October 16, 2025

If a man wanted to mythologically pee from Camp Pendleton, across I-5, into the Pacific Ocean, how far would he need to project his urine stream?

I'm reading "I-5 may be shut down due to concerns over live-fire military event at Camp Pendleton" (L.A. Times).
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is weighing whether to close parts of Interstate 5 beginning Friday amid concerns over what it says is a White House-directed plan to use live ordnance "during a military anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton’s coast in San Diego County — where Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base. Newsom’s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels during the event commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The event is titled "Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength" and will feature Vice President JD Vance.... The military show of force coincides with No Kings rallies and marches across the state on Saturday.... The Times could not confirm whether live ordnance will be fired over the freeway....

Oh, great. The 2 men who are their party's presumptive nominee for President next time around are in a monumental pissing contest. Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength indeed.

Calculations from Grok:

  • Physics of Projection: In reality, a human urine stream is limited by physiology and physics. Studies and anecdotal records (e.g., from urology or informal "contests") suggest a typical male urine stream might reach 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) horizontally under optimal conditions (e.g., high bladder pressure, no wind). A "mythological" stream implies superhuman ability, so we’ll ignore real-world limits but use the distance as the target.
  • Required Distance: To cross 2 miles (3,200 meters), the stream would need to be propelled with extraordinary force, akin to a fire hose or a superhero’s ability. For context:
    • A fire hose can project water 50–100 feet (15–30 meters) horizontally.
    • To reach 3,200 meters, the stream would need to be sustained with a velocity far exceeding any human capability, likely requiring a launch speed of hundreds of meters per second, factoring in air resistance and gravity (assuming a flat trajectory for simplicity).
  • Trajectory Consideration: If the stream is launched at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees for maximum range in a vacuum), the required initial velocity can be estimated using projectile motion:
    • Range formula: 
      R = \frac{v^2 \sin(2\theta)}{g}
      , where 
      R = 3,200 \, \text{m}
      , 
      g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2
      , and 
      \theta = 45^\circ
       (so 
      \sin(2\theta) = 1
      ).
    • Solving: 
      3,200 = \frac{v^2}{9.8}
      , so 
      v^2 = 3,200 \times 9.8 = 31,360
      , and 
      v \approx 177 \, \text{m/s}
       (about 400 mph).
    • This is absurdly fast—comparable to a bullet—highlighting the mythological nature of the feat.
  • What if it were a male *frog*? They are talking about "Sea to Shore... Amphibious Strength." Would the calculation be different?

    Unlike a frog, AI promptly responds to direction: "Let’s dive into this whimsical challenge.... "

    110 comments:

    Derve said...

    You're so silly, annie.
    I detect a bit of penis envy in your (serious?) questions to Grok about pissing power. You're not such a lil squirt! Practice at home and tell us if you can improve your piss stream? You and meade could have contests if your shower is big enough...

    Derve said...

    Also... is the view from Blue Madison Wisconsin that Gavin Newsome is the presumed democratic pick? Lolol. Those college kids and libs (have you been reading Ezra Klein too??) don't get it. Nobody likes JD Vance, but we'd vote for him over Greasy Newsome cuz everybody HATES him, even those of us who shun political hate...
    Newsome won't get the Dem nomination, ann. You can't see it, but others are sure better at predictions than you, strong in hindsight eager to jump on the winner's bandwagon. Lol Go Trump Go Israel Go brewers, eh?

    Iman said...

    Jazz Hands Gavy ignores the problems his policies have either caused or turbocharged in Calunicornia and focuses on being the asshole he was born to be.

    Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

    LA has already declared a state of emergency “because of ICE raids” and announced that the emergency measures will allow them to “reimburse” illegal aliens for any missed wages using taxpayer dollars. The clown show that is California has become the crazy woman on the block and no routine training the Marines do or have done can compare to the ruin that the Democrats have visited upon it.

    rhhardin said...

    Male streams break up because of surface tension forming drops. Female streams fall to surface tension right away. Too many adjacent body parts.

    Rocco said...

    I worked with a guy who had previously crewed a 155mm in the US Army. During practice fire, the standard was to be able to hit within a two meter target 30km away.

    Derve said...

    Too many adjacent body parts.
    ---------
    Not if you hold your lips open for clearance.

    Leland said...

    Democrats everywhere just want to shut things down to prove they have authority over everything.

    Derve said...

    Rocco said...
    I worked with a guy who had previously crewed a 155mm in the US Army. During practice fire, the standard was to be able to hit within a two meter target 30km away.
    =====
    with his piss stream? Impressive.

    mezzrow said...

    "water's cold."
    "it's deep, too."

    Wilbur said...

    Of course I'm reminded of the old graffiti in the men's room.

    A pencil line on the wall about 6 feet high with the notation "If you can pee above this line, contact your local fire department".

    narciso said...

    As if this is thr first time camp pendleton has done live fire exercises right

    boatbuilder said...

    Let me get this straight.

    Neither the US Military nor the White House has told Newsom that they plan to fire live ordinance over a major highway, and has not asked Newsom to shut down anything.
    Newsom is going to shut down the major highway because of unconfirmed "reports". Newsome's people seem to believe that this is a show of strength on Newsom's part.
    This is, according to Althouse, a "pissing contest."

    When you engage in a pissing contest, you need to unzip first. Otherwise you are just peeing your pants.

    boatbuilder said...

    Also Camp Pendleton, according to the LA Times, is 125,000 acres. They have probably been lobbing live ordinance over the highway for decades.

    Howard said...

    No ordinance has ever flown over the freeway. All of the navel live fire takes place completely in the Pacific Ocean there's a gunnery range out there where they tow drones. Major live fire zone for land warfarers in the chocolate mountains down on the other side of the Salton Sea.

    narciso said...

    The dog trainer is no good source for anything

    narciso said...

    Obviously a live fire over alameda would be preferable (joke)

    planetgeo said...

    I've driven that stretch of I-5 many times. The normal speed of traffic through there is 80-90 miles an hour, except when the Marines are having motorized amphibious exercises and traffic slows down to 50-60 to rubberneck. If Newsom (who mythologically squats when he pees) closes that stretch, the traffic jam will backup 20 miles in both directions and would take a day to fully clear. Do it, Gavin. Show us that you're just as manly as those who can pee standing up.

    Derve said...

    Everybody can pee standing up...
    It's like you people have never been in nature w/a a toilet. lol

    Derve said...

    Lol... I was just remembering when meade was able to convince the law professor wife to piss in a tin can when he took her van camping that one time... lol. Good on ya, proffy. You gave his interests a try, and stuck with being a ballgame wife, not a camping gal. If only you'd met him a few decades sooner...

    narciso said...

    And to think katie porter is even worse

    Paddy O said...

    The navy owns 2 islands off the coast, San Clemente and San Nicolas. The latter is the Island of the Blue Dolphin real life setting. The only 2 Channel Island I've not slept on.

    These are used for weapons practice testing and amphibious assault practice among other things. They dont really need to shoot things over the 5.

    My guess is there's another reason, like interfering with ICE, that Newsome is trying to impede but won't/can't say so

    Paddy O said...

    Planetgwo when was the last time you drove it? 5 is rather trafficy.

    narciso said...

    If there was a functioning paper in any of southern california perhaps the register or the tribune?

    Achilles said...

    I find it interesting that Ann takes the LA Times and Gavin Newsome at face value.

    At this point it is just dishonest to do so.

    narciso said...

    Matthew hoys blog suggested not twenty years ago

    Wilbur said...

    As my little grandnephew neogolistically would say "Althouse is pissapointed".

    narciso said...

    If the tribune was to emperor xi , newsom would direct the cannons himself

    rehajm said...

    They do stuff like this to give women more to complain about. I see its working…

    narciso said...

    Its a chenga array ov rodiculous propositions like everything gavin does

    Joe Bar said...

    I have helped plan live fire exercises in the past. No, the military would never fire over an active highway. In fact, the fires would be directed AWAY from the mainland.

    narciso said...

    This is a classic case of disinformation

    Derve said...

    rehajm said...
    They do stuff like this to give women more to complain about. I see its working…
    -------
    You saying Gavin's a girl, huh?

    narciso said...

    https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/14/vice-president-vance-to-observe-amphibious-landing-exercises-at-camp-pendleton-on-saturday/

    exhelodrvr1 said...

    No way they would fire over the freeway. I suspect someone trolled Newsom’s office and he took the bait, hook, line, and sinker.

    rehajm said...

    …once again the information is suspicious. Who is shutting down the interstate, who has the concerns and what are those concerns? …and all the stories are wee weeing the dame way about inconveniencing travelers on the interstate- insert big scary number here. Funny how the same people are never concerned about their riots shutting things down…

    …Grok will be along soon to set us straight…

    rehajm said...

    btw manly men like to blow stuff up. Git over it…

    Steven said...

    The pissing I'm concerned about is a government that cannot compromise on a budget pissing away money by wasting ammunition for the amusement of the vice president.

    Otherwise, if it makes the VP happy to watch live explosions, let him enjoy it.

    narciso said...

    Thats how a proper newspaper writes the story

    Gavins halucinations should be relegated to an hbo teleplay

    Big Mike said...

    JD Vance will be at a Navy amphibious exercise at Camp Pendleton so Althouse thinks he’s in a pissing match with Gavin “Jazz Hands” Newsom? Tell me, Professor, will there ever come a point when you bother to learn about Republicans and our party? C’mon, lady, UP YOUR GAME.

    narciso said...

    It is illustrative of how the press has allowed gavin to destroy a once proud state into this satrap of xi

    Beasts of England said...

    ’…Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base. Newsom’s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels…’

    Seems totally legit!! lol

    Bob Boyd said...

    The 2 men who are their party's presumptive nominee for President next time around are in a monumental pissing contest.
    What did Vance do?

    This sounds like bullshit to me. Sounds like Newsome is creating a problem so he can blame Trump.
    Reminds me of one of the shutdowns during the Obama Administration where they closed the WWII memorial and kept out old men who were there on a once in a lifetime trip to see the memorial dedicated to their service and sacrifice on the pretext that the Park Service was shut down by the Republicans. Never mind that there weren't any Park Service personnel required when the outdoor, walk through sight was open during normal times.
    The shitbird media collaborated with that disgrace and they'll collaborate with this one too.

    narciso said...

    One was an enlisted man in the heart of the iraq war another wais a pampered prat

    narciso said...

    https://www.ocregister.com/2025/10/15/marines-say-live-fire-250th-anniversary-beach-assault-will-not-close-the-5-freeway-in-orange-san-diego-counties/

    Jaq said...

    The billionaires created by Silicon Valley have ideas about how the country should be run, and it's not the way it was run when the innovations that created their wealth came into being; people who have reached the top always pull the ladder up behind them.

    tim maguire said...

    The thing I hate most about Grok is how often it refuses to answer the question asked. No matter how carefully you phrase your hypothetical, it can't just tell you what you want to know. It has to pollute the scenario with issues and realities you didn't ask it to consider.

    FredSays said...

    Able to piss over I-5….those were the days, alas no more.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    I'm gonna live and live now
    Get what I want, I know how
    One roll for the whole shebang
    One throw, that bell will go clang
    Eye on the target and wham
    One shot, one gun shot and bam!
    Hey, Mr. Arnstein, here I am


    Don’t Rain on My Parade (one verse)
    Song by Barbra Streisand ‧ 1964

    tim maguire said...

    boatbuilder said...Neither the US Military nor the White House has told Newsom that they plan to fire live ordinance over a major highway, and has not asked Newsom to shut down anything.

    It would be incredibly irresponsible to do a live-fire exercise over a populated area. Unless the fed has said they are going to do this, you can be pretty sure they aren't.

    Fake news.

    Jaq said...

    Once you understand that the first pass answer by AI will be the conventional wisdom, and that to get a better answer, you have to probe its knowledge with pointed questions, it becomes less frustrating and more useful. I use ChatGPT, not Grok, and that is my experience.

    Once in a while though, if you get into sensitive areas like J6 or Ukraine, it refuses to answer.

    Howard said...

    I stand corrected, according to the Gemini AI:

    Amphibious Assault Training: The base, with its miles of beach and coastal hills, is crucial for preparing forces for amphibious missions. These exercises are often integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land, and sea, and may include firing live ordnance from Navy ships onto the base's impact areas.

    rhhardin said...

    Paglia puts women's inability to do ballistics to no practice peeing as a child.

    hanuman_prodigious_leaper said...

    after all == guns as phallic

    Howard said...

    I bet money rhhardin throws like a girl.

    Bob Boyd said...

    Grok says a man can't make that shot. Grok says such a feat is impossible. Grok has never pissed outside. Grok has never torn the bark right off a live tree. It has never wielded a penis for any purpose whatsoever and that is why it doesn't believe and wouldn't even try. Grok is pissing on human aspiration.

    Howard said...

    No, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have to close Interstate 5 when conducting live-fire exercises at Camp Pendleton, because they have stated that such activities occur on approved training ranges and do not involve firing over the public highway.
    Recent news reports about potential I-5 closures due to a military event with live-fire near Camp Pendleton were based on initial concerns and unconfirmed reports, primarily from California Governor Gavin Newsom's office. However, the U.S. Marine Corps clarified that the event is a training exercise that will take place west of the freeway at Red Beach, and that no public highways or transportation routes will be closed.
    All live-fire events are conducted within established safety protocols and on approved ranges, which are designed to ensure public safety and prevent disruption to civilian traffic on I-5.

    boatbuilder said...

    The pissing I'm concerned about is a government that cannot compromise on a budget pissing away money by wasting ammunition for the amusement of the vice president.

    Good thing those Dems are holding the line on spending in this time of crisis by...demanding that billions more be spent to pay for health insurance for illegals and deadbeats.

    Your heartfelt concerns about budgetary excess are noted, Steven.

    Aggie said...

    "...I find it interesting that Ann takes the LA Times and Gavin Newsome at face value...."

    Yes, but: Which face?

    I doubt seriously they are firing any live rounds over live humans or anywhere close to them, secondly ammunition being spent in 'training the troops' and maintaining readiness is not squandering money, and finally, on my very first day in Egypt, years ago, on my way to the Gulf of Suez, we drove past Egyptian tanks that were parked along one side of the highway on a high embankment, firing away at something on the other side. My driver said it was routine, but it didn't help make me feel any better.

    The Democrats will disagree and object to anything that Republicans propose, if they can get any attention for it. They think that disagreeing with everything on principle, is the same thing as being 'principled'.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    SNL sketch : Quien es mas macho?

    Bob Boyd said...

    @Howard
    So they've been doing this on the regular for years and it's never been a problem until now?
    Sounds about right.

    Jamie said...

    Paglia puts women's inability to do ballistics to no practice peeing as a child.

    In basic field geology, you tend to use things on hand in pictures to show the scale of something (size of pebbles in a conglomerate, for example). So your field notebook or hammer shows up in lots of pictures. But there's also an expectation that you can estimate size by eye.

    So the standing joke was that women geologists are bad at the latter because they've always been told that *this* (thumb and forefinger a couple of inches apart) is eight inches.

    boatbuilder said...

    Gavin--closing the freeway would also have the yuge political benefit of really pissing off the voters in San Diego, who are probably Republicans. My advice is go for it!

    --Chris Christie, famous former governor.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    That 'Quien es mas nacho' sketch is not available on YouTube. I found that link above via the Althouse archive.

    Bob Boyd said...

    Maybe they should have live fire exercises near the border. Maybe then the Dems would call for the border to be closed.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    AI: "The phrase "don't pee on me and tell me it's raining" is a saying popularized by the TV personality Judge Judy Sheindlin, and it means to reject someone's obvious lie and deception. While Judge Judy is widely associated with the quote, a similar line appears in the 1976 film The Outlaw Josey Wales, where a character says, "Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining"."

    Cappy said...

    That's the only sane way to select a president!

    Rusty said...

    Just be grateful you can pee. I've had to pull over and pee on the side of I-5 but never tried to whizz over it.
    There's a lot of beach between I-5 and the ocean. Most of it is open for walking.

    Howard said...

    Vance to Newsom: piss up a rope

    Howard said...

    Why stop, Rusty? I just keep a large mayonnaise jar in my truck and just keep rolling down the road.

    Leland said...

    Howard said...
    No, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have to close Interstate 5 when conducting live-fire exercises at Camp Pendleton, because they have stated that such activities occur on approved training ranges and do not involve firing over the public highway.


    That makes sense. If they were firing over I-5, they would also have to fire over buildings at the Camp. No way the military would do that. So this is just another fabricated story from Democrats.

    Mason G said...

    "Your heartfelt concerns about budgetary excess are noted, Steven."

    Anybody on the left expressing concern about budgetary excesses is full of shit.

    Howard said...

    The story is definitely bullshit, but it was reported that Trump got pretty excited when he heard that JD and Gavin were having a pissing contest.

    Wince said...

    ...a typical male urine stream might reach 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) horizontally under optimal conditions (e.g., high bladder pressure, no wind).

    Grok is that friend who can tell you when you're just pissin' in the wind...

    Well, I'm up in T.O. keepin' jive alive
    And out on the corner it's half past five
    But the subways are empty
    And so are the cafes
    Except for the farmer's market
    And I still can hear Grok say

    You're all just pissin' in the wind
    You don't know it but you are
    And there ain't nothin' like a friend
    Who can tell you you're just pissin' in the wind


    I never knew a man could tell so many lies
    He had a different story for every set of eyes
    How can he remember who he's talking to?
    'Cause I know it ain't me, and hope it isn't you

    RCOCEAN II said...

    Why would the navy fire into Camp Pendelton to "Celebrate"? Maybe we're talking drones or guided rockets. In which case, there is no danger.

    Third Coast said...

    The Swiss have been shooting over roads for decades:
    https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/11/this-shooting-range-in-switzerland-has.html

    Quaestor said...

    If Antifa and JSO can shut down a CA freeway and not muss a single well-gelled strand of Newsome awesome designer do? then why the fuss about the USMC shutting down I-5?

    Bob Boyd said...

    Newsome is the presumptive nominee?
    John Fetterman may have other ideas:
    https://x.com/i/status/1978642566565204473

    pacwest said...

    Alright! A pissing contest. Whip 'em out boys. In the name of equity we'll have to measure first since a couple of inches could make all the difference. And may the wind be ever at your back.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    The longer this discussion goes on, the more likely it is to stink of pee and for someone to bring up RFK Jr's circumcision links to autism.

    Kevin said...

    Shorter Gavin: Trump is using the military to attack California!

    n.n said...

    A man or woman could use a Super Soaker. Today, an X5 liquid stream concentrator.

    Temujin said...

    I don’t know about distance, but I once peed the first 3 pages of “Ulysses” in the snow with no breaks.

    n.n said...

    Could a pissing contest have saved the Palisades from catastrophic anthropogenic climate change?

    Bass strums a DEIst cacophony, while Newsom fiddles and brays.

    Iman said...

    “Two snaps up for those sweaty mens…”

    —— Steven

    Ann Althouse said...

    "The thing I hate most about Grok is how often it refuses to answer the question asked. No matter how carefully you phrase your hypothetical, it can't just tell you what you want to know. It has to pollute the scenario with issues and realities you didn't ask it to consider."

    Yes, I just wanted to know the *distance* of the mythological piss. But unlike you, I don't *hate* what I got. I thought it was hilarious that I got that math relating to the force needed to achieve the distance.

    If AI doesn't answer the precise question asked, I just follow up. And it never gets mad at me for asking follow-up questions. Compare Katie Porter.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    "It's full of lanes" -- "2025: A Pee Odyssey"

    Iman said...

    Life is a highway
    I’m gonna pee on mine all night long

    Magilla Gorilla said...

    The great crime novelist Charles Willeford described a pissing contest in his non-fiction memoir Something About a Soldier, IIRC. A woman won by starting from a seated position and stretching her urethra with her fingers, sort of like using your thumb on a garden hose. Always wanted to see this done, but never managed to persuade any of the women I dated to try it.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    "All these highways are yours, except I-5. Attempt no exercises there," — Newsom

    mindnumbrobot said...

    Fake news.
    I mean, come on. Live firing over a public highway?

    deepelemblues said...

    Shouldn't it, "hypothetically"? If we're talking mythologically, questions of physics are across the I-5.

    Lem Vibe Bandit said...

    This land is your land, and this land is my land
    From California to the New York Island
    From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
    This land was made for you and me

    donald said...

    Chris Christie has definitely not been to San Diego in the last 20 odd years.

    Rocco said...

    If a man wanted to mythologically pee…

    The 13th labor of Hercules. After finishing the other 12, he really had to go.

    Krumhorn said...

    Brava, Ann! I have asked Grok some very odd questions, but you nailed the target high up the pole. My wife thinks I’m nuts while I’m over here laughing at this post.

    - Krumhorn

    Lazarus said...

    When did "as the crow flies" get replaced by "as a man p*sses? And isn't that a little sexist?

    Ask Grok how far one can walk in a major American city's downtown without smelling urine.

    Leland said...

    I don’t really connect that this is a pissing contest between future presidential contenders. This is the Marine Corps decision on how to celebrate. I doubt JD Vance said “I want it to be a live fire exercise”, yet if that is the claim, then back it up with evidence. Otherwise, this is between Newsom and USMC, especially with Newsom misrepresenting what the USMC will actually do.

    NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

    I bet Katie Porter can make that shot!

    narciso said...

    The two links up thread suggest not

    Jaq said...

    "yet if that is the claim, then back it up with evidence. "

    That is so twentieth century, boomer. Repetition is all the evidence that they need.

    Art in LA said...

    Kill two birds with one stone! Shut down I-5 for some overdue maintenance during the live-fire event. How long is this event expected to be? Can't be worse than dealing with a bad car accident. I think it would be cool to watch the events while stopped in traffic!

    Anthony said...

    A certain scene from Strange Brew springs to mind. . . .

    Paddy O said...

    Peeing off the side of cliffs on the Channel Islands is a very invigorating experience. Just be careful about which cliff during the specific wind conditions

    PM said...

    After reading your initial report on urine streams, I laughed at 'Click for More'. God bless.

    Rusty said...

    Howard said...
    "Why stop, Rusty? I just keep a large mayonnaise jar in my truck and just keep rolling down the road."

    In my case a bucket is too unwieldy.

    Michael McNeil said...

    My second ex could do it.

    Michael McNeil said...

    That is: pee standing up, with quite a range.

    hanuman_prodigious_leaper said...

    Hercules should have done his business in Augean stable cleanup!

    Derve said...

    Magilla Gorilla said...
    The great crime novelist Charles Willeford described a pissing contest in his non-fiction memoir Something About a Soldier, IIRC. A woman won by starting from a seated position and stretching her urethra with her fingers, sort of like using your thumb on a garden hose. Always wanted to see this done, but never managed to persuade any of the women I dated to try it.

    10/16/25, 9:32 AM
    ------------
    See, this is why we keep coming back to the blog.
    Who else but althouse dare cultivate such commoners???

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