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Remembering Diane Keaton

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Oct 12, 2025 at 05:09:27 PM EST
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R.I.P. Diane Keaton. The incredibly accomplished and uniquely gifted actor, interior designer, photographer, fashion icon, and single mother of two, who shared so many of her boundless talents and interests with us, passed away unexpectedly this weekend at age 79. According to the obituaries, her health took a sudden downturn a few months ago. Condolences to her children, Dexter and Duke, and to all who knew and loved her.

There aren't many movies I've watched more than once or twice, even those I loved. These are my favorite Diane Keaton movies, each of which I've watched more than five times during my life:

  • Lovers and Other Strangers (1970, her first movie, with a stellar cast, including Bea Arthur, Bonnie Bedelia, Michael Brandon, Anne Meara, Cloris Leachman, Richard Castellano, Gig Young. (free streaming link)
  • Reds (1981, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson)
  • Looking for Mr. Goodbar ( 1977, Tuesday Weld, Richard Gere)
  • Annie Hall (Woody Allen) (1977, Oscar)
  • Play it Again Sam (Woody Allen)
  • Somthing's Gotta Give (2003, Jack Nicholson)

IMMB has a slideshow with 712 photos of Diane Keaton. The Hollywood Reporter has some excellent coverage of her life, career, the tributes to her pouring in, and of course, her iconic style.

Jane Fonda posted this great photo. (So did Goldie Hawn).

R.I.P. Diane. Your memory will be a blessing forever to so many.

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    Remembering Diane Keaton | 150 comments (150 topical)

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    Great acting range (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by McBain on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 09:26:51 AM EST
    In addition to Annie Hall, Keaton was also in Allen's Sleeper and the underrated Love and Death, which were two of his slapstick comedies.
    Of course there's also the Godfather, arguably the greatest movie ever made.  

    Someone posted this (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 06:37:29 PM EST
    movie poster I love that I don't remember ever seeing

    Diane Keaton and Woody Allen... (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by desertswine on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 09:52:40 PM EST
    collaborated on eight films together. I didn't realize that.

    Play It Again, Sam (1972) - Directed by Herbert Ross, but written by and starring Woody Allen, with Keaton as the female lead.

    Sleeper (1973) - A sci-fi comedy where Allen and Keaton play off each other brilliantly.

    Love and Death (1975) - A satirical take on Russian literature and war films.

    Annie Hall (1977) - Their most iconic collaboration, which won Keaton the Oscar for Best Actress.

    Interiors (1978) - A serious drama, marking a tonal shift in Allen's work.

    Manhattan (1979) - A romantic drama set in New York City.

    Radio Days (1987) - Keaton has a small role in this nostalgic ensemble piece.

    Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) - A comedic mystery that reunited the duo after a long gap.

    Putting this here (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 02:12:03 PM EST
    since the open thread is full. My tiny town of around 3K had 250 people show up for the no kings protest. The organizers had thought maybe 50 would show up. Then 150 registered with an extra 100 that just showed up to protest. Most people that drove by were either silent or honked in agreement. There were 3 Trump supporters. One gave us the finger, one was on a motorcycle that was so loud we could barely understand that he was screaming Trump and the last one literally was a stalker. It was a truck with the cult flag coming out of the bed of the truck and it drove by on the street a couple of times and kept circling when we were cheering at the courthouse. We laughed at it every time it drove by.  

    It started raining here about 1 (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 05:10:32 PM EST
    so I'm sure some of the gatherings went off ok. I haven't seen any local news.
    I've been watching it all day on tv.  While bringing the plants in from the deck, a full days job. That time of year.

    I have been dropping into FOX off and on just for laughs.  

    I just heard some blond news Barbie say that in Times Square she didn't see any young people, like her, just most old people, she said. Just a bunch of old hippies with a last gasp of dying liberalism.

    Really.  That's what they are going with.

    I spoke to some friends in StLouis just as it was starting to rain there, about 11, they said they were going out with umbrellas.  Haven't heard since.

    Parent

    Our protest site did not march (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by MO Blue on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 05:41:21 PM EST
    It rained the entire time of the protest but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of our protesters. The crowd was very large for the west county area where we were at. All age groups were represented. An equally large number of people drove by with their signs proudly displayed on their cars or held out the windows. The horns honking in support were so loud at times it caused my watch to warn me about being in a loud environment.

    After almost 3 hours standing in the rain I was soaked even with all the rain gear I was wearing but I returned home proud of myself, my family and my fellow citizens.

    Parent

    While I was typing that (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 05:14:05 PM EST
    I got a text

    Just got home and into dry clothes.  It rained (moderately to lighty) the whole time.  I was soaked through by the end.  By the time we parked and walked to the rally, the march was already lining up.  We walked about 3 miles in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.  The crowd was in a great mood and cheered everytime it lightninged or thundered, which it did the whole march and is still doing.  The crowd seemed bigger than last time.



    Parent
    I'm in the big town with oculus (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 19, 2025 at 11:17:32 AM EST
    We were in the Times Square vicinity yesterday, but not with signs. I see the orange one is particularly pissed about Times Square lololol.

    NYC (Manhattan area) is very different since congestion pricing. 8th Avenue was shut down yesterday and full of tents, vendors selling artwork, street corn, all kinds of stuff. Parks have pop up restaurants, lots of outdoor seating. I went to see Heathers last night, great park next to the theater with two pop up restaurants. We saw Slam Frank Thursday night. Slam Frank is going to be the thing to see soon. It was still in development when we saw it. They were still changing things, but they are about to hit the road.

    Parent

    Please send regards (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Sun Oct 19, 2025 at 11:25:31 AM EST
    to Oculus from us old timer Talk Lefters.

    Parent
    Will do (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 19, 2025 at 11:32:46 AM EST


    Parent
    They (none / 0) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 07:42:26 PM EST
    Have been using the hippies are protesting for decades now going back to Limbaugh and the Iraq War

    Parent
    You know, I'm actually very surprised ... (none / 0) (#20)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 05:24:49 AM EST
    ... that nobody on Fox News tries to link us all to the old radical Weather Underground, probably because when younger folks Google "Weather Underground" online, it's now an actual weather site.

    Parent
    I guess we can use Diane's thread (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 05:34:20 PM EST
    There is some pretty big Epstein news
    From the Estate.

    Epstein Had Dinners with Top Prosecutor on His Case
    October 18, 2025 at 1:32 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 168 Comments

    "Jeffrey Epstein had multiple appointments, phone calls and dinners with Matthew Menchel -- the Miami U.S. Attorney's office chief criminal prosecutor who spearheaded Epstein's sweetheart deal in 2007," the Miami Herald reports.

    "A tranche of over 8,500 pages of records from Epstein's estate -- released by the House Oversight Committee Friday -- show that Epstein's calendars and emails reflect that Menchel, who left the DOJ in 2007, had multiple meetings or dinners with Epstein in 2011, 2013 and 2017. Lawmakers also referred to a photograph of Menchel on a ski trip with Epstein sometime in the 2000s, but didn't produce the photo

    Epstein had dinners with a top Florida prosecutor on his case, docs show

    Interesting (none / 0) (#15)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 18, 2025 at 07:48:25 PM EST
    That is the first time I believe that name has been mentioned.  Sydney Blumenthal said this was a federalist society op that got.Epstein a.deal

    Parent
    Trump posted on (5.00 / 4) (#19)
    by KeysDan on Sun Oct 19, 2025 at 02:53:53 PM EST
    Truth Social an AI-generated video of him as "poop pilot" dumping human excrement on American citizens protesting No Kings. This disgusting video is commented on here because it is the President of the United States and shows his disrespect for Americans.  A word description does not convey the degradation of his office, but if you have a sensitive stomach, do not link.

    Best (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 07:16:32 AM EST
    Response I saw was Trump crops on the citizens everyday so this really isn't news.

    Parent
    This sounds like good news (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 05:32:56 PM EST
    Which we all need.

    The WSJournal is saying Trump has ok'd long range weapons to Ukraine.  Trump is denying it.

    I will go with the Journal and call it good news

    'Fake!' Raging Trump unloads on WSJ over missile report

    "The Wall Street Journal story on the U.S.A.'s approval of Ukraine being allowed to use long range missiles deep into Russia is FAKE NEWS!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The U.S. has nothing to do with those missiles, wherever they may come from, or what Ukraine does with them!"

    He's really afraid of Putin. And I don't think it's his military he is afraid of..

    Judging by (none / 0) (#61)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 06:24:40 PM EST
    the story about the birthday book in the WSJ and how Trump denied it but it ended up being true and the WSJ being right I am going with the WSJ too.

    Scaramucci swears Putin has something on Trump. Michael Wolff said that Epstein went to Russia after the 2016 election. Might have had nothing to do with Trump but it also could have.

    Parent

    Amazing Oster for (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 10:26:50 AM EST
    the new Frankenstein

    I hope you can see it.  If not Google it.

    A FIREFOX version (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 04:34:41 PM EST
    for the CHROME challenged

    I'll try to remember to post images with FFox

    Parent

    Y'all seem very quiet (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 09:05:01 AM EST
    remember this - next week Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger will be governors.

    CA is going to pass prop 50 by a big margin and proud Democratic Socialist will be Mayor of Donalds home town.

    Cheer up.

    I certainly hope you are (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM EST
    right about New Jersey.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 10:11:44 AM EST
    She's ahead in every poll I found but this one

    Emerson College shows Sherrill and Ciattarelli in a dead heat at 43%. The poll, sponsored by PIX 11 and The Hill, released Sept. 25, shows 11% of voters still remain undecided. Young voters, those under 40, break for Sherrill (58%), while voters over 50 lean toward Ciattarelli (52%). It's also a stark gender divide, with women leaning 46% (10 points) for Sherrill, while men break for Ciattarelli by 12 points (51%)

    Parent

    I am kinda (none / 0) (#109)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 11:05:19 AM EST
    nervous about NJ. I hope it turns out fine.

    Parent
    Tariffs at the Supreme Court also next week (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 06:50:23 PM EST
    It sounds like they might be expecting to lose on tariffs. This is from scoutusblog

    How Trump is attempting to Supreme Court-proof his tariffs (Courtenay Brown, Axios) -- Ahead of arguments and the court's eventual decision on President Donald Trump's authority to impose his tariffs, the Trump administration is expanding its tariff strategy "in ways designed to withstand legal scrutiny," according to Axios. "The latest levies -- and many likely headed for a slew of industries down the line -- will be implemented under a separate trade authority" than the tariffs at issue in the Supreme Court case: section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 rather than the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Axios reports that tariffs levied under section 232, which was "used to implement many of the tariffs during Trump 1.0,"  are "less likely to be knocked down in the future.

    He could have a very bad week.  I would like that,

    Parent

    Trump, doing his stupid little dance, (5.00 / 3) (#110)
    by desertswine on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 02:17:49 PM EST
    in, (where was it, Malaysia?) looked so very decrepit, I thought that body parts were going to start falling off of him.

    This video (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 04:41:50 PM EST

    of him wandering away from his Japanese hostess is worth watching

    This is the long version.  But you get to see the expression on her face.  About 1:30 in.

    Parent

    That is sickening to watch (none / 0) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 04:34:35 PM EST
    so I will link

    I see a guy who with body language is saying "ha ha ha I'm fvcking EVERYBODY and I will be dead before any of them can do a THING about it!!!"

    Parent

    Also, when (none / 0) (#120)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 08:32:09 PM EST
    In Malaysia  he said ending wars has become a hobby for him and that he is good at.  He later expressed second thoughts that  maybe should not call them hobbies because  it is serious.  Also, he went  off on the UN about his malfunctioning teleprompter and the stalled escalator.

    Parent
    Well, he (none / 0) (#121)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 09:41:47 PM EST
    has an annual check-up every six months.  At his last "annual check-up" he had an MRI and he said the results were "perfect".  No answer as to why an MRI was  ordered.

    Parent
    I'll second the votes for (none / 0) (#2)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 10:16:51 AM EST
    Something's Gotta Give, Annie Hall, and Reds. Not to disparage any of the others.

    'Looking for Mr. Goodbar' ... (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 05:40:04 AM EST
    ... was without a doubt the most depressing film I saw before age 20. I've never seen it again since. Now, don't get mr wrong. It was not a bad movie - far from it, actually, and Diane Keaton was superb. But the story arc was such a downer.

    Parent
    That was a movie way ahead of its time (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 08:38:26 PM EST


    Parent
    I wonder if any of those (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 11:27:52 AM EST
    movies with stark, 'downer' endings like LFMG and Chinatown and Taxi Driver could even be made today.

    Parent
    Interesting question (none / 0) (#40)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 04:24:13 PM EST


    Parent
    My favorite (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 10:50:35 AM EST
    Would be something has gotta give and the Godfather

    Many great performances (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 06:33:29 PM EST
    The only thing I thought she was miscast in was Godfather.   She just never seemed right, or maybe comfortable, in that role.  I wondered if maybe it was directed to make me feel that way with her being a substitute for the one that died by a car bomb.

    What a great body of work though.

    For me, Diane Keaton's Kay Adams was ... (none / 0) (#7)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 14, 2025 at 04:41:07 PM EST
    ... the conscience of the The Godfather films. Perhaps she didn't appear comfortable in the role because the WASPy Kay herself grew progressively uncomfortable in her own role as an Italian American mob boss's wife. I would agree with you that it's probably not Keaton's strongest work onscreen, but she was still effective in conveying her character's moral quandary and emotional burden.

    Parent
    Sure (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 14, 2025 at 05:08:41 PM EST
    Especially in part 2

    Parent
    First Comey defense motions (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 09:16:08 AM EST
    come today.

    I wonder what order.  Probably the eliminate Lindsey?

    I was hoping for selective prosecution.  Seems like a precedent we could use.

    I guess we have a winner (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 04:08:30 PM EST
    selective or vindictive prosecution

    CNN reporter Katelyn Polantz revealed on Monday that former FBI Director James Comey appears to be using President Donald Trump's own words against him in court.

    Comey's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss Trump's prosecution against Comey because it is a "selective or vindictive prosecution," according to Polantz. In layman's terms, that means the prosecuting team is retaliating against a defendant, which courts have held is a violation of due process rights

    P



    Parent
    The motion to disqualify Lindsey (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 05:18:48 PM EST
    was also filed.  

    Parent
    This is smart I think. An off ramp. (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 09:33:04 AM EST
    with open enrollment starting without an extension pivot from trying to save it asking sure everyone knows who killed it.  Many still have no idea their premiums are going up or why.

    Democrats See Possible Off Ramp to End Shutdown
    October 20, 2025 at 6:09 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 47 Comments

    Punchbowl News: "We've written about how Nov. 1, the start of open enrollment for health insurance, could be a moment for Senate Democrats to declare "victory" and allow the government to reopen. Last week, top Democrats pushed back on this theory, saying Nov. 1 will only increase the pressure on Republicans to accede to their health care demands."

    "But now, there's a sense within the Senate Democratic Caucus that this deadline is in fact their off-ramp to end the shutdown. Democrats can argue it's no longer feasible for Congress to address the expiring Obamacare subsidies legislatively. The goal here would be to make Republicans own the soaring premium hikes and health-care coverage losses that millions of Americans would experience."

    "If Democrats are willing to accept a political victory without a policy win, this is a critical moment for Schumer to figure out what this looks like -- and how he shields himself from inevitable criticism from the left
    Blue Sky (none / 0) (#25)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 01:59:42 PM EST
    and I'm sure other social media outlets are beginning to get flooded with the letters. Also got an email today from a Medicare specialist that I watch that Medicare is really cutting care next year. Medicare C especially. And prescription drug plans are going up a lot in price and down in coverage.

    Parent
    The other day I was speculating (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 03:14:45 PM EST
    about why Trump doesn't seem interested in winning an election.  I said it looked like he doesn't expect or care about winning so he obviously expects to stop or corrupt the election.

    Another happier possibility occurred to me.

    Maybe he knows he going to be dead before the next election.  And all this is simply to cause as much damage and pain as he possibly can while he can.
    Which would logically include defying the Supreme Court if necessary.  

    My thinking (none / 0) (#28)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 04:10:36 PM EST
    is that Trump allows/encourages speculation about a third term so that he will not be taken as a lame duck.

    Don;t think he will need to defy the Supreme Court;  the Sinister Six will give full legal support to whatever really matters for him, tariffs being one of them.  Trump claimed he would attend the Supreme Court's oral arguments of the case--that may be bluster, but it will not go unnoticed by the Court.

    Parent

    That was not very ckear (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 04:39:04 PM EST
    I was talking about the Congressional elections.  

    I don't expect him to try to run again.
    I actually think he will be dead.

    And I'm going to be hopelessly optimistic and say you are overly cynical about the SC and that they are going to give him some significant losses.

    Maybe tariffs included tho that's very complicated

    Parent

    And I wonder if all this (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 05:27:54 PM EST
    delaying of decision making at the supreme court is because they are hoping for Devine intervention to relieve them of the responsibility of upsetting him.  

    Parent
    There might be something cooking (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 20, 2025 at 04:45:35 PM EST
    in the loser courts that will get them to do some navel gazing

    'Supreme Court screwed up': Expert claims justices' 'arrogance' has messed up Trump plans
    Travis Gettys

    They suggest they are just going to start blocking stuff and forcing him to take it to the SC.  Which  will take longer and longer? If I understand.

    Lower court judges just seem really pi$$ed lately

    Parent

    My goodness. Look at that. (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 08:37:26 AM EST

    GOP leaders map out potential Obamacare extension as hard-liners warm to health talks
    The discussions surround how to structure and advance an extension of key insurance subsidies before the end of the year.

    They must (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 02:36:35 PM EST
    be hearing from their constituents who are currently getting letters from their insurance companies. Dems better not sign on the dotted line though until the current legislation is changed and not rely on the GOP "fixing it later"

    Parent
    And if the GOP (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 02:37:30 PM EST
    signs on the dotted line to restore the subsidies they have just shot themselves in the foot due to the fact that they have spent the entire time lying to their constituents about what the shutdown was about.

    Parent
    Will they tho? (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 03:47:48 PM EST
    Will they or will the MAGA element continue in blissful ignorance.  

    If their premiums never change will they ever even know what happened.

    Asking for a friend,

    Parent

    230 million (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 03:59:09 PM EST
    This really can't be allowed  

    Trump Demands Justice Department Pay Him $230 Million
    October 21, 2025 at 2:48 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 185 Comments

    "President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him about $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him, according to people familiar with the matter, who added that any settlement might ultimately be approved by senior department officials who defended him or those in his orbit," the New York Times reports.

    "The situation has no parallel in American history, as Mr. Trump, a presidential candidate, was pursued by federal law enforcement and eventually won the election, taking over the very government that must now review his claims. It is also the starkest example yet of potential ethical conflicts created by installing the president's former lawyers atop the Justice Department
    The government has absolutely no liability (5.00 / 3) (#41)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 21, 2025 at 10:24:38 PM EST
    to Tr*mp in light of the strictly-limited Federal Tort Claims Act. There is literally nothing to settle. Any such claim is straight-up extortion, or, perhaps, embezzlement.

    Parent
    BUT (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by jmacWA on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 04:20:24 AM EST
    Sadly, in today's environment, I would not count it totally out of the question.  I do not see Trump caring about adding extortion or embezzlement to his list of crimes; plus I bet he thinks he deserves it.

    Parent
    And (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 07:54:48 AM EST
    It's said Todd Blanche would be the one who decides if Trump gets it.

    Not sure why not Pam.
    Do you know Peter?

    Parent

    Got it (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 08:03:30 AM EST

    Will such a gambit succeed? The Times' report added, "According to the Justice Department manual, settlements of claims against the department for more than $4 million `must be approved by the deputy attorney general or associate attorney general,' meaning the person who oversees the agency's civil division."



    Parent
    I have seen nothing being discussed (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Oct 24, 2025 at 04:52:22 AM EST
    About securing the addition on the White House. The kind of construction required to secure a seat of government in this era is crazy. There are constant security updates done to the existing White House.

    The Trump administration seems wildly reckless and vulnerable to me. How easy would it be for a foreign power to have one of the construction workers breach the new structure? We could have more than one building breaches in. There are so many variables in motion now it is overwhelming. Trump loves to overwhelm though. That's one of his signature trademarks.

    Parent

    Does (none / 0) (#88)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 02:23:42 PM EST
    it really matter all that much when we have a Russian asset running the CIA?

    The fact that it is unsecure and likely can't be made secure will be an asset when the entire monstrosity gets imploded.

    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 04:57:18 AM EST
    GOP certainly will allow it.

    Parent
    Again (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 07:59:00 AM EST
    This sounds like a guy who knows he has one foot in the grave.  Telling people there's not enough money to save their healthcare but there's 230 mill for me is not anyone's idea of a winning strategy.

    I was thinking, if this theory is correct it will almost certainly involve pardoning Maxwell.

    Parent

    And I would add (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 08:17:32 AM EST
    Pardoning Maxwell would almost be confirmation of the theory.  

    IMO.

    Parent

    The claim (none / 0) (#48)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 02:10:30 PM EST
    that DOJ owes him about $230 million in damages and that he can authorize giving it to himself, along with  the speedy  and unauthorized demolition of almost the entire  East Wing of the White House for  the TrumpGolden Ball Room, seem to be his response to last Saturday's No Kings Day.

    Parent
    The claim was filed in 2023 (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 02:59:55 PM EST

    "It's hard to fathom how bad this is. Start with the claims themselves: In 2023, Trump sought damages from DOJ from the Russia investigation, which he's called a 'hoax' for years



    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#51)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:26:10 PM EST
    but the timing, as well as the demolition of the entire East Wing, seems to me to be a Trumpian response.  He has dumped on Americans from the air and  now  has  given a middle finger.

    Parent
    I wonder what will (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:43:58 PM EST
    demolish after the next NoKings?  Which will be bigger.
    Statue of Liberty?  Lincoln Memorial?

    Parent
    This is interesting (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:01:34 PM EST

    Michael Wolff Launches Bombshell Lawsuit Against Melania Trump Over Epstein

    That is interesting (none / 0) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:41:10 PM EST
    Maybe he is suing her before she sues him. Trump is really too stupid to realize that there is this thing called discovery it seems.

    Parent
    Exactly what (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:42:10 PM EST
    He is doing I think

    Parent
    The new (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:37:30 PM EST

    20 dollar bill

    This feels very sad to me (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 03:59:42 PM EST
    I think this might get a response from the public.

    Rewriting History is one thing but physically destroying it another?

    Parent

    I know (none / 0) (#64)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 06:30:04 PM EST
    Trump has wanted the pictures hidden and no one to see them. So he kinda knows how trashy this makes him look.

    I have been one that thought once Trump is gone we will still have to fight to destroy the authoritarian cult but that things would go back to some semblance of normal, not completely and not back to where they were when Biden left but but maybe we would be down 50% and 25% at best? However after this last stunt with destroying the white house I have decided it is going to be more like what the country had to do after the War of 1812. Never Trumpers and some Democrats etc. have been saying for quite a while it will take us a generation to recover. I have always been optimistic that it wouldn't take that long. But now I am down with them and believe that my children who are now 24 and 32 will be in their 40's and 50's before normalcy returns.

    Parent

    Assuming (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 07:00:47 PM EST
    it returns.  

    Normalcy is like the Overton Window.

    Parent

    Well. (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 09:04:53 PM EST
    There are enough of us still around that remember the before times.

    Parent
    I just realized why (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 04:02:42 PM EST
    he hates that facade

    Parent
    also "404 Not Found" (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by leap2 on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 06:26:08 PM EST
    -

    Parent
    I wonder if Morning Joe (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 05:33:52 PM EST
    Will change their BG

    Parent
    Want to cash in (none / 0) (#58)
    by jmacWA on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 04:08:33 PM EST
    On TRUMP's destruction... By stock in makes of gold gilt.

    Parent
    "404 Not Found" (none / 0) (#62)
    by leap2 on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 06:24:58 PM EST
    -

    Parent
    The links work for me (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 06:57:49 PM EST
    Anyone else ?

    Parent
    It's a no go for me. (none / 0) (#68)
    by desertswine on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 09:13:49 PM EST


    Parent
    Hmm (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 09:31:06 PM EST
    The two links said not to work are different kinds of  links
    the one your reply is to is a web link

    The other is an image sharing site I use all the time, postimage

    another try

    They all work for me.  if you really want to know you should be able to copy the link by right clicking

    Parent

    no go, again (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by leap2 on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 11:04:24 PM EST
    same message, both in Firefox and in Safari

    Parent
    Out of curiosity (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 09:00:32 AM EST
    Try CHROME if you have it.

    Parent
    and (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 09:05:59 AM EST
    I tried posting a link with FIREFOX

    It's to the same image sharing site

    Parent

    Yes! That works. (5.00 / 3) (#76)
    by leap2 on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 10:48:52 AM EST
    That is the perfect image for USAian paper money. But it should be on the $3 bill.

    Parent
    Yes got it now. (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by desertswine on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 11:09:00 AM EST


    Parent
    Nah, I'm not getting it. (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by desertswine on Wed Oct 22, 2025 at 11:06:19 PM EST
    But its OK.  I can imagine.

    Parent
    Worked for me (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by jmacWA on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 04:37:25 AM EST
    Yesterday and still does today.

    Parent
    test image (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 23, 2025 at 05:22:42 PM EST
    you're mother knits socks in hell

    Food aid ends Oct 1st (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 24, 2025 at 07:40:22 AM EST
    This seems like a reason for Democrats to declare victory if they can.

    42 million could go hungry.

    'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people

    Let them eat ballrooms. (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 12:25:20 AM EST
    People voted for this. I'm not at all inclined to shield them from their own electoral folly. Republicans created this mess. Let them figure it out.

    The GOP Senate majority can always vote to suspend the rules, revoke the filibuster and then pass the House budget with a simple majority. But they won't, because they know exactly what that means. Their draconian cuts to Medicaid, WIC, etc., will all get locked in until the midterms.

    Well, too bad for them. They should've thought about all that last June before passing Trump's Weally Big Booful Bill on July 1. Owning the libs isn't as pain-free as they'd been led to believe by their Lord God King Creamsicle.

    It's not the Democrats' responsibility to throw unappreciative Republicans a lifeline and solve their problem for them. And frankly, it's long past time MAGA voters experience first-hand the consequences of their foolish decision making at the ballot box. As my late grandfather used to say: "Life is hard. But it's a lot harder if you're stupid."

    Okay, it's time to take Younger Daughter out to dinner at her favorite restaurant. She just broke up with her fiancé last weekend and has been in the dumps, so we're in the emotional support phase this week. She drove down here from Kohala this afternoon after work, and she'll spend the weekend with us here in Hilo. She's a tough young woman, so she'll make it.

    Have a great weekend, Cap'n. Aloha.

    Parent

    If they were all MAGA (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 07:15:23 AM EST
    That would be one thing, they are not.

    Parent
    There's no avoiding the pain. (none / 0) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 07:00:51 AM EST
    What I WOULD like to avoid is the lather, rinse repeat we've seen in the political cycles over the past 30 years.

    Bailing out Republican voters economically once again from their electoral folly will only invite more of the same, and each cycle has only been getting worse. That's why this cycle needs to be the last, because we may not survive the next one.

    And for that to happen, the GOP needs to have its back broken and its bonds with the party's base shattered. That's why the country needs to feel the serious pain of the Republicans' irresponsibility and ineptitude at governance, just like they did in 1930-32 when the country swept aside the GOP and turned to FDR and the Democrats.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    What you are saying (4.00 / 2) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 07:24:36 AM EST
    is exactly what I've been saying.  I want them to suffer.  I want every person who voted for Trump to have to live that down for the rest of their lives.

    This thing about that is. Even when you are talking about MAGA children don't vote.  They will be hurt most.
    And according to data 53% of the adult food aid recipients did not vote for Trump.

    Then you have the roughly 50% of the population who don't even vote.  Plenty of them get food aid.

    Parent

    This is (none / 0) (#106)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 09:40:27 AM EST
    why a lot of us are donating money and groceries to food banks because we all know the demand will be greatly increased.

    Parent
    I'm reminded of Teddy Roosevelt's admonition ... (none / 0) (#117)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 07:08:40 PM EST
    ... to then-President Woodrow Wilson in the winter of 1917 during the First World War, when Imperial Germany embarked upon a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, and was sinking American shipping at a rather brisk rate. And yet, Wilson was still dithering on the efficacy of the U.S. entering the war on the side of the Allies:

    "There should be no question regarding war with Germany. She is already at war with us. Germany has reduced savagery to a science, and war must be waged against it until that country's power to do wrong is excised from the world body."

    Likewise, there should be no question about war with Republicans, when Republicans have already long been waging war on us. Realistically, Democrats have no leverage on Capitol Hill right now because Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer foolishly gave that away last March. Conversely, however, any decision to allow children to go hungry or families to lose their health care coverage now rests entirely upon the Republicans who hold power in both houses of Congress.

    What I - and quite honestly, many other Dems throughout the country as well - want congressional Democrats to do is to stop being complicit in their own political marginalization. Now is the time for strength and resolution. Don't go all wobbly on us by channeling Helen Lovejoy of The Simpsons.

    As I noted above, Senate Republicans have the power to end the government shutdown. Democrats on Capitol Hill have one assignment here. Compel the Senate GOP to invoke the nuclear option and get rid of the filibuster. Make Republicans own this shutdown. Make them own this budget resolution with all its draconian cuts. Above all, do not deal them a Get Out of Jail Free card in exchange for GOP promises and assurances that are clearly not worth the breath expended in offering them.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Hey there Friend... (none / 0) (#118)
    by desertswine on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 07:50:32 PM EST
    Well, lift your head up high
    And take a walk in the sun with dignity and stick-to-it-ness
    And ya show the world, ya show the world where to get off
    Youll never give up, never give up
    Never give up... that ship.

       Eddie Lawrence (The Old Philosopher)

    Parent

    Maybe my original comment was not that clear (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 08:02:11 PM EST

    This seems like a reason for Democrats to declare victory if they can.

    I think they will get concessions from Republicans.


    Parent

    Then let me make myself clear: (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 08:40:30 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "I think they will get concessions from Republicans."

    That's not good enough anymore, because any concessions from MAGA Republicans won't be worth the paper they're printed on. We're talking about a bunch of disingenuous phuques who've already cut off federal funding that had already been previously appropriated by prior Congresses.

    Yeah, what they did was illegal and likely unconstitutional, but so what? They did it anyway, because they think they can - and so far, they've gotten away with it courtesy of John Roberts, who's without any doubt the worst Supreme Court chief justice since Roger Taney's antebellum reign of error.

    If you think these fascist asshats can be trusted to keep their word to congressional Democrats, well, hey, I've got a bridge across the Mississippi that's for sale, cheap.

    I'm not a credulous phuquing chump like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, who are too wrapped up in their D.C. reindeer games to realize their own chumpitude and corresponding complicity in our country's current predicament. And I'm not about to start being one now. I'm as clear-eyed as I've even been about the present direction our country is headed, and I don't need to tell you that our prospective destination is not to be mistaken for a five-star resort.

    To paraphrase former House Speaker John Boehner, a leader without any followers is just a schmuck who's out for a walk. And right now, if I don't have any confidence in our Democratic congressional leadership, I have no obligation to either listen to them or follow them just because I so happen to be a party member in good standing.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I did not mean concessions (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 29, 2025 at 07:35:50 AM EST
    like promises.  I think they will getting what they want. Movement on policy.

    I've been saying that for weeks.  Democrats won this fight weeks ago.  Now it's about landing the plane.

    Personally I trust Jefferies to do that.

    Parent

    I think (none / 0) (#122)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 08:31:52 AM EST
    it will end by the end of this week. Once people log on and see the premium increases they are going to start calling their congress critter or their senator and complaining. A lot of small businesses rely on the ACA for insurance.

    Not noted by most pundits is also how seniors are being screwed over by Trump. The COLA for 2026 is based on the false information Trump has been feeding on inflation.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 08:47:58 AM EST
    2.8% cola

    Thanks

    Parent

    Hello darkness (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 08:28:53 AM EST
    my old friend

    not visible (none / 0) (#87)
    by Peter G on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 02:16:03 PM EST
    on Chrome.  Nor Firefox.

    Parent
    sorry (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 02:25:32 PM EST
    try this

    I forgot

    Parent

    It's very strange (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 02:49:18 PM EST
    That this seems to be caused by Chrome.  I'm assuming the ones who could see them were also using chrome?  jmac?

    It would be helpful to know but I will try harder to remember

    Parent

    FireFox user here (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by jmacWA on Sun Oct 26, 2025 at 05:13:13 AM EST
    Tried it on Chrome and got the 404.  IMO FireFox has more security built in than chrome.  I had to use chrome when I was working, but haven't been using it regularly for about 5 years.  I only use chrome when I suspect an issue with FireFox these days.

    Parent
    I do not use Chome, (none / 0) (#91)
    by leap2 on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 04:13:50 PM EST
    and could not see this image, or the previous ones you posted above. I never used to have this problem viewing your graphics. Have you recently started to use Chrome?

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 04:33:11 PM EST
    I have always used Chrome.  My whole life is unfortunately linked to Google.

    Parent
    So to be clear (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 04:34:33 PM EST
    You CAN'T see the ink on the comment that says "sorry - try this"

    Parent
    I CAN see the image (5.00 / 3) (#95)
    by leap2 on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 05:09:05 PM EST
    on "sorry -- try this."  I was unable to see the image you posted before that.

    Parent
    TV has some good stuff this fall (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 10:04:11 AM EST
    IT, Welcome to Derry starts tomorrow on HBO.  So does Talamasca, the new Ann Rice series on AMC.

    HBO just dropped Weapons.  The best I seen in a while.  With Julia Garner from Ozark, Josh Brolin and an almost unrecognizable Amy Madigan as the scenery chewing heavy.

    A House of Dynamite the new Kathryn Bigelow nuclear disaster flick just dropped on Netflix.

    There's Boots the gay marine series on Netflix.

    New seasons of Wednesday, The Diplomat and of course Stranger Things.

    If you need distraction as much as me this is good news

    Fretting at the Pentagon (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 02:01:05 PM EST

    Pentagon Frets Over `A House of Dynamite' Nuclear Doomsday Film

    A Missile Defense Agency internal memorandum argues that the doomsday scenario depicted in the movie is inaccurate. The Oct. 16 memo, a copy of which was obtained by Bloomberg News, is meant to make sure agency leadership "has situational awareness and is not `surprised' by the topic, which may come up in conversations or meetings."



    Parent
    I'm watching this now (none / 0) (#94)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 04:36:01 PM EST
    it's very good.  It tells the same 18 minute story from 3 points of view.

    Parent
    That was excellent (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 06:04:43 PM EST
    It's very smart.  You never hear Republican or Democrat. It's a scrupulosity apolitical movie.

    But it's very realistic and it's impossible to watch without substituting the current office holders into the various roles in the movie like President and Defense Secretary.

    In that context it my be the scariest movie I've ever seen.  Just in time for Halloween

    Parent

    My husband was watching it yesterday. (none / 0) (#97)
    by vml68 on Sat Oct 25, 2025 at 09:44:36 PM EST
    I caught the last half hour. It looked interesting.

    Same with The Diplomat. Husband has watched all 3 seasons. I saw the last 3 episodes of the 3rd season. One day I will get around to watching the whole thing from the beginning!

    Parent

    The Diplomat (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 26, 2025 at 07:12:51 AM EST
    is a little soapy but its really well written and acted.

    Kerry Russell is great.  Another season is coming.  

    Parent

    If you saw the last half hour (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 26, 2025 at 08:59:59 AM EST
    You probably saw the part that has caused all the chatter.

    The ending. Some hated it.  I thought it was brilliant.  And I actually knew the ending before watching.

    Parent

    Inconvenient truth (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 07:29:40 AM EST

    The Pentagon issues statement decrying Netflix's House of Dynamite over `inaccuracies'

    The film imagines the response to an impending nuclear attack on the United States as its anti-missile defense system fails



    Parent

    I laughed out loud when Putin (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 09:47:17 AM EST
    Claimed immediately after the Kremlin watched House of Dynamite that Russia has just successfully tested a completely analog-less missile. You phvkcing liar lol.

    There are always rumors that new interceptor evasion technology is afoot though. The one thing I found implausible was that they only fired two interceptors, especially after the first one failed. Gotta make a movie though. The phrase hitting a bullet with a bullet is a common phrase in the world of intercepting missiles.

    Intercepting Russia's new "hypersonics" gave it new life.

    Probably the most troubling part of the film for me is realizing how possibly every 4 years we start out with someone at the top of command with little to no experience in this doomsday others have built. Makes me really miss Bill Clinton. Heck, I think I miss every Dem president in my lifetime. The only leaders who care about weapon proliferation and arms races. The only people who work to tamp that down.

    Parent

    Related (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 08:29:19 AM EST

     Says Russia Now Has Nuclear-Powered Missile
    October 27, 2025 at 6:45 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 44 Comments

    "Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable Burevestnik missile and is preparing to deploy it, President Vladimir V. Putin said Sunday, a pointed message to the West after plans for a summit with President Trump collapsed," the New York Times reports.

    "Because the weapon runs on nuclear power, it can fly for much longer than other missiles can, and, the Kremlin says, is capable of evading missile defense systems."

    Said Putin: "This is a unique product that no one in the world has



    Parent
    Trump (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:08:16 AM EST
    directed the Pentagon to test nuclear weapons.  The first time since 1992.

    Parent
    Yeah, I just saw that (none / 0) (#136)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:17:06 AM EST
    Phvkc

    Parent
    Yeah, I call bull$hit (none / 0) (#135)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:16:36 AM EST
    But being an outrageous liar is the new black.

    We are going no place good real fast though. Everything is flashing red. Everything.

    CNN reporting this morning that Trump has ordered the Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons immediately. No one has tested a nuke since the 90s. We are so phvkced.

    What exactly is he testing? He just pulls stuff out of his arse. God help us!

    Parent

    We (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:30:15 AM EST
    are having another d*ck measuring contest between autocrats. I seem to remember something similar during the first term with rocket man in North Korea.

    Parent
    Yeah (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:33:05 AM EST
    I said related to the movie - which I think it is - not that it's true.

    How about this -

    link

    The Pentagon has ordered thousands of specialized National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest mission training over the next several months, an indication that the Trump administration's effort to send uniformed military forces into urban centers -- once reserved for extraordinary emergencies -- could become the norm," the Washington Post reports.

    "The Defense Department's newly established `quick reaction force' within the National Guard must be trained, equipped with riot-control gear and ready for deployment by Jan. 1."

    "An existing separate but similar structure, the National Guard Reaction Force, is expected to complete civil unrest training and be fully operational by April 1. The total size of the force will be 23,500 troops across all 50 states and three territories, excluding the District of Columbia."

    I have refused to believe the US military would ultimately allow its self to be used the way Trump clearly wants and maybe even plans to use them.

    Be curious what you think about that.

    Parent

    I can't believe I'm half-hoping (5.00 / 2) (#140)
    by desertswine on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 02:26:07 PM EST
    for a military coup.

    Parent
    Trump announced (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 03:04:54 PM EST
    this at the infamous "generals and admirals" conclave. Enemies within and all.

    Parent
    This (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 03:59:14 PM EST

    "Well, they can't start nuclear testing now because the officials that would be in charge of that have mostly been furloughed," said Bremmer. "So, you have to get the government started. I guess that's an irony."



    Parent
    We spent some time this afternoon (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 04:58:13 PM EST
    Discussing Trump trying to use people in uniform against those of us who are not. My husband wanted me to add a couple things. When the time comes and Trump wants to pull the trigger on this, he said to put on your trauma armor. Understand you will feel traumatized, be ready for it - be there for yourself. Second, understand that something terrible is probably going to happen on a micro level, not a macro level. T is opening a door, someone terrible is going to do something. It is micro though, not macro. Don't demonize your Guard or military. That is what T and friends want you to do. Remember these are going to be mostly kids without experience and they just wanted their country to hug them. Hug them, don't  let T make words like Dem or lib dirty words to them. He says keep dressing like frogs and unicorns and dancing. No one wants to hurt that person, they want to laugh and dance with that person.  That person is who we are.

    Parent
    That's pretty much (4.50 / 2) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 05:16:36 PM EST
    what I hoped.  Good answer.  

    Parent
    I try not to feel sad about the state of things (none / 0) (#139)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:50:55 AM EST
    Back in 2016 my brother-in-law  asked me why I so vehemently/even rabidly feared T and I told him because he would use the mitary against us. I said even the National Guard. My brother-in-law was a National Guard one star general then and the look on his face was incredulous. He truly thought I was out of my mind back then. He is retired now, but he says the current situations are giving him PTSD.

    Everyone is very quiet. There is a sense of shock. No one has had to choose anything serious yet.

    My husband is handling the tension like a pro though. It's funny in a way - a general is developing PTSD but the warrant officer - the class clown - knows that the real power when people unite is in being in the presence of each other and focusing on doing the next right thing before us.

    But my husband has always been good at that group dynamic leadership thing. So husband's fear is different from brother-in-law.

    Parent

    Has (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 08:10:23 PM EST
    Your brother in law come around to understanding where you were coming from? I swear America has the biggest case of denial.

    Glad to know about what Matt says. It makes me feel a little better that the event will be micro. I am kinda surprised we haven't seen another Oklahoma City.

    It seems my Trumper nephew who.serves in the coast guard has left maga. He is considering retiring now. His wife was applauding his sister protesting at no kings. I would hate to be in any branch these days as you could be faced with 2 bad choices.

    Parent

    I think my brother-in-law (5.00 / 2) (#146)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:47:47 PM EST
    Will move out of this PTSD shock back into  the next bonkers iteration of Conservatism if we make it through this - when he's 80 lol. He was the first person I ever met who believed that Clinton kill list BS lol. We burned down a family Thanksgiving in 2002 over it lololol. He was at one end of the table, I was at the other, and I was questioning the criteria that US military academies used in selection lololol. It was knives out lololol. It got no better through the Dubya years - but he could not deny that my sources of information and wisdom somehow hit closer to what was survived and got through and gotten out of than his crowd was able to grapple with or respond to or finish/end.

    But as I have aged I realize that some of my peers, they are simply wired for the more authoritarian and crazy. It's like they can't escape it. As we age we drift further and further away from them too and it's kind of a drag. They really drink a lot. They have a hard time keeping track of information.

    But in Maryland there are many in our age group uniting to support each other and meet the moment. It is strange but feels good at the same time. This is a time in our lives when we are supposed to be resting on established relationships, but because of what is happening new faces are entering our lives.  People want to care for each other, look out for each other.

    Parent

    When we moved here (none / 0) (#147)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 10:58:20 PM EST
    I met a retired Army officer in our neighborhood who I became very close to. He was the head of psychiatry at Walter Reed before he retired. He passed during the pandemic. I miss him so much. I pass his house every day, and some days I am glad he is not here to see this. Other days I miss him so much it hurts because I know he would be so proud. He was a United States Army officer, a military physician, 100% American and a Polish Jew. If we make it through this my only regret will be he wasn't here to celebrate it.

    Parent
    I would (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 31, 2025 at 10:17:13 AM EST
    think your friend would be a great asset during these times with his background and experience.

    I honestly am so ashamed of my age group (Generation Jones). I get the bitterness. I lived it during the 80's in SC. But I left and went to GA and it was the go go 90's and the weight was lifted. My interpretation of a lot of these people is they never lived outside of SC. SC for the most part is a soul destroying state unless you happen to transfer in with a good paying job. I remember an older lady that I worked with in the 80's say don't let the stress and misery turn into bitterness. And I think that is what happened to most of these people. They are just broken people and don't know how to become unbroken. They are stuck and instead of taking stock of their situation they have been taught to blame others for their misery.

    Parent

    Man, such a drag (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Oct 31, 2025 at 11:14:41 AM EST
    Because I like South Carolina. It is a beautiful state. They have so much to enjoy. There is so much potential there for quality of life.

    Parent
    The best part (none / 0) (#150)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Nov 01, 2025 at 09:40:55 AM EST
    of the state is all along the coast. If I had to live there that is where I would choose to be. As you move west the state gets much worse. There are people working hard there to change things and I honestly hope they succeed. The state could be a great place if they would throw off the plantation shackles. Maybe the young people can do it though I hate to dump all the problems on them to solve.

    Parent
    Great clip (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 08:58:40 AM EST

    from Weapons



    Parent

    This could be interesting (none / 0) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 03:47:26 PM EST

    The Nicolás Maduro regime said Sunday Venezuela has captured a group of alleged mercenaries with ties to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and accused Washington and Trinidad and Tobago of coordinating military exercises intended to provoke an armed confrontation in the Caribbean.

    Bay of Pigs here we come (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 03:51:54 PM EST
    With these geniuses controlling U.S. foreign policy and intelligence activities, what could possibly go wrong?

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    Donald Trump (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 04:25:33 PM EST
    is no Jack Kennedy.....

    Your comment reminded me of this

    (Firefox)

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    Erik Prince (none / 0) (#133)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2025 at 09:55:25 AM EST
    Has been hanging out in Venezuela

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    a rare act of open defiance (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 27, 2025 at 04:49:01 PM EST

    National Guard troops stun with rare vow to defy Trump's orders: 'Stand up to the Gestapo'

    :)

    This economy is about to change (none / 0) (#126)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 28, 2025 at 05:09:44 PM EST
    I do not know what's going to happen but tariff taxes are starting.  No more retailer help.  

    All the other crazy shite they are doing and in case you forgot AI

    Amazon cuts 14,000 corporate jobs as spending on artificial intelligence accelerates

    Promising at least that many more and specifically stating it's because of AI.  The announcement heeps praise on AI and pretty much says "get used to it".

    Changes are coming.

    There is a segment on Morning Joe (none / 0) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 29, 2025 at 08:40:06 AM EST
    about this layoff at Amazon and the wider AI industry.  It's really good.  Really scary.  And everyone should watch it.  At least if they plan to be in the work force in the next decade.

    I can't seem to link directly to the video I want but its in the band of selections along the bottom of the picture labled -

    Amazon cuts 14,000 corporate jobs as spending on artificial intelligence accelerates



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    I've been wondering if (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 29, 2025 at 07:54:29 AM EST
    Trump will actively try to stop Congress from reopening the government whenever they decide to try.

    They are saying on MJoe that republicans are moving in the direction of figuring out a compromise but Trump is away and gone and is completely disconnected and more than happy to keep the government closed.  

    That's easy to believe and we all know why.  

    So next week along with the election losses the Supreme Court hearing the tariff case we might finally get a vote on the Epstein files.

    That would be a bad week for the Don.

    I had the (none / 0) (#131)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Oct 29, 2025 at 05:25:23 PM EST
    Same thought but I was wondering if he would just refuse to sign the bill.

    Michael Wolff has heard that Trump was procuring women for Prince Andrew with Epstein. I know that the British press has reported that Trump handed Andrew a list of :masseuses"

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    Remembering Diane Keaton | 150 comments (150 topical)

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