July 21, 2019

At the Orangeness Café...

Lilies

... keep the chatter up. And don't worry — a "Café" post doesn't mean I'm done blogging for the day. Just done blogging for the session. It's 74° here in Madison, Wisconsin, after 2 of the hottest days of the year.

146 comments:

Fernandinande said...

Orangeness Bad.

Clyde said...

88 degrees in Fort Myers, Florida, with a “feels-like” of 98. I just came inside from my daily lunchtime walk, four laps around our parking lot, and it felt good out there because our A/C is so cold inside today that I had to wear my flannel shirt. It took the first three laps just to thaw out! 90 minutes and I can go home where the A/C is set to a more reasonable 78 degrees. It has to be around 65 degrees or lower on the workroom floor today.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Hey it’s 74 degrees here now too, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Unseasonably cool for us.

Rusty said...

It's raining here in the Fox Valley and it's in the low eighties by my weather station on the deck. yesterday the heat index was over a hundred.

Yancey Ward said...

Friday was the hottest day in Madison, year to date at 93 degrees F. July 2nd was second hottest at 91 degrees F. It appears that the heat index was probably highest on the 2nd, too- it appears to have been more humid that day.

Still, though, from a Southern US point of view, 93 degrees is a warm day, not hot.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

All lilies must be white!!

Erica Thomas claimed a white racist told her to “go back where she came from.” Now she admits he didn’t, turns out it was a disagreement over too many items in an express lane, & the man was a Cuban American Democrat.

Dems: The Folks That Hoax !

Gahrie said...

Hey it’s 74 degrees here now too, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Unseasonably cool for us.

It's 75 in San Berdoo..but it's expected to hit the mid 90's this afternoon. I'm leaving for Victorville...I expect my house to be close to 100 when I get back late this afternoon. I really don't mind the hot afternoons of 100+ we get...it's the fact that sometimes it's 80 degrees at midnight that bugs me.

Rory said...

"Orangeness Bad"

As demonstrated by The Godfather.

Original Mike said...

It's supposed to be beautiful all week. Of course, the damn moon is in the sky. Grumble, grumble...

Antiantifa said...

Hey Althouse, the Wall St Journal traced the Origen of the Squad to an AOC instagram photo of the four freshmen congresswomen during orientation. It was captioned “Squad”

Bruce Hayden said...

56 now in NW MT. High today 83, late afternoon, but we break 90 on Tuesday, dropping back into the lower 80s later in the week. This has been a cooler than usual summer so far - haven’t had to set up the AC yet. And maybe a bit wetter than average July. Fire danger just went from mild to high last week. Usually, we are Extreme by now. We can hope this means a less severe fire season this year (last three have been pretty bad).

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

Did the DOJ cast western friendly agents as Russians to try to snare Trump?
Is Joseph Mifsud (aka Joseph Di Gabriele ??) truly a Russian agent as Adam Schiff and Comey
almost say?
https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/mueller-to-face-questions-on-russian-agent

Did the Brits Collude on Trump-Russia?

https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/did-the-brits-collude-on-trump-russia/

Lawrence Person said...

For all mankind.

Beasts of England said...

Irishman Shane Lowry is three holes away from winning The Open Championship, being played in Ireland. He won't ever have to pay for another Guinness...

Ken B said...

Antiantifa
Althouse has been shown that several times by several posters. She ignores it. It proves her wrong of course.

Michael K said...

88 degrees in Fort Myers, Florida, with a “feels-like” of 98.

I almost went into practice with a friend from residency in Fort Myers. Nice town.

Gators in the water holes of the golf course, though. Nobody looked for balls near the water.

Warren Hagen MD and his brother Stewart Hagen MD

Fritz said...

96 in Slower Maryland today, not to mention humid. Looking forward to that cool air on Tuesday.

Birkel said...

First ABCNews story at the top of the hour: Trump's comments about Ilhan Omar are racist.
Third story: Trump called the Swedish PM to get A$AP Rocky released from jail on bail.

Trump is the worst racist ever.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

It is warming quickly Gharie but we have had the coolest May and June on record I believe.

Robert Cook said...

"Still, though, from a Southern US point of view, 93 degrees is a warm day, not hot."

No. I grew up in Florida, and 93 degree days were considered hot, not merely "warm."

Birkel said...

Robert Cook left out the words "in April or October" but between May and September 90s are the norm in most of Florida.

Birkel said...

Imagine that!
I wrote my "Robert Cook is stupid" post before checking the monthly average temps in Orlando.
And I was correct.

R. Duke said...

Throwing this out there. How does Kamala Harris get away with sleeping her way into politics by jumping Willie Brown. It is always referred to as her "dating" WB. Or, she was his "girlfriend." Do you think his wife referred to her as his "girlfriend?" Or thought that they were just "dating." Althouse likes the word usage games, would anyone else get such a pass and be called a "girlfriend" when they are having an affair? Trumps extra-curriculars never seem to be called "dates." Just saying.

Yancey Ward said...

"No. I grew up in Florida, and 93 degree days were considered hot, not merely "warm."

Only if you are right on the coast. More than 5 miles inland, the average highs in Summer are routinely low 90s. Even a coastal city like Tampa is average of 90 degrees for the high.

Of course, 93 degrees day after day might seem "hot" to some people who never get use to it.

Robert Cook said...

"Robert Cook left out the words 'in April or October' but between May and September 90s are the norm in most of Florida."

Yes. And they were considered hot. That's why most Floridians have air-conditioning. In Florida, "Hot" is the norm.

I also just checked the average temps in Orlando, and during the warmest months, the average highs ranged from high 80s to low 90s. Ergo, a 93 degree day in Florida is considered hot.

Yancey Ward said...

Just to make the point about the South in Summer- here in Oak Ridge, TN we have already seen 23 days year-to-date with highs over 90 degrees, and it was abnormally cool in June, abnormally warm in May, and July has been very normal.

Of course, 10 years from now, when I go and examine the same high temperature data for Oak Ridge, all those 90 degree days will be 88, the 91s will be 89, the 92s will be 90 etc.

effinayright said...

A corrective for those suffering from climate hysteria during heat waves can be found here:

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2019/07/21/heat-wave-hysteria-the-truth-shall-set-you-free/

traditionalguy said...

75F @ 10:00AM in ATL.. Canadian weather in Deep South.. Once more the colder air dips the jet stream down where it blocks the west to east air flow for a week or so causing cool one place and blocked hot air pockets 500 miles over. But it finally moves on east. This is a Global Cooling weather pattern .

Narr said...

Here in the Bluff City it is going to be about 90 today, but after tomorrow we get several days of unseasonably cool (low80s/mid60s) weather. But it ain't the heat, it's the humidity. And the heat.

Some nights it stays in the 80s; last night it was 80 at 10pm. And humid. 90s day after day is SOP; R.E. Lee (according to Foote) thought that the Yankee forces could not tolerate the lower Mississippi valley climate for long.

We lack the refreshing afternoon showers and breezes of the Gulf coast. Last week I expected to smell salt as Barry fell apart but I never did.

Narr
Did I mention humid?

Yancey Ward said...

Robert, Ocala Florida has an average high in July is 93, same as Orlando. The average is above 90 from June til September- the warmest months, and is above 92 for three of those months. Now, of course, as I wrote, "hot" can be a subjective description, but most people use it to describe deviation from what is normal for a given season. A 93 degree day in July in Central Florida is the norm.

J. Farmer said...

The United States is deploying military personnel and equipment to Saudi Arabia for the first time since 2003, the Pentagon announced.

Great idea. What could possibly go wrong?

rhhardin said...

You'd never know it was a heat emergency if you didn't turn on the news.

I've been bike riding and out scything the lawn.

It's July.

wildswan said...

There s an attack on Hong Kong protetotrs live on Facebook. Where are the police?

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

wildswan said...

Their beeting the Hing Kong protestors Where are the police

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

rhhardin said...

The Ohio early morning sky was remarkably like equatorial Pacific atolls though. Medium cumulus with a humid blue sky between. Evidently a normal equatorial day.

wildswan said...

The woman filming this is bloody in the face

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

rhhardin said...

If hot air goes northwards, somewhere else cool air has to go southwards.

wildswan said...

Theyre beating the protestors. Where are the police

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

wildswan said...

Fucking AOC - this what her goddamn socialists do.
https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

wildswan said...

Watch this for socialism in practice
https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

wildswan said...

The white T shirts are police or antifa
https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

Francisco D said...

Here in suburban Tucson the average high for June is 101 and the average for July is 100. It has been hotter than usual this year with a lot of days reaching 107. It will cool off in October when it drops a few degrees.

We have not had a day below 100 for the past 6 weeks. The monsoons are late, so it is very dry.

My wife considers the Tucson summers as the equivalent of Midwest winters, but we go outside a lot in the early morning and at sundown. We have acclimated very quickly, just like the cacti.

rhhardin said...

Everybody's gone to the heat index because the temperatures aren't very impressive.

They should give the heat index index. What it would feel like if the actual temperature were what the heat index is.

Narr said...

I think in HK we're seeing a replay of late-Ceaucescu's Romania. It has taken a while to assemble enough good-ole-boys from the sticks and riffraff from the streets to set loose.

Here though, they probably have to be careful of the optics--not so much a problem back in the day.

Saudi again, huh? Happy happy joy joy!

Narr
Talk about a shithole

wildswan said...

The white shirts slipped away and now, now the police are here. Socialism on display. China promised Hong Kong would keep democarcy. Oh yeah. Same think as Portland and Andy Ngo

https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/videos/407353793207073/

Yancey Ward said...

"Everybody's gone to the heat index because the temperatures aren't very impressive."

I was a weather nut when I was growing up- I am the kid that The Weather Channel based its business model on in the early 1980s. I noticed the trend towards using heat index rather than air temperature during the late 1990s. It has only accelerated since then.

I lived in CT in 1999 when the northeast had two really brutal heat waves- one in early July and another in the early August- both of which made this weekend look mild. And the one from mid July 1995 made all of them look mild.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

the commenters be like:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/44/c7/2244c7ff4beb67e8bfd86d8618761d20.jpg

FullMoon said...

Third story: Trump called the Swedish PM to get A$AP Rocky released from jail on bail.

Great idea. Now, every country in the world can ask us to let their criminal here to be set free, according to new precedent.

How would we like it if Mexico called upon Trump to return their incarcerated?

Wait, never mind.

Reality though, hope this "famous rapper" is not on video starting some thuggish shit...

FullMoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Original Mike said...

"I've been bike riding and out scything the lawn."

Where does one buy a scyth?

buwaya said...

At the time the SF press often referred to K.Harris as Willie's mistress.
And several of his other girls also, at various times.
This was before the Chronicle and Examiner were entirely disciplined.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“Great idea. What could possibly go wrong?”

I guess Trump doesn’t mind foreign entanglements after all. He still is in favor of helping the Saudi’s win their war with Yemen, right?

buwaya said...

HK is mainly helpless before the Chinese state.

Its a city full of people without recourse, but that of possible economic damage to China proper, due to (further) loss of investment. But thats a weak thing overall vs the potential cost to the regime.

Under the circumstances the Chinese government cannot afford to lose face here. This tactic of unofficial official thugs is just the next step. If this fails then it is the secret police and midnight arrests, and then tanks in the streets.

Big Mike said...

@Yancey, don’t bother explaining reality to Cookie. He’s infinitely intelligent and he knows everything. Just laugh at him.

Michael K said...

How would we like it if Mexico called upon Trump to return their incarcerated?

Wait, never mind.


Since 25% of the prison population are illegals, they probably know better than to ask.

Michael K said...

It has been hotter than usual this year with a lot of days reaching 107.

This May was delightful and last year's June had two weeks over 115. Maybe you were away, a good idea.

traditionalguy said...

500 Special Forces troops in SA with latest weapons is like 50,000 troops in NATO. They deter attacks. If Trump wants war, the troops he would send would be the 82nd out of Pope AFB in 24 hours followed by the M1A1 tanks of the Third Infantry Division at Ft Stewart.

buwaya said...

David Brooks is in full election mode today.
"Donald Trump Hates America"
He has to earn his keep after all.

Marc in Eugene said...

Just watched Daniil Trifonov's Friday night recital at the Verbier Festival; a quite splendid two hours. He performed an encore: John Cage's 4'33". I know about it, of it, but had never seen it performed (or 'performed') on stage. While my opinion was bemused indulgence of a musical beau geste, I've changed my mind somewhat and now think that while it may be spectacle it's also pretty straightforwardly a ridiculous mockery, a meta-joke with probably more than one object of derision. Tsk. A disappointing end to a series of lovely pieces (Berg, Prokofiev, Bartok, Messiaen's Le baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus).

This is scythe central so far as I know: Scythe Supply in Maine. "Schroeckenfux... has been forging scythe blades since 1540." I haven't used one in many years but they are great tools!

J. Farmer said...

@traditionalguy:

They deter attacks.

Right. It's not as if an American troop presence in Saudi Arabia ever inspired any attacks.

Robert Cook said...

"A 93 degree day in July in Central Florida is the norm."

And I still assert this is considered hot by Floridians. Or, at least, it was considered hot by myself and the Floridians among whom I lived and worked, even when such days were "the norm." We didn't consider them merely "warm."

(I lived in "Central Florida" only for the years I attended University of Florida in Gainesville. I grew up in Jacksonville.)

Original Mike said...

Thanks for the link, Marc!

J. Farmer said...

And I still assert this is considered hot by Floridians.

For what it's worth, I consider anything over 90 "hot." And as Floridians love to say, it's not the heat, it's humidity! My family's roots in west Florida go back to the late 19th century, and whatever tolerance to heat that may have been built up over the generations was most certainly not passed down to me. The Tampa Theater opened in 1926 and was the first building in the city to provide air conditioning, greatly contributing to its popularity.

Narayanan said...

J. Farmer said..The Tampa Theater opened in 1926 and was the first building in the city to provide air conditioning, greatly contributing to its popularity...

What was the price premium for tickets and concessions if you remember?

rcocean said...

Shane Lowery won the Open. An Irishman winning the Big one in Ireland. A storybook ending. Of course the last Irish "Open Champion" was an asshole named Paddy Harrington. He attacked Trump and called him a racist. He supports open borders FOR THE USA (not Ireland) because the "Irish are a wandering people". What a Dick. I hope Shane is a better person.

rcocean said...

I like the South. But the summers kill me. If it only would cool off during the Night. Thank God I travel a lot.

J. Farmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J. Farmer said...

@Narayanan:

What was the price premium for tickets and concessions if you remember

Ha. It was 25 cents when it first opened, which, adjusted for inflation, would be $3.50 today. And it pretty much represented the first time the general population could experience opulence on that level. It was one of the movie palaces designed by John Eberson in his atmospheric style. Now it's mostly supported by donations, and I donate enough each year for free admission and free refills on concessions.

Clark said...

"He performed an encore: John Cage's 4'33". "

I once organized a performance of that piece in an informal setting. We did it as a quartet or quintet of diverse instruments. This was many years ago. I think we had piano, flute, cello, maybe trumpet . . . I don't remember what else.

We had a small audience of people who were respectful and ready to hear whatever we might perform for them. We did this on a lark, but it turned out to be a beautiful experience, believe it or not. There were some street sounds and other accidental events (horns, dogs, clocks chiming, that kind of thing) that entered into the listening space we created. This kind of listening/meditative/accidental experience is what Cage had in mind. (I actually had lunch with him some months after the performance and we talked about it.)

It was a less cynical time.

narciso said...

The basing rights in the kingdom were negotiated in the 80s by Richard Clarke, when we pulled out of saudo that ended the terror attacks right?

narciso said...

You expect Brooks to get a clue, and you'll die of thirst.

Marc in Eugene said...

"This kind of listening/meditative/accidental experience is what Cage had in mind."

I don't doubt a respectable good intention! And I'm a sucker for live performance so doubtless I could find something laudatory to say were I actually in the audience. If we could all agree to call it 'performance art' it would save me having to try to defend it as composed, art music.

(And the Trifonov recital happened last, Saturday, night, not Friday night.)

narciso said...

Why I call it the basilisk:

https://mobile.twitter.com/LegInsurrection/status/1153034447895355394

J. Farmer said...

@narciso:

The basing rights in the kingdom were negotiated in the 80s by Richard Clarke, when we pulled out of saudo that ended the terror attacks right?

We pulled out in 2003 just before Iraq, and Wolfowitz justified it as protecting American lives. He also sold one of the benefits of the Iraq War as being able to remove our troops from the Kingdom, as their presence had been one of the inspirations for the attacks. But don't worry, narciso, I don't expect to you mutter an ounce of criticism towards Trump's Saudi First middle eastern policy.

Jim at said...

Shane Lowery won the Open. An Irishman winning the Big one in Ireland.

Technically, it's Northern Ireland. Two, completely separate countries.

Quaestor said...

Astronaut's answers

We're only here for a few days. No sweat, we trained to do without BJs for as much as two weeks.

Yeah, why not?

I wanted to say Americans only, but they wouldn't allow it.

No. They gotta hold it or go outside.

Michael K said...

one of the benefits of the Iraq War as being able to remove our troops from the Kingdom, as their presence had been one of the inspirations for the attacks.

Then moved the headquarters to Qatar, the chief sponsor of terror outside Iran.

Not Trump's doing.

narciso said...

The fact they couldn't continue mounting major attacks after 2005, they moved to attacking prince nayef trying to blow up targets over Detroit, sending cartridge bombs doesn't mean their motivation didnt change,

Kevin said...

The NYT in 2017: Trump Loves America Too Much

The NYT in 2019: Trump Hates America

Clark said...

"If we could all agree to call it 'performance art' it would save me having to try to defend it as composed, art music. "

I am ok with calling it performance art, and I believe Cage would have had no problem with that as well. I would even say that we would be better off if all of what you called "composed, art music" were thought of as performance art. When I sit down to hear a Beethoven Sonata, I should listen to it as if I have no idea what is coming.

Kevin said...

Trump's Saudi First middle eastern policy.

A real Saudi-first policy would have been to cut ties with Israel.

J. Farmer said...

@narciso:

trying to blow up targets over Detroit, sending cartridge bombs doesn't mean their motivation didnt changee

Abdulmutallab had just turned 23 and tried to set his dick on fire before being quickly and totally subdued by passengers. Thank god we've spent trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives to protect ourselves from such cunning adversaries. And, of course, the "they" in that case was Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who the Saudis are giving money and American-made weapons and support to in Yemen.

J. Farmer said...

@Michael K:

Then moved the headquarters to Qatar, the chief sponsor of terror outside Iran.

"Chief sponsor of terror" is a bullshit political label that has more to do with US strategic interests than any facts on the ground. The Saudis just a few years ago were giving money and support to radical Salafist groups in Syria to make war on Assad. They're currently empowering and giving money and support to AQAP in Yemen.

News flash: all of the regional powers in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran) support various foreign terrorist and proxy groups in order to carry out their various agenda. This is not a question of good guys versus bad guys.

Not Trump's doing.

It is ironic given how much Trump has defined himself as the anti-Obama that he has decided to double down on two of Obama's worst policies: arms sales to the Saudis and supporting their war on Yemen.

J. Farmer said...

@Kevin:

A real Saudi-first policy would have been to cut ties with Israel.

Not in the least. The Saudis and the Israelis have been cooperating, albeit quietly, for years. Sadly Trump has demonstrated to the Saudis just how thoroughly he is willing to be a mouthpiece and lackey so long as he is sufficiently flattered and fawned over.

narciso said...

I'm describing what the Saudi network has been reduced to doing, but not their intentions, and Qatar has taken up the Salafi accounts in Egypt Libya, Syria, et al, in large measure, so how does a mere member of a kindite tribe become the authority over who can do what anywhere in the region, yes al hawali and al awda, swore fatwas against coalition personnel based on what,

narciso said...

You buy theit statements, but another subsequent actions, that counter them, you ignore, it's like if Israel was to claim Mesopotamia from ur (near basra) to Nineveh, based on scripture,

J. Farmer said...

@narciso:

If you ever learn how to connect one sentence to another, perhaps we could have a discussion of this matter. But as it stands, you can't, so we won't.

You act as if you're preferred strategy hasn't been the Establishment consensus for at least 40 years. Incessant interventionism has produced one failure after another. See Andrew Bacevich's America's War for the Greater Middle East. Had my preferred strategy been followed, the 9/11 hijackers would never have been allowed to enter the US in the first place. So please spare me your lectures.

FullMoon said...

A rather large attention seeking lying woman of Democrat state lawmakercolor falsely accuses a petite white hispanic Trump hating man of a hate crime. Small guy sets the record straight


"A Georgia state lawmaker appears to have been caught lying about her allegation that she was told to “go to back to where you came from” by a white customer in an Atlanta grocery store.

On Friday, Erica Thomas, a Democrat, alleged that a “white man” called her a “lazy son of a b*tch” and told her to “go back” to where she came from. (RELATED: ‘Incredible Patriots’ — Trump Stands Behind North Carolina Rally Crowd Despite ‘Send Her Back’ Chant)

“Today I was verbally assaulted in the grocery store by a white man who told me I was a lazy SOB and to go back to where I came from bc I had to many items in the express lane,” Thomas said in a Friday tweet. “My husband wasn’t there to defend me because he is on Active Duty serving the country I came from USA!”

On the same day Thomas detailed the alleged encounter in a Facebook live video. She opened up by saying, “People are getting really out of control with this white privilege stuff.”

On Sunday, Eric Sparkes stepped forwarded and claimed he was the man that Thomas was referring to in the grocery store. He denied ever making any racially charged insults towards Thomas and said he only called her a “lazy b*itch” because she had too many items in the express checkout lane.

“I’m a liar about what?” Thomas said while yelling at Sparkes, who were both being interviewed by local media.

“Everything that happened,” Sparkes responded. “Me telling you to ‘Go back where you came from.’ Did I say that? Is it on video?”

“Are you serious? What did you say to me then,” Thomas asked.

“I called you a lazy b*tch,” Sparkes answered. “That’s the worst thing I said.”

Sparkes told reporters that he is a Democrat and a Hispanic American who vehemently opposes President Trump. He added that Thomas was only doing this to help further her political career.

“This woman is playing the victim for political purposes because she is a state legislator,” Sparkes said in a video by CBS 46. “I’m a Democrat and will vote Democrat for the rest of my life, so to call me whatever she wants to believe. For her political purposes, make it black, white, brown, whatever. It is untrue.”

Facebook posts from Sparkes do show that he is not a big fan of the president. He was especially critical of Trump this week for his attack on the “squad.”

https://dailycaller.com/2019/07/21/georgia-lawmaker-caught-lying-racist-encounter/

J. Farmer said...

@Full Moon:

A rather large attention seeking lying woman of Democrat state lawmakercolor falsely accuses a petite white hispanic Trump hating man of a hate crime. Small guy sets the record straight

Haha...I was skeptical of the initial story to say the least. This was my favorite quote from her: "I don't want to say he said, 'Go back to your country,' or 'Go back to where you came from,'" Thomas said. "But he was making those types of references is what I remember."

She doesn't want to say that he said the things she claimed he said less than 12 hours earlier.

narciso said...

You think the enemies can be appeased by throwing Israel or even India, under the bus, you believe the Soviets could be appeased the same way, well history has proven otherwise,

J. Farmer said...

@narciso:

I've never said any of those things. That's just more stuff you pulled out of your ass.

stevew said...

Thermometer topped out at 96 today at casa stevew. The news reports breathlessly tell me, over and over and over again, that the heat index had us up in the 105 to 112 range; whatever the F that is. 96 is plenty damn hot. Went for a walk around the neighborhood, at a good pace, and it felt really good. I wore shorts, of the cargo variety which are my summer work pants.

Spent a good amount of time in the basement workshop. Quite pleasant, mid-60's and the dehumidifier keeps the air nice and dry.

Mrs. stevew and mother-in-law are traveling in Madeira and the Azores. It's a lot cooler there. That's actually a place I would enjoy visiting, but only with the mrs. Besides, I wasn't invited.

Michael K said...

all of the regional powers in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran) support various foreign terrorist and proxy groups in order to carry out their various agenda. This is not a question of good guys versus bad guys.

Sorry. I forgot you know everything.

narciso said...

but he only gives the Iranian militias the benefit of the doubt, I admit if I was a Zaydi and seen how the saud have treated yemen, Id be sympathetic to the Houthi, that's how we ended with modern Lebanon,


https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kyle-drennen/2019/07/21/collusion-nbc-promotes-fun-faceapp-then-realizes-its-russian

Birkel said...

How dare you call the peaceful Iranians who are peacefully attacking private shipping routes with military assets anything but peaceful?
--Smug

J. Farmer said...

@Narciso:

Once again, you're making up shit. Please stick to things I've actually said instead of the strawmen you invent in your head.

J. Farmer said...

@Michael K:

Sorry. I forgot you know everything.

You make a factual claim, which apparently doesn't make you a know-it-all. I disagree with it, and I'm a know-it-all. For a man of your age and education, you are unbelievably childish. And illogical.

J. Farmer said...

How dare you call the peaceful Saudi Arabians who peacefully created ISIS in Syria and are peacefully empowering Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula with American-provided military assets anything but peaceful?
-Fucking Moron

walter said...

Full Moon,
As I drove up from Aurora, Il today, I happened upon an NPR rebroadcast of an Ira Glass This American Life ep from 2000 named Americans in Paris.
I found this piece of it interesting:

"Janet Mcdonald

I was going to the movies with a friend of mine from Yale who is black also. And there was a long line. And we were like, let's jump the line. These white people, they're going to be scared of us. We'll just go and jump the line. We'll get to the front of the line. So, of course, you know, we walked up to the front of the line, like, yeah, you want to try me? I'm black. That usually works in New York.

These people were ready to rip our hair out. And they were white. I couldn't believe it. And they were like, in French, what are you doing? The line starts back there. You can't just walk to the front of the line. They were, like, ready to kick our butts. I was shocked. I'm like, these are white people, and they're not scared of us?

That's when I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore. And I liked it. I mean, of course, it was kind of humiliating, because you know, we're supposed to be the intimidating, scary ones. And then all these French bitches in high heels were threatening us. And they were in our faces. And it made me realize that the whole black-white game just doesn't work outside of the United States.

Because white people aren't afraid of you here. And at the same time, they don't hate you, because that sort of goes together. So I'll take it. I'll wait on line. Now I don't dare jump lines. So that opened my eyes."

ken in tx said...

Some people call a sling blade a scythe. It's what was used before weed-eaters came along.

Birkel said...

Now you'll just have to find me typing a single word in support of Saudi Arabia. Good luck!

J. Farmer said...

Now you'll just have to find me typing a single word in support of Iran. Good luck!

walter said...

(By the way, "regular" gas in Janesville, WI is $2.59. About 100mi South in Aurora, Il $3.39)

rcocean said...

"Technically, it's Northern Ireland. Two, completely separate countries."

Thanks Captain Obvious!

"Technically" Ireland is the name of the island and everyone born there are often called Irish. And even more "technically" the two countries are the UK and the Republic of Ireland. And "super technically" - Did you know there's one Golfing Union for all of Ireland. Oh sorry, I meant Ireland AND that piece of Island of Ireland that is a "separate country" called the UK.

rcocean said...

Charles Sykes (who's Jewish) is now writing in the Catholic Magazine "America". Reason? Attacking Trump. However, he quoted Thomas More and Dante so, i guess that makes him Catholic enough.

Narayanan said...

Any evidence New KSA is different from Old KSA?

Or is that only known to Trump and Obama?

J. Farmer said...

@Narayanan:

Any evidence New KSA is different from Old KSA?

Or is that only known to Trump and Obama?


I think it long predates Trump and Obama. The imminent modernization of Saudi Arabia has been talked about for decades. For one because it is necessary to help propel the relationship forward, even though it is largely based in Cold War anachronisms. MBS has been particularly effective at getting good PR in the US and getting credulous commentators to carry his banner for him, even as his actions have mostly revealed him to be impetuous and incompetent. Even if his desire to modernize were 100% genuine, there are deeply structural problems in Saudi Arabia that prevent it and that are bigger than what a single man can change. MBS' actions have resulted in massive capital flight and an exodus of expat from Saudi Arabia, which is the exact opposite of what his supposed modernization wants to achieve.

Narr said...

What do you get when you put Zionists, S(fr)audis, and clueless WASPs in charge of preserving peace in the Middle East? We're about to find out.

(Crossword puzzle clue-- Middle East Peace Process, three letters, begins with W . . .)

JF mentions Bacevich, who should be paid heed; Robert D. Kaplan in Revenge of Geography disagrees with Bacevich's policy ideas, but does agree that while we spend enormous sums of money and attention on borders and security issues in the GME, the greatest geopolitical crisis WE face is to our south and goes neglected (he wrote in 2012 IIRC). Even old Hackworth was predicting a southern crisis in his memoir; I didn't buy it then but he knew of what he spoke.

So many are so eager to jump all over Farmer it makes me think they fear he's too persuasive. As if any of our nattering here affects anything but our opinions of one another.

Narr
If that




Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

@stevew
Azores are awesome-- absolutely go when you get the chance.
Was there about 20 yrs ago. One of the best trips ever--
very interesting vegetation/geology-- simple, not glitzy/tourist-y

narciso said...

Young captain bacevich wanted to abandon the salvadorans to the guerillas in the late 80s, they prevailed over them, yet the 'truth commissions' and amnesties allowed the guerillas to seize power, just like with the ira vs the Ulster and UK forces, old habits die hatd

narciso said...

Expeditionary forces have proven impractical as pointed out, but you rule out any intervention

J. Farmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Narayanan said...

Thanks.

I found this list:
https://www.fodors.com/news/arts-culture/americas-best-historic-movie-theaters

Road trip!!

J. Farmer said...

@Narayanan:

I found this list:
https://www.fodors.com/news/arts-culture/americas-best-historic-movie-theaters

Road trip!!


Nice to see we made the cut. If you ever do make it down this way, drop me a line. I can get you in for free and get you a backstage tour.

J. Farmer said...

Expeditionary forces have proven impractical as pointed out, but you rule out any intervention

Yep. I have this crazy notion that American foreign policy ought to prioritize Americans and American national security interests, not some bullshit we-are-the-world internationalism. I do not believe that America has any responsibility to involve itself in the affairs of other countries. And as has been mentioned, the far greater threat to America is internal rather than external. If anything, the external threat is a distraction from the internal. Or, as Steve Sailer describes it, "invade the world, invite the world." That is as perfect a summation of globalism as you're likely to encounter.

Narayanan said...

So we have KSA losing capital and Iran gained capital.

How is it played out so far on the new game board? How many know it's different board?

And lower price for oil.

Is it all Trump's doing?

narciso said...

Have you seen the condition of the Iranian economy, it's a disaster and the unrest has been 'covered with a cloth' despite the niac and qatari affiliates the public offering yielded good fruit.

narciso said...

The us govt wont support a regime in its front yard, which had a quarter century of good relations and yet has gone three quarter of the way around the world for dubious regimes

Tank said...

At the Orangeness Café, Trump is fun.

Really, how can you not love the guy?

These people sure do.

J. Farmer said...

@Narayanan:

So we have KSA losing capital and Iran gained capital.

Who said anything about Iran gaining capital?

How is it played out so far on the new game board? How many know it's different board?

I am not sure what this "new game board" you refer to means.

And lower price for oil.

The average per barrel cost of petroleum in January 2017 was 53.59. It has not been that low since September 2017.

Is it all Trump's doing?

Is all what Trump's doing?

J. Farmer said...

@narciso:

The us govt wont support a regime in its front yard, which had a quarter century of good relations and yet has gone three quarter of the way around the world for dubious regimes

The "three quarter of the way around the world for dubious regimes" is what should be stopped. And what is this "front yard" business?

Guildofcannonballs said...

Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a Kaizer blade. Um huh.

Michael K said...

Confirmation that the DNC hack was NOT the Russians.

Almost certainly Seth Ruch.

Quaestor said...

However, he quoted Thomas More and Dante so, i guess that makes him Catholic enough.

Everybody is supposed to think highly of Sir Thomas, mainly on the strength of his largely synthetic hagiography, and because he opposed conventional baddie Henry Tudor over the matter of royal family values — a #MeToo hero virtually tailor-made for puerile 21st-century notions of 16th-century politics.

However, even a good Catholic's stomach should retch in reaction to More's unbridled glee over the burning of Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes.

narciso said...

When you serve a monarch like Henry Tudor, even provide inspiration like William tyndale, do not be surprised you will have a bad end like Thomas Cromwell. Wolf hall is the devils advocate brief.

narciso said...

The short answer where the company operatives in the country in question, were at best fools they accepted the assurances of the future wife of the brother of the dictator

narciso said...


The epitome of dialogue:


https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/07/pope_franciss_reprehensible_failure_on_venezuela.html

Birkel said...

No criticisms of Iran.
Defenses of Iran regarding the nuclear deal.

And it's not exactly like I'm alone in that assessment.
It's ok, Smug.
Your thought betray your typing.

FullMoon said...

Confirmation that the DNC hack was NOT the Russians.

Almost certainly Seth Rich.


I believe it but that and hope for definitive evidence. But the link is just one person claiming another person was told something.

J. Farmer said...

@Birkel:

No criticisms of Iran.

Hahaha. So that's the best you could come up with? I don't criticize Turkmenistan, either. Doesn't mean I support them. That's pretty elementary logic.

Defenses of Iran regarding the nuclear deal.

No, I defend the nuclear deal, which limits Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons. The fact that you conflate that with defending Iran should demonstrate to you how bereft you are of argument.

And it's not exactly like I'm alone in that assessment.

You're right. A lot of other people rely on stupid ad hominem attacks to hide their lack of knowledge.

It's ok, Smug.

Don't need reassurances from you, but appreciate it nonetheless.

Your thought betray your typing.

Your lame attempt at showing my "support of Iran" betray your idiocy. More than usually. This was just pathetic.

J. Farmer said...

p.s. And my criticisms of places like Saudi Arabia are in service of opposing US support for them. Same with places like Egypt and Israel. If the US was providing Iran with military aid and equipment, assisting them in carrying out wars against their neighbors, and stationing troops in their country, I'd oppose that, too.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

“would you like an intimate massage, sir, by a pretty young girl?”

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-21/margolis-who-was-epstein-working

FullMoon said...

Well now. Never heard of Joe Biggs but not gonna lie when I say would be fun if a couple of hundred genuine bad guys show up to debate the antifa gang. Assuming the masked marauders are not too busy elsewhere that day to participate.

"Joe Biggs Has ‘Had Enough of These Masked Commie Bastards Attacking Civilians,’ Will Host Anti-Antifa Protest in Portland"

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/07/joe-biggs-has-had-enough-of-these-masked-commie-bastards-attacking-civilians-will-host-anti-antifa-protest-in-portland/

narciso said...

Joe bloom, a long time movie critic on showtime and then TNT, I think hes an Austin resident.

I brought up bacevichs history as an armed services committee staffer re central america.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

“Unsex Me Here" and Other Bad Ideas

"What contemporary feminism fails to adequately grapple with is nature itself, and as a result, feminist attitudes towards men, and particularly towards male sexuality, are compassionless and punitive (not to mention humourless—and human"

https://quillette.com/2019/07/22/unsex-me-here-and-other-bad-ideas/

Maillard Reactionary said...

Those lilies are very nice. My lilies are also having a good time this year, down by the mailbox. They seem to like the heat.

I look forward to your 74 degrees getting here to 99 degree New Jersey, some time this week.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

How the Left Turned Words Into ‘Violence,’ and Violence Into ‘Justice’

Under a prevalent view that has emerged from universities in recent years, a wrong opinion is seen as tantamount to a thrown punch or even an indication of a willingness to genocide

https://quillette.com/2019/07/20/how-the-left-turned-words-into-violence-and-violence-into-justice/

Birkel said...

Yes, Smug.
Of course.
Your careful parsing doesn't hide intent.

Fen said...

"I have this crazy notion that American foreign policy ought to prioritize Americans and American national security interests"


As determined by who? You?

You claim border security is most important to you. But you abandon support of Trump re the issue because it isn't happening fast enough for you?

Stick to checkers.

Michael K said...

But the link is just one person claiming another person was told something.<

But it's a court case subject to rules of evidence. It will be interesting.

J. Farmer said...

@Birkel:

Your careful parsing doesn't hide intent.

Precisely. It's actually quite simple. I say what I think and why I think it. I have no desire nor need to "hide intent" from some anonymous Internet douche bag like yourself.

J. Farmer said...

@Fen:

As determined by who? You?

Yep.

You claim border security is most important to you. But you abandon support of Trump re the issue because it isn't happening fast enough for you?

I've addressed this with you multiple times. I've already pressed you on this issue and this most you could come up with for fighting was to vote for Trump in 2020, which I've already conceded I plan on doing. Please get some new material.

Stick to checkers.

Devastating riposte as usual, Fen. No wonder your mother can't stand you.

rightguy said...

Pretty warm today at the AZ edge of the Mojave. AccuWeather says it could hit 112, Thursday-yikes! Good time to head north.

Crazy World said...

Love the flowers!

Largo said...

Wildswan, I'm in Hong Kong now. I just got off work. I hope my commute home avoids the trouble. My wife called to ask me to come *straight* home.

Dave said...

Just borrowing this open thread for a second. Thank you!!