THE MORNING RANT – America’s National Interests and the Situation in Mexico

A post of mine last week (“America First” Was the Polite Request; “America Only” Is the Less-Polite Follow-up Offer) generated many comments and emails about the seemingly forgotten concept of “America’s national interests” as we engage (or don’t engage) with the rest of the world.

In that post I stated my belief that the Israel-Hamas conflict affects the long-term security of the United States, unlike Ukraine-Russia. Today I’d like to discuss the other country that concerns me the most as to how it affects our long-term national security – Mexico.

First, I’ll confess that I do have an affinity for Mexico, its people, and its culture, especially the northern Mexican border states that share an overlapping culture with South Texas. But forgetting my personal affection, the United States shares a 2,000 mile border with our southern neighbor, and governance of northern Mexico has effectively been conquered by organized crime cartels which are trafficking drugs and people, with a corresponding humanitarian crisis having broken out along the entirety of the border.

It's bad. But it can still get much worse.

As awful as the situation is, Mexico is not Cuba or Venezuela. At least not yet. The slow-motion civil war in Mexico between the official government and the ruling crime syndicates has not fully played out, but the crime syndicates are already effectively allied with China in the fentanyl crisis, and they are engaged in unconventional warfare against the United States.

“Authorities arrest armed Mexican cartel members who came across US border with rifles” [Fox News – 08/14/2023]

Law enforcement in Texas have arrested two Mexican nationals with cartel ties who were seen coming across the U.S. southern border armed with rifles and armor-piercing rounds.

“Multiple IEDs Discovered at the US-Mexican Border After Threat Levels Heightened” [MSN – 12/15/2023]

The United States-Mexico border has become the scene of violence normally associated with countries such as Iraq and Syria. The Mexican military has recovered no fewer than 10 improvised explosive devices at the international frontier this week, according to Fox Business.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is urging Border Patrol agents to be wary in the area in light of the use of IEDs.

“Drone video shows Mexican drug cartels throwing explosives along Texas southern border” [Fox News – 10/25/2023]

Mexican drug cartel operatives continue to engage in violent acts along the southern border of Texas near the Rio Grande, as new video shows them throwing explosives as an intimidation tactic, authorities say.

How is it not considered treason that Joe Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, are committed to leaving the border unsecured so that those weapons and IEDs can be brought to American cities by hostile foreign crime syndicates?

But the greatest act of war being engaged against the US is not with weapons, instead it’s with drugs. According to some studies, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for adult Americans under the age of 45. Strangely enough, while the US (and Canada) are dealing with a fentanyl crisis, Europe is virtually untouched by it.

“Why has Europe been spared Canada's fentanyl disaster?” [Douglas Todd – Vancouver Sun – 12/11/2023]

Last year, 70,000 Americans died of overdoses from fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin. The toll in Canada is comparable, at about 7,000 a year. In B.C., fentanyl-related deaths run at about 2,000, which is among the worst rates per capita on the continent.
What is the death count due to fentanyl in Europe? No more than 200 a year.
Police and addiction experts are trying to figure out the huge disparity. And they’re desperate to stop fentanyl from crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

It was a couple of years ago that I learned of China’s role in the US fentanyl crisis, and that was only because I was reading Scott Adams, who writes about it often. The legacy media was either uninterested or suppressing the story, but the role of China in supplying the fentanyl flowing into the US is finally being openly discussed.

While opioid-production patterns vary by region, police now believe a great deal of North America’s fentanyl supply streams in from a combination of Mexican drug cartels mostly using chemicals from China.

So why is China engaging in mass murder against the US and Canada, while sparing Europe?

David Asher of the Hudson Institute explains that the Chinese Communist Party is deliberately committing narco-warfare against the US as a means of undermining our society, using Mexican cartels as their irregular army.

Our analysis in the Pompeo State Department was that the CCP saw narco warfare with the US and Canada as a means of undermining society and state in the US and Canada. The cartel leaders agreed to be part given the profits were ridiculous and a CCP coordinated money laundering network would take care that they all got paid for what constitutes mass murder (not normally a good cartel business strategy). Bottom line: Europe so far has been more compliant with China politically and has been spared as a result. This could change, of course…

Even if the Mexican government could somehow defeat the cartels, Mexico is prone to electing anti-American leftists. (My affinity for Mexico does not extend to its politicians or its voting habits.) As Venezuela showed us, a modern Latin American country need only vote for communism once, then it will get communism and poverty in perpetuity.

Would a Chavista Mexico invite Chinese warships to dock in Tijuana and Matamoros?

Whatever political direction it takes, what if Mexico decides to join the BRICS confederation, and if some years down the road BRICS decides to provide for each others’ mutual defense? Why wouldn’t Mexico welcome Iranian BRICS troops to a base on the Rio Grande, just like Finland is welcoming NATO troops to its border with Russia.

If, God forbid, some border skirmishes broke out along the Mexican border between the US and whichever Mexican actors, China could arm our foes just as we are arming Russia’s foes. Proxy wars happen, and we are not immune from being the target of a global power using Mexico as its proxy.

I don’t have a solution for Mexico, but I do know that hostile actors control the border, and it is a dereliction of our leaders that we have surrendered the border to the drug cartels. My concern about Mexico is one reason I am not “America Only,” but my concern about the situation there is part of my “America First” mindset. For our national security, I want Mexico to have a stable, friendly, non-communist government. I want Mexicans to have economic opportunity in their own country, and I want the cartels out of power. I also want armed American troops stopping the violation of our border.

Realpolitik may not make everything I want possible, but we can’t neglect a possible nightmare situation on our southern border just because our ruling class is terminally obsessed with NATO vs Russia.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Others summoned.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2023 11:00 AM (qPw5n)

2 1

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:00 AM (fwDg9)

3 Oh, we're having a bold morning, are we?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2023 11:00 AM (qPw5n)

4 Or podium

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:00 AM (fwDg9)

5 Not first.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (9yWhg)

6 Morning.

Posted by: Robert at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (1Yy3c)

7 So, who laid the IEDs?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (zZu0s)

8 Bold statement here.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (krQz2)

9 This is a very bold thread.

Posted by: Robert at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (1Yy3c)

10 The biggest potential national security risk for the United States has always been Mexico.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (YAtuc)

Posted by: Robert at December 18, 2023 11:01 AM (1Yy3c)

12 Test

Posted by: Robert at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (1Yy3c)

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (YAtuc)

14 Auto Close tags ftw

Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (GIBR7)

15 The comments so far have been bolderdash.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (9yWhg)

16 Nope, nevermind.

Posted by: Robert at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (1Yy3c)

17 The cartels are fighting over holes in the wall.

Posted by: BignJames at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (AwYPR)

18 The solution is a 20 mile deep DMZ along the border patrolled by drones bristling with missiles.

Posted by: rechill at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (Q1LXu)

19 We need border enforcement to include the imposition of exit visas. This way we can catch people who overstay their visas.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (Q9bls)

20 May I be so bold as to not be?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM (zvEEc)

21 The Barrel hungers!

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:03 AM (N3zMI)

22 Somebody finish the fish thread with heads on pikes?

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:03 AM (krQz2)

23 Mexico has been a broken state since the 1800s.

Also, there is only so much Mariachi music one can take.

Posted by: Archer at December 18, 2023 11:03 AM (gmo/4)

24 Somebody finish the fish thread with heads on pikes?
Posted by: Axeman

And muskietfire.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (9yWhg)

25 The United States-Mexico border has become the scene of violence normally associated with countries such as Iraq and Syria. The Mexican military has recovered no fewer than 10 improvised explosive devices at the international frontier this week, according to Fox Business.
++++
It's a great reason not to model your own environment on places like those, or to reject as evil your own superior methods of running a society.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (zxP/x)

26 The solution is a 20 mile deep DMZ along the border patrolled by drones bristling with missiles.
Posted by: rechill at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM

And landmines.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (jA9ul)

27 Mexico has been a broken state since the 1800s.

We shoulda let them keep Maximilian.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (9yWhg)

28 President Don Black would militarize the border with Mexico

no one gets in
you can leave anytime

not sure if that would be doable, $$$-wise

Posted by: Don Black at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (geLO8)

29 It's a great reason not to model your own environment on places like those, or to reject as evil your own superior methods of running a society.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:04 AM (zxP/x)

Yeah, but it is great for the individuals in control, they live like Kings.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:05 AM (zZu0s)

30 How is it not considered treason that Joe Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, are committed to leaving the border unsecured so that those weapons and IEDs can be brought to American cities by hostile foreign crime syndicates?
++++
Because they - really the factions of which they're a part, but that's beside the point - are in charge.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:05 AM (zxP/x)

31 Whatever political direction it takes, what if Mexico decides to join the BRICS confederation, and if some years down the road BRICS decides to provide for each others’ mutual defense?

It would be just like Ukraine joining NATO from the standpoint of Russia - and we've already established that that would be perfectly acceptable.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (YAtuc)

32 As long as the cartel get their way by our politicians nothing changes, if some miracle our government changes hands they could move to basically terrorism

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (fwDg9)

33
The drug problem likely makes the Libertarians happy.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (MoZTd)

34 Fentanyl and the violence along the border are completely the fault of the Federal government.

Posted by: Erik In Texas at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (ajYLC)

35 The solution is a 20 mile deep DMZ along the border patrolled by drones bristling with missiles.
Posted by: rechill at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM

And landmines.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Giant Rashida Tlaib portrait.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (9yWhg)

36 It's an incremental invasion. I doubt there's a safe place within 10-25 miles of the border between Mexico and the border states. Soon it will be 50 miles, then 100 then...

We're letting it happen. Any one of the border states could have taken a strong anti-immigration stance and forced the government's hand. And by strong I mean actually protecting the border and if the feds interfere, shoot them.

Because we're way beyond the 'push and shove' point here.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 11:07 AM (Q4IgG)

37 The United States of America should wage war against the cartels with the same ruthless efficiency and iron determination that the IDF is waging against Hamas.

Let no stone remain unturned until every single cartel member is dead.

The Mexican government can cooperate or get out of our way (or be destroyed along with the cartels).

Let that be a warning to anyone else who wishes to infect our cities with this plague.

How many dead Americans will it take before this happens?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:07 AM (7fElN)

38 Giant Rashida Tlaib portrait.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM (9yWhg)

That Jayapal babe...she's a looker, too.

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

39 It's a great reason not to model your own environment on places like those, or to reject as evil your own superior methods of running a society.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Culture shapes or dictates the system. Mexico is not the US is not China is not Russia. Look at the culture and the government follows accordingly ("...downstream from culture" barely begins to describe it).

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (OUMaO)

40 You can look at the history of the Cartels in Columbia and see where this is going. Mexico is the same way. I'd not be surprised at all to find out that LE and the government here is infested with narco-money. And China learned from the opium wars.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (YRsIm)

41
Fentanyl doesn't look like a hard thing to make. It doesn't even have any chiral centers.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (MoZTd)

42 How is it not considered treason that Joe Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, are committed to leaving the border unsecured so that those weapons and IEDs can be brought to American cities by hostile foreign crime syndicates?

Because it's not technically "treason" as defined by the Constitution.*

* a rag we hate, but will use to our advantage when necessary.

Posted by: The Democrat Party at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (Angsy)

43 Culture shapes or dictates the system. Mexico is not the US is not China is not Russia. Look at the culture and the government follows accordingly ("...downstream from culture" barely begins to describe it).
Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (OUMaO)

*considers*

Well, we're fucked.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (zZu0s)

44 A book by San Quinones examines this stuff (and more) as part of our current drug crisis. "The Least of Us".

The Mexican/Chi-Com fentanyl and P2P meth hookup has been landing this stuff all over the U.S. for quite awhile. It's been no secret.

I think the book does the subject justice.

Posted by: AJ at December 18, 2023 11:09 AM (l3I0j)

45 Update on bacon grease croissants...

Very flaky, very tasty, BUT...gonna need to tweak the recipe for 2 things (plus, we had to add a lot of time, b/c she rolled them like French croissants, and the Croats don't).

It needs more salt in the recipe. Yeah, somehow bacon grease does not provide enough.

It needs an egg wash. Just to help brown the tops more.

But, damn, these did exceed "1st try from an internet recipe" results...if we make them again and perfect this, I'll post the recipe to a weekend food thread (and I may post the starting one anyway, so other folks can try to perfect).

Posted by: Nova Local at December 18, 2023 11:09 AM (exHjb)

46 41
Fentanyl doesn't look like a hard thing to make. It doesn't even have any chiral centers.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 18, 2023 11:08 AM (MoZTd)

That's very sinister of you to note.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:09 AM (zZu0s)

47 I don’t have a solution for Mexico....

But there is one for China.

Posted by: The Gorgeous Three at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (Angsy)

48 The pictures of the homeless people on fentanyl are horrendous. People bent over, totally oblivious to where they are, what they are wearing, what the weather is like. The environment is filthy with excrement, discarded food containers, used needles.
These people are just left to die and maybe that is the point. It this does not just affect the people choosing to do this. It affects the entire community. I just don't understand how it is allowed to continue.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (t/2Uw)

49 High Immigration Linked To Worsening Inflation, Bank Of Canada Deputy Governor Says

The surge in immigration in Canada has led to an unprecedented demand for housing, outpacing construction and driving up shelter costs.

... apparently, not everybody in Canada is a hoser

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (RHGPo)

50 I can almost guarantee a terrorist attack before the next election, and the perps will have crossed the border illegally.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (lTGtQ)

51 Bidens reportedly 'upset' by sinking poll numbers, demanding answers from aides.

Answer: YOU SUCK, SIR ............ JUST RESIGN NOW !!!

Posted by: Steinehofer Jones at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (PYJJG)

52 Realpolitik may not make everything I want possible, but we can’t neglect a possible nightmare situation on our southern border just because our ruling class is terminally obsessed with NATO vs Russia.
____

Au contraire! We want YOU focused on NATO v Russia so our plans regarding the invasion on the Southern border can continue un-molested.

Posted by: Ruling Class at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (fs1hN)

53 Police and addiction experts are trying to figure out the huge disparity. And they’re desperate to stop fentanyl from crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
++++
They don't have to worry about it. Different dynamics are at play. Over Here, it's cheap and ready availability courtesy of Red China and the LATAM cartels, trafficking over a porous border and a legal structure designed to enable it all to continue. Those things don't apply to Europe. The cartels would of course like a new market, but it's *hard.*

Europe's problems will come from its own south. They have a porous border, too, and lots of organized crime associated with the colonization effort and in this respect, Europe looks the same as here. A drug explosion in Europe probably won't be Fentanyl. It might be - China can get in there, too, but it's more likely to be heroin since that's what's produced where Europe's invaders come from. We had effective cartels pre-China, and China essentially inked a deal with them for the Fentanyl. They might be able to do the same in Europe, but it doesn't strike me as likely.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (zxP/x)

54 So are you guys seeing things like the below in your areas as well?

I walked into a considerable-sized grocery store, and only self-checkout lanes were open, and the one visible employee was manning the service desk, who had to come over to my lane and check my ID for booze, giving the whole store a sort of convenience store vibe.

It was evening, but not very late, either.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (krQz2)

55 How many licks does it take to get to the chiral center of a Tootsie Pop?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (9yWhg)

56 The solution is a 20 mile deep DMZ along the border patrolled by drones bristling with missiles.
Posted by: rechill at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM

And landmines.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Giant Rashida Tlaib portrait.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:06 AM

Steady on...we're not monsters.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (jA9ul)

57
That's very sinister of you to note.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop

_________

I was dexterous in my wording.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (MoZTd)

58 31 Whatever political direction it takes, what if Mexico decides to join the BRICS confederation, and if some years down the road BRICS decides to provide for each others’ mutual defense?

People are ascribing infinitely too much to the BRICS.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Q9bls)

59 It needs more salt in the recipe. Yeah, somehow bacon grease does not provide enough.

Posted by: Nova Local at December 18, 2023 11:09 AM (exHjb)

Could be change of bacon between here and there. EVERYTHING has had it's salt content dramatically reduced over the past 30 years or so.

Question: how low does the salt content have to get before it is no longer bacon but dried ham?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (zZu0s)

60 I just don't understand how it is allowed to continue.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (t/2Uw)
---
Someone in power, somewhere, is profiting from it. Until THEY suffer severe, personal consequences for allowing it (or encouraging it) to continue, nothing will be done.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (7fElN)

61 So are you guys seeing things like the below in your areas as well?

I walked into a considerable-sized grocery store, and only self-checkout lanes were open, and the one visible employee was manning the service desk, who had to come over to my lane and check my ID for booze, giving the whole store a sort of convenience store vibe.

It was evening, but not very late, either.
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM

It's the new thing...inconvenience stores.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (jA9ul)

62 Whatever political direction it takes, what if Mexico decides to join the BRICS confederation, and if some years down the road BRICS decides to provide for each others’ mutual defense? Why wouldn’t Mexico welcome Iranian BRICS troops to a base on the Rio Grande, just like Finland is welcoming NATO troops to its border with Russia.
++++
And we would probably go to war with Mexico if it joined (or tried to join) the BRICS. That would be different from Russia and Ukraine, though, because reasons.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (zxP/x)

63 I just voted for Rashida Tlaib as anti semite of the year.
Do you all want the link?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (t/2Uw)

64 59 It needs more salt in the recipe. Yeah, somehow bacon grease does not provide enough.

Posted by: Nova Local at December 18, 2023 11:09 AM (exHjb)

Could be change of bacon between here and there. EVERYTHING has had it's salt content dramatically reduced over the past 30 years or so.

Question: how low does the salt content have to get before it is no longer bacon but dried ham?
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (zZu0s)

True - I never even thought of that!

Posted by: Nova Local at December 18, 2023 11:13 AM (exHjb)

65 Realpolitik may not make everything I want possible, but we can’t neglect a possible nightmare situation on our southern border just because our ruling class is terminally obsessed with NATO vs Russia.
++++
We can and we will. The "ruling class" dictates how this goes. It's right there in the name. They rule, and so what they want is what they get. So long as the ruling class doesn't want to control the border, the border will not be controlled.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 11:13 AM (zxP/x)

66 63 I just voted for Rashida Tlaib as anti semite of the year.
Do you all want the link?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (t/2Uw)

Oh, I dunno, there are so many assholes to choose from...

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:13 AM (zZu0s)

67 Oh, Democrats already solved the fentanyl crisis:

They funded the Ad Council to put up billboards to show the public just how little a dose is deadly.

Besides, white supremacy is literally killing millions every year.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice - Personality Commentator at December 18, 2023 11:13 AM (TzW+Y)

68 Bidens reportedly 'upset' by sinking poll numbers, demanding answers from aides.

Answer: YOU SUCK, SIR ............ JUST RESIGN NOW !!!
Posted by: Steinehofer Jones at December 18, 2023 11:10 AM (PYJJG)
---
*** Insert "Downfall" parody video of Hitler (FJB) receiving bad news here ***

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:14 AM (7fElN)

69 For our national security, I want Mexico to have a stable, friendly, non-communist government. I want Mexicans to have economic opportunity in their own country, and I want the cartels out of power. I also want armed American troops stopping the violation of our border.

We can't control Mexico, and shouldn't try, other than denying them aid if they don't crack down on the illegals crossing through their country on the way to the US. However, we CAN build a wall and start enforcing the border. That we don't is a reflection on us, not Mexico.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:14 AM (CsUN+)

70 > So are you guys seeing things like the below in your areas as well?
___________________

At my Home Depot the 'self checkout' lanes are manned by store employees to thwart theft. It got so bad they hired people not to run registers, but to run the self checkout lanes.

Pitifully stupid.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 11:14 AM (Q4IgG)

71 And just like that...it's a food thread.

Posted by: Forrest Grump at December 18, 2023 11:14 AM (V8he0)

72 Can we now call it an invasion?

Posted by: Eromero at December 18, 2023 11:14 AM (NxC5+)

73 I just voted for Rashida Tlaib as anti semite of the year.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (t/2Uw)

---
I think that's Gay.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (krQz2)

74 Besides, white supremacy is literally killing millions every year.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

I thought it was net neutrality.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (9yWhg)

75 How is it not considered treason that Joe Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, are committed to leaving the border unsecured so that those weapons and IEDs can be brought to American cities by hostile foreign crime syndicates?
***

They've been bought. And so has everyone else.
In 1989, drugs were the second largest industry in North America, after gas and oil. Approximately $200 Billion (Again, in '89 dollars). (A (Govt stat))
Assume 5% of that goes to keeping politicians and judges and law enforcement bought. That is $10 billion to spread around. Each year.
We will never stop the drug trade until those that create it are stopped. The manufacturers, the traffickers, and the users.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (W/lyH)

76 54 So are you guys seeing things like the below in your areas as well?

I walked into a considerable-sized grocery store, and only self-checkout lanes were open, and the one visible employee was manning the service desk, who had to come over to my lane and check my ID for booze, giving the whole store a sort of convenience store vibe.

It was evening, but not very late, either.
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (krQz2)

There are about eighteen checkout lanes in my store. These days, no more than three or four are ever open. They've greatly expanded their self-checkout center.

I hate self-checkout lines.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (N3zMI)

77 Mexico couldn't even make New Mexico work. Fuck these guys.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (pZ64F)

78 It's the new thing...inconvenience stores.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (jA9ul)
---
Gary Larson's "The Far Side" has entered the chat...

One cartoon pictured exactly that -- with merchandise on high shelves well outside a customer's reach.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (7fElN)

79 So are you guys seeing things like the below in your areas as well?

-----
Yes. Also, the workers tend to be young and inattentive.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (XeU6L)

80 It is interesting to note that the DOJ shut down the investigation into the cartel money that was being paid to Arizona politicians.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (lTGtQ)

81 I hate self-checkout lines.
-----------------
Just give yourself a discount. Its great!

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (pZ64F)

82 How many "victims of fentanyl" are non-druggies, like "drinking beer at a party and some druggie accidently spills something laced with fentanyl on top of a beer can"?

Posted by: Chuck C at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (xttsV)

83 True - I never even thought of that!
Posted by: Nova Local at December 18, 2023 11:13 AM (exHjb)

Bacon is meant to be a preserved food. However, I think the salt content is low enough now (so therefore the water activity is higher) that I am not sure I want to risk it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (zZu0s)

84 The cartels are fighting over holes in the wall.

If we know that, then we know where the holes are, and can fix them or mine them. Again, shame on us.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (CsUN+)

85 I hadn't noticed until just now, but most of the Lefty sites have been very quiet regarding immigration recently. There was a minor discussion about Chicago fining/impounding buses dropping off migrants at unapproved times, but that's been it.

I guess there's not a clear, winning message for them, so they're keeping attention elsewhere in the media.

Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (JCZqz)

86 The solution is a 20 mile deep DMZ along the border patrolled by drones bristling with missiles.
Posted by: rechill at December 18, 2023 11:02 AM

And landmines.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Giant Rashida Tlaib portrait.

We aren't monsters.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (CsUN+)

87 Besides, white supremacy is literally killing millions every year.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

I thought it was net neutrality.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus
----

Christian Nationalism is the real threat.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (XeU6L)

88 I hate self-checkout lines.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher

I hate the ones that don't allow cash, like the ones at Wegmans and CVS.

The ones at Giant still take cash, for now.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (9yWhg)

89 63 I just voted for Rashida Tlaib as anti semite of the year.
Do you all want the link?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (t/2Uw)

Oh, I dunno, there are so many assholes to choose from...

Posted by: Aetius451AD
You had to choose among the finalists. Paul Gosar was also one of the finalists.
https://tinyurl.com/yc5n5e5t
Also a description of each at the site.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (t/2Uw)

90 I hate self-checkout lines.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (N3zMI)

I love them. But I am an admitted impatient asshole who dislikes people.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (zZu0s)

91 Police and addiction experts are trying to figure out the huge disparity. And they’re desperate to stop fentanyl from crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Drugs that kill addicts in large numbers are a solution to a problem, not a problem.

Posted by: most of these jumkies are unfixable and throwing resources at them is a waste of limited time and mo at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (pjs7m)

92 Giant Rashida Tlaib portrait.

We aren't monsters.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (CsUN+)
---
A deterrent is a deterrent. At least this one will have a near 100% guarantee it will work.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (7fElN)

93 81 I hate self-checkout lines.
-----------------
Just give yourself a discount. Its great!
Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (pZ64F)

Okay, I DO admit to getting a kick out of yelling "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!!" at the machine when it tells me what to do.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (N3zMI)

94 My wife suspects the work shortage because more people are dead than the vast conspiracy is willing to tell us.

I'm not so sure myself, but one guy hopping around to all the lanes where you're used to seeing at least a crew of 4-5 people is kind of a spooky feeling.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (krQz2)

95 Strategists keep telling us that as China collapses, Mexico will become the manufacturing center for North America, but they forget that the cartels run Mexico, so the bribes will be higher.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (lTGtQ)

96 The pictures of the homeless people on fentanyl are horrendous. People bent over, totally oblivious to where they are, what they are wearing, what the weather is like. The environment is filthy with excrement, discarded food containers, used needles.
---
I don't think that is fentanyl.

That's a whole 'nother epidemic, Xylazine or tranq.

This country is FUBAR.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice - Personality Commentator at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (TzW+Y)

97 Cowboy breakfast, beans, bacon, and black coffee.

Posted by: Eromero at December 18, 2023 11:19 AM (NxC5+)

98 I love them. But I am an admitted impatient asshole who dislikes people.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (zZu0s)

Until a person with an overloaded cart is in front of you. Some places used to say "20 item limit" at the self serve registers.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:19 AM (Angsy)

99 Police and addiction experts are trying to figure out the huge disparity. And they’re desperate to stop fentanyl from crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Drugs that kill addicts in large numbers are a solution to a problem, not a problem.

That's cold. Think if it were someone you love.

Still, one presumes it will eventually be a self-correcting problem.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:20 AM (CsUN+)

100 Important to remember that all the problems we see in this world are carefully crafted and orchestrated.

You think the American government couldn't solve its issues in a heartbeat if it actually wanted to?

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at December 18, 2023 11:20 AM (KbCG3)

101 Meanwhile, at LAT, drink your fill:
"California prepares to transform sewage into pure drinking water under new rules"

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at December 18, 2023 11:20 AM (MvF+J)

102 94 My wife suspects the work shortage because more people are dead than the vast conspiracy is willing to tell us.

I'm not so sure myself, but one guy hopping around to all the lanes where you're used to seeing at least a crew of 4-5 people is kind of a spooky feeling.
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (krQz2)

I think the amount of people who are on welfare has skyrocketed in the past 3 years (since the Chinese Lung AIDS.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (zZu0s)

103 I hate self-checkout lines.
-----------------
Just give yourself a discount. Its great!
Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:16 AM (pZ64F)

Okay, I DO admit to getting a kick out of yelling "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!!" at the machine when it tells me what to do.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:18 AM (N3zMI)
***

I asked the lady checking my ID for the wine I was buying, when the Christmas Party was going to be held for the self checkout employees like me?
I got a dirty look.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (W/lyH)

104
Well, we're fucked.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
--------

Could you be a little more succinct.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (XeU6L)

105 If you were going to stop the drug cartels, it would take a level of violence not seen since the Mongol wars. Look at what it took in China to control the flow and use of opium.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (YRsIm)

106 12 people just got wacked at a wedding in Mexico by cartel members. I recall reading that the Mexican civil war in the early part of the last century was something like the third bloodiest of any civil war per capita. Todays level of violence is old hat

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (NcL9g)

107 "California prepares to transform sewage into pure drinking water under new rules"
Posted by: Peel gp A Grape

Hasn't wastewater treatment always done that?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (9yWhg)

108 You think the American government couldn't solve its issues in a heartbeat if it actually wanted to?
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at December 18, 2023 11:20 AM (KbCG3)
---
If that's true, you could say a chief issue is keeping people like that out of government. So, no, I don't.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:22 AM (krQz2)

109 That's cold. Think if it were someone you love.

I come from a long, unbroken like of white trash.

I assure you, I am thinking of them.

Posted by: most of these junkies are unfixable and throwing resources at them is a waste of limited time and mo at December 18, 2023 11:22 AM (pjs7m)

110 The problem is, at its core, sorta on display in that scene in A24's Civil War movie....what kind of American Interests are you?

We have the interests of the existing culture, a once-successful culture to put it mildly. We have the interests of the Oligarchs who want cheap labor. We have the interests of the Uniparty which want votes, real or manufactured that warm bodies can provide. There's the interests of the US State department and the Military-Industrial faction (hey if it's good enough for Eisenhower, I'll use the term too) who want the US to be the nations police force and probably the world's bankers too.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:22 AM (xcxpd)

111 Q: Why are you losing in the polls?

BIDEN: "You're reading the wrong polls"

*crash* (drunk driver hits presidential motorcade)

{God laughs}

Related:
Guests on MSNBC proclaimed that the Republican impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden was a distraction from his robust economy

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

112 But kids in cages!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (zZ/ws)

113 How is self-checkout any worse than pumping your own gas?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (9yWhg)

114 Supplying fentanyl and illegally dealing the drug is evil and the government should stop it. But I don’t really like the formulation of “the CCP is murdering US citizens with fentanyl”…. Not quite. No one is forcing people to seek out and take illegal drugs. Adults do have agency. Now there are cases where fentanyl is disguised as another legitimate (or at least less deadly) drug…. That’s murder. But I believe the majority of deaths are people choosing to take it….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (9Tih0)

115 Well, we're fucked.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
--------

Could you be a little more succinct.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (XeU6L)

Fucked. *makes hand gestures encompassing the world*

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (zZu0s)

116 I'm fine with self-checkouts.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (MvF+J)

117 I must be in the minority but I love the self checkout area. Almost never have to wait, get to pack my own bags. There is an attendant for the area who can immediately help if there's a problem or something doesn't scan. Can watch to make sure I am charged the correct price.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (t/2Uw)

118 Guests on MSNBC proclaimed that the Republican impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden was a distraction from his robust economy

I saw a headline that NBC says the anal sex interlude in the Senate was Trump's fault. I'd really like to see that logic chain.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (CsUN+)

119 I have never seen rain come down this hard. Yowza.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZLI7S)

120 Woodrow Wilson, 1914 before occupying Veracruz: "I will teach these people to elect good men."

That sure ass hell didn't work out, and apparently never will.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (Dm8we)

121 I'm of the belief that a lot of the drug problem is that possession with only intent to use is no longer a crime in a lot of areas. "We'll go after the dealers and the users get treatment". Well, a lot of users don't want treatment. Give them a little stretch in county and you might see a down tick in use.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (0EOe9)

122 109 That's cold. Think if it were someone you love.

I come from a long, unbroken like of white trash.

I assure you, I am thinking of them.
Posted by: most of these junkies are unfixable and throwing resources at them is a waste of limited time and mo at December 18, 2023 11:22 AM (pjs7m)

Cruel, but well played.

*golfclap*

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (zZu0s)

123 Well, we're fucked.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
--------

Could you be a little more succinct.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (XeU6L)

Fucked. *makes hand gestures encompassing the world*

I think the fapping hand motion is what you're looking for.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (CsUN+)

124 "But I don’t really like the formulation of “the CCP is murdering US citizens with fentanyl”…. Not quite. No one is forcing people to seek out and take illegal drugs"

Agreed. If idiots started drinking gasoline, we wouldn't blame Exxon. Drug abuse is a problem of demand, more than of supply.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (MvF+J)

125
I come from a long, unbroken like of white trash.
---

That's you, isn't it, Hunter Biden.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:24 AM (XeU6L)

126 Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sure seems to be the Jim Cramer of politicians.
Always sounds authoritative but is almost always wrong.

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

127 Israeli revenge attack? About 70% of gas stations in Iran paralyzed in suspected cyber attack; deputy minister says fixing system will take long hours,
@N12News reports; in parallel, Israel announces that Iran-Hezbollah cyber strike on hospital foiled.

Oh, and apparently the Biden Administration is going to allow the Red Sea to be closed to shipping, due to "Houthi" missile attacks.

Wouldn't want to irritate Iran, after all.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (YAtuc)

128 Though...the irony of the Opium War in reverse is not lost on me. China knows what it is doing and why.

Just waiting for them to target Europe. We're a bigger competitor.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (xcxpd)

129 I think the amount of people who are on welfare has skyrocketed in the past 3 years (since the Chinese Lung AIDS.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:21 AM (zZu0s)
---
I've heard that too.

Plus, a guy I know that works at a tool and die shop says that employers hire temps these days from work scheduling apps, and when young men feel they have made enough money for the week to continue on X-box and Doritos, they don't schedule any more work for themselves.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (krQz2)

130 satan can not rule the world as long as free United States exists. Freedom and Liberty stand in his way.

I don't know why it's so hard for people to understand this.

???

Posted by: Outside of Life at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (89Sog)

131 I walked into a considerable-sized grocery store, and only self-checkout lanes were open

—

Opposite problem for me. Walked into a grocery store with NO self checkout. And a huge line at every cashier. It’s this one regional chain that still is all cashiers. I always forget about it and then when I go to checkout think oh fuck right, then remember why I hate this place.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (zZ/ws)

132 119 I have never seen rain come down this hard. Yowza.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZLI7S)

Watched the Miami (Ohio) vs App State bowl game in Orlando this weekend. Bucketed rain throughout. There were something like thirteen fumbles altogether. Good times. Too bad Miami lost, however.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (N3zMI)

133 87 Besides, white supremacy is literally killing millions every year.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

I thought it was net neutrality.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus
----

Christian Nationalism is the real threat.
----------
You guys are pikers.

Posted by: Climate Change at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (xA5g+)

134 How is self-checkout any worse than pumping your own gas?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (9yWhg)

Who does that??

Posted by: New Jersey at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (gmo/4)

135 How is self-checkout any worse than pumping your own gas?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (9yWhg)

Who does that??
Posted by: New Jersey

I'll allow it.

Posted by: Oregon at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (dZVON)

136 How is self-checkout any worse than pumping your own gas?

One way:

https://tinyurl.com/5dmtp4z6

Posted by: something instinctually rubs me the wrong way about it anyway at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (pjs7m)

137 Israeli revenge attack? About 70% of gas stations in Iran paralyzed in suspected cyber attack; deputy minister says fixing system will take long hours,
@N12News reports; in parallel, Israel announces that Iran-Hezbollah cyber strike on hospital foiled.

This is very interesting, and I'm sure a harbinger of wars to come. Iran tried something and failed, and the Israelis reminded them who's the boss in this arena.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (CsUN+)

138 Woodrow Wilson, 1914 before occupying Veracruz: "I will teach these people to elect good men."
-------

I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns
I heard Maria crying
Late last night I heard the news
That Veracruz was dying

Posted by: Warren Zevon at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (XeU6L)

139 133 87 Besides, white supremacy is literally killing millions every year.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

I thought it was net neutrality.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus
----

Christian Nationalism is the real threat.
----------
You guys are pikers.
Posted by: Climate Change at December 18, 2023 11:25 AM (xA5g+)

I know you are but what am I?

Posted by: Trump Tax Cuts at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (KbCG3)

140 I'm indicting a ham sandwich for lunch.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (9yWhg)

141 119 I have never seen rain come down this hard. Yowza.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZLI7S)

Enough to wash all the filth away?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (zZu0s)

142 "California prepares to transform sewage into pure drinking water under new rules"
Posted by: Peel gp A Grape
---
So Newsome's speeches will have less of an effect on sustainability.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (krQz2)

143 I think the amount of people who are on welfare has skyrocketed in the past 3 years (since the Chinese Lung AIDS.)

A lot of people, especially young males, discovered during COVID that the total level of benefits you can get while unemployed is actually pretty good - and you have all your time to yourself, and don't have to follow orders on the job.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (YAtuc)

144 No one is forcing people to seek out and take illegal drugs. Adults do have agency. Now there are cases where fentanyl is disguised as another legitimate (or at least less deadly) drug…. That’s murder. But I believe the majority of deaths are people choosing to take it….

I would agree with you LVP, except these people are destroying the places that normal people live and work. Pitching a tent on a public sidewalk, defecating in the street, throwing garbage everywhere, aggressively accosting people as they go about their daily lives trying to make a living does not give them permission to indulge their mental illness on society.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:28 AM (t/2Uw)

145 141 119 I have never seen rain come down this hard. Yowza.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (ZLI7S)

Enough to wash all the filth away?
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (zZu0s)

if only....
Rorschach...where are you when we need you?

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:28 AM (xcxpd)

146 Chris Cuomo After Watching Footage Of October 7 Hamas Massacre: “They enjoyed mutilating”

“If an enemy wanted to make sure that Israel would come for them, the message would be to take children, women, innocents and more, tie them up and burn them alive. Just like the Holocaust…. I now know that is exactly the message Hamas sent, on purpose, at scale. I was not aware of that before. They did it methodically. You hear it in the voices, the commands, the ease and excitement of finding and mutilating victims.”

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

147 >>Watched the Miami (Ohio) vs App State bowl game in Orlando this weekend. Bucketed rain throughout. There were something like thirteen fumbles altogether. Good times. Too bad Miami lost, however.

Accompanying the rain here is high winds, gusts up to 50+. Don't need a tree coming down on the house.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (ZLI7S)

148 does not give them permission to indulge their mental illness on society.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)

Their addiction does not give them permission

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (t/2Uw)

149 138 Woodrow Wilson, 1914 before occupying Veracruz: "I will teach these people to elect good men."
-------

I heard Woodrow Wilson's guns
I heard Maria crying
Late last night I heard the news
That Veracruz was dying
Posted by: Warren Zevon at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (XeU6L)

I'm starting to wonder if we were ever the good guys...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (xcxpd)

150 satan can not rule the world as long as free United States exists. Freedom and Liberty stand in his way.
-----
True only if the U.S. is a Godly nation. Which we were, once. No more, I fear.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (XeU6L)

151 146 Chris Cuomo After Watching Footage Of October 7 Hamas Massacre: “They enjoyed mutilating”

“If an enemy wanted to make sure that Israel would come for them, the message would be to take children, women, innocents and more, tie them up and burn them alive. Just like the Holocaust…. I now know that is exactly the message Hamas sent, on purpose, at scale. I was not aware of that before. They did it methodically. You hear it in the voices, the commands, the ease and excitement of finding and mutilating victims.”
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (RHGPo)

========

"But all of the other stories in the NYT, besides the ones finding excuses for Hamas, are probably fine."
-Gell-Mann Amnesia

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (GBKbO)

152
A lot of people, especially young males, discovered during COVID that the total level of benefits you can get while unemployed is actually pretty good - and you have all your time to yourself, and don't have to follow orders on the job.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (YAtuc)

That ended long ago. The extra $600/week WuFlu bonus made it worthwhile not to work. Once that went away, not so much.

The real welfare is for women with kids. That’s the jackpot. But for a single male, There’s really not much money out there.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (zZ/ws)

153 Self checkout sucks donkey balls if you've got liquor, beer or wine. Because 'someone' has to come over and do an override. And that 'someone' is always on a break. And nobody else knows a fucking thing about overrides.

So, yea... no, it depends on what you've got in the basket whether self checkout is right for you.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (Q4IgG)

154 Watched the Miami (Ohio) vs App State bowl game

Appalachian State?

*shudders*

Posted by: Every Michigan fan everywhere at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (9yWhg)

155 I hate self-checkout lines.
______

Classic bit on self-checkout from comedian Rodman. The rest of video is good, but this starts at the self-checkout bit.

https://youtu.be/rrHLpi1Qk_M?t=603

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (fs1hN)

156 Self checkout sucks donkey balls if you've got liquor, beer or wine. Because 'someone' has to come over and do an override. And that 'someone' is always on a break. And nobody else knows a fucking thing about overrides.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 11:30 AM (Q4IgG)
---
That's why I always scan booze first.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (krQz2)

157 58 People are ascribing infinitely too much to the BRICS.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at December 18, 2023 11:11 AM (Q9bls)

At this point, we probably DESERVE to be gangbanged by Iran, China, and Russia for being insufficiently serious and insufficiently badass as a whole people.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (sm6Pk)

158 I would agree with you LVP, except these people are destroying the places that normal people live and work.

In Portland, there is an ambulance shortage, in part because of all the fent addicts on the street who OD and require Narcan and transport to the hospital for follow-up.

Sucks if you are a normal taxpayer having a heart attack.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (YAtuc)

159 Self checkout is awesome… you don’t have to deal with an incompetent human being and you’re in control and it’s fast.

One caveat — if the machine has a glitch (happens I’d estimate 1 every 100 uses) you are totally screwed waiting for a worker to come over and clear the machine… which can be very frustrating

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (9Tih0)

160 A lot of people, especially young males, discovered during COVID that the total level of benefits you can get while unemployed is actually pretty good - and you have all your time to yourself, and don't have to follow orders on the job.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (YAtuc)

It drove me nuts- and I did not take the unemployment. Might have been a mistake, but I did not really need it and I was young and stupid enough to think that mattered. My boss thought I was nuts.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:32 AM (zZu0s)

161 Well I see this was already discussed in the Art Thread, but it seems the Pope says blessing same-sex marriage is totes okay. Wonder how that's going to fly with our diocese. Our Bishop is pretty conservative.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 18, 2023 11:32 AM (DRSnL)

162 159 Self checkout is awesome… you don’t have to deal with an incompetent human being and you’re in control and it’s fast.

One caveat — if the machine has a glitch (happens I’d estimate 1 every 100 uses) you are totally screwed waiting for a worker to come over and clear the machine… which can be very frustrating
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (9Tih0)

This.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:32 AM (zZu0s)

163 116 I'm fine with self-checkouts.
Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at December 18, 2023 11:23 AM (MvF+J)

Same. I like to get in and out efficently.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (xcxpd)

164 Until a person with an overloaded cart is in front of you. Some places used to say "20 item limit" at the self serve registers.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:19 AM (Angsy)

Yup, and they always have some unlabeled or strange fruit/vegetable that they can’t scan or find in the lookup menu. I never use the self checkout because of that; and I’m lazy; and I like talking to the cashiers who are pretty nice in my neck of the woods.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (8e0w3)

165 Yeah I almost never use a cashier. Always self checkout. It’s fast and almost never a line.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (zZ/ws)

166 149 I'm starting to wonder if we were ever the good guys...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (xcxpd)

A People who would elect Woodrow Wilson are not a good, moral, and righteous people.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (sm6Pk)

167 I don't think that is fentanyl.
That's a whole 'nother epidemic, Xylazine or tranq.
This country is FUBAR.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice - Personality Commentator

They seem out of touch and drugged in the videos on YouTube, but based on voting analysis, they're very engaged politically, with an over 100% voting rate in some districts!

Posted by: LIV Moron at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (JCZqz)

168 In Portland, there is an ambulance shortage, in part because of all the fent addicts on the street who OD and require Narcan and transport to the hospital for follow-up.

Sucks if you are a normal taxpayer having a heart attack.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (YAtuc)
---
Narcan sure ain't helping the situation. The junkies get "better" and then just go back to doing what they did before the Narcan shot.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (7fElN)

169 I want self-checkout at the liquor store.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (GBKbO)

170 Self checkout is great if you don't have to scan the meat.

Posted by: Climate Change at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (xA5g+)

171 "Same. I like to get in and out efficently."

I especially like the fact that it helps keep food prices down (if implemented properly,) by reducing labor costs.

Posted by: Peel gp A Grape at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (MvF+J)

172 You people are just too fricken stuped to realize how well off you are because of Joe Biden !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nabobs all of you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Steinehofer Jones at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (qpLSv)

173 Well I see this was already discussed in the Art Thread, but it seems the Pope says blessing same-sex marriage is totes okay. Wonder how that's going to fly with our diocese. Our Bishop is pretty conservative.
Posted by: Jordan61 at December 18, 2023 11:32 AM (DRSnL)
---
Kallisto covered how that is a fake-take. Frankie said that same-sex marrieds can be blessed as part of the congregation in a general blessing

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (krQz2)

174 I like talking to the cashiers who are pretty nice in my neck of the woods.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly

So long as you don't hold up the folks behind you. I hate that when somebody gets into a detailed conversation with a cashier.

Posted by: Every Michigan fan everywhere at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (9yWhg)

175 166 149 I'm starting to wonder if we were ever the good guys...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:29 AM (xcxpd)

A People who would elect Woodrow Wilson are not a good, moral, and righteous people.
Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (sm6Pk)

I'm willing to believe the people were lied to, ala the Obama and FDR route.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (xcxpd)

176 169 I want self-checkout at the liquor store.
--------------
This is a good point.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (xA5g+)

177 Why would you not take unemployment ? The govt steals from you year after year . Once in a blue moon they offer some back. Why on earth would you refuse to take back your money?

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZ/ws)

178 A People who would elect Woodrow Wilson are not a good, moral, and righteous people.
Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (sm6Pk)

*grimace* That's valid.

Harding.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZu0s)

179 Off sock.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (9yWhg)

180 Do not use the self-check machines if you're paying cash. One time I did that and the machine jammed up and wouldn't give me my change. Only one person in the whole store had a key to open it and I had to wait more than 20 minutes for him to show up.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (QHcYH)

181 If the Impeachment is a distraction of Joe Biden from doing the peoples work................. Then......

Let's have another Impeachment Inquiry !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ferd Berfall at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (qpLSv)

182 Self-checkout reminds me I need to do up my Christmas dinner grocery list. Cooking for nine this year.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (N3zMI)

183 But for a single male, There’s really not much money out there.

In Oregon? Section Eight vouchers to pay for your housing, Oregon Health Plan to provide you with free medical care, and very generous food stamp benefits. Work a few hours a week under the table, and you're good.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (YAtuc)

184 At this point, we probably DESERVE to be gangbanged by Iran, China, and Russia for being insufficiently serious and insufficiently badass as a whole people.
Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:31 AM (sm6Pk)
---
I don't know if the average American citizen deserves it, but our "leadership" certainly seems to enjoy bending over and being rogered by our enemies on a regular basis.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (7fElN)

185 175 A People who would elect Woodrow Wilson are not a good, moral, and righteous people.
Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (sm6Pk)

I'm willing to believe the people were lied to, ala the Obama and FDR route.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (xcxpd)

========

The people elected Woodrow because Teddy played stalking horse in an election he should have never entered, splitting the Republican vote and allowing Woodrow in.

Teddy Roosevelt is one of history's greatest monsters because of that. Fuck him.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (GBKbO)

186 Self-checkout reminds me I need to do up my Christmas dinner grocery list. Cooking for nine this year.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher

You got my RSVP accepting the invitation, right?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (9yWhg)

187 Kallisto covered how that is a fake-take. Frankie said that same-sex marrieds can be blessed as part of the congregation in a general blessing
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (krQz2)

And how is that ok? Same go for unrepentant thieves in the congregation? Or unrepentant adulterers?

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (xcxpd)

188 A People who would elect Woodrow Wilson are not a good, moral, and righteous people.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:33 AM (sm6Pk)
---
It was an age of elitism. Wilson was a university professor who had written many books on government.

Eugenics was coming onto the scene as well.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (krQz2)

189 177 Why would you not take unemployment ? The govt steals from you year after year . Once in a blue moon they offer some back. Why on earth would you refuse to take back your money?
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZ/ws)

This was the argument my Dad made.

I dunno. It felt wrong. I go with my gut a lot. I have never taken unemployment. It probably WAS foolish.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (zZu0s)

190 The people elected Woodrow because Teddy played stalking horse in an election he should have never entered, splitting the Republican vote and allowing Woodrow in.

Teddy Roosevelt is one of history's greatest monsters because of that. Fuck him.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (GBKbO)

Yeah, Teddy's ego really fucked things up.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (xcxpd)

191 Speaking of pumping your own gas, one of the funniest things I ever saw was a video on “Ozzy Man Reviews” Utube channel…. Someone filmed a clueless young lady who despite multiple tries and turning around and backing out couldn’t get her gas tank opening lined up with the pump. She got out of her car several times looking puzzled…. And the commentary added by Ozzy Man just had me rolling….. I went looking for that recently and it was gone. I suspect the lass hired a lawyer (you could see her face) because she was tired of the mockery…. Too bad because it was an all time classic

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (9Tih0)

192 Teddy Roosevelt is one of history's greatest monsters because of that. Fuck him.
------------
James, aren't you a DeSantis guy?

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (xA5g+)

193 OT: but ammo prices are going up in the new year, if you can bear it, might be time to bend the credit card a bit to stock up.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (xcxpd)

194 I don't know if the average American citizen deserves it, but our "leadership" certainly seems to enjoy bending over and being rogered by our enemies on a regular basis.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (7fElN)
---
-- Ben Cardin has entered the chat --

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (krQz2)

195 I'm willing to believe the people were lied to, ala the Obama and FDR route.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (xcxpd)

Different era too. Easier for people to see what they wanted to see and what others wanted to show.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (zZu0s)

196 I don't know if the average American citizen deserves it, but our "leadership" certainly seems to enjoy bending over and being rogered by our enemies on a regular basis.
_____

suggested edit, insert the word "us" between "bending" and "over"

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (fs1hN)

197 You got my RSVP accepting the invitation, right?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (9yWhg)

Heh.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (N3zMI)

198 Narcan sure ain't helping the situation. The junkies get "better" and then just go back to doing what they did before the Narcan shot.

I've wondered what the life expectancy is of someone who is revived on the street with Narcan in downtown Portland - I bet that it is less than a year.

The fent death rate in Portland is now about 300 a year.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (YAtuc)

199 So long as you don't hold up the folks behind you. I hate that when somebody gets into a detailed conversation with a cashier.
Posted by: Every Michigan fan everywhere at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (9yWhg)

They are nice, but not that nice. Once my groceries are bagged and I pay, it’s adios and out de doe.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (8e0w3)

200 We will never stop the drug trade until those that create it are stopped. The manufacturers, the traffickers, and the users.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (W/lyH)

Hang the manufacturers, hang the traffickers, jail the users, subject to a three-strikes law. Third conviction for using buys a bullet.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (VJKFO)

201 Never had any problem with Self Checkout. Saves me from getting in the line with the woman arguing about why the price of her chips is 10 cents different from the display price....

20 minutes later she decides she does not want them !!!!

Posted by: Ferd Berfall at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (qpLSv)

202 Speaking of pumping your own gas, one of the funniest things I ever saw was a video on “Ozzy Man Reviews” Utube channel…. Someone filmed a clueless young lady who despite multiple tries and turning around and backing out couldn’t get her gas tank opening lined up with the pump. She got out of her car several times looking puzzled….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (9Tih0)
---
I saw that vid. That was. hilarious.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:40 AM (krQz2)

203 The junkies get "better" and then just go back to doing what they did before the Narcan shot.

They also tend to try to punch out the person who gave them the Narcan shot.

After all, you've just ruined the greatest high of their life.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:40 AM (YAtuc)

204 In Da Vinci's Last Supper is it John the Baptist or Mary Magdalene depicted to Christ's right hand?

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:40 AM (xA5g+)

205 Mrs D read a report not long ago that some places are getting rid of the self checkouts because of all the theft. Cheaper to hire people to tun the check stand.
I kinda like telling the "voice" to STFU.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:40 AM (W/lyH)

206 There was a woman with several, multi-ethnic kids at one of the self checkout stations the other day. A cart full of shit. Two kids stuffed into the seat on the cart, one hanging off the side and another one banging a can on the machine. She had no idea how to use the machine and was 'having issues.'

Not one employee intervened in that shitshow.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 11:40 AM (Q4IgG)

207 >>OT: but ammo prices are going up in the new year, if you can bear it, might be time to bend the credit card a bit to stock up.

Got a feeling everything is going up in the new year. If the Houthis manage to shut down the Straits of Hormuz life is going to get even more expensive.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (ZLI7S)

208 Why would you not take unemployment ? The govt steals from you year after year . Once in a blue moon they offer some back. Why on earth would you refuse to take back your money?
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZ/ws)

That's true. Plus, you can get back at the employer who got rid of you. They're paying part of it too. Hit both with the old double goozle. And make sure you don't get a job until every last bit is used up.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (Angsy)

209 Ahhh...I mean the voice in the self check stand...not mrs D.

Want to be clear about that.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (W/lyH)

210 Japan's Nippon Steel To Buy US Steel For $14 Billion

All cash deal.

... remember when Japan Inc. was going to take over the world

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (RHGPo)

211 Biden said to be increasingly frustrated by dismal poll numbers: Washington Post. Biden delivered some stern words: His poll numbers were unacceptably low and he wanted to know what his team and his campaign were doing about it. He complained that his economic message had done little to move the ball, even as the economy was growing and unemployment was falling...

Perhaps someone should tell him the polls are all fake? Or that worrying about polls a year out is meaningless?

Aren't these numbers typical of first term presidents? And then as the campaign starts up people begin to really evaluate them against potential replacements and numbers go up?

Brush off poll numbers at your peril. It's not appropriate for POTUS to obsess over poll numbers the way TFG did, but it is entirely appropriate for Biden to task his aides if it is just an optics problem.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who is running for the state’s open Senate seat, has expressed concern to allies that she may not be able to win her race if Biden is at the top of the ticket...

Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (JCZqz)

212 This is an interesting idea, but I'm trying to think of all the reasons it could really go pear-shaped.

https://tinyurl.com/2y4paxr4

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (CsUN+)

213 Junkies in Europe will do whatever opioid is cheapest right now that is heroin . However since the nasty Taliban have banned all poppy growing. Heroin will be increasing in price and they will increasingly move to fentanyl.
Interestingly we did not agree to leave Afghanistan until we were assured of a solid plug with Mexican fentanyl..
Just like we didn't leave Vietnam until we had sent enough surplus AK 47s to Afghanistan to prevent the new "commie," government from stopping oippium production there

Just coincidences

Posted by: Paul at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (Ft+0v)

214 190 Yeah, Teddy's ego really fucked things up.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (xcxpd)

==========

I think it's because Taft wasn't as aggressive an executive as Teddy had wanted, pushing through early 20th century progressivism through the executive branch.

For that, he handed the reins of government to one of the worst presidents in history.

Teddy's a piece of shit, and I hate the little cult around him that still exists.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:42 AM (GBKbO)

215 209 Ahhh...I mean the voice in the self check stand...not mrs D.

Want to be clear about that.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (W/lyH)

Nice save.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:42 AM (zZu0s)

216 And really unemployment isn’t government money. Employers pay into a fund for their employees. It’s basically insurance with the premium paid by employers. So even more so you should have no qualms about taking it. It would be like getting into a car accident and refusing yiu carbinsurance money to repair your car.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:42 AM (zZ/ws)

217 " It affects the entire community. I just don't understand how it is allowed to continue." Posted by: Sharon

or how our government could enable/encourage the cartels ... How could they be THAT evil? Well, it took time I guess, to get all their evil men in place, or something.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (Cus5s)

218 Got a feeling everything is going up in the new year. If the Houthis manage to shut down the Straits of Hormuz life is going to get even more expensive.
------------
You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. Its what they do.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (xA5g+)

219 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (T4tVD)

220 Hang the manufacturers, hang the traffickers, jail the users, subject to a three-strikes law. Third conviction for using buys a bullet.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 18, 2023 11:38 AM (VJKFO)

You left out lawmakers, judges, court officers, bankers, second and third tier support groups, etc. The breadth and depth of corruption required to support the cartels and the amount of money laundering is unbelievable.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (YRsIm)

221 Paul, well at least Biden made sure the Taliban was well armed before HE decided to pull up stakes.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (zZu0s)

222
another utube classic - commentary on parking "reverse, reverse! auntie!"

https://youtu.be/k6NIe_6VIjQ

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (fs1hN)

223 Got a feeling everything is going up in the new year. If the Houthis manage to shut down the Straits of Hormuz life is going to get even more expensive.

I'm wondering if Egypt will do anything.

Losing all the Suez Canal revenues is painful.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (YAtuc)

224 BRICS is a loose coalition of shitholes that hate each other -- a nothing burger with an all-venomous insect patty on a chickpea bun.

My only fear is the Biden Regime will try to join, so we can hate America as much as they do.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (nnp+f)

225 211 Brush off poll numbers at your peril. It's not appropriate for POTUS to obsess over poll numbers the way TFG did, but it is entirely appropriate for Biden to task his aides if it is just an optics problem.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who is running for the state’s open Senate seat, has expressed concern to allies that she may not be able to win her race if Biden is at the top of the ticket...
Posted by: Intercepted DU Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (JCZqz)

=========

"Don't obsess over polls, but obsess over polls."

I believe that lady running for office over any poll. She's out there campaigning, and if she's hearing concerns from normal voters at such a regular cadence that she's worried about winning, then she's got a finger on the pulse of her district.

She should probably spend more time with the election counters to make sure they have what they need, though.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:44 AM (GBKbO)

226 Appalachian State?

*shudders*
Posted by: Every Michigan fan everywhere
-------

LOL

We here in W. NC still chuckle over that.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 11:44 AM (XeU6L)

227 189 177 Why would you not take unemployment ? The govt steals from you year after year . Once in a blue moon they offer some back. Why on earth would you refuse to take back your money?
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZ/ws)

This was the argument my Dad made.

I dunno. It felt wrong. I go with my gut a lot. I have never taken unemployment. It probably WAS foolish.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:37 AM (zZu0s)

Felt same as you. Then was reminded that unemployment is something you paid into. Was a bit of a lifesaver when I lost my job.

Posted by: Trump Tax Cuts at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (KbCG3)

228 218 Yep. That's what Marines do. I remember listening to good ol' Paul Harvey, when the Rapid Deployment Force was the next big thing. He just said we already have a Marine Corps.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (0EOe9)

229 Walmart is using AI to check the self-checkout to find thieves.
They also store all of your purchases that you make with cards
They also use AI to track your path through the store making those purchases to rearrange the store so you are forced to walk past items they want you to buy.

But they pretend that they don't know who you are when it comes to beer or cough medicine.

Mostly because they don't want the public too aware of all the info they are storing on you.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice - Personality Commentator at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (TzW+Y)

230 OT: but ammo prices are going up in the new year, if you can bear it, might be time to bend the credit card a bit to stock up.

Prices haven't been to bad around here except for .45 and .380.
Still, Mrs D has some nice stocking stuffers in .380.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (W/lyH)

231 >>You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Any the corrupt idiot in the White House does nothing.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (ZLI7S)

232 A panel at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Insurance Summit highlighted emerging issues in the state’s insurance industry due to the progression toward marijuana legalization. The panel largely focused on workers’ compensation and auto insurance, with concerns about the ambiguity in reimbursing medical marijuana under workers’ compensation and the impact of marijuana legalization on auto insurance risk assessments and premiums.

... doing a business analysis .. what a marvelous idea

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:46 AM (RHGPo)

233
That's true. Plus, you can get back at the employer who got rid of you. They're paying part of it too. Hit both with the old double goozle. And make sure you don't get a job until every last bit is used up.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (Angsy)

This is a misconception. You’re not getting back at an employer. Employers pay money into a fund for their employees. Unemployment is then distributed from that fund. But it’s a general fund not an individual fund. And once the employee is terminated the employer no longer pays into it for the employee.

It’s just insurance.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:46 AM (zZ/ws)

234 Well, Ferd Berfall may not have a problem with self-checkout, but my wife Frannie and I detest it!

Posted by: Fred Farkle at December 18, 2023 11:46 AM (83IzV)

235 Walmart is using AI to check the self-checkout to find thieves.
They also store all of your purchases that you make with cards

Yeah, if you use a credit card, they can ID you if later they decide that you were stealing.

Pay cash.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (YAtuc)

236 Any the corrupt idiot in the White House does nothing.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (ZLI7S)
---
Nobody's paid Hunter in a while.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (krQz2)

237 Kallisto covered how that is a fake-take. Frankie said that same-sex marrieds can be blessed as part of the congregation in a general blessing
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:34 AM (krQz2)

And how is that ok? Same go for unrepentant thieves in the congregation? Or unrepentant adulterers?
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:36 AM (xcxpd)

=====

I'll have to read more about it. But I think some of the more liberal priests are going to run with it, no matter what the Pope actually intended.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DRSnL)

238 Winds sound like getting sporty outside

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (fwDg9)

239 This is a misconception. You’re not getting back at an employer. Employers pay money into a fund for their employees. Unemployment is then distributed from that fund. But it’s a general fund not an individual fund. And once the employee is terminated the employer no longer pays into it for the employee.

It’s just insurance.
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:46 AM (zZ/ws)

It takes money out of their bank account to fund the UI. Less money to spend on themselves. Which they will. Get some of it back, especially if they cut you to save money for themselves.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:48 AM (Angsy)

240 Europe is being culturally overthrown by a lot of violent Islamists, and their kinder gentler followers (enabled by EU bureaucrats, for whatever reason). Maybe "they" think they can take Free Europe without the destructive fentanyl/drug weapon.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 18, 2023 11:48 AM (Cus5s)

241 228 218 Yep. That's what Marines do. I remember listening to good ol' Paul Harvey, when the Rapid Deployment Force was the next big thing. He just said we already have a Marine Corps.
---------------
When the Army decided they needed to be Rapid and Deployable their first action was to take over all of the Marines prepositioned assets and shipping to make them Rapid and Deployable. The Navy and Marines told them to pound sand.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:48 AM (xA5g+)

242 I'll have to read more about it. But I think some of the more liberal priests are going to run with it, no matter what the Pope actually intended.
Posted by: Jordan61 at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DRSnL)

I have mixed feelings about my desire for a new Inquisition....

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (xcxpd)

243 I'll have to read more about it. But I think some of the more liberal priests are going to run with it, no matter what the Pope actually intended.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (DRSnL)
---
I'd say that's a valid concern. It's not just what Frankie says, it's also what people will take it for--and maybe Frankie knows this....

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (krQz2)

244 You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

245 Fake take? Kind of a Leftist splitting the hairs

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (fwDg9)

246 Got a feeling everything is going up in the new year. If the Houthis manage to shut down the Straits of Hormuz life is going to get even more expensive.

I'm wondering if Egypt will do anything.

Losing all the Suez Canal revenues is painful.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:43 AM (YAtuc)
---
It's why this is a world-wide problem, not just a local issue. Both the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal are *major* time-savers for world shipping, significantly reducing the costs of goods. Anyone who threatens shipping through either channel should be eradicated from the face of the planet.

ANY nation state would have cause to wage total war against any other nation that threatens trade through those channels.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (7fElN)

247
But they pretend that they don't know who you are when it comes to beer or cough medicine.

—

Someone under age could use their parents’ credit card.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (zZ/ws)

248 177 Why would you not take unemployment ? The govt steals from you year after year . Once in a blue moon they offer some back. Why on earth would you refuse to take back your money?
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:35 AM (zZ/ws)

So that your father doesn't berate you for being a lazy bum.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (sm6Pk)

249 Fentanyl will eventually get to Europe. That's China's next market.

Fentanyl is still relatively new to the illicit US market. Who even heard of it 10 years ago? I mean, I knew it existed, but don't remember it being an issue. Even after the Sacred Overdose, a lot of people were like "fentanyl, what's that?"

The US was an easy market to enter and dominate because of shockingly easy access for Mexican drug cartels, and highly lucrative given the huge population.

Posted by: Elric Blade at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (iFTx/)

250 Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.

*awaits first comment about how Ukraine has sucked us dry*

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

251 I'm starting to wonder if we were ever the good guys...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards
__________

Are we the baddies?

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (Dm8we)

252 Interesting. The Boston Globe, the largest newspaper in Boston with an unsurprising leftwing bias has an editorial out today criticizing Harvard's response to the Gay plagiarism scandal.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (ZLI7S)

253 You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Any the corrupt idiot in the White House does nothing.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (ZLI7S)

Even though they have been attacking our folks for months, the Admin will wait until after Xmas and we are into the election bullsh*t. THEN he will be all Presidential and the media will gush "WAR!!! We can't change horse in midstream!"

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (W/lyH)

254 238 Winds sound like getting sporty outside
Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 11:47 AM (fwDg9)

#MeToo. Been wondering for an hour whether to pull in my recycling can before it gets blown over.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (N3zMI)

255 210 Japan is running out of people -- both workers and customers -- so they buy foreign companies on foreign soil and employ foreign workers and sell in those foreign markets.

Much smarter than how we're handling it, no?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (nnp+f)

256 252 Interesting. The Boston Globe, the largest newspaper in Boston with an unsurprising leftwing bias has an editorial out today criticizing Harvard's response to the Gay plagiarism scandal.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (ZLI7S)

=========

Racists. They should be canceled and boycotted.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (GBKbO)

257 I wouldn't call the fentanyl crisis a crisis.

I look at it as stupid people doing stupid things as usual and resulting in more for me.

Less stupid people is a good thing. Fentanyl should be free to all who want it.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (puDky)

258 NYPost:

President Biden’s daughter Ashley owed $5,000 in income taxes from 2015 to 2021, according to a new report from Fox News on the first family’s finances. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in Philadelphia County informed Ashley Biden, 42, that a tax lien had been imposed on her property, a Dec. 1 notice obtained by the outlet shows. Liens are used by the government to recoup money from unpaid taxes. In this case, the first daughter’s lien has a start date of Jan. 1, 2015, and end date of Jan. 1, 2021, when her father was preparing to be sworn in.

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)

259 230 OT: but ammo prices are going up in the new year, if you can bear it, might be time to bend the credit card a bit to stock up.

Prices haven't been to bad around here except for .45 and .380.
Still, Mrs D has some nice stocking stuffers in .380.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:45 AM (W/lyH)

Jah, prices are pretty good now. But from the ammo websites I use, I'm hearing that they're expecting bumps due to the wars. Might be minimal for pistols (Winchester is raising prices by $20 a case for 9mm) but rifle ammo might jump a lot more as the powder costs are driving increases.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (xcxpd)

260
It takes money out of their bank account to fund the UI. Less money to spend on themselves. Which they will. Get some of it back, especially if they cut you to save money for themselves.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 11:48 AM (Angsy)

It doesn’t work like that. There’s no unemployment bank account. Think of UI as a tax employers pay for every employee. They pay the same tax whether an employee ever receives UI or not. It’s not like the tax increases if they fire an employee.

There is no “getting back at “ employers for getting UI.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (zZ/ws)

261 ANY nation state would have cause to wage total war against any other nation that threatens trade through those channels.

The penalties for piracy are well-established under international law.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (YAtuc)

262 241 I was a participant in a rapid deployment in 1972. Whole damn air group mounted out and operational in about 72 hours. Nail the lids shut on the mount out boxes and go.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (0EOe9)

263 I have mixed feelings about my desire for a new Inquisition....
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (xcxpd)

Set it to music. It'll kill 'em!

Posted by: Torquemada at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (Angsy)

264 258 NYPost:

President Biden’s daughter Ashley owed $5,000 in income taxes from 2015 to 2021, according to a new report from Fox News on the first family’s finances. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in Philadelphia County informed Ashley Biden, 42, that a tax lien had been imposed on her property, a Dec. 1 notice obtained by the outlet shows. Liens are used by the government to recoup money from unpaid taxes. In this case, the first daughter’s lien has a start date of Jan. 1, 2015, and end date of Jan. 1, 2021, when her father was preparing to be sworn in.
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)

I know how she can make 5 grand the hard way...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (xcxpd)

265 Honor guard collapses on live TV in front of the casket of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (RHGPo)

266 Posted by: Paul at December 18, 2023 11:41 AM (Ft+0v)
-----------
You're a DICK!!!

Posted by: jeff spicoli's brother at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (2yu8s)

267 263 I have mixed feelings about my desire for a new Inquisition....
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (xcxpd)

Set it to music. It'll kill 'em!
Posted by: Torquemada at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (Angsy)

========

Call me when they send in the nuns.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (GBKbO)

268 #MeToo. Been wondering for an hour whether to pull in my recycling can before it gets blown over.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:50 AM (N3zMI)

No offense intended, but talk about a first world problem. I hate high winds more than anything else. Be safe.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (8e0w3)

269 Don't lock your knees!

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (2yu8s)

270 251 I'm starting to wonder if we were ever the good guys...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards
__________

Are we the baddies?
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (Dm8we)

*checks for skull icons on outfit*

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (xcxpd)

271 What's going to result, is a certain breed of Hard Men (get your minds outta yer gutters), who will roam the land, imposing solution, punishment and cure, all of a single action, and cause.

Tough minded people of stout constitution to follow behind, collecting the bodies and disposing of remains.

Chronic homeless, hopelessly addicted, totally criminalized; such will be the objects of process, at least at the beginnnig.

If these Hard Men are tools of a totalitarian left, well, we're well and truly fucked. It'll be as the Reich has released the brownshits* (not a typo), and we're ALL "The Jews."

Or, better... it's US who send out the HARD MEN, and they don't just clean-up the streets, but the Corrupt Officials, elected and appointed, both.

Which is, actually, THE CURE.

.../fevered dreams

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (e6UQI)

272 244 You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

Exactly - one carrier group and a strike wing of B-2 bombers could do everything that's needed within 24 hours. Reportedly the only reason this hasn't happened is that Biden and Blinken are worried that Iran might get mad, and they're still trying to appease them.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (i9ffA)

273 A bizarre scene last week in front of the Capitol when Rep. Eric Swalwell drove up with Hunter Biden and facilitated a flagrant act of contempt of Congress, a federal crime. Swalwell used his office and presumably his staff to assist in the defiance of a valid subpoena for Hunter to appear before a House committee. The House will now presumably hold Hunter in contempt and refer the matter for prosecution. The question is what to do with Eric Swalwell.

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (RHGPo)

274 250 Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.

*awaits first comment about how Ukraine has sucked us dry*
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

Kinky....

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (xcxpd)

275 I also felt bad taking the unemployment $ after I was RIFed. Dunno why, but I did. I even felt bad taking the SSI for dependent survivors after T. died. It was a hell of a lot of $$ for 10+ years. We earned it the hard way, and yet, it didn't feel right.

What the hell is wrong with us?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (qoGsy)

276 265 Honor guard collapses on live TV in front of the casket of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
--------------
No ice for Sandy Baby?

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (xA5g+)

277 Less stupid people is a good thing. Fentanyl should be free to all who want it.
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (puDky)

The stuff from the turn of the last century against drugs did not come from no where. They thought it was caustic to a society (and that is when everything was legal.) It is just that our solution has not worked either.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (zZu0s)

278 Don't lock your knees!

It's so simple:
Throw out your hands
Stick out your tush
Hands on your hips
Give 'em a push

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (CsUN+)

279 Liens are used by the government to recoup money from unpaid taxes. In this case, the first daughter’s lien has a start date of Jan. 1, 2015, and end date of Jan. 1, 2021, when her father was preparing to be sworn in.

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:51 AM (RHGPo)
---
See, no evidence.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:55 AM (krQz2)

280 Or, better... it's US who send out the HARD MEN, and they don't just clean-up the streets, but the Corrupt Officials, elected and appointed, both.

Which is, actually, THE CURE.."

On the topics of Officials, Mexico, and Fentanyl - it is my considered and sincere opinion that there are even MORE government officials aiding, abetting, and profiting from the Fentanyl trade here in the US, than there are in Mexico. Which would be why you can't find anyone in power who wants to do anything about it

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (i9ffA)

281 Just like we didn't leave Vietnam until we had sent enough surplus AK 47s to Afghanistan to prevent the new "commie," government from stopping oippium production there

US exits Vietnam - 1973
Communist takeover of Afghanistan - 1978

That sure is some interesting "history" they teach you braindead fuckwits over in Leftist Retard (BIRM) School.

Posted by: spindrift at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (B/KRV)

282 272 244 You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

Exactly - one carrier group and a strike wing of B-2 bombers could do everything that's needed within 24 hours. Reportedly the only reason this hasn't happened is that Biden and Blinken are worried that Iran might get mad, and they're still trying to appease them
----------
Bayonets' are still necessary if you want to send a special heartfelt message.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (xA5g+)

283 Swalwell used his office and presumably his staff to assist in the defiance of a valid subpoena for Hunter to appear before a House committee. The House will now presumably hold Hunter in contempt and refer the matter for prosecution. The question is what to do with Eric Swalwell.

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (RHGPo)
---
Worse than Hiroshima!

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (krQz2)

284 I was was let go from a job and found one pretty much right away. But I made my start date for the new one 3 weeks out so I could take a bit of vacay, funded by unemployment.

You have to work the system. Because the system sure as fuck works you back.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (zZ/ws)

285 The question is what to do with Eric Swalwell.
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (RHGPo)

He small dick. Don't need no more.

Posted by: Fang Fang at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (Angsy)

286 Bayonets' are still necessary if you want to send a special heartfelt message.
Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:56 AM (xA5g+)
---
But you have to fix them first.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (krQz2)

287 It's so simple:
Throw out your hands
Stick out your tush
Hands on your hips
Give 'em a push
Posted by: Archimedes

I want to be Dom Deluise when I grow up.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (qoGsy)

288 276 265 Honor guard collapses on live TV in front of the casket of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
--------------

Someone forgot to tell him not to lock his knees.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (i9ffA)

289 Bayonets' are still necessary if you want to send a special heartfelt message.

I dunno, I think the Ninja missile does a pretty good job of that.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (CsUN+)

290 271 Or, better... it's US who send out the HARD MEN, and they don't just clean-up the streets, but the Corrupt Officials, elected and appointed, both.

Which is, actually, THE CURE.

.../fevered dreams

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 18, 2023 11:53 AM (e6UQI)

Good luck with that when all the HARD MEN on our side are 65 and older.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (sm6Pk)

291 On the topics of Officials, Mexico, and Fentanyl - it is my considered and sincere opinion that there are even MORE government officials aiding, abetting, and profiting from the Fentanyl trade here in the US, than there are in Mexico. Which would be why you can't find anyone in power who wants to do anything about it
--------------
Fetanyl money is good. Slaves are so much better, though.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (xA5g+)

292 I think the amount of people who are on welfare has skyrocketed in the past 3 years (since the Chinese Lung AIDS.)

A lot of people, especially young males, discovered during COVID that the total level of benefits you can get while unemployed is actually pretty good - and you have all your time to yourself, and don't have to follow orders on the job.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at December 18, 2023 11:27 AM (YAtuc)
==
All those rules have lapsed, and in most states the rolls are way down from Covid days. But there are fewer people in the workforce today, and I have heard from employers once someone has made enough money they disappear for awhile knowing they'll get paid back.

There was alot about the lifetime employment that was never going to survive our new age. But the financial whizzes who decided to treat inhouse labor like an especially nasty cost to be avoided at all cost, cannot complain that labor now realizes they are in the driver's seat and is making the exact same type of decisions. Those demographics are a nasty bit of business.

Posted by: Black JEM at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (GZYu7)

293 We need more hard men.

Posted by: Ben Cardin at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (krQz2)

294 272 244 You could land the Marines and they'd be done with Yemen pretty fucking quickly. Hint, that's why you have the Marines. It's what they do.

Do we even need to do that, though? We have plenty of standoff munitions to level what little infrastructure those stone age savages have.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:49 AM (CsUN+)

Exactly - one carrier group and a strike wing of B-2 bombers could do everything that's needed within 24 hours. Reportedly the only reason this hasn't happened is that Biden and Blinken are worried that Iran might get mad, and they're still trying to appease them.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (i9ffA)

A raid or bombing run won't resolve that issue. Even if the Marines take all the coastal ports, I'm not sure that would make the Yemeni quit. They all carry knives and that's not a fashion statement. They'd probably just brush the rubble aside and go right back to what they were doing once the Marines leave.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (xcxpd)

295 Does everyone remember from Friday the new add on drug to fentanyl that gives it a kick but is also no responsive to narcan?

Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (GIBR7)

296 Exactly - one carrier group and a strike wing of B-2 bombers could do everything that's needed within 24 hours. Reportedly the only reason this hasn't happened is that Biden and Blinken are worried that Iran might get mad, and they're still trying to appease them
---
What, exactly will Iran *do* if they are not appeased? Talk smack about us at the UN? They do that anyway.

Fund more terrorism? What has Iran been doing with all of the money we've sent them?

Close the Straits of Hormuz? We can have them open again in 24 hours or less. And then send the mullahs a personal message from 50,000 feet.

So get it done or let someone else with real balls take over...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (7fElN)

297 It's so simple:
Throw out your hands
Stick out your tush
Hands on your hips
Give 'em a push
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (CsUN+)

Ahhh!!!
The Philly Eagles Tush Push!
Works every time.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (W/lyH)

298 What the hell is wrong with us?
Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 11:54 AM (qoGsy)

I prayed, but you let me die anyway! Why?

What do you mean? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!

Posted by: Stand in for Just the Punchline Guy at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (Angsy)

299 it is going to be interesting if both the Panama and Suez canals are closed.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (lTGtQ)

300 The slow-motion civil war in Mexico between the official government and the ruling crime syndicates has not fully played out, but the crime syndicates are already effectively allied with China in the fentanyl crisis, and they are engaged in unconventional warfare against the United States.

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

Talk about asymmetric warfare ...

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (ltehs)

301 Good luck with that when all the HARD MEN on our side are 65 and older.
Posted by: XTC

Bob Dole has been here I see.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (qoGsy)

302 Don't lock your knees!
---
Frantically pats self down for knees keys.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (krQz2)

303 A raid or bombing run won't resolve that issue. Even if the Marines take all the coastal ports, I'm not sure that would make the Yemeni quit. They all carry knives and that's not a fashion statement. They'd probably just brush the rubble aside and go right back to what they were doing once the Marines leave.

We brought North Vietnam to its knees in short order with far less advanced weaponry. We can do the same in Yemen.

It's not a matter of can we, it's a matter of would we.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (CsUN+)

304 Fetanyl money is good. Slaves are so much better, though.
Posted by: Pudinhead

Slaves on fentanyl - winning!!!

Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (GIBR7)

305 I think Narcan is as big a problem as Fenty is.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (xcxpd)

306 A man; a plan; a canal; Zues!

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (2yu8s)

307 And now, a Christmas carol. Maybe they best Christmas carol.

https://tinyurl.com/yz8kmkde

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (FVME7)

308 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' - Pentagon To Launch Expansive Naval Coalition To Defend Red Sea Passage

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (RHGPo)

309 Good luck with that when all the HARD MEN on our side are 65 and older.
Posted by: XTC

I'm not 65 yet. But if I go in, I go in with no rules.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (GIBR7)

310 We brought North Vietnam to its knees in short order with far less advanced weaponry. We can do the same in Yemen.

It's not a matter of can we, it's a matter of would we.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (CsUN+)

Ah yes, our famous victory over North Vietnam...

I agree that willpower is what's lacking though.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (xcxpd)

311 "Realpolitik may not make everything I want possible, but we can’t neglect a possible nightmare situation on our southern border just because our ruling class is terminally obsessed with NATO vs Russia."

No. Our ruling class is obsessed with the destruction of the United States of America, the "fundamental transformation" of its people into a permanent class of serfs.

Posted by: Mookie at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (RH8Lh)

312 I think Narcan is as big a problem as Fenty is.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (xcxpd)
++++
It does allow for risk compensation and increase willingness to engage in more dangerous behavior.

ABS brakes are wonderful, but people also drive on tighter margins when they have them (brake later and harder). Narcan changes the risk assessment dramatically.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (zxP/x)

313 Honor guard collapses on live TV in front of the casket of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 11:52 AM (RHGPo)

Is she dead ?

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (T4tVD)

314 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' - Pentagon To Launch Expansive Naval Coalition To Defend Red Sea Passage

If this "operation" is done with a defensive mindset, it will fail. We need to make it plain to these simians that the pain will be way more than they want to bear.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (CsUN+)

315 The slow-motion civil war in Mexico between the official government and the ruling crime syndicates has not fully played out, but the crime syndicates are already effectively allied with China in the fentanyl crisis, and they are engaged in unconventional warfare against the United States.

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

Talk about asymmetric warfare ...
Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent

Chaotic evil.warfare?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (FVME7)

316 We brought North Vietnam to its knees

—

We did?

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (zZ/ws)

317 I want to be Dom Deluise when I grow up.
Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 11:57 AM (qoGsy)

You just wanna sing with Dino.

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (T4tVD)

318 312 I think Narcan is as big a problem as Fenty is.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (xcxpd)
++++
It does allow for risk compensation and increase willingness to engage in more dangerous behavior.

ABS brakes are wonderful, but people also drive on tighter margins when they have them (brake later and harder). Narcan changes the risk assessment dramatically.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (zxP/x)

#truth

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (xcxpd)

319 it is going to be interesting if both the Panama and Suez canals are closed.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2023 11:59 AM (lTGtQ)

They don't even need to waste ordnance doing it, either. Just have two female captained ships try to parallel park their ships in the canals....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (Angsy)

320 David Asher of the Hudson Institute explains that the Chinese Communist Party is deliberately committing narco-warfare against the US as a means of undermining our society, using Mexican cartels as their irregular army.

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

Talk about asymmetric warfare ...

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (ltehs)

321 Ah yes, our famous victory over North Vietnam...

I agree that willpower is what's lacking though.

They came to the table, because we were demolishing their country. Had we continued doing so, we'd have won the war. Naturally, we didn't.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (CsUN+)

322 Once everything goes to shit, there is no way of knowing what comes out the other end. I'd like to think people think of the history of revolutions as one of the reasons why they hesitate, but I kind of doubt it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (zZu0s)

323 A raid or bombing run won't resolve that issue. Even if the Marines take all the coastal ports, I'm not sure that would make the Yemeni quit. They all carry knives and that's not a fashion statement. They'd probably just brush the rubble aside and go right back to what they were doing once the Marines leave.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (xcxpd)

They may like knives, but they do not have an infinite supply of missiles, and they do not have many locations from which they can be fired. This is unlike Hamas which has specialized in small unguided missiles which can be easily transported but do little damage - they are primarily a terror weapon. Unguided missiles are useless against shipping. The Houthis have a few guided missile installations which were set up by the Iranians; that's the source of the trouble.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (i9ffA)

324 US Military Faces 'Mutiny' Of Enlisted Gen-Zers As TikTok Virus Spreads

Military influencer Anthony Laster posted a video that emphasized the Army life is now for him: "Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!" The video was viewed more than 600,000 times.

... completely ungrateful for the aspects of DEI introduced

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (RHGPo)

325 It's the new thing...inconvenience stores.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 11:12 AM (jA9ul)
---
Gary Larson's "The Far Side" has entered the chat...

One cartoon pictured exactly that -- with merchandise on high shelves well outside a customer's reach.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM

That's exactly the image I had in my head as I typed that.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (jA9ul)

326 Cernovich @Cernovich 16h
US Army faces 'TikTok mutiny' as Gen Z recruits whine about low pay, 'sh***y' food and FITNESS TESTS while on bases in uniform dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Scott Adams @ScottAdamsSays 3h
If TikTok pushes their "heat button" (a real thing) to make this type of message more viral, I'd consider it an act of war.

It's not an exaggeration that China can defeat the American military with the push of one button.

This is how you know our Congress is corrupt.
-------------
All sorts of attacks.

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (2yu8s)

327 It doesn't matter that we have the best, most expensive, most capable military hardware or troops in the world. Our enemies don't need to face them to defeat us.

They are killing our country by drugs, open borders, bought off officials and media, tictoc and the like.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (qoGsy)

328 We brought North Vietnam to its knees

—

We did?

Absolutely. See #321.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (CsUN+)

329 We brought North Vietnam to its knees

—

We did?

We did, but Walter Cronkite's cheerleading for the North gave them the strength to get back up again.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (dZVON)

330 Good luck with that when all the HARD MEN on our side are 65 and older.
Posted by: XTC

I'm not 65 yet. But if I go in, I go in with no rules.
Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (GIBR7)

This.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (W/lyH)

331 324 Military influencer Anthony Laster posted a video that emphasized the Army life is now for him: "Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!" The video was viewed more than 600,000 times.

... completely ungrateful for the aspects of DEI introduced
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (RHGPo)

=======

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that just sounds like military life in general.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (GBKbO)

332 312 I think Narcan is as big a problem as Fenty is.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (xcxpd)
++++
It does allow for risk compensation and increase willingness to engage in more dangerous behavior.

ABS brakes are wonderful, but people also drive on tighter margins when they have them (brake later and harder). Narcan changes the risk assessment dramatically.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (zxP/x)
________

Narcan saves degenerate scumbags who should be left to die and cleanse the world of them. Just like most of the domestic violence incidents come from the same few households over and over, the paramedic guys are continually narcan-ing the same degenerate scumbags over and over. Let them die.

Posted by: Elric Blade at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (iFTx/)

333 326/327 - Hordemind

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (qoGsy)

334 As Venezuela showed us, a modern Latin American country need only vote for communism once, then it will get communism and poverty in perpetuity.

-----------

* The USA has entered the chat *

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (ltehs)

335 Correct me if I'm wrong, but that just sounds like military life in general.

sounds like life in general

Posted by: brak at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (25k9m)

336 Talk about asymmetric warfare ...
Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (ltehs)

That's a slanted way to look at it.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 12:06 PM (Angsy)

337 Bayonets' are still necessary if you want to send a special heartfelt message.

-
Remember, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 18, 2023 12:06 PM (FVME7)

338 Soldiers since Roman times have complained about low pay and poor living conditions.

It's only recently they've been able to broadcast their complaints.

You shouldn't get in trouble for complaining. You should for broadcasting those complaints. There's a chain of command. Use it.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2023 12:06 PM (IFNME)

339 331 324 Military influencer Anthony Laster posted a video that emphasized the Army life is now for him: "Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!" The video was viewed more than 600,000 times.

... completely ungrateful for the aspects of DEI introduced
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (RHGPo)

=======

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that just sounds like military life in general.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:05 PM (GBKbO)

And today's military is....not quite as rigorous as past generations.

We're going to lose our next big war, I fear.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:07 PM (xcxpd)

340 323 The Houtis have a few guided missile installations. Unleash the Wild Weasels. YGTBSM!.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 12:07 PM (0EOe9)

341 336 Talk about asymmetric warfare ...
Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 18, 2023 12:03 PM (ltehs)

That's a slanted way to look at it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 12:06 PM (Angsy)

The slope is slippery

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:07 PM (xcxpd)

342 310 I agree that willpower is what's lacking though.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (xcxpd)

Most of America's men who can't wait to take lives aren't Honorable Operators anymore.

Most are just crooks with no honor to speak of.

Posted by: XTC at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (sm6Pk)

343 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' - Pentagon To Launch Expansive Naval Coalition To Defend Red Sea Passage

If this "operation" is done with a defensive mindset, it will fail. We need to make it plain to these simians that the pain will be way more than they want to bear.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:02 PM (CsUN+)
---
The MIC is already rubbing its hands in glee...Nothing like starting a new war during an election season to guarantee unlimited profits!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (7fElN)

344 I miss having access to a commercial Xerox machine...

I've been printing out one of my books for 2 damn hours, and I'm finally done.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

345 We're going to lose our next big war, I fear.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:07 PM (xcxpd)
++++
There won't be a next big war. There will be a next big walkover.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (zxP/x)

346 Narcan is a moneymaking grift for bleeding hearts (both left and right) that 'just want to do something' for the addicts.

Nearly every Narcan 'vending machine' is free.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (Q4IgG)

347 332 312 I think Narcan is as big a problem as Fenty is.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:00 PM (xcxpd)
++++

I agree - and note that while Fentanyl is provided by foreign sources, Narcan is exclusively provided by our own government, at all levels.

One might suspect that they are making a lot of profit from the sale and use of Narcan.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (i9ffA)

348 idk the history, but I thought we won the Vietnam war, THEN Dem congress refused to fund the support for the South, THEN we were lifting our people and some S Vietnamese from the embassy in helicopters. And then a few million S Vietnamese were slaughtered?

Posted by: illiniwek at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (Cus5s)

349 I miss having access to a commercial Xerox machine...

I've been printing out one of my books for 2 damn hours, and I'm finally done.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

I hope they all came out fine.

Posted by: Blinking "Low Ink" Light at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (Angsy)

350 344 I miss having access to a commercial Xerox machine...

I've been printing out one of my books for 2 damn hours, and I'm finally done.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

*scoffs*

Print it out in dot matrix and get back to me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (zZu0s)

351 307 And now, a Christmas carol. Maybe they best Christmas carol.

https://tinyurl.com/yz8kmkde

can't check at work, so imma just assume it's "christmas at ground zero"

Posted by: anachronda at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (oY6Yp)

352 As Venezuela showed us, a modern Latin American country need only vote for communism once, then it will get communism and poverty in perpetuity.

-----------

* The USA has entered the chat *
_____

The 2008 election?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (fs1hN)

353
1. Declare victory.
2. Go home.

Posted by: Mack Na Mara at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (NBVIP)

354
When I got out of the Navy I drew unemployment for two months. Didn’t get a job until the unemployment office started bugging me.

Posted by: vic at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (A5THL)

355 One might suspect that they are making a lot of profit from the sale and use of Narcan.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 18, 2023 12:09 PM (i9ffA)
++++
Some people are. It's not a needle-mover, though. Sure, whoever is at that particular trough will try to defend that position, but it isn't enough to avoid changes. But there's also little risk of changes for various other reasons.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:11 PM (zxP/x)

356 can't check at work, so imma just assume it's "christmas at ground zero"
Posted by: anachronda

No, it's dogs singing. Hilarious!

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 12:11 PM (qoGsy)

357 The 2008 election?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (fs1hN)

My first thought. '92 was my second.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:11 PM (zZu0s)

358 331 324 Military influencer Anthony Laster posted a video that emphasized the Army life is now for him: "Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!" The video was viewed more than 600,000 times.

... completely ungrateful for the aspects of DEI introduced
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:04 PM (RHGPo)
---
That used to be a means of creating a "bonding experience" for the soldiers because they were all in the same foxhole, so to speak. They could grumble and gripe about it, but the NCOs could also keep on an eye on the real troublemakers and deal with them as needed. The system largely works well when it's allowed to, leading to a truly remarkable fighting force at its peak.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2023 12:11 PM (7fElN)

359 We can’t defend ships from Yemen. When China attacks it’s gonna be like Germany vs Poland.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 12:12 PM (zZ/ws)

360 idk the history, but I thought we won the Vietnam war, THEN Dem congress refused to fund the support for the South, THEN we were lifting our people and some S Vietnamese from the embassy in helicopters. And then a few million S Vietnamese were slaughtered?

During Operation Linebacker in 1972, we were bombing Hanoi and Haiphong Harbor, and bringing their infrastructure to the point of collapse. That was when they came to the "negotiating table", when Henry Kissinger told them to wait a "decent interlude" before continuing their invasion of the south. At the same time, we pursued a Vietnamization strategy, in which we were supposed to build up the South's ability to fight off the invasion themselves.

It would have worked, but for the fact that the Dems cut off all resupply, because reasons...

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:13 PM (CsUN+)

361 We can’t defend ships from Yemen. When China attacks it’s gonna be like Germany vs Poland.
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 12:12 PM (zZ/ws)

One of our planes will accidentally drop a bomb on one of their radio stations?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2023 12:13 PM (Angsy)

362 This is an interesting bit:
Naloxone was patented in 1961 and approved for opioid overdose in the United States in 1971.[18][19] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[20] Naloxone is available as a generic medication.[13][21]

1971. Why are we only now hearing about it?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:14 PM (zZu0s)

363 348 I am in one of the most red areas of the country, some of it having to do with the Vietnamese American population. Nearby Fort Chaffee was an induction area, so to speak, for a lot of the boat people. Many settled here, and never forgot what the Democrat Congress did to their country in need. The local Vietnamese Catholic Church still flies, proudly, the old Republic flag beneath the the Stars and Stripes.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 12:14 PM (0EOe9)

364 Hiya Vic !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2023 12:15 PM (T4tVD)

365 Using the Chinese Propaganda media for your complaints seems to be where we are at

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2023 12:15 PM (fwDg9)

366 Print it out in dot matrix and get back to me.
=======
CLACKITY-CLACKITY-CLACK-CLACK-CLACKITY...

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:15 PM (2yu8s)

367 I wasn’t alive during the Vietnam war. So I know only why the ”history books” say. Which is probably a bunch of bullshit.

Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 12:15 PM (zZ/ws)

368 The local Vietnamese Catholic Church still flies, proudly, the old Republic flag beneath the the Stars and Stripes.
------
There are two houses along the main road next to my house that fly the RVN flag too.

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:16 PM (2yu8s)

369 I'm not 65 yet. But if I go in, I go in with no rules.
Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (GIBR7)

Yep. Rules are for fucking chumps. And the commies don't play by them, anyway.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (R4t5M)

370 Heh. The Bee:
Man Longs For Good Old Days When He Could Go Online Without Seeing Gay Capitol Sex Tape https://buff.ly/41Gs0xj

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (zZu0s)

371 ...I miss having access to a commercial Xerox machine... I've been printing out one of my books for 2 damn hours, and I'm finally done. Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

Open an account with either your nearby Staples, Office Despot, or UPS Store. e-mail 'em the file to print.

They'll have it done, collated and bound, by time you arrive at the store. AND, even at retail, I'd think the cost-per-page is going to end up le$$ than using your own paper, ink or toner.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (e6UQI)

372 Business, i.e., transportation, rehabilitation, etc., is the driver. Wherever a port, including inland waterways, there's drug movement. See:

>CFR dot org, April 19, '23, Fentanyl and the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, Opioid addiction and abuse in the United States has become a prolonged epidemic, endangering public health, economic output, and national security.

What are the demographics of the opioid crisis? The vast majority of those who overdose on opioids are non-Hispanic white Americans, who made up close to 70 percent of the annual total in 2020. Black Americans and Hispanic Americans accounted for about 17 and 12 percent of cases, respectively. (U.S. military veterans twice as likely as the general population to die from an opioid overdose, according to a study commissioned by NIH.)

>Freight Caviar, The 10 Largest Trucking Drug Busts of 2023

>U.S. Customs & Border Protection has been busy this year, Aug. 23, '23.

Crewmembers of the Coast Guard Cutter James assist with the offload of nearly $445 million in illegal drugs in Port Everglades, Florida, Oct 26, 2023. The offload is a result of suspected drug smuggling interdictions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Posted by: L - They don't have to outrun the bear, they only need to outrun us - for now at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (GshMh)

373 We can’t defend ships from Yemen. When China attacks it’s gonna be like Germany vs Poland.
Posted by: Montec at December 18, 2023 12:12 PM (zZ/ws)
++++
Hitting the missile bases enough to wreck up the joint completely is probably not only doable but probably fairly straightforward as far as military campaigns go.

But doing that would piss off the Iranians. It will formally (if not actually) piss off the Saudis. It will make the rest of the Muslims angry and it will cause problems at home. There's the politics of "nation building" and trying to "fix" Yemen after we blast their Iranian kit to smithereens, and the problem of preventing resupply which will require engaging against Iran more directly, though outside of Iran itself.

The weight of the disasters - courted and uncourted - weighs upon the United States like a mountain atop a mouse.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:18 PM (zxP/x)

374 Military influencer?

Posted by: Lady in Black at December 18, 2023 12:18 PM (mupln)

375 364 Hiya Vic !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2023 12:15 PM (T4tVD)

Howdy.

Posted by: vic at December 18, 2023 12:18 PM (A5THL)

376 The local Vietnamese Catholic Church still flies, proudly, the old Republic flag beneath the the Stars and Stripes.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2023 12:14 PM (0EOe9)

Some Iranian ex-pats I met never forgot what Jimmah Cawtah did to them, their families and their country.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 12:19 PM (8e0w3)

377 They'll have it done, collated and bound, by time you arrive at the store.
Jim

This reminded me of "Do not fold, spindle, or mutilate."

I miss the olden times.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 18, 2023 12:19 PM (qoGsy)

378 This is a misconception. You’re not getting back at an employer. Employers pay money into a fund for their employees. Unemployment is then distributed from that fund. But it’s a general fund not an individual fund. And once the employee is terminated the employer no longer pays into it for the employee.

It’s just insurance.
---
They do bump up your premiums if an ex employee submits a claim.
Just like all insurance.
Insurance is a scam; your money goes into a pot to fund their investments, not claims, they're just investment firms under a different name. The only thing worse is not having it.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice - Personality Commentator at December 18, 2023 12:20 PM (TzW+Y)

379 371 ...I miss having access to a commercial Xerox machine... I've been printing out one of my books for 2 damn hours, and I'm finally done. Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

Open an account with either your nearby Staples, Office Despot, or UPS Store. e-mail 'em the file to print.

They'll have it done, collated and bound, by time you arrive at the store. AND, even at retail, I'd think the cost-per-page is going to end up le$$ than using your own paper, ink or toner.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Posted by: Jim at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (e6UQI)

Good idea, thanks Jim

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo and keep your rifle by your side at December 18, 2023 12:20 PM (xcxpd)

380 Print it out in dot matrix and get back to me.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:10 PM (zZu0s)
---
Dot matrix printers could put out some pretty good beats sometimes.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 12:21 PM (krQz2)

381 The Walls Are Closing in on the Bidens

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:22 PM (RHGPo)

382 Dot matrix printers could put out some pretty good beats sometimes.
Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 12:21 PM (krQz2)

Ben Shapiro reading War and Peace really fast.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:22 PM (zZu0s)

383 Video bombing.

https://tinyurl.com/5jum7d47

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 18, 2023 12:22 PM (FVME7)

384 Man Longs For Good Old Days When He Could Go Online Without Seeing Gay Capitol Sex Tape https://buff.ly/41Gs0xj

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (zZu0s)
---
This is obviously an EveryMan story.

Posted by: Axeman at December 18, 2023 12:22 PM (krQz2)

385 We need more hard men.

Posted by: Ben Cardin at December 18, 2023 11:58 AM (krQz2)

This!!!!!!!!!

Oh shit, it's Michael...

Posted by: Barack Obama, Man's Country Lifetime Member at December 18, 2023 12:22 PM (FD5dr)

386 @373: Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:18 PM (zxP/x)

Joe, why would the Saudis or any other oil producing gulf state be upset about the Yemen getting their clocks cleaned. Yemen is not their friend, currently.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 12:24 PM (8e0w3)

387 They are making a 'Civil War' movie. A modern what if of a civil war.

What could go wrong?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:24 PM (zZu0s)

388 I'm not 65 yet. But if I go in, I go in with no rules.
Posted by: rickb223 at December 18, 2023 12:01 PM (GIBR7)

Yep. Rules are for fucking chumps. And the commies don't play by them, anyway.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 18, 2023 12:17 PM (R4t5M)

I’m not yet 65 either. I’ve taken care of myself… exercise regularly, usually watch what I eat (except this time of year…. Sigh)

But I have no illusions of being capable at all about of being some kind of hard man alpha if the burning times arrive. I’m too old… too many little aches and pains. I’m a physical specimen for my age in a peaceful civilian society. In some kind of burning times apocalypse I wouldn’t survive long. I pray society does not fall apart. I sounds satisfying but it’d be catastrophic

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 18, 2023 12:24 PM (9Tih0)

389 The Walls Are Closing in on the Bidens
Posted by: SMOD
---

Just a tease, I'm afraid.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (XeU6L)

390 But doing that would piss off the Iranians. It will formally (if not actually) piss off the Saudis.

Why would it anger the Saudis, who are on the receiving end of the Houthi missiles. The Houthis are Iranian proxies attacking SA.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (CsUN+)

391 Joe, why would the Saudis or any other oil producing gulf state be upset about the Yemen getting their clocks cleaned. Yemen is not their friend, currently.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 12:24 PM (8e0w3)
++++
In reality, I don't think the KSA will be upset. Officially - diplomatically - I think they will be. This is *their* back yard, and they're the top dog. Nobody - officially - likes someone else trodding through their rose garden.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (zxP/x)

392 Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Administration Orders California Spending Freeze

Capital flight is real. There isn’t enough wealth coming from the wealthy any longer.

In a memo sent across California agencies and departments this week, the director of the Department of Finance wrote, “It is vitally important that state government is efficient, effective, and only expends funds that are necessary to the critical operation and security of the state. As such, all state entities must take immediate action to reduce expenditures and identify all operational savings achieved.”

Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (RHGPo)

393 Joe, why would the Saudis or any other oil producing gulf state be upset about the Yemen getting their clocks cleaned. Yemen is not their friend, currently.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 18, 2023 12:24 PM (8e0w3)

The Houthis have been launching missiles at Saudi, too.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 18, 2023 12:26 PM (VtvH6)

394 In a memo sent across California agencies and departments this week, the director of the Department of Finance wrote, “It is vitally important that state government is efficient, effective, and only expends funds that are necessary to the critical operation and security of the state. As such, all state entities must take immediate action to reduce expenditures and identify all operational savings achieved.”
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (RHGPo)

Hmmmm.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:26 PM (zZu0s)

395 392 In a memo sent across California agencies and departments this week, the director of the Department of Finance wrote, “It is vitally important that state government is efficient, effective, and only expends funds that are necessary to the critical operation and security of the state. As such, all state entities must take immediate action to reduce expenditures and identify all operational savings achieved.”
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (RHGP

=========

Why would he have to do this? California is the best state in the country and a pinnacle for the rest of the nation, all while the economy is doing fantastic.

Probably Trump's fault.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, watching some more Best Pictures at December 18, 2023 12:26 PM (GBKbO)

396 In a memo sent across California agencies and departments this week, the director of the Department of Finance wrote, “It is vitally important that state government is efficient, effective, and only expends funds that are necessary to the critical operation and security of the state. As such, all state entities must take immediate action to reduce expenditures and identify all operational savings achieved.”
Posted by: SMOD at December 18, 2023 12:25 PM (RHGPo)
++++
But CA is great! Doesn't Newsom always crow about how great CA is, and how responsible, and that all is wine and roses?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (zxP/x)

397 But I have no illusions of being capable at all about of being some kind of hard man alpha if the burning times arrive.

Yup. If that day comes, I don't expect to survive it. If I can take one of the bastards with me, it's a wash; if I can take two, it's a win.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (M6W3j)

398 Sigh. This is a thing, for real.

NOOD SENATE SEX TAPE

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (zxP/x)

399 Our country is a hated laughing stock. We deserve it.

Posted by: DOYLE at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (Z8Yh2)

400 Nood. Gay and Lame.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (zZu0s)

401 Yep. Rules are for fucking chumps. And the commies don't play by them, anyway.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory
---------

Lessons I learned playing poker with my dad:

A. Play your cards close to your chest
B. Never telegraph your punches

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2023 12:28 PM (XeU6L)

402 As was noted, by the end of the Junta's term, they will have admitted enough illegal aliens that will total more than a quarter of the black population and double the population of American Jews.

That's a lot of people to feed, clothe, house and employ.

This is going to inexorably transform the US, literally overnight.

Remember that PA town that went from 5 pct Spanish population to greater than 50 pct population in less than 15 years, well the Junta is doing that to the entire country at an expedited rate.

12 million becomes 24 million, 24 million becomes 48 million very quickly.

Before you know it, the US will be over 400 Million and well on it' way to half a billion, angry, disconnected people at each others throats.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 18, 2023 12:29 PM (rc3Z7)

403 What could go wrong?
-------
TX and CA could be allies to overthrow D.C. and kill enemies by using self-driving Teslas!

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:30 PM (2yu8s)

404 If Trump gets relected the World will not respect us and new wars will break out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ferd Berfall at December 18, 2023 12:30 PM (qpLSv)

405 Maybe if the Cargo Ships fly the GAY PRIDE FLAG when transiting the Red Sea the Houti's will leave them alone.

Posted by: Ferd Berfall at December 18, 2023 12:31 PM (qpLSv)

406 The top N. Vietnese General said the B-52s were pounding them to the point of surrender, but then the bombing stopped ????

Posted by: Ferd Berfall at December 18, 2023 12:33 PM (qpLSv)

407 Fuck. Our government and political parties want us to be 100-million [forced up to 40-million so far] so I'm sure the U.S. is planning for more than 400.

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:33 PM (2yu8s)

408 nood fags

Posted by: andycanuck (2yu8s) at December 18, 2023 12:34 PM (2yu8s)

409 I say, start holding Robin Sage at the border.

Posted by: SouthCentralPA at December 18, 2023 01:20 PM (J3OJd)

410 I hate self-checkout lines.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at December 18, 2023 11:15 AM (N3zMI)

I love them. But I am an admitted impatient asshole who dislikes people.
Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at December 18, 2023 11:17 AM (zZu0s)

Join the Club Of Impatient Assholes Local 1267. We have jackets. And cool hats.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at December 18, 2023 02:25 PM (iODuv)

411 Law enforcement in Texas have arrested two Mexican nationals with cartel ties who were seen coming across the U.S. southern border armed with rifles and armor-piercing rounds.
I'm sorry. WHY were they arrested? They should have been shot down as invaders. PERIOD. Bang! Bang! Done. After you've investigated, let the 4-legged coyotes have them.

Progressivism is a suicide pact.

Posted by: GWB at December 18, 2023 06:01 PM (sSx7k)

412 U.S. Customs and Border Protection is urging Border Patrol agents to be wary in the area in light of the use of IEDs.
Or, you know, we could assemble a task force and put someone like Pershing in charge (I know a guy who would work, and he's volunteering) and go in and wipe out this threat to our country.

Whether we stay and keep that part of Mexico is a matter to be settled later.

Posted by: GWB at December 18, 2023 06:03 PM (sSx7k)

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