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MTE_NYC's avatar

Makes me want to puke - oops, I’m puking, ugh.

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Mart's avatar

This is what I come here for; "Tucker Carlson’s White Anxiety Jug Band Jamboree."

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Greg Barnhill's avatar

Houston, we have a NAZI problem.

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Secret Agent Super Dragon's avatar

Well. It was a little late, but thanks for coming up with this, DoJ.

Oh wait, it wasn’t the Department of Justice but some internet volunteers? How very interesting.

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

Hola, Wonkette authors and commenters! Have I told lately that I love you (yes I did, just yesterday, have you forgotten already?).

I do occasionally check out other websites, including emptywheel, which ‘Trix and others have linked to. The site’s main author is Marcy Wheeler, who writes about various legal issues as well as media shortcomings (she is an investigative journalist, not a lawyer). I appreciate her writing, although sometimes she gets a bit too deep in the weeds for me. But, I tend to learn more about things not covered elsewhere, with links to the original sources.

That said, their heavily-moderated comments section is a toxic mess, mostly due to one person “bmaz,” who is a moderator/poster/founder of the site/lawyer. It has long been my position that he drags down the site’s revenues with his behavior, and I wish Marcy could blink three times if she needs someone to buy him out. To wit:

1. He routinely belittles, berates, insults, and is just generally rude to other commenters - including Marcy herself, who clearly does all the heavy lifting. If someone disagrees with him, he’ll routinely say “fuck off,” or some version thereof, and tell commenters they aren’t wanted. What a lovely way to welcome new folks! /s

2. He has opinions that he refuses to back up with any actual legal analysis. For example, he’s called the J6 Committee “media whores” and less than useless; Fani Willis also a media whore and the GA RICO case shit; and same for DA Bragg and NY AG Tish James. He also attacked Jack Smith in the FL documents case for filing in SDFL - even though that’s where all the crimes alleged in the indictment occurred - and for filing a superseding indictment after Taveras (the IT manager) flipped.

3. Why does he hold these views? Fuck if I know, because he never explains them. Even when multiple commenters ask him nicely to explain, his fallback is always that he already did (he didn’t), and that people should trust him because he’s been a lawyer for decades.

For all these reasons and more, I tend to avoid the comments there. But, I ran across a post on 12/27, in which Marcy criticized Jonathan Chait after he wrote a piece admitting he hadn’t read the Colorado Supreme Court decision removing TFG from the ballot, but followed it with a bunch of words about why it was bad for democracy. Given the topic, I figured bmaz was going to be a total shit in the comments, and I was not disappointed:

1:43 PM - “The Colorado Supreme Court is full of it.” (See what I mean about erudite legal analysis?)

5:47 PM - Blames Marcy for bouncing any comments that don’t “cow tow” other views of Constitutional law.

8:27 PM - Again claims that he’d respond to a lot of commenters, but Marcy won’t let him; throws general hissy fit.

https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/12/27/jonathan-chaits-rube-con-lets-scotus-off-easy/

Bottom line, Wonkette is so much better in every way. The authors/moderators don’t attack commenters, and only bounce the obvious trolls.

P.S. - Marcy, if you’re listening, let me know if you need help.

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DDB9000's avatar

Yet, I'm sure you were around for ''Sam'', a vile Elonmaniac, who took any complaints on Good King Muskmalone as a personal afront.

There was this one woman who had never heard of Elon nor of Tesla, and ''Sam'' tore thorugh her so badly that she never came back to Wonkette. She had said something about how Musk sounded like tarreibel person and as such "Sam'' said thet proved that she was part of a cabal theta was trying to destrtoy Muck, and take over Telsa.

I stood up to him for on her behalf which started an all-out war against me. He called me every name in the book. He called me gay (I'm not), and when he said that he said I probably rape other men. He also made other homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ remarks, and also vilke misogynistic ones.

It seemed to take forever for anyything to be done, and later it was, He finally disappeared.

But then there was Serif-eena...

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

Oh, there have definitely been trolls, and troll-like folks, in the comments here. I do remember Sam, who I think most of us referred to as the “sea lion,” lest we actually invoke his name. And too many good people have been driven off by these types of folks before they were perma-banned.

I’m not suggesting that Wonkette is perfect - it’s not. And oh, what I would give for a functional block button.

But my issue with the emptywheel comments is that it is one of the MODERATORS/AUTHORS who is the actual troll, and apparently gets to act that way with impunity. It would be a much better site if Marcy could get rid of bmaz, once and for all.

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DDB9000's avatar

Yes, I remember people calling him the "sea lion", but there were a couple of other lions over the years.

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Johnny Appleseed's avatar

Thanks for the tip/warning/commentary 2Cats2Furious! I value your opinion.

It appears the Trump cases start cranking up next Thursday when the stay in the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling disqualifying Trump from the state’s primary ballot will expire, unless the SCOTUS steps in (I wouldn't be surprised). CO must print their Primary ballots on Friday the 5th.

But I also thought "something" was due at the Court on Tuesday the 2nd. Maybe I've confused it with the 9th?

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

I haven’t followed the Colorado case as closely as his criminal trials. My understanding is that the stay expires on 1/4, unless TFG files his appeal to SCOTUS before then, which he will (normally, he would have 90 days to do so). My guess is that SCOTUS steps in and keeps the stay in place pending the outcome of the appeal (especially in light of the Maine decision). I expect TFG will be on the primary ballot; whether he’s on the general election ballot is TBD.

As for the DC case, Jack Smith’s response brief to the COA panel is due tomorrow, 12/30, TFG’s reply is due 1/2, and oral arguments are on 1/9. So perhaps those are the dates you’re thinking of?

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Johnny Appleseed's avatar

I knew I could count on you!

Oh I'd put $$ on Trump trying as many delay tactics as he can (unless he was the Plaintiff, but he isn't).

Yes, I knew 1/2 stuck in my head as a "Due Date". I'm highly certain SC Smith & Co. will submit on-time (it's likely already been filed).

I also saw the 3 Judge panel COA ruled today that TFG does NOT have Immunity from lawsuits surrounding 1/6, since it was not a Presidential act as he was Campaigning. I'd bet he asks for an en-banc ruling and when he loses that, he'll March to SCOTUS (where I think he loses, but it's a crap-shoot).

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/12/29/court-rules-presidential-immunity-doesnt-get-trump-out-of-jan-6-allegations-again/

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

Not a terribly surprising result in Smith, given the prior, more-detailed decision in Blassingame.

Also, I just checked the docket and Smith has not yet filed his response brief (due today). You can bet I’ll be reading and posting about it after it’s filed.

BUT, I noticed an Amicus Brief filed yesterday on behalf of the US by former government officials, including Ty Cobb and George Conway, so I’m going to read that next. We already know how those guys feel about TFG, so it should be good!

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Zap's avatar

"Why does he hold these views?" He's a Republican?

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

Maybe. I honestly don’t know. Sometimes he blames it on what he seems to believe is prosecutorial overreach, which is definitely a thing, but not usually a thing you find in RWNJs.

I tend to believe he’s just an asshole, like (thankfully few) opposing counsels I’ve dealt with in my career. But since he has no interest in explaining the legal reasoning behind his opinions, I guess I’ll never know.

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FurryCaterwauling's avatar

I'm a civilian who once overheard the haggling between defense and prosecution where the defense caved in because they had gotten a win recently. It was ugly. I didn't know all the facts other than defendant was guilty, I must disclose, despite the presumption of innocence. It was appalling because I realized that this nonsense must occur daily.

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

Some lawyers - especially in my experience, older white male lawyers - grew up with the idea that you were supposed to argue with opposing counsel about EVERYTHING. The Professional Rules of Conduct actually discourage this sort of behavior.

I was a civil litigator, and was fortunate enough to have learned that you usually get much better results for your clients if you treat OC professionally and with respect. They almost always return the favor. But some lawyers are definitely Assholes.

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fair_n_hite_451's avatar

Ah. The "I'm smarter than you, so you could never understand the reasoning that goes on in my galaxy brain" defence. Hate folks like that.

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2Cats2Furious's avatar

I hate so much. It adds absolutely nothing to the discussion.

When I post a law ‘splainer in my comments/notes here, I actually put in the work to read the filings and break them down so folks can understand.

But the other way is a whole lot easier, I guess.

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Vic's avatar

Aw, so the little boy is an exemplary Republican.

Beware the J6 criminals who plead remorse in front of a judge but then take up their neo-Nazi activities a few months after.

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glenglish's avatar

Guess this White House clown didn't get the message to not be a useful idiot.

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RocktonSam's avatar

UW-La-Cross Chancellor fired over producing porn videos with his wife . Say it ain't nobody damn bidness what he and his do as consenting adults. He was due to retire at the end of the school year . He also invited a porn star to speak to students. Ben Shapiro wasn't available.

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Glennis Waterman's avatar

Good lord. In one of my many jobs, I used to work fundraising events for a major university chancellor. It blows my mind that anyone in such a position woujd be stupid enough to do such a thing.

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PaulDietzel's avatar

"one of my many jobs, I used to work fundraising events for a major university chancellor."

Was it fundraising events "for a university in behalf of the chancellor" or was it actually

"fundraising events for said chancellor"? If the latter, for what the hell does a chancellor need funds raised? Honest, not being a smart aleck.

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kenc710's avatar

sorry if this has been cited already, but "Tucker Carlson’s White Anxiety Jug Band Jamboree" FTW.

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Momo's avatar

Drove home yesterday from our vacation on Epstein Island, as the FIL endearingly referred to it. It was fun hanging out with the in-laws for the holiday. Did you know that Democrats harvest babies for adrenachrome, but have to torture them first to get higher-quality product? I asked if monkeys might provide the same adrenachrome at a lower cost and was told that they can not.

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Zap's avatar

"Democrats harvest babies" It's all those post-birth abortions.

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Courser's avatar

That sounds perfectly horrifying. You're a better person than I - I couldn't spend 5 minutes with that insanity.

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fair_n_hite_451's avatar

No man, that's when you go for the kill by fully engaging in the conversation and constantly pointing out the inconsistencies and lack of anything verifiable in their "logic". Make them squirm. Make them hate themselves and therefore you for making them hate themselves.

THAT is how you only have to hear that bullshit once.

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Momo's avatar

We avoided discussing politics and conspiracies for 99.9% of our time together. It's just the 0.1% that's hard to stomach.

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Chicken ate my Ballot's avatar

I saw that on the TV.

I think FarScape, Defiance and Star Trek and every other SciFi show has done an episode

or two about it. Expired Epi Pen is easier just sayin, but it doesn't get the ratings.

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Bobathonic's avatar

Excuse me, where the hell is *my* adrenochrome? I haven't had any yet!

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Sojourner Truth's avatar

Price is up 50%. Thanks, Biden.

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Momo's avatar

You have to harvest it yourself apparently. Maybe it has a short shelf life.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

Which hand do you do that with, eh, eh? *wink*

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

Karl the Toad took it. Just grabbed it in his sticky little hands and walked away.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

And here I spent ALL of those hours comforting those fussy babies.

Why didn't someone TELL me?

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Momo's avatar

You'd probably sleep better! 😃

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

https://patents.google.com/patent/JPS52118466A/en

"Synthesis of adrenochrome"

"1976-03-31

Application filed by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co Ltd"

"1976-03-31" <-----

morons gonna moron

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Momo's avatar

That's the synthetic stuff. It probably doesn't give you the same buzz as a naturally harvested batch, and is way less thrilling to manufacture.

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

Hospitals get synthesized 100% pure cocaine. I know which I'd rather insufflate.

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Momo's avatar

I've tried synthetic marijuana, Maritol, and the high was.... strange.

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Zyxomma's avatar

Marinol. My friend who had a prescription didn't like it; it was prescribed for his (many) eye problems. He still bought pot for the high.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

They actually said that? Are you sure you didn't accidentally end up in Arkham Asylum?

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Momo's avatar

It had the vibe of that island from The Prisoner. I kept waiting for those translucent exercise balls to come out of the sea and attack someone.

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DDB9000's avatar

What island from ''The Prisoner''?

If you are talking about the original with Patrick McGoohan, it is set on a coastal town but not on an island. For whatever reason the people cannot get to any safe town outside the village by land which is why they try to escape by the sea. But ''Rover'' (that's what the ball is called) always brings them back. It was indeed filmed in a coastal town, also not on an island.

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Momo's avatar

I had to go read the Wikipedia entry about the show. I guess you're correct, it's not an island. The wiki is a fairly interesting read, and reminded me that I really need to watch the series again someday. Apparently, trying to pinpoint the location of The Village is almost as futile as trying to place The Simpsons' Springfield on a map.

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DDB9000's avatar

Actually while you technically cannot pinpoint wher the fictional Village is, you can find the real place which was bulit as a real village...

https://portmeirion.wales/visit/explore/the-village

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Momo's avatar

I just informed the missus that we're moving there. She's not excited yet, but when the drugs wear off and she wakes up to find herself in The Village she's sure to become very excited.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

Did one of them turn out to be an Albino chimp in a mask?

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Momo's avatar

The entire island seemed to be staffed by grumpy Florida women. Burned-out charictatures of Jane Russell, as Hunter Thompson would say.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

*narrows eyes* Animatronics. I fucking knew it.

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Momo's avatar

Oh shit. That would explain a lot of things.

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Momo's avatar

There should be a how-to article in Wonkette's Recipe Hub.

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User's avatar
Comment deleted
Dec 29, 2023
Comment deleted
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Sojourner Truth's avatar

I do harbor some (but not a lot) anxiety over a world in which I cannot always tell parody from reality.

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Zap's avatar

No anxiety for republicans. They simply accept parody as reality. And promote it.

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Momo's avatar

He's an alright guy, just a gun nut. But his lady friend is a really good-natured, happy-go-lucky conspiracy theorist doomsday prepper. They're quite a pair.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

Wait, is your FIL Burt Gummer?

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Momo's avatar

Probably not. I know him as Bob from Kansas.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

Yeah, that's what he told you...

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Insomnia sucks, primarily because I am sick to gawd damned death of listening to myself think.

I can't even successfully bore myself to sleep.

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

It is just the worst.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

I just keep telling myself that when I get tired enough I'll fall asleep.

I'm just getting a little impatient.

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

I know I keep saying it, but an antidepressant was the only thing that helped me.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

I will try another one, I suppose.

I was really hoping this Buspar would do the trick. It doesn't make me goofy or rummy or anything unlike the other anti-anxiety meds I've tried taking. But if I still don't sleep I fail to see any point in taking them.

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

Nope, not an anti anxiety drug, an anti depressant.

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Blamethrower:  The Weirdening's avatar

I have the TV on to sleep. The dialogue helps my brain calm down. Just loud enough that I can make it out without straining, and critically, something that isn't super interesting. No action stuff, explosions don't help!

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

Same. I took a GREAT online course on CBT (cognitive behavior therapy, not the OTHER CBT), and the only thing I don't follow from it is NO TV IN THE BEDROOM. I need my shows.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Usually the drone of the TV helps me nod off. Maybe I haven't tuned into anything sufficiently boring yet to do the trick.

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Linda1961 is woke and proud's avatar

That does have to suck. My sleep patterns are strange, but I do sleep, about 8 hours a day, as recommended. It's just 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours at a time, as not recommended. I can't imagine not sleeping at all.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

I'm just experiencing a particularly long jag of sleepless nights. It's something I seem to do for no apparent reason every now and again.

It's just getting a little ridiculous. I haven't been able to sleep now for more than three nights and I'm really starting to feel dense.

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Diane's Less Hostile Username's avatar

It really does get to you.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Sooner or later I'll pass out. It's just a matter of time.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Well, this has all been very well, but I need to shove some breakfast-like substances down my throat and then concentrate on a story to be posted today. The public thirst for content, you know.

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Linda1961 is woke and proud's avatar

Never let your public down.

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

Ah, Prague, wai helo thar.

What's that? You *also* have a very snazzy public transit app where you can buy multi-modal tickets, have maps, can plan routes and stuff? How very civilized.

Now I can get to a döner kebab shoppe.

Oh, and maybe look at some historical shit or something.

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Zyxomma's avatar

Wear. Your. Mask.

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susanne's avatar

I was there 25 years ago and did a lot of walking.

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

It looks very walkable - I'm right by the old town. I'm gonna tram it a bit and get a feel for the wider city first.

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susanne's avatar

Please take all the photos- I miss it so much!

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

The meat they will be using probably counts as historical.

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

Maybe I should embrace my inner American, wear white socks with black sandals, shout a lot in English and see if I can find BBQ Chicken Wings somewhere.

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Whale Chowder's avatar

Substitute a chip shop and you could be a Brit in Benidorm.

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Uncle Betamax's avatar

I think you got out of there just in time.

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The Wanderer's avatar

Mind you don't get defenestrated!

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Sojourner Truth's avatar

So, right after a harrowing story of desperate Senegalese refugees adrift at sea trying to reach Canary Islands - driven at least in party by Chinese "Death Star" overfishing boats - the LATimes prints this winner of a headline:

𝐔.𝐒. 𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

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paxpax's avatar

That's why I check Al Jazeera news to find out what is going on in the world. (Guardian pretty good - also France24 in English). Americans are kept insulated from world news.

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Land Shark 🇺🇦 🏳️‍⚧️'s avatar

𝟰𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗦 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲

Good news as natural gas, coal, and solar see the biggest changes.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/12/40-of-us-electricity-is-now-emissions-free/

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FukuiSanYesOta's avatar

Now that is *very* good news indeed. Jam it up your stupid ass along with your energy independence lies, PAB.

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SkeptiKC's avatar

Those marshmallows are the unquestionable worst.

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Courser's avatar

Yup, those are pretty awful holiday sweaters.

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Crip Dyke's avatar

Talk about atrocious holiday sweaters!

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The Wanderer's avatar

Yeah. The lights in his antlers were a nice touch.

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