THE MORNING RANT: The SBA Will Stop Lending to Non-Citizens

While I sometime grimace at President Trump’s social media posts, it appears that (intentionally or not) they also keep his adversaries so distracted that major conservative victories go virtually unnoticed by left-wing outrage mobs. As Democrats and the media have flailed like a cat chasing a laser pointer, accusing Trump of being all the epithets that end with “-ist” and “-phobic,” Trump keeps racking up victories on core conservative issues.

Ace documented one major victory a few days ago in a piece titled, “Trump Ends Obama Executive Order Giving the EPA the Power to Regulate Carbon Dioxide Without Any Congressional Authorization.” From the much-despised start-stop ignition feature in your car, to the industry-crushing environmental regulations based on CO2 being a “pollutant,” the environmental command and control structure imposed by Barack Obama is hereby terminated.

Now, another major America-first action has just been taken, as Kelly Loeffler, the Administrator overseeing the Small Business Administration, has just announced that SBA funds will only be loaned to companies 100% owned by US Citizens. As documented in an SBA Policy Notice effective March 1, 2026, “SBA is requiring that 100% of all direct and/or indirect owners of a small business applicant be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions.

This further tightens SBA controls regarding the funding of businesses owned by non-citizens. It was just a year ago that Administrator Loeffler announced a series of reforms requiring majority ownership by citizens, along with proof of citizenship, as well as a new prohibition on SBA lending to illegal aliens. At that time, she also announced that the SBA was moving its offices out of “sanctuary cities” which are in defiance of federal law.

While there has certainly been SBA fraud, including the diversion of funds to foreign countries, the issue is more so about prioritizing Americans, and not using taxpayer dollars to create businesses which then employ foreign labor. It just logically doesn’t make sense for the federal government to provide the capital and lending risk for a green-card holder to buy a hotel or convenience store, and then have it staffed with H1B labor or foreign nationals from his home country. That process results in a loss of jobs for U.S. citizens, not increased jobs.

Legal U.S. residents who are citizens of other countries are still free to start businesses here, but they must find the start-up capital through their own networks. The purpose of the SBA is to provide taxpayer-funded loans to businesses that will provide jobs and wealth creation to U.S. citizens. President Trump and Administrator Loeffler deserve praise for putting proper controls back on SBA lending.

*****

They Never Stop. They Never Sleep. They Never Quit.*

My latest piece at The American Spectator, “Blue States Are Moving Legislation Forward to Restrict How Much You Can Drive,” has been published.

The blue states that have been most enthusiastic about getting you out of your gasoline-powered car during the failed “EV transition” are already moving on to the inevitable next battle against personal driving freedom. Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

This piece is not behind a paywall. I’d be honored if you’d give it a read.

My latest piece at The American Spectator discusses a new front in the war on personal driving freedom. Blue states are introducing legislation to cap allowable miles that may be driven, and to punish driving by imposing mileage taxes on a per mile basis.https://t.co/QiuVxnIRJh
— Buck Throckmorton (@BuckThrockmort) February 14, 2026

Defeating the EV mandate and compelling automakers to refocus on gasoline-powered vehicles was a huge victory. But it was just one battle that we won, not the war. The battle to preserve our driving freedom continues, and we must stop the momentum of those trying to impose mileage caps and mileage taxes.

(*”They never stop, they never sleep, they never quit” is a quote from the great Michael Walsh on the left’s dogged persistence in imposing their anti-freedom agenda on the rest of us.)

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:00 AM (Zz0t1)

2 Mo'nin, Buck.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:00 AM (Zz0t1)

3 Off to get the others.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:00 AM (Zz0t1)

4 HR.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:00 AM (Zz0t1)

5 Oh, no! Whatever will "not Americans" do if they close off one avenue for raking in those sweet, sweet, taxpayer dollars.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:01 AM (ExV1e)

6 Good morning good people.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 16, 2026 11:02 AM (cYBz/)

7 Defeating the EV mandate and compelling automakers to refocus on gasoline-powered vehicles was a huge victory. But it was just one battle that we won, not the war. The battle to preserve our driving freedom continues, and we must stop the momentum of those trying to impose mileage caps and mileage taxes.
(*”They never stop, they never sleep, they never quit” is a quote from the great Michael Walsh on the left’s dogged persistence in imposing their anti-freedom agenda on the rest of us.)

VAIO
Vote All Incumbents Out
(No exceptions)

Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:03 AM (xGgfV)

8 I would like to see the SBA stop lending altogether and be abolished.

Posted by: Abolish The SBA at February 16, 2026 11:03 AM (Ksqrb)

9 Why did they ever allow that?

Posted by: Lizzy at February 16, 2026 11:03 AM (tj6OY)

10 They Never Stop. They Never Sleep. They Never Quit

They won’t shut the fuck up, and they won’t change the subject.

Posted by: Common Tater at February 16, 2026 11:04 AM (5j54Z)

11

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at February 16, 2026 11:05 AM (gtuL0)

12 Why did they ever allow that?
Posted by: Lizzy at February 16, 2026 11:03 AM (tj6OY)

The government's purpose is the destroy the United States and impoverish its citizens while stealing generational wealth for themselves.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:05 AM (ExV1e)

13 >>Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S NONE OF THEIR D@MN BUSINESS HOW MUCH I DRIVE MY OWN D@MN CAR!

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at February 16, 2026 11:06 AM (tj6OY)

14 The blue states that have been most enthusiastic about getting you out of your gasoline-powered car during the failed “EV transition” are already moving on to the inevitable next battle against personal driving freedom. Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

Fifteen minute cities, bizniches!

Learn it, Live it, Love it.

Honestly, I look around the world and marvel at the lack of angry mobs storming government buildings, dragging everyone out, then acquainting them with lonely lampposts.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 16, 2026 11:06 AM (iJfKG)

15 I would like to see the SBA stop lending altogether and be abolished.
Posted by: Abolish The SBA

That would be a nice start. Let's also add:
Department of Education
Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) privatized
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Department of Justice (DOJ) / Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Posted by: Tonypete at February 16, 2026 11:06 AM (cYBz/)

16 Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

https://youtu.be/eQF7FDeUePA

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:07 AM (ExV1e)

17 Now, another major America-first action has just been taken, as Kelly Loeffler, the Administrator overseeing the Small Business Administration, has just announced that SBA funds will only be loaned to companies 100% owned by US Citizens.
------

Ok, a couple of things here:

1--Great example of how little Congress has ever been interested in "America First". The authorizing legislation for the SBA SHOULD have included a "100% owned by US Citizens" clause.

2--If "The Administrator overseeing the SBA" can put this restriction in place, a future Administrator can remove it. "Our" Congress needs to get off its butt and start codifying these common sense changes into law.

Posted by: Crusader at February 16, 2026 11:07 AM (TN0g+)

18 The blue states that have been most enthusiastic about getting you out of your gasoline-powered car during the failed “EV transition” are already moving on to the inevitable next battle against personal driving freedom. Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

I guess my timing was good. I no longer commute, which accounted for 80% of the miles I put on my car. I'm currently putting in 3-4k per year. Unfortunately, the working class, who can't afford the close-in NoVa suburbs, will be the ones to pay the price. What was that about affordability?

Posted by: Archimedes at February 16, 2026 11:08 AM (Riz8t)

19 SBA fraud was another thing that exploded under covid. The government was just shoving money out the door, with almost no regard for where it went.

You could get an SBA loan for barely more than your signature during the covid hysteria.

I wish I could do it over again. Those who played by the rules were suckers. Everyone else was pocketing big money with almost no strings attached.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:08 AM (iFTx/)

20 >>>>Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

Translation: We will tax the H#ll out of people who choose to live in the suburbs or even farther outside of our 15 Minute Cities.

Move into your 500sf micro-apartments already, serfs, and embrace the WEF agenda!!

Posted by: Lizzy at February 16, 2026 11:08 AM (tj6OY)

21 Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?

Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

22 ‘ “Blue States Are Moving Legislation Forward to Restrict How Much You Can Drive,”

That sounds like it applies only to the people living in their serfdom.
All the more reason not to live there.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (jbnUc)

23 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg

Telemetry from your vehicle is widely disseminated.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 16, 2026 11:10 AM (cYBz/)

24 Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?

Silly goose! We'll tell them, of course.

Posted by: Auto manufacturers at February 16, 2026 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

25 Unfortunately, the working class, who can't afford the close-in NoVa suburbs, will be the ones to pay the price. What was that about affordability?
Posted by: Archimedes at February 16, 2026 11:08 AM (Riz8t)

We are introducing a new tax on the 'rich' to provide public transportation for low income people. It's unfair that only the privileged are able to be murdered on a bus by criminals that we refuse to deal with. -- Democrats

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:10 AM (ExV1e)

26 They would love to reanimate Feudal times, where the peasant spent their short lives never having traveled more than 25 miles from their hovel. A lifetime of toiling for their masters.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:11 AM (pDt9x)

27 “They never stop, they never sleep, they never quit”

Sounds like Terminators. And you know how they had to be dealt with.

Posted by: RI Red - who is now Somebody! at February 16, 2026 11:11 AM (UqAH7)

28 I got a million things to worry this morning about but a job ain't one of them.

Posted by: Eromero at February 16, 2026 11:11 AM (LHPAg)

29 Nope.
SBA can keep giving money to illegals.

Posted by: A Judge Sometime This Week at February 16, 2026 11:11 AM (7EbTZ)

30
SBA loans are a good start.

Now, get rid of MED, ORR, and MBDA "Handouts for Foreigners" programs, and cut off funding to the NGOs who funnel the unofficial rakeoff. There are so, so many of these.

And no more bullshit with ITINs. No SSN, no loan or grant.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 16, 2026 11:12 AM (BI5O2)

31
https://youtu.be/eQF7FDeUePA
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:07 AM (ExV1e)

Nicely done, sir.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:12 AM (Zz0t1)

32 They would love to reanimate Feudal times, where the peasant spent their short lives never having traveled more than 25 miles from their hovel. A lifetime of toiling for their masters.
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:11 AM (pDt9x)

/stroking furiously

Don't stop... I'm so close. -- Democrats

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:12 AM (ExV1e)

33 Vertical housing will solve all problems.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:12 AM (pDt9x)

34
How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

You will report your vehicle mileage on your state income tax forms every year.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:13 AM (Zz0t1)

35 There is no reason for the SBA to exist. It is unconstitutional, corrupt, rife with fraud, and has a ridiculous default rate.

Posted by: brindle at February 16, 2026 11:13 AM (H9fUr)

36
If they want us to drive less, then cease setting up the pins for pedestrian bowling.

That won't help, so maybe we ought to take their,"C'mon, hit me!" posturing at face value.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 16, 2026 11:13 AM (YW5wb)

37 It's not just blue states. Red Utah already has a per-mile fee for EVs and I think hybrids too. It's "voluntary" in the sense that it's an alternative to other fees, but the camel nose is already inside the tent even in a red state.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (iFTx/)

38 You will be forced to have your car inspected every year where the mileage is pulled from the car's computer and logged. You'll receive a bill shortly thereafter.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (Zz0t1)

39 On your tax form you enter the number of miles on your odometer. The next filing you enter the amount. Under penalty of law/ perjury.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (pDt9x)

40 >>>>Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

OK, now consider this: In recent years, Congress has been discussing a mandate that all cars can be remotely stopped - a universal kill switch.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (tj6OY)

41 23 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?

Your vehicle already tells them how much you drive, how fast, where you go, when you need an oil change, what your tire pressure is, and in some cases what's going on inside the cabin.

Posted by: Pronoun Denier at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (PoaF2)

42 Many states have vehicle inspection stations in place. A trifling matter to change their mandate.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:15 AM (pDt9x)

43 Red Utah already has a per-mile fee for EVs and I think hybrids too. It's "voluntary" in the sense that it's an alternative to other fees, but the camel nose is already inside the tent even in a red state.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (iFTx/)

If you pay it do they reimburse the gasoline tax?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:16 AM (ExV1e)

44 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg

Telemetry from your vehicle is widely disseminated.
Posted by: Tonypete

My 2007 Ford Ranger has a ton of telemetry metrics.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:16 AM (xGgfV)

45 43 Red Utah already has a per-mile fee for EVs and I think hybrids too. It's "voluntary" in the sense that it's an alternative to other fees, but the camel nose is already inside the tent even in a red state.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (iFTx/)

If you pay it do they reimburse the gasoline tax?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:16 AM (ExV1e)

Aw that’s cute.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:16 AM (pDt9x)

46 34
How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

You will report your vehicle mileage on your state income tax forms every year.
___

And service stations/dealerships performing annual inspections will be required to report odometer readings to the state so tax return mileage information can be verified.

Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (qUkBO)

47
Honestly, I look around the world and marvel at the lack of angry mobs storming government buildings, dragging everyone out, then acquainting them with lonely lampposts.

Posted by: naturalfake

If they didn't do it for COVID they won't do it for this.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (Cqx++)

48 We won’t be happy until everyone is living in Soviet blocs.

Posted by: Left at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (7EbTZ)

49
My 2007 Ford Ranger has a ton of telemetry metrics.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:16 AM (xGgfV)

Any vehicle with an ECU has a significant amount of data available.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:18 AM (Zz0t1)

50
How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

GPS tracker, of course. Which will be a 30 lb pod that has to be riveted to your hood. On the other hand, it will be available for a nominal cost of $1997.00 from your local DMV.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 16, 2026 11:18 AM (kTyBw)

51 We won’t be happy until everyone is living in Soviet blocs.
Posted by: Left

The "living" part is optional.

Posted by: Archimedes at February 16, 2026 11:18 AM (Riz8t)

52 There is no reason for the SBA to exist. It is unconstitutional, corrupt, rife with fraud, and has a ridiculous default rate.
Posted by: brindle at February 16, 2026 11:13 AM (H9fUr)

It exists to give money to broads and minorities, who are too stupid to get a bank loan or a photo ID. It's not like they are going to pay us back either.

Posted by: Chuck U Schumer, Burger Chef at February 16, 2026 11:18 AM (Ksqrb)

53 Something called 15 minute Living.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:19 AM (pDt9x)

54
If they didn't do it for COVID they won't do it for this.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (Cqx++)

The government has F-16's and nukes!

Posted by: Eric Swalwell at February 16, 2026 11:19 AM (Zz0t1)

55 Utah is red in name only. The governor there is the biggest rino piece of shit ever. He makes guys like Cornyn seem far right. And they elected Romney to the senate. ‘Nuff said.

Posted by: Left at February 16, 2026 11:19 AM (7EbTZ)

56 37
‘ Red Utah already has a per-mile fee for EVs’

Utah is filling up with Californians. They’re the next Colorado.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at February 16, 2026 11:19 AM (jbnUc)

57 >>If you pay it do they reimburse the gasoline tax?

*guffaw!*

Posted by: one hour sober at February 16, 2026 11:19 AM (Y1sOo)

58 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

You will report your vehicle mileage on your state income tax forms every year.
___

And service stations/dealerships performing annual inspections will be required to report odometer readings to the state so tax return mileage information can be verified.
Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities

God Bless Texas. No state income tax and 244 out of 254 counties don't inspect. Per recent law change.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (xGgfV)

59
God Bless Texas. No state income tax and 244 out of 254 counties don't inspect. Per recent law change.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (xGgfV)

We're hopeful to move to one of those 244 soon.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (Zz0t1)

60 *hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton
****

Crap! I rolled for a save on sanity and my dice turned to clay....

Posted by: clarence at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (5OgL1)

61 58 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

You will report your vehicle mileage on your state income tax forms every year.
___

And service stations/dealerships performing annual inspections will be required to report odometer readings to the state so tax return mileage information can be verified.
Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities

God Bless Texas. No state income tax and 244 out of 254 counties don't inspect. Per recent law change.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (xGgfV)

You better get busy building a big fence around the place.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (pDt9x)

62 In the communist state of New York, you must have your vehicle inspected yearly for safety by a certified mechanic.
Once the mechanic hooks your car up to his computer, all the info about your vehicle is sent directly to Albany. That includes your mileage.

Posted by: Uncle Slayton at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (WLDs0)

63 God Bless Texas. No state income tax and 244 out of 254 counties don't inspect. Per recent law change.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (xGgfV)

Sadly, my county does. I think it's a federal thing, though, because they just do an emissions test.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (ExV1e)

64 >>>Why did they ever allow that?
~~~~~

Because somebody had to buy all those lucrative gas stations and convenience stores that Americans just wouldn't buy for some reason.

Posted by: IrishEi ?! at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (3ImbR)

65
You better get busy building a big fence around the place.
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (pDt9x)

We better get busy getting rid of sharia law and the islhamic cities..........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (Zz0t1)

66 Blue states are introducing legislation to cap allowable miles that may be driven

No danger of breaking those limits if you buy an EV*!

*7 million Li watch batteries not included.

Posted by: t-bird at February 16, 2026 11:22 AM (qXAQs)

67 65
You better get busy building a big fence around the place.
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (pDt9x)

We better get busy getting rid of sharia law and the islhamic cities..........
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:21 AM (Zz0t1

You read the never sleep, never stop part didn’t you?

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:22 AM (pDt9x)

68
You read the never sleep, never stop part didn’t you?
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:22 AM (pDt9x)

Of course.

They never sleep. We do.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:23 AM (Zz0t1)

69 It was never about EVs or pollution. They just do not like people having that sense of freedom and enjoying it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 11:24 AM (bss/y)

70 After the National Park Service removed the rainbow flag from Stonewall National Monument in NYC, Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Sunday afternoon that he plans to introduce legislation "to designate the pride flag as a congressionally authorized flag.”

Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:24 AM (RHGPo)

71 No state has sovereign borders so movement is unrestricted. That was hashed out in the 1860ish time frame. An issue baked in the cake.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:25 AM (pDt9x)

72 Just wait until you have to pay a fine if you don't sort your garbage properly, comrades.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 16, 2026 11:25 AM (RIvkX)

73 They just do not like people having that sense of freedom and enjoying it.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

They don't like THOSE people having freedom. It's fine for them though because they have righteousness on their side.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 16, 2026 11:25 AM (7xrfc)

74 > The blue states that have been most enthusiastic about getting you out of your gasoline-powered car during the failed “EV transition” are already moving on to the inevitable next battle against personal driving freedom.
---------
Because a mobile society is difficult to subjugate.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (jtM2q)

75 And I'm sure the mileage tax owed by state "legislators" and other "public servants" will be paid by the taxpayers.

Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (qUkBO)

76 It was never about EVs or pollution. They just do not like people having that sense of freedom and enjoying it.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 11:24 AM (bss/y)

It was about EV's, because they contribute to the severe limitations on your ability to travel. ICE and seemingly unlimited fuel makes for too much roaming. Harder to control.

It's all about control.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (Zz0t1)

77 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.

Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (RHGPo)

78
Crap! I rolled for a save on sanity and my dice turned to clay....
Posted by: clarence

Andrew clay dice?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (Cqx++)

79 75 And I'm sure the mileage tax owed by state "legislators" and other "public servants" will be paid by the taxpayers.
Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (qUkBO)

A “ serving the people” business expense.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:27 AM (pDt9x)

80
They don't like THOSE people having freedom. It's fine for them though because they have righteousness on their side.
Posted by: NR Pax at February 16, 2026 11:25 AM (7xrfc)

"SCREW your freedoms!"

- - - - - - The Governator

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:27 AM (Zz0t1)

81 Montana for the win! Ever notice why so many exotics have Montana plates? It's because Montana has no sales tax on cars, no inspection or other requirements, and doesn't care where the car is actually driven.

Just set up a Montana LLC (takes about 15 minutes), have the LLC buy the car, and then register it there. Very tempting.

Sadly, states -- and insurance companies -- are getting wise to this tax dodge, and closing loopholes.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:27 AM (iFTx/)

82 Legislation is being introduced in Democrat strongholds to set mileage caps and/or to impose punitive mileage taxes on those who persist in wanting to drive a car.

Translation: We will tax the H#ll out of people who choose to live in the suburbs or even farther outside of our 15 Minute Cities.

Move into your 500sf micro-apartments already, serfs, and embrace the WEF agenda!!

Posted by: Lizzy at February 16, 2026 11:08 AM (tj6OY)
==
And continue to lose voters and national influence. At the current rate they won't be able to move national policy at all.

Posted by: Black JEM at February 16, 2026 11:27 AM (GZYu7)

83 Sharia, Sharia baby
Sharia, Sharia baby
Sharia baby (Sharia baby, Sharia baby)
Sharia, won't you get out tonight?
(Get, get, get out tonight)
Sharia baby (Sharia baby)
Sharia, won't you get out tonight?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 11:28 AM (J+Psw)

84 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.
Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (RHGPo)

"In other news......the state of Colorado announced a sudden explosion in sexually transmitted diseases this week........"

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:28 AM (Zz0t1)

85 71 No state has sovereign borders so movement is unrestricted. That was hashed out in the 1860ish time frame. An issue baked in the cake.
___

Just wait until we get a Supreme Court packed with four new DEI monsters.

Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:28 AM (qUkBO)

86 It's not just blue states. Red Utah already has a per-mile fee for EVs and I think hybrids too. It's "voluntary" in the sense that it's an alternative to other fees, but the camel nose is already inside the tent even in a red state.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:14 AM (iFTx/)
==
Pretty sure this is just a response that EVs weren't paying the gas tax since they don't use gas. EV's should actually pay more because of their weight.

Posted by: Black JEM at February 16, 2026 11:28 AM (GZYu7)

87 No one on the last thread (except me) mentioned Bedknobs and Broomsticks as a great 70s movie.

Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (77rzZ)

88 Sharia baby (Sharia baby)
Sharia, won't you get out tonight?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 11:28 AM (J+Psw)

There's a GLP-1 commercial out there with a fat black woman named Cheria, pronounced 'sharia.'

I'm like, really!?! Like, totally.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (Zz0t1)

89
Because a mobile society is difficult to subjugate.
Posted by: Martini Farmer

What if the Okies hadn't been able to leave the dust bowl?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (Cqx++)

90 How will they assess non-residents driving through CA?

Also I'm not sure taxing driving is any kind of wealth redistribution. Probably the longest distance rich people drive is to the nearest FBO.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (GD2xa)

91 No one on the last thread (except me) mentioned Bedknobs and Broomsticks as a great 70s movie.
Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (77rzZ)

The Muppet Movie.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:30 AM (Zz0t1)

92 And continue to lose voters and national influence. At the current rate they won't be able to move national policy at all.
___

You underestimate the number of useful idiots in this country.

Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:30 AM (qUkBO)

93 Of course, there will always be carve outs for the democrat party officials and big donors on the mileage limits.

Posted by: Beartooth at February 16, 2026 11:30 AM (GGatE)

94 We on the right have been cringing or embarrassed to express ourselves for so long. Leftists feel free to say the most vile things with no compunction.Trump comes out and says it and it is beautiful.

Posted by: steevy at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (YwEeS)

95 How will they assess non-residents driving through CA?

Also I'm not sure taxing driving is any kind of wealth redistribution. Probably the longest distance rich people drive is to the nearest FBO.
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (GD2xa)

California has the 'jock tax' where athletes that play California based teams in California pay state income tax during their time there.

Sam Darnold lost money playing in the Super Bowl.

California can tax anyone traveling to the state for work, but chooses not to, thus far. That will change in the near future, I'm guessing.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (Zz0t1)

96 And continue to lose voters and national influence. At the current rate they won't be able to move national policy at all.
___

You underestimate the number of useful idiots in this country.

Posted by: 15 Tiny Cities at February 16, 2026 11:30 AM (qUkBO)
==
If you can no longer compete for the presidency and have a 50 seat disadvantage in the House, you are pretty much screwed.

Posted by: Black JEM at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (GZYu7)

97 94 We on the right have been cringing or embarrassed to express ourselves for so long. Leftists feel free to say the most vile things with no compunction.Trump comes out and says it and it is beautiful.
Posted by: steevy at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (YwEeS)

Whipped dogs. Not a good look.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:32 AM (pDt9x)

98 I'm having more thoughts.

Ya know how the Brits and French ran penal colonies on outlying island possessions?

Penal colonies earned a bad reputation due to their brutality, squalor, and general disregard for human life. Same with various concentration and POW camps, from Andersonville to Kolyma.

What if we Americanized this idea?

For instance, we know that effectively all of our Medicaid system is just one big fuckin' rakeoff. For way less than the rakeoff for that, we could repurpose a bunch of outlying territorial possessions as Islands for the Insane.

These could be awesome places, for less $$$. Thrice-daily buffet service, (well-paid) Asian ladies to do manicures for the vagrants and pharma-mutants, and maybe the Trump Org could design the living quarters and golf courses.

Who wouldn't want to live there? And who wouldn't want to spend less $$$ and also actually get them away from us?

Win-Win-Win.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 16, 2026 11:32 AM (BI5O2)

99 Is it Buttstuff month again already!? My, how the time flies. Where does the time go?

Posted by: Common Tater at February 16, 2026 11:32 AM (sSmN4)

100
What if the Okies hadn't been able to leave the dust bowl?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (Cqx++)

Then every farmer along Route 66 wouldn't be able to enjoy the diversity experience of Okies practicing informal income redistribution (stealing everything that wasn't nailed down before driving west again).

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 16, 2026 11:33 AM (kTyBw)

101 Is it Buttstuff month again already!? My, how the time flies. Where does the time go?
Posted by: Common Tater at February 16, 2026 11:32 AM (sSmN4)

It's gay pride month again already?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:33 AM (Zz0t1)

102 Because a mobile society is difficult to subjugate.
Posted by: Martini Farmer

Here in the GPROMD, they tried passing a tax on millionaires. The usual suspects barked and clapped approvingly because this tax was going to turn the State into the Land of Milk and Honey.

Fast forward a year later and they were shocked to learn that millionaires can and will move out of state to avoid these things.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 16, 2026 11:34 AM (7xrfc)

103 How are they gonna know how many miles you drive?

Ostensibly, you will report it annually. But as others have noted, your car already records it, whether on an odometer or (for most if not all modern vehicles) in an onboard computer. If your state has an annual inspection requirement, they will add those records to what the inspector has to record, thus providing a crime to charge you with if your report differs from theirs.

After a short period to forget their promises that it would never be automatic, modern vehicles will be required to report this data automatically, accidentally also reporting all other data the vehicle collects. They will do this either by literally requiring every car have built in cellular communications; by setting up collection receivers at strategic locations to pick up shorter-range BlueTooth or WiFi-like transmitters; or perhaps even by building a proxy server into your toll transponder.

Like Vehicle to Grid, none of this is secret. It just isn’t publicized.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:34 AM (EXyHK)

104 ...a series of reforms requiring majority ownership by citizens, along with proof of citizenship...

************

Will a photocopy of a cast ballot from the 2024 election suffice? /s

Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:34 AM (qgHp7)

105 It's blacks invented everything month, everyone was gay month is in the summer...

Posted by: steevy at February 16, 2026 11:36 AM (YwEeS)

106 Crap! I rolled for a save on sanity and my dice turned to clay....
Posted by: clarence

Andrew clay dice?
****

I was wondering how long it would take to get a reply. 💯

Posted by: clarence at February 16, 2026 11:36 AM (5OgL1)

107 It's blacks invented everything month, everyone was gay month is in the summer...
Posted by: steevy at February 16, 2026 11:36 AM (YwEeS)

We couldn't leave Earth without them.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:36 AM (Zz0t1)

108 How will they assess non-residents driving through CA?

Also I'm not sure taxing driving is any kind of wealth redistribution. Probably the longest distance rich people drive is to the nearest FBO.
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at February 16, 2026 11:29 AM (GD2xa)

California has the 'jock tax' where athletes that play California based teams in California pay state income tax during their time there.

Sam Darnold lost money playing in the Super Bowl.

California can tax anyone traveling to the state for work, but chooses not to, thus far. That will change in the near future, I'm guessing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (Zz0t1)
____

It's well-established that states can tax non-residents for money earned while they are in the state. Many states do. California is more aggressive at it than most.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:37 AM (iFTx/)

109 Oh, and the ability to lock the car when passing a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual limit will also be built in; and the ability to lock the car when passing an automatic data collection station, too.

Safety.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:37 AM (EXyHK)

110 Any vehicle with an ECU has a significant amount of data available.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:18 AM (Zz0t1)

My 57 Chevy will be my "go to" vehicle. Heh. Or my 70 Chevelle.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 11:37 AM (5xuJ/)

111 We live in a Surveillance Society, and have for a long time. Controlling vehicle use is a small matter indeed. There is no real privacy for anyone, anymore. Pray that the Eye of Sauron does not look your way.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:37 AM (pDt9x)

112 Penal colonies earned a bad reputation due to their brutality, squalor, and general disregard for human life. Same with various concentration and POW camps, from Andersonville to Kolyma.

What if we Americanized this idea?

You...want to send AMERICANS to St. Louis or Baltimore? You monster!

Posted by: Archimedes at February 16, 2026 11:38 AM (Riz8t)

113 My 57 Chevy will be my "go to" vehicle. Heh. Or my 70 Chevelle.

Pretty sure it’s a crime to disable the odometer on either of those vehicles.

Expect random stops, with the officer checking your odometer.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:39 AM (EXyHK)

114 114 My 57 Chevy will be my "go to" vehicle. Heh. Or my 70 Chevelle.

Pretty sure it’s a crime to disable the odometer on either of those vehicles.

Expect random stops, with the officer checking your odometer.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:39 AM (EXyHK)

Oh boy, we all get to live in - Cuba!!!

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:39 AM (pDt9x)

115 My 57 Chevy will be my "go to" vehicle. Heh. Or my 70 Chevelle.
Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 11:37 AM (5xuJ/)

I unfortunately no longer have any vehicles of a significant vintage, however my 88 Fox Body would allow for me to go old school and pull out all the electronics.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:39 AM (Zz0t1)

116 Starmer is trying to introduce a islam protection law in the UK that would protect sharia law and just gave the "Muslim Trust" 2.6 million in taxpayer funds.

Posted by: Ben Had at February 16, 2026 11:40 AM (0KSrI)

117 Starmer is trying to introduce a islam protection law in the UK that would protect sharia law and just gave the "Muslim Trust" 2.6 million in taxpayer funds.
Posted by: Ben Had at February 16, 2026 11:40 AM (0KSrI)

He thinks he'll have a seat at the table when they take complete control.

He won't.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:41 AM (Zz0t1)

118 God Bless Texas. No state income tax and 244 out of 254 counties don't inspect. Per recent law change.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:20 AM (xGgfV)

You WILL conform or we pull ALL federal aid AND close ALL federal installations in Texas! You'll be left with steers and queers.

Posted by: President Harris at February 16, 2026 11:41 AM (5xuJ/)

119 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.
Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (RHGPo)
____

It's all to better help women, don't ya know?

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:42 AM (iFTx/)

120 This is like hearing the first step in men's reproductive health is to convince them to stop punching themselves in the nuts.

Gosh, who would have guessed that?

Posted by: Kindltot at February 16, 2026 11:42 AM (rbvCR)

121 Captain Jean-Luc Picard defiantly states that "there are four lights" while being tortured.

Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:43 AM (RHGPo)

122 120 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.
Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (RHGPo)
____

It's all to better help women, don't ya know?
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 11:42 AM (iFTx/)

The Hooker Bill will pass easily.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:43 AM (pDt9x)

123 Oh boy, we all get to live in - Cuba!!!

There are still people who deny the evidence of their own eyes and claim Cuba is a paradise of efficient public assistance.

I’ve been rewatching the original Star Trek series. Some of them look pretty stupid now. Some of them that looked pretty stupid then appear almost prophetic, such as the one where a respected academic instituted National Socialism on a planet under the logic that (a) it was more efficient than other forms of government, and (b) he could control its outcome.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:43 AM (EXyHK)

124 Buck, from the Morning Report (via Free Press today)
----------------
Another victory lap for Buck:

A $5.8 billion Ford-backed battery plant in Kentucky has been idled just months after opening, leaving 1,600 workers unemployed, with the company citing slowing EV demand amid Trump’s elimination of EV tax credits. Governor Andy Beshear blamed the president, saying, “Those are 1,600 Kentuckians that lost their jobs solely because of Donald Trump pushing that big, ugly bill.”

----------
That's right, Beshear wants Kentucky not to blame him for this big loser of a plant, or the free market, noo.... It's the ending of federal subsidies, and Trump is the Bad Man.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 16, 2026 11:43 AM (ACDhD)

125
You WILL conform or we pull ALL federal aid AND close ALL federal installations in Texas! You'll be left with steers and queers.
Posted by: President Harris at February 16, 2026 11:41 AM (5xuJ/)

The Republic of Texas would accept your terms. We would be glad to sell you oil and gas at 100% tariff rates.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:44 AM (Zz0t1)

126 117
‘ Starmer is trying to introduce a islam protection law in the UK that would protect sharia law’

The English need to give Starmer the Edward II treatment.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at February 16, 2026 11:44 AM (jbnUc)

127 Democrat strongholds means sanctuary city. Democrats hate American citizens and will go to any length to create a Marxist / Darwinian shithole filled with foreign national savages.

This is the state of our America.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 16, 2026 11:44 AM (gVUi7)

128 You'll be left with steers and queers.
Posted by: President Harris
****

If you're going to treat them equally, we can shoot both of them. Steaks from one and dog food from the other.

Posted by: clarence at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (5OgL1)

129 The Monkey's rule for cars... If it doesn't have an ashtray and 5 speed manual transmission I do not want it.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (affD0)

130 And now for something completely different, great audience for a magician.

https://is.gd/XmvhLI

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (J+Psw)

131 126
You WILL conform or we pull ALL federal aid AND close ALL federal installations in Texas! You'll be left with steers and queers.
Posted by: President Harris at February 16, 2026 11:41 AM (5xuJ/)

The Republic of Texas would accept your terms. We would be glad to sell you oil and gas at 100% tariff rates.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:44 AM (Zz0t1)

A Republic, if you can keep it. Border walls and checkpoints would be a good start.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (pDt9x)

132 Since I missed it I think GF 1 & 2 were very good as well as Taxi Driver for what they were. Movies showing the seedy side of life.

The movies I don't get the love is Field of Dreams and The Princess Bride. But I understand I'm in the minority.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (cwGMH)

133 Pretty sure it’s a crime to disable the odometer on either of those vehicles.

Expect random stops, with the officer checking your odometer.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:39 AM (EXyHK)

Those older odometers DO have issues, now and then. Especially on the 57. The nylon drive gear on the trans output shaft is the usual culprit. Just sayin'.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (5xuJ/)

134 California has the 'jock tax' where athletes that play California based teams in California pay state income tax during their time there.

Sam Darnold lost money playing in the Super Bowl.

California can tax anyone traveling to the state for work, but chooses not to, thus far. That will change in the near future, I'm guessing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer

Thirty years ago I heard they were trying to tax pensions of people who worked in Cali for any period of time - proportionate to time there of course.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (/lPRQ)

135 And when we do it, we generally wait for the commercial break on whatever we're watching.
Posted by: BurtTC

*********

Love in the warm afterglow of a Shriner's Children's Hospital promo.

They'll even send you this adowwable blanket to show how much you care.

Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:46 AM (qgHp7)

136 The Republic of Texas would accept your terms. We would be glad to sell you oil and gas at 100% tariff rates.

And yet Texas continues to degrade its coal, nuclear, oil, and natural gas capability in favor of unreliable sources that fail when the sun goes down or the wind slows.

I love Texas. But there is a lot of work to be done before we can become the Republic of Texas again.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:46 AM (EXyHK)

137 I don't see how they can tax freedom of movement. It's unconstitutional on its face.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:47 AM (cwGMH)

138 The Republic of Texas would accept your terms. We would be glad to sell you oil and gas at 100% tariff rates.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:44 AM (Zz0t1)

FOOL!! We'll just nationalize all that and take it. We ARE the federal government!!

Posted by: President Harris and VP AOC at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (5xuJ/)

139 Those older odometers DO have issues, now and then. Especially on the 57. The nylon drive gear on the trans output shaft is the usual culprit. Just sayin'.

Pretty sure that driving with degraded or failed equipment is already illegal in most places. Usually, you’ll just get a “fix-it” ticket… today. But I don’t think the laws require it.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (EXyHK)

140 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.
Posted by: SMOD at February 16, 2026 11:26 AM (RHGPo)

If memory serves, some years back a young woman in Germany tried to sign up for government benefits as she was unemployed and the bureaucrat turned her down as she had not yet tried prostitution. As it was legal, she had no excuse for refusing to sell her body.

I wonder if Colorado will do the same.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (ExV1e)

141 Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:46 AM (EXyHK)

A lot of improvement has been made since that 100 year event.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (cwGMH)

142
And yet Texas continues to degrade its coal, nuclear, oil, and natural gas capability in favor of unreliable sources that fail when the sun goes down or the wind slows.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:46 AM (EXyHK)

For which I have a big and hearty F*CK YOU to Rick Perry for getting into bed with Barack Owebama on that. The bastard.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (Zz0t1)

143 It's blacks invented everything month, everyone was gay month is in the summer...
Posted by: steevy at February 16, 2026 11:36 AM (YwEeS)

We couldn't leave Earth without them.
-------
And maybe we'll come back
To Earth, who can tell?

Posted by: Europe at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (TN0g+)

144 If it doesn't have an ashtray...
Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (affD0)

STILL ticks me off. So they WANT me to toss it out the window instead of dumping my ashtray in the trash at home?

Posted by: Lady Who at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (JCLJi)

145 Honestly, I look around the world and marvel at the lack of angry mobs storming government buildings, dragging everyone out, then acquainting them with lonely lampposts.

Posted by: naturalfake

If they didn't do it for COVID they won't do it for this.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (Cqx++)

And the submission will happen voluntarily (with very rare exceptions) no matter how many guns we have. No one will want to sacrifice their comfort.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at February 16, 2026 11:49 AM (g8Ew8)

146 All the talking aside, it’s all in the Management, which is why a Democrat management can and will rapidly undo all of the Trump management improvements. It seems that in order to stop this we can not let another globalist Democrat get near the White House. How that is done is the issue. They have shown ways to keep power in their hands.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:50 AM (pDt9x)

147 >>>adowwable blanket

Ahem, that's 'adowwable bwanket'

Posted by: Alec at February 16, 2026 11:50 AM (Y1sOo)

148 Love in the warm afterglow of a Shriner's Children's Hospital promo.
They'll even send you this adowwable blanket to show how much you care.
Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:46 AM (qgHp7)

Two words: Mute button.

Posted by: Lady Who at February 16, 2026 11:51 AM (JCLJi)

149 >>>I don't see how they can tax freedom of movement. It's unconstitutional on its face.

Posted by: Opinion fact

>Don't they already call these fuel taxes? That barn door was opened many years ago.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 16, 2026 11:51 AM (gVUi7)

150 If they didn't do it for COVID they won't do it for this.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (Cqx++)

It wasn't necessary evidenced by Trump being elected. There may come a time when it's obvious there is no alternative but Covid wasn't it. Red states came to their senses in time.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:51 AM (cwGMH)

151 Never confuse avarice for good intentions. These people have nothing but a nose for money.

Posted by: ErikInTexas at February 16, 2026 11:52 AM (4b7CV)

152 Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 16, 2026 11:51 AM (gVUi7)

Taxing individuals to restrict their movement is the difference.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (cwGMH)

153 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.

*********

They already don't tax just the tips...

Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (qgHp7)

154 153 If they didn't do it for COVID they won't do it for this.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:17 AM (Cqx++)

=====

Covid was the most successful psyop perhaps in history.

People were fucking terrified of dying from a cold.

Hats off where it's due. They scared the populace good and well.

It's a one shot thing, though. Next pandemic that comes along that's real is going to take a long time to convince people that it's a problem.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for twisted thrills with Park Chan-wook at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (GBKbO)

155 Pretty sure that driving with degraded or failed equipment is already illegal in most places. Usually, you’ll just get a “fix-it” ticket… today. But I don’t think the laws require it.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:48 AM (EXyHK)

Historic plates on both. No inspections. Many cops I know have classic cars as well. They pull up to you at a stoplight and yell, "nice car!" Many states tried some crap in the 90's, trying to take "classic cars" off the road. The sponsors of those bills were not happy with the, uh, backlash. Included words like, lampposts, rope, etc. Many classic car guys are older with not many shits to give.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (5xuJ/)

156 A lot of improvement has been made since that 100 year event.

Not really. There have been some improvements on the margins, such as weatherizing delivery of natural gas, but the percentage of reliable vs. unreliable energy sources has only gotten worse.

During the last cold event a few weeks ago, we hit something like 90% capacity on reliable energy sources. Fortunately, it was neither as cold nor as frozen as Uri. But if we had the Uri combination of freezing rain followed immediately by heavy snow and days of single-digit temperatures, the Texas grid would fare even worse than it did under Uri.

Our reliable reserve continues dropping, while power requirements continue to rise.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (EXyHK)

157 California can tax anyone traveling to the state for work, but chooses not to, thus far. That will change in the near future, I'm guessing.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at February 16, 2026 11:31 AM (Zz0t1)

Sorry to disappoint you, but they do it already.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 16, 2026 11:54 AM (n9ltV)

158 157 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.

*********

They already don't tax just the tips...
Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (qgHp7)

So no Glans Tax??

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:54 AM (pDt9x)

159 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

-
I'm more pink/tan.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (J+Psw)

160 If memory serves, some years back a young woman in Germany tried to sign up for government benefits as she was unemployed and the bureaucrat turned her down as she had not yet tried prostitution. As it was legal, she had no excuse for refusing to sell her body.

I wonder if Colorado will do the same.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

S/He/It probably gave referral cards too, "Jwanye sent me".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (/lPRQ)

161
I don't see how they can tax freedom of movement. It's unconstitutional on its face.
Posted by: Opinion fact

The constitution is a "living" document.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (Cqx++)

162 163 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

-
I'm more pink/tan.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (J+Psw)

=====

She only says this cause she's probably just about as white as I am.

Like, about 95% white because of Spanish heritage.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for twisted thrills with Park Chan-wook at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (GBKbO)

163 You...want to send AMERICANS to St. Louis or Baltimore? You monster!

Posted by: Archimedes

"Take him to Detroit!"

Posted by: NR Pax at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (7xrfc)

164 165
I don't see how they can tax freedom of movement. It's unconstitutional on its face.
Posted by: Opinion fact

The constitution is a "living" document.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM (Cqx++)

Fluid. Like water.

Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (pDt9x)

165 146 Coming home from WESPAC, I mentioned to Mom and Dad I would have to get a car. The salesman they dealt with (his Mom was a neighbor) at the Pontiac agency was selling his own car and I got it. 65 Catalina convertible with a 389. And an ashtray. And an ashtray on the back of the front seat. And an ashtray in each rear armrest. All four had lighters.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (gm9Sb)

166 If it's imaginary, why do I keep seeing liberals wanting to deconstruct/destroy it?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (bss/y)

167 You ever want a good time?

See people earnestly fighting English as a colonial language but insisting that Spanish isn't.

"People spoke Spanish on Puerto Rico for hundreds of years before English!"

"Well, what did they speak before Spanish?"

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for twisted thrills with Park Chan-wook at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (GBKbO)

168 There’s a very short (4:25) summary of the ability of Texas’s grid to withstand another Uri from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, titled “Will Texas Survive the Next Major Winter Storm?” on YouTube. Worth watching if you care about improving the Texas grid.

https://youtu.be/XI7HwaxrupY

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (EXyHK)

169 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

See, we think AOC is dumb, but she has managed to figure out how to call people "N*ggers" and still feel good about it

Posted by: Kindltot at February 16, 2026 11:57 AM (rbvCR)

170 157 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.

*********

They already don't tax just the tips...
Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (qgHp7)

So no Glans Tax??
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:54 AM (pDt9x)

They'll call it the Dick 'n Jane Tax.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at February 16, 2026 11:57 AM (g8Ew8)

171 171 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

See, we think AOC is dumb, but she has managed to figure out how to call people "N*ggers" and still feel good about it
Posted by: Kindltot at February 16, 2026 11:57 AM (rbvCR)

? Did I miss something?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (bss/y)

172 They already don't tax just the tips...
Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 11:53 AM (qgHp7)

So no Glans Tax??
Posted by: tubal at February 16, 2026 11:54 AM (pDt9x)

They'll call it the Dick 'n Jane Tax.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at February 16, 2026 11:57 AM (g8Ew

Better than the Dick and Balls Tax.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (bss/y)

173 65 Catalina convertible with a 389. And an ashtray. And an ashtray on the back of the front seat. And an ashtray in each rear armrest. All four had lighters.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (gm9Sb)

The good old days. The amount of freedom we had back in the 50's and early to mid 60's was amazing. We just didn't realize it. Nor did many pay attention to the erosion of those freedoms. So, here we are.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (5xuJ/)

174 Thanks, Buck.

CBS News, 02/03/26, MoneyWatch
'Small Business Administration shuts out non-U.S. citizens from its main lending program.'

In part, "CAMEO Network said it plans to work with lawmakers to fight the guidance, which it characterized as discriminatory.

Democratic members on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship also criticized the SBA policy, calling it a "devastating attack on immigrant entrepreneurs."

Don't know how all the small violators will be caught/stopped but guess there's a plan. If this is not overturned, will be interesting to see the impact on NPs, both small & large.

No effect big business, Gold visa owners, etc.
---
"Blue states are introducing legislation to cap allowable miles that may be driven.."

They're definitely working into it.

Philadelphia's "Zero Fare" program is still in place and has been extended through FY 2026. Reportedly, it provides free SEPTA transit passes to around 25,000 to 34,000 low-income residents.

There are more 'pay per mile' car insurance programs being offered in PA - which tracked vehicle usage with the aid of Google during the C19 shutdown.

See Community Hubs (in the USA).

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (NFX2v)

175 "Freedom to Move Act" = Restrictions on the miles you can drive

"Reproductive Rights" = Right to abort a child

Orwell called it "Newspeak".

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (VBYyL)

176 US ladies hockey team is taking Sweden to the woodshed.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (u73oe)

177 I don't see how they can tax freedom of movement. It's unconstitutional on its face.
----

Yes, I'm just traveling, and not for commercial purposes.

Posted by: Sovereign Citizen at February 16, 2026 11:59 AM (TN0g+)

178 US ladies hockey team is taking Sweden to the woodshed.
Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 16, 2026 11:58 AM (u73oe)

Oooh, that's hot.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at February 16, 2026 12:00 PM (5xuJ/)

179 A lot of improvement has been made since that 100 year event.

**********

Wait. Are we still talking about BurtTC's love life?

Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 12:00 PM (qgHp7)

180 4-0 in the second.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (u73oe)

181 Capping allowable miles is bullcarp.
But taxing per mile is the right way to go - much better than taxes based on the value of the car or the pricier gasoline. It's taxing based on usage - which, given that car taxes should go to maintaining the things on which those cars are driven, is pragmatic.

Now, you will have to eliminate gas taxes. Because that's ostensibly how it's done now. And that would make EVs equal under the law, as it were.

Posted by: GWB at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (XoEtr)

182 Now do "Minority- and Women-"Owned" Cutout Frauds for "Winning" Feral Gubmint Contracts.

I shall not hold my breath ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Algorithmic Racist > Stochastic Terrorist > Statistical Miasma at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (CNwL1)

183
Good morning, all. What's the difference between "U.S. Citizens" and "U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions"?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (n7rxJ)

184 Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (EXyHK)

The TPPF are more pessimistic than AOS if that's possible. I guess that's a good thing to balance out the unrealistic optimists. The Ying Yang of life.

Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (cwGMH)

185 If they tax mileage for highway usage they can include the surly bicycle brigades that think because they're having a silly fun run they can use up a whole lane on a state highway.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (gm9Sb)

186 Also, why is the federal government loaning money (or guaranteeing loans) again? Which enumerated power is that in the Constitution?

Posted by: GWB at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (XoEtr)

187 And yet Texas continues to degrade its coal, nuclear, oil, and natural gas capability in favor of unreliable sources that fail when the sun goes down or the wind slows.

I love Texas. But there is a lot of work to be done before we can become the Republic of Texas again.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair

Texas is building oil and gas pipelines as fast as humanly possible right now.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 16, 2026 12:02 PM (0U5gm)

188 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

See, we think AOC is dumb, but she has managed to figure out how to call people "N*ggers" and still feel good about it
Posted by: Kindltot at February 16, 2026 11:57 AM (rbvCR)

? Did I miss something?
------

She (or somebody equally stupid) recently predicted whites would become extinct by 2070 because whites will keep having children with other races until the resulting bloodlines no longer produced white babies.

Posted by: Crusader at February 16, 2026 12:02 PM (TN0g+)

189 Too much readin'.

When I worked in the defence industry a U.S. Person was either a citizen or a green card holder. I think Loefller included green card holders to get SBA loans. Citizens could do the same to start a business and bring in foreigners to work there.

Posted by: BillB at February 16, 2026 12:02 PM (TQxb9)

190 Well, everyone had to have a cigarette lighter in case multiple people wanted to light up at once.

I also love that this is on top of the personal lighters people carried.

Nice table lighters (I have one that is a suit of armor.) I wish I had saved this elaborate brass ash tray that had the zodiac represented that my Grandma and Grandpa had. It had these little... looked like letter seals to crush out hot ashes.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:02 PM (bss/y)

191
VAIO
Vote All Incumbents Out
(No exceptions)

Posted by: rickb223 at February 16, 2026 11:03 AM (xGgfV)

MAIO
Mussolini all incumbents out

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (snZF9)

192
Never mind, I found it out. From AI:

"non-citizen U.S. Nationals" are those born in American Samoa or on Swains Island.

plus some other info.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (n7rxJ)

193 5-0

Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (u73oe)

194 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”
====

Saw an amusing little chart at some other blog -

Two Columns,
White People ... and ... People of Color

Under the column were about a dozen different pics of skin, hair, eyes, of various ethnicities.

Bottom line - They are calling the wrong people "POC".
It was obviously racist.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (/lPRQ)

195 Good Morning Everyone!

Happy President's Day!

Today's Fox business Varney Trivia Question:

Which Presidential election had the highest voter turnout percentage?

1840
1876
1960
2020

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (QGaXH)

196 She (or somebody equally stupid) recently predicted whites would become extinct by 2070 because whites will keep having children with other races until the resulting bloodlines no longer produced white babies.
Posted by: Crusader at February 16, 2026 12:02 PM (TN0g+)

LOL. She is making the Miscegenation arguments of the 1860s.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:03 PM (bss/y)

197 A lot of improvement has been made since that 100 year event.

**********

Wait. Are we still talking about BurtTC's love life?

Posted by: muldoon at February 16, 2026 12:00 PM (qgHp7)

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

Zombie Vic hardest hit.

Posted by: ShainS -- Algorithmic Racist at February 16, 2026 12:04 PM (CNwL1)

198 Texas is building oil and gas pipelines as fast as humanly possible right now.

If we’re building solar and wind even faster, than that would be untrue on its face.

Again: our reserve capacity has fallen since Uri, not risen.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 12:04 PM (EXyHK)

199 The whole idea behind the EV craze was to limit who could travel and how far they'd be permitted to go. There's a likely reason why Buttplug's DoT didn't get any charging stations built with the billions he was given.

I mean, another reason other than fraud.

It would have extended the range people with EV's (which the government was hoping would be everyone) could travel. The left is all about control. Letting the public be able to travel at will is just not who they are.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 16, 2026 12:04 PM (jtM2q)

200 Good morning, all. What's the difference between "U.S. Citizens" and "U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions"?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 16, 2026 12:01 PM (n7rxJ)

Search tells me that "U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions" means Samoans and people from another South Pacific island chain who're residents of the US and work / travel freely in the US but are not citizens.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 12:05 PM (ExV1e)

201 192 There were some lighters that were a status symbol, like a Rolex watch or a Mont Blanc pen. DuPonts were high end.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:05 PM (gm9Sb)

202 >>California can tax anyone traveling to the state for work, but chooses not to, thus far. That will change in the near future, I'm guessing.

Right. Imagine a CPA lives/works in Florida and is licensed in Florida, but does the weekly/monthly accounting and the annual business tax return for a corporation located in California.

The CPA will be required to pay the state of California tax on the annual income he/she receives from that client.

It's coming.

Posted by: one hour sober at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (Y1sOo)

203 Capping allowable miles is bullcarp.
But taxing per mile is the right way to go - much better than taxes based on the value of the car or the pricier gasoline. It's taxing based on usage - which, given that car taxes should go to maintaining the things on which those cars are driven, is pragmatic.

Now, you will have to eliminate gas taxes. Because that's ostensibly how it's done now. And that would make EVs equal under the law, as it were.
Posted by: GWB

It should be weight of vehicle X miles to reflect wear and tear on the roads... which the current gas tax does for all ICE vehicles.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (/lPRQ)

204 Bible Study Corner.

Protestia
@Protestia
"Women terminate pregnancies...because of love and out of their high regard for the value of new life. Love sometimes requires saying ‘no’ to life rather than ‘yes."
A pro-choice Presbyterian pastor (PCUSA) who works as a volunteer chaplain inside a Planned Parenthood clinic, defends abortion.

-
I'm having trouble with the concept of a chaplain at Planned Parenthood. I mean, demons, sure but chaplains?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (J+Psw)

205 203 192 There were some lighters that were a status symbol, like a Rolex watch or a Mont Blanc pen. DuPonts were high end.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:05 PM (gm9Sb)

Yeah, I have one that my Grandpa received for a promotion or 20 years in the Army, I think.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (bss/y)

206 Great assist on the last goal from Britta Curl, who the Left tried to cancel after she posted a link to "What is a Woman?" on her Instagram account.

Posted by: Wally at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (0e5Te)

207 C'mon GOPe...

End the god damn filibuster

Reach down and feel around for your BALLS

Posted by: melodicmetal at February 16, 2026 12:06 PM (61TgR)

208 Texas better be building some desalination plants.

Posted by: Ben Had at February 16, 2026 12:07 PM (0KSrI)

209 Good morning, all. What's the difference between "U.S. Citizens" and "U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions"?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

Those from American Somoa were "nationals". Only group in that category that I am aware of. Good trivia for those arguing that there are only two flavors of "citizen".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 12:08 PM (/lPRQ)

210
She (or somebody equally stupid) recently predicted whites would become extinct by 2070 because whites will keep having children with other races until the resulting bloodlines no longer produced white babies.
Posted by: Crusader

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

Doesn't that mean the other races will become extinct, too? Like, we'll all go extinct and become cappuccino?

Or is she saying that one drop of Black blood makes you a n*****?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 16, 2026 12:08 PM (n7rxJ)

211 Nobody has brought it up but the damn Amish need those buggies taxed!

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:08 PM (gm9Sb)

212 It's coming.

It's already here. CA taxes income based on source, not residency status. It's been that way for many years.

Posted by: Halfhand at February 16, 2026 12:08 PM (cO6Mr)

213 Or is she saying that one drop of Black blood makes you a n*****?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 16, 2026 12:08 PM (n7rxJ)

I have seen black people make the one drop argument when 'claiming' someone. It is a weird thing.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (bss/y)

214 How can California enforce the tax on out-of-staters though?

Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (77rzZ)

215 Can you just disconnect your speedo/odo to avoid the tax?

Posted by: toby928(c) at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (jc0TO)

216 Texas is building oil and gas pipelines as fast as humanly possible right now.

If we’re building solar and wind even faster, than that would be untrue on its face.

Again: our reserve capacity has fallen since Uri, not risen.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair

The two things don't have the same supply chain. There are actual shortages of components for pipelines.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at February 16, 2026 12:10 PM (0U5gm)

217 End the god damn filibuster

Don’t end it. Require that anyone wanting to filibuster must speak on the relevant subject.

Most of what the Democrats want to filibuster is very, very popular. So, make them talk, on camera, about why they want to block popular policies.

They are blatantly racist, in favor of blatant fraud and corruption, as are their Republican enablers. They’ve been allowed to cover this up. Make them say the quiet parts out loud.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 12:10 PM (EXyHK)

218 216 Can you just disconnect your speedo/odo to avoid the tax?
Posted by: toby928(c) at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (jc0TO)

Heh.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:10 PM (bss/y)

219 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

----------

Like Antifa.

"And so it was that later,
As the miller told his tale,
That her face at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of Gael."

Posted by: ShainS -- Algorithmic Racist at February 16, 2026 12:10 PM (CNwL1)

220 Texas better be building some desalination plants.

I still remember when the water supply was among our Governor’s top policies.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (EXyHK)

221 "Women terminate pregnancies...because of love and out of their high regard for the value of new life. Love sometimes requires saying ‘no’ to life rather than ‘yes."

Does anyone take the opportunity to explain to these women that they can show their "high regard for the value of new life" proactively rather than reactively? Or would that cut into your annual bonus?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (ExV1e)

222 Am I having a stroke or do posts keep disappearing? I keep watching the post count go up and then back by one.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (bss/y)

223 The whole idea behind the EV craze was to limit who could travel and how far they'd be permitted to go. There's a likely reason why Buttplug's DoT didn't get any charging stations built with the billions he was given.

Exactly. It's 15 minute cities (and neo-feudalism) all the way down.

Posted by: Ian S. at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (QZThv)

224
Protestia
@Protestia
"Women terminate pregnancies...because of love and out of their high regard for the value of new life. Love sometimes requires saying ‘no’ to life rather than ‘yes."
A pro-choice Presbyterian pastor (PCUSA) who works as a volunteer chaplain inside a Planned Parenthood clinic, defends abortion.

-
I'm having trouble with the concept of a chaplain at Planned Parenthood. I mean, demons, sure but chaplains?
-----
A quick read of the Presbyterian Church USA's beliefs in "social justice" activism suggests they sold their biblical souls. Volunteering in an abortion clinic fits their new model.

Posted by: Crusader at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (TN0g+)

225 212 American Samoans. Canned corn beef eating thugs. Most serve in the USMC to brush up on drinking skills. Sometimes employed by bars as bouncers or slum lords for eviction muscle. (Heh. Had a couple Samoan friends in the Corps).

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (gm9Sb)

226 UK Guardian, 13 Feb. 2026
AOC accuses Trump of trying to usher in ‘age of authoritarianism’ at Munich conference
Congressperson says US president and Marco Rubio are tearing apart transatlantic alliance

"Appearing at a panel called “Vox Populi? Responding to the Rise of Populism”, Ocasio-Cortez decried the US-led war against Iraq as well as the development of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), calling instead for foreign countries to engage in a “working-class-centered politics” that would help “stave off the scourges of authoritarianism.”
---
The Rise of BS Mamdanism.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (NFX2v)

227 222 "Women terminate pregnancies...because of love and out of their high regard for the value of new life. Love sometimes requires saying ‘no’ to life rather than ‘yes."

Does anyone take the opportunity to explain to these women that they can show their "high regard for the value of new life" proactively rather than reactively? Or would that cut into your annual bonus?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (ExV1e)

Or maybe argue that these women should give these children up for adoption to the many couple unable to conceive?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (bss/y)

228 Or is it that women must have the final say of life and death and if anyone calls that into question, they have to make sure to murder the child?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (bss/y)

229
The movies I don't get the love is Field of Dreams and The Princess Bride. But I understand I'm in the minority.
Posted by: Opinion fact at February 16, 2026 11:45 AM (cwGMH)

FoD, I'm with you there. But Princess Bride?

BURN THE WITCH

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (kTyBw)

230 AOC: “Whiteness is an IMAGINARY THING.”

----------

Like Antifa.

"And so it was that later,
As the miller told his tale,
That her face at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of Gael."
-----

*golf clap*

Posted by: Crusader at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (TN0g+)

231 How can California enforce the tax on out-of-staters though?

Through withholding requirements generally, but yeah if you're an independent contractor and have a CA client just pay you, I'm not sure how they enforce that.

Posted by: Halfhand at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (cO6Mr)

232 Can you just disconnect your speedo/odo to avoid the tax?
Posted by: toby928(c) at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (jc0TO)

Heh.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

The average person cannot change a flat tire.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (/lPRQ)

233 Am I having a stroke or do posts keep disappearing? I keep watching the post count go up and then back by one.

It’s possible that one of the cobs is banning someone on this thread; it’s also possible that an existing ban is doing it. I have the sense that one of the means of banning someone on the AOSHQ doesn’t stop them from posting. It lets them post, and then removes their posts a few seconds or a few minutes later.

It’s hamsters all the way down :)

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (EXyHK)

234 Ewok''s up.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (Wnv9h)

235 End the god damn filibuster

Don’t end it. Require that anyone wanting to filibuster must speak on the relevant subject.

Most of what the Democrats want to filibuster is very, very popular. So, make them talk, on camera, about why they want to block popular policies.

They are blatantly racist, in favor of blatant fraud and corruption, as are their Republican enablers. They’ve been allowed to cover this up. Make them say the quiet parts out loud.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 16, 2026 12:10 PM (EXyHK)

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

+1

I'm old enough to remember Ted Cruz reading Dr. Suess for 20+ hours back in 2013.

Posted by: ShainS -- Algorithmic Racist at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (CNwL1)

236 228 Still being blocked, I see.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (1GT/M)

Heh. Your comments are not acting like a normal ban and immediately disappearing on refresh...

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (bss/y)

237 Princess Bride is a seriously overrated movie.

Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 12:14 PM (77rzZ)

238 How can California enforce the tax on out-of-staters though?

Posted by: Bulg at February 16, 2026 12:09 PM (77rzZ)
______

Many states do the same thing, albeit not as aggressively. If you earn income while in a state, you can be taxed by that state for the pro-rated portion of the income even if you aren't a resident. There's nothing even controversial about that.

People that travel a lot for work have been dealing with this for decades. If you're a consultant, and spend X days in State Y, then you are most likely on the hook for taxes to Y for those X days. You will probably get a discount on your resident state's taxes, though, for the time you were outside the state.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at February 16, 2026 12:15 PM (iFTx/)

239 She only says this cause she's probably just about as white as I am.

Like, about 95% white because of Spanish heritage.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for twisted thrills with Park Chan-wook at February 16, 2026 11:55 AM

The Spanish are only honorary whites, like the Irish.

Posted by: The Moops at February 16, 2026 12:16 PM (g5wY0)

240 Just ordered a device to defeat the engine automatic stop/start for my truck. Should decrease wear and tear on the engine and starter while driving as many miles as I damn well want to. Feels good, man.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at February 16, 2026 12:16 PM (lUFok)

241 Still being blocked, I see.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (1GT/M)

Heh. Your comments are not acting like a normal ban and immediately disappearing on refresh...
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (bss/y)

I'm beginning to get the impression it's personal.

Posted by: BurtTC at February 16, 2026 12:17 PM (/vs/7)

242 >While I sometime grimace at President Trump’s social media posts,
----

so, I am not the only one

Posted by: Don Black at February 16, 2026 12:18 PM (ZxPkt)

243 Still being blocked, I see.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 16, 2026 12:12 PM (1GT/M)

Heh. Your comments are not acting like a normal ban and immediately disappearing on refresh...
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (bss/y)

I'm beginning to get the impression it's personal.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 16, 2026 12:17 PM

Or a banned VPN address.

Posted by: toby928(c) at February 16, 2026 12:18 PM (jc0TO)

244 People that travel a lot for work have been dealing with this for decades.
===

Once lived and worked in three states in one year that charged income tax. Just filed in the three states. No issues.

Once lived in a state. Away for out of state work for three years. Did prorate the two of the years.. they later sent a bill for the interim year when I neither worked there nor set foot there.

I forgot to get an "Exit Visa".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at February 16, 2026 12:19 PM (/lPRQ)

245 You ever want a good time?

See people earnestly fighting English as a colonial language but insisting that Spanish isn't.

"People spoke Spanish on Puerto Rico for hundreds of years before English!"

"Well, what did they speak before Spanish?"

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, searching for twisted thrills with Park Chan-wook at February 16, 2026 11:56 AM (GBKbO)
==
I'm going to enjoy the next 30 years as Spanish becomes less important as all of the kids the spanish speaking immigrants have speak English all the time once here.

Posted by: Black JEM at February 16, 2026 12:19 PM (GZYu7)

246 There is iron in AOC's words because she is some dumb hootchie representing the Bronx.

I think it's time she received some white semen and put the theory to the test.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 16, 2026 12:19 PM (gVUi7)

247
American Samoans. Canned corn beef eating thugs. Most serve in the USMC to brush up on drinking skills. Sometimes employed by bars as bouncers or slum lords for eviction muscle. (Heh. Had a couple Samoan friends in the Corps).
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 16, 2026 12:11 PM (gm9Sb)

The one time I tried playing rugby was involuntary, the company XO came into the barracks and shanghied a couple of us grunts on a Saturday morning because his team was short-handed. The opposing team was all Samoan. Really nice guys off the field, absolute savages when the whistle was blown.

Luckily, no bones were broken. But I swore to never again attempt it. No way, sir. I'll take the Article 15.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 16, 2026 12:19 PM (kTyBw)

248 "US ladies hockey team is taking Sweden to the woodshed."

Vote "aye" if you care.
Vote "nay" if you don't"

Nay!

Posted by: Will Robinson at February 16, 2026 12:21 PM (VxFiM)

249 nic

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at February 16, 2026 12:21 PM (GBKbO)

250 How can California enforce the tax on out-of-staters though?

Through withholding requirements generally, but yeah if you're an independent contractor and have a CA client just pay you, I'm not sure how they enforce that.

Posted by: Halfhand at February 16, 2026 12:13 PM (cO6Mr)
==
You have to do the work actually in the state. They cannot tax you for work done for a client in a state where you did not work.

Posted by: Black JEM at February 16, 2026 12:21 PM (GZYu7)

251 Colorado Senate Bill 26-097 would require the entire state to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults,” both for people who buy sex and who would sell it.
----
It started with "Come here from whatever foreign or domestic place your illiterate ass couldn't make a living. It's nice and expensive here, so it should work out great for you, because reasons.

Hopefully, you're addicted to drugs, because that's a large part of our new green economy, but even if you're rich & sober, you can afford to bring your luxury beliefs here because of the low cost of living when compared to your inflated economy, as long as you share none of our values.

And now, you have a fucked up downtown, but lots of drug dealers, and decent hotels converted into flophouses by the City & County, and now we can have legalized prostitution by diseased whores in the mix.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 16, 2026 12:23 PM (BI5O2)

252 I got it. 65 Catalina convertible with a 389. And an ashtray. And an ashtray on the back of the front seat. And an ashtray in each rear armrest. All four had lighters.
Posted by: bill in arkansas
------

My Sunday-go-to-meeting '98 Buick LeSabre has those, plus, casette/CD player. Has been garaged when not being driven, I'd call it an 8.5 out of 10. Headliner is starting to droop at isolated spots. 104K mi., and looks almost new.

Waaay back, had alternator replaced under warranty. That's it, the only extraordinary event.
[crosses fingers]

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 16, 2026 12:27 PM (XeU6L)

253 Someday a real rain is gonna come and wash this city clean

Posted by: Don Black at February 16, 2026 12:28 PM (ZxPkt)

254 Just ordered a device to defeat the engine automatic stop/start for my truck. Should decrease wear and tear on the engine and starter while driving as many miles as I damn well want to. Feels good, man.
Posted by: Blanco Basura
-------

The old ways are best.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 16, 2026 12:29 PM (XeU6L)

255 >Just ordered a device to defeat the engine automatic stop/start
---

I thought it was possible for the driver to disable that function

Posted by: Don Black at February 16, 2026 12:38 PM (ZxPkt)

256 I bot sez

Yes — but only temporarily on most vehicles.
Manufacturers are required to make the system default to ON at every ignition cycle, so the built‑in disable button only lasts for that drive. Pressing the button (usually marked with an A with a circular arrow) sends an inhibit signal to the powertrain control module, but the setting resets when you restart the vehicle.

Posted by: Don Black at February 16, 2026 12:39 PM (ZxPkt)

257 A quick Google search can rafiky prove Buck is an idiot concerning this

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at February 16, 2026 01:07 PM (5f2Z8)

258 Defund the UN Period let Coffee Cup Annan can go take a hike and return the whole UN and move them all to Moscow or Beijing

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at February 16, 2026 04:20 PM (FLiOE)

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