I just got home a little while ago from seeing this on the big screen at the fabulous Coolidge Corner Theatre (coolidge.org). It's an even better movie than I remembered, and there were quite a few people in the audience who were seeing it for the first time. You just can't beat seeing a movie in a theater.
Great movie, soaked in nostalgia, about a time in young adolescence when boys are leaning as much or more on their friends as on their parents. The narrator says something about being 13 just once, and how you never have friendships like that again, and he’s right. You have other meaningful ones, especially and maybe most similarly in college when you are uncertain again and about to step out into the world an adult.
At 13, and exactly at 13, I had one summer with two buddies that I still remember very fondly, 37 years later. You are leaving grade school behind, embarking on middle school where kids start “going together” and having very confusing feelings. At 13 most boys are hitting puberty, which can be awkward and stressful. You start noticing girls or guys or whoever you like, and you feel things deeply. That’s what Stand By Me represents for me. Those 4 boys understood they were going through an awkward and emotional time between childhood and young adulthood. It’s scary, because you are practicing independence from your parents by leaning heavily on your friends. But you are still a kid, in many ways, and you need that security.
It’s a great story, directed with tremendous affection by Rob Reiner, and acted believably by the boys and memorably by Keifer Sutherland and a cameo by John Cusack. And yeah, Gordy choosing raw hamburger on a hot summer hike is a very odd choice. Maybe some canned chili, Gordo?
My thing about “Stand by Me “—I was around the same age as the kids when it came out, so I would imagine a sequel with everyone and also me, the girl they were friends with, and we’d film and the movie would be great and I would get an Oscar nomination and River would fall in love with me.
And also maybe Kiefer would also fall in love with me.
Apparently Kamala Harris was interviewed at the Essence Festival, where she spoke at length about the administration’s accomplishments (like student loan debt relief), the policies and plans for a second term (like protecting abortion rights and improving maternal health care, especially for Black women), and how TFG is horrible and unfit to be President, especially after the recent SCOTUS decision that lets him do all the criming.
BUT, BUT, BUT: The article spends half its focus on the fact the interviewer did NOT ask Harris about Biden’s debate performance or calls for him to drop out of the race. Why, that’s practically journalistic malpractice, because that is the only thing potential voters who are at a festival for (check notes) Black women could possibly care about!!
At least they did include a quote from Rep. Maxine Waters, who is 85, and basically told everyone to vote Biden/Harris because that’s the fucking ticket, and everyone needs to get over themselves because TFG will destroy the country. I ❤️ her.
I'd rather vote for the older guy who stuttered and froze a couple of times than the raging lunatic with over 50, blatant and rather obvious, lies in 90 minutes. At least one of them knows right from wrong and is trying to help those other than himself.
But of course, it's just best journalistic practice that Trump's death threats, open embrace of autocracy, and 8 years of rambling, disjointed speeches are completely insignificant.
They mention that Harris has been steadfast in her support of Biden. I can't imagine that any other answer would be coming from her. I don't see what WAPO is agitated about. Some questions you just don't ask because you know the answer.
Not tfg. You said some questions aren’t asked because we know the answer already. George Stephanopoulos apparently didn’t get that message, as evidenced his beating of the dead horse on Friday.
WaPo is agitated because apparently every damned article remotely related to the election has to focus on BIDEN IS OLD and DEMS IN DISARRY. They’ve even started a “tracker” to keep count of any DEMs who have remotely questioned Biden’s fitness for office. Note that they don’t have such a tracker for GQP politicians who have questioned TFG’s fitness for office (and there are many).
Of course Harris is going to continue supporting Biden. It’s kind of the job. Pence did the same until TFG tried to have him killed.
The thing I don't understand is, Pence's brother STILL swears allegiance to Trump. My brother and I don't always see eye to eye, especially politically but I'd like to think he wouldn't back the asshole that tried to hang me. I disagree with Mike Pence but I don't wish to see him hanged for trying to become VP. Mike, like Joe, comprehends right from wrong.
Even if he needed an assist from Dan Quayle, Pence ultimately did the right thing. For once in his life, at least. And TFG nearly got him killed for it.
Yes, I'd like to think most relatives would support other relatives. Trump has no allegiances and nobody should be his ally either. It's a fool's errand. Greed and power are the only gains.
I can only wonder how it feels for Mike Pence to be betrayed like Trump has done to him. How would I feel moving forward towards Trump? I think I know the answer but it wouldn't be wise for me to write it here.
My. Marcy is set! Got a cabin for next weekend just a few miles from the trailhead. Heading up Friday, attempting the summit and filming on Saturday, coming home Sunday. Yay for the Adirondacks!
I recently started watching the BBC miniseries of Pride & Prejudice (now streaming on Hulu). I got a kick out of a conversation between Lizzie Bennett and her friend who married the annoying Mr. Collins after Lizzie rejected his proposal. The friend was talking about how she encouraged Mr. Collins to spend as much time as possible in his garden, or going on long walks, or reading books in his study, so they barely saw each other. She pronounced herself quite content with that arrangement.
Can’t imagine why your comment made me think of that. 😺
I sent my sister the entire Project 2025 manual. She did not respond. She has previously said that it was "made up for the purposes of fear-mongering." At first she thought *I* was making it up, now she thinks left-wingers have made it up, and I tried telling her no, THEY THEMSELVES are promoting it, because they're proud of it for some unknown reason.
Why anyone would be proud is beyond me.
Now she has not responded, which means that her earlier denials did not work, so she's just going to try ignoring it, in the hopes that it will just go away.
I told my mother about Project 2025 a couple weeks ago (she's a dem tho she is the queen of both-siderism) but my mom was skeptical. Well she finally saw Project 2025 on the news or The View or something - and now she's all happy like she's in the know of what's going on. I just told her "I told you so"
We're in sunk cost fallacy territory. I think also people don't want to admit to themselves what their vote will bring about. "I'm voting for lower taxes/less regulation/etc." allows people to distance themselves from the horrible, fascist parts of things.
It doesn't do any good, but I refuse to give up. The most recent thing she said to me was that legislatures or the courts would somehow keep these things from going into effect, and maybe she's right. But who on earth wants to take those kinds of chances?
After hanging the broom in the hallway utility closet I stood in front of the doorway and viciously cursed a dusty old aerosol can of furniture polish.
Advancements that were intended to make our lives more comfortable have instead achieved the deadly antithesis thereof.
true in much of scientific research, too. all the money flows upward, old gear moves to the landfill, and almost everything also has a military use, allowing us to more effectively kill each other.
MSM: We’re not covering Trump’s lies, criminality, or mental decline because people already know about it. It’s not news. They don’t know Biden is old. That’s why we are laser focused on him. That’s why it’s newsworthy.
The average Biden supporter who watched the debate isn't buying the line being pushed by the M$M. Most all saw a buffoon with orange paint on his face shouting, lying and babbling while at the same time seeing an educated elder statesman that may have faltered a few times but also answered all of the questions put to him.
I think they really do want Trump back in the White House because think of all the stories they could write about the four-year train wreck. Regular competent governance doesn’t get clicks. We don’t want no-drama Obama talking about preexisting conditions clauses, we want Trump talking about shark windmill batteries.
I often think that’s an essential problem with human beings in general. They get bored and self-destructive. The craving for excitement is mostly fine if it drives you to take up heliskiing or whatever. But it’s so easy for demagogues to ride it to power. Vote for me. I’ll make things interesting. Where interesting may include mass detentions and the continents burning. When Drumpf was first running I talked to more airhead techbros who said something like oh things need to be shaken up, maybe this will be good. Seriously, do you also drive on the wrong side of the freeway when you’re bored? If you’re tired of days in the life raft do you start stabbing it with scissors? Do you pour gasoline on your furniture and light it? That’s electing most of the people who you seem to think are going to make things ‘interesting’.
I always liked that line about how Republicans are the screaming toddler kicking the back of the seat while the Democrats are the driver desperately trying to keep the car on the road.
Imagine how easy it made their jobs. Trump regularly tweeted out the most batshit nonsense overnight. A journalist without scruples could come into the office at nine, bang out a couple pages on how Trump's stupid and bad Tweet or Xwitter or Truth or whatever is stupid and bad, and be done in time for a liquid lunch.
Well, tire's fixed. While there, did some research on the alleged "Macklenburg Declaration of Independence" a document that probably doesn't really exist (and is a misremembering of the Mecklenburg Resolves, passed less than tow weeks later) but nonetheless North Carolinian like to believe it does. This was sparked by a tourist license plate for NC reading "First In Freedom" with the date of the alleged declaration of May 20, 1775.
Now, my initial reaction was "the hell you were" as NC was pretty obviously a slave state that went to war to keep its slaves in the 1860s, long after other states had freed them. Then, applying it to the Revolution, "that's a DARING license plate to bring to VA. Hell, I think Massachusetts would break your windows for it." Finally "ok, let's look this shit up then."
Anyway, very interesting tale of misremembering, plagiarism (as John Adams noted, either whoever wrote the Mecklenburg version plagiarized Jefferson's or Jefferson plagiarized theirs; in 1819 when it allegedly surfaced he sided with Jefferson), bickering academics, and of course a Southern state trying to make itself a past bastion of liberty when it wasn't. General consensus today is the Resolves were misremembered almost 50 years later by the few surviving signers because we actually HAVE records of those (conveniently signed by the same people) but the "Declaration" was allegedly lost around 1800. The Resolves were a LOT less radical than the alleged Declaration, tho still radical for their time.
One thing to keep in mind about the media, in particular the journalists, is they run in packs. Firesign Theater had a line about "yapping packs of news hounds."
And think about it this way -- sometimes, at night, a neighborhood dog will start barking. What about? Who knows? Squirrel? Rat? Stray cat? And in no time, the barking spreads across the neighborhood, until every dog in every yard is barking. What about? They're barking because they heard some other dog bark.
I think it was Amanda Marcotte who pointed out there's no way to shield him from prosecution without declaring him king, but they did their damnedest to walk right up to that line. And indeed, it still won't be enough.
Also, the hearing that this ruling now requires from the J6 trial is scheduled for September, and *all* the shit is going to be aired, publicly, right there in front'a god'n erry'body.
Our next Movie Night, July 13, is appropriate considering the weather. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐭.
"Junior: Syncopators. Does that mean you play that very fast music... jazz?
Sugar: Yeah. Real Hot.
Junior: I guess some like it hot. I personally prefer classical music."
https://open.substack.com/pub/ziggywiggy/p/wonkette-movie-night-july-13-some?r=2knfuc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I just got home a little while ago from seeing this on the big screen at the fabulous Coolidge Corner Theatre (coolidge.org). It's an even better movie than I remembered, and there were quite a few people in the audience who were seeing it for the first time. You just can't beat seeing a movie in a theater.
I will be hosting a Sunday Movie Matinee on my Substack, ziggy's stack.
Watching Chaplin's City Lights.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ziggywiggy/p/ziggys-movie-matinee-city-lights?r=2knfuc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Another excellent movie.
Great movie, soaked in nostalgia, about a time in young adolescence when boys are leaning as much or more on their friends as on their parents. The narrator says something about being 13 just once, and how you never have friendships like that again, and he’s right. You have other meaningful ones, especially and maybe most similarly in college when you are uncertain again and about to step out into the world an adult.
At 13, and exactly at 13, I had one summer with two buddies that I still remember very fondly, 37 years later. You are leaving grade school behind, embarking on middle school where kids start “going together” and having very confusing feelings. At 13 most boys are hitting puberty, which can be awkward and stressful. You start noticing girls or guys or whoever you like, and you feel things deeply. That’s what Stand By Me represents for me. Those 4 boys understood they were going through an awkward and emotional time between childhood and young adulthood. It’s scary, because you are practicing independence from your parents by leaning heavily on your friends. But you are still a kid, in many ways, and you need that security.
It’s a great story, directed with tremendous affection by Rob Reiner, and acted believably by the boys and memorably by Keifer Sutherland and a cameo by John Cusack. And yeah, Gordy choosing raw hamburger on a hot summer hike is a very odd choice. Maybe some canned chili, Gordo?
Stephen King is at the top of whatever is the opposite of my shit list this week because of his take on Monday's horrendous court decision:
"America has only ONE king -- and it's ME."
He’s right, but it’s King Crimson, and they weren’t from America.
Well, then they can be Kings of... Crimsonia... or wherever.
London, England, I believe.
My thing about “Stand by Me “—I was around the same age as the kids when it came out, so I would imagine a sequel with everyone and also me, the girl they were friends with, and we’d film and the movie would be great and I would get an Oscar nomination and River would fall in love with me.
And also maybe Kiefer would also fall in love with me.
"And also maybe Kiefer would also fall in love with me."
`
His character, Ace, recurs in several of Stephen King's books. Suffice it to say that, as is often the case with guys like that, he doesn't age well.
In my latest edition of Fuck Off, WaPo:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/06/kamala-harris-essence-biden/
Apparently Kamala Harris was interviewed at the Essence Festival, where she spoke at length about the administration’s accomplishments (like student loan debt relief), the policies and plans for a second term (like protecting abortion rights and improving maternal health care, especially for Black women), and how TFG is horrible and unfit to be President, especially after the recent SCOTUS decision that lets him do all the criming.
BUT, BUT, BUT: The article spends half its focus on the fact the interviewer did NOT ask Harris about Biden’s debate performance or calls for him to drop out of the race. Why, that’s practically journalistic malpractice, because that is the only thing potential voters who are at a festival for (check notes) Black women could possibly care about!!
At least they did include a quote from Rep. Maxine Waters, who is 85, and basically told everyone to vote Biden/Harris because that’s the fucking ticket, and everyone needs to get over themselves because TFG will destroy the country. I ❤️ her.
Tl;dr: Fuck Off, WaPo.
I'd rather vote for the older guy who stuttered and froze a couple of times than the raging lunatic with over 50, blatant and rather obvious, lies in 90 minutes. At least one of them knows right from wrong and is trying to help those other than himself.
Maxine is very rarely wrong, everyone should listen to her.
But of course, it's just best journalistic practice that Trump's death threats, open embrace of autocracy, and 8 years of rambling, disjointed speeches are completely insignificant.
Obviously.
They mention that Harris has been steadfast in her support of Biden. I can't imagine that any other answer would be coming from her. I don't see what WAPO is agitated about. Some questions you just don't ask because you know the answer.
Sure as hell didn't stop Snuffleupagus from repeatedly asking Joe Biden if he was dropping out. Asked and answered multiple times, asshole!
I thought we were talking about Harris, not TFG.
Not tfg. You said some questions aren’t asked because we know the answer already. George Stephanopoulos apparently didn’t get that message, as evidenced his beating of the dead horse on Friday.
WaPo is agitated because apparently every damned article remotely related to the election has to focus on BIDEN IS OLD and DEMS IN DISARRY. They’ve even started a “tracker” to keep count of any DEMs who have remotely questioned Biden’s fitness for office. Note that they don’t have such a tracker for GQP politicians who have questioned TFG’s fitness for office (and there are many).
Of course Harris is going to continue supporting Biden. It’s kind of the job. Pence did the same until TFG tried to have him killed.
The thing I don't understand is, Pence's brother STILL swears allegiance to Trump. My brother and I don't always see eye to eye, especially politically but I'd like to think he wouldn't back the asshole that tried to hang me. I disagree with Mike Pence but I don't wish to see him hanged for trying to become VP. Mike, like Joe, comprehends right from wrong.
Same with my sisters.
Even if he needed an assist from Dan Quayle, Pence ultimately did the right thing. For once in his life, at least. And TFG nearly got him killed for it.
Hello 2Cats, I hope you're doing well!
Yes, I'd like to think most relatives would support other relatives. Trump has no allegiances and nobody should be his ally either. It's a fool's errand. Greed and power are the only gains.
I can only wonder how it feels for Mike Pence to be betrayed like Trump has done to him. How would I feel moving forward towards Trump? I think I know the answer but it wouldn't be wise for me to write it here.
My. Marcy is set! Got a cabin for next weekend just a few miles from the trailhead. Heading up Friday, attempting the summit and filming on Saturday, coming home Sunday. Yay for the Adirondacks!
I am headed to the Adirondacks later in the week. Bug spray likely required.
Have fun!
I had to come into work today and hate to admit it but I’m lingering here…I like my time alone in air conditioned comfort.
I’m a loner and a whole day with even my beloved husband in our tiny condo gets on my nerves.
I recently started watching the BBC miniseries of Pride & Prejudice (now streaming on Hulu). I got a kick out of a conversation between Lizzie Bennett and her friend who married the annoying Mr. Collins after Lizzie rejected his proposal. The friend was talking about how she encouraged Mr. Collins to spend as much time as possible in his garden, or going on long walks, or reading books in his study, so they barely saw each other. She pronounced herself quite content with that arrangement.
Can’t imagine why your comment made me think of that. 😺
I’m in that club.
I hear there is going to be a new Sunday political show call "Biden is Old"
The LAST thing we need to do is give those avaricious fucking shit disturbers ANY ideas.
Agewatch.
The Old and the Breathless.
Followed by DEI: Special VP Unit
I sent my sister the entire Project 2025 manual. She did not respond. She has previously said that it was "made up for the purposes of fear-mongering." At first she thought *I* was making it up, now she thinks left-wingers have made it up, and I tried telling her no, THEY THEMSELVES are promoting it, because they're proud of it for some unknown reason.
Why anyone would be proud is beyond me.
Now she has not responded, which means that her earlier denials did not work, so she's just going to try ignoring it, in the hopes that it will just go away.
cognitive dissonance is a powerful drug. just ask the many many jews who went to their deaths without peep.
I told my mother about Project 2025 a couple weeks ago (she's a dem tho she is the queen of both-siderism) but my mom was skeptical. Well she finally saw Project 2025 on the news or The View or something - and now she's all happy like she's in the know of what's going on. I just told her "I told you so"
We're in sunk cost fallacy territory. I think also people don't want to admit to themselves what their vote will bring about. "I'm voting for lower taxes/less regulation/etc." allows people to distance themselves from the horrible, fascist parts of things.
I actually know a person who is a one-issue voter. He thinks taxes and the economy will be more favorable under Trump, and that's all he cares about.
That's so weird.
Just wait until the slave-labor camps open up! Boom times!
Good for you, always battle disinformation with facts.
It doesn't do any good, but I refuse to give up. The most recent thing she said to me was that legislatures or the courts would somehow keep these things from going into effect, and maybe she's right. But who on earth wants to take those kinds of chances?
The courts have just recently greased the skids, making it inevitable as soon as a not-Democrat weasels back into the White House.
Cultists do.
After hanging the broom in the hallway utility closet I stood in front of the doorway and viciously cursed a dusty old aerosol can of furniture polish.
Advancements that were intended to make our lives more comfortable have instead achieved the deadly antithesis thereof.
true in much of scientific research, too. all the money flows upward, old gear moves to the landfill, and almost everything also has a military use, allowing us to more effectively kill each other.
Technology is a one-way door most of the time.
I identify so much with this.
I can't remember ever before in my life vehemently cursing a can of Pledge as a factor in the destruction of the planet.
The irony shrieks back at me. The products I purchased to gratify my obsessive cleanliness have made one massive fucking MESS of everything.
All shall return to the Endust from whence it came.
Your three-eared bun sez hi.
https://substack.com/profile/76665937-weejee/note/c-61212414?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=19n7td
Damn, General Woundwort got that dude's ear, huh?
That's a jackalope missing an antler.
The media thinks we’re stupid.
MSM: We’re not covering Trump’s lies, criminality, or mental decline because people already know about it. It’s not news. They don’t know Biden is old. That’s why we are laser focused on him. That’s why it’s newsworthy.
The average Biden supporter who watched the debate isn't buying the line being pushed by the M$M. Most all saw a buffoon with orange paint on his face shouting, lying and babbling while at the same time seeing an educated elder statesman that may have faltered a few times but also answered all of the questions put to him.
I think they really do want Trump back in the White House because think of all the stories they could write about the four-year train wreck. Regular competent governance doesn’t get clicks. We don’t want no-drama Obama talking about preexisting conditions clauses, we want Trump talking about shark windmill batteries.
They would take credit for all the societal and scientific improvements and then make an effort to shut down any further progress,
I often think that’s an essential problem with human beings in general. They get bored and self-destructive. The craving for excitement is mostly fine if it drives you to take up heliskiing or whatever. But it’s so easy for demagogues to ride it to power. Vote for me. I’ll make things interesting. Where interesting may include mass detentions and the continents burning. When Drumpf was first running I talked to more airhead techbros who said something like oh things need to be shaken up, maybe this will be good. Seriously, do you also drive on the wrong side of the freeway when you’re bored? If you’re tired of days in the life raft do you start stabbing it with scissors? Do you pour gasoline on your furniture and light it? That’s electing most of the people who you seem to think are going to make things ‘interesting’.
Pretty good summary yep.
I always liked that line about how Republicans are the screaming toddler kicking the back of the seat while the Democrats are the driver desperately trying to keep the car on the road.
Imagine how easy it made their jobs. Trump regularly tweeted out the most batshit nonsense overnight. A journalist without scruples could come into the office at nine, bang out a couple pages on how Trump's stupid and bad Tweet or Xwitter or Truth or whatever is stupid and bad, and be done in time for a liquid lunch.
That and then writing books about “here’s even crazier stuff I didn’t report about so I could sell books!”
Plus, see how powerful they are! They “took down” another President! Just like Watergate!
They’re trying to pull a coup.
They don't want SCOTUS to get all the glory.
Well, tire's fixed. While there, did some research on the alleged "Macklenburg Declaration of Independence" a document that probably doesn't really exist (and is a misremembering of the Mecklenburg Resolves, passed less than tow weeks later) but nonetheless North Carolinian like to believe it does. This was sparked by a tourist license plate for NC reading "First In Freedom" with the date of the alleged declaration of May 20, 1775.
Now, my initial reaction was "the hell you were" as NC was pretty obviously a slave state that went to war to keep its slaves in the 1860s, long after other states had freed them. Then, applying it to the Revolution, "that's a DARING license plate to bring to VA. Hell, I think Massachusetts would break your windows for it." Finally "ok, let's look this shit up then."
Anyway, very interesting tale of misremembering, plagiarism (as John Adams noted, either whoever wrote the Mecklenburg version plagiarized Jefferson's or Jefferson plagiarized theirs; in 1819 when it allegedly surfaced he sided with Jefferson), bickering academics, and of course a Southern state trying to make itself a past bastion of liberty when it wasn't. General consensus today is the Resolves were misremembered almost 50 years later by the few surviving signers because we actually HAVE records of those (conveniently signed by the same people) but the "Declaration" was allegedly lost around 1800. The Resolves were a LOT less radical than the alleged Declaration, tho still radical for their time.
One thing to keep in mind about the media, in particular the journalists, is they run in packs. Firesign Theater had a line about "yapping packs of news hounds."
And think about it this way -- sometimes, at night, a neighborhood dog will start barking. What about? Who knows? Squirrel? Rat? Stray cat? And in no time, the barking spreads across the neighborhood, until every dog in every yard is barking. What about? They're barking because they heard some other dog bark.
"yapping packs of news hounds."
Just like in the documentaries "Anchorman and Anchorman Two".
You’re right—our dog did not bark, so when that would start up she would just look at us like, “what are they all hollering about?”
Though when the coyotes would howl she would start tossing her head at the door—“they’re calling me!”
A dinner invitation.
It's 𝗗𝗡𝗡 ... Doggo News Network
We’ve seen 101 Dalmatians, so we know it’s actually a canine communications network.
Trainer succeeds in herding cats! (and dogs and birds?)
https://x.com/buitengebieden/status/1809504559963816060
I showed this to my cat, and he said, “these cats have no fucking self-respect.”
Point out to him that he doesn't get tuna every meal, either.
WHAR bunny?
Rght?
FACT FOCUS: Trump wasn’t exonerated by the presidential immunity ruling, even though he says he was
https://apnews.com/article/trump-fact-check-immunity-supreme-court-exoneration-f5ee8ff71d2153da3efbf7bb0818d249?utm_source=RecoReel&utm_medium=articlePage&utm_id=Taboola
SCOTUS disgraced itself and rewrote the Constitution for Trump, but it still wasn't enough. What a bunch of idiots.
I think it was Amanda Marcotte who pointed out there's no way to shield him from prosecution without declaring him king, but they did their damnedest to walk right up to that line. And indeed, it still won't be enough.
Also, the hearing that this ruling now requires from the J6 trial is scheduled for September, and *all* the shit is going to be aired, publicly, right there in front'a god'n erry'body.
unless they figure out yet another way to delay