I saw the gif and immediately thought “that’s one of those patootie birds”. (Being an old, I sometimes have trouble pulling the right words from the Rolodex)
I know they are not little owls, but I love them because they remind me of little owls....is that OK? Thank you for a new bird, although I remember reading a book, long ago and I've forgotten the title, but a bird calling, "Poor me," was featured. One of those bits of useless information that keeps bouncing around in my head. I didn't know what they looked like then, and now I do. Happy.
The only person in Hollywood who could write, produce and direct a proper movie of Trump's political career is Mel Brooks. The catering cart scene as a classic mixup putting Donny on a plane to Zimbabwe will be the highlight.
“ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday announced that he’s going to stop enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went after shell companies.”
Weird. Isn’t one of the jobs of the president to make sure the laws are “faithfully executed?”
NYT today: "The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted on Thursday to inscribe President Trump’s name on the building beneath the main signage, according to two people with direct knowledge of the proceedings, aggressively testing a federal judge’s order. According to the resolution approved by the Trump-allied board, the inscription underneath the institution’s name would read: “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” The board’s decision, which directs officials to act by “all legal means,” came shortly after it voted to move forward with Mr. Trump’s plan to shutter the building for renovations."
If the Trump decoy plane had been shot down, it would have been a win-win for him: multiple "enemies of the people" (the press) would have been murdered, along with two members of the cabinet. This would allow himself and Drunk Pete -- the daring survivors of the attack -- to escalate their little non-war.
They may not have had any intention of attacking him at all. Why would they? Trump has given them more political power in the past six months than they ever had before.
In honor of the great potoo, here's a pitch to preserve birds. One-third of the world's birds have disappeared in my lifetime (I'm Gen Jones). If you control some acreage, work bird conservation areas into it. If you have a yard or yards at your house, use bird & insect friendly plantings. If you can, give money to bird conservation groups. Teach children to appreciate them. You don't have to be an expert birder to get joy from being around them. We'll fight harder to preserve what we love.
I a appalled that the National Academy of Sciences, who provides briefing books to judges on science issues has caved to TFG and has withdrawn the chapter on climate change for 'reconsideration.'. The cowardice runs deep in this nation.
My karma wish for the executives of companies that profit off of the invention of torture devices is akin to what happened to Frederick Taylor, inventor of Taylorism, that suite of "industrial efficiency" methods of "enhancing" worker productivity that led to things like the time-card punch clock. Ever the eager beaver efficiency expert, Taylor allegedly created a bed that would help cure his insomnia (brought on no doubt by all the terrible things he was doing to workers). Though Wikipedia says he died of pneumonia, my long ago Labor History prof relateed that in fact the efficiency sick bed folded up and trapped him, and, according to legend, that's how he expired.
Ta, Rebecca, and thanks again for the berry picking gloves. I wore them when we hiked with our dogs on our mountain yesterday, and between the walking stick and the gloves, I was unharmed when we picked a quart of wild blackberries. They're now in our hiking bag. Ta, Martini. I did not know the great potoo or the other potoos. We had watermelon and flowery green tea, and darling Meccalopolis is making wild mushroom toast, which is even more elitist than avocado toast. Good day, beloved Wonketteers. We love and appreciate you all and we bless us all with love, health, peace, and grace.
Please, please stay safe. Wear a mask or two, wash your hands, sanitize when you cannot wash and let the sanitizer dry completely, stop touching your face, take Vitamin D, get a booster shot six months after your last (and get kids in your household vaccinated also, too), and stay the fuck away from us or anyone with whom you do not share a roof. Do this because you love yourself, and because we love you, too. Do this in memory of 27 Club member Treg, Holly's heroic pilot friend Tony, and around eight million dead worldwide (maybe including FukuiSanYesOta; he had long COVID and that can lead to cardiac arrest). Do this to honor the nurses and other frontline medical personnel (we love and appreciate you, medicos of Wonkette, including retirees), especially ICU Hera Mrs Land Shark RN. Please, please stay safe. When we vote, we WIN!
Mwah! Have a great day, every Wonk! Also, rare to find two together, Old Man of the Woods mushrooms for very elitist toast, as my wife calls them, above ground truffles:
They are SO absolutely delicious. Thus far, it's a banner year for boletes. We gathered enough porcini that we dehydrated several trays to sustain us through the winter, and had enough to share with Meccalopolis's brother.
"Judge Jeanine, DC US Attorney, is convening a “special grand jury” to keep her job. Whom shall it persecute? That is for them to know and you to get secret-indicted."
Great. Now we've got actual Star Chambers. Just as the founders wanted.
The South complained so much about calling the War of Southern Insurrection by that name that ended up with the bland term "Civil War." Now Trump is trying to turn the J6 insurrection into some kind of Patriotic non-violent protest. It was an insurrection and the 14th amendment tried to ban insurrectionists from elected office.
There's also an emoluments clause that he totally ignored. Laws are useless unless they're enforced. Trump has operated under that fact his entire life.
OK I think I know how to defeat the shock gloves: conductive tape lining the inside of your clothes. Cheap and easy. Might be a nasty surprise for someone grabbing you with those gloves too.
"Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he is "thinking seriously" about running for president in 2028 — a race he called a "breaking point in America" that could lead to a destructive revolution or a new economic order. Khanna said Democrats need to nominate a progressive who will usher in "America's next New Deal" as the country's technological revolution enriches a select few and risks destabilizing the country's labor force."
Not Khanna, but on-point. Missing scrutiny on the extra-legal "kinetic strikes" tho.
"House Democrats in key leadership posts told The Times the groundwork is already being laid out for probes into the president’s reported $2.2 billion in gains last year, the business ventures of his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his sons Eric and Don Jr., and the family’s crypto projects. There is also interest in scrutinizing Trump’s pardons and commutations to allies and the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case."
It’s a great potoo, master of disguise and your hed gif bird of the day: https://martiniambassador.substack.com/p/great-potoo-where-are-you
Also, a meme chat for you: https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/8d2f15a0-6c4b-4df8-b265-23bd2b487357?utm_source=share
Perfect camouflage.
Evidently, it mimics a dead branch when alarmed. So now I know a third answer to the riddle "What's brown and sticky?"
Wonderful bird!
I saw the gif and immediately thought “that’s one of those patootie birds”. (Being an old, I sometimes have trouble pulling the right words from the Rolodex)
Oh man, yeah, I can relate to that.
Is that pronounced pot-oo, or poe-too? Inquiring minds want to know,
Does it rhyme with "got to" or "go to" or "hot toe"?
See, that's my problem. I can't doggerelize if I can't pronounce.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/potoo
The dictionary people say it's poe-two
You never fail.
Well I appreciate that, but you've never seen me try to pilot an airplane.
You’ll have to ask its inventor, Dr. Seuss.
The potoo certainly knows how to blend in seamlessly where ever they perch. And their glossy onyx eyes see everything that matters.
Help, it's a secret tree-thingy!
What a cutie!
I know they are not little owls, but I love them because they remind me of little owls....is that OK? Thank you for a new bird, although I remember reading a book, long ago and I've forgotten the title, but a bird calling, "Poor me," was featured. One of those bits of useless information that keeps bouncing around in my head. I didn't know what they looked like then, and now I do. Happy.
Potoo on you too!
The Great Patoo, "For my next magical trick, I shall..."
"Where'd he go?"
EDIT: auto correct doesn't believe in patoos, thinks I mean patios. Or potatoes...
Auto correct sometimes goes too far! Or often. Or annoyingly.
It's a camoflage birb!
I was taken aback for a minute listening to the Potoo call that started out with the man cataloging it I thought wow! they really do sound human!
LOL!
You can't fool me that is a mini murder owlet
They remind me of the Whip Poor Wills I've seen here in Kansas as they have excellent tree camo too.
I first read it as "It's a great photo..." which is true.
My mind saw potato
Camouflaged potatoes hiding in a tree
I’m just wondering how it would do on a birch, or other white bark. Am I just an “aside” person?
That's not a real animal, that's some sort of Jim Henson creation!
I see animals like a quokka and think absolutely- it’s a muppet
I miss seeing Fukui's comments. What happened to him?
The only person in Hollywood who could write, produce and direct a proper movie of Trump's political career is Mel Brooks. The catering cart scene as a classic mixup putting Donny on a plane to Zimbabwe will be the highlight.
“ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday announced that he’s going to stop enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went after shell companies.”
Weird. Isn’t one of the jobs of the president to make sure the laws are “faithfully executed?”
From the Presidential Oath: "...and will, to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Will the Supreme Court decide this is an "official act" so Trump can't be accused of violating it? Must look up that obscene decision...
Not when they make it harder for him and his buddies to grift the suckers.
NYT today: "The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted on Thursday to inscribe President Trump’s name on the building beneath the main signage, according to two people with direct knowledge of the proceedings, aggressively testing a federal judge’s order. According to the resolution approved by the Trump-allied board, the inscription underneath the institution’s name would read: “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” The board’s decision, which directs officials to act by “all legal means,” came shortly after it voted to move forward with Mr. Trump’s plan to shutter the building for renovations."
There are no legal means, but that's never stoppedTrump.
If the Trump decoy plane had been shot down, it would have been a win-win for him: multiple "enemies of the people" (the press) would have been murdered, along with two members of the cabinet. This would allow himself and Drunk Pete -- the daring survivors of the attack -- to escalate their little non-war.
Not surprised Iran didn't take the bait. So far, they are playing it so much smarter than Trump. To be fair, that's a pretty fucking low bar.
They may not have had any intention of attacking him at all. Why would they? Trump has given them more political power in the past six months than they ever had before.
The warning came from his buddy Bibi. Which is why he panicked. Our intel didn't see any credible threat.
Nintendo Power Glove something something Michael Jackson something something.
In honor of the great potoo, here's a pitch to preserve birds. One-third of the world's birds have disappeared in my lifetime (I'm Gen Jones). If you control some acreage, work bird conservation areas into it. If you have a yard or yards at your house, use bird & insect friendly plantings. If you can, give money to bird conservation groups. Teach children to appreciate them. You don't have to be an expert birder to get joy from being around them. We'll fight harder to preserve what we love.
And keep your bird-killing housecats in your house where they belong!
YAAAASSS! I have many loose cats in my neighborhood, which backs up into an undeveloped greenspace area where, of course, they hunt. 😞
I a appalled that the National Academy of Sciences, who provides briefing books to judges on science issues has caved to TFG and has withdrawn the chapter on climate change for 'reconsideration.'. The cowardice runs deep in this nation.
https://www.courthousenews.com/under-pressure-from-trump-national-academy-of-sciences-pulls-climate-chapter-from-judicial-manual/
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/nas-to-conduct-process-review-of-chapter-in-reference-manual-on-scientific-evidence
My karma wish for the executives of companies that profit off of the invention of torture devices is akin to what happened to Frederick Taylor, inventor of Taylorism, that suite of "industrial efficiency" methods of "enhancing" worker productivity that led to things like the time-card punch clock. Ever the eager beaver efficiency expert, Taylor allegedly created a bed that would help cure his insomnia (brought on no doubt by all the terrible things he was doing to workers). Though Wikipedia says he died of pneumonia, my long ago Labor History prof relateed that in fact the efficiency sick bed folded up and trapped him, and, according to legend, that's how he expired.
Ta, Rebecca, and thanks again for the berry picking gloves. I wore them when we hiked with our dogs on our mountain yesterday, and between the walking stick and the gloves, I was unharmed when we picked a quart of wild blackberries. They're now in our hiking bag. Ta, Martini. I did not know the great potoo or the other potoos. We had watermelon and flowery green tea, and darling Meccalopolis is making wild mushroom toast, which is even more elitist than avocado toast. Good day, beloved Wonketteers. We love and appreciate you all and we bless us all with love, health, peace, and grace.
Please, please stay safe. Wear a mask or two, wash your hands, sanitize when you cannot wash and let the sanitizer dry completely, stop touching your face, take Vitamin D, get a booster shot six months after your last (and get kids in your household vaccinated also, too), and stay the fuck away from us or anyone with whom you do not share a roof. Do this because you love yourself, and because we love you, too. Do this in memory of 27 Club member Treg, Holly's heroic pilot friend Tony, and around eight million dead worldwide (maybe including FukuiSanYesOta; he had long COVID and that can lead to cardiac arrest). Do this to honor the nurses and other frontline medical personnel (we love and appreciate you, medicos of Wonkette, including retirees), especially ICU Hera Mrs Land Shark RN. Please, please stay safe. When we vote, we WIN!
Slava Ukraini. 🌻🇺🇦💙💛
Mwah! Have a great day, every Wonk! Also, rare to find two together, Old Man of the Woods mushrooms for very elitist toast, as my wife calls them, above ground truffles:
https://bsky.app/profile/meccalopolis.bsky.social/post/3mswjvkw5ok2k
They are SO absolutely delicious. Thus far, it's a banner year for boletes. We gathered enough porcini that we dehydrated several trays to sustain us through the winter, and had enough to share with Meccalopolis's brother.
"Judge Jeanine, DC US Attorney, is convening a “special grand jury” to keep her job. Whom shall it persecute? That is for them to know and you to get secret-indicted."
Great. Now we've got actual Star Chambers. Just as the founders wanted.
The South complained so much about calling the War of Southern Insurrection by that name that ended up with the bland term "Civil War." Now Trump is trying to turn the J6 insurrection into some kind of Patriotic non-violent protest. It was an insurrection and the 14th amendment tried to ban insurrectionists from elected office.
There's also an emoluments clause that he totally ignored. Laws are useless unless they're enforced. Trump has operated under that fact his entire life.
Lucky on Apple TV is a really good show. Actually most of Apple TV shows are excellent.
OK I think I know how to defeat the shock gloves: conductive tape lining the inside of your clothes. Cheap and easy. Might be a nasty surprise for someone grabbing you with those gloves too.
"Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he is "thinking seriously" about running for president in 2028 — a race he called a "breaking point in America" that could lead to a destructive revolution or a new economic order. Khanna said Democrats need to nominate a progressive who will usher in "America's next New Deal" as the country's technological revolution enriches a select few and risks destabilizing the country's labor force."
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/12/nx-s1-5887591/ro-khanna-democrats-2028-election
His "14-point plan":
Medicare for All
Own a Home by 35
Free Childcare
A National Industrial Bank
Workers Over AI
Federal Jobs Program
A $25 Minimum Wage and Worker Ownership
1,000 New Trade Schools and Tech Institutes
Free Public College and Trade School
Get Money Out of Politics
No Foreign Wars, No Genocide
Release All the Epstein Files
A Data Center Bill of Rights
Tax Billionaire Wealth.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-ro-khanna-washington-needs-14-point-plan-rebuild-america-not-just-countries-overseas
I don't see PROSECUTION OF TRUMP AND HIS ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION on that list.
That's a logical result of "release all the epstein files".
Shhhh, that one's a secret.
Not Khanna, but on-point. Missing scrutiny on the extra-legal "kinetic strikes" tho.
"House Democrats in key leadership posts told The Times the groundwork is already being laid out for probes into the president’s reported $2.2 billion in gains last year, the business ventures of his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his sons Eric and Don Jr., and the family’s crypto projects. There is also interest in scrutinizing Trump’s pardons and commutations to allies and the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case."
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-08-13/how-democrats-plan-to-rein-in-trump-should-they-win-in-november
He's got some 'splaining to do wrt insider trading...