've seen yootoob videos of decent people in the 'hood picking up some trash and putting it into the bin, only to have some fatass baby mama come out to the same bin a few seconds later, reach in and throw the same trash back onto the sidewalk.

I guess living on a clean street is "inauthentic" or something.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (n+4am)

250 We do not have a systems problem. We have a people problem. Solving that sort of thing is...fraught.
-------------
Its called Rivers of Blood.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (NsE9F)

251 Again shutting down the country for COVID has brought us to this point. We increased the debt by almost 16 trillion as a result of COVID scam relief and spending. No wonder inflation is through the roof and the economy is fubar.

Posted by: polynikes at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (MNhXM)

252 I believe the word is Stygian. Maybe.

Stygian: extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding.

You are incorrect, sir!

Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (eOEVl)

253 I've always been here! Where's here?

Posted by: Senator Dianne Feinstein at May 18, 2023 11:53 AM (PiwSw)

254 I did some research for my first Theda Bara novel and I have two madams' memoirs that were illuminating. I'll send you an e-mail with the titles.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing

I saw a YouTube yesterday (so you know it's right) that implied that it might have been Kirk Douglas who murdered and mutilated the Black Dahlia. The evidence was a might thin. Apparently, he was an asshole and was a suspect in at least one starlet's murder but other than that it's just that he lived in LA and she was killed in LA. Begin at 11:30.

https://bit.ly/3BA7jH0

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:53 AM (FVME7)

255 I believe the word is Stygian. Maybe.

Stygian: extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding.

You are incorrect, sir!
Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (eOEVl)

Well witch is it?

Posted by: Napoleon XIV at May 18, 2023 11:53 AM (AiZBA)

256 252 I believe the word is Stygian. Maybe.

Stygian: extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding.

You are incorrect, sir!
Posted by: Archimedes at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (eOEVl)

So Mike Obama is Stygian…

Posted by: tubal at May 18, 2023 11:53 AM (PCK5/)

257 Looks a little...thinnish.
Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:49 AM (AwYPR)

I believe the word is Stygian. Maybe.
Posted by: Napoleon XIV at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (AiZBA)

nope

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (AwYPR)

258 When you pledge $100 to NPR, you promise to pay them. If you subsequently go broke and can't pay that $100, then NPR doesn't get it. They mark down the pledge, but that pledge doesn't become revenue until the check clears.
----------------
Who in their right mind would give NPR $100?

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (NsE9F)

259 I hope someone here does a write-up of the inauguration of Brandon Johnson as mayor of Chicago. What a freak show, beginning with the crazy Indian talking about de-colonizing the city to the tribes of the three fires to Randi Weingarten having a stroke.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson DeSantis/Lake 2024 at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (vN+oL)

260
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DU+/6)

Did she enjoy her sweet sixteen pool party?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (Keyt1)

261 Turns out that if you are a law-abiding 22-year-old black male, you get harmed if you can't report that you are law-abiding on a job application.

Who could have predicted such a thing?
Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 11:24 AM (2tUFv)

Simple work-around: One question: "What can you tell us about yourself that we should know?" Answer: "I don't have a criminal record."

If it is subsequently found that the applicant lied, he can be fired for cause.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (p9JkV)

262

I've seen yootoob videos of decent people in the 'hood picking up some trash and putting it into the bin, only to have some fatass baby mama come out to the same bin a few seconds later, reach in and throw the same trash back onto the sidewalk.

I guess living on a clean street is "inauthentic" or something.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (n+4am)

It might be for the social worker to approve funds or something. Our welfare system tends to have a lot of very direct perverse incentives built in.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (eYoxG)

263 Who in their right mind would give NPR $100?
Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (NsE9F)
++++
Nobody, but it's an analogy specifically crafted to use on leftists who make the original argument.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (DU+/6)

264 I guess living on a clean street is "inauthentic" or something.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (n+4am)

It's about ownership. These are My Streets. Who is you to come in here and say i have to clean My Streets? Who gave you permission to touch My Trash?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 18, 2023 11:54 AM (9UlRk)

265 214 200 165 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)

========

Wordy name.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)

"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)

"Pikers"--The Spartans
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)

"..." - Fetterman

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)

""- Marcel Marceau

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (ynpvh)

266 Joe brought his Grand Daughter .. As a handler I assume.. And she was dressed in a suit and tie.. Wonder if she is trans ? Oh.. Ans he called the Prime Minister President

Posted by: It's me donna at May 18, 2023 11:46 AM (bs+z0)

https://tinyurl.com/yck65jbr

Posted by: Just the facts, uh, Maam? at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (AMIL/)

267 There is a huge amnt of unrealized value in our gold reserves. It is valued on paper massively below FMV. It can be adjusted to FMV or more or less w/o congressional approval.

Quite literally trillions of USD.

It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....

Posted by: Thesokorus at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (ryGrL)

268 251 Again shutting down the country for COVID has brought us to this point. We increased the debt by almost 16 trillion as a result of COVID scam relief and spending. No wonder inflation is through the roof and the economy is fubar.
Posted by: polynikes at May 18, 2023 11:52 AM (MNhXM)

As Glenn Reynolds' father said to him, the surprising thing about TARP was that it expanded the limits of what 'unaffordable' debt was. COVID funding was TARP on steroids. Even before TARP, any GOP noises about limiting spending were seen as hypocritical, as the deal that W made to have Congress continue with war authorization was a blank check on spending for their pet projects.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (/iWhV)

269 Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at May 18, 2023 11:53 AM (FVME7)

Ted Cruz had to be connected somehow.

Posted by: polynikes at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (MNhXM)

270 Randi Weingarten having a stroke.

She had a stroke?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (Keyt1)

271 There is a huge amnt of unrealized value in our gold reserves. It is valued on paper massively below FMV. It can be adjusted to FMV or more or less w/o congressional approval.

Quite literally trillions of USD.

It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....
Posted by: Thesokorus

Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (5fCiA)

272 229 Doesn’t Shinto have shrines?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 18, 2023 11:40 AM (Mpg1P)

Yeah. Shinto is kind of a weird religion though.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (eYoxG)

It's more of a hobby.

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:48 AM (5NCVw)

Shinto sounds like a serious disease, like foot-in-mouth.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (ynpvh)

273 I've seen yootoob videos of decent people in the 'hood picking up some trash and putting it into the bin, only to have some fatass baby mama come out to the same bin a few seconds later, reach in and throw the same trash back onto the sidewalk.

I guess living on a clean street is "inauthentic" or something.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 18, 2023

***
Must be, if the evidence on the ground outside my back gate is any indication.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (J2vNu)

274 It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....
----------------
Auric Goldfinger made off with it years ago.

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (NsE9F)

275 Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (5fCiA)

See Al Capone's vault.

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (AwYPR)

276 99 I haven’t followed this closely. What work requirements are proposed specifically?

---------

Sixteen tons

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (BdMk6)

277
"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)

"Pikers"--The Spartans
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)

"..." - Fetterman

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)

""- Marcel Marceau
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)

"THIMPLITHY THIMPLITHY THIMPLITHY!"

Posted by: Marlee Matlin at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (n+4am)

278 Shinto sounds like a serious disease, like foot-in-mouth.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (ynpvh)

Poor ankle-less bastards.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 18, 2023 11:57 AM (9UlRk)

279 Randi Weingarten having a stroke.

She had a stroke?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke

If so I hope she has a good health plan that will give her years of outstanding therapy.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (iB5Wb)

280 It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....

Posted by: Thesokorus

In theory. In practice there's no telling if there's any actual gold being held, or how much if there is, and no reason to believe anything this regime says on the matter.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (OUMaO)

281 Deadline: “Republicans Are Back On The Air” On CNN, Cheers Warner Bros. Discovery Chief David Zaslav

https://tinyurl.com/2ujf6xuy

Posted by: Robert at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (5NCVw)

282 I would like the federales to just pick a date in the near future when they will simply close up shop and go "Out Of Business".

The screaming, wailing and gnashing of teeth would be epic.

A Man Can Dream.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (i0IO3)

283 "133 Never been to a brothel.

As an author I'd like to visit one to see how the heck they work and what the atmosphere is like. I don't want a hooker, but I want the information and knowledge. This drive has gotten me into trouble learning stuff I really wish I could scrub out of my brain, though.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor"
**********
You should have done a stint with merchant marine. You could have gained all the knowledge about brothels/whorehoyses that you could need, even if you never went ashore and just listened to the seamen's B.S. during coffee time.

Posted by: Cosda at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (9L7ua)

284 Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (

Or very little.

Can you imagine, out of all the people in the world, the US Government, looking at all that untraceable money and *not* stealing all of it?

That's unthinkable.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (oINRc)

285 It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....
----------------
Auric Goldfinger made off with it years ago.
Posted by: Puddinhead

Auric Goldfinger, aka, FDR.

Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:58 AM (5fCiA)

286 Isn't it time that Barbara Streisand should be checking out of the Hotel California?

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 11:59 AM (NsE9F)

287 This is a foolish argument and if they are seriously making that argument, then they're either morons or liars (or the evergreen power of and).
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 11:51 AM (DU+/6)
================
Sure but the substantive part is that debt issuance is purely mechanical, while the creation of the debt (the part the Constitution obviously speaks to protect) is in the act of passing and signing a spending bill.

Obviously this is foolish, but not for the reason you cite: America has an interest in protecting its credit, and debt in public circulation is "not to be questioned". That's really the answer. Trying to jump through rhetorical hoops to include prospective debt is idiocy. But these are Democrats we are talking about....

Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 18, 2023 11:59 AM (7tUHB)

288 214 200 165 148 146 Posted by: international brotherhood of minimalists, local 69 at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (sGtp+)
========
Wordy name.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, ZARDOZ! ZARDOZ! at May 18, 2023 11:34 AM (LvTSG)
"Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)
"Pikers"--The Spartans
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)
"..." - Fetterman
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)
""- Marcel Marceau
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM

'
- Strunk & White

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:59 AM (Wnv9h)

289 Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (5fCiA)
++++
What would be *really* funny and incredibly typical is if Ft. Knox is empty because it was all stolen and illegally sold, but sold at the legally-defined rate of $35 per troy ounce to political partners who then flipped it at market rates to make a massive profit while the government thieves made almost nothing on the transaction but significantly more in kickbacks and favors down the road for the great deal they gave to insiders.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (DU+/6)

290 267 There is a huge amnt of unrealized value in our gold reserves. It is valued on paper massively below FMV. It can be adjusted to FMV or more or less w/o congressional approval.

Quite literally trillions of USD.

It obv solves no systemic issues and would have seismic ramifications globally, but there is a huge store of unused value just sitting there....
Posted by: Thesokorus at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (ryGrL)

The price of a commodity is dependent on supply and demand. It is only massively undervalued if a large increase of demand (or decrease in supply) is going to occur.

It doesn't make sense to use CPI or other inflation metrics to assert a fair value for gold. Oil would in that case be massively undervalued, which it's not, we just got better at supplying it.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (eYoxG)

291 Can you imagine, out of all the people in the world, the US Government, looking at all that untraceable money and *not* stealing all of it?

That's unthinkable.
Posted by: Yudhishthira

Didn't Carter sell a bunch?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (iB5Wb)

292

Posted by: at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (iayUP)

293 What would be *really* funny and incredibly typical is if Ft. Knox is empty because it was all stolen and illegally sold, but sold at the legally-defined rate of $35 per troy ounce to political partners who then flipped it at market rates to make a massive profit while the government thieves made almost nothing on the transaction but significantly more in kickbacks and favors down the road for the great deal they gave to insiders.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

I consider this the most likely scenario...

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (OUMaO)

294 Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.
Posted by: rickb223

I also highly doubt there's much gold left there.

Posted by: Prime Sister at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (tQL7r)

295 Posted by: Darrell Harris at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (/iWh

I still believe Bush's TARP temporarily prevented an economic catastrophe in the making but since it was avoided you can't say definitively. Also that TARP was paid back . Yes the GOP are bad but there are differences between them and the Commie left. And the GOP bad mainly because they get punked by the Left frequently.

Posted by: polynikes at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (MNhXM)

296 I assume there's a feeling of misery and stale hopeless drudgery. I imagine the women have the look of someone who has shut down all their feelings and hopes and go through the motions, like a waitress working 50 hours a week in the worst dive trying to get tips.

Someone did a photo essay of the whores in Nevada brothels.

I wouldn't have sex with any one of them for free.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (2tUFv)

297 Didn't Carter sell a bunch?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (iB5Wb)

To William Devane?

Posted by: BignJames at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (AwYPR)

298 USPS has suspended service to a Seattle zip code after theft of a master key.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (AxmOr)

299 "Simplify, simplify, simplify." H.D. Thoreau
"One "Simplify" would have sufficed." R.W. Emerson
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 18, 2023 11:38 AM (PiwSw)
"Pikers"--The Spartans
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:43 AM (ynpvh)
"..." - Fetterman
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)
""- Marcel Marceau
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM

'
- Strunk & White
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 18, 2023 11:59 AM (Wnv9h)

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE HASN'T REPLIED TO THIS CHAIN AT ALL WHICH IS THE THEORETICAL MINIMUM OF EXPRESSION

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (9UlRk)

300 THE BOSS HAS A NOOD

Posted by: Skip at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (DHxRE)

301 Someone did a photo essay of the whores in Nevada brothels.

One of the photos showed a whore on her CB radio, trying to entice truckers passing on the highway.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at May 18, 2023 12:02 PM (2tUFv)

302 If Randi Weingarten had a stroke, I would be the coxswain on a racing shell with a megaphone. "Stroke. Stroke. Stroke...".

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at May 18, 2023 12:02 PM (lz5hY)

303 USPS has suspended service to a Seattle zip code after theft of a master key.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at May 18, 2023 12:01 PM (AxmOr)
++++
It is tremendously distressing that the USPS continues to use non-inclusive language like "master key." This language should be made inclusive by changing the name to "primary key" or "universal key."

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 12:02 PM (DU+/6)

304 298 USPS has suspended service to a Seattle zip code after theft of a master key.
----------------
So who is the Key Master now?

Posted by: Puddinhead at May 18, 2023 12:02 PM (NsE9F)

305 289 Since NO ONE is allowed to audit Ft. Knox, I contend that there is NO gold left.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 18, 2023 11:56 AM (5fCiA)
++++
What would be *really* funny and incredibly typical is if Ft. Knox is empty because it was all stolen and illegally sold, but sold at the legally-defined rate of $35 per troy ounce to political partners who then flipped it at market rates to make a massive profit while the government thieves made almost nothing on the transaction but significantly more in kickbacks and favors down the road for the great deal they gave to insiders.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 18, 2023 12:00 PM (DU+/6)

Didn't the last guy who tried to audit it die in a plane crash?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 12:03 PM (ynpvh)

306 I'd like to see the US government conduct regular land sales, reducing debt issuance and making more land available for ranchers and development.

Sell assets regularly. Other than federal inertia , I can think of no reason why the Feds own so much and do not use it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 18, 2023 12:03 PM (7tUHB)

307 Strunk & White
Posted by: RedMindBlueState
------

Stylish comment

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 18, 2023 12:04 PM (lGAue)

308 Didn't the last guy who tried to audit it die in a plane crash?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at May 18, 2023 12:03 PM (ynpvh)
==================
sort of

Posted by: Pussy Galore at May 18, 2023 12:06 PM (7tUHB)

309 The DU: we care about the desperately poor.

Then why aren't you protesting the invasion of our country by illegals?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 18, 2023 12:09 PM (ouTlx)

310 Good morning, all, and thanks, CBD. Excellent piece but sadly the last paragraph might be prophetic:

This morning, MSNBC, It’s not just Dems touting a 14th Amendment debt ceiling solution. It's not surprising to see Democrats push the 14th Amendment as a solution to the debt ceiling crisis. But Josh Hawley's comments were unexpected.

"The Kansas City Star reported that the idea has also “caught the interest” of Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. “I think if I were president, I would be tempted to do that,” Hawley said. “Because I would just be like, ‘Listen, I’m not gonna let us default. So end of story. Y’all will do whatever you want to do.’ But I’m not necessarily giving him that advice. It’s against my interest.”

Now plastered hither and yon in the MSM, it shall be used to "pretend" to push the uniparty against the wall again regarding the debt limit ceiling. Enough. I, for one, say F it, the GOP needs to hold tight for once, keeping work requirements in, too.

Posted by: Lola - ALL the 1/6 videotapes from Alexandra and Jade, too. at May 18, 2023 12:14 PM (GshMh)

311 https://tinyurl.com/yck65jbr
Posted by: Just the facts, uh, Maam? at May 18, 2023 11:55 AM (AMIL/)

Sheesh. I never wear a tie, but I can wear one better than that. And it looks like she mugged Frankenstein's monster for the shoes.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at May 18, 2023 12:16 PM (KEi9u)

312 Hunter's 3rd, the TikToker.

Graduated from U of Penn Tuesday with Gramps, Jill, dad & Aunt Ashley in attendance.

Posted by: Lola - ALL the 1/6 videotapes from Alexandra and Jade, too. at May 18, 2023 12:24 PM (GshMh)

313 Cool your jets CBD. Watching in real time the destruction of the American Constitutional Republic is another blessing of liberty.

Lie back and enjoy it, along with the freest and fairest elections in “history.”

Posted by: Soar Eagle and Dive Bomb Lefties at May 18, 2023 03:32 PM (FkMTW)

314
More than $15k can be earned online by performing straightforward tasks from home. In the previous month, I got $18376. Even a young child may do this job and make money because it is so simple to complete and has higher pay than typical office occupations. Everyone needs to try this task by using the information on this page. www.Richepay.com

Posted by: Megan Haynes at May 19, 2023 07:44 AM (gSNcL)

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