The Frankish Reich

Exactly. I saw this happen a couple times with my mother. The scariest one was when she started speaking gibberish for about 30 seconds. I sat her down, she relaxed and no doubt her blood pressure dropped, and then she was perfectly fine within 2 minutes, like nothing had happened. And she had no memory of anything unusual happening. And yes, she's on blood thinners and her hands and arms are constantly bruising from minimal contact. I've seen it happen right in front of me. And yes, the second time around I definitely knew it when I saw it.

To a large extent still true, but I'm troubled by the apparent spread of "American" style mass shootings to other countries too. And political assassinations (which the Kirk killing certainly seems to be) appear to be on the rise worldwide too. These things used to make me angry. Now I just find myself depressed, just praying for it to stop.

This shooting, and in my area this one at a school. Thankfully only the shooter died. This is a safe area in the foothills of the Rockies. In fact, a friend of mine moved to Evergreen specifically because he wanted a safe, small town type environment for his kids. People up there have guns (not necessarily handguns, which was what was used here) because it's not unheard of for wildlife like bears to wander up onto your deck. I really don't know what to do anymore.

I remember this - the ridiculous Trump denial about the Access Hollywood tape.

I think Trump's anger is real. But I'm open to arguments that the US knew and must publicly condemn it while privately accepting (or even celebrating?) it as necessary. Which one?

Inherent in my comment is that nobody in the LGBT community should support Hamas and the other corrupt and evil mostly self-appointed leaders of the Palestinian cause. That is quite different from supporting the Palestinian cause itself.

It is not misogynistic to value taste and beauty over the tasteless and tacky. It is not homophobic to point out the thinly veiled homoeroticism that is inherent in the Cult of Trump, or the self-hating sexual identity that is inherent in supporting someone who would seek to outlaw your own marriage.

What's the old saying, if it bleeds it leads? And the corollary: if it's a pretty white female victim and a black perp, it sends the alt right into an ecstatic posting fury?

Irv, we hardly knew ye. Once again, everyone, with passion this time: What. A. Mess.

I went to Ireland a couple times as a kid. I'm from an Irish American family, and my dad had that typical desire to see where his people came from. I'm talking the mid-late 70s here. Basically half a century ago. It was striking how poor it was. Horse drawn dairy carts going down the streets of Limerick. Men dressed like something out of a 1950s Irish countryside movie. Dreary, old, seemingly stuck in the past. It was fascinating for me as a kid, but I also understood why the hell people would do anything to get to America. (Much like a lot of other people today.) There's now basically zero illegal immigration from Ireland to the USA. There's probably a net out-migration. Ireland is wealthy. It is a lot more like America. I went back a few years ago. Dublin is booming with new business and immigrants from all over the world. Lots on tech company visas, lots from now-poorer EU/Schengen countries working in the bars and hospitality, and somewhat smaller numbers from developing countries working as manual workers. It is not as interesting to a standard American like me as it was 50 years ago, but that's because it is in all material ways better and more like us. Ireland made a bargain to give up some of what made it particularly "Irish" in exchange for material things. It's less ethnically Irish, far, far less Catholic, far far far more open. I do see that there was something that was lost, and I imagine that's behind some of the nostalgia and fear. Yes, crime is real and maybe it was a bit too much too soon for what was previously an extremely insular society. But joining the rest of the world economy has overall been a tremendous benefit for Ireland and its people. We need to remember that too even as they debate whether some things need to be tweaked.

I just saw the money line was Bills -330, which gives an implied 77% chance of winning. So you're right where Vegas is now. I do think the Jets will be the most improved team in football this year, and our only real competition in the division. Given that this is an early season game (where true talent probably wins out less frequently) and in NJ, if forced to bet this one I would take the Jets at +260. Which I won't do because I'd never bet against the Bills!

Let me remind you in clear terms: Mitt Romney vs. Kamala or Joe? I voting for Mitt (as I did in 2012) Marco Rubio (the 2016 version) vs. Kamala or Joe? Rubio. Yes, I am a never-Trumper, and I think the reasons for that should be obvious. Anyone who was a Mitt/Rubio Republican c. 2012-2016 should be appalled by the total capitulation of the Republican Party to one weird self-serving dotard.

Oh, for me he passed his expiration date a long time ago. It's just now that the blue-green mold is starting to show. The J6 hissy fit should've finished him off, but, well, Biden/Kamala.

The big question for me: that 2003 phony huge check signed "Trump" refers to a "depreciated" asset (young woman, no doubt) sold to Trump. The name is redacted. Presumably she is out there somewhere. And like all such things, the truth will come out. Unrelated: Trump proposed to Melania in 2004.

It is Tuesday, September 9th and the last 2 week ultimatum expired last Thursday.

It certainly can last when someone is on blood thinners. Do you use the same cover-up?

Oh, it was pretty good. Although your buddy lobbed me a softball with that "Is Nepal's J6 a Harbinger for Ireland?" post. Actually, that post was some special kind of humor all by itself.

Remember, a pal is a wonderful thing.

Hmm, still there, huh?

OK, let's hear your best. So far all I've got is so-and-so once said such-and-such several years ago.

Maybe Trump should invite the lil fooker to fight on the White House lawn patio on the 4th of July. I nominate Canelo as his opponent. Can the Mexiginger vanquish the Irish ginger? The symbolism would flummox Dan Brown. Wow. Deep. Because Ireland is kind of the Nepal of the Atlantic. I'll remember that next time I mount a challenge to Carrauntoohil, having already conquered Everest.

/ / / / / / / / / / / Delayed response to save his sensitive eyes. Let me see if I have this right: The downward revision of BLS stats during Trump's term cannot be trusted. The downward revision of BLS stats during Biden's term is obviously correct.

This will no doubt be an issue for Bill Gates when he runs for President.

Even for you, this is a preposterously ham handed attempt to divert attention from the focus of this thread.

The Ghislaine "interview" with DOJ thing is starting to smell even worse. Questions about the authenticity of the birthday book? Well, Ghislaine would know, right? Did she ask Trump for his submission? Did Trump give it to her? But now, with a little you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours transfer to a minimum security women's prison, work release, and the dangling of a pardon, do you really think she'd ever say anything against Trump's interests? That "interview" was utterly unnecessary for any purpose at this time. You never, ever, ever interview the subject of the investigation at any time other than last. Here they did it first. I wonder why.