Yes, a banner glorifying a serial liar, sexual predator and corrupt, narcissistic con-man on the steps of the frickin DOJ is horrifying. But it’s an accurate representation of who we are right now, as a nation at least - dumb, regressing, corrupt and reviled by the world. Not all of us, of course. But far, far too many people are snorting the meth Trump is shoveling out. They outvoted us. It was close, sure. But how could that have happened?
Tonight he told his idiotic flock these days here, right here and now, are the golden days. We’ve arrived. He didn’t promise to make America great again, again. Because it IS great. Mission accomplished. You’re welcome. It’s better than great. If you don’t believe it, you are weak-minded and falling for liberal propaganda. America is united, we are strong. The economy is virile and robust. The stock market is rich. Bitcoin couldn’t be better. Tariffs have erased the national debt and will replace income tax. Immigration is defeated. All immigrants are either dead, in jail, lost in some random country or in hiding. Toilets are made of gold, and now they flush because he turned on the water. All wars are won. We’ve arrived. It’s 1955 once again, only so much better.
This is what happens when you combine voter apathy with misinformation funded by billionaires. People are self-soothing with blue wave midterm talk. I’m not buying it. It’s going to get much worse before it ever gets better. America had a chance to defend democracy with voting and the rule of law, and prevent this shameful era. It failed. Even Venezuela sent their wingnut, election-denying, coup-loving version of Trump, Bolsonaro, to prison for doing exactly the same things Trump did here. Sowing doubt about election fraud, trying to hold onto his power through force. How did Venezuela defend democracy with swift due process and America couldn’t? Bolsonaro was indicted in November, 2024 and convicted in September, 2025, just 10 months later, after just a 9 day trial.
Yes, Venezuela held a far-right strongman accountable. It can be done.
So he used the State of the Union to say his political opponents only win by cheating, and call them crazy, as well as to launch another racist attack against Somali immigrants and Somali-American communities. He also joked about murdering fishermen in the Caribbean, something he has been doing all year.
I assume the NYT will call it a strong speech that put him back on the right track after a rocky few weeks.
Ta, Evan. We just returned to the pied-à-terre from a fabulous black trumpet dinner at Third Kingdom, the east village's stellar mushroom-rich restaurant. Beloved husband Meccalopolis took us to Madison Square Garden on the 13th for Brandi Carlile as a Valentine, so since he'd gotten us an experience, I asked if he'd like to go to the black trumpet dinner for more Valentine splendor. I'm glad we went. Not only was it a perfectly lovely meal, but it may be the last time we eat there. We're not happy they're closing. I don't think they're seeking another location; Meccalopolis heard there will be more mushroom offerings at all their locations (all of which have some already). The end of an era. We just had a gummy for (second) dessert, and we brought home most of the ramen course; had I eaten it I would not have had appetite for the courses that followed. Most of our dining out is for seeking inspiration, and this was an inspiring meal. We also hope it's a good omen for foraging trumpets (and other chanterelles) this summer; last year there were none because it was too dry.
Oh, and Pirro doesn't even get a Pyrrhic victory. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. She's a zero, so that adds up perfectly.
One more thingy: for all of you who are out there shoveling snow and getting cold, and coming inside and still being cold--before you head out, toss a change of clothes, preferably wool or such, in the dryer. Come inside, take the damp cold clothes off and pull on the hot togs and go drink something warm.
And I am teasing back. There is a joke up here that that’s how the vows are written…
I don’t know why I’m wired that way, the Tim Walz, do you have a flashlight for your road trip? hints. Reflex, I guess.
I am sitting here wearing tights, wool longjohns, a heavy wool sweater, wool socks, and I have a light wool cardigan folded up and tucked in to cover the small up my back. All of it mismatched. But I am warm.
Jax was golden in the sunlight, of which we had a lot. It was so pretty today. The snow is getting a little bit out of hand. So glad I shoveled those steps yesterday.
I woke up this morning, thinking I was going to be able to make it to town today, first time in a couple of weeks, because somebody made a delivery yesterday after I finished shoveling. So glad I did shovel a path out to the driveway and the decks and swept the porch. And then I went out and took a look at it, and I realized that delivery driver walked all the way from the access road, tromping through the snow until he got to the path I shoveled. Carrying a fucking mattress. It was one of those compressed and rolled up ones but OMG! Needless to say, no trip to town.
Got the minimal shoveling necessary done so that at least there are clear accesses to and from the doors and so it’s safe to walk on the steps and decks. Pushed through to finish in case I don’t want to go out there and do it anymore tonight.
Point of clarification: I don’t.
Made it as far as the sunroom, kicked my bunny boots off, sitting here watching the evening light fade in the reflection on the door.
I did enough to feel slightly accomplished. And that might just be that for the day.
ETA it’s hard to see in the fading light, but the footprints from the road down don’t look like much. But this is after they blew full again because it stormed again last night and this morning. That snow is up to my thighs.
I went over to see what was going on with the alternate event and all the comments were about the Trump show, so I came over here, looking for open thread.
In response to all of the Trump Voters who are shocked to FO that their loved ones are getting locked up by ICE, Vets have announced free bariatric stomach banding for any Leopard who asks.
Join the WonkZoom.com virtual dive bar. The regular hours are Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pacific. If that should change, read about it here on the hour and half-hour. Your video is OFF until you enable it.
I'm going OOT instead of acknowledging the talky thing tonight, so if anyone wants to find out how season 3 of Downton Abbey ends, you can join me in the DGAF section of the liquor store just before closing time at the nicer places in the CTZ.
The women's team gets my vote. At least they know a con job when they see one. The men?....Well, not so much. Perhaps they will get a red hat and a Big Mac for their obeisance.
Timing- I think the 25th also sets that a veep can fill less than two years of his predecedants term and be eligible for two more terms him/her self. convicted felon piggee is safe unto Jan 22, 2027.
Join the WonkZoom.com virtual dive bar. The regular hours are Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pacific. If that should change, read about it here on the hour and half-hour. Your video is OFF until you enable it.
Winners and losers in the Fulvous Fuckwads first year since his coronation. Many, if not most, of these have been a tad obvious but an abridged listicle is nice now and again.
Losers, us (this is just the economic sector):
* "“A vote for Trump [sic] means your groceries will be cheaper,” Donald Trump [sic] promised Americans on the eve of the presidential election. During the US president’s first year back in office, however, food prices rose faster than they did during Joe Biden’s last." (source 1)
* "For all income groups except the top decile, the combination of 2025 tariff increases and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce after-tax-and-transfer incomes on average." (source 2)
"Lowest Decile Average Income (2025 dollars) $38,840 Total [OBBBA +Tariffs] -5.6%
Top Decile Average Income $517,700 Total [OBBBA +Tariffs] 2.6%" (source 2A)
* People are noticing the Corrupt Coral Coward has fucked the economy five ways to Sunday. When asked in a poll "Thinking about you and your family, which of the following best describes your situation when it comes to the cost of living?" the results were 26% a major strain and 29% minor strain as opposed to 31% saying not much of a problem unless prices continue to rise and 12% saying it's of no concern. (source 3)
* The Shocking Orange ShitForBrains decimation of the CFPB has put a major dent in people's pockets:
> "The Banking Committee Minority Staff calculated that the Trump [sic] Administration’s attack on the CFPB has cost American consumers $19 billion." (source 4)
* The Nectarine Nattering Nabob of Negativism (thank you Mr Safire) just loves himself some steal from the poor and give to the rich:
> "Instead of putting the full weight of the presidency behind addressing economic insecurity, the president’s first year was a blatant exercise in how to turn corruption into a governing principle, enriching the already rich by extracting wealth from the same people bearing the brunt of rising costs." (source 5)
◾ "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frédéric Bastiat
The winners:
* The elite of the elite, the top dogs in the pay-to-play crowd:
> "...this clique’s collective wealth growing by $408 billion in 2025, an increase of 37.5% from the year prior,” the group continued. “Billionaires across the country saw their collective wealth reach a record high of $8.2 trillion in the first year of the second Trump regime. Their total wealth increased from $6.7 billion, a 22% increase in 2025.” (source 6)
The top 10 players saw a combined growth in net worth on average of $76.103 billion. (source 7)
* And, of course, at the center of this cesspit and getting a taste of everything is the Cantaloupe Codpiece:
> "Trump [sic] and his family have made a mint from occupying the White House. In just one year, the Trump [sic] family fortune has grown somewhere between $3.4 and $5 billion, largely the results of crypto ventures launched just after the election. The $TRUMP [sic] coin and World Liberty Financial have pulled in money [...] from powerful, monied interests seeking to curry favor with the president." [see above for ROIs] (source 5)
Yes, a banner glorifying a serial liar, sexual predator and corrupt, narcissistic con-man on the steps of the frickin DOJ is horrifying. But it’s an accurate representation of who we are right now, as a nation at least - dumb, regressing, corrupt and reviled by the world. Not all of us, of course. But far, far too many people are snorting the meth Trump is shoveling out. They outvoted us. It was close, sure. But how could that have happened?
Tonight he told his idiotic flock these days here, right here and now, are the golden days. We’ve arrived. He didn’t promise to make America great again, again. Because it IS great. Mission accomplished. You’re welcome. It’s better than great. If you don’t believe it, you are weak-minded and falling for liberal propaganda. America is united, we are strong. The economy is virile and robust. The stock market is rich. Bitcoin couldn’t be better. Tariffs have erased the national debt and will replace income tax. Immigration is defeated. All immigrants are either dead, in jail, lost in some random country or in hiding. Toilets are made of gold, and now they flush because he turned on the water. All wars are won. We’ve arrived. It’s 1955 once again, only so much better.
This is what happens when you combine voter apathy with misinformation funded by billionaires. People are self-soothing with blue wave midterm talk. I’m not buying it. It’s going to get much worse before it ever gets better. America had a chance to defend democracy with voting and the rule of law, and prevent this shameful era. It failed. Even Venezuela sent their wingnut, election-denying, coup-loving version of Trump, Bolsonaro, to prison for doing exactly the same things Trump did here. Sowing doubt about election fraud, trying to hold onto his power through force. How did Venezuela defend democracy with swift due process and America couldn’t? Bolsonaro was indicted in November, 2024 and convicted in September, 2025, just 10 months later, after just a 9 day trial.
Yes, Venezuela held a far-right strongman accountable. It can be done.
So he used the State of the Union to say his political opponents only win by cheating, and call them crazy, as well as to launch another racist attack against Somali immigrants and Somali-American communities. He also joked about murdering fishermen in the Caribbean, something he has been doing all year.
I assume the NYT will call it a strong speech that put him back on the right track after a rocky few weeks.
One notable thing is how he was clinging to the lectern, like he was trying to stay upright at sea.
His first lie was 14 seconds in.
I survived.
Not a word about the women dressed in white.
She's hitting *eggs* and tariffs...he didn't except for the usual *everything is cheaper * bullshit.
I don't like her practiced delivery. But she's not my gov...
He made it through. Leaning heavily on the podium. Some slurring...Spanberger is replying
Ta, Evan. We just returned to the pied-à-terre from a fabulous black trumpet dinner at Third Kingdom, the east village's stellar mushroom-rich restaurant. Beloved husband Meccalopolis took us to Madison Square Garden on the 13th for Brandi Carlile as a Valentine, so since he'd gotten us an experience, I asked if he'd like to go to the black trumpet dinner for more Valentine splendor. I'm glad we went. Not only was it a perfectly lovely meal, but it may be the last time we eat there. We're not happy they're closing. I don't think they're seeking another location; Meccalopolis heard there will be more mushroom offerings at all their locations (all of which have some already). The end of an era. We just had a gummy for (second) dessert, and we brought home most of the ramen course; had I eaten it I would not have had appetite for the courses that followed. Most of our dining out is for seeking inspiration, and this was an inspiring meal. We also hope it's a good omen for foraging trumpets (and other chanterelles) this summer; last year there were none because it was too dry.
Oh, and Pirro doesn't even get a Pyrrhic victory. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. She's a zero, so that adds up perfectly.
One more thingy: for all of you who are out there shoveling snow and getting cold, and coming inside and still being cold--before you head out, toss a change of clothes, preferably wool or such, in the dryer. Come inside, take the damp cold clothes off and pull on the hot togs and go drink something warm.
You are welcome.
And for those of us without laundry facilities?
A few years back I got my folks a thing that just looks like a hamper and it plugs in to heat towels or sheets or whatever—it’s wonderful!
Did not the dashing M promise to love, honor, and keep yr butt warm? Figure it out!
Oh, he does. I'm just funnin' with you because I like Heloise-y hints.
And I am teasing back. There is a joke up here that that’s how the vows are written…
I don’t know why I’m wired that way, the Tim Walz, do you have a flashlight for your road trip? hints. Reflex, I guess.
I am sitting here wearing tights, wool longjohns, a heavy wool sweater, wool socks, and I have a light wool cardigan folded up and tucked in to cover the small up my back. All of it mismatched. But I am warm.
My day, a photo essay
Jax was golden in the sunlight, of which we had a lot. It was so pretty today. The snow is getting a little bit out of hand. So glad I shoveled those steps yesterday.
I woke up this morning, thinking I was going to be able to make it to town today, first time in a couple of weeks, because somebody made a delivery yesterday after I finished shoveling. So glad I did shovel a path out to the driveway and the decks and swept the porch. And then I went out and took a look at it, and I realized that delivery driver walked all the way from the access road, tromping through the snow until he got to the path I shoveled. Carrying a fucking mattress. It was one of those compressed and rolled up ones but OMG! Needless to say, no trip to town.
Got the minimal shoveling necessary done so that at least there are clear accesses to and from the doors and so it’s safe to walk on the steps and decks. Pushed through to finish in case I don’t want to go out there and do it anymore tonight.
Point of clarification: I don’t.
Made it as far as the sunroom, kicked my bunny boots off, sitting here watching the evening light fade in the reflection on the door.
I did enough to feel slightly accomplished. And that might just be that for the day.
https://substack.com/profile/1687878-1d57a1d5931d/note/c-219361354?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=106di
ETA it’s hard to see in the fading light, but the footprints from the road down don’t look like much. But this is after they blew full again because it stormed again last night and this morning. That snow is up to my thighs.
Okay I said I wouldn't watch but I am. He's parading his victims.
I went over to see what was going on with the alternate event and all the comments were about the Trump show, so I came over here, looking for open thread.
In response to all of the Trump Voters who are shocked to FO that their loved ones are getting locked up by ICE, Vets have announced free bariatric stomach banding for any Leopard who asks.
𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓴𝓩𝓸𝓸𝓶
Join the WonkZoom.com virtual dive bar. The regular hours are Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pacific. If that should change, read about it here on the hour and half-hour. Your video is OFF until you enable it.
These WonkZoom announcements have quips from
https://www.keepinspiring.me/funny-quotes
𝘈 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘉.𝘈., 𝘔.𝘋., 𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘩.𝘋. 𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘑.𝘖.𝘉.
—Fats Domino
I'm going OOT instead of acknowledging the talky thing tonight, so if anyone wants to find out how season 3 of Downton Abbey ends, you can join me in the DGAF section of the liquor store just before closing time at the nicer places in the CTZ.
The women's team gets my vote. At least they know a con job when they see one. The men?....Well, not so much. Perhaps they will get a red hat and a Big Mac for their obeisance.
Timing- I think the 25th also sets that a veep can fill less than two years of his predecedants term and be eligible for two more terms him/her self. convicted felon piggee is safe unto Jan 22, 2027.
𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓴𝓩𝓸𝓸𝓶
Join the WonkZoom.com virtual dive bar. The regular hours are Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Pacific. If that should change, read about it here on the hour and half-hour. Your video is OFF until you enable it.
These WonkZoom announcements have quips from
https://www.keepinspiring.me/funny-quotes
𝘖𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵.
—Robert Orben
Winners and losers in the Fulvous Fuckwads first year since his coronation. Many, if not most, of these have been a tad obvious but an abridged listicle is nice now and again.
Losers, us (this is just the economic sector):
* "“A vote for Trump [sic] means your groceries will be cheaper,” Donald Trump [sic] promised Americans on the eve of the presidential election. During the US president’s first year back in office, however, food prices rose faster than they did during Joe Biden’s last." (source 1)
* "For all income groups except the top decile, the combination of 2025 tariff increases and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce after-tax-and-transfer incomes on average." (source 2)
"Lowest Decile Average Income (2025 dollars) $38,840 Total [OBBBA +Tariffs] -5.6%
Top Decile Average Income $517,700 Total [OBBBA +Tariffs] 2.6%" (source 2A)
* People are noticing the Corrupt Coral Coward has fucked the economy five ways to Sunday. When asked in a poll "Thinking about you and your family, which of the following best describes your situation when it comes to the cost of living?" the results were 26% a major strain and 29% minor strain as opposed to 31% saying not much of a problem unless prices continue to rise and 12% saying it's of no concern. (source 3)
* The Shocking Orange ShitForBrains decimation of the CFPB has put a major dent in people's pockets:
> "The Banking Committee Minority Staff calculated that the Trump [sic] Administration’s attack on the CFPB has cost American consumers $19 billion." (source 4)
* The Nectarine Nattering Nabob of Negativism (thank you Mr Safire) just loves himself some steal from the poor and give to the rich:
> "Instead of putting the full weight of the presidency behind addressing economic insecurity, the president’s first year was a blatant exercise in how to turn corruption into a governing principle, enriching the already rich by extracting wealth from the same people bearing the brunt of rising costs." (source 5)
◾ "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frédéric Bastiat
The winners:
* The elite of the elite, the top dogs in the pay-to-play crowd:
> "...this clique’s collective wealth growing by $408 billion in 2025, an increase of 37.5% from the year prior,” the group continued. “Billionaires across the country saw their collective wealth reach a record high of $8.2 trillion in the first year of the second Trump regime. Their total wealth increased from $6.7 billion, a 22% increase in 2025.” (source 6)
The top 10 players saw a combined growth in net worth on average of $76.103 billion. (source 7)
* And, of course, at the center of this cesspit and getting a taste of everything is the Cantaloupe Codpiece:
> "Trump [sic] and his family have made a mint from occupying the White House. In just one year, the Trump [sic] family fortune has grown somewhere between $3.4 and $5 billion, largely the results of crypto ventures launched just after the election. The $TRUMP [sic] coin and World Liberty Financial have pulled in money [...] from powerful, monied interests seeking to curry favor with the president." [see above for ROIs] (source 5)
source 1 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/trump-campaign-economic-policy
source 2 https://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/combined-distributional-effects-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-and-tariffs-0
source 2A Dec updated data set abridged
source 3 https://prod-i.a.dj.com/public/resources/documents/Redacted_WSJ_Poll_Jan_2026.pdf
source 4 https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/new-report-finds-trumps-attack-on-the-cfpb-has-cost-americans-19-billion-in-one-year-alone# (see: https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cfpb_year_in_review_report.pdf for full report)
source 5 https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/the-real-cost-of-trumps-first-year/
source 6 https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-billionaires-workers
source 7 average drawn from https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pQEEOW8ftUahFBGWBr_2TJ_dQ_WCH9tE5U0zVjs4k5I/edit?gid=0#gid=0
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