The Hill: Democrats Fear the Backlash from Their Far-Left Antifa/Trantifa Base If They Re-Open the Government

And at least one Biden judge thinks that any lefty claiming to be a transgender can attempt assassinations and only get a wrist slap as punishment, so this isn't the kind of smoke Democrats are willing to face.

Some Democrats skeptical about their leadership's hard-line stance against reopening the federal government privately acknowledge that they fear getting "hammered" by their liberal base if they vote for a Republican funding bill.
Grassroots Democrats frustrated with the Trump administration have been demanding a fight, and on Saturday millions showed up at "No Kings" demonstrations across the country to protest the president's government.
In that context, Democrats know they will get hit hard by a number of voices on the left if they do not get something for opening the government.
"People are going to get hammered" if they vote for the House-passed bill to reopen the government and keep it funded through Nov. 21, said one Democratic senator who requested anonymity to talk candidly about their party.
A second person familiar with the political dynamics within the Senate Democratic caucus, who spoke with The Hill ahead of the "No Kings" protests, said centrist senators are fearful of breaking with leaders while party activists are planning the anti-Trump rallies.

There are no centrist Democrat Senators but let's settle on the term "professional managerial class establishment leftwingers."

"We would have enough votes" to reopen the government "if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine," the second person said.

Note that Antifa (not just an idea) brings guillotines to its various riots and insurrections so I don't think this person is speaking entirely metaphorically.

On Thursday, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) became the fourth Democrat to signal unease with the party's staunch opposition to what in normal times would be relatively uncontroversial funding bills when she voted Thursday to advance an $852 billion defense funding bill.

Liberal activists called the votes to fund the Department of Defense and to reopen the government without Republican concessions on health care "baffling" and a "mistake."

...

Fetterman pushed back against that criticism and defended his vote for the defense spending bill as motivated by concern for military families who might have to rely on food banks if they stop getting paychecks.

"I voted yes to pay our service members. That's service members over party. That's not baffling to me," he said.

All of this is music to the ears of Republicans, who want centrist Democrats to feel the pain.

Hakeem Jeffries, nephew of extreme anti-white racist and black supremacist Leonard Jeffries, of course objects to paying our troops while they remain on guard and on duty.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told the Daily Caller News Foundation on Monday that he opposed standalone legislation to pay troops and federal employees reporting to work during the funding lapse. Democratic lawmakers are showing few signs of ending the 20-day long shutdown despite millions of federal employees facing mounting financial stress due to the prospect of missing their next paycheck.
"It appears to be more like a political ploy giving Donald Trump discretion over which employees should be compensated and which employees should not be compensated," Jeffries said during a press conference in the U.S. Capitol. "All employees should be compensated, and that will happen when we reopen the government."

Jeffries isn't afraid of any blowback from the angry Navy personnel serving on the high seas. Word on the street is that Hakeem Jeffries has never flinched from taking on salty seamen with gusto.

🚨WATCH: Jeffries tells @AndiNapier that he does NOT support legislation that the Senate is expected to vote on this week to pay federal employees and service members calling, it a "political ploy." pic.twitter.com/y0D9eQZhuE
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 20, 2025

Posted by: Ace at 02:10 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nutless as a skinny squirrel.

Posted by: huerfano at October 21, 2025 02:13 PM (98kQX)

2 Not a good look for the Dems

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:13 PM (VE6XX)

3 Good to know who runs Bartertown.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:13 PM (ExV1e)

4 Dems have a history of giving backs lashes...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:13 PM (ynpvh)

5 4 Good to know who runs Bartertown.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:13 PM (ExV1e)

I'd like to see them spend some time in Barreltown...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:14 PM (ynpvh)

6 All of this is music to the ears of Republicans, who want centrist Democrats to feel the pain.

=======

I hope progressives spend hundreds of millions on primary fights early next year.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:14 PM (GBKbO)

7 They actually bring real guillotines?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at October 21, 2025 02:14 PM (zZu0s)

8 Keep it closed and starve the EBT'ers. See how well that works out for you.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire at October 21, 2025 02:15 PM (1a9a5)

9 Jeffries isn't afraid of any blowback

He's lucky.

Posted by: Kumala Whoris at October 21, 2025 02:15 PM (ynpvh)

10 As we've seen from the Moslem world for the last couple hundred years... sad fact is that Terrorism DOES work.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:15 PM (mP0Kj)

11 Government. Stay closed forever.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:16 PM (+U7B7)

12 Pfft. Just pretend Antifa is going to do a J6 and go to town.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 21, 2025 02:16 PM (rbvCR)

13 Hey, TJM, surprised you haven't edited comment 1 yet. Have you stopped doing that?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:16 PM (ExV1e)

14 Shaheen still hasn't changed her vote though...

When she does, the preference cascade may start...

Maybe Wednesday (which I think should be the next vote - I think only way a vote happens today is if Schumer calls Thune and asks for it)...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (tOcjL)

15 Not merely the nephew of Leonard Jeffries but also the defender of Leonard Jeffries at the time his vile racism and antisemitism gained national attention. Hakeem also took the opportunity to bash black conservatives as the modern "House Negro".

Posted by: My Ridiculously Circuitous Plan at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (eke50)

16 8 They actually bring real guillotines?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at October 21, 2025 02:14 PM (zZu0s)

real imitation jumbo shrimp guillotines.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (ynpvh)

17 "We put the skeer on 'em, now keep 'em runnin'!"

- things Nathan Bedford Forrest probably said

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (kHop/)

18 13 Pfft. Just pretend Antifa is going to do a J6 and go to town.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 21, 2025 02:16 PM (rbvCR)

$20...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (ynpvh)

19 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (RHGPo)

20 Word on the street is that Hakeem Jeffries has never flinched from taking on salty seamen with gusto.
Posted by: Ace at 02:10 PM

----
Lol.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (6tEBv)

21 9 Keep it closed and starve the EBT'ers. See how well that works out for you.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire at October 21, 2025 02:15 PM (1a9a5)

Trump won't do that...he'll threaten it, and then find the money on Oct 31 and dare Dems to deny him...ala the military pay...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (tOcjL)

22 Keep it closed and starve the EBT'ers. See how well that works out for you.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire at October 21, 2025 02:15 PM (1a9a5)

I saw a video where some guy was lamenting that the po' folks was gonna starve and Trump needed to come back to the table. Like, motherfucker, Congress is the holdup. Specifically, the Senate is the holdup. More specifically, Democrats in the Senate is the holdup.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (ExV1e)

23 Not merely the nephew of Leonard Jeffries but also the defender of Leonard Jeffries at the time his vile racism and antisemitism gained national attention.

What is it with Democrats and nephews who are even shittier than their uncles? Asking for Hasan's dog.

Posted by: Ian S. at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (2ocoG)

24 The Dems think they are winning this... Of course they also think their No Kings " protest" was a success...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (VE6XX)

25 Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters.
Every time I see this maniac he's yelling some nonsense and slamming his fist on something.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (abIsI)

26 N3 Not a good look for the Dems

As always, the question is "compared to what?".

I mean, compared to inflatable penis costumes, I think it's an improvement.

https://is.gd/xa2agt

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM (Riz8t)

27 20 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (RHGPo)

Good.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM (ynpvh)

28 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

29 I’m going play psychic.

Ready?

A group of “Republicans” largely from Blue States have put together a proposal to extend the Obamacare Subsidies. It’s a terrible deal BTW, sinkhole and backdoor for government funded healthcare.

These “Republicans” wrote a letter telling Johnson the want to do this. But what they aim to do is undermine the caucus, and vote with Democrats to get the subsidies passed. So what they’re doing is telling Democrats if they end the shutdown, they will vote with them to extend the subsidies.

That’s the quid pro quo that’s coming and anyone involved in it needs a primary opponent.

Posted by: Marcus T at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (QG3cQ)

30 25 The Dems think they are winning this... Of course they also think their No Kings " protest" was a success...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (VE6XX)

Yet there's still a king in the UK...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (ynpvh)

31 >>20 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD

You can keep him.

Posted by: Easter Island at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (abIsI)

32 Liberal activists called the votes to fund the Department of Defense and to reopen the government without Republican concessions on health care "baffling" and a "mistake."

Department of Defense? Never heard of it.

Posted by: Cray Cray at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (nNFe/)

33 Word on the street is that Hakeem Jeffries has never flinched from taking on salty seamen with gusto.
Posted by: Ace at 02:10 PM

Or pesto. Either / or.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (Riz8t)

34 30 I’m going play psychic.

Ready?

A group of “Republicans” largely from Blue States have put together a proposal to extend the Obamacare Subsidies. It’s a terrible deal BTW, sinkhole and backdoor for government funded healthcare.

These “Republicans” wrote a letter telling Johnson the want to do this. But what they aim to do is undermine the caucus, and vote with Democrats to get the subsidies passed. So what they’re doing is telling Democrats if they end the shutdown, they will vote with them to extend the subsidies.

That’s the quid pro quo that’s coming and anyone involved in it needs a primary opponent.

Posted by: Marcus T at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (QG3cQ)

There are many in Congress that enjoy the back door...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (ynpvh)

35 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

I gots nine babies to feed and three on the way. I gots no time for a job. -- actual EBT TikTok video

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (ExV1e)

36 15 Shaheen still hasn't changed her vote though...

When she does, the preference cascade may start...

Maybe Wednesday (which I think should be the next vote - I think only way a vote happens today is if Schumer calls Thune and asks for it)...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (tOcjL)

This is Shaheen's last term - she's retiring. So there is no risk for her to make this vote.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (N39Ws)

37 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (RHGPo)

Good.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM (ynpvh)
-

Or more of this:

https://tinyurl.com/yckyn8ra

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (s/jWD)

38 Or pesto. Either / or.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (Riz8t)

I don't know whether you just ruined pesto or commenting.

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (uWTh9)

39 You know who else gets paid for not working? Royalty.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (+U7B7)

40 32 >>20 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD

You can keep him.

Posted by: Easter Island at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (abIsI)

Can he be buried up to his neck like the other Moai?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (ynpvh)

41 Pissed off voters may bet you out of office. Pissed off Antifa may kill you.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (jc0TO)

42 It is hysterical the Dems thought Hakeem could be as cunning as Nancy Pelosi. He sure is failing to rise to the occasion. His rap - what the heck even was that?

Posted by: Piper at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (OoFl2)

43 29 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

Got behind one a couple months ago.. Junk food mostly.. Tried to use her card and the checker said it was empty... Came up with a second one and that worked..... The woman did not speak English

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (VE6XX)

44 25 The Dems think they are winning this... Of course they also think their No Kings " protest" was a success...

The gist of the post is that they DON'T think they're winning. They're losing badly and they know it.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (Riz8t)

45 39 Or pesto. Either / or.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (Riz8t)

I don't know whether you just ruined pesto or commenting.

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (uWTh9)

Yeah, that's not how I make Pesto sauce...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (ynpvh)

46 I’m going play psychic.

Hasn't it already happened? Hardly psychic.

It's just like the blue state Republicans got the SALT exemption raised.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:23 PM (ExV1e)

47 The government is shut down? Huh.
What's the death toll up to?

Posted by: wth at October 21, 2025 02:23 PM (UjdFS)

48 The woman did not speak English
Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (VE6XX)

You know who else didn't speak English?

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2025 02:23 PM (uWTh9)

49 8 They actually bring real guillotines?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at October 21, 2025 02:14 PM (zZu0s

Man,I'd love to put those to work.

50, maybe 60 million should improve things greatly...

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (Sco7b)

50 36 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

I gots nine babies to feed and three on the way. I gots no time for a job. -- actual EBT TikTok video
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (ExV1e)

And when is a real man gonna provide for me and my 12 kids from 137 potential baby daddies? Dusty-ass broke-ass muthafuckas...

Posted by: Now a standard dating app profile! at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (TbWk/)

51 The gist of the post is that they DON'T think they're winning. They're losing badly and they know it.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (Riz8t)

They talk a big game....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (VE6XX)

52 I’m going play psychic.

Hasn't it already happened? Hardly psychic.

It's just like the blue state Republicans got the SALT exemption raised.

Johnson has been absolutely firm that that's not an option.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (Riz8t)

53 As always, the question is "compared to what?".

I mean, compared to inflatable penis costumes, I think it's an improvement.

https://is.gd/xa2agt
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM

Yeah, that was ... weird. The police having to explain this on tv was awkward and amusing.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (jc0TO)

54 If the EBTs run out we could get lower prices due to lack of demand.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (+U7B7)

55 45 25 The Dems think they are winning this... Of course they also think their No Kings " protest" was a success...

The gist of the post is that they DON'T think they're winning. They're losing badly and they know it.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (Riz8t)

She meant ultimately...they know they are losing now, but think if they keep waiting, they can turn the tide...

Irrational people will not suddenly become rational just b/c the nation might want them to do so...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (tOcjL)

56 There are no centrist Democrat Senators
---
Exactly. Centrist Democrat is just an idea.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (krQz2)

57 I'd love to rip the Dems for Jefferies, and others but...McConnell, and others.

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (s9EN2)

58 Johnson has been absolutely firm that that's not an option.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (Riz8t)

A firm Johnson is better than a flaccid one but politicians are always rock solid in their positions up until they change.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (ExV1e)

59 To quote Cabaret.

Democrats, "do you think you still control them?"

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (v7zmp)

60
She meant ultimately...they know they are losing now, but think if they keep waiting, they can turn the tide...

Irrational people will not suddenly become rational just b/c the nation might want them to do so...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (tOcjL)

Yes....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (VE6XX)

61 Blew dog democrats=unicorns.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (+U7B7)

62 20 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD

You can keep him.

Posted by: Easter Island at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (abIsI)

Can he be buried up to his neck like the other Moai?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:21 PM (ynpvh)

Not good enough. Buried up to the neck means the most you do is pee on yourself, but you can still *breath*.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (snZF9)

63 willow

If Puerto Rico ever actually breaks off and is an independent country, she can run for president? But she'd have to fight the political machine already on the island and jockey for position. It'll be a tough horse race.
Posted by: LizLem
-----------------------

We're never leaving Puerto Rico.
Look at top right of page.

https://tinyurl.com/yc3kkwk2

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (kkYD1)

64 They talk a big game....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (VE6XX)
---
1. Never give up the con.
2. Never give up the con.
3. Never give up the con.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:27 PM (krQz2)

65 52 The gist of the post is that they DON'T think they're winning. They're losing badly and they know it.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (Riz8t)

They talk a big game....

Yes they do. That's all they do. They are not a bunch of galactic brains. They've painted themselves into a nice little corner. The only thing they can do now is have a showdown with the left loons, and hope they can revert to some sort of reality-based position well in advance of '26 and especially '28, because if they don't, they're toast.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:27 PM (Riz8t)

66 29 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

There is that. And the upside is that while they are working, they aren't making babies they can't afford to feed.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:27 PM (urtE/)

67 Got behind one a couple months ago.. Junk food mostly.. Tried to use her card and the checker said it was empty... Came up with a second one and that worked..... The woman did not speak English
Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:22 PM (VE6XX)

Once I was very unemployed, very broke, and very much needing medical care for something. I could not qualify for Medicaid basically because I was not a single mother. Despite having paid a fuckton of my tax dollars into the system. So shit like that really pisses me off.

Posted by: Plenty for illegals and degenerates, none for us at October 21, 2025 02:27 PM (TbWk/)

68 Not merely the nephew of Leonard Jeffries but also the defender of Leonard Jeffries at the time his vile racism and antisemitism gained national attention. Hakeem also took the opportunity to bash black conservatives as the modern "House Negro".
Posted by: My Ridiculously Circuitous Plan at October 21, 2025 02:17 PM (eke50)

Is he a muzzloid, or Nation of Islam? "Hakeem" is a name of Arabic origin, AFAIK.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (8zz6B)

69 Johnson has been absolutely firm that that's not an option.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:24 PM (Riz8t)

A firm Johnson is better than a flaccid one but politicians are always rock solid in their positions up until they change.

Wow, how did I miss that?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (Riz8t)

70 >> Johnson has been absolutely firm that that's not an option.

No, he said a clean CR had to be passed and the Obamacare issue would be handled in regular order. He didn’t say there can’t be agreements on what will be done in regular order. Now as speaker he would have to let that deal come up for a vote. But he can’t stop people from offering amendments.

What I’m telling you is just like SALT the Blue State Republicans are going to try and undermine the caucus. There definitely are not enough Republican votes to pass what the Blue Staters want. So they’re going to undermine the rest of the party.

Posted by: Marcus T at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (QG3cQ)

71 57 There are no centrist Democrat Senators
---
Exactly. Centrist Democrat is just an idea.
Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (krQz2)

How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (urtE/)

72 >>> Fetterman pushed back against that criticism and defended his vote for the defense spending bill as motivated by concern for military families who might have to rely on food banks if they stop getting paychecks.
"I voted yes to pay our service members. That's service members over party. That's not baffling to me," he said.

Trump already has an anonymous donor lined up (Elon?) who has offered to pay all military paychecks during the shutdown. So the threat that military active duty families can't feed their kids and pay their bills is off the table. It;s not a bargaining chip.

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (gWBY1)

73 55 If the EBTs run out we could get lower prices due to lack of demand.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (+U7B7
If EBTs run out there won’t be much to stick a price on. It will be like that documentary, The Walking Dead.

Posted by: Eromero at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (LHPAg)

74 *blob* not blog

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (urtE/)

75 Wow, how did I miss that?
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (Riz8t)

I have a dirtier mind than you?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (ExV1e)

76 Willowed:
>>> 279 Mamdani's been a US citizen for only 8 years. Think on that.... Posted by: runner

The deeper problem is that some of the worst communist immigrant families were expelled from their home countries for getting too meddled into politics. So they come to America and find a way to worm their toxic brand of politics into our American fabric. Think Mamdami's Ugandan revolutionary roots and Ilhan Omar in Somalia.

Mamdami's commie professor dad in his own words:
https://tinyurl.com/4ybseuxv

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (gWBY1)

77 She meant ultimately...they know they are losing now, but think if they keep waiting, they can turn the tide...

Irrational people will not suddenly become rational just b/c the nation might want them to do so...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (tOcjL)

Yes....

Ah, okay. Nonetheless, I do think some of them know that the long term will not be kind to them if they don't get back into the realm of reality.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (Riz8t)

78 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

79 There is that. And the upside is that while they are working, they aren't making babies they can't afford to feed.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:27 PM (urtE/)

They'd also be giving up more in cash-equivalents, services and subsidies that they receive for making those babies they can't afford to feed than they could earn working a job. LBJ was a diabolical son of a bitch.

Posted by: Subsidize illegitimacy, get more of it at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (TbWk/)

80 57 There are no centrist Democrat Senators
---
Exactly. Centrist Democrat is just an idea.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (krQz2

We used to make fun of him, but Fetterman is the best the Dems have.

I don't think he can reign in the crazy but still. If the rest of the party was as sane and reasonable as Fetterman, the Dems wouldn't be such a laughing stock.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (Sco7b)

81 Trump already has an anonymous donor lined up (Elon?) who has offered to pay all military paychecks during the shutdown. So the threat that military active duty families can't feed their kids and pay their bills is off the table. It;s not a bargaining chip.

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (gWBY1)

I'm not sure that's entirely legal...what Trump's doing is more cleanly legal...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (tOcjL)

82
>>There are no centrist Democrat Senators but let's settle on the term "professional managerial class establishment leftwingers."

Another ace-ism that keeps me here.

PMCEL, or PIMPCELs.

The second "P" isn't actually in there, but consider it a whole language spelling.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (ldc7S)

83 There are no centrist Democrat Senators
---
Exactly. Centrist Democrat is just an idea.
Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:25 PM (krQz2)

How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (urtE/)

Carpet bombing.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (snZF9)

84 71 >> Johnson has been absolutely firm that that's not an option.

No, he said a clean CR had to be passed and the Obamacare issue would be handled in regular order. He didn’t say there can’t be agreements on what will be done in regular order. Now as speaker he would have to let that deal come up for a vote. But he can’t stop people from offering amendments.

What I’m telling you is just like SALT the Blue State Republicans are going to try and undermine the caucus. There definitely are not enough Republican votes to pass what the Blue Staters want. So they’re going to undermine the rest of the party.

Posted by: Marcus T

I don't think we disagree.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM (Riz8t)

85
Liberal activists called the votes to fund the Department of Defense and to reopen the government without Republican concessions on health care "baffling" and a "mistake."

=============

Can they stop saying "Department of Defense" already?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (ldc7S)

86
Yeah, that was ... weird. The police having to explain this on tv was awkward and amusing.
Posted by: toby928 at October

Oh my gosh, on Nextdoor, someone was losing their shizzle that it was brought up as it should no longer be spoken about,- fainting couch, pass the paper fans, oh how could you include a picture? Faints again.

Posted by: Piper at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (OoFl2)

87 Trump already has an anonymous donor lined up (Elon?) who has offered to pay all military paychecks during the shutdown. So the threat that military active duty families can't feed their kids and pay their bills is off the table. It;s not a bargaining chip.

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (gWBY1)

I'm not sure that's entirely legal...what Trump's doing is more cleanly legal...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM

Zero interest loans are probably kosher.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (jc0TO)

88 Democrats, "the calls are coming from inside the house."

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (v7zmp)

89 Can any private CEO get the idea that paying people working for them is just a "ploy"?

That would be okay for the libs?

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (krQz2)

90 79 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"
Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

=======

People acting like this shutdown is at all a loss that Republicans need to do anything to get out of are seriously misreading the situation.

The general vibe is, "My partisan enemies are responsible, and I'm not really suffering."

There's no incentive to bend or break right now for anyone on a political level.

On a policy level, Democrats should just give up because the programs Vought is cutting are going to be more than enough to pay for ACA subsidies (ugh...they're gonna stay because of course).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (GBKbO)

91 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"
Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

No side wants to be the one to nuke the filibuster unless it's a matter of life or death. Trump is 'finding' ways to pay the people that Republicans want paid. This is pain for the Democrats so why would the Republicans give them a lifeline?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (ExV1e)

92 79 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

Thune won't do that for the short CR...he wants D Senators to continue to suffer for their ridiculous votes...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (tOcjL)

93 If RICO is already designed for this, then why is a new Senate bill necessary?

https://tinyurl.com/4hzz68cu

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (s/jWD)

94 Oh my gosh, on Nextdoor, someone was losing their shizzle that it was brought up as it should no longer be spoken about,- fainting couch, pass the paper fans, oh how could you include a picture? Faints again.
Posted by: Piper at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM

Poor Shane Nolte drew the short straw on that one.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (jc0TO)

95 "Mamdani's been a US citizen for only 8 years."

White guilt is a real thing. Whitey's fault as usual. I thinking person might have said, "he just got here". A racist thinking person that is!

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (s9EN2)

96 92 No side wants to be the one to nuke the filibuster unless it's a matter of life or death. Trump is 'finding' ways to pay the people that Republicans want paid. This is pain for the Democrats so why would the Republicans give them a lifeline?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (ExV1e)

=======

Especially not over this bullshit which Trump is using to close down a bunch of statutorially questionable programs and the federal government jobs tied to them.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:33 PM (GBKbO)

97 I mean, compared to inflatable penis costumes, I think it's an improvement.

https://is.gd/xa2agt
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM

Blow me! No, literally, I'm leaking air.

Posted by: Inflatable penis at October 21, 2025 02:33 PM (TbWk/)

98 88 Trump already has an anonymous donor lined up (Elon?) who has offered to pay all military paychecks during the shutdown. So the threat that military active duty families can't feed their kids and pay their bills is off the table. It;s not a bargaining chip.

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (gWBY1)

I'm not sure that's entirely legal...what Trump's doing is more cleanly legal...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:30 PM

Zero interest loans are probably kosher.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:31 PM (jc0TO)

Likely the way it would have to go...but the paperwork expense and hassle of that is not small...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:33 PM (tOcjL)

99 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:28 PM (urtE/)
---
I've heard flour suggested.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:33 PM (krQz2)

100 What, no Otto Pilot costumes?

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 21, 2025 02:33 PM (v7zmp)

101 So Democrat politicians actually listen to their voters?

That's weird.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:34 PM (dGCAG)

102 I need to go see who is our municipal court judge now. The old one was a hardass that had no problem sending people to the lockup for 364 days just for having their cell phones ring in his court.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:34 PM (jc0TO)

103
This is Shaheen's last term - she's retiring. So there is no risk for her to make this vote.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed

===============

Hmm, that makes it even more interesting. If there's nothing in it for her, she could equally support Antifa.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:34 PM (ldc7S)

104 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)
---
If they nuke the cloture vote for a clean CR, they might as well retire that thing entirely.

Nobody is really fooled that the Senate is being "deliberative" about this shit.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:35 PM (krQz2)

105 Democrat politicians are listening to those who are threatening violence against them.

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 21, 2025 02:35 PM (v7zmp)

106 Blog of irrational goo.
Ace of Spades.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:35 PM (+U7B7)

107 The truth is out there.

A military spacecraft launched in 1969 is moving without official knowledge — and no one knows why

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (L/fGl)

108 Not sure "undermining the caucus" describes things precisely. That *is* the GOP caucus (the one that has done nothing, not even for a long time now burbled tired rhetoric on the subject, to undo any of the damage of O-care). The infamous McCain stunt in 2017 being the sole exception (and that was a partial repeal).

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (U/Byj)

109 How much black fatigue is enough?

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (jFCkp)

110
Shooting people for politics is just an idea.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (krQz2)

111 67 29 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:20 PM (+U7B7)

There is that. And the upside is that while they are working, they aren't making babies they can't afford to feed.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK
---------------------

Not paying able bodied people not to work is a major step in correcting our economy.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (kkYD1)

112 Wait -- the government is "shut down"? I didn't even know that.

(Been out of touch for a bit.)

Shows just how important "the federal government" even is.

As far as I;'m concerned, 90% of the Fed could be axed and that would be a good thing.

Posted by: zombie at October 21, 2025 02:37 PM (oraVG)

113 A military spacecraft launched in 1969 is moving without official knowledge — and no one knows why
-----------------
Space Aliens are invading for free health care.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:37 PM (jFCkp)

114 If RICO is already designed for this, then why is a new Senate bill necessary?

https://tinyurl.com/4hzz68cu
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (s/jWD)

1. RICO requires that an ongoing crime exist.
2. Presently, giving money to "an organization" is not a crime.
3. This bill would make it one if the organization existed for political means.
4. George Soros is a US citizen so I'm not sure by the poster named him... I didn't listen to the clip.
5. Since this would be susceptible to the filibuster, it's theater.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:37 PM (ExV1e)

115 Not good enough. Buried up to the neck means the most you do is pee on yourself, but you can still *breath*.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM

You get used to it after a while.

Posted by: Stephen Hawking at October 21, 2025 02:38 PM (ewjUl)

116
https://tinyurl.com/yckyn8ra
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey

=============

I have learned to click on your links, BDSAWLM. Another winner. I hope Halligan knows how to fight a judge.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:38 PM (ldc7S)

117 >>>moving without official knowledge — and no one knows why
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy
--------------

I don't understand, 'moving without official knowledge'.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (kkYD1)

118 It's about time Stephen Hawking got up off his ass.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (+U7B7)

119 All we really need are:

-- Nukes
-- Navy Seals
-- ICE
— and a single small office of accountants and secretaries.

Posted by: zombie at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (oraVG)

120 Aaron Ilg, 47, was originally booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility for the incident on Wednesday and later released on bond. On Saturday, Fruita Police officers were dispatched to an incident at the same location.
Ilg allegedly rammed into an occupied vehicle and fled the scene.

-
Ilg? Of the Boston Ilgs?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (L/fGl)

121 https://tinyurl.com/yckyn8ra
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey

Any plans to change your nic? This is the risk of naming yourself after the living and relevant.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (Riz8t)

122 I have a slightly different take on this. My take is the Dums are ready to reopen the government, but they can't do it without at least floating up a trial balloon first. So they float out this turd into the punch bowl.

I expect the needed Democrap votes to get to 60 will peal off in the next few days, maybe a week. That changes if one of them gets murdered by Antifag in the meantime.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 02:40 PM (iFTx/)

123 This is one of the greatest two for Tuesdays in history.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:40 PM (+U7B7)

124 Strange days when the left is going balls out to shut down the government

Posted by: Josephistan at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (FLx59)

125 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

Thune won't do that for the short CR...he wants D Senators to continue to suffer for their ridiculous votes...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (tOcjL)

Dumb question time: The filibuster... that's supposed to be when the side that wants to hold up a bill gets to talk forever.

Why aren't they doing that?

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (dGCAG)

126 >>> We're never leaving Puerto Rico.
Look at top right of page. https://tinyurl.com/yc3kkwk2
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 21, 2025 02:26 PM (kkYD1)

Good point, but listing Roosevelt roads in that map is sketch. Though they might be turning it into a Puerto Rican Alcatraz, or at least the base of drug trafficking countermeasures?

If a website is talking about your secret plans, they aren't secret...
https://tinyurl.com/54wpahzm

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (gWBY1)

127 102 So Democrat politicians actually listen to their voters?

That's weird.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:34 PM (dGCAG)

Not their voters. Their domestic terrorists.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (urtE/)

128 A military spacecraft launched in 1969 is moving without official knowledge — and no one knows why
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at October 21, 2025 02:36 PM (L/fGl)

Chinese Space Fungus.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (ExV1e)

129 Earlier thread, redundant observation that the constitutional order resembles Gaza at the moment - courts "allowing" the use of clear plenary executive authority to do executive things.

The absurd opinions of "judges" on motivations or justifications for actions entirely outside their purview (not to mention obviously well above and outside their substantive competence).

And every time a president implicitly stipulates this complete shredding of common sense and the constitutional order, by not repudiating a "court" or giving SCOTUS 24 hours to squash the nonsense, it becomes more entrenched. It's surreal - we now just nod along as the judiciary usurps and second-guesses and sabotages executive power even in the most critical areas like national security and law and order, as if it's normal or correct. The frog is so boiled we're talking over-done by this point.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (U/Byj)

130 Military is used to not being paid. First four months kid was deployed none of his people were paid.

Posted by: NCKate at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (4bYb7)

131 126 Dumb question time: The filibuster... that's supposed to be when the side that wants to hold up a bill gets to talk forever.

Why aren't they doing that?
Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (dGCAG)

======

Senate rules that allow for cloture votes to end debate instead of actual endless talking.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (GBKbO)

132 Millions showed up? Lol.

Thats why they had to air footage of Boston marches in 2017.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (PGEno)

133 Is Biden's Dig mort?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (+U7B7)

134 "This is pain for the Democrats so why would the Republicans give them a lifeline?"

Oh come on!

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (s9EN2)

135 126 Didn't Fetterman say the Republicans should nuke the filibuster in order to pass the bill with 50? Bet a few GOPw types would object, "that's not who we are"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2025 02:29 PM (8RjCi)

Thune won't do that for the short CR...he wants D Senators to continue to suffer for their ridiculous votes...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (tOcjL)

Dumb question time: The filibuster... that's supposed to be when the side that wants to hold up a bill gets to talk forever.

Why aren't they doing that?

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (dGCAG)

B/c Senators are lazy and have agreed 60 votes are needed for cloture and they don't need the pretense of endless preening...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (tOcjL)

136 I want to explore in more detail, the notion that once the government reopens we should pay these people for the work they did not have to do show up for? I mean sure they are people working without pay. Capitol police etc. But there are an awful lot of govt workers on vacation right now, right? Why pay them for that?

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (SBwP+)

137 I see no reason to reopen before the 21st anyway.

Just let the Dems keep voting against spending bills, and when they finally capitulate have everything you want passed lined up like airplanes waiting to take off and vote on them one after the other.

Posted by: Thatch at October 21, 2025 02:43 PM (4WVkB)

138
2. Presently, giving money to "an organization" is not a crime.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic
======
Look up the meaning of material support. Yes, it can be a violation plus there are other banking regulations that apply to transfers such as purposefully keeping multiple transfers below an individual transaction reporting threshold to avoid that.

See Holyland cases as an example.
wiki
"In December 2001, the U.S. designated HLF a terrorist organization, seized its assets, and closed the organization. At the time it was the largest Muslim charitable organization in the United States. It had been under FBI surveillance since 1994. In 2004, a federal grand jury in Dallas, Texas, charged HLF and five former officers and employees with providing material support to Hamas and related offenses. "

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:43 PM (WDjG6)

139 as a defense contractor I will be furloughed Nov 1st if there is still a shutdown

Posted by: Bitcoin Fixes Everything at October 21, 2025 02:43 PM (V6W16)

140 Of course the Democrats are afraid of their base. The average Democrat voter has the opposite problem Republicans do.

GOP politicians do anything their black little hearts desire, because their base will always come home to the fold. Dems have to hesitate, because their base might cap them in their necks in front of their kids.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (YGkzu)

141 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)

142 I expect the needed Democrap votes to get to 60 will peal off in the next few days, maybe a week. That changes if one of them gets murdered by Antifag in the meantime.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 02:40 PM (iFTx/)

It'll be amazing to see the rapid NPC reprogramming which will take place if a Dem is killed by Antifa.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (ExV1e)

143
Poor Shane Nolte drew the short straw on that one.
Posted by: toby928 at October 21

I had to look her up to make sure she wasn’t a client. I am safe! She isn’t even a full time FH resident, though, and if she is 53, I am 17.

Posted by: Piper at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (OoFl2)

144 Dumb question time: The filibuster... that's supposed to be when the side that wants to hold up a bill gets to talk forever.

Why aren't they doing that?
Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (dGCAG)

Modern Senators are pussies. Also, the GOP isn't in a hurry to reopen the government.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:45 PM (ExV1e)

145 https://tinyurl.com/4hzz68cu
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:32 PM (s/jWD)

1. RICO requires that an ongoing crime exist.
2. Presently, giving money to "an organization" is not a crime.
3. This bill would make it one if the organization existed for political means.
4. George Soros is a US citizen so I'm not sure by the poster named him... I didn't listen to the clip.
5. Since this would be susceptible to the filibuster, it's theater.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:37 PM (ExV1e)

The conspiracy provision of RICO should arguably cover this if a person is knowingly financing an enterprise engaged in a predicate pattern of racketeering as prohibited by the RICO statute. One would also think that anti-terrorism laws could be brought to bear as well. I doubt an entirely new law is needed, plus you generally can't make a previously lawful act into a crime as per the ex post facto prohibition. My gut tells me Cruz is grandstanding.

Posted by: The tools are probably already there at October 21, 2025 02:45 PM (TbWk/)

146 An apparent escalation in the Ukraine War - a few days ago, Poland refused to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian suspected of being a participant in the Nordstream pipeline bombings.

Pro-EU Polish Prime Minister Tusk explained that since the the Nordstream pipeline bombings were praiseworthy, Poland was not going to assist in any investigation of the bombings.

Having legitimized the concept that EU infrastructure could be attacked if that infrastructure aided Russia, two oil refineries, one in Hungary and one in Romania, caught fire within hours of each other yesterday. Both refineries were processing Russian oil.

Understandably, apparently the universal assumption in Hungary is that Ukraine is behind this.

This is going to do wonders for the already shaky Ukrainian-Hungarian relationship, particularly if there is evidence of Ukrainian involvement.
'

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 21, 2025 02:45 PM (xTIDn)

147 Trump chose this fight pretty well.

The left is losing money and influence with the government shut down BUT their base demands they get free healthcare for illegals as a condition to reopen the government

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:45 PM (sKqQm)

148 137 I want to explore in more detail, the notion that once the government reopens we should pay these people for the work they did not have to do show up for? I mean sure they are people working without pay. Capitol police etc. But there are an awful lot of govt workers on vacation right now, right? Why pay them for that?

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (SBwP+)

B/c Trump already signed the law saying he would in 2019, and fighting a losing court battle when he has so many court battles he needs to win would just be more pointless expense.

They need to pass a fix to the law if they want to do that, and they'll never get the votes right now.

AKA - why waste EVEN MORE MONEY on something you already agreed you'd lose on. Court battles are not cheap.

Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (tOcjL)

149 133 Millions showed up? Lol.

Thats why they had to air footage of Boston marches in 2017.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (PGEno)

I expect the real number was somewhere around 700K. But the lefty idiot I check out on Facebook was crowing a out 7M, because IDK why. These are the fools who post their triumphal act of getting the clot shot, so.... not deep thinkers.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (urtE/)

150 >>> 142 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)

Those making the case demons still walk among us might add that to their exhibit list.

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (gWBY1)

151 140 as a defense contractor I will be furloughed Nov 1st if there is still a shutdown
------------------
Oddly, I'm defense contractor, too. I have coverage till April. I think that was planned. There is going to be some diet on Civilian Workforce coming.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (jFCkp)

152
This is going to do wonders for the already shaky Ukrainian-Hungarian relationship, particularly if there is evidence of Ukrainian involvement.
'

Presumably Hungary could ask for NATO to intervene AGAINST Ukraine here...which would be hilarious.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (sKqQm)

153 141 Of course the Democrats are afraid of their base. The average Democrat voter has the opposite problem Republicans do.

GOP politicians do anything their black little hearts desire, because their base will always come home to the fold. Dems have to hesitate, because their base might cap them in their necks in front of their kids.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (YGkzu

Sexy.

Only because I don't consider them human.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 02:46 PM (Sco7b)

154 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

Balance it on an ottoman?

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (w9Wax)

155 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)
---
I want that assurance, in case I ever decide to not support Trump.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (krQz2)

156 Senate rules that allow for cloture votes to end debate instead of actual endless talking.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Talking filibuster is still on the rules btw. And because no senator may rise to speak more than once on an issue while holding the floor (endless questions are allowed), you can deplete the speaking list over time by exhausting the speaker's list. Estimates are that it would take grinding the Senate to a halt for a couple of months unless the Senate went into round the clock session which technically the majority leader can do so.

That alone would probably trigger a few anticipatory deaths among the elderly senators. They would have to sit and listen to their colleagues blather on or risk endless quorum calls.

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (WDjG6)

157 Remember too Tusk is one of those guys installed by an election 2020 type fraud effort, almost certainly with help from the US...

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (sKqQm)

158 157 That alone would probably trigger a few anticipatory deaths among the elderly senators. They would have to sit and listen to their colleagues blather on or risk endless quorum calls.
Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (WDjG6)

=======

All while the hidden gay Senator gets found out and commits suicide.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (GBKbO)

159
GOP politicians do anything their black little hearts desire, because their base will always come home to the fold. Dems have to hesitate, because their base might cap them in their necks in front of their kids.

I suspect the Luigi factor is in play because leftwing violence is a very real thing here

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (sKqQm)

160 Let the EBTers fight in the Coliseum for benefits.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (+U7B7)

161 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)

So many std's ~~she's~~ it's breaking out into weird rashes.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (8zz6B)

162 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)
---
DO NOT CLICK!!!

It's already too late for me.....

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (krQz2)

163 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution
==
Now do Samantha Power and Victoria Nuland.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (SBwP+)

164 Haymes Snedeker is our current judge. Not the hardass I was thinking of.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (jc0TO)

165 B/c Senators are lazy and have agreed 60 votes are needed for cloture and they don't need the pretense of endless preening...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (tOcjL)

I'd rather have the endless preening.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (dGCAG)

166 Oh... my... the Louvre was burgled and French Crown Jewels stolen within a couple of minutes...

Yeah... uh... first time ever the Director was a Woman, who hired a Woman as HEAD OF SECURITY...

OOPSIE!

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (mP0Kj)

167 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)

I would never, in a million years, have guessed that that person? was a leftist. Shocker.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (ExV1e)

168 Let the EBTers fight in the Coliseum for benefits.

You can end EBT overnight by making their benefits conditional on 8 hours of work cleaning up trash on the highways.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (sKqQm)

169 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

Use a level?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (+U7B7)

170 I suspect the Luigi factor is in play because leftwing violence is a very real thing here

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (sKqQm)
---
"Both sides back-shoot private citizens on the sidewalk."

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (krQz2)

171 Democrats Aren’t Going to Unconditionally Surrender on Shutdown. What can they demand that Trump will actually honor? Trump usurped Congress to take the power of the purse. How can Dems trust Republicans to honor any legislation that is passed?

This is about ensuring that corporations don't jack up healthcare rates on individuals. It's not about legislation.

Add Epstein Files Release and strengthening the voting rights act to the demands.

The Epstein files is a distraction from the market manipulation tactics

Trump is tearing down the East Wing for a golden ballroom while the country struggles to afford groceries. EAT THE FUCKING RICH.

Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

In college in the late 90's one of my professors said they were gonna destroy Roe v Wade. The class erupted with laughter. I'm not laughing anymore.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (JCZqz)

172 Note that Antifa (not just an idea) brings guillotines to its various riots and insurrections

Are they working guillotines?

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (FMtrg)

173 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution

Posted by: SMOD at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM (RHGPo)

Good.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 21, 2025 02:19 PM (ynpvh)
_____

Didn't this odobenus get a pardon?

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (iFTx/)

174 All while the hidden gay Senator gets found out and commits suicide.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM

He should be pulled from his closet, his face red and wet with tears of shame.

Posted by: Lindsay Graham at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (jc0TO)

175 Presumably Hungary could ask for NATO to intervene AGAINST Ukraine here...which would be hilarious.

Having Hungary invoking Article 5 against Ukraine, if there is evidence that Ukraine was behind the refinery fire, would definitely be one of the high points of 2025.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (xTIDn)

176
All while the hidden gay Senator gets found out and commits suicide.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:47 PM (GBKbO)

At this point, bravely comes out, collects almost a billion in donations, becomes a poster child and serves untul 106.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (Sco7b)

177 137 I want to explore in more detail, the notion that once the government reopens we should pay these people for the work they did not have to do show up for? I mean sure they are people working without pay. Capitol police etc. But there are an awful lot of govt workers on vacation right now, right? Why pay them for that?
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (SBwP+)

Most of us are salaried, and none of us asked to be furloughed. Should we go without pay because some lefty asshats decided to screw us over? Not every government employee is a deadbeat, although you wouldn't know that reading this blog. I earned my salary several times over saving $$ in federal contracting, slapping down idiots who would give it all away. But of course, YMMV.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (urtE/)

178 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

Ask Mr. Owl?

Posted by: He's real smart at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (TbWk/)

179 Just a little off the top.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (+U7B7)

180 Since 2020 NYC, LA , SF and Chicago metro areas have all lost population. This is metro area not just people moving to the suburbs from the cities.

Meanwhile Houston is up 9%, Dallas is up 9%, Miami up 5%, Phoenix up 7%, Charlotte up 8%, Orlando up 10%.

People are voting with their feet bigly.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 21, 2025 02:50 PM (PGEno)

181 All while the hidden gay Senator gets found out and commits suicide.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
Allan Drury knew what he spoke of. He was a long time newspaper reporter covering Congress. Somewhere you can find a list where people guessed which real people he employed as inspiration for some of his Advise and Consent characters.

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:51 PM (WDjG6)

182 I doubt an entirely new law is needed, plus you generally can't make a previously lawful act into a crime as per the ex post facto prohibition. My gut tells me Cruz is grandstanding.
Posted by: The tools are probably already there at October 21, 2025 02:45 PM (TbWk/)

I don't think it's a new law, I think it's adding to the RICO statute but I don't care enough to dig into it. And, while EPF would prevent charging past contributions, it would open someone to being charged for future ones.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:51 PM (ExV1e)

183
Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

Uh.. Blame the Dems on this one.. They chose the ending date.. I guess they thought they were gonna win in 2024

Posted by: It's me donna at October 21, 2025 02:51 PM (VE6XX)

184 172 Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (JCZqz)

=======

Wait...the ACA fixed health insurance.

Or was I misinformed?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:51 PM (GBKbO)

185 164 John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution
==
Now do Samantha Power and Victoria Nuland.
----------------
Yes to all.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:51 PM (jFCkp)

186 Most of us are salaried, and none of us asked to be furloughed. Should we go without pay because some lefty asshats decided to screw us over? Not every government employee is a deadbeat, although you wouldn't know that reading this blog. I earned my salary several times over saving $$ in federal contracting, slapping down idiots who would give it all away. But of course, YMMV.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

I've been fighting this battle for 20 years. I'm beginning to suspect that it can't be won.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (Riz8t)

187 So Democrat politicians actually listen to their voters?

That's weird.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:34 PM (dGCAG)

Not their voters. Their domestic terrorists.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:41 PM (urtE/)

If by terrorists you mean their bazillionaire donors, then yes.

But I was being facetious about the voters thing. That's allegedly what motivates Schumer, that he's afraid of being primaried from the left. Which means they seem to have it both ways: It's about votes or it's about sucking up to their margins.

I don't see how it could be both.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (dGCAG)

188 166 B/c Senators are lazy and have agreed 60 votes are needed for cloture and they don't need the pretense of endless preening...
Posted by: Nova Local at October 21, 2025 02:42 PM (tOcjL)

I'd rather have the endless preening.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:48 PM (dGCAG)

Simple, go back to the original rule on filibuster, where they have to talk and the Senate can do no other business... it was changed in the 70's to where ONE Senator could just declare a filibuster, but then other business could be conducted.

The Cloture vote is supposedly to finish debate, but I don't see an Debatin going on in the Senate.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (mP0Kj)

189 Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (JCZqz)
---
Yeah, I keep hearing this on X. It's always followed by 1) progs who pile on and high-five, and 2) MAGA supporters asking who's leaving MAGA.

Never by "Yes, I'm done."

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (krQz2)

190 168 Sorry boys and girls. If you support Trump you won't get a chance with me.

https://tinyurl.com/3uskmbw6
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:44 PM (abIsI)

I would never, in a million years, have guessed that that person? was a leftist. Shocker.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

A magnet is her kryptonite.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (abIsI)

191 Understandably, apparently the universal assumption in Hungary is that Ukraine is behind this.

So, another example of a non-NATO nation attacking a NATO nation and NATO doing fuck-all about it?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (ExV1e)

192 You can end EBT overnight by making their benefits conditional on 8 hours of work cleaning up trash on the highways.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (sKqQm)

I never understood how it was okay to just give money to deadbeats. Short term relief I understand--everybody hits a hard spot occasionally. But these welfare queens et. al. can just eat a bag of dicks.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (urtE/)

193 Any plans to change your nic? This is the risk of naming yourself after the living and relevant.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:39 PM (Riz8t)
-

The name will become irrelevant when the deep state is defeated.

Here's hoping my name change comes sooner than later.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (s/jWD)

194 At this point, bravely comes out, collects almost a billion in donations, becomes a poster child and serves untul 106.
Posted by: Posted by: Stateless
=======
TJM is referring to an old movie, Advise and Consent, based on the novels by Allan Drury. The nomination of a guy, Bob Leffingwell as Sec. of State, is at issue in the Senate for confirmation. And an issue comes up whether Bob had youthful indiscretions involving commies when younger.

If you like political movies that are semi realistic, this is one of them.

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (WDjG6)

195 Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (JCZqz)
___

The copeium is strong with these people

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (iFTx/)

196 Such nice people we have to let them stay

@Anna_Giaritelli
DHS statement on Los Angeles shooting amid immigration enforcement says suspect had previously escaped custody and invaded arrest again when federal law-enforcement encountered him. The suspect “Weaponized his vehicle and began ramming” law enforcement. Police fired defensive shots.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (mlg/3)

197 137 I want to explore in more detail, the notion that once the government reopens we should pay these people for the work they did not have to do show up for? I mean sure they are people working without pay. Capitol police etc. But there are an awful lot of govt workers on vacation right now, right? Why pay them for that?
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue

Because they have bills and mortgages to pay? And most who take vacation plan for it, and get paid for that time because they earned it. This isn’t a layoff, they aren’t at work because they can’t be, not because they don’t want to be. Oh! And the work they do is sitting there waiting to be done and piling up. Not all government workers are useless. There is work to do. We shouldn’t fall into the trap of assuming there is nobody of use in the government.

Posted by: Piper at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (Wmg4n)

198 Wait...the ACA fixed health insurance.

Or was I misinformed?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Obama made it affordable. It's right there in the name!

Posted by: Everyone is Anita...we're all anti-fascist at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (JCZqz)

199 A magnet is her kryptonite.

Or a mirror.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (Riz8t)

200 190 Yeah, I keep hearing this on X. It's always followed by 1) progs who pile on and high-five, and 2) MAGA supporters asking who's leaving MAGA.

Never by "Yes, I'm done."
Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (krQz2)

======

Polling (spit) indicates that Trump's approval ratings are increasing right now.

The ACA sticker shock will be bad, I'm sure.

But the solution doesn't have to be "extend temporary COVID subsidies". It probably will be, but it doesn't have to be.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (GBKbO)

201 The Cloture vote is supposedly to finish debate, but I don't see an Debatin going on in the Senate.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (mP0Kj)
---
Mostly Mastur-bating.

I agree. The idea that cloture is for "debate and discussion" is antiquated.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (krQz2)

202 167 Oh... my... the Louvre was burgled and French Crown Jewels stolen within a couple of minutes...

Yeah... uh... first time ever the Director was a Woman, who hired a Woman as HEAD OF SECURITY...

OOPSIE!

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (mP0Kj

My favorite will always be the Office of Personnel and Management. Maybe I'm getting this wrong.

Latina hired. And the Chinese stole everything. The most intimate secrets of everyone in govt. No biggie.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (Sco7b)

203 A magnet is her kryptonite.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (abIsI)

I was thinking soap, but sure, a magnet would do some damage.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (urtE/)

204 Hot-n-Humid still in Houston area. 92 and very sunny, being teased with rain chances in the forecast.

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (wVcYX)

205 Master debaters. All.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (+U7B7)

206 Every conservative Redditors know? Lol. So Cheney types who never have and never will vote MAGA.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 21, 2025 02:54 PM (PGEno)

207 I have learned to click on your links, BDSAWLM.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:38 PM (ldc7S)
-

/secretly adds another future rick-roll candidate to the list.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (s/jWD)

208 A magnet is her kryptonite.
---
* removes all magnetic devices from his person *

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (krQz2)

209 Oh... my... the Louvre was burgled and French Crown Jewels stolen within a couple of minutes...

Yeah... uh... first time ever the Director was a Woman, who hired a Woman as HEAD OF SECURITY...

OOPSIE!
Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (mP0Kj)

I'm pretty sure france hasn't had any crown jewels at least since 1940.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (dGCAG)

210 Even conservatives I know irl are starting to turn on this administration. Just wait until the sticker shock when ACA open enrollment starts Nov 1.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (JCZqz)
___

The copeium is strong with these people

I have it on good authority that the wheels are closing in and the walls are coming off.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (Riz8t)

211 If EBT shuts down there's always cannibalism.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (abIsI)

212 Simple, go back to the original rule on filibuster, where they have to talk and the Senate can do no other business... it was changed in the 70's to where ONE Senator could just declare a filibuster, but then other business could be conducted.

The Cloture vote is supposedly to finish debate, but I don't see an Debatin going on in the Senate.
Posted by: Romeo13
======
Original talking filibuster is still allowed but as you say, it brings the Senate to a standstill. Before the nuclear option to change rules was invoked in the 70's, the filibuster required 2/3rds for cloture aka 67 and did indeed stop all business on the Senate floor. The other means though is exhausting the speaker's list on a bill. Takes even longer normally than the old filibuster.

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (WDjG6)

213 199 Wait...the ACA fixed health insurance.

Or was I misinformed?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Obama made it affordable. It's right there in the name!
Posted by: Everyone is Anita...we're all anti-fascist at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (JCZqz)

=======

It would entertain me greatly if Johnson brought an ACA repeal bill as the first order of business to the House once the CR is signed.

It won't happen, but it would entertain me.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (GBKbO)

214 Or the EBTers could just get jobs like everyone else.

my brother would love to but his disability prevents it

If his EBT benefits end on October 31, I can pick up the slack for him. But not all disabled citizens have someone in their family looking out for them.

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (dCxaZ)

215 If EBT shuts down there's always cannibalism.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM

Three days.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (jc0TO)

216 115
5. Since this would be susceptible to the filibuster, it's theater.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:37 PM (ExV1e)

As is most of what Ted Cruz does.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (N39Ws)

217 So, another example of a non-NATO nation attacking a NATO nation and NATO doing fuck-all about it?

Assuming that it is shown that Ukraine did it.

Having two EU refineries processing Russian oil catch fire within hours of each other does seem a mite suspicious.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (xTIDn)

218 They will always have enough to eat as long as they still have each other.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (+U7B7)

219 The copeium is strong with these people
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (iFTx/)
---
To bad you can't say the same things about Scope.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (krQz2)

220 Most of us are salaried, and none of us asked to be furloughed. Should we go without pay because some lefty asshats decided to screw us over? Not every government employee is a deadbeat, although you wouldn't know that reading this blog. I earned my salary several times over saving $$ in federal contracting, slapping down idiots who would give it all away. But of course, YMMV.
==
My company screws up and loses a bid etc. I get laid off. You arent entitled to a paycheck just because you are a govt employee. Fault has nothing to do with it.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:57 PM (SBwP+)

221 But these welfare queens et. al. can just eat a bag of dicks.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen

If they were just eating the dicks, they wouldn't have a brood of bastards to get more money from Uncle Sugar.
https://tinyurl.com/385vz2fm

Posted by: Moron Analyst at October 21, 2025 02:57 PM (JCZqz)

222
Especially not over this bullshit which Trump is using to close down a bunch of statutorially questionable programs and the federal government jobs tied to them.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

===============

Has he actually eliminated any of those jobs? I keep hearing it's a threat, and that agency shutdowns aren't really happening.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:57 PM (ldc7S)

223 It would entertain me greatly if Johnson brought an ACA repeal bill as the first order of business to the House once the CR is signed.

It won't happen, but it would entertain me.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

From hell's heart I 👎

Posted by: Zombie John McCain at October 21, 2025 02:58 PM (JCZqz)

224 IITS FUNNY THEY FEAR BACKLASH FROM “JUST AN IDEA” - HOW DOES THAT RANK OVER REAL, LIVE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES YOU GUYZ?!

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (Hkcdp)

225 DHS statement on Los Angeles shooting amid immigration enforcement says suspect had previously escaped custody and invaded arrest again when federal law-enforcement encountered him. The suspect “Weaponized his vehicle and began ramming” law enforcement. Police fired defensive shots.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (mlg/3)

I think the word they are looking for is "evaded".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (8zz6B)

226 223 Has he actually eliminated any of those jobs? I keep hearing it's a threat, and that agency shutdowns aren't really happening.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:57 PM (ldc7S)

=======

All the RIFs, which are in legal limbo because of a stupid lower court TRO, will be legal and go through. Every other RIF has been allowed. Precedent is fully on his side. Recent SCOTUS precedent even.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (GBKbO)

227 The department of agriculture is still there. Why?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (+U7B7)

228 212 If EBT shuts down there's always cannibalism.
-------------
Imma going long BBQ Sauce.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (jFCkp)

229 I never understood how it was okay to just give money to deadbeats. Short term relief I understand--everybody hits a hard spot occasionally. But these welfare queens et. al. can just eat a bag of dicks.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (urtE/)

I am massively irritated by the fact that people on welfare can continue to pop out new unfunded mandates who's existence I am expected to pay for.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (ExV1e)

230 Simple, go back to the original rule on filibuster, where they have to talk and the Senate can do no other business... it was changed in the 70's to where ONE Senator could just declare a filibuster, but then other business could be conducted.

The Cloture vote is supposedly to finish debate, but I don't see an Debatin going on in the Senate.
Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 02:52 PM (mP0Kj)

Right. It's apparent to anyone paying attention that this "government shutdown" is a complete sham.

As long as there's political capital to be had from it, I guess it'll go on, but at some point Republicans WILL step on their collective dicks. They always do, and the media will be able to blame them. They'll hang the big L around the R Party, and it will stick.

Posted by: BurtTC at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (dGCAG)

231 224 From hell's heart I 👎
Posted by: Zombie John McCain at October 21, 2025 02:58 PM (JCZqz)

======

"Oh darn. That guy. That...drat. He fooled us! Drat! Darn!"
-Mitch McConnell, who did not punish McCain at all

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (GBKbO)

232
My company screws up and loses a bid etc. I get laid off. You arent entitled to a paycheck just because you are a govt employee. Fault has nothing to do with it.
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue

==============

Good point. My company overextends itself, zigs in the market when it should have zagged, and belt-tightening occurs. 10% furloughs for all departments.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (ldc7S)

233 To filibuster originally meant gun-running. I'm not sure how it got its modern meaning.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (XvL8K)

234 My farmer died.

Posted by: Just the Punchline at October 21, 2025 03:00 PM (jc0TO)

235 If EBT shuts down there's always cannibalism.
-------------
Imma going long BBQ Sauce.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (jFCkp)
---
Long pork bellies.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 03:00 PM (krQz2)

236 >>>See Holyland cases as an example.
wiki
"In December 2001, the U.S. designated HLF a terrorist organization, seized its assets, and closed the organization. At the time it was the largest Muslim charitable organization in the United States. It had been under FBI surveillance since 1994. In 2004, a federal grand jury in Dallas, Texas, charged HLF and five former officers and employees with providing material support to Hamas and related offenses. "
Posted by: whig
---------------------

Dallas has been a hotbed of Islamic terrorism for at least a quarter of a century.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 21, 2025 03:00 PM (kkYD1)

237 Green Eggs and Ham.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:00 PM (+U7B7)

238 217 115
5. Since this would be susceptible to the filibuster, it's theater.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

As is most of what Ted Cruz does.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed

Unlike his father, who was a man of action!

Posted by: Tinfoil Hat Man at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (JCZqz)

239 Most of us are salaried, and none of us asked to be furloughed. Should we go without pay because some lefty asshats decided to screw us over? Not every government employee is a deadbeat, although you wouldn't know that reading this blog. I earned my salary several times over saving $$ in federal contracting, slapping down idiots who would give it all away. But of course, YMMV.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

I've been fighting this battle for 20 years. I'm beginning to suspect that it can't be won.
Posted by: Archimedes

Half my family works for the department of war. My son has a new house, a baby, and a mortgage. He is working twelve hour days on salary to get contracts squared away. He's not a deadbeat or a leech. But the holier that thou must virtue signal!
Same as they do about "if you send your kid to any public school, you're abusive and should have the kids taken away".
Some of us understand there is more than just everything/everyone vs. nothing/no one.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (2J/Lj)

240 TJM is referring to an old movie, Advise and Consent, based on the novels by Allan Drury. The nomination of a guy, Bob Leffingwell as Sec. of State, is at issue in the Senate for confirmation. And an issue comes up whether Bob had youthful indiscretions involving commies when younger.

If you like political movies that are semi realistic, this is one of them.

Posted by: whig at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (WDjG6

Thank you.

I have some beers today. Instead of political movies, slasher flicks. It's been a tough year.

There's a Japanese movie - " Signal 100" free on Tubi. Not too brutal. Pretty Japanese Svhoolgirls. A teacher hypnotizes a class of kids. Any of 100 actions causes them to commit suicide. Turns into a nice 'Lord of the Flies" scenario. Amd it was different.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (Sco7b)

241 Good point. My company overextends itself, zigs in the market when it should have zagged, and belt-tightening occurs. 10% furloughs for all departments.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (ldc7S)
---
I lost a job one time when my parent company failed a hostile takeover. They never recovered from that spiral.

Posted by: Axeman at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (krQz2)

242 Schoolgirls?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (+U7B7)

243 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

Use a level?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (+U7B7)

Quantum Geometry?

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (wVcYX)

244 My company screws up and loses a bid etc. I get laid off. You arent entitled to a paycheck just because you are a govt employee. Fault has nothing to do with it.
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 02:57 PM (SBwP+)

Sweetie, that's why some of us are in government service. It's one of the perks. We get paid less than in the private sector (I worked private for decades, too), we get no Christmas bonus, we don't get to negotiate for compensation, but we get decent benefits and time off, and we get reliable paychecks. Risk vs. reward.

I was laid off in the private sector, but I also got a hell of a year end bonus. These things even out.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (urtE/)

245 241 There's a Japanese movie - " Signal 100" free on Tubi. Not too brutal. Pretty Japanese Svhoolgirls. A teacher hypnotizes a class of kids. Any of 100 actions causes them to commit suicide. Turns into a nice 'Lord of the Flies" scenario. Amd it was different.
Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (Sco7b)

======

I deeply misremembered the level of blood and gore and violence in Sleepy Hollow and started last night while Junior (11) was still awake.

I might have turned it off, but he had his Switch up and was playing that on the couch. "He's not really paying attention."

He ended up crying to his mother because he was so scared to go to bed. I was not the good guy last night.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (GBKbO)

246 Good point. My company overextends itself, zigs in the market when it should have zagged, and belt-tightening occurs. 10% furloughs for all departments.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (ldc7S)

Management gets five-figure bonuses for reducing labor costs and making budget.

Posted by: Failing upwards! at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (TbWk/)

247 Assuming that it is shown that Ukraine did it.

Having two EU refineries processing Russian oil catch fire within hours of each other does seem a mite suspicious.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 21, 2025 02:56 PM (xTIDn)

I don't actually believe that Ukraine did it. I believe that some NATO country's IC operatives did it but are prepared to frame someone from Ukraine, if needed.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (ExV1e)

248 Because they have bills and mortgages to pay? And most who take vacation plan for it, and get paid for that time because they earned it. This isn’t a layoff, they aren’t at work because they can’t be, not because they don’t want to be. Oh! And the work they do is sitting there waiting to be done and piling up. Not all government workers are useless. There is work to do. We shouldn’t fall into the trap of assuming there is nobody of use in the government.
==
So it months from now still shut down. That is a pretty long vacation, no? This is the point. Why are govt workers entitled to a paycheck when the rest of us are not? Is it because you can not apply for unemployment? Asking because it seems out of whack.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (SBwP+)

249 208 I have learned to click on your links, BDSAWLM.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 02:38 PM (ldc7S)
-

/secretly adds another future rick-roll candidate to the list.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 02:55 PM (s/jWD)

I still think it would be EPIC if they could get Rick Astley as a secret guest singer for the alternate Superbowl show.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (mP0Kj)

250 I never understood how it was okay to just give money to deadbeats. Short term relief I understand--everybody hits a hard spot occasionally. But these welfare queens et. al. can just eat a bag of dicks.

Last time I looked at the numbers, most individuals are off of welfare within a couple of years BUT most welfare dollars are spent on lifers because they are on from when they have their first baby in HS until death.

There are some people physically incapable of working of course, but that number is small compared to the total number of people on welfare. A sane society would privatize welfare completely but if we were going to have it from the government there should be a limit in time baring an assessment of completely incapability of working (a psychotic, a quadriplegic, etc)

But here's the thing, our society is too sick to do this last step. There would be so many exceptions everyone that wanted to would pass through on this full incapacity assessment.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (sKqQm)

251 244 How do you find the center of a blog of irrational goo?
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK

Use a level?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (+U7B7)

Quantum Geometry?
Posted by: Count de Monet at October 21, 2025 03:01 PM (wVcYX)

I was thinking birdshot, but you know.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (urtE/)

252 228 The department of agriculture is still there. Why?
Posted by: Boss Moss

Mwa-ha-ha...

Posted by: Sen Chuck Grassley, bathing in ethanol at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (JCZqz)

253 Green Eggs and Ham.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:00 PM (+U7B7)
-

Paging Carnac the Magnificent!

PAGING CARNAC THE MAGNIFICENT!!!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (s/jWD)

254 The department of agriculture is still there. Why?
Posted by: Boss Moss

Mwa-ha-ha...
Posted by: Sen Chuck Grassley, bathing in ethanol at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (JCZqz)
---
Sshhhhh!!!!

Posted by: Bill Gates at October 21, 2025 03:03 PM (krQz2)

255 If i had any say. Andy Ngo would have fifty Pulitzers already..

Wall Street Apes
@WallStreetApes
•8h
WOW 🚨 Democrat states are giving grant money to NGOs, that money is then funneled into ‘The International Antifa Defense Fund’ to pay legal fees for protesters arrested
Once arrested, cases are assigned to radical left judges who settle cases for millions, which funds Antifa

Posted by: LizLem at October 21, 2025 03:04 PM (gWBY1)

256 I am enjoying the federal shut down.

I want to see how long they can keep it shut.

Posted by: Tick Tock at October 21, 2025 03:04 PM (R/m4+)

257 Sweetie, that's why some of us are in government service. It's one of the perks. We get paid less than in the private sector (I worked private for decades, too), we get no Christmas bonus, we don't get to negotiate for compensation, but we get decent benefits and time off, and we get reliable paychecks. Risk vs. reward.
==
Well then you bargained the chance of a prolonged shutdown didnt you. Not actually an argument in favor of you getting paid for not working. "Its not fair" was actually more effective.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (SBwP+)

258 WJust for the record, I like women, want to love women, and despise Representative Jeffries.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (u82oZ)

259 I was promised RIFs.

Posted by: toby928 at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (jc0TO)

260 A magnet is her kryptonite.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

MRI for the win!

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (w9Wax)

261 Well, the sun is finally up over the mountains and somebody around here better get busy doing the wifing or this place will be a total disaster.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (urtE/)

262 227 The department of agriculture is still there. Why?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (+U7B7)

=======

Because it was authorized by the Morrill Act?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (GBKbO)

263 I think I can endure the government shutdown.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (+U7B7)

264 I don't actually believe that Ukraine did it. I believe that some NATO country's IC operatives did it but are prepared to frame someone from Ukraine, if needed.

We'll see. Sabotaging two refineries within hours of each other, if proven, is clearly designed to send a message.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (xTIDn)

265
I am massively irritated by the fact that people on welfare can continue to pop out new unfunded mandates who's existence I am expected to pay for.

Work hard to make sure you have the means to support your family and the state will abuse you with taxes...and you'll be limited in how many children you can afford/have time for

On the other hand don't work or plan and the government will reward you allowing you to have as many children as you want.

As usual our incentives are completely reversed from what they should be

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (sKqQm)

266 If EBT shuts down there's always cannibalism.
-------------
Imma going long BBQ Sauce.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 02:59 PM (jFCkp)
---
Long pork bellies.
Posted by: Axeman

Don't forget to the kebab skewers.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (abIsI)

267 208 I have learned to click on your links, BDSAWLM.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

Really?!?!?

https://tinyurl.com/37ua2c9p

Posted by: Admiral Ackbar at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (JCZqz)

268
26 Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters.
Every time I see this maniac he's yelling some nonsense and slamming his fist on something.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at October 21, 2025 02:18 PM

------

He lacks the intellect to make an effective argument, so he acts 'forcefully' to compensate. Unfortunately, he's also a sissy.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (hjxfb)

269 265
I am massively irritated by the fact that people on welfare can continue to pop out new unfunded mandates who's existence I am expected to pay for.

Work hard to make sure you have the means to support your family and the state will abuse you with taxes...and you'll be limited in how many children you can afford/have time for

On the other hand don't work or plan and the government will reward you allowing you to have as many children as you want.

As usual our incentives are completely reversed from what they should be
Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (sKqQm)

======

It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Most black people aren't doing this anymore.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (GBKbO)

270 He ended up crying to his mother because he was so scared to go to bed. I was not the good guy last night.
------------------
Tonight, when tucking him into bed, remind him not to let his arm flop over the edge of the bed cuz the monster below will drag him down. Oh, and leave the closet door open to allow the other monster some fresh air.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (jFCkp)

271 WOW 🚨 Democrat states are giving grant money to NGOs, that money is then funneled into ‘The International Antifa Defense Fund’ to pay legal fees for protesters arrested

The answer to the eternal question of "how do leftwingers get money to do X" is always "from the US taxpayer"

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (sKqQm)

272 I'm beginning to wonder if the Dems are never going to vote to re-open anything, and force the Republicans to remake the filibuster rules, so they can then blame them for that.

I now think it's going to last past the upcoming Governor's elections.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 21, 2025 03:07 PM (uWKK8)

273 BAZARDO!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Long Suffering Mariner Fan at October 21, 2025 03:07 PM (njGzd)

274 I still think it would be EPIC if they could get Rick Astley as a secret guest singer for the alternate Superbowl show.
Posted by: Romeo13

Who? What? Why?

Football's gay, anyway.

Posted by: Gen Alpha at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (JCZqz)

275 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Fortunately(in this case maybe?) the FNM has persuaded young women that having a kid is a real drag and you shouldn't do so.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (sKqQm)

276 Who are the Mariners playing in the Series?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (+U7B7)

277 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Most black people aren't doing this anymore.

Interesting. Gotta link, by chance?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (Riz8t)

278 275 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Fortunately(in this case maybe?) the FNM has persuaded young women that having a kid is a real drag and you shouldn't do so.
Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (sKqQm)

======

American conservatives remain right at 2.1, having dropped from 2.2 in the 90s.

The drop in American birth rates is almost entirely the left giving up on the next generation.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (GBKbO)

279
It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Most black people aren't doing this anymore.

this proves they are now below illegal aliens/refugees on the "woke totem pole"

so they are getting crushed kind of like wypipo now, and reacting by entrenching and cutting back.

this isn't exactly healthy

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (emBoF)

280 I'm beginning to wonder if the Dems are never going to vote to re-open anything, and force the Republicans to remake the filibuster rules, so they can then blame them for that.

The status quo hurts them however, so...continue with the status quo. Hell make the 2026 elections about whether we reopen the government with or without free healthcare for illegals

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (sKqQm)

281 Well then you bargained the chance of a prolonged shutdown didnt you. Not actually an argument in favor of you getting paid for not working. "Its not fair" was actually more effective.
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:05 PM (SBwP+)

I work for the Corps of Engineers. We work for a living, we don't get direct Congressional money. When there is a shutdown, we keep working because our paychecks come from money already paid to us for projects. Fair or not fair doesn't enter into the discussion.

Right now I'm in Elon's buyout. I get paid through December, which will be my retirement date. I didn't ask for the deal, but it was offered so I took it. Elon's cash comes from a different source, so I'm technically furloughed. But there's no way in hell I would have taken the deal if I didn't think I would get paid.

Sour grapes because you don't have that sort of deal in the private sector is not the same as prudent planning based on a contract. I have the contract. I planned accordingly.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (urtE/)

282 276 Who are the Mariners playing in the Series?

lol the Phils?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (emBoF)

283 277 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Most black people aren't doing this anymore.

Interesting. Gotta link, by chance?
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 03:08 PM (Riz8t)

=======

If you can trust this rando's analysis of CDC data:

https://is.gd/iUUMWD

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (GBKbO)

284 You can end EBT overnight by making their benefits conditional on 8 hours of work cleaning up trash on the highways.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 02:49 PM (sKqQm)

I never understood how it was okay to just give money to deadbeats. Short term relief I understand--everybody hits a hard spot occasionally. But these welfare queens et. al. can just eat a bag of dicks.
Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 02:53 PM (urtE/)
______

A lot of welfare (I'm using the term to cover all the handout programs) is transient. But there are a lot of families who have been on it for generations and always will be. Even if that's not a big percentage of the overall -- I think it is a big percentage -- then that's a lot of money over time and into the future.

Then there's the comically rampant welfare fraud that probably is 20% of the entire cost.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (iFTx/)

285 I deeply misremembered the level of blood and gore and violence in Sleepy Hollow and started last night while Junior (11) was still awake.

I might have turned it off, but he had his Switch up and was playing that on the couch. "He's not really paying attention."

He ended up crying to his mother because he was so scared to go to bed. I was not the good guy last night.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:02 PM (GBKbO)

I may have to check that out. I usually just want game shows or older kids shows in the background. Surprisingly, Disney has some cute funny, non-woke shows on now.

My god-daughter stayed here once and was amused when I needed to take breaks from 'Saw." I was so sweet and innocent.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (Sco7b)

286
I lost a job one time when my parent company failed a hostile takeover. They never recovered from that spiral.
Posted by: Axeman

==============

Oh, same of course. In my experience, one of the automatic actions in a merger is to let all the contractors go. Rehire as needed.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (ldc7S)

287 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

My legacy.

Also, I AM IN AGONY IN THIS FIRE.

Posted by: Margaret Sanger at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (jc0TO)

288 If you can trust this rando's analysis of CDC data:

https://is.gd/iUUMWD
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

If it's on the internet, it must be true!

Posted by: Grandma on the internet, helping a Nigerean Prince at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (JCZqz)

289 I work for the Corps of Engineers

oh right the place where incompetent engineers go to work

sorry I don't mean you but personally I have MASSIVE animus towards the Army Corps

experienced their "projects"

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (emBoF)

290 The only conservative a redditor knows is the 12 year old who only makes out.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 21, 2025 03:11 PM (YGkzu)

291 American conservatives remain right at 2.1, having dropped from 2.2 in the 90s.

The drop in American birth rates is almost entirely the left giving up on the next generation.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (GBKbO)

In the Catholic Church, the rates are a bit higher, but for those who attend the TLM, most families are in the 4 to 8 kids range.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:11 PM (urtE/)

292 288 If you can trust this rando's analysis of CDC data:

https://is.gd/iUUMWD
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

If it's on the internet, it must be true!
Posted by: Grandma on the internet, helping a Nigerean Prince at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (JCZqz)

======

It also passes the smell test. I mean...Detroit hasn't been bursting with growth over the past few decades.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:11 PM (GBKbO)

293 It should be noted that black birthrates are now well below 2.1.

It's like 1.7.

Most black people aren't doing this anymore.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:06 PM (GBKbO)
________

I find that impossible to believe. Like, literally impossible. If I push that statistic further into my brain my ass will explode.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 03:11 PM (iFTx/)

294 293 I find that impossible to believe. Like, literally impossible. If I push that statistic further into my brain my ass will explode.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2025 03:11 PM (iFTx/)

======

Detroit some great center of natural population growth, is it?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 21, 2025 03:12 PM (GBKbO)

295 If I push that statistic further into my brain my ass will explode.

*ponders Elrician morphology*

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 03:12 PM (Riz8t)

296 "We would have enough votes" to reopen the government "if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine," the second person said.

Note that Antifa (not just an idea) brings guillotines to its various riots and insurrections so I don't think this person is speaking entirely metaphorically.

Well, we saw what the left does to Democrat politicians who step out of line. They get assassinated like those two in Minnesota, Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, who broke from the party. "Hortman provided the sole Democratic House vote for a GOP-backed provision cutting MinnesotaCare eligibility for ~~undocumented adults~~ illegal aliens starting January 1, 2026."

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (P5BPp)

297 282 276 Who are the Mariners playing in the Series?

lol the Phils?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:09 PM (emBoF

I just found out today the Jays won. I'm in Canada and unjabbed. Banned at the stadium. Go LA.

Yeah, and Toronto versus Ohtani. Good luck ramming your faces into that table saw.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (Sco7b)

298 I believe the stat btw

I told you guys I used to (stupidly) walk thru west and southwest philly nabes and there were very few - shockingly few - inhabited homes

the numbers census-wise out of Philly were garbage for ages - bc who was going to question them?

but now those nabes are full. of illegals.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (emBoF)

299 Cephalopod?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (+U7B7)

300 Supposedly, per local headlines, the black female dating pool in the greater Houston area is rife with STDs.

Russian Roulette with 3 of 6 chambers loaded in the revolver.

Posted by: Count de Monet at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (wVcYX)

301 I just found out today the Jays won. I'm in Canada and unjabbed. Banned at the stadium. Go LA.

wait ...still?!?!?!

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (emBoF)

302 In lefty forums I'll occasionally run into threads on the birth rate reductions.

There are always some Gaians that opine GOOD!

But it is interesting that most of them see it as a problem as well, and pin it on capitalism. Their thought process is that because people have to work they don't have time to have kids, but in a good socialist system they would only work if they wanted to instead of having kids.

Of course the closer a society is to their "good socialist model" the fewer children the women have.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2025 03:14 PM (sKqQm)

303 Somebody gotta pay for all these kids!

Posted by: Laquaneesha Johnson at October 21, 2025 03:14 PM (oftw2)

304 sorry I don't mean you but personally I have MASSIVE animus towards the Army Corps

experienced their "projects"
Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:10 PM (emBoF)

I can't speak to your gripes specifically, but the people I work with at the Corps are excellent engineers. Some of the architects are dipshits, but that's the same in the private sector. Like I said, I've done both. I've also met idiot engineers elsewhere. No different than any other profession, I suppose.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:14 PM (urtE/)

305 New one: Gas

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2025 03:15 PM (Riz8t)

306 Of course the closer a society is to their "good socialist model" the fewer children the women have.

it's the stasis

and the despair

we're almost there here, now (well in blue areas at least)

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:15 PM (emBoF)

307 Right now I'm in Elon's buyout. I get paid through December, which will be my retirement date. I didn't ask for the deal, but it was offered so I took it. Elon's cash comes from a different source, so I'm technically furloughed. But there's no way in hell I would have taken the deal if I didn't think I would get paid.
==
So i not sure how you particular situation is applicable to the larger issue. Its a bit confusing. Were you already furloughed, not working, and getting paid pending your planned December retirement? It probably going to eventually get to you based on your agreement. It is the more routine situation i am curious about. Do federal workers not get unemployment if the get laid off? Or does it happen so rarely it isnt needed.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:16 PM (SBwP+)

308 301 I just found out today the Jays won. I'm in Canada and unjabbed. Banned at the stadium. Go LA.

wait ...still?!?!?!

Posted by: BlackOrchid at October 21, 2025 03:13 PM (emBoF

No.

But you never forget or forgive.

I kept my late mother alive through that. Worried every freaking hour should something happen.

I'll happily do executions...even their 'children'. It's not like they are human.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at October 21, 2025 03:17 PM (Sco7b)

309 Do federal workers not get unemployment if the get laid off? Or does it happen so rarely it isnt needed.
Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:16 PM (SBwP+)

Nope. No unemployment. Furloughed is not the same as laid off. That's why the law states that we get paid for the time once government gets its collective heads out of their backsides.

Posted by: tcn, Pickle Queen of AK at October 21, 2025 03:17 PM (urtE/)

310 Nope. No unemployment. Furloughed is not the same as laid off. That's why the law states that we get paid for the time once government gets its collective heads out of their backsides.
==
I wondered if that was it. Id rather see govt workers get the same deal as the rest of us. It would put more pressure on the dems to be reasonable because most govt workers are their clientel.

Posted by: Hope is a supernatural virtue at October 21, 2025 03:21 PM (SBwP+)

311 "It would put more pressure on the dems to be reasonable because most govt workers are their clientel."

Hence why furloughed employees doing nothing get paid. It only makes sense to the gov employed.

Posted by: Sports Illustrated PR team at October 21, 2025 03:23 PM (s9EN2)

312 The Dimocrats expect the military to work for free. Why is this a surprise to anyone? They expect Doctors to work for free, they expect landlords to provide free housing, they expect retail stores to allow people to walk out with "free" food.
Dimocrat economics is a combination of OPM and money trees.

Posted by: buddhaha at October 21, 2025 03:42 PM (1jBX9)

313 Nothing personal, tcn, but I had a summer college job in the Pgh CoE office, (to show I'm well over 29) doing fallout shelter surveys, and there is a basis for that perception.
The problem I saw wasn't so much as a high level of goofing off - more than the private sector, to be sure, but not excessive - but rather the few instances of major goldbricking, with no disciplinary action.
There was one guy, who also held a seat on the Pgh Stock Exchange as a side gig, who would wander in around a half hour late, peruse the morning paper and the WSJ at his desk, then spend at least half his time on the phone, playing the market + time out of the office, like 2 hour lunches to handle the side gig. Blatent, but I never saw him in the bosses office with the door closed. He was a long time employee, and he was still there when I left after 13 weeks.
If you didn't own the company, or related to who did, that behavior in the private sector would have you on the street holding a cardboard box in less than a month.

Posted by: buddhaha at October 21, 2025 04:41 PM (1jBX9)

314 Antifa Bolshevik scum suckers belong in Prison not on the Streets

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at October 21, 2025 06:11 PM (wGqjj)

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