Slouching Towards Oblivion

Tuesday, August 07, 2018

The Assholes In Charge


Wilbur Ross may be the swampiest of the Swamp Thangs.

Dan Alexander, Forbes:

It is difficult to imagine the possibility that a man like Ross, who Forbes estimates is worth some $700 million, might steal a few million from one of his business partners. Unless you have heard enough stories about Ross. Two former WL Ross colleagues remember the commerce secretary taking handfuls of Sweet’N Low packets from a nearby restaurant, so he didn’t have to go out and buy some for himself. One says workers at his house in the Hamptons used to call the office, claiming Ross had not paid them for their work. Another two people said Ross once pledged $1 million to a charity, then never paid. A commerce official called the tales “petty nonsense,” and added that Ross does not put sweetener in his coffee.

There are bigger allegations. Over several months, in speaking with 21 people who know Ross, Forbes uncovered a pattern: Many of those who worked directly with him claim that Ross wrongly siphoned or outright stole a few million here and a few million there, huge amounts for most but not necessarily for the commerce secretary. At least if you consider them individually. But all told, these allegations—which sparked lawsuits, reimbursements and an SEC fine—come to more than $120 million. If even half of the accusations are legitimate, the current United States secretary of commerce could rank among the biggest grifters in American history.

- and -

Those who’ve done business with Ross generally tell a consistent story, of a man obsessed with money and untethered to facts. “He’ll push the edge of truthfulness and use whatever power he has to grab assets,” says New York financier Asher Edelman. One of Ross’ former colleagues is more direct: “He’s a pathological liar.”

Wilbur Ross is on the Cult45 payroll because Wilbur Ross is a kindred spirit - crooked like a mountain road.

One more time - say it with me now: This is not an administration; this is a fucking robbery.

Sunday, August 05, 2018

Shenanigans

Seems like an idea whose time has come.


But, as always, we have to understand that civil disobedience and political mischief of this kind are illegal, so be ready. 

You can't very well stand up to the law if you're not equally willing to stand up for the law.

You don't throw rocks and then hide your hands.

This is the difference between living democratic principles and the kind of mob rule currently on display at any given Hillbilly Nuremburg Rally.

Virginia Law:

§ 46.2-832. Damaging or removing traffic control devices or street address signs.
Any person who intentionally defaces, damages, knocks down, or without authorization interferes with the effective operation of, or removes any traffic control device or a street address sign posted to assist in address identification in connection with enhanced 9-1-1 service as defined in § 56-484.12 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

§ 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor.
(a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

Paraphrasing that strange little brown man in the funny clothes:

"They can arrest me. They can beat me. They can kill me. They will then have my dead broken body, but they will never have my obedience."

Saturday, August 04, 2018

What We're Talking About

Maybe I'm trying to be a little too much of a Big-Brain, but I've had to push back against "liberals" who've been taking shots at Chris Coons for doing this - not the fact that he's doing it, but the way he does it - "very dry and sterile".


Criticism of someone's style is legit. If you don't like the way the message is presented, it's less likely you'll take the message in and fully absorb it. But if we're just indulging ourselves in Anti-Intellectualism, we risk missing the point entirely, and that's decidedly unhelpful. The other side is quite accomplished when it comes to dumping on the Dems - they don't need our assistance.

And I don't need some kind of School House Rock version, if that's what you're getting at. I'm not a fucking child - I don't require spoon-feeding by way of entertainment.

Civics

Today's lesson is the 1st amendment:

The Cornfield Resistance

Best little podcast anywhere.

"Magical Ruralism"
"Memory is the liberal's super power"







Friday, August 03, 2018

Today's Tweet



I don't know how long it's been going on - I'm thinking it's been at least a coupla weeks - and I just hope it goes on for a good while longer.

 

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Samantha Bee

Full Frontal - every Wednesday night at 10:30 Eastern on TBS:



Trae Crowder

The Liberal Redneck nails it again - especially the part about "both sides".


And here's the Brian Kemp ad he mentioned (Poe's Law applies - this is not a parody):