The “Affordability Crisis” - Home Prices and Apartment Rents Are Decreasing as Deportations Increase

Let’s talk some more about the “affordability crisis” that the media and President Trump’s critics are hammering him about. As I keep mentioning, it is a ridiculously unfair argument that because overall prices haven’t deflated from the runaway inflation of the Biden-era, Trump is to blame.

But some prices are actually coming down. As Ace and I have been discussing, gasoline prices are historically low thanks to Trump’s drill-baby-drill energy policy.

But the largest item in most household budgets is the mortgage or rent. So how are those prices doing? They’re coming down too.

“Home Prices Are Poised to Dip in 22 U.S. Cities Next Year, a New Analysis Says” [CBS News – 12/04/2025]

This piece mentions that inventory of homes has expanded, which would certainly impact the supply/demand equation, and that prices are returning “back down to earth” following the “frenzy” of the Covid-era.

But it also mentions that some of these metropolitan areas simply have “lighter demand” now than in recent years. Interesting. It’s almost as if there is some other force affecting supply and demand of housing units if there is suddenly lighter demand for housing.

Rental housing is also seeing rents drop and vacancies rise:

“Rent Decline Deepens as Vacancy Rates Hit Record High” [CRE Daily – 12/04/2025]

Per this article, the median national rent payment is declining, including 1% in just the past month alone. In some places the decrease is quite significant. For instance, in Austin the median rent has decreased by 6.8% in the past year. Meanwhile, the national vacancy rate for multi-family properties (e.g. apartments) just hit a record high in November, with 7.2% of units unleased.

This article offers some explanations for the decline in rents and the glut of unleased apartments, including a cooling labor market, and hundreds of thousands of new housing units coming online in the past year.

Yes, new units becoming available for lease certainly is an input into the supply/demand equation, but even in a cooling labor market, people need a place to live.

Again, it just seems that there might be another force at work here that is not being discussed.

Oh…

“Trump's second term sees 2.5 million illegal aliens leave, shattering historic records” [CBS Austin – 12/11/2025]

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that an estimated 2.5 million illegal aliens have left the country since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Over 600,000 aliens have been deported and another 1.9 million have self-deported. Those 2.5 million people were occupying a lot of housing that is now competing for new tenants.

The “affordability crisis” is a term being thrown around by those who want to sabotage the Trump presidency and help Democrats defeat Republicans in the mid-terms next November. But by causing millions of illegal aliens to depart the country, the Trump administration is actually taking powerful action to reduce the cost of housing and shelter. Coincidentally, most of the NeverTrump critics trying to kneecap the Trump agenda with the “affordability” issue are hell-bent on stopping deportations and throwing the border back open to illegal labor.

Those people parroting the “affordability crisis” talking points need to be challenged to admit that Donald Trump’s deportations and closed border are bringing down the cost of housing.

Reducing the cost of housing is the highest priority when talking about “affordability,” and President Trump’s policies are making it happen.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 St?

Posted by: Clay at December 12, 2025 11:00 AM (rIjnE)

2
ESPONJA!!!1!!11

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 12, 2025 11:00 AM (tljrc)

3 1st?

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:00 AM (77rzZ)

4 Nyet.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:00 AM (77rzZ)

5 Those people parroting

Hey don't blame us, it's still $20 same as in town.

Posted by: parrots at December 12, 2025 11:02 AM (Kt19C)

6 Morning.

When does my rent go down? I want my rent to go down.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:02 AM (1Yy3c)

7 You know what I want
You know what I ne ne ne need.

Posted by: Jesse Duplantis at December 12, 2025 11:02 AM (y3u3n)

8 The critics want a third world country?

Move to Venezuela.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 12, 2025 11:04 AM (MeJZi)

9 I keep seeing the 1.6M self-deportations figure, but no explanation as to its origin. I'd say a bit of caution is in order.

From Buck's cite:

the number of illegal immigrants who have self-deported is just an estimation as a vast majority of migrants leaving without informing the government. At President Donald Trump’s six-month mark in office, the Department of Homeland Security reported 150,000 deportations with a combined total of 1.6 million illegal immigrants having left the country. However, DHS only recorded roughly 13,000 migrants who have self-deported. These self-deportations were tracked by the CBP Home App created by the Department, which gave illegal immigrants a free flight and a $1,000 bonus for leaving the country.

https://is.gd/Gi0Smo

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:04 AM (Riz8t)

10 Robert

Probably when Tres de Aragula moves in

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (MeJZi)

11 At this point one should assume that everyone is pushing a narrative until proven otherwise. The reason this is the only place I post is because I recognize people here, and even if I disagree with them, I know that they are just eyore-ish naturally and aren't a Nigerian bot or a paid Indian posting disinfo. Add to this the inability of Dims or 'principled' Never-Trumpers to ever admit their true motivations, and you get an internet filled with bilge.

Posted by: The Lower Depths at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (Dg7ng)

12 Our home in Western WA dropped $6000 in the last month according to Zillow. We purchased it in 2000 for $350k, it now lists between 1M - 1.3M. Time to sell and move to the southwest where it rarely rains.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (abIsI)

13 Goddammit. Iowahawk nearly made me choke on my coffee.

https://xcancel.com/iowahawkblog/. status/1999174078012248080

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:07 AM (1Yy3c)

14 Willowed:
So, I look him up and, he's just released a new movie!

Buuuuut, almost all of the critics, straight up hate it, which makes me wonder if he somehow violated some libtardian principle and that set their hair on fire.

Christian Toto gives it a middling recommendation, so we may go see it. Maybe no. Just wait for streaming.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 12, 2025 10:52 AM (iJfKG)

I will never quite understand this Brooks' popularity.

I mean, Broadcast News is fine. But, little more than that. And Hollywood loved him, and his movies made good money.

They always feel very middling to me, though I don't think I've seen As Good As It Gets all the way through.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing life through the shadows with Otto Preminger at December 12, 2025 10:54 AM (GBKbO)

Ah, well. De gustibus and all that.

His writing is generally great. And I think his great gift is to make people feel"smart" for lack of a better word, while watching his movies filled with articulate people who still feel real, and you get to ride along.

He kind of reminds me of Paddy Chayefsky in that regard, except Ol Pads give you screaming drama instead of Ol Brooke's light comedy.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 12, 2025 11:08 AM (iJfKG)

15 I've been blown.

Posted by: The Margins at December 12, 2025 11:08 AM (Y1sOo)

16 Probably when Tres de Aragula moves in
Posted by: Anna Puma at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (MeJZi)

Oh no...the cartels have gone full vegan!

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:08 AM (1Yy3c)

17 Amazing... jettison the layabout illegals who were occupying otherwise rentable or saleable properties and the housing market cools and becomes affordable.

How... odd.

- experts everywhere -

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 12, 2025 11:08 AM (NwnyJ)

18 Again, it just seems that there might be another force at work here that is not being discussed."

Let's not forget the gub's influence pushing for more multi family units, especially in those Reich wing suburbs...

Posted by: man at December 12, 2025 11:09 AM (XuXeR)

19 Free or subsidized housing for parasitic people would drive up prices and decrease availability of residences. You may be on to something Master Throckmorton.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:10 AM (pDt9x)

20 Interesting. It’s almost as if there is some other force affecting supply and demand of housing units if there is suddenly lighter demand for housing.

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

Coincidentally, there have been numerous reports nationwide of less dogs and cats being eaten.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:10 AM (25a1J)

21 https://xcancel.com/iowahawkblog/. status/1999174078012248080
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus

I get a "Page not found."

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (77rzZ)

22 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (/+FOE)

23 Please deport the Somalian welfare teat suckers from Columbus. Should help rental prices there.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (Dv3i1)

24 I get a "Page not found."

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (77rzZ)

Take out the space and the period

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (/+FOE)

25 Unless you own your own place and pay a mortgage, rent is the biggest scam and blight in our social existence.

Profit is one thing, homelessness is another. Do you hate your fellow man, a working citizen in the country we all love, enough to deny him a dwelling?

Interesting dilemma. YMMV.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (1zOXE)

26 I'm blessed to not have a mortgage but Colorado policies (thanks wino moms) have made the property insurance costs crazy high. I think they made a rule for homes that the insurance company has to pay cost to replace the home instead of keeping it the home owners responsibility to pay attention and increase $ coverage as needed after the Superior fire in 2021 a few years ago left a lot of owners unable to rebuild what with Boulder county imposing costly regulations plus construction supplies still feeling a covid pinch. The people who lost their homes get no help from this after the fact rule, it just raises insurance prices. And of course illegals on the road, and the general commie mindset of "if I do something stupid and get hurt someone needs to give me $$$$" make car and liability insurance expensive.

Posted by: PaleRider at December 12, 2025 11:12 AM (hhkIi)

27 22 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
------------------------
It was the one and only time I ever watched a movie solely because other people I was acquainted to and not friends with gushed about how good it was. I found it a real chore to get through. After that I always assume that normie recommended films are shit and avoid them.

Posted by: The Lower Depths at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Dg7ng)

28 22 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
__

Is it because the actress who plays the lady who uses a hammer to break the writer's ankles gets naked in a hot tub in this movie?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Dv3i1)

29 22 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (/+FOE)

Uncountably Terrible.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Vq1pX)

30 I get a "Page not found."
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (77rzZ)

https://tinyurl.com/Pagentfound

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (1Yy3c)

31 Posted by: Anna Puma at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (MeJZi)

Hi Anna!

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:14 AM (/+FOE)

32 The trend of affordability is good news here. Maybe I can move up from this water heater carton to a full-size refrigerator carton before Spring!

Posted by: Wonderful Wino at December 12, 2025 11:14 AM (oftw2)

33 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
Posted by: ...

Is that the one with Nicholson and Helen Hunt?

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:14 AM (77rzZ)

34 Probably when Tres de Aragula moves in
Posted by: Anna Puma at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (MeJZi)

Oh no...the cartels have gone full vegan!
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:08 AM

Forget fentanyl, gringo, have you seen the price of arugula lately?

Posted by: TdA at December 12, 2025 11:15 AM (kgE5c)

35 As I keep mentioning, it is a ridiculously unfair argument that because overall prices haven’t deflated from the runaway inflation of the Biden-era, Trump is to blame.
_________
While that is absolutely correct and true, it is also beyond the grasp of most people. I've been seeing this for over 50 years. They are unshakably convinced that ending inflation entails lowering prices.

Posted by: Eeyore at December 12, 2025 11:15 AM (s0JqF)

36 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
__

Is it because the actress who plays the lady who uses a hammer to break the writer's ankles gets naked in a hot tub in this movie?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Dv3i1)

Wrong movie. Isn't that something like "About Schmidt"?

But, yeah, AS is a terrible movie.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 12, 2025 11:15 AM (iJfKG)

37 I agree with all of this, of course millions of illegals plopping down in the US are going to effect rental and housing prices. Especially entry level ones. Add in groceries , food prices, cars, social services, energy etc.

But when you're talking about say 1-2% decrease in rent, I think more needs to be done on this front.

I keep saying that conservatives need to be more "populist" when it comes to Wall Street's newfound love of single family housing and owning rental properties. Also, wrangle in the short term rentals. So many starter houses have been gobbled up by investors. Make this a less appealing investment and watch a huge amount of inventory become available.

Posted by: Leupold at December 12, 2025 11:15 AM (eIzlH)

38 Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.
Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:11 AM (/+FOE)

Wails...gnashes teeth...rends garments...
-------------------

Is it because the actress who plays the lady who uses a hammer to break the writer's ankles gets naked in a hot tub in this movie?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Dv3i1)

I think you're thinking of About Schmidt. As Good As It Gets has a very delicious Helen Hunt who also happens to be in a (tasteful) state of undress.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (1Yy3c)

39 Please deport the Somalian welfare teat suckers from Columbus. Should help rental prices there.
Posted by: Chuck Martel

And turns from the extreme left lane on I270 to the northbound ramp of I71 after they have come to a complete dead stop.

They destroyed more than a few of the Westerville schools.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (cYBz/)

40 Is it because the actress who plays the lady who uses a hammer to break the writer's ankles gets naked in a hot tub in this movie?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:13 AM (Dv3i1)

OMG I hated that one too!!!!

Are they not the same movie?

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (/+FOE)

41 the number of illegal immigrants who have self-deported is just an estimation as a vast majority of migrants leaving without informing the government.

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

I wonder if there's a way at the macro level to analyze the rate of decline in "remittances" to their home countries as a factor in helping to better determine the estimates of self-deportations?

Where's Elon and DOGE when you need them?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (25a1J)

42 At WaPo: "Robot smaller than grain of salt can ‘sense, think and act’"

Saltgrain-Sized Robot thought balloon: "Welp, this sucks balls."

Also at WaPo, news everybody can use: "Boxed wine is a pro move for holiday parties."

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (GHIyr)

43 Is that the one with Nicholson and Helen Hunt?
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:14 AM (77rzZ)

yes.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (iJfKG)

44 If housing prices come down, we may not need a cut in the Fed rate.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:17 AM (rbvCR)

45 I looked up the movie under discussion. Nearly 30 years old. Nice cast. All of them still alive, I think. Doesn’t Nicholson have dementia now?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:17 AM (pDt9x)

46 Housing prices dropping...Isn't that one of the supposed goals of the Left? They should be cheering, right?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:17 AM (ynpvh)

47 Is this a movie thread already?? I can’t afford to go to the movies anymore… affordability crisis….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 12, 2025 11:17 AM (YobFY)

48 Is that the one with Nicholson and Helen Hunt?

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:14 AM (77rzZ)

I think so

I genuinely confuse it with About Schmidt but I didn't like either one. It may be that I hated About Schmidt, and As Good As It Gets was just one I didn't like. I don't know anything anymore.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (/+FOE)

49 Is this a movie thread already?? I can’t afford to go to the movies anymore… affordability crisis….

I don't go anymore either...donwanna crisis.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (Riz8t)

50 [snip]

Add to this the inability of Dims or 'principled' Never-Trumpers to ever admit their true motivations, and you get an internet filled with bilge.

Posted by: The Lower Depths at December 12, 2025 11:06 AM (Dg7ng)

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

True -- and one of the reasons I love this place.

At least our future AI Overlords aren't being "trained" on all that internet bilge ... wait, wut?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (25a1J)

51 42 At WaPo: "Robot smaller than grain of salt can ‘sense, think and act’"

Saltgrain-Sized Robot thought balloon: "Welp, this sucks balls."

Also at WaPo, news everybody can use: "Boxed wine is a pro move for holiday parties."

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:16 AM (GHIyr)

I know someone, for Halloween, dressed up as a box wine. It had wine inside the box and a spigot out front at lower waist height...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (ynpvh)

52 As I keep mentioning, it is a ridiculously unfair argument that because overall prices haven’t deflated from the runaway inflation of the Biden-era, Trump is to blame.

===

From a purely optics standpoint, Trump vigorously raising tariffs early in his term was not good timing.

The biggest reason Trump got elected was because of the cost of living under Biden.

The tariffs are not responsible for why things are still expensive, but even among friends/family I have that voted Trump, they blame a lot of the new reality of high prices on "tariffs".

Posted by: Leupold at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (eIzlH)

53 OT: Brady, Giffords and Everytown Join DOJ Against Your 2A Rights

https://tinyurl.com/49ss6cu7

Most gun friendly admin evah!!!

Posted by: Maj. Healey at December 12, 2025 11:19 AM (abIsI)

54 Did Nicholson ever not have dementia ?

Posted by: alpine_beer at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (van9r)

55 When does my rent go down? I want my rent to go down.
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:02 AM

At least your rent CAN go down. My mortgage payment isn't going to decrease until I have enough equity to refinance, and that assumes that will make sense at some point. Fortunately, I bought something that I could afford.

Well, pretty much, anyway.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (Zst8M)

56 I wonder if there's a way at the macro level to analyze the rate of decline in "remittances" to their home countries as a factor in helping to better determine the estimates of self-deportations?

Where's Elon and DOGE when you need them?

IIRC, remittances are a very big part of Western Union's business now. The government probably has tried to get the data, but I'm not sure if any kind of legal jeopardy would attach to WU if they complied.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (Riz8t)

57 Thx Buck. You want to hear commie stubbornness in housing? My home city is the first in upstate NY with rent control. The reasons are 1) a mass influx of idiot leftists from NYC and 2) illegals. There is some ridiculous formula as to when they don't apply. Recently the formula indicated that rent control might no longer be necessary. How deal with it? Consider passing a resolution to ignore the formula.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (D+mpw)

58 53 OT: Brady, Giffords and Everytown Join DOJ Against Your 2A Rights

https://tinyurl.com/49ss6cu7

Most gun friendly admin evah!!!

Posted by: Maj. Healey at December 12, 2025 11:19 AM (abIsI)

Obama was very gun-friendly, just not to US Citizens. Mexican Narcos got plenty of Fast-n-Furious guns...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (ynpvh)

59 However, DHS only recorded roughly 13,000 migrants who have self-deported. These self-deportations were tracked by the CBP Home App created by the Department, which gave illegal immigrants a free flight and a $1,000 bonus for leaving the country.

https://is.gd/Gi0Smo
Posted by: Archimedes
========
This has been correlated with worker numbers from DoL which tracks such things as native versus foreign employment.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:21 AM (WDjG6)

60 t WaPo: "Robot smaller than grain of salt can ‘sense, think and act’"

Saltgrain-Sized Robot thought balloon: "Welp, this sucks balls."

Oh, boo hoo.

Posted by: Capsule to be swallowed as a replacement for a colonoscopy at December 12, 2025 11:21 AM (Riz8t)

61 Everyone should have a free apartment, right? The state will pay for it. The energy for said apartment will be free to. Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job, and a guaranteed wage, enough to ensure their existence. There may be some inconveniences because of the system, but it is for the common good. Comrade.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (pDt9x)

62 Did Nicholson ever not have dementia ?
Posted by: alpine_beer at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (van9r)

he was never the same after the lobotomy.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (PSEDc)

63 The movie "ET" sucked and still sucks. There, I said it.

Posted by: Peak Pique at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (qUkBO)

64 55 When does my rent go down? I want my rent to go down.
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:02 AM

At least your rent CAN go down. My mortgage payment isn't going to decrease until I have enough equity to refinance, and that assumes that will make sense at some point. Fortunately, I bought something that I could afford.

Well, pretty much, anyway.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (Zst8M)

My mortgage company keeps calling me and sending me mail trying to entice me to refi with a cash-out. F'em. I've told them time and time again, I don't want to take out equity from my house and end up owing more, and their fees for a refi don't make it worthwhile yet.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (ynpvh)

65 Housing costs in my area peeked in spring of this year - before Trump's deportations started.

And this is a core thing - price is highly dependent on demand

So if you remove people that need housing prices will decline.

Supply and Demand.

Now government can ease housing restrictions as well, but people don't generally like that. In my blue area people are constantly complaining about their towns becoming cities. Well idiots if you vote to bring in tens of millions of people they have to live somewhere.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (sKqQm)

66 Goddammit. Iowahawk nearly made me choke on my coffee.

xcancel.com/iowahawkblog/
status/1999174078012248080

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:07 AM (1Yy3c)

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

I've never heard of "shiplap" before.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

67 'Reducing the cost of housing is the highest priority when talking about “affordability,” and President Trump’s policies are making it happen.'

Why the scare quotes around "affordability?" Either it's a real problem that Trump's wise policies are fixing, or it's a Dem hoax to be scare-quoted. Pick one.

IMHO, things are not very affordable right now, no scare quotes needed.

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (GHIyr)

68 63 The movie "ET" sucked and still sucks. There, I said it.

Posted by: Peak Pique at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (qUkBO)

Kumala Whoris played ET?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (ynpvh)

69 Well maybe job opportunity will increase as well

Posted by: Skip at December 12, 2025 11:23 AM (Ffvt8)

70 I think what's driving the affordability issue more than anything is the spiraling cost of health care, which some in the media probably know but won't really do a deep dive on, since a lot of it's being driven by Obamacare.

Either way, it is a problem, and whatever the pros and cons of the tariff issue, I think (hindsight is 20/20, as always) Trump would have done better to hammer that instead. Though it's an open question whether the GOP would have given him any support.

Posted by: Dr. T at December 12, 2025 11:23 AM (lHPJf)

71 Rent, the play.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:23 AM (pDt9x)

72 Ironically, controlling Bidenflation raises housing costs in the short term.

Why?

Higher inflation rates mean higher loan rates mean fewer buyers.

So as loan rates go down there are more potential buyers and therefore higher prices.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:23 AM (sKqQm)

73 The movie "ET" sucked and still sucks. There, I said it.
Posted by: Peak Pique

Yeah, I never understood all the ballyhoo about that flick.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:24 AM (77rzZ)

74 've never heard of "shiplap" before.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

Tell me you never watched HGTV without telling me you never watched HGTV?

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:24 AM (/+FOE)

75 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

=====

You obviously don't watch HGTV.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 12, 2025 11:24 AM (DRSnL)

76 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe

That's the most jarring statement we've ever heard.

Posted by: Chip, Joanna at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (oftw2)

77 Republicans in Congress have a solution.

They're going to reveal it once they've:
- passed union protections for federal workers
- extended the Obamacare subsidies
- held hearings on whether Santa Clause is a socialist threat
- passed amnesty to speedboat fishermen trying to deliver powdered "fish" to Cuba

Then, and only then, can they get around to helping American citizens.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (HXT0k)

78 There are a lot of new apartments and homes coming on line in the next 12 months or so. Many were delayed for years during covid. So this is yet another market anomaly the negative effects of which you can blame on covid hysteria.

If you drive around most major cities, you'll see tons of residential construction. At least two new high-rise condos are going up around my place in Manhattan. One in particular I know was delayed 24 months due in part to covid.

These are not totally "new" apartments, as older apartment buildings were knocked down to build these, but they are bigger (more rooms) and almost certainly more high-end.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (iFTx/)

79 Helen Hunt, the Amy Schumer of Sally Fields.

Posted by: Peak Pique at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (qUkBO)

80 71 Rent, the play.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:23 AM (pDt9x)

That was gay as fk, literally. A song extolling the joys of Anal Sex? No thanks. Only watched it because wife wanted to watch it, and afterwards, never again.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (ynpvh)

81 The best shiplap is always made of Bamboo. Lush, fast growing sustainable bamboo. Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (pDt9x)

82 From a purely optics standpoint, Trump vigorously raising tariffs early in his term was not good timing.

The biggest reason Trump got elected was because of the cost of living under Biden.

The tariffs are not responsible for why things are still expensive, but even among friends/family I have that voted Trump, they blame a lot of the new reality of high prices on "tariffs".
Posted by: Leupold at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (eIzlH)

It was a calculated risk; the fastest way to get employment moving up and costs moving down was to rapidly repair the massive trade imbalances between the US and the rest of the world, and shaking everyone up with the tarriffs was by far the fastest way to do that.

But it risked the bad optics, as you say. So whether it pays off or not depends on whether the economy begins to noticably improve. I actually think the chances are very good.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (uWKK8)

83 But some prices are actually coming down. As Ace and I have been discussing, gasoline prices are historically low thanks to Trump’s drill-baby-drill energy policy.

What does "historically low" mean? Prices are not even back to the low national averages that existed during the Obama Administration and Trump 45 Administration years.

Over 600,000 aliens have been deported and another 1.9 million have self-deported. Those 2.5 million people were occupying a lot of housing that is now competing for new tenants.

That's a great start. But considering there were about 40-50 million illegal aliens in the country -- with I think 10 million brought in under the Biden/Obama Administration from January 2021 to January 2025 -- 2.5 million is only 5% of the total and 25% of what came in under Biden/Obama.

At this rate, we'll only be rid of the 10 million brought in under Biden by the end of President Trump's 2nd term.

Which is good, of course. But not anywhere near sufficient. 100% of illegal aliens need to be deported asap. And if Democrats take over Congress in January 2027 and a MAGA Republican does not win the Presidency in 2028...

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (P5BPp)

84 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

That's because you are heterosexual and male.

I had to look it up. It's apparently a froo froo term for siding.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (1Yy3c)

85 Republicans in Congress have a solution.

They're going to reveal it once they've:
- passed union protections for federal workers
- extended the Obamacare subsidies
- held hearings on whether Santa Clause is a socialist threat
- passed amnesty to speedboat fishermen trying to deliver powdered "fish" to Cuba

Then, and only then, can they get around to helping American citizens.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (HXT0k)

If by that you mean "issue a strongly worded resolution about the necessity of helping American citizens," then yes.

Posted by: Dr. T at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (lHPJf)

86 I think what's driving the affordability issue more than anything is the spiraling cost of health care, which some in the media probably know but won't really do a deep dive on, since a lot of it's being driven by Obamacare.

All that free and reduced cost healthcare is paid for by someone. And that's why people that aren't on welfare have seen their costs explode.

Get rid of the free riders and costs will start to go down.

And this is the only significant way, outside of rationing (which Europe does) to bring costs down.

Yes you can lower paperwork (which the government/insurance companies don't want to do). Yes you can mandate price transparency. And some other small things.

But if you want to get prices down for health insurance/health care costs you need to remove all those illegals and reduce the number of Americans getting freebies as well

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (sKqQm)

87 81 The best shiplap is always made of Bamboo. Lush, fast growing sustainable bamboo. Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (pDt9x)

Can you smoke it?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (ynpvh)

88 "controlling Bidenflation"

Will there come a point in the next three years when the current administration can finally take responsibility for the current state of the economy?

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (GHIyr)

89 The best shiplap is always made of Bamboo. Lush, fast growing sustainable bamboo. Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (pDt9x)

And very sensual.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (3h4I5)

90 Everyone should have a free apartment, right? The state will pay for it. The energy for said apartment will be free to. Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job, and a guaranteed wage, enough to ensure their existence. There may be some inconveniences because of the system, but it is for the common good. Comrade.
Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (pDt9x)

and we can go down and serenade our political betters with songs like Ol' Man Ribah while they sit on their verandahs and sip mint juleps on those sultry summer evenings.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (rbvCR)

91 What about the trucks and cars that will be back on the market once the former owner has been deported?

Or are we going to hear a lot of whining from TriColor and the idiots that underwrote the sub-prime debt as they demand that our feckless politicians bail them out?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (rgGn5)

92 I just discovered another beautiful ginger actress, whom I had never heard of before: Sarah Rafferty. Yum.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (77rzZ)

93 TJM:

I started to watch your latest vid, saved it to one of my lists due to time constraint.

I have only one thing to say about your vid:

"It's a Wonderful Christmas Suit"

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (dCxaZ)

94 84 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

That's because you are heterosexual and male.

I had to look it up. It's apparently a froo froo term for siding.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (1Yy3c)

Shiplap is to ships as Rocky Mountain Oysters are to oysters...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (ynpvh)

95 75 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)
=====
You obviously don't watch HGTV.
Posted by: Jordan61 at December 12, 2025 11:24 AM (DRSnL)

funny, I lived in a house with shiplap siding for 20 years or therabouts.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 12, 2025 11:28 AM (uWKK8)

96 I just discovered another beautiful ginger actress, whom I had never heard of before: Sarah Rafferty. Yum.

She was in Suits, but she never did much for me.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:28 AM (Riz8t)

97 My understanding also over the past decade (seemed to start with the Covid PsyOps but likely was even decades before that) what contributed much to skyrocketing rentals was the oligopoly asset managers like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street buying up available homes and turning them into rentals.

Remember the old (Klaus Scwab and WEF?) "You will own nothing and you will be happy" bullshit?

Anyone know if that's still going on?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (25a1J)

98 I keep saying that conservatives need to be more "populist" when it comes to Wall Street's newfound love of single family housing and owning rental properties.
Posted by: Leupold
======
Deny big institutional investors any tax deduction for interest on single family home mortgages. In a sense, the leverage that large entities get from abnormally low borrowing rates compared with individuals means they have an advantage in offering cash money on homes versus individuals in hot markets.

The other way is have localities strictly regulate rental housing. Most of the landlords like Blackrock are shitty landlords that often buy shitty new development homes that instantly require maintenance--hvac, quality of roofing, plumbing, and other such things are often subpar, which leads in turn to insta slum. Blackrock and others were essentially relying on govt subsidies like Section 8, refugee settlement, and others to fill their insta slums and like a NYC landlord, promptly ignore maintenance to goose their profit.

They enshittify areas pretty quickly while doing the legal bribery and canoodling with developers and local pols. Often affordable housing subsidies as well.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (WDjG6)

99 I just discovered another beautiful ginger actress, whom I had never heard of before: Sarah Rafferty. Yum.
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM (77rzZ)

She's no Karen Gillan, but she's alright.

Posted by: Dr. T at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (lHPJf)

100 Shiplap is a fun word because it has both "shi" and "plap" in it.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (Dv3i1)

101 That's because you are heterosexual and male.

I had to look it up. It's apparently a froo froo term for siding.
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (1Yy3c)

That is because you never worked in construction, remodeling or anything that didn't just require sheets of OSB

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (rbvCR)

102 87 81 The best shiplap is always made of Bamboo. Lush, fast growing sustainable bamboo. Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (pDt9x)

Can you smoke it?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (ynpvh)

Of course. Bamboo has a multitude of uses. It might be nature’s perfect plant. Life is like Bamboo, when you think about it. I need you to think about it. Everyone should contemplate Bamboo, its’ nature and purpose.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (pDt9x)

103 The tariffs are not responsible for why things are still expensive, but even among friends/family I have that voted Trump, they blame a lot of the new reality of high prices on "tariffs".

--

I'm no economist, but I'm pretty sure that tariffs don't cause inflation. But that seems to be the leftish/Vichy Republican take.

Posted by: Tortured Eardrum Society at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (vqA1l)

104 But if you want to get prices down for health insurance/health care costs you need to remove all those illegals and reduce the number of Americans getting freebies as well
Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (sKqQm)

Canada has figured out to lower the cost of health care dramatically!

Kill anyone who gets sick.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (uWKK8)

105 Go, Greased Lightnin', you're coasting through the shiplap trials...

Posted by: Bad Andrew at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (MSlZp)

106 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

That's because you are heterosexual and male.

Right? Men, real men, do clinker built (overlapping).

Posted by: Vikings at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (Riz8t)

107 What about the trucks and cars that will be back on the market once the former owner has been deported? . . .
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

That reminds me - never, and I mean never, consider a used car previously owned by an Indian person/family. The person offering it for sale will lie about every detail of it including color.

Just saying.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (cYBz/)

108 101 That's because you are heterosexual and male.

I had to look it up. It's apparently a froo froo term for siding.
Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (1Yy3c)

That is because you never worked in construction, remodeling or anything that didn't just require sheets of OSB

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM (rbvCR)

I ain't down with OSB, yeah you know me.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (ynpvh)

109 Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job

I saw some lefty pol talking about this and the reporter actually did his job once and asked, "Well what if someone doesn't want the job the government offers them?"

And the answer was textbook marxism - "well of course they'd HAVE to take that job."

All these young socialists think they will be a rapper/writer/philosopher for the government aren't going to be happy when they find out they'll be digging ditches.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (sKqQm)

110 I wonder if there's a way at the macro level to analyze the rate of decline in "remittances" to their home countries as a factor in helping to better determine the estimates of self-deportations?

Where's Elon and DOGE when you need them?

IIRC, remittances are a very big part of Western Union's business now. The government probably has tried to get the data, but I'm not sure if any kind of legal jeopardy would attach to WU if they complied.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:20 AM (Riz8t)
______

It's basically all of WU's business. So much so, that as soon as the recent restrictions on remittances were announced, the company made a splashy announcement that it was (suddenly!) focusing on finding new revenue streams.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at December 12, 2025 11:31 AM (iFTx/)

111 109 Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job

I saw some lefty pol talking about this and the reporter actually did his job once and asked, "Well what if someone doesn't want the job the government offers them?"

And the answer was textbook marxism - "well of course they'd HAVE to take that job."

All these young socialists think they will be a rapper/writer/philosopher for the government aren't going to be happy when they find out they'll be digging ditches.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (sKqQm)

Wasn't the quote "a remunerative job"?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:31 AM (ynpvh)

112 That reminds me - never, and I mean never, consider a used car previously owned by an Indian person/family. The person offering it for sale will lie about every detail of it including color.

Just saying.
Posted by: Tonypete at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (cYBz/)

I assume we're talking IT here, not casino.

Posted by: Dr. T at December 12, 2025 11:31 AM (lHPJf)

113 Shiplap is to ships as Rocky Mountain Oysters are to oysters...

It's a perfectly good method for building wooden boats but that ain't it in the picture of Tucker.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (3nLb4)

114 Posted by: Chip, Joanna at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (oftw2)

=====

I wish you two would eff off already.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (DRSnL)

115 >>>Everyone should have a free apartment, right? The state will pay for it. The energy for said apartment will be free to. Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job, and a guaranteed wage, enough to ensure their existence. There may be some inconveniences because of the system, but it is for the common good. Comrade.

Posted by: tubal

>I like your thinking, Comrade. You may have free reign on my daughter and wife as well. A good citizen is a mindless, compliant citizen.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (1zOXE)

116 German shiplap is the classiest siding ever, by the way

By the way, that isn't shiplap, that is beadboard.

BEADBOARD David, get your s___ together!

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (rbvCR)

117 Anyone know if that's still going on?
Posted by: ShainS
====
Yes. But in part because they relied on a raft of government subsidies and low cost capital to house new illegals, refugees, and Section 8 and getting breaks on zoning, etc. via affordable housing mandates.

And they are proving to be shit landlords skimping on maintenance, screwing average people on payments, late fees, etc., and so on. Basically just like big airlines degraded flying, big Tech degraded customer support, and so on.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (WDjG6)

118 "Interesting. It’s almost as if there is some other force affecting supply and demand of housing units if there is suddenly lighter demand for housing. "

I thought Dems scheming, price controls and screaming about affordability or whatever is what set prices.

Posted by: Ripley at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (GUOwU)

119 109 Oh, and everyone should have a guaranteed job

I saw some lefty pol talking about this and the reporter actually did his job once and asked, "Well what if someone doesn't want the job the government offers them?"

And the answer was textbook marxism - "well of course they'd HAVE to take that job."

All these young socialists think they will be a rapper/writer/philosopher for the government aren't going to be happy when they find out they'll be digging ditches.
Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:30 AM (sKqQm)

Cleaning shitters is not their dream? Oh well, there’s always Walmart stocker gig to aspire to.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (pDt9x)

120 I understand that bamboo is damn near impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (77rzZ)

121 120 I understand that bamboo is damn near impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (77rzZ)

Sounds like commies in government...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (ynpvh)

122 Decreasing number of illegal aliens. Lowering housing costs and increasing wage. Obviously not related. 🤣

Posted by: MacRadDoc at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (+OjEW)

123 I understand that bamboo is damn near impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (77rzZ)

Sounds like commies in government...

And superhero movies.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:34 AM (Riz8t)

124 IIRC, remittances are a very big part of Western Union's business now. The government probably has tried to get the data, but I'm not sure if any kind of legal jeopardy would attach to WU if they complied.
Posted by: Archimedes

They don't have much of a choice. Fincen regulations are pretty broad. It is just that the Eye of Donald has not turned toward remittances yet. Bessent though has them on his radar scope.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:34 AM (WDjG6)

125 It's basically all of WU's business. So much so, that as soon as the recent restrictions on remittances were announced, the company made a splashy announcement that it was (suddenly!) focusing on finding new revenue streams.

Second look at telegrams?

Posted by: Archimedes at December 12, 2025 11:34 AM (Riz8t)

126 122 Decreasing number of illegal aliens. Lowering housing costs and increasing wage. Obviously not related. 🤣

Posted by: MacRadDoc at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (+OjEW)

Sounds like a disaster for GOPe and Dems...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:34 AM (ynpvh)

127 It's basically all of WU's business. So much so, that as soon as the recent restrictions on remittances were announced, the company made a splashy announcement that it was (suddenly!) focusing on finding new revenue streams.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at December 12, 2025 11:31 AM (iFTx/)

The other part of it is that Jamie Dimon just admitted that JPMorgan Chase is using Crypto and Bitcoin to do bank transfers now. Very large transfers that don't use SWIFT.

Crypto means WU has no real role in the banking world.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (rbvCR)

128 80
‘ Only watched it because wife wanted to watch it, and afterwards, never again.’

I let my wife watch that one on her own.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (jbnUc)

129 120 I understand that bamboo is damn near impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:33 AM (77rzZ)

Bamboo, like Life, will find a way. Bamboo has purpose, and is steadfast. We should model our lives on the Bamboo Model.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (pDt9x)

130 Wasn't the quote "a remunerative job"?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:31 AM (ynpvh)

I'm convinced that certain words aren't meant to be spoken out loud. "Remunerative" is such a fucking clunker that it only looks intelligent written out but trying to say it makes the speaker look like a pretentious dolt.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (1Yy3c)

131 Hey, Landlord! was a 1966-67 TV series starring Will Hutchins, Sandy Baron, Michael Constantine, and the luscious Pamela Rodgers. I really liked it, but not enough USAmericans agreed with me. It was Garry Marshall's first series.

Posted by: TV Hall of Fame at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (oftw2)

132 Crypto means WU has no real role in the banking world.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (rbvCR)

COCKSUCKAHH!!!

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (/+FOE)

133 They don't have much of a choice. Fincen regulations are pretty broad. It is just that the Eye of Donald has not turned toward remittances yet. Bessent though has them on his radar scope.
Posted by: whig

Sounds vaguely like Tolkein. Is Schiff carrying the Ring of Impeachment to Mt. Roberts in this analogy?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (Dv3i1)

134 99 As much as I love gingers, I've never gotten the Karen Gillan thing. She's cute enough, but just doesn't push my buttons.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (77rzZ)

135 123 I understand that bamboo is damn near impossible to eradicate once it becomes established.

Posted by: Bulg
-------
Only have it in containers. It spreads underground and requires massive effort to keep it from spreading including digging trenches around a grove and putting barriers around it.

If you keep cutting it down and killing it when new shoots emerge with brush killers, it can also do it over a long period of time.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

136 Doesn’t Nicholson have dementia now?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:17 AM (pDt9x)

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

Does he still sit courtside at Lakers home games with the rest of the glitteratti?

And is Queen LeBron still playing for them and taking it up the ass from Chairman "Winnie The Pooh" Xi? /rhetorical

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (25a1J)

137 128 80
‘ Only watched it because wife wanted to watch it, and afterwards, never again.’

I let my wife watch that one on her own.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:35 AM (jbnUc)

I knew nothing about it beforehand. Afterwards, I was, "What in the name of all that's Good and Virtuous was that hell I just watched?"

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (ynpvh)

138
I get a "Page not found."
Posted by: Bulg

Remove the space and the adjacent period

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (xG4kz)

139 Receptionist: How do you write women so well?

Melvin Udall: I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

Posted by: As Good As It Gets at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (P5BPp)

140 133 They don't have much of a choice. Fincen regulations are pretty broad. It is just that the Eye of Donald has not turned toward remittances yet. Bessent though has them on his radar scope.
Posted by: whig

Sounds vaguely like Tolkein. Is Schiff carrying the Ring of Impeachment to Mt. Roberts in this analogy?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (Dv3i1)

Yes. The Trump though, he is Tricksey, Precious.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (pDt9x)

141 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

Work in home improvement and you'll start shooting anybody who mentions it. lol

Its what I call trendy ugly.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (snZF9)

142 I don't know anything anymore.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:18 AM (/+FOE)

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

* Comment archived for future use *

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (25a1J)

143 There are varieties of Bamboo that can grow 18" per day in the tropics. The Paolo should have such a problem.

Posted by: Bamboo Shoots at December 12, 2025 11:38 AM (oftw2)

144 81
‘ Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?’

No . I didn’t know that, Mr. Claven. Was that a question on Jeopardy?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:39 AM (jbnUc)

145 > I wonder if there's a way at the macro level to analyze the rate of decline in "remittances" to their home countries as a factor in helping to better determine the estimates of self-deportations?
----------
The bitching and moaning from Mexico's prezzy might not factor the self-deportations, but it sure sounded like it amounted to a whole lot of Mexico's GDP.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 12, 2025 11:39 AM (NwnyJ)

146 Canada has figured out to lower the cost of health care dramatically!

Kill anyone who gets sick.

That is actually an interesting talking point. Canada and every euthanasia enthusiast and abortionist has already endorsed killing people in the name of "health care".

If you are a foreigner or otherwise expecting the public to pick up the medical tab, then you get to pick your "health care" treatment plan from the Euthanasia Menu.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 12, 2025 11:39 AM (pUU4E)

147 As much as I love gingers, I've never gotten the Karen Gillan thing. She's cute enough, but just doesn't push my buttons.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (77rzZ)

She is equal parts cute and sexy, that's pretty much it.

She's like if a basket full of puppies was super hot. It's weird now that I put it that way.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (/+FOE)

148 144 81
‘ Did you know that Bamboo is really grass?’

No . I didn’t know that, Mr. Claven. Was that a question on Jeopardy?
Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:39 AM (jbnUc)

I learned from Ryan Lizza, Philosopher.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (pDt9x)

149 >>> Not saying this to upset anyone but I can't even quantify how much I hated As Good As It Gets.

I liked all of it but the stupid road trip with gay guy drawing her. One of the last decent grown up romantic comedies. I liked the gay guy, I liked Nicholson obviously relishing playing a detestable person with a secret heart of gold, I liked the dog, and the gay guy getting ticked his dog likes Jack. I liked Helen hunt's storyline. The harried single mom, the gay guy getting beat up, the OCD... There was a realness to the characters' lives that gets sanded off in the fluffy Romantic comedies with the teenyboppers in them. And none of them were woke or perfect. Just people. I miss Hollywood writing just people.

And of course it has one of the funniest exchanges in 90s cinematic history:

-- How do you write women so well?
-- I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (gWBY1)

150 147 As much as I love gingers, I've never gotten the Karen Gillan thing. She's cute enough, but just doesn't push my buttons.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (77rzZ)

She is equal parts cute and sexy, that's pretty much it.

She's like if a basket full of puppies was super hot. It's weird now that I put it that way.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (/+FOE)

Go on...

Posted by: Sam Brinton at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (ynpvh)

151 @134

>>As much as I love gingers, I've never gotten the Karen Gillan thing. She's cute enough, but just doesn't push my buttons.

Any man that talks about Amy Pond this way, get's a night in the box.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 12, 2025 11:41 AM (XV/Pl)

152 As much as I love gingers, I've never gotten the Karen Gillan thing. She's cute enough, but just doesn't push my buttons.
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (77rzZ)

Sigh....
Well, she can certainly push mine.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 12, 2025 11:41 AM (2WIwB)

153 Sam Brinton. Wonder what that Perv is up to? Baggage handler for United?

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:41 AM (pDt9x)

154
Yes, we haven't a DC is a swamp problem.

What we have is a DC is a bamboo grove problem.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at December 12, 2025 11:42 AM (xG4kz)

155 * Comment archived for future use *

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:37 AM (25a1J)

Click the plus sign in my hash and you'll find out all about future use.

I'm just kidding I just wanted to point out my hash which says it all but not usually on Friday.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:42 AM (/+FOE)

156 I need to stop commenting, I'm driving in heavy traffic right now.

I'M KIDDING! Im kidding I'm kidding I'm kidding.

I'm at home on the shitter.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:42 AM (1Yy3c)

157 Sounds vaguely like Tolkein. Is Schiff carrying the Ring of Impeachment to Mt. Roberts in this analogy?
Posted by: Chuck Martel
=======
Well Schiff would be more like Saruman in that scenario. But I think the Donald is aware of the issue but is relying on delegation to Bessent right now instead of speaking about it publicly.

Remittances interact with Donald's foreign policy/tariff initiatives with Latin America, India, among other strategic places. JJ had a link to a story about the whole drug trade emanating from Venezuela and likely destabilizing the West Coast of Africa nations like Benin, etc. fueling Muzzie terrorism in Nigeria against Christians, etc.

Venezuela has apparently become a nexus for all sorts of bad cartels and foreign players like Russia, China, and Iran to colonize in the US backyard. Also apparently Venezuelans were still involved in the Smartmatic voting machines which licensed the technology to Dominion which is coming out. Smartmatic (or whatever they call themselves now) managers ares facing prison for bribes in the Philippine Islands regarding elections there as well.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:42 AM (WDjG6)

158 In the past eight months, the USA M1 money supply has grown 2.8%. Milton Friedman sez: "There's your inflation, folks."

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (GHIyr)

159
Why are we falling for the Democrats' "affordability" Gaslighting?

We even immediately adopted their stupid buzzword "affordability."

All you need to know is by "affordability," Democrats mean "free." They Have No Plan to "lower costs." Their only "plan" is subsidize Everything.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (b3HfZ)

160 Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 11:40 AM (gWBY1)

Yeah I realized that it's About Schmidt I despised, and I just didn't like As Good As It Gets. I think.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (/+FOE)

161 104 Canada has figured out to lower the cost of health care dramatically!

Kill anyone who gets sick.

in the book moscow 2042, moscow (a city-state in the book) solved its health-care problem by deporting anyone who got sick.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_2042

Posted by: anachronda at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (v3pYe)

162 85 Republicans in Congress have a solution.

They're going to reveal it once they've:
- passed union protections for federal workers
- extended the Obamacare subsidies
- held hearings on whether Santa Clause is a socialist threat
- passed amnesty to speedboat fishermen trying to deliver powdered "fish" to Cuba

Then, and only then, can they get around to helping American citizens.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:25 AM (HXT0k)

If by that you mean "issue a strongly worded resolution about the necessity of helping American citizens," then yes.
Posted by: Dr. T at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (lHPJf)

There's a reason Johnson kept the House out 6+ weeks - there are more true Ds than true Rs there, and he can't stop discharge petitions when they happen.

Good news is none of the virtue signaling will become law, so it's pointless posturing...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (tOcjL)

163 Speaking of housing vacancies...same holds f true in many cities (i.e. urban shitholes) for business street frontages. Over 60% of the ground level store fronts in a six square block area of downtown Seattle are shuttered. But have the rents come down?
Nope.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 12, 2025 11:43 AM (2WIwB)

164 I'll admit that I've never actually seen Karen Gillan on screen, just internet image searches. Maybe if I actually saw her on screen my opinion of her would be higher.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (77rzZ)

165 Since when do Democrats give a shit about people affording stuff? What happened to Obama's energy prices that were going to "necessarily skyrocket"?

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (/+FOE)

166 I've never heard of "shiplap" before.
Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:22 AM (25a1J)

Shiplap is boards with a rabbet facing one way on one edge, and a rabbet facing the other way on the opposite edge, so with adjacent boards the rabbets overlap.

Having said that, the wall in the photo looks like tongue and groove to me.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (npFr7)

167 Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

I have an ornamental bamboo called nandina

it has taken longer for it to do its underground spreading routine, but it definitely is multiplying itself. But I don't mind because the red berries are so beautiful this time of year

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (dCxaZ)

168 Newsweek: Mamdani Effect’ Is Seeing More People Moving to New York, Not Leaving It.

...brokerage firm Olshan Realty reports sales of luxury homes...were up by 31 percent in November compared with October...brokerage Douglas Elliman, reported a similar increase, saying that sales in November were up 25 percent from a month earlier.

And anyone who needs a place despite their politics would want to buy before anyone increases taxes on that transaction. I live in a different city but heard that while visiting.

While I do support many of Mamdanis policy’s, knowing that Cuomo was going to leave if Mamdani won sweetened the deal

If you're the sort of rich that they're talking about, where else are you going to go to live the sort of lifestyle that NYC provides?

His proposed millionaire's surtax is only 2% too. When you're rich enough to be clearing over 1mil annually, a little 2% ain't gonna be enough to offset the benefit of being located in NYC.

We did the same thing in MA with a 5% surtax and surprise, the rich are still here and we funded universal school lunch and a few other things with it.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (JCZqz)

169 There is a redeeming aspect of "As Good as it Gets". A homosexual was brutally beaten by other homosexuals for no good reason, and this depiction matches reality to a great degree. Leftists have been lying to us for decades that the greatest threat to homosexuals is straight people, but normal people actually tend to leave homosexuals alone.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (FMtrg)

170 167 Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

I have an ornamental bamboo called nandina

it has taken longer for it to do its underground spreading routine, but it definitely is multiplying itself. But I don't mind because the red berries are so beautiful this time of year

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (dCxaZ)

are the berries edible?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (ynpvh)

171 Click the plus sign in my hash and you'll find out all about future use.

I'm just kidding I just wanted to point out my hash which says it all but not usually on Friday.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:42 AM (/+FOE)

FOE = Full Of Excrement?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (3h4I5)

172 Rapidly declining in birthrates is also going to cause a drop in demand for larger house (4 or more bedrooms) in next few years. Time to sell while there are still families around with three or more kids. I'm selling as soon as my 2nd of three goes off to college in a couple years.

Posted by: Ripley at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (GUOwU)

173 More money. Less stuff.

Print all the money. Stop making stuff. Import cheap trash you immediately throw into a landfill, and pay for it on your credit card with money that doesn't exist.

Bam.

Inflation.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (Vq1pX)

174 Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (77rzZ)

Images do not do the woman justice. There are just some chicks you have to see in motion. Preferably slow motion.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (/+FOE)

175
The problem with inflation is that it sets a "New Zero".

So, in theory, things will never go back to the before Biden times.

Three things helping Trump though:
1) A lot of the inflation was caused by trying top destroy the USA's cheap energy and energy production,
Lower energy costs help everything go lower.

2) Massive deportation. A lot of Biden Handlers(?) plan was to drive inflation by immigration. That's being handled though I wish more aggressively.

3) Since Clinton the Democrats have been talking about "solving the debt" through inflation. Because, then we are paying our debts with worthless money. Ha ha ha! The Chinese are getting worthless dollars! Ha ha ha! What about US citizens? Fuck'em! HA HA HA!.
That idea's no longer being used.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (iJfKG)

176 FOE = Full Of Excrement?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (3h4I5)

It's like you've known me all my life.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (/+FOE)

177 There's two types of bamboo: the kind that clusters, and the kind that has rhizomes that grow underground and spread like roots.

The rhizomes are nearly impossible to eradicate once they spread. You have to dig deep trenches around them and and put in heavy plastic as a barrier so they don't spread.

I did my homework and planted the cluster kind of bamboo. Filled in a tough spot in my yard beautifully and quickly, never spread, easy to care for. Loved the look and the low maintenance.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (gWBY1)

178 'All you need to know is by "affordability," Democrats mean "free."'

When Republicans talk about "affordability," they mean "it's never our fault, and we can't fix any problems we inherit anyway."

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (GHIyr)

179 104
‘ Canada has figured out to lower the cost of health care dramatically!

Kill anyone who gets sick.’

Give a man Canadian Healthcare and he’ll have medical care for the rest of his life.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (jbnUc)

180 I’m really skeptical about the self deportation numbers. It has an air of “jobs saved or created” from the Obama years. How does the govt even know if someone self deported. It’s not like they check in and say “hey ICE just FYI I’m leaving now”. It’s all estimates and guesses which can be inflated easily.

Home prices had to start falling eventually. At some point if nobody can afford a product the product’s price has to adjust. This is Econ 101 stuff.

As for places like Austin or Phoenix a ton of people went there during Covid to escape blue state lockdowns. But then they realized they miss California or Chicago or wherever. And are moving back. Notice the article says Providence is up 5%. That’s the pattern.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (9iyS+)

181 I'll admit that I've never actually seen Karen Gillan on screen, just internet image searches. Maybe if I actually saw her on screen my opinion of her would be higher.
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (77rzZ)

***

Cute smile, red hair of course, and legs that go on for ever and ever!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (2WIwB)

182 170 167 Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

I have an ornamental bamboo called nandina

it has taken longer for it to do its underground spreading routine, but it definitely is multiplying itself. But I don't mind because the red berries are so beautiful this time of year

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (dCxaZ)

are the berries edible?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (ynpvh)

Internet says berries contain cyanide, so maybe.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (pDt9x)

183 I just discovered another beautiful ginger actress, whom I had never heard of before: Sarah Rafferty. Yum.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:27 AM

You obviously never watched the series Suits? Her character was excellent in that. And yes, quite yum.

Posted by: As Good As It Gets at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (P5BPp)

184 182 170 167 Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

I have an ornamental bamboo called nandina

it has taken longer for it to do its underground spreading routine, but it definitely is multiplying itself. But I don't mind because the red berries are so beautiful this time of year

Posted by: kallisto at December 12, 2025 11:44 AM (dCxaZ)

are the berries edible?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:45 AM (ynpvh)

Internet says berries contain cyanide, so maybe.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (pDt9x)

Yum, just like apple seeds!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (ynpvh)

185 The other part of it is that Jamie Dimon just admitted that JPMorgan Chase is using Crypto and Bitcoin to do bank transfers now. Very large transfers that don't use SWIFT.

Crypto means WU has no real role in the banking world.
Posted by: Kindltot
========
US has already proven it can track blockchain transactions and unwind them if necessary. A lot of the crypto hype was that it was untraceable. It isn't probably for state actors anymore than numbered accounts in the Cayman Islands are safe from monitoring.

I have come to the conclusion that privacy is dead from state actors and most commercial entitites unless you want to live like Ted Kaczynski.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:47 AM (WDjG6)

186 “Affordability Crisis”

It'd be amusing and maybe useful to insert a parrot squawking into these NPC OPS.

Posted by: DaveA at December 12, 2025 11:48 AM (FhXTo)

187 lol @ the shiplap retorts.

No, never watched HGTV (killed cable like two decades ago).

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:48 AM (25a1J)

188 Oh... and bamboo flooring was all the rage in the 2010s I think. My office redid floors and put some down. It was gorgeous...until movers trucked some dolly's in loaded down with a tin of weight, and left permanent dolly wheel grooves in the bamboo.

Do not recommend as flooring unless you get the really high end stuff.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 11:48 AM (gWBY1)

189 162 85 Republicans in Congress have a solution.

They're going to reveal it once they've:
- passed union protections for federal workers
- extended the Obamacare subsidies

---

Apparently they're holding the line on the subsidies:

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.

https://tinyurl.com/4etscewj
(AP via Spectrum News)

It seems they've got a backbone somewhere that they pull out on special occasions.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 12, 2025 11:49 AM (6ydKt)

190 186 “Affordability Crisis”

It'd be amusing and maybe useful to insert a parrot squawking into these NPC OPS.

Posted by: DaveA at December 12, 2025 11:48 AM (FhXTo)

Affordability Crisis...
Climate Crisis...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:49 AM (ynpvh)

191 ...brokerage firm Olshan Realty reports sales of luxury homes...were up by 31 percent in November compared with October...brokerage Douglas Elliman, reported a similar increase, saying that sales in November were up 25 percent from a month earlier.

See I always wonder about stats like this. Why wouldn't you compare one Nov to another. Does NYC normally see more sales in Nov then Oct?

But then also...isn't this being driven by the people who want a luxury NYC place getting in before Mammy gets his new taxes?

Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:49 AM (sKqQm)

192 it has taken longer for it to do its underground spreading routine, but it definitely is multiplying itself. But I don't mind because the red berries are so beautiful this time of year

Posted by: kallisto

FWIW, if you have the original strains of heavenly bamboo aka nandina, it will spread more aggressively via new baby nandina. Rose of Sharon is another such.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:49 AM (WDjG6)

193 Not just housing. Less traffic. Less demand for electricity and water.

Posted by: MikeN at December 12, 2025 11:50 AM (aw6/b)

194 183 I never even heard of Suits before I looked up the lovely Sarah Rafferty.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:50 AM (77rzZ)

195 Republicans in Nov 2024: "Give us control of the WH and the Congress, and we promise to spend the next four years still blaming every fucking thing that goes wrong on Democrats."

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 11:50 AM (GHIyr)

196 It'd be moar amusing and maybe useful to insert a pig squealing.

Posted by: parrots at December 12, 2025 11:50 AM (Kt19C)

197 My MiL, not exactly a bundle of humor,,had the biggest laugh of her life when she saw that we SELL english ivy in this country. It's pervasive garden poison over there, she couldn't believe people here pay for it.

It's be like going to another country and seeing bundles of fire ants for sale.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (/+FOE)

198 All those trendy decor items become outdated fast. Keep it simple with traditional items. White kitchens, hardwood floors, etc. The simpler the better. It’s timeless and holds its value.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (9iyS+)

199 I gotta start looking for health insurance for myself and the kids (technically part-time worker, but haven't worked much since I was laid-off last year and got sick thereafter). Any good ones out there that still exist in Kalifornia?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (ynpvh)

200 Its’ a housing thread, its’ a movie thread, its’s a ginger thread, its’s a construction thread. Buck, you laid out a helluva Smorgasbord!

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (pDt9x)

201 Canada has figured out to lower the cost of health care dramatically!

Kill anyone who gets sick.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 12, 2025 11:29 AM

Not to mention, kill all the white people.

From this morning's Morning Report:

Free health care for Muslim migrants. Free death for Canadian taxpayers.

Canada’s Euthanasia Kills 96% White People

LINK: https://bit.ly/4pZtI7E

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 12, 2025 11:52 AM (P5BPp)

202 197 My MiL, not exactly a bundle of humor,,had the biggest laugh of her life when she saw that we SELL english ivy in this country. It's pervasive garden poison over there, she couldn't believe people here pay for it.

It's be like going to another country and seeing bundles of fire ants for sale.

Posted by: ... at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (/+FOE)

Give it to the neighbors you don't like, but eventually it'll end up in your yard...LOL

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:52 AM (ynpvh)

203 No, never watched HGTV (killed cable like two decades ago).
Posted by: ShainS
======
HGTV is on in every doctor's office waiting room.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:52 AM (WDjG6)

204 >>> I'll admit that I've never actually seen Karen Gillan on screen, just internet image searches.

She was darling in Doctor who. And in the live action Jumanni film, she wears these really tiny safari shirts and is also hilarious. I think a lot of teenage boys fell in love with her in that film.

I love they cast her as the stoic Nebula character in the marvel films. She plays the serious side well, then sneaks in subtle comedic bits (it's not ripe!) that a primarily dramatic actress would have completely missed.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 11:52 AM (gWBY1)

205 Yes. But in part because they relied on a raft of government subsidies and low cost capital to house new illegals, refugees, and Section 8 and getting breaks on zoning, etc. via affordable housing mandates.

And they are proving to be shit landlords skimping on maintenance, screwing average people on payments, late fees, etc., and so on. Basically just like big airlines degraded flying, big Tech degraded customer support, and so on.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:32 AM (WDjG6)

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

Ah, that tracks. Thanks for putting me to some additional knowledge, per usual ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:53 AM (25a1J)

206 137
‘ What in the name of all that's Good and Virtuous was that hell I just watched?"’

You watched a musical that a rejected Friends episode : A bunch of assorted young NYC fags singing and whining about rent.

Wasn’t that a great concept for entertainment?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:53 AM (jbnUc)

207 then also...isn't this being driven by the people who want a luxury NYC place getting in before Mammy gets his new taxes?
Posted by: 18-1 a

I thought everyone with money was fleeing NYC to Florida.

That’s what Fox News was screaming about. Did it turn out to be bullshit after all? Here’s my shocked face. lol.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (9iyS+)

208 When I posted that Iowahawk tweeet I didn't expect everyone to start talking about shiplap.

To all the hetero lurkers...I'm so very sorry.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (1Yy3c)

209 guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.
____

Seems like maybe the Dems did the briar patch thingy on the Reps. I hope the Reps have a plan* for the midterms that blunts the obvious Dem messaging that is coming.

*No, I don't think Congressional Reps have any plans, at least ones that aren't geared towards getting back in the minority where there's money for nothing and the chicks (or boys) are free

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (Dv3i1)

210 Nandina is called a bamboo, but it is not a true bamboo and does not spread like one. I use Nandina quite a bit in beds, and it is one of the best old time Southern Gardening plants, as it is drought resistant, doesn't mind heat, but doesn't die from cold either.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (uWKK8)

211
DHS only recorded roughly 13,000 migrants who have self-deported.

Posted by: Archimedes

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

I keep saying this 1 million+ number can't be provable or real. If it were true, there would be stories about little Central American towns that are being repopulated, about the Pedros and Marias who are returning to build homes and start businesses with their (SUBSTANTIAL, by local standards) American savings, to tell their stories, blah blah-bo.

Here in California, any change is invisible. I read stories from time to time about classrooms being "empty" as a "chill" settles over Hispanic residents who live in "terror" of budging outside their homes. Similar stories about Mexican groceries and small businesses losing customers who are similarly "terrified" to go outside (how are they eating, one wonders).

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (1N/bM)

212 206 137
‘ What in the name of all that's Good and Virtuous was that hell I just watched?"’

You watched a musical that a rejected Friends episode : A bunch of assorted young NYC fags singing and whining about rent.

Wasn’t that a great concept for entertainment?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 11:53 AM (jbnUc)

It felt like I contracted AIDS watching that abortion.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (ynpvh)

213 Everyone should plant Bradford Pear, Japanese Knotweed, and Wild Rose. Two years tops, no one will see your house from the road.

Posted by: Add Some Kudzu, Too. at December 12, 2025 11:55 AM (oftw2)

214 I never even heard of Suits before I looked up the lovely Sarah Rafferty.
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:50 AM (77rzZ)

=====

I thought everyone had heard of Suits because of Mrs. Prince Harry.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 12, 2025 11:55 AM (DRSnL)

215 "My MiL, not exactly a bundle of humor,,had the biggest laugh of her life when she saw that we SELL english ivy in this country. It's pervasive garden poison over there, she couldn't believe people here pay for it.
Posted by: ..."

It was all over one side of my backyard when I bought my current house. Took three years of tearing out and poison to get rid of it. Do not let it get started because it looks attractive.

Posted by: Ripley at December 12, 2025 11:55 AM (GUOwU)

216 Its’ a housing thread, its’ a movie thread, its’s a ginger thread, its’s a construction thread. Buck, you laid out a helluva Smorgasbord!
Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:51 AM (pDt9x)
----
That's what I love about this place.

We come here for conversations about economics, but we stay here for the bewbs...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 12, 2025 11:55 AM (RnixX)

217 See I always wonder about stats like this. Why wouldn't you compare one Nov to another. Does NYC normally see more sales in Nov then Oct?

That would definitely be the normal way to do it, so when it's done differently, I assume the data doesn't support the pre-determined outcome.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (JCZqz)

218 Free health care for Muslim migrants. Free death for Canadian taxpayers.

Canada’s Euthanasia Kills 96% White People
____

Canada will run out of gingers if this trend continues.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (Dv3i1)

219 Shitlab? That's butt cancer test, right?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (mlg/3)

220 a pig squealing.

But I haven't got a fan belt.

Posted by: DaveA at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (FhXTo)

221 So it's been raining here in Washington State...a dreaded "atmospheric river."
Riiiigggghhhhtttt.
Here's how NBC reports it:
"Amid historic flooding from days of torrential rain, Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson is still waiting for the Trump Administration to approve his request for a disaster declaration. It comes as federal officials canceled a meeting yesterday to potentially downsize FEMA."

Fu*k NBC. What's the story here komrades? The flood? The disaster request? The fact that the guv is still waiting (it had been less than 24 hours from when the report was written)? Or FEMA cancelling a meeting?

This very story demonstrates Ferguson doesn't give a damn about the citizens of the state. Anything to trash Trump huh guv?

Posted by: Diogenes at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (2WIwB)

222 I thought everyone had heard of Suits because of Mrs. Prince Harry.
Posted by: Jordan61

Oh, Sparkles was in that? Was she any good?

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)

223 I keep saying that conservatives need to be more "populist" when it comes to Wall Street's
---
William F. Buckley was a nancy-boy piece of shit.

The country and the Republican Party would have been better off keeping the Birchers and jettisoning Big Business.

Corporatism is no better than communism.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (HXT0k)

224 Oh, Sparkles was in that? Was she any good?
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)

=====

I haven't watched it, myself.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 12, 2025 11:57 AM (DRSnL)

225 199 I gotta start looking for health insurance for myself and the kids (technically part-time worker, but haven't worked much since I was laid-off last year and got sick thereafter). Any good ones out there that still exist in Kalifornia?
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
======
Seems to me that we have an insurance broker here as one of the cobs. Mebbe they can help.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:57 AM (WDjG6)

226 HGTV is on in every doctor's office waiting room.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:52 AM (WDjG6)

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

Aha!

Had to visit an endodontist multiple times over the past year and I noticed it they had something along those lines being broadcast (home & garden -- and also cooking).

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 11:57 AM (25a1J)

227 Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (HXT0k)

Buckley was controlled opposition. That's all.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (77rzZ)

228 I keep saying this 1 million+ number can't be provable or real. If it were true, there would be stories about little Central American towns that are being repopulated, about the Pedros and Marias who are returning to build homes and start businesses with their (SUBSTANTIAL, by local standards) American savings, to tell their stories, blah blah-bo.

Here in California, any change is invisible. I read stories from time to time about classrooms being "empty" as a "chill" settles over Hispanic residents who live in "terror" of budging outside their homes. Similar stories about Mexican groceries and small businesses losing customers who are similarly "terrified" to go outside (how are they eating, one wonders).
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM

Yep. It’s a bullshit number.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (9iyS+)

229 Good News! The Hotel Jermyn in Pennsylvania has a few more openings after today, (well once we get all the blood & brain tissue cleaned up) Thank You for your Patience in this matter.

Posted by: Penn. Chamber of Tourism at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (Mr2jk)

230 222 I thought everyone had heard of Suits because of Mrs. Prince Harry.
Posted by: Jordan61

Oh, Sparkles was in that? Was she any good?
Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)

I saw a handful of episodes. She was competent.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (pDt9x)

231 Seems to me that we have an insurance broker here as one of the cobs. Mebbe they can help.
Posted by: whig

Weird Dave.

Posted by: Bulg at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (77rzZ)

232 Home prices are decreasing everywhere and at all sales price points.
Most Americans largest financial asset is their ho.e. that value is dropping most Americans would not like that to happen
Does Buck think that our shitty economy is also due to fewer hard working migrant home owners leaving ?
Lowest current gas prices are in OK $2.50
1 year ago has prices in Ok were $2.52
When Biden left office. Inflation was less than 3% just as it is now.

People no longer believe in Trump when he days things like he inherited the worst inflation in history or that the economy is doing well.
Prices are dropping but only because people are too worried about JOBS not inflation to buy
Deflation is worse than inflation

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (fZpiI)

233 It felt like I contracted AIDS watching that abortion.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)

I think the HOT L BALTIMORE was the forerunner in AIDS-ravaged, urban comedy.

Posted by: With The Fierstein Play-Safe Sex at December 12, 2025 11:58 AM (oftw2)

234 The public understanding is deeply flawed, reflecting the abysmal state of Economics education in the government schools.
Inflation is NOT the phenomenon of prices rising.
It's the phenomenon of debasement of the currency. When the Treasury floods trillions of dollars into the marketplace, each dollar become worth less. Thereby requiring more dollars to purchase goods.
The only was prices come down is if SUPPLY of the products increases.
Blaming higher prices on 'inflation" is like blaming your car engine for stopping when in fact you've run out of gas.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at December 12, 2025 11:59 AM (MNCvZ)

235 HGTV is on in every doctor's office waiting room.

Next, on Affordable Starter Homes we have Buffy and Simp who are looking to buy their first home. Buffy, a Only Fans Influencer and Simp, an intern at Arby's Drive through, have a limited budget and have chosen a simple 3200sq ft fixer-upper for only $750k.

Our team has TWO WEEKS before the city inspector come back to lift the red-tag Condemned sign from the door...

Will they be able to make the transformation in time?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 12, 2025 11:59 AM (pUU4E)

236 How does the govt even know if someone self deported. It’s not like they check in and say “hey ICE just FYI I’m leaving now”. It’s all estimates and guesses which can be inflated easily.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 11:46 AM (9iyS+)

CBP Home app. They're encouraging illegals to use this to notify the gub'mint of self-deportation. Yes, literally saying, "Hey ICE just FYI I'm leaving now."

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (1Yy3c)

237 Comparing Nov to Oct is dumb. You compare YOY not MOM. Thats standard in any industry.

It would be like comparing candy sales in Nov vs Oct. gee it fell off a cliff. Wonder why.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (9iyS+)

238 Thanks Commie Pope Leo!

(LifeSiteNews) — Multiple churches in the United States have staged politically charged Nativity scenes to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) efforts to remove illegal immigrants.

At St. Susanna Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, the traditional figure of Jesus in the manger was replaced with a sign implying that Jesus would be deported by ICE.

“ICE was here,” reads the sign. “The Holy Family is safe in the Sanctuary of our Church.”

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (Dv3i1)

239 DHS only recorded roughly 13,000 migrants who have self-deported.

Posted by: Archimedes

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

I keep saying this 1 million+ number can't be provable or real. If it were true, there would be stories about little Central American towns that are being repopulated, about the Pedros and Marias who are returning to build homes and start businesses with their (SUBSTANTIAL, by local standards) American savings, to tell their stories, blah blah-bo.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at December 12, 2025 11:54 AM (1N/bM)
________

I tend to agree. I think if over 1.5M people disappeared from this country in 6 months, there would be huge areas in USA that suddenly became ghost towns. Plus, I would think massive chaos at the border as over a million people suddenly fled.

Many parasites have indeed left. You can see the numbers in the employment figures and in easing of some housing and other figures. But 1.5M? I'd love for that to be true, but I'm skeptical.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at December 12, 2025 12:01 PM (iFTx/)

240 >>> This very story demonstrates Ferguson doesn't give a damn about the citizens of the state. Anything to trash Trump huh guv?

I still feel bad that the lefty voters in WA voted in a bunch of gas tax hikes in 2024 "for the children," that raised it like 50 cents. They they already have some of the highest gas prices. So while most other states are seeing a big price drop on gas, WA probably won't.

Sorry Nurse and the other Washingtonians!

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 12:01 PM (gWBY1)

241 I don't know about ICE holiday displays but I can't find a local church doing a live nativity this year (Catholic anyway). ours ALWAYS has before?!?!

maybe they were like, if we can't do a political protest one we just won't do one or something?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 12, 2025 12:01 PM (emBoF)

242 It would be like comparing candy sales in Nov vs Oct. gee it fell off a cliff. Wonder why.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (9iyS+)

"I told you people that gravy flavored snickers was a terrible idea!"

-Mars Corp. Executive #54381

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 12, 2025 12:01 PM (Vq1pX)

243 So prices drop when the supply stops being artificially and unlawfully reduced? Huh. Who would have thought.

Posted by: Nobody takes Econ 101 anymore at December 12, 2025 12:02 PM (TbWk/)

244 That reminds me - never, and I mean never, consider a used car previously owned by an Indian person/family. The person offering it for sale will lie about every detail of it including color.
---
Never, ever, ever private sale anything to an Arab or an Indian, either.
Doesn't matter what price you agree on, they will always try to change it after you agree.

And, if you hate money, let them test-drive without you being in the vehicle.
Because, they'll drive out of sight, sabotage it somehow, come back and demand you sell it for scrap to them.

So many Americans have no idea just how much a luxury the formerly high-trust society we had was.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 12:02 PM (HXT0k)

245 are the berries edible?
------
Internet says berries contain cyanide, so maybe.

All plants are edible. Some of them only once.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 12:03 PM (3nLb4)

246 At St. Susanna Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, the traditional figure of Jesus in the manger was replaced with a sign implying that Jesus would be deported by ICE.

“ICE was here,” reads the sign. “The Holy Family is safe in the Sanctuary of our Church.”
Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (Dv3i1)

If only Mary had reproductive rights we wouldn't be forced into this conversation.

Posted by: It's fraught! Fraught I tell you! at December 12, 2025 12:04 PM (TbWk/)

247 Seems to me that we have an insurance broker here as one of the cobs. Mebbe they can help.
Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 11:57 AM (WDjG6)

That would be Weird Dave, and he should be hosting the ONT tonight. He is a good man.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 12, 2025 12:04 PM (npFr7)

248
Berries aren't berries.

I learned that last week.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 12, 2025 12:04 PM (v6HoO)

249 Will they be able to make the transformation in time?
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

The phony "deadline" makes those shows unwatchable. That and the faggotry.

Posted by: 30K Granite Countertops at December 12, 2025 12:04 PM (oftw2)

250 Less demand, more supply = lower prices.

It's like there's a law or a rule or something that dictates that...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 12, 2025 12:05 PM (xcxpd)

251 238 Thanks Commie Pope Leo!

(LifeSiteNews) — Multiple churches in the United States have staged politically charged Nativity scenes to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) efforts to remove illegal immigrants.

At St. Susanna Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, the traditional figure of Jesus in the manger was replaced with a sign implying that Jesus would be deported by ICE.

“ICE was here,” reads the sign. “The Holy Family is safe in the Sanctuary of our Church.”

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 12:00 PM (Dv3i1)

I always found that a silly argument. If folks coming here are escaping a gov't that wants to take their lives, they can apply for asylum; those than come here for economic reasons need to do it the proper, legal way, not jump the line and pop out anchor babies once here.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 12:05 PM (ynpvh)

252 212
‘ It felt like I contracted AIDS watching that abortion.’

Second hand AIDS? I hope you get better.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 12, 2025 12:05 PM (jbnUc)

253 Many parasites have indeed left. You can see the numbers in the employment figures and in easing of some housing and other figures. But 1.5M? I'd love for that to be true, but I'm skeptical.
Posted by: Elric The Blade

If employers are sent to jail for employing illegals (and judges don't just dismiss the cases out of spite), we'll see more self-deportations. Also if a high profile deportation happens (take Ilhan Omar, please) that sends a message. Tom Homan is either a front, or is being fettered behind the scenes.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 12:05 PM (Dv3i1)

254 241 I don't know about ICE holiday displays but I can't find a local church doing a live nativity this year (Catholic anyway). ours ALWAYS has before?!?!

maybe they were like, if we can't do a political protest one we just won't do one or something?
Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 12, 2025 12:01 PM (emBoF)

It's rare for Catholic Churches to do a live nativity...only ones I've ever seen or been to (having lived in NJ, AL, TX, OH, and now VA) is at Protestant places...Catholics don't really do the "let's bring in live animals" thing...

So, the fact you ever had a Church that did one surprises me...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 12, 2025 12:06 PM (tOcjL)

255 245 are the berries edible?
------
Internet says berries contain cyanide, so maybe.

All plants are edible. Some of them only once.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 12:03 PM (3nLb4)

edible /ĕd′ə-bəl/
adjective

Fit to be eaten, especially by humans.
"edible roots; an edible mushroom."

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 12:06 PM (ynpvh)

256 My family had to move in 1964 when a new owner bought the building in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1964. Rent skyrocketed from $35 to $60 a month!

Posted by: Bay Ridge Refugee Since 1966 at December 12, 2025 12:07 PM (oftw2)

257 So many Americans have no idea just how much a luxury the formerly high-trust society we had was.
——-

I hate to be the guy to point this out, but a high trust society is not a “luxury” or one of those “nice things to have”. As a society this is no longer discussd.

It isn’t a luxury it is a base prerequisite to achieving and maintaining civilization. It is not possible otherwise. No chance. Get that in your head.

Posted by: Penn. Chamber of Tourism at December 12, 2025 12:07 PM (Mr2jk)

258 248
Berries aren't berries.

I learned that last week.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 12, 2025 12:04 PM (v6HoO)

Well, most things we call berries are aggregates...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 12:08 PM (ynpvh)

259 So, the fact you ever had a Church that did one surprises me...

well they don't have animals tho

the churches here all have schools and the kids love doing them - my kids used to and their schools were private catholic and the girls' school isn't doing it anymore but the boys' is. make of that what you will!

we will check out the boys school if the guys feel like going back there, which they usually do. the two schools are connected but the boys school was eons better than the girls'.. but that's a whole other story

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 12, 2025 12:08 PM (emBoF)

260 William F. Buckley was a nancy-boy piece of shit.

The country and the Republican Party would have been better off keeping the Birchers and jettisoning Big Business.

Corporatism is no better than communism.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (HXT0k)

I agree. The Birchers at least loved America.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 12, 2025 12:08 PM (xcxpd)

261 Berries aren't berries.

I learned that last week.

There is a whole category of Youtube vids that can be described as "Everyone except me is wrong about [ thing ]."

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 12:09 PM (3nLb4)

262 [Friday morning humor:]

Sassafrass84
@Sassafrass_84

Well played. 🔥🔥🔥

[Singles Ad]

https://is.gd/MAieVo

Posted by: ShainS -- Bamboo Ruminant and GayFontoPhobe at December 12, 2025 12:09 PM (tf+dR)

263 lol maybe a protestant church is doing a live nativity but you know I'm very old school ... was taught not to go there! I think I got approval to go to a Jewish service once but I never could get approval to go to Protestant ones (back when I would ask - we were required to attend Mass weekly when I was in school).

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 12, 2025 12:10 PM (emBoF)

264 I stayed in an Air B&B in San Antonio last summer, and was amazed at the selection of updated small homes available for short term rental near downtown San Antonio and the Pearl.

It seemed to me nearly every home (early 20th century shotguns and bungaloes) where I stayed was either a short term rental or an occupied but "deferred maintenance" dwelling.

When I was ready to start a family 30 years ago, the concept of a "starter home" was something we all talked about. You could get into a good neighborhood with small homes, have your babies, and then move into something nicer when you started making real money in your late 30s.

I'm not sure that option is available to young adults anymore. The ones I talk to do not want to start families while living in a rental.

But the newly built 3BRs are expensive and crappy and remotely located. The older ones close to town are run down or else converted to short term rentals.

I actually got to meet Sec. Scott Turner last spring, who told me HUD was working on low cost home ownership for first time buyers. But it seems like a 10-20 year project and not a 5 year project.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 12, 2025 12:10 PM (GD2xa)

265 My husband binge watched Suits, and against my will I'd find myself dragged into the legal and personal storylines and want to find out what's happening. A really good ensemble cast with fun plot lines. Personal developments for the characters without it getting too soapy.

I think it did well on streaming reruns because it's a classic drama, not fancy but solid, and all the newer shows are dreck. It's weird to realize we lost a lot of basic competent storytellers, between the woke and the DEI and the strikes and the covid. The modern woke stuff makes suits look like it's high art.

Markle was trying to act like she was the reason it's done well in streaming. But she's such a minor character that's laughable. She can act a little though; I actually found her character likable, whereas everything about her actual persona is repellant.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 12:10 PM (gWBY1)

266 Posted by: Blonde Morticia

Not true. I am in a swing state and yes, students are disappearing from public school rolls, traffic is lighter, rental vacancies are increasing, construction openings are increasing including shutdowns of entire developments in order to recruit new workers, ER wait times are shorter, etc. And aggregate statistics indicate that momentum is happening and the border being secured means the tap is turned off for new ones.

If you live in a blue area in a blue sanctuary state , then you won't see as much of it as blue areas in red states.

Remove the bennies, make employment uncertain, remove the criminals first, but the number are changing and it is really big but so it the US so personal observations are about as useful as figuring the weather you have is the same across the US.

Illegals distribution across the US is lumpy--they stick out in rural areas, not so much in urban and suburban and blue areas. CA,NY, and IL are epicenters of illegals that have been woven into the society of these states with their large ethnic enclaves. If you don't go to those places in your state, you won't see it whether it is waxing or waning.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:11 PM (WDjG6)

267 William F. Buckley was a nancy-boy piece of shit.

The country and the Republican Party would have been better off keeping the Birchers and jettisoning Big Business.

Corporatism is no better than communism.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 11:56 AM (HXT0k)

I agree. The Birchers at least loved America.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 12, 2025 12:08 PM (xcxpd)

I kinda halfway agree, but not fully. I think Buckley absolutely believed in conservatism and freedom and thought the new deal was a disaster… I also think he was very smart and good at debate. But… he was too nice or naive in thinking he could just “talk it out” with lefties….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 12, 2025 12:11 PM (/iXAp)

268 Yes you can lower paperwork (which the government/insurance companies don't want to do). Yes you can mandate price transparency. And some other small things.

But if you want to get prices down for health insurance/health care costs you need to remove all those illegals and reduce the number of Americans getting freebies as well
Posted by: 18-1 at December 12, 2025 11:26 AM (sKqQm)

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

Try as I might, I have yet to understand what value health insurance companies bring to the table.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at December 12, 2025 12:11 PM (Vh9CX)

269 But… he was too nice or naive in thinking he could just “talk it out” with lefties….
____

He didn't get the Charlie Kirk treatment, at least.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 12, 2025 12:12 PM (Dv3i1)

270 I think it did well on streaming reruns because it's a classic drama, not fancy but solid, and all the newer shows are dreck. It's weird to realize we lost a lot of basic competent storytellers, between the woke and the DEI and the strikes and the covid. The modern woke stuff makes suits look like it's high art.

Markle was trying to act like she was the reason it's done well in streaming. But she's such a minor character that's laughable. She can act a little though; I actually found her character likable, whereas everything about her actual persona is repellant.
Posted by: LizLem
=========
Suits, Psych, and Monk are some of the more beloved streaming series and still high in views. All three aired on USA Network.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:12 PM (WDjG6)

271 I kinda halfway agree, but not fully. I think Buckley absolutely believed in conservatism and freedom and thought the new deal was a disaster… I also think he was very smart and good at debate. But… he was too nice or naive in thinking he could just “talk it out” with lefties….
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 12, 2025 12:11 PM (/iXAp)

I'll agree with that, but deciding to unperson the John Birch Society in favor of Ivy League Businessmen was a bad bargain.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (xcxpd)

272
Try as I might, I have yet to understand what value health insurance companies bring to the table.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at December 12, 2025 12:11 PM (Vh9CX)

Pass-throughs for Gov't corruption?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (ynpvh)

273 I listen to a chap on the radio who was in on the first wave of the house-flipping, HGTV thing from around 2000-08 when it went bust. He says to never let these shows touch your place as they will finish it to look pretty for the cameras and never really complete what you can't see. They are on to the next victim and will never finish it.

Posted by: Fix Your Own Mess at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (oftw2)

274 Try as I might, I have yet to understand what value health insurance companies bring to the table.

Like casinos, they facilitate the transfer of money from a large group of people to a small group of people and take their cut off the top.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (3nLb4)

275
Anyone want a slice of delicious DROUPE Pie?

How about a cool bowl of Aggregates?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (v6HoO)

276 oh whig we DEFINITELY notice the missing illegales here. for sure!

trouble is we're inundated with legal H1B immigrants ... and that seems to only be increasing ...

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (emBoF)

277 270

Suits, Psych, and Monk are some of the more beloved streaming series and still high in views. All three aired on USA Network.
Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:12 PM (WDjG6)

I am partial to the series “ Chuck”.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (pDt9x)

278 I'll agree with that, but deciding to unperson the John Birch Society in favor of Ivy League Businessmen was a bad bargain.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (xcxpd)

Yes. I think we’re in agreement!

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 12, 2025 12:14 PM (/iXAp)

279 "I have yet to understand what value health insurance companies bring to the table."

They are the de facto gatekeepers to the healthcare system. Most doctors simply won't see patients without insurance. This sucks.

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 12:15 PM (GHIyr)

280 nood

lum

Posted by: Costanza at December 12, 2025 12:15 PM (3uBP9)

281 Nood Newsome

Posted by: Zeera , Damn Right I voted for all of this! at December 12, 2025 12:15 PM (jvxGE)

282 275
Anyone want a slice of delicious DROUPE Pie?

How about a cool bowl of Aggregates?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 12, 2025 12:13 PM (v6HoO)

My wife and I used to make some fine Blackaggregate jam. I'd remove the seeds, so just the pulp and juice. I like my jam seed-free.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 12, 2025 12:15 PM (ynpvh)

283 Birchers were declasse’, don’t you know.

Posted by: tubal at December 12, 2025 12:15 PM (pDt9x)

284 I've been watching Laramie and Cheyenne lately.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 12, 2025 12:16 PM (L/fGl)

285 The William F Buckley vs Gore Vidal debate proves that leftists have been calling the right Nazis forever. Nothing new under the sun.

Buckley was ruled by the media to have lost the debate when he called Vidal a Fag. But Vidal IMO had already sunk too low when he called Buckley a Nazi. Buckley flew into a rage, and while he should have kept his cool I totally understand it.

The best revenge for the right, is that gore Vidal has faded into utter irrelevancy. At one point it was required to have his books on your self if you were a proper lefty. But no one cares about him anymore.

Posted by: LizLem at December 12, 2025 12:16 PM (gWBY1)

286 I am partial to the series “ Chuck”.

The first couple of seasons are good where he's a hapless geek being dragged along for the ride. They lost the thread when they turned into a superhero. Still... Yvonne Strahovski.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 12, 2025 12:18 PM (3nLb4)

287 Birchers “at least” loved America?

That implies there was something wrong with the Birchere, and Buckley was correct in denying them legitimacy or whatever.

What was wrong with the Birchers? The only fault I could find was they did have a problem with flouridating the municipal water supplies.

Their general theme that the US “Lost China” and Korea, and the countries behind the Iron Curtain, and Yugoslavia and Cuba and Viet Nam .. etc. The State Department was riddled with communists, and set the stage for millions of deaths.

Like Sen. McCarthy, most people only know of the Birchers through the leftist or marxist media lens. “Red Scare” and “Witch Hunt” and “Hysteria” will be in there somewhere.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 12, 2025 12:18 PM (Mr2jk)

288 287 Concur.

Posted by: gp at December 12, 2025 12:19 PM (GHIyr)

289 Try as I might, I have yet to understand what value health insurance companies bring to the table.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken
====
Because catastrophic health problems can arise that could and did bankrupt people. The problem became though, because of a weird quirk in labor pay rates being controlled circa 1940's during WWII, Kaiser Shipbuilding could recruit workers by offering freehealth care and the OPM (Office of Price and Management) ruled that this was not an increase in wages. So other corporations did it too.

Since health care was not ruled as compensation, then we got health insurance for routine care instead of catastrophic coverage. That meant eventually over time, due to size effects, insurance companies got reductions in what they paid providers versus those that paid cash. And from there, the system metastasized. Medicare boosted the effects when it came online because large insurance companies adopted Medicare coverage rules and based their charges on Medicare rates (medicare and medicaid created a price floor in essence). System still worked decently until Obama, you didn't earn that, decided to use big insurance to give coverage to those in the gaps on coverage.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:21 PM (WDjG6)

290 reminds me - never, and I mean never, consider a used car previously owned by an Indian person/family. The person offering it for sale will lie about every detail of it including color.

—

Same with Russians. If I see the sellers name is Vasily or some such, I move on.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at December 12, 2025 12:21 PM (9iyS+)

291 Thinking about Laramie, I looked up star Robert Fuller and found "Robert Fuller (born Leonard Leroy Lee)." So I guess he was Lee Lee Lee.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 12, 2025 12:22 PM (L/fGl)

292 How does the govt even know if someone self deported.
---
The foreclosures are just now hitting the market.

It's kinda sad but yeah, vids of walking through the house and you can see the grabbed what they could and fled.

Funny though, 'cause all the comments are variations of "how the F did they get a FHA loan w/o proof of citizenship, and when citizens can't qualify?!"

LOL, it's getting mean out there and the Dems have no clue the mood.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 12:23 PM (HXT0k)

293 What was wrong with the Birchers? The only fault I could find was they did have a problem with flouridating the municipal water supplies.

Posted by: Common Tater
======
CIA did not like them as they affronted modern liberal progressive attitudes so they used Buckley to take them down.

Tailgunner Joe was taken down in part for the same reason. No elite class members really wanted inquiry into their sordid personal lives and tangled finances/loyalties going back to school days. Joe, as an outsider, was disposable and removable because of his personal problems.

Uniparty has been running the show for a long time since WWII at the very least.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:24 PM (WDjG6)

294 “ICE was here,” reads the sign. “The Holy Family is safe in the Sanctuary of our Church.”
---
Sounds like that's a church where the Bible is just a word and not a book they read.

Guaranteed there's a fag flag somewhere on the grounds a well.

About as Christian a church as a mosque ....

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at December 12, 2025 12:25 PM (HXT0k)

295 When those mortgage rates go down there will be a big turn around. Home builders/developers will kick in, they will buy in bulk and the price per sq ft should go down and less sq ft in starter home combined with lower monthly payments will make them more accessable to first time buyers.

The surge in homebuilding will be a boon to employment overall. All the various materials that go into building will increase need and productivity there. And all the crafts, skills, and trades that go into building a home and in producing and delivering the necessary goods.

This development will resonate incrementally upward. A new neighborhood needs new stores, etc., etc. This is what Powell understands and why his hate Trump is so adamant againt lowering rates.

Lowering rates is not printing more money.
Lowering rates is creating places for money to go.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 12, 2025 12:31 PM (lQBYU)

296 trouble is we're inundated with legal H1B immigrants ... and that seems to only be increasing ...
Posted by: BlackOrchid

Stats say no. Part of teh issue is that the bloated numbers above the statutory cap admitted by Biden junta are good for three years and renewable for another 3.

New restrictions kicked in requiring 100k fee per job plus other restrictions such as a minimum salary of $65k starting Sept. 21, 2025.

Stats are here for the last several years. Link goes to an H1B firm. https://tinyurl.com/mk5dttah

Biden's junta spiked admissions to 188400 for FY 25 versus the 125 k total granted (this includes spouses) for FY 26. So your kids are probably seeing the Biden spike in the job market as it can take some time for the bulge in the python to be digested.

Posted by: whig at December 12, 2025 12:41 PM (WDjG6)

297 Norman! Please coordinate!

Posted by: Toad-0 at December 12, 2025 12:55 PM (S6jVk)

298 Cheaper gas.
Lower interest rates.
Cheaper housing.
Cheaper eggs.
Higher wages.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at December 12, 2025 02:41 PM (s/0Zp)

299 It's funny - Romney, way back in the day, proposed just this scenario - that illegals would largely self deport - you only had to make it hard for them to be here.

I recall the experts laughing about that.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at December 12, 2025 02:45 PM (s/0Zp)

300 Imagine this continues - 2.5 million per year, 4 years. That is 10 million. A solid start. Get Vance or Rubio to continue another 8 years - problem solved.

And, thing is, this could accelerate. As ICE visits more sanctuary cites. This problem is going to start solving itself very quickly. As we have fewer illegals, law enforcement can focus more and more resources on what's left. As secure border means less ICE at the border, and more to patrol and deport.

Imagine your choice - sell you shit, take you money, and leave, in an orderly manner, or get arrested and deported, and maybe losing everything you have. And not being able to find a job or get benefits. AND the feds will pay for your plane ticket. That plane ride starts looking awful good.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at December 12, 2025 02:50 PM (s/0Zp)

301 You know what Democrats don't care about anymore?

Epstein. How about that?

Posted by: JackStraw at December 12, 2025 03:08 PM (viF8m)

302 >>And, thing is, this could accelerate. As ICE visits more sanctuary cites.

10,000 additional ICE agents will be hitting the streets next year.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 12, 2025 03:09 PM (viF8m)

303 The "Trump Destroys Housing Equity for Middle Class Families as Home Values Plummet" articles are being written and prepped for 2026.

Posted by: Ben Sears at December 12, 2025 03:29 PM (WzTQR)

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