Thread before the Gardening Thread, Oct. 24

FRANCE

Have you noticed the statue of Marianne used as a symbol of the protests in France?

Why the Statue of Liberty's real name is (probably) Marianne

Live updates on the protests and riots in France, NY Post

One of my first impressions about these protests was that it was odd to think that some sort of "national consensus" must be reached before action could be taken. Here is Macron addressing the nation before taking off for the Gulf States.

Who thinks that France can recover? Someone who turned around a smaller country.

(translate into English if you want to)

J’ai entendu dire que la France était finie, qu’il était trop tard pour la sauver.
Mais la France est toujours aussi belle, enviable même. Sa grandeur n’a pas disparu, elle ne demande qu’à renaître.
Nous avons surmonté en un an un problème cent fois plus grave, sans avoir les moyens dont dispose la France.
La France pourrait y arriver en une semaine.
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) October 18, 2026

His first name is Palestinian. That's just a coincidence.

* * * * *

The Founding of our Country

A Daily Dose of the American Rev

On this day in 1781, General Washington’s aide de camp Lt. Colonel Tench Tilghman arrived in Philadelphia with news of Cornwallis’s surrender. Here is a description of what followed, from Benson Lossing’s Pictorial Fieldbook of the Revolution (1850):

It was midnight when he entered the city. Thomas M’Kean was then president of the Continental Congress, and resided in High Street, near Second. Tilghman knocked at his door so vehemently, that a watchman was disposed to arrest him as a disturber of the peace. M’Kean arose, and presently the glad tidings were made known. The watchmen throughout the city proclaimed the hour, adding ‘and Cornwallis is taken!’ That annunciation, ringing out upon the frosty night air, aroused thousands from their beds. Lights were seen moving in almost every house; and soon the streets were thronged with men and women all eager to hear the details. It was a night of great joy in Philadelphia, for the people had anxiously awaited intelligence from Yorktown. The old State House hell rang out its notes of gladness, and the first blush of morning was greeted with the booming of cannons.
Congress assembled at an early hour, and the grave orators of that august body could hardly repress huzzas while Secretary Thompson read the letter from Washington announcing the capitulation of Cornwallis. On motion of Edmund Randolph, Congress resolved to go in procession at two o’clock the same day to the Dutch Lutheran Church, ‘and return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied armies of the United States and France with success.’

Statues: The People They Salute

The First Continental Congress met from September 5 to October 26, 1774, at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies discussed how to respond to the British Navy blockade of Boston Harbor and the punitive Intolerable Acts passed by Parliament.
Some delegates were more open to trying to work with Parliament, others felt it was futile to think Great Britain was open to addressing the colonies’ grievances.
Patrick Henry, opposed Joseph Galloway's proposal for an American Legislature under the Crown. Henry warned that its members would be bribed "by that nation which avows, in the face of the world, that bribery is a part of her system of government."
Henry also understood that the colonies must unite in joint cause against Great Britain, if they want to be taken seriously.
In the end, the voices of compromise carried the day. Rather than calling for independence, the First Continental Congress passed and signed the Continental Association in its Declaration and Resolves, which called for a boycott of British goods to take effect in December 1774. ON THIS DAY October 20, in 1774, the First Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Association.

Standing before everyone at the beginning of the First Continental Congress, Henry famously declared:
"The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American."
In other words, it was Henry who first created the concept of the American identity.

patrick henry first continental congress.jpg

A Daily Dose of the American Rev

A 1722 law prohibited New Hampshire settlers from cutting down any white pine trees more than one foot in diameter. Those trees, the law declared, belonged to the king for potential use in naval construction. For decades the law was honored in the breach and rarely enforced. But after John Wentworth was appointed royal governor of the colony he decided to crack down on violations. In April 1772 royal authorities arrested sawmill owner Ebenezer Mudgett of Weare, New Hampshire, and charged him with breaking the law.
New Englanders had long resented the so-called “pine mast laws” as infringements on their livelihoods and their liberties. The night of his arrest, after being released on bail, Mudgett and about 20 other townsmen disguised themselves and broke into room in the local inn where the sheriff and his deputy were staying. Mudgett and his colleagues seized the two men, beat them, then ran them out of town before a jeering crowd of onlookers. Mudgett and eight others were later arrested and charged with rioting and assault. A sympathetic judge gave them nominal fines as their punishment.

In the aftermath of the affair the pine tree became a symbol of the resistance to royal authority, and the so-called Pine Tree Riot may have helped inspire the Boston Tea Party. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, New England Continental troops flew “pine tree flags”—red battle flags with a pine tree on the upper left.
In October 1775 George Washington commissioned a pine tree flag for the American navy. Washington’s design was a pine tree on a white field, above which appeared the words “An Appeal to Heaven.” The phrase, frequently used by the revolutionaries, appeared in John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government. “For whenever violence is used, and injury done, though by hands appointed to administer justice,” Locke wrote, “war is made upon the sufferers, who having no appeal on earth to right them, they are left to the only remedy in such cases, an appeal to heaven.” The scripture cited by Locke in support of his argument made clear his meaning: an appeal to heaven for victory in war. In other words, when there is no just temporal authority to whom the oppressed can appeal, their final option is to take up arms and appeal to heaven.
The images are the Bunker Hill Pine Tree Flag and Washington’s naval Pine Tree Flag.

* * * * *

Weekend

The Week in Pictures: Not To My Knowledge Edition

Pay attention, class: Everyone remember Bill Clinton’s famous “it depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is”? That came when he was asked about whether he was having (present tense) or had ever had sex with Monica Lewinski. Later, of course, he redefined “sex” to exclude his bizarre cigar-involved acts. Well, I think we’ve seen the next act in these kind of linguistic improvisations with Ilhan Omar saying she did not “knowingly” marry her brother, after which we can expect a new explanation of what “brother” means in Somalian culture. Oh, and Paris is burning.

* * * * *

Music

h/t Don in Kansas, a Strauss polka to keep you on your toes:

* * * * *

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

Serving your mid-day open thread needs

* * * * *

Last week's thread, the Thread before the Gardening Thread, Oct. 17

Comments are closed so you won't ban yourself by trying to comment on a week-old thread. But don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 11:16 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nayib Bukele is one of the most impressive leaders in the world right now. France could do worse than to make him king.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 11:27 AM (Riz8t)

2 Marianne was probably Sisters of Mercy's best song.

Posted by: 88C+u at October 24, 2026 11:29 AM (88C+u)

3 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 11:30 AM (Ia/+0)

4 Congress assembled at an early hour, and the grave orators of that august body could hardly repress huzzas while Secretary Thompson read the letter from Washington announcing the capitulation of Cornwallis.

I know I frequently find it difficult to repress a huzzah. For some reason, it is particularly frowned upon at funerals.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

5
Boskovsky was a concertmaster (lead violin) of the Vienna Philharmonic before transitioning into conducting, principally of the lighter Viennese masters (Strauss family, Lanner, Suppé, etc.) He became the regular conductor of the VPO's New Year Concerts. The orchestra hated him.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:33 AM (eRlcH)

6 Have you noticed the statue of Marianne used as a symbol of the protests in France

===

For the yellow jackets. The symbol of other rioters is either a hammer and sickle, or a jihadi banner.

Posted by: runner at October 24, 2026 11:35 AM (AKptf)

7 Willowed:

🚨 JUST NOW: Leftists and invaders are RIOTING IN BRUSSELS

>>They saw what happened in France. This is NOT about "cost of living" or "education"

>>They saw it was TOLERATED. They noticed Macron's weakness, and want to wreak havoc everywhere! 😠
Posted by: JackStraw at October 24, 2026 11:14 AM (viF8m)

Interesting.

They're methodically really cutting the heart out of Europe. The plan seems to be working.

Austria next? And then they can pressure the outlying Euro-poors pretty easily.

Welp, congrats to the WEF or China or muslims or EU or Bond-villain types that planned this.

It seems to be working perfectly.

Sad.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 24, 2026 11:36 AM (YSUhf)

8
I know I frequently find it difficult to repress a huzzah. For some reason, it is particularly frowned upon at funerals.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

___________

"I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction" - Clarence Darrow

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:37 AM (eRlcH)

9
Austria next?

_________

Germany

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:38 AM (eRlcH)

10 Germany
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:38 AM (eRlcH)

Just because they burned down Eagle's Nest ? maybe, maybe...

Posted by: runner at October 24, 2026 11:40 AM (AKptf)

11 It seems to be working perfectly.

Sad.
Posted by: naturalfake

Sure. It also helps when your country's leader is totes cool with it.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 24, 2026 11:41 AM (8B4gm)

12 We all know the “education protests” is a bunch of nonsense. But what’s funny is leftists who buy into it also have this idea of Europe being a beacon of spending on education. They have freeeeeee college after all.

This could be a great teachable moment. “Free” always means shit quality. Be it education, Health care, housing whatever. If the govt gives it to you for “free” it’s is guaranteed to be horrible.

Of course none of these cretins will put it all together, but one can hope eternally.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 11:44 AM (tU6YY)

13 It would be nice to see Bukeley go into Haiti and lay waste to everyone and everything even remotely related to the gangs that run that place. Alas, the Salvadoran military really isn't equipped or trained to do that.

Similarly, it would be nice to see the Your-o-peons rise up and smite these leftists and then follow that with some high profile admonishments of their 'leaders'...pour encourager les autres.

Alas, this jackassery is gonna spread, and we're likely to get some on us.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at October 24, 2026 11:44 AM (3Ope8)

14 Alas, this jackassery is gonna spread, and we're likely to get some on us.

A friend of mine has a coffee mug that says "This jackassery will not stand!". I want that mug.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 11:46 AM (Riz8t)

15 The problem with France is they’ve run out of Normans.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 24, 2026 11:48 AM (Wp1X1)

16 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 24, 2026 11:48 AM (u82oZ)

17 I recall that Laetitia Casta was used as the model for a more recent update to Marianne, maybe 20 years ago.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at October 24, 2026 11:48 AM (RJ/5O)

18 15 The problem with France is they’ve run out of Normans.
Posted by: Pudinhead at October 24, 2026 11:48 AM (Wp1X1)

Dang, just when England needs to be invaded by the Normans again.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at October 24, 2026 11:50 AM (RJ/5O)

19 The cost of socialism has come due.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 24, 2026 11:50 AM (ua/lL)

20 CNN says there “calm” protests in Paris right now.

Phew and here I was worried over nothing.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 11:51 AM (tU6YY)

21
We all know the “education protests” is a bunch of nonsense. But what’s funny is leftists who buy into it also have this idea of Europe being a beacon of spending on education. They have freeeeeee college after all.

__________

To be sure, the physical condition of most European educational institutions resembles that of a Gulag camp.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:51 AM (eRlcH)

22 Charles Martel is looking at his countrymen and wondering why he even bothered.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at October 24, 2026 11:52 AM (3Ope8)

23 Her "quirkiness" aside, Marianne Williamson is still the most thoughtful, articulate, and reasonable Democrat. And she wouldn't stand a chance among the present field of loons.

Posted by: Ries Gorthanes at October 24, 2026 11:52 AM (1F9uv)

24 the physical condition of most European educational institutions resembles that of a Gulag camp.

They're really holding pens before the "students" graduate, riot, and go on welfare.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (Riz8t)

25 This is the fifth republic, rite?

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (Wp1X1)

26 Similarly, it would be nice to see the Your-o-peons rise up and smite these leftists and then follow that with some high profile admonishments of their 'leaders'...pour encourager les autres.

Alas, this jackassery is gonna spread, and we're likely to get some on us.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at October 24, 2026 11:44 AM

That can't happen as europeans are prohibited from owing guns, heck in most countries they can't even have pepper spray or any other non lethal defensive stuff. Of course those restrictions do not apply to the rioters who are allowed to possess as many guns as they want to.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (I43vL)

27 Slept in today.

Now I am assembling a fire pit to cook over for a widow friend. She told me she likes fire pits, but will not camp anymore. So this surprise is not really a cunning plan. Because it is all about reducing social isolation.

Still walking, not stalking.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (u82oZ)

28 be sure, the physical condition of most European educational institutions resembles that of a Gulag camp.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:51 AM (eRlcH)

Right and that’s my point. The leftists in the US don’t know that. They think “free” college in Europe means it’s a Big 10 or SEC campus.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (tU6YY)

29 Brigitte Bardot (196

:

Catherine Deneuve (1985)

Laetitia Casta (1999):

Posted by: Ignoramus at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (dtajH)

30
Apart from the Grande Écoles, the rest of France's universities are on the level of HBCUs here in the States.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:54 AM (eRlcH)

31
Right and that’s my point. The leftists in the US don’t know that. They think “free” college in Europe means it’s a Big 10 or SEC campus.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (tU6YY)

___________

And unless you're tracked, you'll never get in one.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 11:55 AM (eRlcH)

32 and we're likely to get some on us"

Semper Paratus.

Translation "buy ammo"...

Posted by: man at October 24, 2026 11:57 AM (pfXMo)

33 That can't happen as europeans are prohibited from owing guns, heck in most countries they can't even have pepper spray or any other non lethal defensive stuff. Of course those restrictions do not apply to the rioters who are allowed to possess as many guns as they want to.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at October 24, 2026 11:53 AM (I43vL)

I am personally acquainted with a Frenchman who owns guns. He lived and worked here in Canada for years, and accumulated a number of hunting rifles, and took them with him when he retired to a small chateau near Nancy, IIRC.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 11:58 AM (n7Dzq)

34 Have a great day, everyone.

Bask in the freedom of America. Where the current threat is No Kings protesters. I could stop the local protests by myself, if I cared.

One protest, one Moron.

As to the threats on the horizon, forewarned is forearmed.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 24, 2026 11:58 AM (u82oZ)

35 Pretty flabbergasted that Macron not only glossed over a half dozen recent Paris attacks in his "nobody has ever been killed in France over their religion" bullshit, but also totally igores *the genocide of 6 figures of civilians in the Vendee*, including the systematic rape of tens of thousands of women immediately prior to their mass execution.

I don't think non-French understand how much of a fuck-you provocation his statement is. Well, Spanish non-leftists probably also understand.

Not sure what the progs are aiming for here, honestly. The farther ahead the EU collapse gets, the more people here in the states commit to fighting them here.

Posted by: heya at October 24, 2026 12:00 PM (JRhnV)

36 I'm not knowledgeable enough to know how true this is but I found the discussion on the word "Yahweh" to be very interesting.

https://tinyurl.com/2f47dfz5

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:02 PM (ndZc7)

37 Bukele's family history is kinda wild in some ways. Palestinian Christian immigrant grandparents (think that's it, could be off by a generation but the rest is accurate), Catholic and Orthodox. His father converted to Islam (Horde faints) and became an imam, and the president's siblings all have Islamic first names like Karim, etc.

Anyway he seems to be pretty squared away, and quite a leader, having (for now) pacified what was essentially one gigantic mafia neighborhood where non-political and political violence had raged for generations.

Gotta check up on the sitrep of his military detachment sent to Haiti to rescue 4 Salvadoran personnel.

And tomorrow is Brazil's presidential runoff. Bolsonaro Jr. pulls it off, it will be one more yuuuuge positive political development in the hemisphere.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 12:02 PM (U/Byj)

38 No Normans to coordinate. Their name is Mudd.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (Cqx++)

39 Pretty flabbergasted that Macron not only glossed over a half dozen recent Paris attacks in his "nobody has ever been killed in France over their religion" bullshit, but also totally igores *the genocide of 6 figures of civilians in the Vendee*, including the systematic rape of tens of thousands of women immediately prior to their mass execution.
___________

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (JzUSu)

40 I am 79yo and a philosophy major. Life is good under socialism
Posted by: Paul at October 24, 2026 11:57 AM (iCBvI)

See? Proof that universities are corrupting our youth!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (n7Dzq)

41 accumulated a number of hunting rifles, "

I only need a couple. And a lot of magazines...

Posted by: man at October 24, 2026 12:05 PM (pfXMo)

42 7 Welp, congrats to the WEF or China or muslims or EU or Bond-villain types that planned this.

It seems to be working perfectly.

Sad.
Posted by: naturalfake at October 24, 2026 11:36 AM (YSUhf)

I would say 'not so fast, the regular, working guys haven't been heard from yet' but then I remembered, they all let themselves be disarmed.

Carry on.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:07 PM (QGaXH)

43 "St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (JzUSu

Eh, 16th century is reaching a bit far back even for euroweenies that like whining about stuff 500 years ago

Posted by: heya at October 24, 2026 12:08 PM (JRhnV)

44 Hopefully, the French know how to fly drones. These fleshy blocks of targets are insisting on drone company.

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 24, 2026 12:08 PM (Wp1X1)

45 Good to know the critical shortfall in octogenarian philosophers is finally being addressed!

But seriously good for you. The "free" and subsidy stuff you discuss Paul is subject to legitimate (devastating) critique and analysis, but it's great to undertake such mind exercise at an advanced age. Good for mental/physiological health as well (math and foreign languages probably the best, but philosophy can involve rigorous logical work similar to math).

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 12:08 PM (U/Byj)

46 Serious question: what is the established mechanism for stopping such a riot in NYC or Denver, for example.

I think Mamdani would enjoy the unrest and fail to take any meaningful actions. Then it's on the governor, but she would benefit from unrest too. That leaves Trump but he didn't call out the guards during St. Floyd riots.

Practically speaking, what does this scenario look like in the US?

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:09 PM (mK9pP)

47 Serious question: what is the established mechanism for stopping such a riot in NYC or Denver, for example.

Suuound it and let it burn out.

Posted by: From about That Time at October 24, 2026 12:10 PM (sl73Y)

48 Also, I'm sure there are people congregating on the capitol steps down the street in Cheyenne. They won't try anything in this town

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:11 PM (mK9pP)

49 Wouldn't be so sure Trump wouldn't lean in with federal muscle this time around. He's already done it for crime-reduction, receiving of course the standard insane eruption of idiotic criticism but sticking with it, with results (DC, Memphis). I'd be he'd step in quickly if anything major got going, which I don't see happening.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 12:12 PM (U/Byj)

50 Atheist Christopher Hitchens on two Islamic contributions to western civilization. And I think he's right! Still an asshole, though, and even he admits that the Muslems who achieved these two things have nothing in common with the terrorist headchoppers of today.

https://tinyurl.com/d5mrys3d

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:12 PM (ndZc7)

51 Paul should make serious inquiries about getting his tuition money back. He was cheated.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:13 PM (Riz8t)

52 Statuary rape?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 24, 2026 12:13 PM (VB2aO)

53 which I don't see happening.

Posted by: rhomboid at October 24, 2026 12:12 PM (U/Byj)
-------
My worry is protests after the election. I could see that happening. Datarepublican and Cynical Publius have been hammering it hard, and I don't know where to come down on it.

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:14 PM (mK9pP)

54 Practically speaking, what does this scenario look like in the US?

Some of us have swamps, feral hogs and like-minded neighbors with tarps and back hoes.

Posted by: Community Notes at October 24, 2026 12:15 PM (/TiS1)

55 This was not on the bingo card:

Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 24, 2026 12:15 PM (gXiuU)

56 Pray for a cold November and water cannons.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 24, 2026 12:15 PM (LOvBA)

57 38 No Normans to coordinate. Their name is Mudd.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (Cqx++)

AoS- come for the history (and boobs). , stay for the oblique Star Trek TOS ( the only series) references.....

Kudos, Sir.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:16 PM (QGaXH)

58 Socialism is just another word for social disease.

Posted by: Case at October 24, 2026 12:16 PM (Dd7BU)

59 Everyone in Frog Land knows what must be done but there is no one with the sack to do it.

Shoot and Deport.

Shoot and Deport.

Shoot and Deport.

And soon there will be no need to Shoot and Deport.

Posted by: One Tin Soldier Rides Away at October 24, 2026 12:17 PM (Ssbab)

60 Posted by: Community Notes at October 24, 2026 12:15 PM (/TiS1
-------
I replaced a few fence posts in my backyard. WY high plains ain't exactly the loamy topsoil of the Vermont of my youth!

I went inside and told my wife she does not need to worry about me doing her in and burying her in the backyard. I'd never make it!

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:17 PM (mK9pP)

61 Nice to see that the US quietly loaned Bukele a C-17 to carry his men to Haiti.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 24, 2026 12:18 PM (jTKPp)

62 Time to turn Haiti into a golf course and water park?

Posted by: Anna Puma at October 24, 2026 12:19 PM (gXiuU)

63 One thing for sure. Virginia man is out of control!

https://tinyurl.com/4xhd7r42

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:20 PM (ndZc7)

64 I’m not totally discounting what data Republican is putting out.

However, the left did the same thing with Project 2025. They were convinced it was a blueprint to put gays in concentration camps and shit. They “connected the dots” as well and had all sorts of “proof” it would happen.

So I dunno grains of salt and all that.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 12:22 PM (tU6YY)

65 >>> 55 This was not on the bingo card:

Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 24, 2026 12:15 PM (gXiuU)

I'm hoping someone will create a meme with the fat curly-haired Vance as the icon for the hurricane.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 24, 2026 12:24 PM (jb8Ss)

66 But after John Wentworth was appointed royal governor of the colony he decided to crack down on violations...

-------

Call J.G. Wentworth*, 877-ASSCLOWN!

*The "G" stands for "Governor."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 24, 2026 12:24 PM (BI5O2)

67 Looks like somebody got disappeared moments after he hit 'Post'

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:24 PM (QGaXH)

68 One thing for sure. Virginia man is out of control!

https://tinyurl.com/4xhd7r42

At last, we're finally on the board with FL man!

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:25 PM (Riz8t)

69
Atheist Christopher Hitchens on two Islamic contributions to western civilization. And I think he's right! Still an asshole, though

___________

Emphasis on "still an asshole." If he didn't like Islam, it was only because it forbade alcohol.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 24, 2026 12:26 PM (eRlcH)

70 This was not on the bingo card:

Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.
Posted by: Anna Puma

Just be glad it's not Hurricane Hegseth.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:26 PM (ndZc7)

71 This was not on the bingo card:

Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.
Posted by: Anna Puma

Just be glad it's not Hurricane Hegseth.

Hurricane Pritzker would cover the entire Western Hemisphere.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:27 PM (Riz8t)

72 Does anyone in the US really buy this bullshit about the French riots being about "school funding," "long school days," and other bullshit? (Leftists repeat this nonsense because they can't openly admit it's a bunch of commies and their Islamist allies doing all this.) I suspect that a lot of people who are otherwise not particularly political will look at this and decide that maybe it's time to push back against the insanity of the left in this country before it's too late.

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at October 24, 2026 12:28 PM (XMwZJ)

73 Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.
Posted by: Anna Puma

Just be glad it's not Hurricane Hegseth.

Hurricane Bessent would look like a pleasant little high and then turn into a rampaging scourge of God.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:28 PM (Riz8t)

74 https://tinyurl.com/4mxh6dyd
Winston Marshall 10 minute video of France

Posted by: Skip at October 24, 2026 12:29 PM (Ia/+0)

75 So I dunno grains of salt and all that.

Posted by: Average Voter at October 24, 2026 12:22 PM (tU6YY)

-------
Exactly. They've laid down their marker. I will be watching to see how it pans out. They've pushed it so hard that, in my view, a lot of their credibility is on the line. If they're just blowing smoke, I won't listen to another word they say. But if they're NOT just blowing smoke I don't like some of the possible outcomes

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:29 PM (eJ/4K)

76 Kick back. Smoke if you got 'em.

Posted by: Case at October 24, 2026 12:30 PM (Dd7BU)

77 70 This was not on the bingo card:

Hurricane Vance nears Mexico.
Posted by: Anna Puma

Just be glad it's not Hurricane Hegseth.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:26 PM (ndZc7)

NHC has it weakening to a Tropical Storm before it makes landfall sometime after Thursday. Probably be a sloppy, wet windy storm. Dump a lot of rain.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:31 PM (QGaXH)

78 Oh no!

Western Lensman
@WesternLensman
This is hysterical.

Dana Bash tells Nicolle Wallace that "real objective reporters" from "traditional news networks" are being undermined by reporters from right-leaning outlets.

Because they ask "Dear Leader" question like "'I'm sorry, Mr. President. Are you great or are you just excellent?"

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:31 PM (ndZc7)

79 "Not to.my knowledge" is supposed to.be a joke, referencing the old male riposte to "Do you have any children?"
It's still a lie.

Posted by: buddhaha at October 24, 2026 12:31 PM (lrbhj)

80 I used to listen to Glenn Beck. He pushed some big event back in '07-'08 time frame. He made it sound like he had inside information and he knew it was going to happen (I forget now what it was... maybe Israel invading someplace... something big on a world-event level). Whatever it was didn't happen, he never went back and addressed it, and I stopped listening to him. I trust nothing he says.

Posted by: 496 at October 24, 2026 12:32 PM (eJ/4K)

81 The "youts " are still "protesting" in Paris but not as many and there is a huge police presence... brussels and Italy as well...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 24, 2026 12:32 PM (+gK6I)

82 NHC has it weakening to a Tropical Storm before it makes landfall sometime after Thursday. Probably be a sloppy, wet windy storm. Dump a lot of rain.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone)

Hurricane Talarico?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie? at October 24, 2026 12:33 PM (ndZc7)

83 Dana Bash tells Nicolle Wallace that "real objective reporters" from "traditional news networks" are being undermined by reporters from right-leaning outlets.

Compared to these people, Norma Desmond was the sane voice of reality.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:33 PM (Riz8t)

84 The "youts " are still "protesting" in Paris but not as many and there is a huge police presence... brussels and Italy as well...

I guess they got those better classrooms they were all demanding.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 24, 2026 12:34 PM (Riz8t)

85
Because they ask "Dear Leader" question like "'I'm sorry, Mr. President. Are you great or are you just excellent?"
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

That sounds like the Obama years.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 24, 2026 12:34 PM (Cqx++)

86
Because they ask "Dear Leader" question like "'I'm sorry, Mr. President. Are you great or are you just excellent?"

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie?

I guess that "What has charmed you (or enchanted you) about being the President?" (asked by a tongue-bather of Obama) is now truly something in our forgotten past.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at October 24, 2026 12:35 PM (ixS3i)

87 57 38 No Normans to coordinate. Their name is Mudd.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 24, 2026 12:03 PM (Cqx++)

AoS- come for the history (and boobs). , stay for the oblique Star Trek TOS ( the only series) references.....

Kudos, Sir.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:16 PM (QGaXH)

Or History regarding Boobs...such as why Marianne is often topless, like in Delacroix's painting...
I think it's because men like boobs...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 24, 2026 12:36 PM (l3cgK)

88 The Polka is the voice of Leutonian peoples everywhere!

Posted by: The Schmenge Brothers! at October 24, 2026 12:36 PM (EdP2u)

89 Because they ask "Dear Leader" question like "'I'm sorry, Mr. President. Are you great or are you just excellent?"

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Where's My Cookie?

They ask real questions not make accusations in the form of a "question".

Posted by: It's me donna at October 24, 2026 12:36 PM (+gK6I)

90
Totally on topic...if there's a Music Thread tonight:

https://www.powerlineblog.com/ed-assets/2026/10/IMG_0128.jpg

Posted by: naturalfake at October 24, 2026 12:41 PM (YSUhf)

91 I'm waiting for Canada to chime in with some protests.
They are being spooky quiet up there.

Posted by: Case at October 24, 2026 12:41 PM (Dd7BU)

92 I don’t doubt that most democrats would like to overthrow the government, but I think they greatly overestimate their ability to carry it off.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 24, 2026 12:42 PM (jTKPp)

93
They ask real questions not make accusations in the form of a "question".

Posted by: It's me donna

Why a person being asked a question does not summarily cut off the effort if said questioner is delivering a long prologue (and biased prologue -- imagine that!) all by way of eventually... getting to a question... with a brusque, "Hold on! Your turn is over... do better next time!", and turn to someone else for a question is beyond me.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at October 24, 2026 12:42 PM (ixS3i)

94 79 "Not to.my knowledge" is supposed to.be a joke, referencing the old male riposte to "Do you have any children?"
It's still a lie.
Posted by: buddhaha at October 24, 2026 12:31 PM (lrbhj)

That's how I took it too, an unserious reply. If she did marry her biological brother, or step-brother, it was solely for immigration purposes, not to engage in marital relations. It irks me to see my favorite Fox News contributors such as Kudlow, Gutfeld, etc giggling like teen-agers and treating it as anything more than a scam to bypass Immigration law.

Same thing with making a big deal about the guy in Maine who married his second cousin. People in small isolated communities probably did that for years (centuries) before modern transportation opened up more options. BFD. In some circumstances you can marry your first cousin if that floats your boat. I wouldn't do it but that's just me.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:42 PM (QGaXH)

95 The "youts " are still "protesting" in Paris but not as many and there is a huge police presence... brussels and Italy as well...

In some French cities the citizens have started beating up the commies and Muslims. It turns out that when you do that most of them are cowards and the problem gets much smaller very quickly.

Posted by: Ian S. at October 24, 2026 12:43 PM (QZThv)

96 Didn't make it in time for Mannix
but made on time for K. T.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 24, 2026 12:43 PM (VPNgR)

97 1 I'm waiting for Canada to chime in with some protests.
They are being spooky quiet up there.
Posted by: Case

Hard to move around in the Tundra Muck, but you just wait until it freezes hard!

Posted by: Canuck-Antifa Alliance at October 24, 2026 12:43 PM (EdP2u)

98 Marianne, never looked French to me.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 24, 2026 12:44 PM (VPNgR)

99 So, the UK is considering outlawing the marriage of first-cousins.

LOL. The upper classes have been doing that for 1,000 years.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 24, 2026 12:45 PM (LOvBA)

100
Too late for starting a contentious Pryer Thread...

https://www.powerlineblog.com/ed-

assets/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-18-at-9.10.01-

PM.png

Posted by: naturalfake at October 24, 2026 12:46 PM (YSUhf)

101 Serious question: what is the established mechanism for stopping such a riot in NYC or Denver, for example.
-----

"Those who wished to destroy were given space to do it because on balance -- and that's what this is all about, -- on balance that's the safest way to go."

Posted by: Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake at October 24, 2026 12:47 PM (XeU6L)

102 98 Marianne, never looked French to me.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 24, 2026 12:44 PM (VPNgR)

Because her pits were shaved?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's phone) at October 24, 2026 12:47 PM (QGaXH)

103 *sigh*

pryer = prayer

Posted by: naturalfake at October 24, 2026 12:47 PM (YSUhf)

104 98 Marianne, never looked French to me.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at October 24, 2026 12:44 PM (VPNgR)

Her origins are Roman...her cap is a symbol from Rome of a freed slave.
https://youtu.be/EIt7yHvGaSo

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 24, 2026 12:47 PM (l3cgK)

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