The phrase, "Come and take it,” comes from 1835, the year that settlers of Texas declared their independence from Mexico. The Mexican government had given a very small cannon to the settlers at Gonzales. to help them defend themselves against the Native Americans who were very numerous at that time. When the Texas settlers revolted, the Mexican government ordered the people of Gonzales to return the cannon. The settlers replied, “Come and take it." The Mexican government never got that cannon back.
However, the Texas Revolution was not all guts and glory. Many settlers fled the state in 1835 for safety in Louisiana. This event is known as the Great Skedaddle.
This shows that folks have been leaving Texas in a holy hurry since 1835.
But also: It echoes "Molon labe," which ammosexual nudniks like to invoke when getting all het up about the gummint taking their precious guns. Gemini:
"Molon Labe" is a classical Greek phrase meaning "come and take" or "come and get them". It's famously known as the defiant response of King Leonidas of Sparta to the Persian army's demand for surrender at the Battle of Thermopylae. The phrase is often used to express defiance and resistance against overwhelming odds
You're absolutely right. I never made the connection. But I have severe doubts that the settlers at Gonzales knew their Greek history. I think it's a matter of parallel circumstances
In my book club tonight we were discussing the endless hypocrisy of the Republicans, because no one said anything about Mike Johnson shutting down the House early so that he could avoid voting on something he did not want to, releasing the Epstein files, and then they complain about the Democrats in Texas. What nerve.
Also, I have been advocating that blue states turn the tables on the Republicans and insist on no more federal taxes and have people pay their federal taxes to their state instead since the states are now going to have to cover everything that the federal government was before Trump disbanded it and stole our tax money mainly to fund his military and private army (ICE) and merge them together, Oh! and his billionaire buddies. My state of Illinois can collect enough for us to pay for pension, health care, education, disaster relief, transportation, roads, child care, poverty support,
and if we hold the purse strings we can decide who we trade with, whether we have gun control laws, whether we have abortion and whether we want immigrants and how we want to handle them. I even think we should have our own militaries. And, states can pool funds to invest if they want. It is their money.
I am reading Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy, Inc." in my book club, which is making this make more and more sense to me.
I agree! How can this be done before next tax season or even my Estimated Taxes are due? I've been holding off the last 2 quarters in case some solution is possible as I perceive my taxes due are being used for incarceration, militarization and Trump lawyers up to no good.
Withholding taxes is not something a governor can do though. It is the people in the state. I think that Blue State governors should be working with their Congressional politicians to draft a bill that says State's rights to run their own affairs, and they will expect no services from the federal government that they do not pay for directly, and push that through in the senate.
Originally it was like that. Federal taxes were largely instituted in the Civil War to pay for the war.
Same here. To see the Dems finally fighting fire with fire is like a big breath of fresh air. These corrupt as fuck GOP shitweasels know they're going to have their asses handed to them in the mid terms. The only way they can possibly win is to do what they always do, cheat like hell. They know Dear Cheater is an epic failure and hopefully more will continue to jump the sinking ship.
They're using him, just like he's using them. They know he's a crappy president and businessman, but he's gotten them what they wanted. They just don't realize there are too many of us on the democracy side who are fighting like hell all the time and will do our best to see they are NEVER elected again.
They're not going to have their asses handed to them if Dem voters don't show up to the polls... which is historically what happens. (A large part of why we are where we are, is because 2010 midterms handed hundreds of seats to stinky republicans, who then proceeded to change state voting laws to benefit their party.)
The cheaters always have dirty tricks up their sleeve and it is suspicious that they continue hell bent on their unpopular agenda. So what is our plan?
I'm not suggesting that. However, we need more like the three governors to join forces so it won't be like fighting a battleship with a pea shooter like it was for a while.
Happy for you, JT. Every day I marvel at your ability to crank out this blog in the black days of America's Nero. I admit - I'm tuning out a lot for my sanity. So this is a good day for all of us. Thanks!
Good Lord, the repugnicans pushed Kelly Ayotte down our throats in the 2024 election. She’s a bloody nightmare with her kissing the ass of Fuckface. I personally would love it if you will share your governor with us here in New Hampshire…
I believe Pritzger should be Dems nominee for Prez. He's got that Chicago like swagger and tone. Add a bit of mob boss manner with a way of....getting things done. I like him
U.S. voters elected Barack Obama over a white man - twice, so we are more apt to vote for a black man over a woman of any race. That’s the gross, misogynistic reality of America. I really thought we had turned a corner when we elected Barack Obama. Now look where we are at. Blecchhh…
It’s at moments such as this that I like to bring up Shirley Chisholm’s observation, from a 2003 interview: ”I met far more discrimination being a woman than being black when I moved out into the political arena.”
Frankly, I don't think we need billionaires at all, but at least he's not a fking fascist like most of them. We need all hands-on deck right now. I loathe the patriarchy and want it dead, but we work with what we have.
Yeah, he had both the gravitas and the blue-collar appeal (how a billionaire can successfully do that is a wonder) to attract a wide swath of citizens.
Andy Bashear must run for Kentucky’s Senate seat first, helping us to flip the Senate. He actually can win there and will be far more effective that way. He can run for Prez later.
I live in Southern Indiana and Andy Bashear is everything Bitch McConnell is NOT. I would definitely vote for him, he's humble and a hard worker, studied under his own Dad. He would be a great President.
Yes, Raskin is a good one too. He has a good way with words. Especially when criticizing trump. And trump hates him. It would be great to see Raskin win, it would infuriate trump. LOL
JB Pritzker would be a great choice for president but it might be a bridge to far for many of our citizens because he is Jewish. Many of our “fellow “ citizens still believe that my ancestors killed Jesus.
His family must've been so relieved when he was finally gone. I remember them all speaking out about his incompetence on a commercial. FFS, how embarrassing and yet he still won I believe.
This is pure joy. And thank you for giving a shout out to the WOMAN who had the balls to stand up and tell it like it is! Governor Hochul for the big win! More of this please!
Of all the democracy loving elected officials that exist, I did not have Kathy Hochul on my Bingo card for being the first Dem to stand up and tell us we are in a WAR. I used to have doubts about her when she was first appointed, but, no more.
Jeff, I just copied this from the San Diego News in answer to the question: "Is gerrymandering illegal?" ANSWER: Not under the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 2019 case originating from North Carolina, ruled that federal courts have no authority to decide whether partisan gerrymandering goes too far. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: “The Constitution supplies no objective measure for assessing whether a districting map treats a political party fairly.” I'm still trying to jam that into my squash of a brain. But I think it's going to explode. Blam.
And this is why the gubernatorial races are so important. From abortion rights, and funding for education, to drawing battle lines in cases like this, we need our states to be run by democrats with balls.
"Why do people say, 'grow some balls'? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you really want to get tough grow a vagina. Those things take a pounding." -- Attributed to various people
Good for you, that's important. (I'm 79). Without women, there would be no men. I like this quote: "In ancient times women were considered Divine because we were known to bleed without dying and gave birth to new life. There is power in our bellies and wombs that deserves our honoring." --Alisa Starkweather
Yes Stephanie...Governorship AND legislatures. When the right wing operationalized Operation REDMAP, they focused laserlike on capturing state houses, succeeded and now we know they can defenestrate Dems, even if Dems win the Presidency, by having all Red states vote against seating Dems on Jan. 6. Look at all the damage that has been done by red states banish abortion, ignoring laws, et al.
Governor Hot Wheels is a beneficiary of DEI, so he needs to shut it. Without the ADA he wouldn't have wheelchair ramps and handicapped accessible parking and dining.
An interesting thing about Abbot. He ended up in a wheelchair because a neighbor’s tree fell on him. He got a huge settlement, then pushed liability limits that he profited from.
He made a conscious effort to appease his oligarch donors and legislated against the very people who, like him, needed assistance. This goes to the root of his evil. He respects one thing and one thing only. 💰
Speaking as one who also uses a wheelchair, I agree w/ you 100%. Don't forget, also, that he probably gets a BIG FAT PRICE CUT from insurance & etc, on the "durable Medical equipment" he depends on, as well as repairs, just like we ALL do. Then he treats others who are in the same boat like undeserving little scroungers. The difference, of course, is that doing away w/ all that won't affect *his* rich ass. Not everyone is PRIVILEGED ENOUGH to pay for this shit on their own. 🤬
This is a bit off subject, but I think it needs to be shared: My "boyfriend" (72) has Parkinson's Disease and has a motorized Wheelchair. It uses two batteries and requires both to be replaced at the same time, but they cost $400.00. He only gets disability from SS and I think they will pay for those batteries but it's a lot of paperwork and takes time. I called the Township Assessor and explained the problem, they offered to buy the batteries (and DID!), and then the guy helped him install them when he brought them.
Without the wheelchair, he probably wouldn't have been elected, either. He sure doesn't act like he had experience as TX Attorney General and a justice on the TX Supreme Court. Of course, Ted Cruz doesn't act like he had expertise in constitutional law, either. Lugnuts, both.
Out of the frying pan! Ohio is also under fascist rule. Did you know they just gave a billionaire owner of the Cleveland Browns $600 million to build another stadium. The money comes out of the general fund and was originally earmarked for, you guessed it, EDUMACATION.
I will leave the negative impact of that legislative decision as an exercise for the reader.
I'm unfortunate enough to be living in the "Duck District" - which is "represented" <snort!> by #GymJordan. Tell me about it! 🙄😱 I don't think Jimmy One-Shirt has visited this area for YRS. He just collects his MAGAt votes, & the little pedo skuttles away into the night, like the cockroach he is. At least Cleveland is a *little* better.
Cleveland is a blue bubble. Actually, much of northern Ohio is blue, as are Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. It's just that the state is so heavily gerrymandered., despite votes and court rulings to change it.
Well, I live in Seneca Co, which is *definitely* northern Ohio. I wish that blue bubble extended to the people *here*. A few yrs ago, a friend of mine got T-BONED in her SUV, by the ignorant 🚽rump Train morons, because she tried to take advantage to a gap in their little traffic tantrum, to cross the street. She was pinned in her car when they *drug her car into a tree* & left her there. Oh, yeah....the cops came....& THEY SENT THE MAGAtS ON THEIR MERRY WAY, W/ NO CHARGES. Fortunately, my friend wasn't hurt *too* badly - broken arm, & tons of scrapes & bruises. Can you imagine how our illustrious cops would have responded if one of those *MAGAts* had gotten injured??? 🤬
What an awful story! And yes, if it had been a MAGAt who was injured, somebody non-MAGAt would be in the slam.
I know that Toledo is blue (Marcy Kaptur), and I believe that most of the north shore is blue, and of course, Cleveland and many of the eastern counties/towns. Rural areas, not so much. For instance, Gym Jordan's district west of Columbus.
I’ve hated Gym Jordan since I saw him badgering Elizabeth Blaisy Ford during the Kavanaugh hearings. The more I’ve heard him or about him, the more hateful and poisonous he seems to be. 🤮🤬
You bet I know. And the Browns' owner now wants the most impoverished people in the county to pay a "sin tax" THREE TIMES higher than it is now, for future repairs and renovations. The money actually comes from an unclaimed funds fund and now angry people are looking themselves up to see if they are owed money. If they were going to steal that money, they could've used it to make the public schools whole after claiming they didn't have enough money to fully fund them. But noooooo.... They do have enough money however, to radically increase the number of education welfare checks aka vouchers going to wealthy families to help them pay for exclusive private schools as well as for kids attend pedophile factories aka Catholic schools.
Which is why EVERYONE should be checking their State's Unclaimed Funds website....& if you're on it, GET YOUR MONEY AWAY FROM THEM! I literally just did that a few wks ago here in OH, & my check for a hair under $2K is on it's way to me. Remember: Nobody can take advantage of you (or your money) unless you LET THEM!
Colorado is currently under scrutiny for that scenario with the Broncos. The NFL seems to be following rump's extortionist playbook. Build a new stadium or we'll leave.
Chicago, my hometown, too. The problem is that there are very few major markets left for them to move to and the smaller markets might want a team but can't afford the entry fee.
My family now lives under fascist rule in Ohio, where votes don’t count and the Republicons always know what is really best for its’ citizens, despite their wishes.
True dat. As you probably know, Walt, the latest scheme is to legislate to effectively nullify the abortion rights constitutional amendment approved by 60% of voters two years ago.
Yep, and the same shit is happening in Missouri, another hijacked state. Popular votes no longer are binding. There are “real safety issues,” they say (Mike DeWine, on a vote to legalize cannabis - “we have to consider the health and welfare of our community before taking such drastic steps (paraphrasing).”
Meanwhile, they are stripping public education BARE.
There are no longer any guardrails for the fascists in charge. Ohio, I used to know you.
As someone who's depended on Medical MJ for pain control close to four yrs now, I'm VERY concerned over what DeWhiner is going to do to the system. Being in place & successful, as it's been, doesn't mean it's OUT OF THEIR GRASP.
Just can’t get used to the fact that the things we vote on are taken as, "suggestions." At this rate, candidate choices won't matter, either. On second thought, they already don't. See: GWB in Ohio, 2004, and DJT in swing states, 2024.
Yep, Cleveland DOES rock. When he was here making a movie a few years ago, Kevin Costner said we should never publicize the city, because it should never be commercialized. He loved the city and evidently couldn't get over how much it has to offer. He's right.
I have friends who left their long-standing & beloved home in Key West, just over a yr ago, to move back north. But they decided to drive *straight past Ohio*, & settled just barely over the border, in ❌️ichigan. They figured there were probably a FEW more sane people there right now.
I’m stuck in Florida. Originally from New York. I’d move but my family’s here. I really hate living in a red state. At least I’m in Blue Broward County and my friends agree with me politically. But as for the governor and senators??? They suck imo!
My friend who moved back left a 90 year old dad in Florida. Another friend of mine who moved back moved her 95-year-old mother up north with her. She moved when she retired from the Florida university system. She told me a few years ago she got a certificate from the state honoring her service and was planning to mail it make to DeSantis with some choice words about what she thought of his tampering with education!
When he was nominated to be Sec of Energy, a department he proposed eliminating when he was running for preznit, he did not know that the DOE is responsible for the nation's nuclear power plants AND our nuclear weapons arsenal. An ignoramus supremo
Before that happened, Perry was in a debate and stated vociferously, “we must end 3 federal departments that accomplish nothing!”
When asked what those departments were, he could name only 2. The Department of Energy he couldn’t remember, so the Republicons made him the Director of it.
Was the “dumbing down” of America by the Republicans the initiative for the start of widespread homeschooling? Or, was homeschooling started by well meaning, creative parents who had their creation corrupted for political gain?
Walt, didn't I bring this up yesterday? Doc, I know you're not Walt, but he and I had this conversation yesterday. As a matter I had this whole column's conversation yesterday, for those of you who missed it. I'll reprise it later in this column.
What I'd love to see is the Texas effort fail and the NY can Cali govs say "tough shit" and go ahead with their plans. NC has already been rigged by repubs.
"Michelle Obama’s famous slogan, “when they go low, we go high” sounds really great on paper — but in a time of war, it’s a good way to get your head blown off.
and believe me, we are in a time of war — a war to preserve whatever scraps of democracy we still can, while there’s still a chance."
We are at war. There is no other responsible way of describing it.
GOD BLESS MOLLY IVINS! She also used to refer to the Texas Legislature as “the National Laboratory of Bad Government”! Everybody needs to watch the documentary about her, “Raise Hell”. I’m sure it’s available on several streaming services. Come to think of it, I need to rewatch it. She will inspire us all. And light a fire under our collective butts!
Democrats of all sexes having balls is such a relief to see. What's interesting though is that they're all governors. So, are they wired different or is it because they are really the only ones with any power left given the GOP controls everything in DC?
Both. They are also not tied to the Senate’s infamous and useless “rules of civility” which the Rethuglicans break whenever it suits them while caterwauling when the Dems occasionally follow suit
Evidently, there is a way that California could redraw its maps to have no Republican seats. That would be the biggest in-your-face to Abbott and Trump.
How old are you? Do you remember when the legislature drew the lines? Believe me, the non partisan commission for which we voted is much better. If we were in the same situation as NC or TX, I could see your point, but right now I don't. The system we have is fair. I have contributed money to Democrats running for office in red states, and they don't win. That leads me to believe we should secede. We don't belong in the same country with red states.
It's time now to fire up ye olde bulldozer. Human rights violation lawsuits and criminal charges against Red governors. Abbot up first, the DeSantis.
This whole thing will get a spark that will move it to a new level, it's been simmering long enough. They could arrest Obama (which would turn him into a god), or start experimenting with seizing firearms "in the name of national security".
It's accelerating. They have over-reached, and will not stop.
Well said and no shit. The whole point is that when people sarcastically said they were sorry for my loss when Kamala lost, I said that it was them that I pity. The loss of research, medical protections as well as oversight to climate or lawlessness in general will hurt them all. Stupid people.
this might be the first time I've *enjoyed* writing a piece since the election
And I sure enjoyed reading it!
mission accomplished
COME AND TAKE IT
The phrase, "Come and take it,” comes from 1835, the year that settlers of Texas declared their independence from Mexico. The Mexican government had given a very small cannon to the settlers at Gonzales. to help them defend themselves against the Native Americans who were very numerous at that time. When the Texas settlers revolted, the Mexican government ordered the people of Gonzales to return the cannon. The settlers replied, “Come and take it." The Mexican government never got that cannon back.
However, the Texas Revolution was not all guts and glory. Many settlers fled the state in 1835 for safety in Louisiana. This event is known as the Great Skedaddle.
This shows that folks have been leaving Texas in a holy hurry since 1835.
But also: It echoes "Molon labe," which ammosexual nudniks like to invoke when getting all het up about the gummint taking their precious guns. Gemini:
"Molon Labe" is a classical Greek phrase meaning "come and take" or "come and get them". It's famously known as the defiant response of King Leonidas of Sparta to the Persian army's demand for surrender at the Battle of Thermopylae. The phrase is often used to express defiance and resistance against overwhelming odds
You're absolutely right. I never made the connection. But I have severe doubts that the settlers at Gonzales knew their Greek history. I think it's a matter of parallel circumstances
Great Skedaddle! I remember The Runaway Scrape, but this sounds fun too!
I think the Great skedaddle and the Runaway Scrape are the same event!
In my book club tonight we were discussing the endless hypocrisy of the Republicans, because no one said anything about Mike Johnson shutting down the House early so that he could avoid voting on something he did not want to, releasing the Epstein files, and then they complain about the Democrats in Texas. What nerve.
Also, I have been advocating that blue states turn the tables on the Republicans and insist on no more federal taxes and have people pay their federal taxes to their state instead since the states are now going to have to cover everything that the federal government was before Trump disbanded it and stole our tax money mainly to fund his military and private army (ICE) and merge them together, Oh! and his billionaire buddies. My state of Illinois can collect enough for us to pay for pension, health care, education, disaster relief, transportation, roads, child care, poverty support,
and if we hold the purse strings we can decide who we trade with, whether we have gun control laws, whether we have abortion and whether we want immigrants and how we want to handle them. I even think we should have our own militaries. And, states can pool funds to invest if they want. It is their money.
I am reading Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy, Inc." in my book club, which is making this make more and more sense to me.
I agree! How can this be done before next tax season or even my Estimated Taxes are due? I've been holding off the last 2 quarters in case some solution is possible as I perceive my taxes due are being used for incarceration, militarization and Trump lawyers up to no good.
Governor Newsom threatened to withhold California’s federal taxes from the federal government also. Californians pay 15.8% of federal taxes collected.
Withholding taxes is not something a governor can do though. It is the people in the state. I think that Blue State governors should be working with their Congressional politicians to draft a bill that says State's rights to run their own affairs, and they will expect no services from the federal government that they do not pay for directly, and push that through in the senate.
Originally it was like that. Federal taxes were largely instituted in the Civil War to pay for the war.
Thank you for the history lesson. I love learning new things!
Thank you! I was just about to look it up! :-)
I live in Texas. I’d skedaddle today if I could, but unfortunately my circumstances won’t allow it. But some day 🙁
Same here. To see the Dems finally fighting fire with fire is like a big breath of fresh air. These corrupt as fuck GOP shitweasels know they're going to have their asses handed to them in the mid terms. The only way they can possibly win is to do what they always do, cheat like hell. They know Dear Cheater is an epic failure and hopefully more will continue to jump the sinking ship.
They're using him, just like he's using them. They know he's a crappy president and businessman, but he's gotten them what they wanted. They just don't realize there are too many of us on the democracy side who are fighting like hell all the time and will do our best to see they are NEVER elected again.
They're not going to have their asses handed to them if Dem voters don't show up to the polls... which is historically what happens. (A large part of why we are where we are, is because 2010 midterms handed hundreds of seats to stinky republicans, who then proceeded to change state voting laws to benefit their party.)
?
The cheaters always have dirty tricks up their sleeve and it is suspicious that they continue hell bent on their unpopular agenda. So what is our plan?
So Bernie, Mamdani, Hogg, and Frost aren't good enough for you?
I'm not suggesting that. However, we need more like the three governors to join forces so it won't be like fighting a battleship with a pea shooter like it was for a while.
Like bringing a knife to a gun fight. I’m sick of it too.
Happy for you, JT. Every day I marvel at your ability to crank out this blog in the black days of America's Nero. I admit - I'm tuning out a lot for my sanity. So this is a good day for all of us. Thanks!
Im with Stephanie, I enjoy reading them.
Amdittedly, though, Jeff, I have to tell you, I had to start writing a positive article at the end of the day, to upswing all the shit fuck news.
Pritzker is JB, not JD.
do you know that I make this mistake EVERY SINGLE TIME? ugh
I blame Couchfuck
Couchfuck (Vladimir Futon) deserves all the blame he can get (as well as derision, mocking, and general ridicule . . .).
Brilliant, George!
Just when ya think no one can come up with another great name for jd, here you come!
I think it came from Jeff (along with so many other gems). 😁
Vladimir Futon? OMG! How did Jeff not come up with this?
We ALL blame Couchfuck.
Goddamn Couchfuck!
You are forgiven, Jeff. And as a longtime Chicagoan, I would like to say that I am SO PROUD of my governor, Fightin’ JB Pritzker!!!
J.B. is the best thing that ever happened to Illinois. I would (but I don't want) to share.
If there's any justice in the world, JB will eventually be a leader for ALL of us.
Good Lord, the repugnicans pushed Kelly Ayotte down our throats in the 2024 election. She’s a bloody nightmare with her kissing the ass of Fuckface. I personally would love it if you will share your governor with us here in New Hampshire…
We need JB here in Florida! Desperately!!!
We are all proud of Pritzker, as well as Hocul and Newsom. How can we let them know how many millions are behind them and supporting their moves???
Think of 'JB' Scotch when you think of Pritzger. Our Dem mob boss in the smoky back room strategizin' and not taking any shit from the right wing!
And I KEEP making mistake of spelling JBs name wrong...its PritzKER. Thank you for your attention to this matter 🤪
Pritz"k"er 😉
that's also a mistake I make over and over, but at least I've trained myself to look for that one
I know! I do to and I'm from Chicago.
Mnemonic trick: Remember that JD stands for "juvenile delinquent," which is why we apply it to Vance. You're welcome!
Are you sure it isn’t “autocorrect”?!
Haha. Ye Do to.
Great article as usual Jeff.
Great to see So Many Dems come together at last.
The old fossils tho’…. Time to go! Bye. Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out Chuck et al. 💚
I do it too. I also have spelled his last name wrong.It is “ Pritzker” and I have used” Pritzger”
Actually it's J & B Scotch Whiskey?
Then there’s always JB (Jim Beam)
Elation is a blessing and a curse sometimes.
Hope is the gateway to disappointment.
Forgiven
He’s now JP in one spot! It was JD before 😆
You are consistent ! celebrate 🥳
I believe Pritzger should be Dems nominee for Prez. He's got that Chicago like swagger and tone. Add a bit of mob boss manner with a way of....getting things done. I like him
And he’s male. We have proven that this shithole country refuses to elect a woman as president.
Was just gonna say this. Also, he’s white, therefore he’s pre-qualified to be the candidate.
U.S. voters elected Barack Obama over a white man - twice, so we are more apt to vote for a black man over a woman of any race. That’s the gross, misogynistic reality of America. I really thought we had turned a corner when we elected Barack Obama. Now look where we are at. Blecchhh…
It’s at moments such as this that I like to bring up Shirley Chisholm’s observation, from a 2003 interview: ”I met far more discrimination being a woman than being black when I moved out into the political arena.”
They call it the Whitelash....taking 5 steps back after a bit of progress
Between gerrymandering and Elon fixing the election both women were screwed out of the presidency…
Yeah, old white guys test better!
Sadly, it has to be a white male with swagger. Sigh. Reality bites.
Plus, he's a legit billionaire; one of the few I actually like.
So — another stale pale male billionaire?
Frankly, I don't think we need billionaires at all, but at least he's not a fking fascist like most of them. We need all hands-on deck right now. I loathe the patriarchy and want it dead, but we work with what we have.
With perhaps Warren as VP. She's got the chops, the savvy, and the gravitas to be perfect in that slot.
Sigh.
Yeah, he had both the gravitas and the blue-collar appeal (how a billionaire can successfully do that is a wonder) to attract a wide swath of citizens.
He’s at the top of my list right now, ever since I saw him on the “telly” speaking in NH. Now he’s backing up those fighting words.
It's "on telly," not "on the telly." Same as "I went in hospital" (no "the"). British English is hard!
"I'm a pedant only when I'm wrong." -- Me
Unnecessary within this type of banter. The only thing we learn is you are being a snob.
Thank you, Displaced. I stand corrected.
I like Andy Bashear because governor of a Red state yet he's Democrat.
I really like Pritzker a lot, but he's Jewish, and I'm afraid of ( closet) antisemites.
Andy Bashear must run for Kentucky’s Senate seat first, helping us to flip the Senate. He actually can win there and will be far more effective that way. He can run for Prez later.
I heard he was visiting some out of state towns as if he were testing the presidential water.
Also, Bashear is still fairly young. We definitely need to get some younger people who want to run!
I agree totally!!
I live in Southern Indiana and Andy Bashear is everything Bitch McConnell is NOT. I would definitely vote for him, he's humble and a hard worker, studied under his own Dad. He would be a great President.
We need a winner plain and simple!
Newsom should run, he's white, not old ,
not Jewish & easy on the eyes .🙂
And California has already met the 2030 climate goals.
I did not know that. I love my adopted home state.
He's a bit slick but he comes across as tough.
I don't see him as slick. I see him as realistic. Nobody's perfect. He sees the future.
And knows how to fight against Trump and the maggots.
Connecticut Chris Murphy or my favorite Mayor Pete!
Love Mayor Pete but if we won't elect a woman, we certainly would not elect a gay man, however qualified he might be. Sad fact.
I agree totally!
I am still hoping for Jamie Raskin. When he was in chemotherapy he stared down House Republicans and cancer simultaneously!
I love Jamie and would vote for him in a heartbeat. But is the “country” ready for a Jewish president?
I would be happy to vote for Jamie.
Yes, Raskin is a good one too. He has a good way with words. Especially when criticizing trump. And trump hates him. It would be great to see Raskin win, it would infuriate trump. LOL
JB Pritzker would be a great choice for president but it might be a bridge to far for many of our citizens because he is Jewish. Many of our “fellow “ citizens still believe that my ancestors killed Jesus.
I have nothing against Jews, People of Color, Orientals, LGBTQ, women, as long as they care about the country & ALL the people in it.
How are you doing climate wise?
Also Gohmert is no longer in Congress, halleluia! It's some other piece of backbench GOP protoplasm.
Is Gohmert back protecting his asparagus from aspersions?
Hopefully he's in a rubber room somewhere.
Never forget he spends every night in a chair holding his buckshot loaded shotgun watching for aspersions, he’ll tech them!
Oh, I forgot that one. Excellent!
He's out? Good. He never did anything except act like an idiot
I don't think he was "acting". :)
His family must've been so relieved when he was finally gone. I remember them all speaking out about his incompetence on a commercial. FFS, how embarrassing and yet he still won I believe.
Yes, so glad to be rid of the ignorant old fool, but John Kennedy (LA Senator) is just about as bad as Gohmert.
This is pure joy. And thank you for giving a shout out to the WOMAN who had the balls to stand up and tell it like it is! Governor Hochul for the big win! More of this please!
Of all the democracy loving elected officials that exist, I did not have Kathy Hochul on my Bingo card for being the first Dem to stand up and tell us we are in a WAR. I used to have doubts about her when she was first appointed, but, no more.
What? After all the times I've suggested California secede?
Me too, I’m actually smiling after reading this!
In case you’ve forgotten this is our governor Newsom as a 36 yo Mayor of San Francisco.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_2004_same-sex_weddings
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a great Democrat and fighter and it would infuriate trump if she would run. She's awesome!
Here's to many more enjoyable stories for you (and us).
Because BALLS! Some dems are growing BALLS!! Yea BALLS! Elation! BALLS!
Jeff, I just copied this from the San Diego News in answer to the question: "Is gerrymandering illegal?" ANSWER: Not under the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 2019 case originating from North Carolina, ruled that federal courts have no authority to decide whether partisan gerrymandering goes too far. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: “The Constitution supplies no objective measure for assessing whether a districting map treats a political party fairly.” I'm still trying to jam that into my squash of a brain. But I think it's going to explode. Blam.
I could feel it radiating out of my monitor. Thanks, Jeff. For all of it.
“This ain’t no party. This ain’t no disco. This ain’t no fooling around.”
Life During Wartime, appropriate.
Talking Heads....still relevant!
They are always relevant:)
FOREVA!
And The TomTom Club, GENIUS.
Very😂😂
Neal, Sheryl Crow would like a word......
I’m listening. And perhaps also to Nina Simone.
Love it Neal touché 🥂
And this is why the gubernatorial races are so important. From abortion rights, and funding for education, to drawing battle lines in cases like this, we need our states to be run by democrats with balls.
Yes…even women have balls! 😊
No, no, no! We have labia and push our watermelons. Balls just hang there and freak out if bumped. Labia can handle soooo much more!
"Why do people say, 'grow some balls'? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you really want to get tough grow a vagina. Those things take a pounding." -- Attributed to various people
Sign seen at a recent march: "Don't call Trump a cunt. He's not deep or warm enough."
Betty White
It sure sounds like something she would say but Snopes says it wasn't Betty.
I could have sworn it was Betty? Then Mark Twain? Ben Franklin? Socrates? LOL
OK, that's it!, time for this relevant quote again
"Ward, don't you think you were a little hard on the Beaver last night?"
< insert drum sting here >
My labia are 75 years old, thin, and hard as rocks. And I had three C-sections. But I am woman, hear me roar!
I guess you really " took a pounding "
Girl, I feel ya ! 💙
Not all the damage was from being old. I had radiation to mess it up, too. But I’m still kickin’ ass!
Good for you, that's important. (I'm 79). Without women, there would be no men. I like this quote: "In ancient times women were considered Divine because we were known to bleed without dying and gave birth to new life. There is power in our bellies and wombs that deserves our honoring." --Alisa Starkweather
Freud was confused-it is not penis envy, it is vagina power…
You win the internet today. 😂🏆
A cheer I never thought I’d cheer, Go Labia!!! Woohoo!!🎉
OMG Koko! This! hahahahahahaha! heart emoji.
I don't like that , conflating testicles with courage. It's misogynistic, in my never to be humble opinion.
More often than most men.
Yes Stephanie...Governorship AND legislatures. When the right wing operationalized Operation REDMAP, they focused laserlike on capturing state houses, succeeded and now we know they can defenestrate Dems, even if Dems win the Presidency, by having all Red states vote against seating Dems on Jan. 6. Look at all the damage that has been done by red states banish abortion, ignoring laws, et al.
Governor Hot Wheels is a beneficiary of DEI, so he needs to shut it. Without the ADA he wouldn't have wheelchair ramps and handicapped accessible parking and dining.
An interesting thing about Abbot. He ended up in a wheelchair because a neighbor’s tree fell on him. He got a huge settlement, then pushed liability limits that he profited from.
He made a conscious effort to appease his oligarch donors and legislated against the very people who, like him, needed assistance. This goes to the root of his evil. He respects one thing and one thing only. 💰
Speaking as one who also uses a wheelchair, I agree w/ you 100%. Don't forget, also, that he probably gets a BIG FAT PRICE CUT from insurance & etc, on the "durable Medical equipment" he depends on, as well as repairs, just like we ALL do. Then he treats others who are in the same boat like undeserving little scroungers. The difference, of course, is that doing away w/ all that won't affect *his* rich ass. Not everyone is PRIVILEGED ENOUGH to pay for this shit on their own. 🤬
For someone who is disabled he lacks empathy. It's a major character defect in the GOP.
This is a bit off subject, but I think it needs to be shared: My "boyfriend" (72) has Parkinson's Disease and has a motorized Wheelchair. It uses two batteries and requires both to be replaced at the same time, but they cost $400.00. He only gets disability from SS and I think they will pay for those batteries but it's a lot of paperwork and takes time. I called the Township Assessor and explained the problem, they offered to buy the batteries (and DID!), and then the guy helped him install them when he brought them.
We live in Bloomington, Indiana.
Without the wheelchair, he probably wouldn't have been elected, either. He sure doesn't act like he had experience as TX Attorney General and a justice on the TX Supreme Court. Of course, Ted Cruz doesn't act like he had expertise in constitutional law, either. Lugnuts, both.
"here comes the elation again....I think I'm passing out". 😂😂 HA! Me, too.
Kathy Hochul and Gavin Newsom are showing the rest of the Democrats how this needs to happen. You love to see this.
Greg Abbott ... is there a bigger POS? Wait... let me think about that.
Ron DeSantis would like a word.
A friend of mine actually moved back to Cleveland from Clearwater last December, in part to get away from him.
Out of the frying pan! Ohio is also under fascist rule. Did you know they just gave a billionaire owner of the Cleveland Browns $600 million to build another stadium. The money comes out of the general fund and was originally earmarked for, you guessed it, EDUMACATION.
I will leave the negative impact of that legislative decision as an exercise for the reader.
I'm unfortunate enough to be living in the "Duck District" - which is "represented" <snort!> by #GymJordan. Tell me about it! 🙄😱 I don't think Jimmy One-Shirt has visited this area for YRS. He just collects his MAGAt votes, & the little pedo skuttles away into the night, like the cockroach he is. At least Cleveland is a *little* better.
Cleveland is a blue bubble. Actually, much of northern Ohio is blue, as are Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. It's just that the state is so heavily gerrymandered., despite votes and court rulings to change it.
Well, I live in Seneca Co, which is *definitely* northern Ohio. I wish that blue bubble extended to the people *here*. A few yrs ago, a friend of mine got T-BONED in her SUV, by the ignorant 🚽rump Train morons, because she tried to take advantage to a gap in their little traffic tantrum, to cross the street. She was pinned in her car when they *drug her car into a tree* & left her there. Oh, yeah....the cops came....& THEY SENT THE MAGAtS ON THEIR MERRY WAY, W/ NO CHARGES. Fortunately, my friend wasn't hurt *too* badly - broken arm, & tons of scrapes & bruises. Can you imagine how our illustrious cops would have responded if one of those *MAGAts* had gotten injured??? 🤬
What an awful story! And yes, if it had been a MAGAt who was injured, somebody non-MAGAt would be in the slam.
I know that Toledo is blue (Marcy Kaptur), and I believe that most of the north shore is blue, and of course, Cleveland and many of the eastern counties/towns. Rural areas, not so much. For instance, Gym Jordan's district west of Columbus.
I’ve hated Gym Jordan since I saw him badgering Elizabeth Blaisy Ford during the Kavanaugh hearings. The more I’ve heard him or about him, the more hateful and poisonous he seems to be. 🤮🤬
You bet I know. And the Browns' owner now wants the most impoverished people in the county to pay a "sin tax" THREE TIMES higher than it is now, for future repairs and renovations. The money actually comes from an unclaimed funds fund and now angry people are looking themselves up to see if they are owed money. If they were going to steal that money, they could've used it to make the public schools whole after claiming they didn't have enough money to fully fund them. But noooooo.... They do have enough money however, to radically increase the number of education welfare checks aka vouchers going to wealthy families to help them pay for exclusive private schools as well as for kids attend pedophile factories aka Catholic schools.
Which is why EVERYONE should be checking their State's Unclaimed Funds website....& if you're on it, GET YOUR MONEY AWAY FROM THEM! I literally just did that a few wks ago here in OH, & my check for a hair under $2K is on it's way to me. Remember: Nobody can take advantage of you (or your money) unless you LET THEM!
Colorado is currently under scrutiny for that scenario with the Broncos. The NFL seems to be following rump's extortionist playbook. Build a new stadium or we'll leave.
Chicago, my hometown, too. The problem is that there are very few major markets left for them to move to and the smaller markets might want a team but can't afford the entry fee.
That’s interesting. The more we share information, the stronger we get.
Cleveland rocks. I lived there for four years in the 1980s.
Born and raised there.
My family now lives under fascist rule in Ohio, where votes don’t count and the Republicons always know what is really best for its’ citizens, despite their wishes.
True dat. As you probably know, Walt, the latest scheme is to legislate to effectively nullify the abortion rights constitutional amendment approved by 60% of voters two years ago.
Yep, and the same shit is happening in Missouri, another hijacked state. Popular votes no longer are binding. There are “real safety issues,” they say (Mike DeWine, on a vote to legalize cannabis - “we have to consider the health and welfare of our community before taking such drastic steps (paraphrasing).”
Meanwhile, they are stripping public education BARE.
There are no longer any guardrails for the fascists in charge. Ohio, I used to know you.
As someone who's depended on Medical MJ for pain control close to four yrs now, I'm VERY concerned over what DeWhiner is going to do to the system. Being in place & successful, as it's been, doesn't mean it's OUT OF THEIR GRASP.
Just can’t get used to the fact that the things we vote on are taken as, "suggestions." At this rate, candidate choices won't matter, either. On second thought, they already don't. See: GWB in Ohio, 2004, and DJT in swing states, 2024.
How are your stepchildren doing?
Yep, Cleveland DOES rock. When he was here making a movie a few years ago, Kevin Costner said we should never publicize the city, because it should never be commercialized. He loved the city and evidently couldn't get over how much it has to offer. He's right.
Sadly, Ohio does not rock. It is a Republican autocracy where the voice of citizens doesn't matter.
I have friends who left their long-standing & beloved home in Key West, just over a yr ago, to move back north. But they decided to drive *straight past Ohio*, & settled just barely over the border, in ❌️ichigan. They figured there were probably a FEW more sane people there right now.
I can understand why! Ron is a turd!
I’m stuck in Florida. Originally from New York. I’d move but my family’s here. I really hate living in a red state. At least I’m in Blue Broward County and my friends agree with me politically. But as for the governor and senators??? They suck imo!
My friend who moved back left a 90 year old dad in Florida. Another friend of mine who moved back moved her 95-year-old mother up north with her. She moved when she retired from the Florida university system. She told me a few years ago she got a certificate from the state honoring her service and was planning to mail it make to DeSantis with some choice words about what she thought of his tampering with education!
Trump is the BIGGEST PieceOFShit on Planet Earth!
He's brought them all out.
I suspect you're preaching to the choir, but yeah. I have MUCH stronger words to describe him w/.
Rick Perry comes to mind. Straight D’s at Texas Assholes & Misogynists.
When he was nominated to be Sec of Energy, a department he proposed eliminating when he was running for preznit, he did not know that the DOE is responsible for the nation's nuclear power plants AND our nuclear weapons arsenal. An ignoramus supremo
Before that happened, Perry was in a debate and stated vociferously, “we must end 3 federal departments that accomplish nothing!”
When asked what those departments were, he could name only 2. The Department of Energy he couldn’t remember, so the Republicons made him the Director of it.
That, my friends, is life in the Upside-Down.
I remember that. He actually hesitated to even name the first two. Ron Paul reminded him what they were. He’s such a dumbass
He had to be a high school dropout. No wait, he was homeschooled!
“Homeschooled” to me smacks of Biblical literalism and anti-intellectualism
I remember when he got some Sarah Palin glasses to look smerter.
That is a broad brush I used.
Was the “dumbing down” of America by the Republicans the initiative for the start of widespread homeschooling? Or, was homeschooling started by well meaning, creative parents who had their creation corrupted for political gain?
The former, I wager
Walt, didn't I bring this up yesterday? Doc, I know you're not Walt, but he and I had this conversation yesterday. As a matter I had this whole column's conversation yesterday, for those of you who missed it. I'll reprise it later in this column.
It's deja vu all over again--Yogi Berra
Our list grows and grows! 🤣🤣
I get giddy with happy news!
It's democracy vs. Cankles McPedo and his band of sycophant cowards.
"Cankles McPedo" HA! 👏👏👏
Going on The List. Thank you for your contribution, Mark!
😂😂😂
What I'd love to see is the Texas effort fail and the NY can Cali govs say "tough shit" and go ahead with their plans. NC has already been rigged by repubs.
I 1500% like this piece.
Particularly this:
"Michelle Obama’s famous slogan, “when they go low, we go high” sounds really great on paper — but in a time of war, it’s a good way to get your head blown off.
and believe me, we are in a time of war — a war to preserve whatever scraps of democracy we still can, while there’s still a chance."
We are at war. There is no other responsible way of describing it.
In another piece I read today calling it “The cold civil war.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/16N4mVCoG9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Yes, that's why Dems in Congress were getting such low approval ratings. "Strongly worded letters" don't do much against mindless thuggery.
People forget that all the out of power party in Congress can do is obstruct and observe.
That is why we need the governors.
I absolutely LOVE hearing Gov’s Hochul, Pritzker and Newsom say, “FUCK YOU!” to Fraud Trump and Scum Abbott!!!
If abbot wants to arrest anyone returning to Texas, it should be the convicted felon, adjudicated rapist and alleged pedophile.
Wow! Elation - hell yeah! I’m almost up to EUPHORIA!! These are the folks I’ve been waiting for.
In the words of the late, great Molly Ivins, "The Texas legislature is in session, and many a village in Texas has lost its idiot."
GOD BLESS MOLLY IVINS! She also used to refer to the Texas Legislature as “the National Laboratory of Bad Government”! Everybody needs to watch the documentary about her, “Raise Hell”. I’m sure it’s available on several streaming services. Come to think of it, I need to rewatch it. She will inspire us all. And light a fire under our collective butts!
Democrats of all sexes having balls is such a relief to see. What's interesting though is that they're all governors. So, are they wired different or is it because they are really the only ones with any power left given the GOP controls everything in DC?
Both. They are also not tied to the Senate’s infamous and useless “rules of civility” which the Rethuglicans break whenever it suits them while caterwauling when the Dems occasionally follow suit
They are not burdened by the insignificant ramblings of old white guys in charge. Chuck Schumer, can you hear me now?
Texas boo-hooing about California is some prize winning bull(shit). I want to see more Dem governors step up like California and NY.
Evidently, there is a way that California could redraw its maps to have no Republican seats. That would be the biggest in-your-face to Abbott and Trump.
Are you a Californian? How do you think we feel about gerrymandering?
I'm a Californian.
I feel like "when they stop I will".
How old are you? Do you remember when the legislature drew the lines? Believe me, the non partisan commission for which we voted is much better. If we were in the same situation as NC or TX, I could see your point, but right now I don't. The system we have is fair. I have contributed money to Democrats running for office in red states, and they don't win. That leads me to believe we should secede. We don't belong in the same country with red states.
It's time now to fire up ye olde bulldozer. Human rights violation lawsuits and criminal charges against Red governors. Abbot up first, the DeSantis.
This whole thing will get a spark that will move it to a new level, it's been simmering long enough. They could arrest Obama (which would turn him into a god), or start experimenting with seizing firearms "in the name of national security".
It's accelerating. They have over-reached, and will not stop.
💯
We are at fucking war, and the warriors we are fighting, guess what uncle Jeff? They are writing their own swan songs.
https://thistleandmoss.com/p/the-executioners-song-of-a-canarys
I am particularly loving to watch Marge write her own obituary from congress as I sit here.
As always Uncle Jeff, Liked, quoted, restacked, and cross posted to our readers.
Keep up the good fight. I am right next to you.
We are all with you and Jeff as well Wendy! Your M. Greene post is perfect!
Well said and no shit. The whole point is that when people sarcastically said they were sorry for my loss when Kamala lost, I said that it was them that I pity. The loss of research, medical protections as well as oversight to climate or lawlessness in general will hurt them all. Stupid people.