Political Randomness

[LawBeefaroni]

Even Fox News and Newsmax are trashing Noem now.



Somewhere up in heaven, Cricket is lighting a cigar, leaning back in his easy chair and laughing.

What is this Farms and Ranches constituency that loves killing dogs? I grew up on a farm and had to kill a lot of animals (rabid raccoons, injured deer, opossums, rodents, etc) and hated it every time. I would never kill a dog unless it was a direct threat. And it would be unthinkable to revel in it.

We had a rescued stray that was a great dog. Loyal as fuck and my best friend the 4 or 5 months we had him.
One day it nipped at my sister when she accidentally stepped on his leg. That was enough for my parents to take him to an animal shelter. Broke my heart. But the point is, no one was itching to take it out back and shoot it. That's some false farm shit. And having a gravel pit killing ground for annoying animals (she killed a goat there too, according to the book) is psychopath territory.

She's a hobbiest rancher at best. Her income is around $3M and I highly doubt she's touched a real working ranch lifestyle since she was a kid. She makes $250K/year as a landlord alone. Killing animals because they aren't good on a pheasant hunt is a hobby, not a necessity.

[hepcat]

I grew up on a horse farm and the only time we ever shot at anything was when a pack of wild dogs were harassing a colt. My father shot over their heads to scare them off.

...of course he missed and hit our truck, but that's a genetic thing with my bloodline. We have the sharpshooting abilities of Helen Keller.

[Blackhawk]

There are absolutely farmers who think of animals as assets of variable value to be used and discarded as is convenient. I've met some.

Most farmers think those people are human garbage, just like the rest of us.

[Punisher]

I grew up on a horse farm and the only time we ever shot at anything was when a pack of wild dogs were harassing a colt. My father shot over their heads to scare them off.

...of course he missed and hit our truck, but that's a genetic thing with my bloodline. We have the sharpshooting abilities of Helen Keller.

Did the truck survive or did he have to shoot it agaun to put it out of its misery?

[hepcat]

He actually shot the hood, but missed the engine. Although I believe it’s difficult to shoot through an engine block. I remember he fired, realized he’d shot the truck, lowered his head and muttered “goddamnit”. He then quietly put the gun away and I don’t think I ever saw him take it out again.

[Punisher]

He actually shot the hood, but missed the engine. Although I believe it’s difficult to shoot through an engine block. I remember he fired, realized he’d shot the truck, lowered his head and muttered “goddamnit”. He then quietly put the gun away and I don’t think I ever saw him take it out again.

Yep. It's very difficult to shoot through it. Thats why we were taught to use it as cover if needed.

[Blackhawk]

He actually shot the hood, but missed the engine. Although I believe it’s difficult to shoot through an engine block. I remember he fired, realized he’d shot the truck, lowered his head and muttered “goddamnit”. He then quietly put the gun away and I don’t think I ever saw him take it out again.

Yep. It's very difficult to shoot through it. Thats why we were taught to use it as cover if needed.

Yep, behind the engine block with your legs behind the wheel. It's one of the few spots on a car that a bullet won't go straight through, and the wheel is because an experienced shooter seeing someone behind a car will just shoot them in the feet, then kill them when they go down. Another is the door hinge, which is why you see cops opening their door and aiming through the 'V' between it and the windshield. It's not ideal, but at that angle it's your best bet.

[Carpet_pissr]

He actually shot the hood, but missed the engine. Although I believe it’s difficult to shoot through an engine block. I remember he fired, realized he’d shot the truck, lowered his head and muttered “goddamnit”. He then quietly put the gun away and I don’t think I ever saw him take it out again.

Literally LOL’d at that imagery.

[gilraen]

Assassination attempt on Slovakia's Prime Minister

The assassination attempt of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was politically motivated, the country's interior minister said, adding the information is based on “initial interviews with the suspect.”
<...>
“The perpetrator shot five times. The prime minister is in a critical condition, still on the operating table. We will do everything we can to investigate this,” [interior minister] said at a news conference.

[Kraken]

This is kinda nifty: What state best represents America?

This WaPo statistician evaluated states by their racial makeup, religious affiliations, income, education, workforce, and some other variables, weighted for importance, and compared them to the same values for the US as a whole. He also looks at which states are most similar to each other, and took it all down to counties. The resulting tables and graphs are worth visiting the link, if you're wonky.

The most average states are:

Spoiler:

So there you have it. Illinois is the most American, or at least the most normal, state in the United States.

[Max Peck]

Since Florida is #2, I guess that means that every American is one step removed from becoming a Florida Man.

[hepcat]

Good Lord, this Harrison Butker person sounds like he just stepped out of a time machine from the 1800s.

The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address. In addition to calling Pride Month a “deadly sin” and bemoaning diversity and equity initiatives, Butker set off waves of criticism when he suggested that women find more fulfillment through getting married and having children than by pursuing careers – directly after quoting a song by Taylor Swift.

I mean, he's a young, stupid athlete so we shouldn't put much stock in what he says. But unfortunately, some kids out there might.

I have to wonder if his wife is as archaic in her beliefs. If not, this line might have resulted in some couch sleeping for young Mr. Butker.

Butker also praised his wife Isabelle, saying she “would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”

This quote confuses me

• Butker also waded into the DEI debate, saying, “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Tyranny would be NOT allowing any of those.

[Isgrimnur]

He was giving a commencement speech at a private Catholic college. They knew what they were getting.

[hepcat]

I don't think that's entirely true. Some of it, yes (the homophobic parts). But he was also essentially telling the women who were there to get their diplomas that their true career was barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Considering his mother is a physicist, that seems...odd.

Edit: From that same school's website, I found the following:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This program aims to help faculty/staff develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to make our campus more welcoming and inclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals and communities.

Become a Safe Space Ally


What is Safe Space?

“We work to be a community characterized by the highest standards of empathy and opposition to all forms of hatred. We welcome LGBTQ+ persons with sincerity of heart and generosity.”

Benedictine University offers a gender neutral, single stall bathroom on the second floor of Goodwin Hall.

[LawBeefaroni]

I don't think that's entirely true. Some of it, yes (the homophobic parts). But he was also essentially telling the women who were there to get their diplomas that their true career was barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Considering his mother is a physicist, that seems...odd.

Dude kicks a football for a living. Who really cares what he says about anything other than kicking a football?

[YellowKing]

• Butker also waded into the DEI debate, saying, “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Yeah, this is dialogue right out of the right-wing playbook. They consider not being able to spew their bigotry as the real oppression in this country. It's such a twisted mindset. They just can't grasp the concept that other people have feelings. Instead of diversity, equity, and inclusion being tools to make *others* feel better, they think those tools are being used to oppress them. It's an incredibly narcissistic viewpoint and completely in line with the MAGA mindset.

I think it's also indicative of the Trump philosophy that "anyone who doesn't agree with me is my enemy."

I knew this speech backfired bigly when even my wife was talking about it. She generally stays at a healthy arms length away from politics and news, and yet even she texted me angrily about his comments.

Pay attention, women. If Trump wins, this philosophy is going to be the law of the land. Everything will be geared towards making women subservient breed-cows for the patriarchy.

[hepcat]

I don't think that's entirely true. Some of it, yes (the homophobic parts). But he was also essentially telling the women who were there to get their diplomas that their true career was barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Considering his mother is a physicist, that seems...odd.

Dude kicks a football for a living. Who really cares what he says about anything other than kicking a football?

I did write

I mean, he's a young, stupid athlete so we shouldn't put much stock in what he says. But unfortunately, some kids out there might.

I think my main surprise is that he shows up to a graduation ceremony and basically tells the women in the audience to forget about all that book learnin' and get on their backs.

[LawBeefaroni]

I think my main surprise is that he shows up to a graduation ceremony and basically tells the women in the audience to forget about all that book learnin' and get on their backs.

I guess he knew his audience.

“Yeah, it was f–king horrible,” she said in her video. “Some of us did boo, me and my roommate definitely did. There was a standing ovation from everyone in the room except from me, my roommate and 10 to 15 other women.”

https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainmen ... g-ovation/

Now the question is, does this increase or decrease alumn donations?

[hepcat]

In the days since his speech, a number of celebrities have spoken out about it, including Flavor Flav, who wrote via X, “Sounds like some players ‘need to stay in their lanes’ and shouldn’t be giving commencement speeches.”

When Flavor Flav is telling you you've made a bad life choice, you KNOW things are messed up.

[YellowKing]

Flavor Flav is also a huge Swiftie, so you don't fuck around quoting his queen in the same breath you rail against women.

[Jaymann]

I don't think that's entirely true. Some of it, yes (the homophobic parts). But he was also essentially telling the women who were there to get their diplomas that their true career was barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Considering his mother is a physicist, that seems...odd.

Dude kicks a football for a living. Who really cares what he says about anything other than kicking a football?

Apparently he was traumatized as a boy when his sister Lucy yoinked away the football he was trying to kick.

[hepcat]

[GreenGoo]

Dude kicks a football for a living. Who really cares what he says about anything other than kicking a football?

Then why give him a platform to speak directly to young female newly minted graduates? It seems barbaric.

*We* can all shrug and ignore, but it's a lot harder for those kids and their families to tackle the controversy his comments highlight.

[GreenGoo]

Apparently he was traumatized as a boy when his sister Lucy yoinked away the football he was trying to kick.

[LawBeefaroni]

Dude kicks a football for a living. Who really cares what he says about anything other than kicking a football?

Then why give him a platform to speak directly to young female newly minted graduates? It seems barbaric.

That's part of my point. Why was he given that platform? He checked all the crazy fundamentalist boxes for Benedictine?

*We* can all shrug and ignore, but it's a lot harder for those kids and their families to tackle the controversy his comments highlight.

Most of them cheered. That's what $50K/year gets you now days.

[Victoria Raverna]

It is important for Catholic church to encourage women to get married and have children so they'll have more future members of their church and have more political power. Same with other Christian churches. There is a real "danger" of the country being taken over by a religion that teach believers to have as many children as they can.

[hepcat]

As opposed to the majority of Muslim countries where the religion already controls the governments. The dangerous outcome you predict has already happened for them. Being gay or being a woman is a constant struggle for life and liberty in those countries.

[LawBeefaroni]

It is important for Catholic church to encourage women to get married and have children so they'll have more future members of their church and have more political power. Same with other Christian churches. There is a real "danger" of the country being taken over by a religion that teach believers to have as many children as they can.

Or our secular gods.


Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk say human population not nearly big enough: "If we had a trillion humans, we would have at any given time a thousand Mozarts".

[GreenGoo]

That's part of my point. Why was he given that platform? He checked all the crazy fundamentalist boxes for Benedictine?

Presumably. My question is why bother to get educated if there is no plan to use it? Status? My pregnant wife has a degree? Why spend $50k a year?

Most of them cheered. That's what $50K/year gets you now days.

Sure. Some didn't. Some cheered due to peer pressure. Those people are likely terrified. At that point, it takes on the characteristics of a cult, with people trapped against their will, even if just by circumstances.

[LawBeefaroni]

That's part of my point. Why was he given that platform? He checked all the crazy fundamentalist boxes for Benedictine?

Presumably. My question is why bother to get educated if there is no plan to use it? Status? My pregnant wife has a degree? Why spend $50k a year?

Because that's where women meet men whose families can pay $50K/year.

Plus, the hobby of running the bookstore or jewelry shop in Kennebunkport requires some rudimentary education.

[GreenGoo]

Because that's where women meet men whose families can pay $50K/year.

[Jaymann]

It is important for Catholic church to encourage women to get married and have children so they'll have more future members of their church and have more political power. Same with other Christian churches. There is a real "danger" of the country being taken over by a religion that teach believers to have as many children as they can.

Joseph Smith would like a word.

[Blackhawk]

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk say human population not nearly big enough: "If we had a trillion humans, we would have at any given time a thousand Mozarts".

...starving to death with the rest of us.

[Isgrimnur]

I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain, than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweat shops.

[Isgrimnur]

[Pyperkub]

He also has Catholic Nuns firing back at his idiocy.

"Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division," they wrote. "One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God's people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."

The Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica founded a school for girls in Atchinson in the 1860s. It merged with St. Benedict's College in 1971 to form Benedictine College.

[YellowKing]

The viewpoint that "a woman's place is in the home" particularly irks me because my MIL is a firm believer in it, and takes every opportunity to let you know it. She would not help my wife pay for college because she believed women should depend on their husband for support. My wife had to completely finance her own degree, and missed the opportunity to go to a better school because she was limited due to the lack of support from her parents. She essentially crippled my wife's lifetime financial opportunities due to her outdated beliefs.

She also got upset because my daughter (14) applied for a little part time summer job just to make some spending money and get some experience.

All this while she struggles to live off the meager retirement benefits from her late husband, since she has no retirement benefits or savings of her own.

[Isgrimnur]

I guess she should have gone and found a second husband.

[Hyena]

I guess she should have gone and found a second husband.

Why did I read that in Pippen's voice?

[Kraken]

The viewpoint that "a woman's place is in the home" particularly irks me because my MIL is a firm believer in it, and takes every opportunity to let you know it. She would not help my wife pay for college because she believed women should depend on their husband for support. My wife had to completely finance her own degree, and missed the opportunity to go to a better school because she was limited due to the lack of support from her parents. She essentially crippled my wife's lifetime financial opportunities due to her outdated beliefs.

She also got upset because my daughter (14) applied for a little part time summer job just to make some spending money and get some experience.

All this while she struggles to live off the meager retirement benefits from her late husband, since she has no retirement benefits or savings of her own.

Such women are insecure about their own life choice (if indeed they had a choice) and lash out at all other paths to defend their own dignity.

Women in my generation often did disdain housewives, because ours was the first generation of American women for whom careers became normalized -- not just for outliers, but for everyone -- and making that happen was a struggle. Housewifery was the only option their mothers had, and they didn't want to be their mothers and had little respect for peers who did. We forget how recent that development is. When Wife landed her first reporting job, the all-male newsroom expected her to fetch coffee, and she was only assigned to cover puff pieces. Women in college were said to be studying for their MRS (i.e., husband-hunting). It was very difficult for women to establish credit in their own names, and in fact they couldn't get credit cards without a male co-signer until sometime in the '70s, I think it was. When Wife and I set up housekeeping I put all the utilities in her name so that she could build credit.

I think that GenX women saw either path as valid and restored balance, and of course young women now think that's ancient history if they think about it at all.

I'm guessing your MIL is a boomer who felt looked down upon for following the traditional route.