Ace: aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
Buck: buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
CBD: cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
joe mannix: mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum: petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton: sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
Jay Guevara 2025 Jim Sunk New Dawn 2025
Jewells45 2025 Bandersnatch 2024
GnuBreed 2024
Captain Hate 2023
moon_over_vermont 2023
westminsterdogshow 2023
Ann Wilson(Empire1) 2022 Dave In Texas 2022
Jesse in D.C. 2022 OregonMuse 2022
redc1c4 2021
Tami 2021
Chavez the Hugo 2020
Ibguy 2020
Rickl 2019
Joffen 2014
AoSHQ Writers Group
A site for members of the Horde to post their stories seeking beta readers, editing help, brainstorming, and story ideas. Also to share links to potential publishing outlets, writing help sites, and videos posting tips to get published.
Contact OrangeEnt for info: maildrop62 at proton dot me
THE MORNING RANT: Board Meetings at the TVA Will Be Lit, with “Florida Man” Getting Appointed to the Board of Directors
—Buck Throckmorton
Just a quick, light post today since I’m returning from travel…
I often write about the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”), since it’s a high-profile utility providing electricity to Tennessee and parts of six other states. We TVA customers just survived a harrowing four years of Joe Biden loading its Board of Directors with anti-carbonistas who sought to deprive TVA customers of affordable, reliable electricity. President Trump, God bless him, quickly purged the board of those radicals, so we have a brief reprieve for now from the climate communists…until the next Democrat president is sworn in.
I’ll continue to have plenty to say about the need to liberate TVA customers from being dependent on presidential appointees for our electricity. President AOC would relish the opportunity to grant TVA Board appointments to people who would shutter our nuclear and natural gas plants, inflicting the unthinkable damage that would result from a renewable-only energy provider.
But for today, I just want to share a funny headline about President Trump’s newest appointee to the TVA Board of Directors – “Florida Man.”
I’ve let it be known that when I retire from my day job and come out from behind my pen name, I would be interested in serving on the TVA Board of Directors. And if “Florida Man” is going to be on the Board, I really want to be able to attend the TVA’s Board meeting.
An alligator-wrestling drunk calling the police because there is no booze at the Board meeting is something I don’t want to miss.
In case you are not familiar with the “Florida Man” meme, here are some of the legendary headlines from America’s most interesting man.
In conclusion, while I’d prefer to see the TVA Board composed of carbon-friendly proponents of inexpensive, reliable electricity (e.g. people like me), I’d still rather see “Florida Man” appointed to the Board of Directors than any of the radical eco-communists that Biden appointed.
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My latest piece at The Blaze discusses how private equity and corporate America are “eating their seed corn” by strip-mining companies of wealth and taking destructive actions to maximize short-term profit.
The rewards for this corporate vandalism are massive: fat bonuses, stock windfalls, golden parachutes. The damage — lost jobs, gutted industries, shoddy products — is someone else’s problem.
And the fastest way to pull it off? Slash costs to the bone. Ship jobs overseas. Push out the people who know the business best. Wreck customer service. Kill innovation. Downgrade quality until the product barely passes as the same thing you used to make.
The piece is behind a paywall, but if you’re a Blaze subscriber, I’d be honored if you’d give it a read.
My latest piece at The Blaze looks at the destruction being wrought by private equity and corporate executives whose version of "capitalism" is the short-term extraction of existing wealth at the expense of long-term wealth creation.https://t.co/Us2uyPmt1B
I hope that President Trump does not agree to anything that might entangle us in a conflict that has absolutely zero impact on American national security. Yes, Putin invading Ukraine and the ensuing bloodshed was and is abhorrent. But, it's not our fight. If the soon to be Islamic Republic of E-U-istan wants to get their hair mussed with Putin, that's their affair.
'Socialism defeated' — Bolivia boots its ruling leftists after 20 years in power — Hell has frozen over in Bolivia -- which is often a bellwether for the direction of South America's politics. . . The report notes that several conservative candidates didn't make the final cut for the runoff, Quiroga has been around for a long time, and Paz is a moderate. But something like this represents progress, given the long grip socialism has had on the battered Andean country, which is known for its valuable natural resources. And to read the article, Paz doesn't sound like a moderate -- he sounds pretty conservative, seeking to let markets determine prices. Meanwhile, the performance of the socialists in office over 20 long years was execrable . . . I'm just surprised the ruling socialists didn't rig the election enough to keep themselves in power. The article describes how Morales and other leftists have sought to spoil their ballots ahead of the coming runoff, but that's a rearguard action that won't work.
Well perhaps 40 years from now, we'll cheer socialism's final defeat in NYC as a geriatric Mamdani is wheeled out of Gracie Mansion. Unless he goes the way of Ceaucescu before that.
State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-TN) claimed that his party needed to pull out all the stops and fight back against Republicans — to whom he referred alternately as “fascists” and “neo-confederates” — and argued that it wouldn’t matter in the long run what they were willing to do as long as they won.
Pearson was ousted from his position in the Tennessee House when he helped lead his party’s efforts to “occupy” the State House in protest, and then was reinstated days later — after claiming that he’d been forced out by “racists.” During his appearance with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, he discussed the current state of American politics — particularly with regard to redistricting battles and Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) plan to “fight fire with fire.”
Does this tedious yammering eggplant not know he and his ilk are outgunned and outnumbered, figuratively and dare I say it, quite literally. Let's leave it at that.
People have showered an alleged car thief in a California jail with donations after she beat up a fellow inmate who is charged, along with her husband, with torturing and killing her eight-year-old stepdaughter.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. But, when people feel that the justice system rewards/coddles criminals and is tilted against honest and decent people, I guess this kind of thing is to be expected.
This Man Dodged Prison For Beating Two Pro-Lifers. Biden Jailed Pro-Lifers Over Peaceful Protests. Dozens of peaceful pro-life protesters were targeted during the Biden administration.
I think my point has been made.
And lastly, a quick shout-out and thank you for your continued support in hitting our tip jar. It truly is appreciated more than you can know.
Have a great day!
ABOVE THE FOLD, BREAKING, NOTEWORTHY
A State of Emergency has been issued by the Hyde County Board of Commissioners for Ocracoke Island, North Carolina due to the expected flooding that will come from Hurricane Erin and the impacts that it will have on Highway 12. The order is effective as of Sunday at 8:00 p.m. The board also ordered two mandatory evacuations. For visitors, they have to leave the area immediately, while residents need to begin evacuations Tuesday at 6:00 a.m. (RELATED: Hurricane Erin Expected To Restrengthen After Downgrading To Category 3) Mandatory Evacuation Ordered In North Carolina Due To Hurricane Erin
“Any sanctuary Jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court,” she warned in a statement posted to social media. “Today, the Justice Department delivered demand letters to sanctuary cities, countries, and states—a key step in our strategic effort to eradicate sanctuary policies from California to New York.” Trump DOJ Gives Sanctuary Jurisdictions One Week to Submit to Immigration Law. (Revoke city charters and statehoods if necessary! - jjs)
I have not yet gotten confirmation that the local port authority has approved this protest as the organization claims, but it also appears that this activist group intends to show up in boats regardless. If so, this protest could easily cause the next test launch, now scheduled for August 24, 2025, to be delayed endlessly. A protest of boats now intends to violate the range and prevent the next Starship/Superheavy test launch (Meh, Throttle up the engines to full power and flambé the miscreants - jjs)
In its 2-1 decision, the panel’s majority revoked a temporary injunction issued in March by Obama-appointed District Judge Amy Berman Jackson. That edict attempted to stop the president from making significant layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and prevent Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought from “defunding the agency,” according to Newsweek. D.C. Circuit Court Hands Trump Win In Bid To Downsize Federal Regulatory Agency
The former FBI Director said that Swift’s music has been a major part of his family for several years as they have dealt “with adversity and celebration,” saying that the pop star’s example has helped him to resist “bullies.” James Comey Declares Himself a ‘Swiftie,’ Says Taylor Swift’s Music Helps Him Oppose Trump (Immolation is an even better strategy! - jjs)
THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Prudence—not rash action—defines true conservatism, yet Trump’s recent tariff and rate-cut moves risk undoing his own hard-won victories. Dear Prudence, Won’t You Come Out to Play?
Government efforts to help workers and regions left behind by globalization have failed, but we have new opportunities—more effective than tariffs—to spur a manufacturing revival. The Real Path to Industrial Renewal
Hamas wages war through terror and propaganda, while Israel is blamed for crimes it did not commit—facts ignored as the world embraces a false narrative. Gaza Part One: The Situation
The U.S. government has a dismal track record at dealing with such propaganda. The campaign to expose false-flag operations and other lies in the leadup to Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine in February 2022 failed to deter Vladimir Putin, but it made clear to most observers who started the war and why. What America Can Learn from the Hamas Propaganda War
In a two-page order, the high court rejected a motion from NetChoice — an internet trade association — to “reinstate a lower court’s order protecting social media giants like Meta, X and YouTube from the new requirements,” according to a local Fox affiliate. The order did not list any dissents among the justices. SCOTUS Greenlights Mississippi’s Social Media Age-Verification Law (For Now)
RED-GREENS, CLIMATE CHANGE HOAX, DEMOCRAT-LEFT WAR ON FOSSIL FUELS,
New York Times columnist and regular Donald Trump basher Maureen Dowd begrudgingly implied over the weekend that Trump is right on the politics and policy when it comes to crime in the nation’s capital. Maureen Dowd Shocker: Trump Making the Right Moves on D.C. Crime
Donors in Bakersfield, where details of the horrific child abuse case have been highly publicized, have maxed out the inmate account of Anita Doron at the Kern County jail after she pummeled 27-year-old stepmother Graciela Bustamante on August 8. People Send Money to California Inmate Who Beat Up Alleged Child-Killer Stepmom
EDUCATION, AND WHAT PASSES FOR IT
We all know that our universities are the very last place to go if you want a free and open discussion of ideas. Only approved progressive ideas are permitted, and don’t you forget it. Why Are Academics -- and Others -- So Nasty?
“Tom Tiffany is in a solid position and is the clear front-runner in the Republican Primary for Wisconsin Governor,” the polling memo states. “An endorsement from President Trump and educating voters about Tiffany and his record would propel his lead even further, with either option essentially sealing the deal for the primary nomination.” EXCLUSIVE: Clear GOP Frontrunner Emerges For Wide Open Governor Race, Polling Shows
Joseph Hernandez decided to enter the race in June as an Independent because of how much he despised the socialist platform that Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is running on. (RELATED: LARRY PROVOST: NYC Mayoral Election Echoes 1965 And 1969 Races) Meet The Cuban-Born Biotech Entrepreneur Looking To Be The Anti-Mamdani In NYC Mayoral Race
Victor Davis Hanson: Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin yielded no ceasefire, but it revealed the contours of a possible peace—where diplomacy, exhaustion, and hard limits define the battlefield’s end. Putin, Trump, and the Elusive “Peace”
“Washington threw down a gauntlet to Moscow. . . Kennan was no voice in the wilderness. . . Cheney’s antagonism to Russia long predated Putin. . . The experience of Soviet Communism inevitably intensified their anti-Muscovite sentiments. . .Public opinion in Ukraine was overwhelmingly against NATO membership. . . This worldview denied Russia any legitimate claim to sovereignty. . . It had gotten America embroiled in a struggle of peripheral interest to it.” How Decades of Folly Led to War in Ukraine
“Now the president has traveled, you know, all the way to Alaska, all the way back, has dedicated months and months of work, him, our entire team on this matter, because we want to see an end to the war. But if tomorrow the war continues, life in America will not be fundamentally altered. So I think that what we have to understand is that this has been a priority for this president because he wants to promote peace. He wants to promote the end of a war. And I think we should be happy that we have a president that’s trying to promote peace and bring a war to an end.” Marco Rubio: Ukraine-Russia Conflict Is ‘Not Our War’
I’m not promising that he will end the war. I’m just saying that his particular personality and skill sets give him deal-making weapons unlike anyone else today. Why Trump Is The Man Who Can End The Ukraine War
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the leaders’ visit is part of a coordinated effort, not a response to any pressure on Zelenskyy. European Leaders To Join Zelenskyy At White House
Clarice Feldman: Reality wins in the end, and Trump’s view, unlike Zelensky’s or Britain’s or Germany’s or France’s, is one that accords with it. East to Alaska
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, has formally urged President Trump to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, citing its pro-Israel stance, democratic stability, and strategic importance in countering Chinese influence in the Horn of Africa. Ted Cruz Urges Trump to Recognize Somaliland, Citing Emerging Israeli Ties and Its Role as a Key U.S. Ally
. . . this spacecraft is one of the few projects built by Boeing in recent years that has done exactly what it was intended to do. If only Boeing’s other projects, such as Starliner, would run as smoothly. Space Force preps for the next X-37B mission
In 2023 the Zhuque-2 rocket was the first to reach orbit using methane fuel, during the rocket’s second launch attempt. Overall it has launched six times, with two failures, on its first launch and Thursday. Upper stage of Chinese rocket fails during launch
FEMINAZISM, TRANSGENDER PSYCHOSIS, HOMOSEXUALIZATION, WAR ON MASCULINITY/NORMALCY
Sunday Overnight Open Thread - August 17, 2025 [Doof]
—Open Blogger
Howdy Hordelings! Welcome to the somewhat revamped Sunday ONT! Wholesome content, retro content, and the real reason you're here - Piper's fashion stuff - will be regular features on Sundays. Other ONT-worthy stuff will be here to fill the gaps. And the gray boxes aren't going anywhere. So come on in and get to commenting!
A family-owned restaurant was saved by a gaggle of teenagers after the owner’s wife fell into a coma.
From Hudson, Minnesota comes the story of the team at the heart of Urban Olive & Vine, and their dedication to a woman they’d come to know and love, Carol Trainer.
Along with husband Chad, Carol founded the restaurant and recruited from the 14-18 year-old-age bracket, enjoying the opportunity to pass on critical work experience, and life experience besides, to the “sponge”-like minds of the eager recruits.
But the tables were turned when Carol had a seizure, and entered a comatose state at the hospital that lasted for months. Chad, dutifully at her bedside, says he never asked one favor of his staff: they did it all themselves.
What exactly did they do?
“Without them the restaurant would not exist,” Chad tells Boyd Huppert’s Land of 10,000 Stories at KARE 11. “These kids became adults and ran our business, and took care of me.”
Turns out, America is putting down the wine glass.
Gallup’s latest survey shows only 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol — the lowest number since the poll started way back in 1939.
It’s not just a tiny dip, either. For decades, at least 60% of Americans said they drank. But in the past three years, those numbers have slid fast: 62% in 2023, 58% in early 2024, and now… 54%. Gallup says this kind of year-after-year drop has never happened before.
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And no, it’s not because everyone’s suddenly swapped wine for marijuana. Recreational marijuana use has stayed about the same for the past four years, so this is more about people rethinking alcohol altogether.
Read it for yourself and let us know your thoughts.
In what might be one of the most Florida arrests ever, a man accused of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online for $1,900 each got a surprise he didn’t see coming: Smokey Bear himself showed up for the takedown.
Duuuuuude!
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Wholesome and Fun Content
A little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
Not what it meant, but...
A bride asked her 95-year-old grandad to be 'flower boy' at her wedding.
And he proudly walked her down the aisle.
A bride asked her 95-year-old grandad to be 'flower boy' at her wedding. And he proudly walked her down the aisle.pic.twitter.com/E5BsO1fRT0
It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.
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Real or Ridiculous? Guess Which Absurd Couture Outfits Are Legit and Which Are Fakes!
Get ready for a whirlwind tour through the zaniest corners of high couture! We’re plunging into a realm where designers toss convention out the window, crafting looks so outlandish they might be pure genius—or not. Your challenge? Spot the authentic couture creations from the over-the-top imposters. Test your fashion radar with these five wild looks, and we’ll reveal what’s real at the end!
Outfit #1: The Sideways Tulle Gown
A voluminous gown with layers of frothy tulle, tilted so the skirt juts out sideways like a surreal shelf. Labeled Viktor & Rolf, it’s styled with visible foundation garments. It’s bold, architectural, and defies physics.
Real or Fake? Viktor & Rolf are masters of avant-garde couture, but is this sideways gown a runway reality or just a model carrying a high starched couture gown?
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Outfit #2: The Pool Float
A vibrant dress with a shiny vinyl texture, a pink flamingo pool float at the bodice, a turtle float to cinch the waist and a tiger float gives a mermaid silhouette. Labeled Moschino, it’s paired with starfish earrings and sunglasses clutch. It’s definitely campy!
Real or Fake? Moschino loves pop-art playfulness, but is this pool float dress a Jeremy Scott masterpiece?
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Outfit #3: The Inflatable Unicorn Jumpsuit
A puffy, pastel jumpsuit that imagines a unicorn shape, complete with a horned hood and rainbow tail. Labeled Jean Paul Gaultier, it’s accessorized with cloud-shaped platforms and a sparkly bag. It’s whimsical and wildly impractical.
Real or Fake? Gaultier loves theatrical flair, but is this unicorn jumpsuit a couture creation or a fantasy?
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Outfit #4: The Chandelier Tuxedo
A black tuxedo draped in hundreds of tiny, jingling crystals that sparkle like a chandelier. Labeled Givenchy, it’s styled with mirrored sunglasses. It’s dazzling, disorienting, and far from subtle.
Real or Fake? Givenchy’s couture is dramatic, but does this crystal tux align with their vibe? Guess away!
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Outfit #5: The Taxidermy Bird Dress
A dress made of hawk feathers, escorted by a taxidermy bird headpiece, making it appear as though they are circling and clawing at the model's hair. The birds, whose feathers make up the skirt, appear to move menacingly as the model they're attached to quivers and shakes nervously beneath them. Labeled Alexander McQueen, it is macabre, striking, and undeniably bold.
Real or Fake? McQueen was famous for his dark, nature-inspired drama, but is this bird-covered dress a true couture piece or a ghoulish imitation?
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Got your guesses locked in? Let’s see if you aced the runway or fell for the fakes!
Here’s the truth behind these wild looks:
1. Sideways Tulle Gown: Real! Viktor & Rolf’s Spring / Summer 2023 couture collection featured gravity-defying, sideways tulle gowns.
2. Pool Float Dress: Real! Moschino’s spring/summer 2023 collection included the campy pink flamingo pool float dress by Jeremy Scott.
3. Inflatable Unicorn Jumpsuit: Fake! Gaultier loves drama, but this jumpsuit leans too far into tacky.
5. Taxidermy Bird Dress: Real! Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2001 VOSS collection featured the dress adorned with taxidermy birds, showcasing his signature dark romanticism, as documented in fashion archives like the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
How Did You Score?
- 5/5 Correct - You’re a couture visionary!
- 3-4 Correct- Nice job—you’ve got a knack for spotting absurd genius.
- 1-2 Correct - Crazy couture is tough!
- 0 - No worries—absurd fashion is a jungle!
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Thanks, Piper! I got two wrong. I thought 1 was fake and 4 was real. Oh well.
By the way, this hit my X feed recently. Tell the truth - this is how you really make a living, right?
It’s not uncommon to feel nostalgic for a time in your life when you were happy, had few responsibilities, and had your entire future ahead of you. Some folks feel nostalgic for eras that they have never lived in, but they love the idea and aesthetics. This is called anemoia.
One Instagram account—‘June Cleavers Vintage Closet’—successfully taps into that feeling. The curator of this social media project shares photos of all things of vintage design, from retro recipes and fashion to furniture, tech, architecture, and toys. We’ve collected some of the most interesting pics that embody days long gone, to give you a taste of nostalgia tinged with a dash of wistfulness.
A few photos from the link:
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Definitely check out the whole thing!
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I'm going with Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me With Science"
This week's spin of the yesteryear wheel landed on the year 1968. Here are some top songs from Week ending Aug 17, 1968 (courtesy of top40weekly.com).
Number 9:
Number 3:
Number 1:
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Tonight's ONT brought to you by retro scents
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Got any suggestions for retro content? Maybe some photos of some cool old thing you still have? Do the email thing at doof2112 at proton dot me. Maybe you can be featured on an upcoming ONT.
Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!
Holy Shitballs! How in the ever-loving Hell did it get to be the Third August Edition? Seems like only a few weeks ago it was July, and before that, June. As we all know, the August 17, 2025 edition of the Gun Thread has historically been a content-lite effort. Thanks for understanding and respecting our Gun Thread traditions!!
With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?
What did you do this past week fundamentals-wise? Anything? Anything at all?
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Happy 90th Anniversary!
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Bigly Bunch O' 1911 Content
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Holland & Holland Artistry
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Our Pal The Sewing Needle
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Highway Patrol
This week's episode: Desert Town
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The Earth Dies Screaming!
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Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.
A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one. -rhomboid
Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!
Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!
That's it for this week - have you been to the range?
Lyon, which is considered to be the gastronomic capital of France, takes it very, very seriously. That dish, served at a famous (and huge!) brasserie, is called the "Royale - Smoked Belly and Loin of Pork, Frankfurter and Smoked Sausages." And there is a bigger one that adds a whole knuckle of pork.
One of the things I have noticed in France is the pride in domestic foods. Both supermarkets and little food shops state the country of origin (probably by law), and French products seem to be given center stage.
And that is how it should be!
I wish the United States was as interested in domestic production as a matter of both health (Lots of foreign countries are in the stone age when it comes to clean farming) and quality.
Because we grow a lot of fantastic stuff, but it is often overwhelmed by our commodity food. And that's okay, because eating in America isn't expensive!
Yes...you guessed it...I have no point.
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No, I have not discussed beef tartare nearly enough!
That's a "deconstructed" version I had at a London restaurant a few months ago. It looks great, but while I appreciate the effort, I'll stick to the traditional version. I did have an excellent cask ale to go with it, so all was not lost.
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Speaking of Lyon:
A Lyonnais pot is a bottle with a very thick bottom and a capacity of exactly 46 centilitres. This is a Lyonnaise speciality; it is mainly used in bouchons, typical restaurants in Lyon and its surrounding region.
Why? Who knows, but it is claimed that the thick bottom was first used by employers to short their employees' daily serving of wine! Because wine was part of their compensation, which is a delightfully civilized way of paying one's employees!
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In the grand scheme of Dildo World, if vegetables disappeared, all would be well. Granted, they do add to meals, but I have had plenty of wonderful culinary experiences that did not include veggies!
But that stuffed zucchini was pretty damned good! Of course it was stuffed with crab, so that might have something to do with it.
On the other hand, One of the best Indian dishes I have ever eaten was cauliflower! Yup...just cauliflower, at a great Indian restaurant in London. It was magnificent, and the highlight of the evening.
Yes, I am conflicted when it comes to vegetables.
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I don't know that this monstrous Madelaine evoked memories*, but it did make me smile! That is Bon Marché's version of the classic cookie/pastry, and it was a fine bit of baking. The chocolate wasn't bad either...just enough bitterness to complement the sweetness of the Madelaine.
And it was huge! Easily four inches (10 centimeters in Frog talk) long.
*Somebody please read all of Proust's "Remembrance Of Things Past" and get back to us
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I thought France would have good garlic, but the Frogs seem to have the same problem we have in the U.S. At least they don't import filthy garlic from China. Pork is great here, but no game, so send all of your extra antelope to: cbd dot aoshq at gmail dot com.
Who are those poor deluded souls We know who shakes their Manhattans! These are the same people who drink fine bourbon with coke, and probably shake red wine with ice too.
$1,200 for a bottle of bourbon is just stupid, insulting, and a ghastly affront to most people's palates and wallets. I think the sweet spot is $40-$60 for excellent and interesting bottles, and bumping that to $100 gets you an incremental improvement in quality, but nothing mind-blowing. More than that and I think you are paying for hype and rarity, which may look good in your liquor cabinet, but doesn't translate to more quality in the bottle.
The problem...or the solution...is to buy lots of bourbon, take tasting notes, and eventually arrive at your favorites! It should take forty or fifty years, but it is worth it!
Don't Be Fooled: Iran Will Always Seek The West's Destruction Via Nuclear Weapons. Regime Change Is The Only Long-Term Solution
—CBD
Islam is a revolutionary political philosophy that uses an ersatz religion to manipulate and motivate its adherents. The Twelvers sect of Shia Islam is a particularly nutty branch that specifically seeks the apocalypse to usher in the return of Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth Imam. That means America and Israel must be destroyed!
But all is well! Only about 85% of Shia Islam believe that! Of course Iran is the most prominent Twelver Shia country, because they have assiduously pursued that goal for the last 46 years.... bankrupting the country, throwing it back into the dark ages, and fomenting terrorism throughout the world. On the way it created a comprehensive police state, and cultivated terrorist proxies in the Middle East: Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis are the big ones, but there are others in Bahrain and Iraq, and Syria.
But the biggest and most expensive effort is of course Iran's efforts to design and build nuclear weapons. And not just any nuclear weapon...they want ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads! And that requires highly enriched uranium and significant engineering. No shipping container bombs for Iran! They want the best!
And for what? The destruction of Israel is number one. The destruction of America is number two. On the way they might take shots at Europe, and maybe Saudi Arabia; the center of Sunni Islam. That would be a bonus, but their real target is Israel.
And they will never stop. The raison d'être of the Iranian Mullahs and their lunatic acolytes is the arrival of the twelfth Imam, and nothing will deflect them from that goal. Nothing will stop their nuclear aspirations. Nothing will stop their support for terrorist organizations across the globe. Nothing will moderate their maniacal desire for the world to go up in nuclear flames.
Two things can be true at once. Yes, Iran’s nuclear capability was obliterated, and the brain trust behind it killed off. But what has been obliterated can be reborn. Any fanatical, apocalyptic regime that has spent decades and billions of dollars and endured global sanctions and national stagnation to engineer weapons of mass destruction can and will be willing to reconstruct its projects and harden its obsession. Therefore, so long as there is no regime change in Tehran, so long as its mullahs remain devoted to mass murder, so as long as the world permits it, we might well see Iran’s nuclear program return — or perhaps see another method of death and destruction not yet envisioned.
Israel understands this. A few people in Washington understand this. But far too many people believe that with sufficient pressure, via sanctions and military action, and perhaps a taste of the carrot, that Iran will move into the 21st century and act as just another country.
But they won't. They can't! The core of the Mullah's being is the return of Muhammad al-Mahdi, so any expectation that they will veer from that apocalyptic course is dangerous naiveté.
Even President Trump, whose understanding of the Muslim world is far more impressive than any other modern president's, believes that a "deal" can be struck with Iran. That didn't prevent him from ordering the attack on Iran's nuclear sites, but will he do it again in two years when they have begun to rebuild and have perhaps recovered some or all of their enriched uranium from the rubble? Or will President Vance order another strike in four years, or President Sanders in 12 years?
Regime change is the only way to end the threat of Iranian Armageddon. Luckily that will not require military action, but rather a united front against the Mullahs. Sadly, the EU would rather do business with them than save Israel and the world, and along the way save the Iranian people from the despotic Mullahs.
Howdy Readers! Welcome to the Reading Thread, your Sunday morning source for the insightful, lively and spirited discussion of books 'n stuff. I'm filling in for a while as this space re-invents itself under new management so please set your near-term expectations accordingly low.
What do we have this week? Why, it's none other than Typhoon, written by Joseph Conrad and originally published in 1902. Yes, another actual book for this edition of the Reading Thread but be forewarned, next week we may have what is generally considered alternative reading material.
Why did I make this particular selection you ask? Well, mostly because Conrad is a galactically amazing writer despite English not being his first language [bio linked here]. Also because Typhoon is probably my favorite of Conrad's work and arguably one of my favorite short stories by anyone.
Feel free to discuss reading and books in general and share your thoughts on this week's selection if you're so inclined.
I know you're every bit as excited as I am, so just jump below the fold to get started!
Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan - I swear I am not making this up - said that nothing Media Matters was doing was illegal and in any case they had already stopped with most of the illegal stuff.
If you saw "The Verge" and guessed they were screeching inanely about the Trump administration, you can collect your Kewpie doll in aisle five, next to the mayonnaise.
Saturday Night "Club ONT" August 16, 2025 [The 3 Ds]
—Open Blogger
Club ONT Recognizes Establishments of Similar Caliber
Welcome to Club ONT! A collaboration of your Sunday through Wednesday Thursday ONT Crew - The Disco, The Doggo, and The Dino. Your membership application has been approved (with only mild sighing and minimal regret). The secret phrase/password this week is: You'll get used to it.
Paddy and Mick flew to Canada on a hunting trip. They chartered a small plane to take them into the Rockies for week hunting moose.
They managed to bag six. As they were loading the plane to return, the pilot said the plane could take only four moose.
The two lads objected strongly. "Last year we shot six. The pilot let us take them all and he had the same plane as yours."
Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all six were loaded. The plane took off. However, while attempting to cross some mountain even on full power, the little plane couldn't handle the load and went down.
Somehow, surrounded by the moose bodies, Paddy and Mick survived the crash.
After climbing out of the wreckage, Paddy asked Mick, "Any idea where we are?"
Mick replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year!"
Wilkinson knew the Royal Navy couldn't use traditional camouflage to their advantage. The giant ships with massive amounts of smoke pouring from their stacks would be difficult to conceal.
So, Wilkinson proposed that the Navy utilize a different type of camouflage — one meant not to conceal but to confuse. Dazzle camouflage utilized zebra stripes, bold patterns, and vivid colors to make it difficult for German U-boats to determine the speed and course of battleships. Without knowing exactly which way the vessels were headed, the U-boats couldn't calculate where to launch their torpedoes.
Just 4 ingredients. Make this refreshing cocktail with vodka, orange juice, grenadine, and lime-flavored seltzer water. The lime slice and maraschino cherry garnish are optional, but highly encouraged.
It looks just like a summer sunset. Skip the cocktail shaker. Pour the ingredients directly into the glass to create the gorgeous gradient.
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Ingredients
Ice
2 ounces orange juice
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce genadine
3 ounces cold lime-flavored seltzer water
Lime slice, for garnish (optional)
1 maraschino cherry with stem, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Fill a highball or Collins glass halfway with ice. Add 2 ounces orange juice and 1 ounce vodka, and stir to combine. Slowly pour 1/2 ounce grenadine into the center of the glass, letting it settle on the bottom. Do not stir. Top with 3 ounces cold lime-flavored seltzer water. Garnish with a lime slice and a maraschino cherry.
***
Not the drink of the night. But caption worthy. Nothing says classy like loudly ordering this at the bar.
Dr. George Emery Goodfellow, who would come to be known as the “Gunfighter’s surgeon,” fully embodied what it meant to be a surgeon in the Wild Wild West. As was common for life in the frontier, improvisation was the theme of the day and, in that vein, Goodfellow challenged himself to perform previously unreported operative interventions in his efforts to save his patients. The Gunfighter’s surgeon also doubled as the coroner, using his gift for scientific inquiry in his post-mortem observations. His inquisitive nature also led him to reinvent a fundamental urologic procedure, the prostatectomy. No catalogue of the American Southwest would be complete without detailing his life and contributions.
***
Notorious for its “shoot for the guts” approach to resolving disputes, the colorful activities of the Tombstone residents provided Goodfellow with ample opportunity to study the consequences of being one of the “festive or obstreperous citizens (who) delighted themselves with toys such as the 44 or 45-calibre Colt revolver and the 45-60 and 44-40 Winchester rifles and Carbines.”
While he left the bravado of gunfights behind him, George Goodfellow brought the same pioneering spirit to defining himself and a surgical field that was in its infancy – urology - and centered his work on prostatic disease, which was in the lime-light of the surgical theater. Goodfellow’s most significant contribution to urology—the perineal prostatectomy—was reported to be performed by him upon his arrival in Tucson on October 13, 1891 (likely at St. Mary’s Hospital) almost 13 years prior to his formal publications claiming credit for performing a pure perineal prostatectomy, the first so far as known to me, deliberately devised and carried out.
*****
I don't think the Gunfighter's Surgeon could help this 'bro with his bromide problem.
Hospital put a psych hold on him which likely saved his life.
He also shared that, after reading about the negative effects that sodium chloride, or table salt, has on one's health, he was surprised that he could only find literature related to reducing sodium from one's diet. Inspired by his history of studying nutrition in college, he decided to conduct a personal experiment to eliminate chloride from his diet. For 3 months, he had replaced sodium chloride with sodium bromide obtained from the internet after consultation with ChatGPT, in which he had read that chloride can be swapped with bromide, though likely for other purposes, such as cleaning.
emphasis added by one of the D's
*****
Club ONT Window Shopping Department
Did you know that Bring a Trailer hosts military vehicles? Did you know that tanks have been listed? In fact, a 1982 Soviet T-54 was recently sold for a little over $221,000. I would like to think that a Moron bought it to make a big entrance at the Texas MoMe.
*****
Club ONT Department of Phobias
Whatcha got?
[Disco says: This one hit my X feed today while working on the Club. Now I'm looking for a duck!]
*****
Club ONT Department of Parental Care
*****
Club ONT Music
Guitar awesomeness
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Bonus music - Remembering "The King" on the anniversary of his death (Aug 16, 1977)
This spirit of Elvis lives on here at Club ONT. Please raise one in his honor. Thank you. Thank you very much!
*****
Top 10ish Comments of the Week. Or thereabout...
*****
Club ONT brought to you by International relations:
*****
Club ONT is officially in back to school mode. Please prepare backpacks with standard essentials for Club ONT patrons in need and drop them off in the bin near the door. Your favorite adopted Moron would appreciate a Sony Walkman, a Speak n Spell, a 64 crayon set for coloring, graph paper and a protractor, a bottle of Hoppes 9, and a battery powered rotary phone. Some Morons could use a map to help them get out of the barrel too.
Those were the days. Although this store is much larger than the two original record stores Pipe Dreams and Beggar's Tune in my old hometown. Then a big one moved in called The Exclusive Company. All gone.
Or were you a member of the Columbia Record Club? I joined once to get a number of LPS for cheap and then regretted it. Why? The selection sucked and the prices did as well.
Opinions, as in noses, everybody (except for a leper) has one. From Long Bow vs. Crossbow and Chevrolet vs. Ford, Mary Ann vs. Ginger will this be another AoSHQ dispute?
Who is the greatest song writer and/or song writing team in history?
Off the top of my head I would have to nominate Bob Dylan. However stats say that Paul McCartney holds the Guinness World Record for the most successful songwriter of all time.
Although both artists have music in my collection. Dylan far outnumbers McCartney by quite a large number.
"Damn that television, what a bad picture"
"Don't get upset, it's not a major disaster"
"There's nothing on tonight, " he said, "I don't know what's the matter"
"Nothing's ever on, " she said, "so I don't know why you bother"
We've heard this little scene, we've heard it many times
People fighting over little things and wasting precious time
They might be better off, I think, the way it seems to me
Making up their own shows, which might be better than TV
Judy's in the bedroom, inventing situations
Bob is on the street today, scouting up locations
They've enlisted all their family
They've enlisted all their friends
It helped save their relationship
And made it work again
And the hole in the screen
Is barely big enough for you
And not near enough for me to go
And the whole damn complicated
Situation could've been avoided
If I'd only shut the window
[Chorus]
And I may be leaving myself open
To a murder or a heart attack
But I'm leaving the back door open
'Til you come back, 'til you come back
And I may be moving myself closer
To a real untimely end
But I'm leaving the back door open
'Til you come home again, you come home again
Shadows are fallin' and I'm runnin' out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while
When you get up in the mornin' and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while
I lay my head on the railroad tracks
And wait for the Double E
The railroad don't run no more
Poor, poor pitiful me
No throwing 8 tracks, cassettes and/or reels of tape if you are not in agreement with your host and/or fellow commenters. If you are all good little boys and girls maybe you can head out to Club ONT later on.
Pissing, moaning, complaining, bitching and all other forms and matter of dissatisfaction can be taken up directly with Ace or CBD or someone who may care.
Posted by Misanthropic Humanitarian (ONT Cob Emeritus) at 07:30 PMComments
Hobby Thread - August 16, 2025 [TRex]
—Open Blogger
Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. Good news! The Ace of Spades Wheel of HobbiesTM) is back in service. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it landed on small scale restorations.
I have faith that you can either find something in the content that resonates or contribute your own hobbying interests.
You might be tempted to say "I have no hobbies or interests." Bah. Dig around in the content and soak in the comments. Be curious. Glad you're here.
[Top photo: Totality over Texas (oils on a 12x24 inch cotton canvas)- tankascribe]
As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Pants are optional. Puns are welcome and encouraged.
Play nice. Don't be a troll and do not feed the trolls.
***
I had a different theme for this week but put it on hold for now when I stumbled onto this video:
A lot of hobbying involves building new things, but what about giving old things new life? What could be more fun than restoring an old Tonka fire truck. The first five minutes are solely disassembly. The simple fire truck has 84 pieces.
After watching, the sheer breadth of skills involved impressed me. The more I watched videos like this, the more it struck me how many individual skills are utilized to make restorations work. In some cases, the need is stripping and repainting metal. In other cases, it is re-manufacturing fasteners or missing parts.
One noteworthy aspect that stuck out to me on this one: a process called "retrobrighting" submerged yellowed plastic material in hydrogen peroxide and hit it with UV lights for several days. The process restored the yellowed plastic to its original bright white color. May be old news to everyone else, but news to me.
With that introduction, let's talk about small scale restorations. We'll leave restorations of houses, structures and vehicles for another thread. I'm thinking tools, household goods, toys, and furniture.
An item is only original once, so there is always peril in "restoring" something to make it "better than new." Some old is earned patina and character, but some old just needs to be cleaned and fixed.
I had no idea that restoration videos were such a big thing on the interwebs. As you might imagine, the worse starting condition, the more dramatic the transformation and end result. The fire truck above has 7.7 million views. Disappointingly, so many videos have been infected by the clickbait disease and/or people trying to make money from repairs and reselling. (Furniture videos especially: "YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE THE TRANSFORMATION!! I WAS ABLE TO REPAINT THIS SIDE TABLE AND MAKE A HUGE PROFIT!!!") I've tried to pick a few for this thread that have an interesting subject and inoffensive commentary (or no commentary where possible).
***
With so many scale modelers among the Horde, seemed appropriate to start with an X-wing restoration. This one also includes a retrobrighting process to address yellow plastic.
Have you gone back and overhauled models you built previously?
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There are others on the interwebs, but here's a Matchbox car restoration. This one caught my eye because of the shark nose Ferrari F1 subject car. It also caught my eye because of the small-scale home zinc-plating process shown.
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A 1911 restoration - complete with test fire at the end? Sure!
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This video of a sewing machine restoration has over 26 million views. Amazing. Can you imagine the person that made this 1864 Singer seeing it now?
***
Wonder how this safe got to this state, but the restoration journey is very satisfying. This is one for those that enjoy metal work.
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Some people are into restoring arcade video games. More power to them. Personally, I try to avoid anything with that much wiring and electronics.
***
I had thoughts of doing a stained glass theme for a Hobby Thread, but thought it might be too narrow. True?
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Top photo:
I love seeing how things are made. Same goes for hobbying projects. Tankascribe sent the eclipse photo at the top along with work in process photos and notes. Not enough room to include all of it here but it took 10 hours so we can make some space for a glimpse of the origin story.
Before we get into the painting process, here's a closer look at the sun part of the painting so you can appreciate the layering and colors. I don't know if tankascribe would agree, but this is a painting that got more impressive the closer I looked.
How did it start?
I had a ready-primed canvas long narrow canvas. Used a circle template to plop down a circle for the eclipsed sun (carefully off center but within the area of interest), with another larger one around it to approximate the corona, then just started to paint.
Roughed in the Texas landscape at the bottom, with the Llano river bordered by the trees and farther hills on the opposite side. Roughed in the "sunrise" colors on the left and right with more clouds above it. Got a lot of orangish primer to cover up with more overcast and clouds, but it was a good start.
This is how it evolved:
Mixed up a lot of mid-tone grey and used that to cover up all of the orange primer. Of course the entire thing immediately got duller, without having the orange/blue complements playing off each other and the primer is still shining up through some of it, making those areas look warmer.
"False sunrise" colors during the eclipse go in the exact opposite order than they would normally. Normally, the closer in towards the sun you go on the horizon, the warmer and more yellow the color becomes. As you move away from the sun it goes orange and into red, then cool red and purples. But in this case, because the sun itself was blocked out and the light on the horizon was what was leaking around the moon's shadow, the light is brighter and warmer the farther away from the
shadow band you go.
Spent an hour working on the sun's corona, getting that to shine brighter and making it more uneven. Started also working on giving the moon more dimension.
Next up was working the sky holes and clouds. Darkening up things, working to get that impression of the very dark shadow running right up the sky. Making the sky between clouds go from the regular light warm blues into cooler ultramarine and then the very dark Prussian blue traveling inward and upward. Then the clouds which will have the greatest contrast and range of values up around the eclipsed sun, becoming even softer and less distinct traveling downwards to the horizon.
Worked on extending the dark shadow band down the sky, a lot more
work over the top edge and down along the right side of the sky. Thought there should be more, brighter sunrise color over on the right side so put some of that in, being careful to edge it upwards a ways so the thing isn't totally symmetrical, which would be boring. Placed some bluish-green lighter cloud in the sunrise areas down by the horizon, and was quietly proud that I mixed up that color and matched it perfectly to that in the photos.
Got out the T-square and trued up the horizon line, which had gotten squiggly. Put some edge-lighting on some of the clouds around the sky hole where the eclipsed
sun appears.
The band of clouds down the dark shadow band were all too close in value - when squinting my eyes, it just turned into one dark blur down there. So spent time adding some good darks in some places and lighting edges of clouds in
others.
Tried to make everything have more blue the farther down the sky you go, while warming up the clouds up near the sun. Interjected more color into the false "sunrises" on either side of the shadow band. Pulled the corona out farther to give it three prongs instead of just two.
Final touches: Got more values going in the clouds in the lower third, making them a bit more highlighted but careful to use more blue in everything so they recede. Did some more cloudy detail work up around the sun making them more warm and rosy. Did a bit of highlighting on the line of trees along the river bank, lightened the distant hills just a touch more, and added a little more warm color to the water at either edge to reflect the "sunrises" in the sky above. Done!
Final result at the top.
Remember this painting when someone asks "How much detail can you put in clouds? How long can it really take to paint clouds?" It takes about 10 hours and involves a lot of color shading and highlights. I thought this level of detail would be interesting to the painters among the Horde.
Thank you for sharing! Well done tankascribe!
Remember - the Hobby Thread mailbox is always open if you would like to share your own hobbying projects.
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Not a word of commentary and over 15 million views in 7 months. Amazing.
Same guy. Over 5 million views of a guy building a small hut out of pallets with no power tools.
***
This is more of a commercial endeavor than a pure hobby, but you'll understand why it got included.
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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a telescopes and night sky photography theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.
Both were linked in the comments, but both deserve a place in the content. Beckoning Chasm lunar photo:
Q: Can astronauts burp in space?
A: Not really - at least not the kind of burping we do here on Earth.
In space, astronauts are in a constant state of freefall, so gravity doesn't help separate gases from everything else in their stomachs. This means that the gases don't naturally stay near the top of the stomach, while the heavier liquids and solids settle to the bottom. Without the affect of gravity, the gases, foods, and liquids stay floating together. So if an astronaut tries to burp in space, a little bit of everything comes up (solids, liquids, and gases). Basically, burping in space means throwing up a little.
You're welcome.
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Notable comments from last week:
And a big bright gold star to Ben Had for this gem:
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Words of wisdom:
"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).
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Would TRex include a mystery click behind the top photo in a Hobby Thread? Maybe... If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.
I once took photos of a lion (perhaps a juvenile - its mane was not as dark or majestic as the one on the lion above - in a hotel room, with his trainer. The lion's mane had a waxy feel. He had come up the fire escape of the hotel for photos.
The next night, he bit one of my friends in a college show. He had been okay in rehearsal, but reacted badly to the wig she wore for the final production.
He left her with part of her scalp peeled back, but it was repaired. She still has lion tooth marks on her forehead. Lions are wild animals.
Meet The PetMorons
This is Ollie. He's a three year old dachshund and the photo accurately reflects his attitude towards life.
Have a super week!
DJ Jazzy Mel
I love Ollie! Your description is delightful.
* * *
This is Kroger. We had to buy a new dog bed from Chewy. As you can see it was a big hit. He pretty much planted himself there for the rest of the evening with his bear.
NR Pax
Kroger is loved! And he loves his bear!
* * *
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&&&
Good Day K.T. and Fellow Pet Morons,
We had a big event at the house a few days ago, Chicks A & B took their first flight. This is a major milestone and has triggered changes in their living arrangements and feeding.
They have been moved into a proper bird cage now so they can learn how to balance and perch. We've also begun the weaning process to slowly get them off of the formula and on to a normal diet. We are using RowdyBush Crumble as a starter food and they are eating it, but we will continue to offer them formula twice a day. I expect in a few days to a week they will start refusing the formula all together.
Chicks C & D are both doing well and starting to flap their wings, but they don't have all their flight feathers yet, so their first flight is at least a week or more away.
Today pictures are of A & B. I don't know if you can see, but their plumage is just so pristine at this point. One image has A getting ready to launch himself for a fly about, and there is one of them looking at us. The last picture is from a previous post of these same 2 babies about 8 weeks ago. Nature never ceases to amaze me.
Regards, David
What a difference in 8 weeks!
* * *
PetMoron Adjacent Animals
Encountered by Members of The Horde
* * *
&&&
Hello,
I just saw a most unusual sight.
I found a deer resting in the shade in my backyard.
I live in a semi-rural community and my house is only a few blocks from several patches of woods that are home to deer. It's not too unusual to see them roaming my neighborhood at night.
I've lived here for 13 years and this is the first time I've seen a deer chilling out in my backyard on a hot summer day. Pretty cool.
Thought you'd enjoy this.
Best regards,
"Perfessor" Squirrel
Fun! Deer in the perfect spot for photos!
* * *
Thank you for sharing your pets and animal photos and stories with us today.
If you would like to send pet and/or animal stories, links, etc. for the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, the address is:
petmorons at protonmail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.
Agapanthus flowers, commonly known as African lilies or Lily of the Nile.
Blue flowers are a treasure in summer. This looks like one of the more compact, prolific varieties of agapanthus. Love it.
*
Edible Gardening/Putting Things By
From By-Tor:
Made the mistake of taking a nibble on one of my 2 million Scoville units Ghost Peppers. Instant pain and ten minutes of regret. It not a “sneaks up on you” heat; it’s instant full blown heat.
Not sure what I’m going to do with them, actually.
This summer heat here in SoCal seems to suit them, though.
This is NOT something that I would try. I have heard stories of guys doing challenges with extremely hot peppers, keeping ice cream on hand for themselves without informing "the mark" that eating ice cream after such a challenge is a good idea.
I also read a tip from J.L. Hudson, Seedsman on how to use these extremely hot peppers once. As I recall, he used one pepper in this class to flavor a bathtub full of sauce, which he canned. Or something like that.
Any other tips for By-Tor?
*
Here's a much milder pepper I grew years ago with marigold plants. The first flush of marigold flowers was about over in this photo. The peppers changed color from green to yellow to orange to red. Attractive and quite tasty, with heat in the range of an Anaheim pepper. The plant was bred to stay short, so it could be left in flower beds. Don't remember its name.
Zucchini and Tomato Casserole
• 4 medium zucchini, cubed
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed or 1.5 teaspoons dried dill
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon margarine, melted
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
• 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese (feel free to substitute to your tastes)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
2. Place zucchini in a pot fitted with a steamer basket over boiling water. Steam 5 minutes, or until tender but firm. Transfer to the casserole dish. Mix the dill, pepper, and margarine, and stir into the casserole dish, evenly coating zucchini. Layer tomato slices over zucchini, and sprinkle with basil and Romano cheese.
3. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and golden brown.
Notes: You could mix some green pepper or chile and onion slices with the zucchini and maybe substitute a pinch of oregano for the dill for a nice variation.
If you want to peel the tomatoes, you could pay attention to whether or not the tomatoes you grow are easy to peel without blanching, like the great, early Cosmonaut Volkov, (Plants with Stories) or Sweet Tangerine. There are others.
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Tomato Stories
We are starting to get tomato reports from The Horde, and it's time for a reminder that some information on different varieties is more reliable than other information. The story about Cosmonaut Volkov being chosen over 300 different varieties in honor of a cosmonaut who was killed in an accident is probably legit.
Last week, there was an exchange of legitimate information about the variety 'Black Strawberry' in the comments:
34 I recommend Black Strawberry for its prolific fruiting and long-lasting tomatoes, especially for sauce.
Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 09, 2025 02:40 PM
Never heard of it. Gonna have to order some seeds. Thanks.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 09, 2025 02:52 PM
Black strawberry tomatoes have been around for centuries and were first discovered by Italian farmers in the 18th century. The tomato variety was so named due to its unique dark-purple hue that resembles a large strawberry. They are grown in clusters of climbing plants, making them an ideal choice for home gardening and greenhouses.
The flavor of black strawberry tomatoes is more intense than traditional red tomatoes. They are also known to be very juicy and have a hint of sweetness, making them popular among chefs and cooks alike. We often find black strawberry tomatoes in farmers’ markets during the summer or in grocery stores sold as organic produce.
The story about the 18th Century Italian Farmers was just make up out of whole cloth. This is an anthocyanin (blue) tomato. They are a class of tomatoes which has only appeared on the market recently.
60 days, indeterminate. A very early cherry tomato with high levels of anthocyanins. The colors vary widely depending on the sunlight shining directly on the fruit. More sun means darker colors, resulting in fruit ranging from strawberry to purple to nearly black. Very sweet flavored 2 ounce fruit. Derived from a cross between 'Bosque Blue' and 'Strawberry Tiger' tomatoes.
There is a slideshow of photos at the link. Their appearance varies a lot.
Fantastic, sugar-sweet tomato flavor, that is fruity, with a hint of grape and plum flavors. If you relish the experience of digging into a bowl of high-quality cocktail tomatoes, then the Black Strawberry is your tomato. This 2-ounce fruit is marbled in purple, pink, green, and gold. This extremely productive and early variety is an obvious choice for gardeners and market farmers who want rugged, early-producing plants but do not want to sacrifice eating quality. This variety produces much diversity in color, and some plants may produce grape-shaped fruit. One of the best-tasting tomatoes we have tried!
Some of the variation in these tomatoes may come from throw-backs in individual plants to the parent varieties, because this variety was only bred recently.
I’d like to announce I’m back on this app but since I don’t pay for premium, it will be seen by 4 people. Anyway to those 4 people, I captured something amazing this month 🐻 pic.twitter.com/f9ke1oU2NO
Hi KT! I thought I would send some pictures of the sunflowers I grew this year. In past years, I grew sunflowers that turned into dinner-plate sized seed heads. Unfortunately, the neighborhood squirrels were murder on these flowers, knocking them over in their quest to get the seeds. What a mess! This year I chose an heirloom variety (see package). 6-8 feet tall with multiple flowers in a variety of colors. Rather than one large flower, I get to enjoy many more smaller flowers. The bees and goldfinches really love them!
The big pot of flowers is a tribute to my mom. She always planted petunias and marigolds. They are the easiest flowers to grow-sunlight, water and a little fertilizer and they grow like crazy. I cut them back from time to time and they continue to bloom all summer
Thanks for giving us the garden thread. It's a peaceful place to visit every Saturday!
Mrs. Leggy
I love those sunflowers, and the pot of flowers in honor of your mother is dreamy!
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Gardens of The Horde
This spring, Hrothgar sent us a photo of Rhododendrons "Bee Blooming"
And Azaleas (Fading Fast)
But I can't tell they're fading. They're beautiful!
Anything new happening in your garden? We have an aggressive gopher.
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Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:
ktinthegarden at g mail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.
For decades, we have been hearing from advocates of "green energy" that nuclear plants cannot be considered as a replacement for fossil fuels to provide energy for homes and businesses. I haven't seen this argument used much against the proposals to build small nuclear plants to power Artificial Intelligence capacities. Where are the campaigns to cover the countryside with solar panels or windmills to power AI?
Sam Altman (born April 22, 1985, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) is an American entrepreneur who was president of the start-up accelerator Y Combinator from 2014 to 2019 and chief executive officer (CEO) of the artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI beginning in 2019. He has been compared to tech visionaries, including Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, and is known for his belief that artificial general intelligence (AGI) will be able to do anything that humans can.
But Sam is starting with things that humans have done. And often copyrighted.
Last week in this space, we noted that government entities in Canada were going way overboard in "land acknowledgements" at the start of public meetings. These acknowldements are theoretically directed toward the descendants of various indigenous groups, but are not very useful to them. Although one recent court ruling concerning aboriginal property rights in Richmond, Canada could be.
Here's an interesting view on intellectual property.
I think Sam Altman should have to recite "intellectual property acknowledgements" every time he speaks in public
AI industry groups are urging an appeals court to block what they say is the largest copyright class action ever certified. They've warned that a single lawsuit raised by three authors over Anthropic's AI training now threatens to "financially ruin" the entire AI industry if up to 7 million claimants end up joining the litigation and forcing a settlement.
I guess we're not finished with this issue. Perhaps we should get some clarity sooner than later.
Confession: I actually used to be part of the “blacker than black, ‘cause I’m black, y’all…” crowd.
First time I watched “Blazing Saddles,” I hated it. I thought it was racist. I remember watching it with some fraternity brothers and damn near causing a scene because they were all laughing while I was pissed they could laugh at something so racist.
Post college, rookie cop, newly into my right-leaning, conservative awakening, I had a girlfriend who wanted to do a movie night. She said she wanted to watch her favorite comedy, “Blazing Saddles.” After asking if we could watch something else and her being dead set on wanting to watch it, I gave it a new shot. I was prepared to be mad, though, just in case.
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life.
Point is, to everyone who still views the world through a racial lens, there’s a whole world out there that you could enjoy if you simply take off those lenses. It’s holding you back and you don’t even realize it.
Today — August 15 — marks the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan. Actually, it was August 15 in Japan, but more accurately August 14 on this side of the Date Line. And yet today I can find little notice or commemoration of this date. It was probably the zenith of American power and patriotism, which has been an exponentially decreasing quotient ever since.
There is a personal component to this day. I was five-year-old visiting relatives in suburban New Jersey and my mom decided to take me over to the City to see a Giants game at the Polo Grounds. (We were Yankee fans, but they were out of town that day.)
On the subway segment to the Jersey PATH trains after the game, mom decided to stop at a now long-defunct Childs restaurant in mid-town for a quick supper. So we get off at the Times Square subway stop and come up to the street to be greeted by probably a million, give or take another half million, people yelling and dancing and celebrating. It was a terrifying scene for a runty little five-year-old. I asked mom what was going on and she read off the moving electric news sign on the Times building “The War is over! The War is over!”
When you see that historic photo of the million(s) jammed into Times Square on V-J Day, yep, that’s me right there. No, not that sailor guy – that little speck over by the copy of the Statue of Liberty at the far end.
Even for a little kid, the importance of that moment was not lost. . .
Today, a scan of the media shows nearly none of the that historic day will be remembered or solemnly celebrated.
Few will have the joy that I was so lucky to experience on that wonderful day in 1945.
It was “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Over There” in one glorious medley. You should have been there.
The Classical Saturday Coffee Break & Prayer Revival
—Misanthropic Humanitarian (ONT Cob Emeritus)
Good morning boys and girls and everything in between. Before we enter the Prayer Revival just a few housekeeping matters to go over. (Rulz for those of you in Little Suamico)
1. This is an open thread, feel free to lurk, opine and/or bloviate.
2. Be kind, be nice. Even trolls and certain weirdos have feelings.
3. No. Don't. Even. Ask. No running with sharp objects.
4. Have a great weekend!
Please submit any prayer requests to me, “Annie’s Stew” at apaslo atsign hotmail dot com. Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks unless we receive an update.
Prayer Requests:
7/9 - Teresa in Fort Worth asks for prayers for her niece Amanda, and her husband Barkley. They are at Vanderbilt Hospital, where Amanda seems to be rejecting her second heart transplant. She is only 40 years old, and has been having heart issues for 20 years. She had her first heart transplant 4 years ago, and things are not looking good.
8/2 Update – Amanda isn’t out of the woods yet, but her condition is improving each day.
7/11 – JR requested prayers for the families of those killed in Gaza.
8/2 – JR asked for prayers for the starving children in Gaza.
7/11 – Screaming in digital asked for prayers for her mother. Mom is still recovering from a UTI plus 3 falls within the last couple of days. During the day, there is some improvement. But once she starts sundowning, she is terrified and clings to whatever she can hold onto. She only weighs about 105-110, and isn’t eating much, but it is hard to move her when she is like that. If she doesn’t improve her mobility and cooperate/help with transfers to and from the wheelchair, etc., and consistently feed herself, she won’t be able to stay at the assisted living facility.
7/19 Update – Screaming in digital’s mother passed away.
7/11 – Matthew Kant Cipher requested prayers for Layne, a family friend who is also his son’s FIL. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and is awaiting further test results to determine whether they treat with chemo or remove his bladder. As of now, it appears to be contained. Please pray that he and his family are blessed with God’s love and grace through this time of trial.
8/13 Update – Layne has had some good news. His PET scan indicated that the cancer hasn’t spread beyond his bladder. Also, it seems to be a less aggressive form of cancer than originally diagnosed. The Horde prayers are blessing him greatly and are immensely appreciated. Please keep them coming!
7/18 – Tecumseh Tea had a heart attack and needs prayers.
7/23 Update – Tecumseh Tea had a Type 2 heart attack, which is considered mild. She sends prayers of thanks for that! The angiogram showed a healthy heart, with little plaque and clean arteries, so no stent was needed. They did find a myocardial bridge, which is a congenital defect. The goal is to keep BP 140/70 with a pulse of less than 60, but so far they have not been able to meet that goal. She can’t get a cardiologist appointment until 8/22, so the GP is helping, but so far they have not been able to get the right BP meds. Please pray for a sooner visit, and the right meds that work for her, and answers.
7/19 – Huerfano asked for prayers for a rapid and full recovery for brother R, who had hernia surgery. He cannot see his grandsons until he has recovered. He misses them, and they miss him.
7/19 – Farmer Bob posted an update. He is doing well. He is competing in 5Ks and triathalons, and sends his thanks for the prayers. His ex-wife has “gone off the deep end” (or just remains so), with weird lies and accusations. She could use a prayer or two.
7/19 – Tonypete asked for prayers for Cheri and Gretchen, church ladies of his acquaintance. Cheri had a medical incident while driving and veered off the road and struck a number of pedestrians, sending 3 or 4 to the hospital. Gretchen and her husband were passengers in the car and her husband had a heart attack after the accident and died. Cheri is just sick about it and has kind of snapped. Gretchen has lost her best friend of 65 years.
7/19 – H asked for prayers for Brandon, a homeless man in San Marcos, TX, who has a broken ankle and has to seek care for that injury, specifically prayers that he would see God providing for him. He is asking for God to help him advocate for his care.
7/23 – D sent an update on his wife Susan, as they deal with cancer. The last few weeks have been a roller coaster. They cannot operate on the cancer, because it has spread too much. They have started chemo and hope to get it to shrink. Susan’s gallbladder is inflamed, but they cannot remove it, due to the chemo, and her blood sugar is having issues. Thanks to everyone for their prayers; Susan has pulled through all of this and is looking great as they keep praying to the Lord.
7/26 – Stateless asked for prayers for his neighbors. The nice lady across the street lost her husband of 30 years about 3 months ago. And a different neighbor lost his beloved wife of 34 years in July.
7/26 – Fenelon Spoke requested prayers for J, a dear lady who attends her church. J has been going downhill since she had a heart procedure several months ago and now cannot speak. She may have dementia and is living in an assisted living facility.
7/26 – Coelacanth sent his thanks for prayers for his son. He has come a _very_ long way but could still use more prayers as he deals with vax and black mold injuries. Also, Coelacanth cut his left hand pretty badly and severed two tendons. He will be on light duty at work for 6+ weeks. Prayers are appreciated.
7/26 - Brother Tim was discharged from the cancer rehab facility and has returned to his routine of living out of hotel rooms, while working on better housing prospects. He is praising God for all the blessings and mercies!
7/30 Update – Brother Tim found out that the cancerous mass impinged on a blood vessel. He needs a full body scan to make sure it has not spread. He is relieved that he only needs radiation and not chemo to make sure the original cancer stays gone. He’s also out of PTO. He said that sometimes it feels like 2025 will be the death of him – possibly literally.
8/1 – Jmel requested prayers for her husband, whose father just passed away after fighting cancer for two years.
8/2 – “Perfessor” Squirrel asked for prayers. His job seems to be in dire jeopardy.
8/2 – Teresa in Fort Worth received the good news that her cancerous tumors continue to shrink. She had some not-so-good news, that she has 2 pulmonary emboli, and has been put on a blood thinner, which should dissolve the clots and prevent any new ones.
8/4 Update – The oncological surgeon said everything is looking great. After her next CT scan, they will be planning surgery to remove the tumors. The largest tumor is showing signs of calcification, which means that it is dying.
8/2 – FenelonSpoke requested prayers for P. She was to have an experimental but successful heart procedure which the surgeon thinks will help her arrythmia, pain, and fatigue, but insurance will not pay for it. Prayer that rough places are made smooth for her to have this procedure.
8/4 – Moki posted that s/he could use some prayers. A daughter has gone AWOL, claiming that they don’t love her.
8/9 Update – Moki reported that her daughter has come home.
8/4 – Inogame asked for continued prayers. Baby #5 continues to grow, and the genetic test came back clean. Prayers for mom and baby (daughter #4), and also dad and son are appreciated.
8/13 – MkY sent an update on his wife Judy’s battle with cancer. Her immunotherapy is scheduled for every 3 weeks. Six weeks ago, she had a cold and had to skip it, and it was the best she had felt in a year. So they skipped the last one, too. She is scheduled for it again on 8/14. She’s not hurting. She is sleeping. She’s not healthy, but she’s got stage 4 cancer! September is the next CT scan, and they will find out if the immunotherapy is making enough of an impact to continue. They are very grateful for the prayers.
8/13 – MkY would appreciate prayers for Butch and Harry, who have worked with him for 20 years. Both have recently been diagnosed with cancer. Butch has liver cancer and Harry has cancer in his larynx.
For submission guidelines and other relevant info, please contact Annie's Stew, who is managing the prayer list. You can contact her at apaslo at-sign hotmail dot com. If you see a prayer request posted in a thread comment, feel free to copy and paste it and e-mail it to Annie's Stew. She tries to keep up with the requests in the threads, but she's not here all of the time, so she may not see it unless you e-mail it to her. Please note: Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks or so unless we receive an update.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
Lost Seventies Mystery Click: The Darkest Song Ever Recorded? I think Professor of Rock (on YouTube) claimed this song was so upsetting that people used to pull over to the side of the road when it came on the radio. It's about a fatal plane crash, but obviously it suggests a fatal car crash too, which could wig out a driver. It's like one of those nasty 70s anti-war body horror movies. Not for the squeamish. I'm not even going to post the lyrics because they're upsetting too.
Compilation of Naked Gun intros That theme gets me charged. Compilation of all Police Squad! openings. They're all the same except for the last few seconds where they reveal the Special Guest Star and the title(s).
Lost 90s Mystery Click: College Radio Edition
Well you look fantastic in your cast-off casket
At least the thing still runs
This nine to five bullshit don't let you forget
Whose suicide you're on.
Also: You wax poetic about things pathetic
As long as you look so cute
Believe these hills are starting to roll
Believe these stars are starting to shoot
Podcast: In the last Episode of the season CBD and J.J. Sefton chat about Texas Gerrymandering, The Islamist who is about to be the mayor of NYC, Jim Acosta's ghoulish interview, Israel needs a new strategy for Gaza, and more!
I'm frankly surprised the title is 107 Days. I would have thought it would be:
Days Are Important:The Amount of Days Was a Number and That Number Was 100 Plus 7 Which is 107. 107. One Hundred and Seven. It's a Memoir and Memoirs are About Remembering Things Because Remembering Things is Good. Not Bad. Good. Memoir. A Memoir. Like a Reservoir But With Memory. We Have to Let it Flow. We Have to Let It Flow Into the Reservoir of Our Mind and Our Heart. Our Heart Which is the Beating Heart of Not Just Our Blood, But Our Progress. And Our People. And Democracy. The End.
Soft weak poop from the early 80s Mystery Click I never liked this song, but it is memorable. In a weak, annoying way. The kid's in shock up and down the block
The folks are home playing beat the clock
Down at the golden cup
They set the young ones up
Under the neon light
Selling day for night
It's alright
Nobody rides for free (nobody, nobody)
Nobody gets it like they want it to be (nobody, nobody)
Nobody hands you any guarantee (nobody, nobody)
Nobody
Former CIA operative John Kiriakou talks with Matt Taibbi about the Brennan/Comey Coup Both guys are old liberals, maybe even of the far-left variety, and both are appalled by the Democrat/Deep State coup against the US. Kiriakou says that CIA officers were legally obligated to report to the Inspector General John Brennan's repeated overruling of actual intelligence to encode his partisan conspiracy theories into US intel product, but of course they didn't.
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