Wednesday Morning Rant

The Results of Capture

... Throughout my career I have always been critical of a museum profession that was awash in whiteness. The lack of diversity, especially in leadership positions, means that museums have not made the commitment to their communities or to their colleagues to be institutions that grapple with our differences. To see culture, history, and the arts as more than sources of beauty, exoticism, and nostalgia, but to use them as tools that help the audiences navigate the challenges of contemporary America. In an article I wrote twenty years ago, "Flies in the Buttermilk: Museums, Diversity, and the Will to Change," I challenged the museum profession to train, promote, and hire people of color as leaders of institutions.

That could be from anything. It's boilerplate academic identity politics of the type that used to be comfortably cloistered in the ivory towers of the academy and its various institutional adjuncts. In this case, it was written by a man called Lonnie Bunch for his memoir entitled "A Fool's Errand.". Lonnie Bunch is the outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, which controls America's network of national museums. He was appointed by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in 2019.

At the Smithsonian, he and his underlings continued the core mission of all progressives: destruction. Those under him in control of the individual museums enthusiastically delivered the progressive vision for America's repositories of cultural legacy. They degraded American history, turned the Institution into an activist network, injected its progressive poison into American public schools and reframed everything through identity politics. None of this started with Bunch and it will certainly not end with him, but he was a capable and competent progressive culture warrior who rained destruction down during his watch. For the first time in a long time, however, progressive destruction is receiving a modicum of scrutiny.

One way in which Trump 47 is different from Trump 45 is that the current administration is taking aim at a lot of institutions that usually fly under the RADAR as they decay into progressive morasses while everybody is focused on more important things. In March of this year, Trump issued Executive Order 14253 with the title "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," in which he ordered that Vice President Vance lead a group to study the Smithsonian's alleged "improper ideology." In July of this year, they delivered the report. From the executive summary:

This report by the Domestic Policy Council demonstrates that NMAH [National Museum of American History] fails in the basic task of illuminating our heritage. Our central finding is not that the Museum has simply added overlooked stories, corrected perceived errors, or broadened its historical scope. Rather, it is that Museum leadership has explicitly adopted an ideological framework that no longer treats the American story as a shared national inheritance to be taught or celebrated, but as a political instrument to divide, dispirit, and discourage our citizens.

As this report shows, the Museum purposely presents America as a problematic country irredeemably conceived, founded by deeply flawed men, and still operating today as an instrument of systemic racism and oppression. In the Museum’s current telling, the country is, above all, defined by white supremacy, slavery, conquest, exclusion, hierarchy, racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and systemic injustice.

But of course. This is as it must be. To the progressive academic this is all true and thus the institution must reflect that truth. Progressive academics truly believe that the good is the enemy of the perfect and that anything short of progressive utopia is manifestly evil. Every institution they control will reveal this belief, whatever the institution happens to be.

They control the universities, and as a result they control downstream institutions. Go to college to become a librarian or a curator, get radicalized and then destroy the libraries and museums. It proceeds like clockwork, and only grows. It only grows, that is, if nobody bothers to stop it. For a very long time now, nobody bothered to stop it. The report outlines the consequences of inaction, of what happens when progressive rot overtakes an institution. It lays out exhibit after exhibit of the museum's illegal alien activism, displeasure with the English language, progressive public education "assistance" programs, abortion activism, hatred of the country's founding fathers, "land acknowledgment" nonsense, removal of flag ceremonies, twisting of American history and more.

The report concludes that

For purposes of policy formulation under EO 14253, this review of the National Museum of American History concludes that NMAH, by the intention and at the direction of current Museum and Smithsonian leadership, has become subject to institutional capture by a radical, activist ideology that is fundamentally opposed to telling the noble, honest story of the great country we know and love.

That's putting it mildly. The progressives have eroded the foundations of the institution, just like what has happened at the National Archives and countless other public and private cultural institutions. The report is pretty blunt about what needs to happen first to try to restore the Smithsonian: fire the activist radicals in charge.

The report concludes that the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of American History in particular, under its current leadership and current interpretive ideology, cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.

Progressives capture institutions like the Smithsonian and ruin them by leaving no stone unturned and ensuring that all positions are filled with like-minded activists. It must be the same in reverse. To wrest control of the institutions back from the progressives, the progressives must be removed from them, root and branch. Secretary Bunch is retiring before he can be fired, but his departure is an opportunity for the Regents to install someone who can attempt to undo the damage wrought by the total capture of the institution by academic progressives. Whether this will happen remains unknown, but it would be a good start.

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 10:55 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 ?

Posted by: Crusader at October 21, 2026 10:57 AM (TN0g+)

2 Wow, got it!

Posted by: Crusader at October 21, 2026 10:57 AM (TN0g+)

3 "I challenged the museum profession to train, promote, and hire people of color as leaders of institutions."
------

That seems like a political agenda rather than a determination to lead a great institution.

Posted by: Crusader at October 21, 2026 10:58 AM (TN0g+)

4 Lonnie Bunch is the outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,"

And doesn't like you. In fact, wouldn't shed a tear over you.

Or me.

Posted by: man at October 21, 2026 11:03 AM (pfXMo)

5 To hell with these wackos who wake up every morning determined to "grapple with our differences." Grapple this, asshole.

Posted by: gp at October 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Jr5Lq)

6 "Throughout my career I have always been critical of a museum profession that was awash in whiteness."

You know why? History study is usually a luxury. Successful societies go 'I wonder why we're successful? Let's see what happened.'

This is a focus on merit instead of having a predetermined narrative you want to enforce. The West has had flirtations with pre-determined narrative history (See: Augustus for playing around with history to show how he was the heir to all this great stuff, personally.) But by and large these have been kind of glazing rather than making bad ideas try to work.

This is the core of western thought. What works? Why does it work? What can we do to make this work in other areas? Deductive transferred to inductive reasoning.

This is NOT normal for the rest of humanity.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Y/06r)

7 At the Smithsonian, he and his underlings continued the core mission of all progressives: destruction.

They just confused the word "destruction" with "preservation". It's a simple mistake. Anyone could make it.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Riz8t)

8 They said South Africa was the devil because the white minority ran it as a first world country and wouldn't allow the minority to turn it into a third world country. Now America's 12% minority want to eliminate the White majority here and turn it into a third world country.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:08 AM (Ti9vn)

9 "I challenged the museum profession to train, promote, and hire people of color as leaders of institutions."

If you want a pet, have you tried the adoption shelters?

Posted by: t-bird at October 21, 2026 11:08 AM (Kds4l)

10 7 At the Smithsonian, he and his underlings continued the core mission of all progressives: destruction.

They just confused the word "destruction" with "preservation". It's a simple mistake. Anyone could make it.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Riz8t)

========

"So I missed by one word. Not everyone is perfect."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:09 AM (qGAQr)

11 Logically a museum focused on anything from America or Europe will be "awash in whiteness" because white people mostly did everything in those countries, similiar to how a Japanese museum would be awash in Japanese-ness or a Indian one in Indian-ness.

This is ridiculously obvious.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:09 AM (sKqQm)

12 Good riddance!

They really do need to Drain the Swamp of these life-long federal employees who've destroyed everything from the inside.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 21, 2026 11:09 AM (rOKnE)

13 Trump issued Executive Order 14253 with the title "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," in which he ordered that Vice President Vance lead a group to study the Smithsonian's alleged "improper ideology." In July of this year, they delivered the report. From the executive summary:

I suspect that Vance initially thought this was a menial task unsuited to his aspirations, but I think properly played, it will be a powerful talking point for his campaign. He will need to provide concrete examples of the liberal rot, which shouldn't be too difficult.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:09 AM (Riz8t)

14 This is the core of western thought. What works? Why does it work? What can we do to make this work in other areas? Deductive transferred to inductive reasoning.

Wait. Where does the rampant stealing from the society that welcomed you come in?

Posted by: Somalis at October 21, 2026 11:10 AM (I06AY)

15 You know what would be funny? Go back to Marx and show him how his theory was used int he modern world.

Yes he was always a grifter himself but I imagine the left's "exterminate whiteness" ideas would give even him pause.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:10 AM (sKqQm)

16 Awash with the majority is the logical norm though awash is an emotional descriptive to try and make it seem wrong.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:11 AM (Ti9vn)

17 7 At the Smithsonian, he and his underlings continued the core mission of all progressives: destruction.

They just confused the word "destruction" with "preservation". It's a simple mistake. Anyone could make it.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:07 AM (Riz8t)

It's not really destructive in their eyes. It's retarded... trying to make people into what they want them to be.

It is the same as homeownership. Home owners are usually more successful. Answer: lets make it easier to give people homes. Wrong. The habits of people who have homes come first, not homes then habits.

It is the same with history. They believe by making all of these inventions the province of this or that minority that they will then MAKE those minorities pursue fields in science and the race will then become smarter. That is retarded. It does not work this way.

You hand the city of Rome in 200 BC to a bunch of Arabian nomad, they are not going to take those resources and dominate the Mediterranean. Indeed, you see that after the capture of Constantinople. They took the jewel of the old world and what did they do with it? Did they develop enduring societies? Scientific breakthroughs? Nope.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:11 AM (Y/06r)

18 15 You know what would be funny? Go back to Marx and show him how his theory was used int he modern world.

Yes he was always a grifter himself but I imagine the left's "exterminate whiteness" ideas would give even him pause.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:10 AM (sKqQm)

========

"I mean...you're going to kill my dad, right? I'm okay with it."
-Karl Marx

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:11 AM (qGAQr)

19 Problem is most people who want to be librarians are woke lazy and generally retarded. Same with teachers.same with museum employees.

Even if conservatives had a fair shot at these jobs I doubt many would want them. These are do nothing bureaucratic jobs, by definition something only leftists love.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:11 AM (m1Wxk)

20 They really do need to Drain the Swamp of these life-long federal employees who've destroyed everything from the inside.

The head is not a Federal employee in the traditional sense. I guess Trump does have the authority to fire him, which is good.

The head of the Smithsonian Institution is the Secretary, not a single "director" (though individual museums within the Smithsonian have their own directors). The Secretary is a high-level public servant appointed by the Smithsonian's Board of Regents rather than a traditional political appointee or direct federal employee

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:12 AM (Riz8t)

21 >>> 6 "Throughout my career I have always been critical of a museum profession that was awash in whiteness."

You know why? History study is usually a luxury. Successful societies go 'I wonder why we're successful? Let's see what happened.'

This is a focus on merit instead of having a predetermined narrative you want to enforce. The West has had flirtations with pre-determined narrative history (See: Augustus for playing around with history to show how he was the heir to all this great stuff, personally.) But by and large these have been kind of glazing rather than making bad ideas try to work.

This is the core of western thought. What works? Why does it work? What can we do to make this work in other areas? Deductive transferred to inductive reasoning.

This is NOT normal for the rest of humanity.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:06 AM (Y/06r)

But we have to import millions and millions from other places because Food Trucks, or something.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 11:12 AM (jb8Ss)

22 "Flies in the Buttermilk"

What was this dickhead's salary? What zipcode does he live in, and what are its demographics?

Posted by: gp at October 21, 2026 11:13 AM (Jr5Lq)

23 An even solution to teaching is move it away from a career track in and of itself and instead require 10+ years of experience in whatever field you are teaching.

So chemistry teachers would be someone with an ed degree that has never worked in the private sector, but instead semi-retired chemists. And you can do the same with all the sciences.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:13 AM (sKqQm)

24 Indeed, you see that after the capture of Constantinople. They took the jewel of the old world and what did they do with it? Did they develop enduring societies? Scientific breakthroughs? Nope.

They did commit sacrilege upon the Church of the Hagia Sophia, so there's that.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:14 AM (I06AY)

25 I love me some good Mexican food. But if I could wave a magic wand that would remove all illegals from my country and in exchange I could never eat a taco again, more than happy to take that deal.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:14 AM (m1Wxk)

26 >>> 23 An even solution to teaching is move it away from a career track in and of itself and instead require 10+ years of experience in whatever field you are teaching.

So chemistry teachers would be someone with an ed degree that has never worked in the private sector, but instead semi-retired chemists. And you can do the same with all the sciences.
Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:13 AM (sKqQm)

Which is *exactly* why teachers' unions must be crushed.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 11:14 AM (jb8Ss)

27 "Throughout my career I have always been critical of a museum profession that was awash in whiteness."

Throughout my career, I have always been critical of a profession that was awash in people chosen for their skin color alone.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:15 AM (Riz8t)

28 20 They really do need to Drain the Swamp of these life-long federal employees who've destroyed everything from the inside.

The head is not a Federal employee in the traditional sense. I guess Trump does have the authority to fire him, which is good.
...
Posted by: Archimedes

The Fish rots from the Head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tTHn2tHhcI

But the fishman to really fear
is the one who's in the Mirror
and he looks a lot like me.

LIB Evil.
This is normal.

Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at October 21, 2026 11:15 AM (UcmK5)

29 Find them an ugly tower. Lure them in. Trap them. Sink it.

Where could we find such a thing you say.
Obamalisk and Lake Michigan are ready.

Posted by: DaveA at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (FhXTo)

30 I've found in my experience that people working at the upper levels for museums, theaters, ballets, and pretty much anything in the "arts" are biggest wastes of protoplasm ever to ooze across the earth.

Useless, worthless, incompetent DEI and nepo hires with gigantic senses of self-worth and entitlement.

They are also among the most oppressive, abusive bosses who treat the lowly line workers (many of whom are interns or volunteers) like peon trash.

Fuck the whole lot of them.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (iFTx/)

31 Indeed, you see that after the capture of Constantinople. They took the jewel of the old world and what did they do with it? Did they develop enduring societies? Scientific breakthroughs? Nope.

They did commit sacrilege upon the Church of the Hagia Sophia, so there's that.

TBF, they built the Blue Mosque, which for my money is superior to Hagia Sophia. Granted, it was built much later, but still.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Riz8t)

32 Norm said it best she has asked what qualifications do you need to each 5th grade? Graduate 6th grade.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (m1Wxk)

33 Must be almost three decades ago now but I remember the controversy with the woke Hiroshima display.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (Ti9vn)

34 The most "educated" society is the most easily duped. What fucking retards.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 21, 2026 11:16 AM (r2Icn)

35 Must be almost three decades ago now but I remember the controversy with the woke Hiroshima display.

As do I. The Left is relentless, though.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (Riz8t)

36 Museum directors are on my list of most overpaid professions.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (Ti9vn)

37 The Smithsonian used to be a really cool set of museum. Even before the Air and Space went up we'd go down and spend all day checking them out.

The left leaves a very ugly mark wherever it goes.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (RORbl)

38 Where could we find such a thing you say.
Obamalisk and Lake Michigan are ready.

The Ugly Monument to Overweening Self-Regard. Its a perfect metaphor for Obama.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (I06AY)

39 >>> 36 Museum directors are on my list of most overpaid professions.
Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (Ti9vn)

Trump still has plenty of time to hire a bunch of Morons and dispatch them in pairs to ask feralgov employees what is it they/them do here.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 11:19 AM (jb8Ss)

40 The Ugly Monument to Overweening, Utterly Unmerited Self-Regard. Its a perfect metaphor for Obama.

FIFY

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:19 AM (Riz8t)

41 I love libraries and museums, yet I would never work there.

Posted by: Any better, I'd be twins at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (2CeDH)

42 The left leaves a very ugly mark wherever it goes.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (RORbl)

The Obama library enters the chat.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (Ti9vn)

43 38 Where could we find such a thing you say.
Obamalisk and Lake Michigan are ready.

The Ugly Monument to Overweening Self-Regard. Its a perfect metaphor for Obama.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (I06AY)

It does show a lot about him. He could have created and funded anything. Something of beauty that would have borne his name across the centuries. Instead, he chose an ugly pile of concrete. It's perfect. It's metaphor.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (Y/06r)

44 One of the more interesting things about the Muslim conquest of Constantinople is that it did not produce a Muslim renaissance, instead it produced one in Italy as anyone that could flee them did.

About the only thing of value the Ottoman's gave world was ideas for European painters to paint nekkid wommins.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (sKqQm)

45 I’m a glutton for punishment so I go on Reddit a lot. A big theme on Reddit is how unfaaaaiiirr it is that people graduating with college degrees can’t find good jobs. The entitlement is off the charts. The default mode is I am “educated” how dare these stupid corporations not see my genius and pay me $100k.

That setting is then their default on everything. I have a degree how dare you question my political beliefs you dumb rube? I have a degree how dare you question anything I do? It’s the embodiment of Karenhood.

And I say this as someone with a degree.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (m1Wxk)

46 44 About the only thing of value the Ottoman's gave world was ideas for European painters to paint nekkid wommins.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (sKqQm)

=======

And an opera from Mozart.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (qGAQr)

47 The oldest Natural History Museum in USA just closed in Philly. Established 1812. Black folk, by and large, don't go to or support museums.

Posted by: Assistant To The Curator at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (EdP2u)

48 I'm back from early voting. There was no line (9 am on a weekday), but there were several people coming in after me, so I timed it just right. Afterward I strolled over to a local cafe and had a coffee and muffin while a rugrat shrieked at the next table. I wanted to say, "Haven't you ever heard of 'indoor voice'?"

Fortunately Rugrat and Parental Units left shortly after I sat down.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (wzUl9)

49 I have great memories of the Air and Space museum. I'm sure they've managed to degrade it.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (r2Icn)

50 Museum directors are on my list of most overpaid professions.

I was reading a conversation about the salary of NGO heads

A right leaning guy argued they were too high, the left leaning guy argued they were paid about the same amount as their corporate equivalents so it was reasonable and it struck me that the left constantly complains about corporate leaders' pay rates.

But yes, the left doesn't believe in anything it claims.

If lefties are getting $$$ to do nothing important lefties will defend it.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (sKqQm)

51 Museum directors are on my list of most overpaid professions.
Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:18 AM (Ti9vn)
________

Yea, they are almost all nepo or now DEI hires. Most museums are heavily subsidized by taxpayer money, so nobody cares about actually doing their jobs or generating any results. They just want to cash their fat checks, go to all the right cocktail parties, and fuck the interns. Nice work if you can find it.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2026 11:23 AM (iFTx/)

52 About the only thing of value the Ottoman's gave world was ideas for European painters to paint nekkid wommins.

What is this? A whole empire based on putting your feet up?

Posted by: Jerry S. at October 21, 2026 11:23 AM (fmbc9)

53 52
What is this? A whole empire based on putting your feet up?

Posted by: Jerry S. at October 21, 2026 11:23 AM (fmbc9)

======

The Moops?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:23 AM (qGAQr)

54 I have great memories of the Air and Space museum. I'm sure they've managed to degrade it.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (r2Icn)

You may not have been aware that the Enola Gay was really gay.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:24 AM (I06AY)

55 While the "experts" hate us and our history, I guarantee that it's much worse in parts of Europe. The most egregious example: the Prado in Madrid had a special post-modern exhibit where the "artist" filmed herself destroying a plaster copy of Michaelangelo's "Moses the law giver" to dismantle the patriarchy. How utterly original!

Posted by: Analytical lurker at October 21, 2026 11:24 AM (5eXdp)

56 40 The Ugly Monument to Overweening, Utterly Unmerited Self-Regard. Its a perfect metaphor for Obama.

FIFY
Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:19 AM (Riz8t)

Ok, here's a thought experiment. You have unlimited funds. Space and time is no object.

I think I would make a real library/museum. Both old and new media. Lots of land so that it could be added on to over the years (long after I am gone.) A hall of statues where different artists were commissioned to make the most beautiful statue they can think of. Painting, sculpture, books. The soul of man. And the only mention of me would be a small plague and maybe bust that said I hope this helps you understand the world and it's history and treasure it as I have done.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:24 AM (Y/06r)

57 The oldest Natural History Museum in USA just closed in Philly.

Those can be dangerous places.

Posted by: Penelope Ann Miller at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (fmbc9)

58 how dare these stupid corporations not see my genius and pay me $100k.

There is a problem here in that Bidenflation exploded the cost of everything, but it is fascinating that they believe a college degree should entitle you to double the average American salary in your first position.

Outside of a few specific degrees like petroleum engineering, a college degree generally doesn't actually prepare you to do any work that others are willing to pay for

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (sKqQm)

59 And besides it’s all your fault

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (hxMfc)

60 And besides it’s all your fault

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (hxMfc)

I just got here.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (dK+Kv)

61 ALL universities should be trade schools.

Posted by: tubal at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Gqar8)

62 Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (m1Wxk)

My buddy is trying to fill a regional sales position where the base salary is $130k . He can't find anyone qualified even with an employment service and probably will increase the base salary offer.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Ti9vn)

63 44 One of the more interesting things about the Muslim conquest of Constantinople is that it did not produce a Muslim renaissance, instead it produced one in Italy as anyone that could flee them did.

About the only thing of value the Ottoman's gave world was ideas for European painters to paint nekkid wommins.
Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (sKqQm)

Instead of 'reinvesting' their spoils and making their society great, they chose to become decadent. This too is the story of Rome. Also where Rome is great, as long as it keep expanding because that means they are looking to build. Once they stop, they start shrinking, the people are fat off the conquest and the whole thing goes to hell.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (Y/06r)

64 Blue Mosque"

IIRC, the architect was Albanian...

Posted by: man at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (pfXMo)

65 Ok, here's a thought experiment. You have unlimited funds. Space and time is no object.

I think I would make a real library/museum.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:24 AM (Y/06r)

Boobs museum.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (dK+Kv)

66 62 Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:22 AM (m1Wxk)

My buddy is trying to fill a regional sales position where the base salary is $130k . He can't find anyone qualified even with an employment service and probably will increase the base salary offer.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Ti9vn)

========

I've seen some stories recently of HR building filters wrong, at best, and preventing any qualified candidates through.

Buddy might want to tell HR to turn off the filter and send him everyone who applies.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (qGAQr)

67 The oldest Natural History Museum in USA just closed in Philly.

Those can be dangerous places.
Posted by: Penelope Ann Miller

Especially at night.
Posted by: Ben Stiller

Posted by: rickb223 at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (y9NP6)

68 buddy is trying to fill a regional sales position where the base salary is $130k . He can't find anyone qualified even with an employment service and probably will increase the base salary offer.
Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Ti9vn)

Sales means talking to humans. GenZ is incapable of that.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (m1Wxk)

69 Boobs museum.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (dK+Kv)

I said the most beautiful statue they could think of. Hence, boobs.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:28 AM (Y/06r)

70 58
Outside of a few specific degrees like petroleum engineering, a college degree generally doesn't actually prepare you to do any work that others are willing to pay for

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (sKqQm)

========

"Our building construction might have fallen off a bit, but our gender bending building is reaching new heights every fiscal quarter."
-Satyricon

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:28 AM (qGAQr)

71 cannot be trusted to tell America's story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.

Sorry but we don't have any room for white guilt in my house. Thanks for asking though.

Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (svLOV)

72 And besides it’s all your fault

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at October 21, 2026 11:25 AM (hxMfc)

I just got here.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (dK+Kv)

You know what you did.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (r2Icn)

73 Remember the controversy when they opened up the African-American/Black or whatever they call it museum in DC and refused to include any mention of Clarence Thomas?

It's more of a commie movement than a racial movement.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (Ti9vn)

74 A symbol of the death of NYC was when the statue of Teddy Roosevelt was removed from the front of The Museum of Natural History by unanimous vote of the NYC Public Design Commission in 2021. At least it wasn't melted down. It resides at the TR Presidential Lieberry in ND.

Posted by: Big Apple, Rotten To The Core at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (EdP2u)

75 Ok, here's a thought experiment. You have unlimited funds. Space and time is no object.

Three chicks at the same time, man.

Posted by: Lawrence at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (fmbc9)

76 About the only thing of value the Ottoman's gave world was ideas for European painters to paint nekkid wommins.
Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:20 AM (sKqQm)

Mehmet II had to use western technology to take Constantinople in 1453. His siege cannons were supplied by Hungarians.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:30 AM (I06AY)

77 I challenged the museum profession to train, promote, and hire people of color as leaders of institutions"

That actually is racist....

Posted by: man at October 21, 2026 11:30 AM (pfXMo)

78 Our society and culture has become pretty degraded now. That idea can be verified by just looking around. Things will not end well, at the rate we are going.

Posted by: tubal at October 21, 2026 11:30 AM (Gqar8)

79
Three chicks at the same time, man./i]

Based on biology and physics there is a reason he went with 2 you know...

Posted by: Some Pedant at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (sKqQm)

80 Posted by: Big Apple, Rotten To The Core at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (EdP2u)

I remember but forgot the reasoning. Was it something to do with Indians?

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (Ti9vn)

81 seen some stories recently of HR building filters wrong, at best, and preventing any qualified candidates through.

-

There is an ongoing class action lawsuit against Workday, the biggest recruiting app out there. The claim is workday discriminates based on age and other factors.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (m1Wxk)

82 It's more of a commie movement than a racial movement.
Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:29 AM (Ti9vn)

The racial claims are a wedge. The goal is the destruction of Western culture.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (I06AY)

83 Age discrimination is real unlike most of the other discrimination claims.

Posted by: 18-1 at October 21, 2026 11:33 AM (sKqQm)

84 The racial claims are a wedge. The goal is the destruction of Western culture.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (I06AY)

Evergreen

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2026 11:35 AM (pV18s)

85 The Museum of the Bible is great.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 21, 2026 11:35 AM (N2QoX)

86 Blue Mosque"
IIRC, the architect was Albanian...

Yes he was, although he was likely also a Muslim.

The architect of the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey, was Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa.

(https://smarthistory.org/artist/sedefkar-mehmet-aga/)

Key Details

• Master: He was a gifted pupil of the legendary Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan.
• Background: He originally trained in music and mother-of-pearl inlay (sedefkâr) before transitioning to architecture, eventually becoming the royal court architect in 1606.
• The Masterpiece: Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1617, blending classical Ottoman design principles with Byzantine influences from the adjacent Hagia Sophia.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (Riz8t)

87 73 Remember the controversy when they opened up the African-American/Black or whatever they call it museum in DC and refused to include any mention of Clarence Thomas?

Posted by: polynikes

Sadly, I read some black dude saying that Clarence Thomas doesn't count as a black justice because "He doesn't vote the way black people do."

Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

88
A little inflation data point I just stumbled onto making arrangements for my mother's burial and all that. I knew it had been a long time, but my parents paid for their burial plots back in 1983, setting up the whole thing. The cost was a little over $400 per plot, and with everything else, it was just under $1000 total.

Multiply that by 10 for what the same basic plots and vaults would cost now. And, with all the "extras" that would were included then, but not now, you might as well say 12 times, if not more.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at October 21, 2026 11:37 AM (w6EFb)

89 87 Sadly, I read some black dude saying that Clarence Thomas doesn't count as a black justice because "He doesn't vote the way black people do."

Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

=======

"So, being black isn't about race. It's a cultural thing, and being against dominant behaviors of black people isn't racism, it's objection to culture."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:37 AM (qGAQr)

90 Sadly, I read some black dude saying that Clarence Thomas doesn't count as a black justice because "He doesn't vote the way black people do."
Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

Skin color matters not, all that matters is you are a good commie drone.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 21, 2026 11:38 AM (Y/06r)

91 I challenged the museum profession to train, promote, and hire people of color as leaders of institutions"

Nothing about being the best in your field, of course.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (Riz8t)

92 Thx Joe.
A post the other day had Palestinians trying to claim the history of Canaanites. Control the past, control the future.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (vJPf4)

93 The largely unremarkable Best Picture winner Green Book has a curious moment.

The racist, Italian driver schools the effete, black pianist about what it means to be really black because the pianist doesn't know dominant forms of black music in America, instead trending towards classical music.

And no one screamed at the movie for being racist, having a scene where a white man teaches the black man how to be authentically black.

It won Best Picture instead.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (qGAQr)

94 Judges do not vote ( if they are doing real judge stuff ) but never mind that.

Posted by: tubal at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (Gqar8)

95 I remember but forgot the reasoning. Was it something to do with Indians?
Posted by: polynikes

TR is on horseback. His two scouts, one black, one Indian, are walking. This is perceived as racial hierarchy for whatever reason. It is like many other equestrian statues.

Posted by: Big Apple, Rotten at October 21, 2026 11:40 AM (EdP2u)

96 I looked back at the tech thread - you should too:
"The key was 4."

No really, go check it out. Any time some commie retard insists we neeeeed a bunch of foreigners for whatever...

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 11:40 AM (jb8Ss)

97 "So, being black isn't about race. It's a cultural thing, and being against dominant behaviors of black people isn't racism, it's objection to culture."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

"The black face of white supremacy" gives their thoughts away.

Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:40 AM (svLOV)

98 The largely unremarkable Best Picture winner Green Book has a curious moment.

The racist, Italian driver schools the effete, black pianist about what it means to be really black because the pianist doesn't know dominant forms of black music in America, instead trending towards classical music.

And no one screamed at the movie for being racist, having a scene where a white man teaches the black man how to be authentically black.

It won Best Picture instead.
-----

I doubt it could hold a candle to Point Break.

Posted by: Crusader at October 21, 2026 11:42 AM (TN0g+)

99 I once spent a few hours at a small museum in Aliceville, Alabama devoted to the German POW camp that was built there. Fascinating. They have a collection of Hitler's silver serving pieces with the Third Reich eagle symbol on each piece.

New Orleans has an EXCELLENT WWII museum.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 21, 2026 11:42 AM (N2QoX)

100
"So, being black isn't about race. It's a cultural thing, and being against dominant behaviors of black people isn't racism, it's objection to culture."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:37 AM (qGAQr)

___________

I don't know where you're supposed to go with that. Sad to say, most of black culture is incredibly destructive to blacks.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 21, 2026 11:43 AM (eRlcH)

101 I am sure all those H1bs we are importing will have great love of our country and fix all this.

I already see the ["newcomers"] in Texas building giant statues of the founding fathers and doing revolutionary war reenactments in the streets on national holiday.

Oh wait, they they building statues of their elephant gods and doing freak dances in the street on the day their god raped a cow and it shit out the earth.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at October 21, 2026 11:44 AM (fav1R)

102 It won Best Picture instead.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

And the black man spoke better Italian. I haven't seen the entire movie, but all the shorts have been enjoyable.

Posted by: Dark Lixtiquatal at October 21, 2026 11:44 AM (Fv808)

103 100
I don't know where you're supposed to go with that. Sad to say, most of black culture is incredibly destructive to blacks.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 21, 2026 11:43 AM (eRlcH)

========

"Being black means acting black."

"So, it's not about your skin?"

"No, a black man can be a white man."

"Then where's the racism?"

It's just a collapse of the logic, of which there never was any.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:44 AM (qGAQr)

104 >>> 68 buddy is trying to fill a regional sales position where the base salary is $130k . He can't find anyone qualified even with an employment service and probably will increase the base salary offer.
Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:26 AM (Ti9vn)

Sales means talking to humans. GenZ is incapable of that.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 11:27 AM (m1Wxk)

I have people skills!!!

Posted by: Tom Smykowski at October 21, 2026 11:44 AM (jb8Ss)

105 @93 Viggo Mortensen was more menacing in Eastern Promises. Green Book was boring

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:45 AM (vJPf4)

106 Lots of grave spinning near Normandy no doubt. We gave our lives for this sh-t.

Posted by: DesRon9 at October 21, 2026 11:45 AM (hyQrc)

107 I haven't been to the Smithsonian since I was kid. I have noticed the politicization of art museums . In
a local art museum they have a bust of George Washington and they needed to comment that George Washington has slaves. Gee; Was that the most important thing you could put about him?!

Even a more egregious politicization was an illustration by Howard Pyle of a cowboy protecting a woman from a robber of a stagecoach. They did go on about the problem with men protecting women as if that was a terrible thing and did screeds against sexism and racism throughout the museum . Uggh!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 21, 2026 11:46 AM (JrHfD)

108 tubal, the only useful quote I know from Andy McCarthy (the clueless federal prosecutor) addresses this subject.

After one of the particularly egregious, lawless SCOTUS rulings (Obergefell?) he wrote: "the liberal justices don't judge, they vote". (might have one or two words wrong)

Side mini-rant: the use of the phrase "liberal justice" is ridiculously off the mark. Just as with all of the politicos and causes also called "liberal", it's an utterly meaningless or even inverted use of the term. Authoritarian, totalitarian - that's the base orientation of people and institutions called "liberal".

The other, comically meaningless, term used for lawless courts is "activist". WTF? Really never made any sense. They're lawless. They vote, they don't judge. They violate the substantive and procedural rules of their own institutions to usurp power. "Activist" is for 83-yr old clueless NPR listeners holding a "No Kings!" sign. Call these judges what they are - lawless autocrats ignoring their oaths and the constitution and usurping power and damaging the country's culture, economy, society, and national security.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2026 11:46 AM (U/Byj)

109 Great essay, Joe.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2026 11:46 AM (U/Byj)

110 I don't know where you're supposed to go with that. Sad to say, most of black culture is incredibly destructive to blacks.
Posted by: Hadrian

------------
By design.

First by the racists who wanted to destroy them,
Then by the race mongers who wanted to profit off their grievance
Then by the government that wanted to create an empire of social services and needed more clients.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at October 21, 2026 11:46 AM (fav1R)

111 >>> 87 73 Remember the controversy when they opened up the African-American/Black or whatever they call it museum in DC and refused to include any mention of Clarence Thomas?

Posted by: polynikes

Sadly, I read some black dude saying that Clarence Thomas doesn't count as a black justice because "He doesn't vote the way black people do."
Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

Hey! That's what *I* said!

Posted by: Joe Biden at October 21, 2026 11:47 AM (jb8Ss)

112 People who care more about suntans than character and merit are either half-wits or saboteurs.

Posted by: setnaffa at October 21, 2026 11:47 AM (RLv79)

113
I once spent a few hours at a small museum in Aliceville, Alabama devoted to the German POW camp that was built there.

___________

The US: treating its prisoners of war so horribly most want to stay.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 21, 2026 11:47 AM (eRlcH)

114 "Sad to say, most of black culture is incredibly destructive to blacks.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

And people that are influenced by it. Rap "music" and lifestyle is filth without any redeeming qualities. Yet it is very popular with many non-blacks.

Posted by: Ripley at October 21, 2026 11:47 AM (GUOwU)

115 The Holocaust Museum in DC is very well thought out and quite a moving experience with specific design features so that small children can't see everything... like a large collection of locks of hair. You start at the top floor and work your way down. Of course the atmosphere is extremely somber and it's not a place where someone in your party rushes over excitedly to urge you to come see a particular display.
It ends with a well designed space for quiet reflection so you have a chance to process what you've just experienced.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at October 21, 2026 11:48 AM (N2QoX)

116 I looked back at the tech thread - you should too:
"The key was 4."

No really, go check it out. Any time some commie retard insists we neeeeed a bunch of foreigners for whatever...
----

No joke--I read the tech thread every morning, and I'm not even a techie (or techie-adjacent). I find it fascinating to see the huge amounts of money be thrown at tech projects and the laughably silly people who are often involved with such projects. Pixy does a great job.

Posted by: Crusader at October 21, 2026 11:48 AM (TN0g+)

117 IIRC, the architect was Albanian...
Posted by: man

And probably stolen from his Christian parents as part of the Blood tax.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 21, 2026 11:48 AM (vJrRc)

118 >>> 101 I am sure all those H1bs we are importing will have great love of our country and fix all this.

I already see the ["newcomers"] in Texas building giant statues of the founding fathers and doing revolutionary war reenactments in the streets on national holiday.

Oh wait, they they building statues of their elephant gods and doing freak dances in the street on the day their god raped a cow and it shit out the earth.
Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at October 21, 2026 11:44 AM (fav1R)

The key was 4.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 11:48 AM (jb8Ss)

119 Whelp... wife and I just got back from voting. Picked a good time for it, too. Line of about 20 when we arrive, line of about 100 as we were leaving.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 21, 2026 11:49 AM (ExV1e)

120 Quarter Twenty, didn't know there was a museum for the Aliceville camp. Axis POW story in the US in WWII is fascinating and powerful. Several good videos on UToob about it. Recommend the one on Concordia, KS.

Another small museum to add to my list for when I finally do my big WWII history trip in the US.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2026 11:49 AM (U/Byj)

121 Three chicks at the same time, man./i]

Based on biology and physics there is a reason he went with 2 you know...

Posted by: Some Pedant at October 21, 2026 11:31 AM (sKqQm)

Who's making the sammiches?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 21, 2026 11:49 AM (dK+Kv)

122 Thanks, rhomboid.

Posted by: tubal at October 21, 2026 11:49 AM (Gqar8)

123 Heh.

El-So Long: The Detroit News Throws Michigan's Jihaddy Daddy Under the Bus

https://tinyurl.com/ydxhrsyk

Don't miss the clip of the black / Muslim confrontation. Sure, they're a big tent.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2101012398391881964

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)

124 "He doesn't vote the way black people do."

Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

So all black people are the same? I swear that was verboten to say before racism became mandatory again.

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2026 11:51 AM (pV18s)

125 By design.

First by the racists who wanted to destroy them,
Then by the race mongers who wanted to profit off their grievance
Then by the government that wanted to create an empire of social services and needed more clients.
Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at October 21, 2026 11:46 AM

Yoo-hoo!

Posted by: Margaret Sanger at October 21, 2026 11:51 AM (N2QoX)

126 The US: treating its prisoners of war so horribly most want to stay.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

The German corporations with huge plants in Spartanburg, SC are the legacy from that.

Posted by: BMW, Bayer, BASF, Etc. at October 21, 2026 11:55 AM (EdP2u)

127 Black culture of violence almost caused all hell to break loose in the Titans locker room. A DT named Jordan Elliott got into a fight with star OT JC Latham. He went out to his car to retrieve a gun. It was seen on security cameras and he was stopped. Released a couple of days later by the Titans. Had been working on an $8m contract

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:55 AM (vJPf4)

128 Just took a family trip to DC, its really sickening how basically all the museums have become woke cess pools.

Basically everything points back to slavery and the civil rights movement, as if that’s all America is about.

Posted by: Maroon at October 21, 2026 11:56 AM (pW2Jy)

129 Posted by: Maroon at October 21, 2026 11:56 AM (pW2Jy)

The point is to destroy any common culture. Same as the movie and TV ops. Divide, and then I don't know what is supposed to come next.

Posted by: ... at October 21, 2026 11:57 AM (pV18s)

130 I just read about the Indian IT company issuing private keys for certification, with single digit private keys.

Sons of Mary indeed. I think we should run all our IT on H1-B visa holders.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 21, 2026 11:57 AM (rbvCR)

131 Sadly, I read some black dude saying that Clarence Thomas doesn't count as a black justice because "He doesn't vote the way black people do."
Posted by: NR Pax at October 21, 2026 11:36 AM (svLOV)

Correct. He uses his intellect.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at October 21, 2026 11:57 AM (hmYU4)

132 It won Best Picture instead.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (qGAQr)

I don't think a number of the black guy's family agreed with the movie.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:58 AM (Ti9vn)

133 132 It won Best Picture instead.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:39 AM (qGAQr)

I don't think a number of the black guy's family agreed with the movie.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 11:58 AM (Ti9vn)

=======

Conceptually, the movie was stupid as an "important movie."

An unremarkable slice of history, heavily overweighted for importance, that not even the principle people involved thought was very noteworthy.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 11:59 AM (qGAQr)

134 The key was 4.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket

They had others. 66, 155, 156, 230 and 237.

Hey, 4 is a number from 1 to whatever 384 bits give you. They just leaned to the low end.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at October 21, 2026 11:59 AM (fav1R)

135 I’ve worked in tech a long time. 15,20 years ago the Indians I knew were pretty cool. They appreciated being in the US from what I could tell and wanted to be American.

Today it’s purely transactional.

My theory is back then they had no choice but to assimilate since they were a small minority. Today they’re the majority in the field. No need or pressure to assimilate.

Plus being American in 2000 was still considered something good unlike today when it’s the most evil thing imaginable according to 1/2 the country.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 12:00 PM (m1Wxk)

136 The key was 4.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket

The answer to everything used to be 42.

Posted by: t-bird at October 21, 2026 12:01 PM (Kds4l)

137 The head is not a Federal employee in the traditional sense. I guess Trump does have the authority to fire him, which is good.

"Federal employee" is not a fourth branch of government. The head of the Executive branch should have authority to fire anyone who is not a judge or a congressman.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 21, 2026 12:01 PM (vTZFs)

138 Didn't know present German corporate footprint in the US had a connection to WWII POW experience. Fascinating.

A striking example of the amazing Axis POW experience was an Italian POW who ended up staying and becoming a key figure in a prominent winery company in CA. He was sent to work as an ag worker at the winery during his POW time (the predominant labor use of POWs).

Speaking of national history being distorted, hidden, or erased - has the Smithsonian ever done an exhibit on the Axis POW experience in the US? An excellent, concentrated lesson in American exceptionalism that would surprise most today. Guess that would horrify and confuse the idiots Joe Mannix describes in his essay.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 21, 2026 12:02 PM (U/Byj)

139 Black culture of violence almost caused all hell to break loose in the Titans locker room. A DT named Jordan Elliott got into a fight with star OT JC Latham. He went out to his car to retrieve a gun. It was seen on security cameras and he was stopped. Released a couple of days later by the Titans. Had been working on an $8m contract
Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:55 AM (vJPf4)

A sport played by thugs has thug behavior in the locker room? I’m shocked.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 12:02 PM (m1Wxk)

140 >>> 137
==
"Federal employee" is not a fourth branch of government. The head of the Executive branch should have authority to fire anyone who is not a judge or a congressman.
Posted by: Oddbob at October 21, 2026 12:01 PM (vTZFs)

The hell you say!

Posted by: Elise Slotkin, brave defender of Our Precious Democracy at October 21, 2026 12:02 PM (jb8Ss)

141 137 The head is not a Federal employee in the traditional sense. I guess Trump does have the authority to fire him, which is good.

"Federal employee" is not a fourth branch of government. The head of the Executive branch should have authority to fire anyone who is not a judge or a congressman.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 21, 2026 12:01 PM (vTZFs)

=======

The only hindrance before Trump 2.0 was the will.

Every firing has been upheld this term except one (Fed governor, and even that was more of a draw than an outright loss for Trump), and not a single law has changed regarding civil service in the federal government.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 12:03 PM (qGAQr)

142 You do have to be careful and distinguish between Pakistanis and Indians and the religions of both.

I think Christian Indians assimilate better. Of course just IMO.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 12:04 PM (Ti9vn)

143 Just a bunch of DEI, affirmative action, whatever.

Posted by: Eromero at October 21, 2026 12:04 PM (LHPAg)

144 >>> 139 Black culture of violence almost caused all hell to break loose in the Titans locker room. A DT named Jordan Elliott got into a fight with star OT JC Latham. He went out to his car to retrieve a gun. It was seen on security cameras and he was stopped. Released a couple of days later by the Titans. Had been working on an $8m contract
Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:55 AM (vJPf4)

A sport played by thugs has thug behavior in the locker room? I’m shocked.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 12:02 PM (m1Wxk)

Pshaw. We fixed all the bad things by renaming the Washington football team.

Posted by: Roger Goodell at October 21, 2026 12:04 PM (jb8Ss)

145 Mehmet II had to use western technology to take Constantinople in 1453. His siege cannons were supplied by Hungarians.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at October 21, 2026 11:30 AM (I06AY)

There was a serious issue with non-European countries adopting firearms, as outside of Europe armies were made of warriors, or the equivalent of knights, and adoption of firearms destroyed the old arrangements of production of weapons, allocation of economic production and power among the noble warrior types.
One outlier was the Turks who had effective cavalry and opponents who had walled fortresses the cavalry could not take. Adopting cannon was obligatory to take the fortresses and walled cities.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 21, 2026 12:04 PM (rbvCR)

146 >>> 141

=======

The only hindrance before Trump 2.0 was the will.

Every firing has been upheld this term except one (Fed governor, and even that was more of a draw than an outright loss for Trump), and not a single law has changed regarding civil service in the federal government.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 12:03 PM (qGAQr)

Bill Kristol hasn't lost his house to foreclosure yet, so none of that counts.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 12:06 PM (jb8Ss)

147 Sort of OT but I was looking through the Roman Empire timeline and it seemed assassinations was their favorite pastime.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 12:06 PM (Ti9vn)

148 "Federal employee" is not a fourth branch of government. The head of the Executive branch should have authority to fire anyone who is not a judge or a congressman.
Posted by: Oddbob
___________

It's the same at the state level. So-called merit employees (different names in different states) cannot be fired for anything but willful misconduct once they've got a designated number of years of service. It's like tenure.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 21, 2026 12:07 PM (JzUSu)

149 Thanks for your thoughtful essay, Joe.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 21, 2026 12:07 PM (JrHfD)

150 146 Bill Kristol hasn't lost his house to foreclosure yet, so none of that counts.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 21, 2026 12:06 PM (jb8Ss)

=========

AND New Mexico isn't 90% Anglo Saxon, so nothing counts at all!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 12:07 PM (qGAQr)

151 The head is not a Federal employee in the traditional sense. I guess Trump does have the authority to fire him, which is good.

"Federal employee" is not a fourth branch of government. The head of the Executive branch should have authority to fire anyone who is not a judge or a congressman.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 21, 2026 12:01 PM (vTZFs)

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The only hindrance before Trump 2.0 was the will.

Every firing has been upheld this term except one (Fed governor, and even that was more of a draw than an outright loss for Trump), and not a single law has changed regarding civil service in the federal government.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 12:03 PM (qGAQr)
__________

Imagine if Trump 1.0 gave as few fucks as Trump 2.0

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2026 12:07 PM (iFTx/)

152 151 Imagine if Trump 1.0 gave as few fucks as Trump 2.0

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 21, 2026 12:07 PM (iFTx/)

=======

Imagine if W had governed like this.

Yesterday was always better than today. But today is better than tomorrow.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, precisely framed and deadpan with Wes Anderson at October 21, 2026 12:08 PM (qGAQr)

153 Black culture of violence almost caused all hell to break loose in the Titans locker room. A DT named Jordan Elliott got into a fight with star OT JC Latham. He went out to his car to retrieve a gun. It was seen on security cameras and he was stopped. Released a couple of days later by the Titans. Had been working on an $8m contract
Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 21, 2026 11:55 AM (vJPf4)

A sport played by thugs has thug behavior in the locker room? I’m shocked.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 21, 2026 12:02 PM (m1Wxk)

Reminded me of the scene in The Replacements.

Posted by: polynikes at October 21, 2026 12:08 PM (Ti9vn)

154 138 My Dad, a Finn, interrogated the rare Finnish POW that fell into American hands during WW2. A few serving in the Kriegsmarine, more off of merchantmen.Usually the only thing they had to chat about was if the Finnish POW wanted to go to a camp in AZ or make an honest living working in a PNW lumber camp. Most took the tree chopping gig. I wonder how many stayed after the war?

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 21, 2026 12:08 PM (gm9Sb)

155 The only hindrance before Trump 2.0 was the will.

Every firing has been upheld this term except one (Fed governor, and even that was more of a draw than an outright loss for Trump), and not a single law has changed regarding civil service in the federal government.

Yes and no. Trump was careful in how he structured the dismissals, usually by eliminating entire functions, not selecting specific people for dismissal.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 21, 2026 12:08 PM (Riz8t)

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