Political Randomness

[Max Peck]

And I totally missed this. Yikes.

Being aware of that is a part of why I'm not overly sympathetic.

Also pure speculation here, but I would be not a little shocked if she was on death's door due to pneumonia 'from COVID' instead of 'with COVID'.

Yeah, I was wondering if "rare pneumonia" might be code for COVID, but there are plenty of other respiratory viruses in circulation, such as RSV or those really bad "summer colds" that I've been hearing so much about from people who totally didn't have COVID because COVID is over.

[malchior]

FWIW this is why I'm very, very, very careful about donating money to *anything* now. So much grifting in the golden age of misinformation. I have volunteered to do some research at work to vette trusted charities for Israel right now because the ghouls come out for any bad event.

[GreenGoo]

She wouldn't have to sell/mortgage her home if she paid for the insurance she most certainly could have afforded.

What about anyone in general who owns a home that doesn't have work subsidized insurance? The last time I looked personal insurance (not group) was exorbitant as well.

As I said, I was no longer commenting on the Mary Lou situation specifically, just a generalized comment.

I only jumped in because of the "couple of million" comment. Being worth "millions" can mean almost anything today, from upper middle class, to more affluence. Education funds, retirement funds, primary home, etc, can all add up. Draining any of those would be a major hardship, and "worth" in those have no impact on day to day life style. My point is that it's very easy to be worth a couple of million in 2023 while still being middle class. I am definitely NOT speaking of myself, in case it seems like I am.

In any case, if she's trying to get other people to pay her bills because of a lack of foresight (no health insurance as you age is absolutely irresponsible) or just because she doesn't want to pay it herself, I'm not defending her.

Last comment, if she's fighting for her life, who created the gofundme and who is managing it? Strange.

edit: Bammed.

Also, she can't breathe on her own, so she isn't coordinating this gofundme idea. That would be the family members who don't want to see their inheritance lost to the medical system.

My thoughts exactly, just much, much slower

[ImLawBoy]

She wouldn't have to sell/mortgage her home if she paid for the insurance she most certainly could have afforded.

What about anyone in general who owns a home that doesn't have work subsidized insurance? The last time I looked personal insurance (not group) was exorbitant as well.

As I said, I was no longer commenting on the Mary Lou situation specifically, just a generalized comment.

As a generalized statement, I certainly agree with you (although my understanding is that personal insurance is much better now with the ACA, although still a far cry from ideal). From a MLR standpoint, it seems like she made a decision to go without insurance that she could afford (although more info could come out, of course).

[LawBeefaroni]

She wouldn't have to sell/mortgage her home if she paid for the insurance she most certainly could have afforded.

What about anyone in general who owns a home that doesn't have work subsidized insurance? The last time I looked personal insurance (not group) was exorbitant as well.

As I said, I was no longer commenting on the Mary Lou situation specifically, just a generalized comment.

They can get subsidized ACA coverage. If they can't afford that there may be Medicaid or Medicare (disability) options. Are these perfect solutions? No. But they are much better than zero coverage.

And we don't even know that Retton has zero coverage. It's an assumption based on the plea for money but who knows, they may want it to cover deductibles or for a slush fund or who knows what.

[GreenGoo]

Agreed to all that.

[Blackhawk]

All of that sounds... unpleasant.

Although there is always the possibility that she has had absolutely nothing to do with this story. It could be family trying to cash in (and 'uninsured' may or may not be accurate if that's the case.)

[Daehawk]

[stessier]

De Niro continued:

“Trump has no sense of right or wrong. No regard for anyone but himself — not the people he was supposed to lead and protect, not the people he does business with, not the people who follow him, blindly and loyally, not even the people who consider themselves his “friends.” He has contempt for all of them.

The repercussions of his turbulent presidency divided America and rattled New York City beyond imagination. Remember how we were jolted by crisis in early 2020, as a virus swept the world.

We lived with Donald Trump’s bombastic behavior every day on the national stage, and we suffered as we saw our neighbors piling up in body bags.

The man who was supposed to protect this country put it in peril, because of his recklessness and impulsiveness. It was like an abusive father ruling the family by fear and violent behavior. That was the consequence of New York’s warning getting ignored. Next time, we know it will be worse.

Make no mistake: the twice-impeached, 4-time indicted Donald Trump is still a fool. But we can’t let our fellow Americans write him off like one. Evil thrives in the shadow of dismissive mockery, which is why we must take the danger of Donald Trump very seriously.

So, today I issue another warning.

From this place where Abraham Lincoln spoke — right here in the beating heart of New York — to the rest of America:

This is our last chance.

Democracy won’t survive the return of a wannabe dictator.

And it won’t overcome evil if we are divided.

So what do we do about it? We have to take today into tomorrow – take it outside these walls. We have to reach out to the half of our country who have ignored the hazards of Trump and, for whatever reason, support elevating him back into the White House. They’re not stupid, and we must not condemn them for making a stupid choice. Our future doesn’t just depend on us. It depends on them.

Let’s reach out to Trump’s followers with respect. Let’s not talk about “democracy.”

“Democracy” may be our holy grail, but to others it is just a word, a concept, and in their embrace of Trump, they’ve already turned their backs on it. Let’s talk about right and wrong. Let’s talk about humanity. Let’s talk about kindness. Security for our world. Safety for our families. Decency. Let’s welcome them back. We won’t get them all, but we can get enough to end the nightmare of Trump.”

Well said, Robert De Niro!

Please retweet and to thank Robert De Niro for calling out Donald Trump — and consider joining the growing exodus to Tribel, a woke new Twitter competitor that banned Trump for life and is exploding in popularity because Elon Musk banned Tribel’s Twitter account — but he forgot to ban this link to download the new Tribel app: http://tribel.app.link/okwPIHYCIqb

[Unagi]

I’d be curious to hear YKs take on that.

Can YK reclaim his parents by appealing to their sense of decency?

[LawBeefaroni]

I’d be curious to hear YKs take on that.

Can YK reclaim his parents by appealing to their sense of decency?

"Hollywood elite hit job. DiNiro is a mouthpiece of the globalists. Trump is a threat to them."

[Zaxxon]

I'm sure this idea will work this time, when the danger was just as clear in 2020 and 2016 and appealing to decency didn't work even a little bit.

[Carpet_pissr]

I don't know if this changes the math for you but she owns a *re-checks the notes* a 9000-sq. ft home. It probably was a choice.

I make no comment on this specific situation with Mary Lou, but selling (or mortgaging) your home should not be necessary, I think we all can agree on that.

I think we can all agree that if you own a NINE (9) thousand SF home, and don't have insurance, something is REALLY off. And maybe it's the story itself. But you are also not middle class with that kind of home (except in some weird situation, where you have zero equity in it, someone gave it to you, etc).

If you live in a mansion, have two ferraris in your garage, and commute to the gym in a helicopter everyday, but with no money in the bank, and no insurance (for whatever reason), you are also not middle class except maybe in the strictest financial sense of the word (in terms of income).

[YellowKing]

I've given up trying to change people's minds directly. It just makes them dig in and double down.

Instead, I try to lead by example, and express my thoughts. What they do with those thoughts is ultimately up to them.

The one time I responded to one of my dad's transgender rants on FB it only made both my mom and dad upset and at the end of the day, nobody's mind was changed. We just all hated each other. I don't need that in my life.

And there are people who will say "if you're not trying to change your parents minds, you're part of the problem." If that's what you believe, then knock yourself out. I never signed up to be your holy crusader. You go fight your fight and let me handle my relationships in the way I best know how. I can't have my entire life poisoned by one political issue.

[Carpet_pissr]

I never signed up to be your holy crusader. You go fight your fight and let me handle my relationships in the way I best know how.

YK invoking Michael Jordan from "The Last Dance". Noice!! Maybe insert "me" for "my relationships" above, but definitely the same sentiment (and I happen to mostly agree).

Not sure if it will help or hurt, but for some reason I thought about your (and mine) plight recently when Conan O'Brien had Arnold Schwarzenegger on his podcast, oddly enough. At the top, Conan was saying how much Arnie's post Jan 6 Youtube video meant to him, and was important for Americans to hear, etc. I don't love the soaring patriotic-esque instrumentals in the background (feels like he's trying to sell me something), but he makes some good, relevant points in that speech, and I do think it's heartfelt and important for Americans to hear. He touches on the "going along to get along" theme some of us struggle with, so thought I would mention. But gah, I really hate that soundtrack!!

[coopasonic]

If you cite a celebrity statement as important about anything other than their own life or career, you are just opening a can of worms. There are celebrities that you agree with (or have publicists you agree with) and celebrities that make you wish weren't allowed to speak in public. There is nothing special about those celebrities beyond having a platform due to their success.

I wish I had the balls to tell my father-in-law that Jesus in modern america would be a Democrat. I suppose in reality he'd be a socialist and maybe he would throw his vote away rather than go so far to the right as to vote blue.

[Carpet_pissr]

If you cite a celebrity statement as important about anything other than their own life or career, you are just opening a can of worms. There are celebrities that you agree with (or have publicists you agree with) and celebrities that make you wish weren't allowed to speak in public. There is nothing special about those celebrities beyond having a platform due to their success.

OK, then, ummm Joey... Jo Jo Junior...Shabadoo said "I never signed up to be the thing some people expect me to be. Imma be me, and will try to be the best me I can. If that doesn't meet others' expectations...(shrug)"

[Unagi]

If you cite a celebrity statement as important about anything other than their own life or career, you are just opening a can of worms. There are celebrities that you agree with (or have publicists you agree with) and celebrities that make you wish weren't allowed to speak in public. There is nothing special about those celebrities beyond having a platform due to their success.

OK, then, ummm Joey... Jo Jo Junior...Shabadoo said "I never signed up to be the thing some people expect me to be. Imma be me, and will try to be the best me I can. If that doesn't meet others' expectations...(shrug)"

To be clear, Coop was speaking to the value of taking Robert DeNiro's quote with too much gravity, not your mention of MJ.

[El Guapo]

Not sure where to put this, or if this has already been noted elsewhere, but the IRS is suing Microsoft for $29 billion in back taxes. Basically rejecting Microsoft claiming profits as going through one factory in Puerto Rico.

Seems like a potential earthquake of a case.

[LawBeefaroni]

Not sure where to put this, or if this has already been noted elsewhere, but the IRS is suing Microsoft for $29 billion in back taxes. Basically rejecting Microsoft claiming profits as going through one factory in Puerto Rico.

Seems like a potential earthquake of a case.

If Microsoft does not get the result it wants there, it can take its case to the U.S. Tax Court. Each step is likely to take years, meaning the case could easily stretch into the late 2020s.

Considering the amount at stake, MS could create their own law firm specifically dedicated to fighting this. Even just dragging it out works in their favor.

[Carpet_pissr]

Interesting that their stock is down only 1% today. Considering the S&P was down .5%, I would say Wall St. yawned at that news. (surprisingly, to me at least).

They have a net income of around $73 billion, so $30 billion is no small potatoes to them. As alluded to, the attorney fees will be ...unfathomable. Probably record-breaking.

I assume they would be able to pay over time, so maybe that's why the stock didn't get nailed. $10 billion a year for three years probably wouldn't mess them up too much.

[Daehawk]

Maybe Trump knows a few tricks to deal with that.

[Jaymon]

I was watching Price is Right the other day, and a guy came on the commercial and said if you owe the IRS more than ten grand in taxes, call his law firm, and they can reduce it by forty percent, so maybe microsoft doesn't need an army of lawyers for this.

[AWS260]

This is a pretty interesting article on the evolution of the U.S. Census. I hadn't realized that before 1970, people weren't allowed to fill out their own form.

I like the latest proposed changes, which are much more in line with how people think about themselves today.

[Unagi]

What a strange graphic to be made with a transparency, although that does graze against being ironic.

[Daehawk]

I dreamed russia tactically nuked iran last night. I have no idea why Id dream they nuked their allies but there ya go.

[hepcat]

Considering your diet, I'm surprised you don't dream about Gamera trying to force you into a romantic relationship or something similar on a nightly basis...

[malchior]

Considering your diet, I'm surprised you don't dream about Gamera trying to force you into a romantic relationship or something similar on a nightly basis...

I'd think that'd highly depend on the size (quality?) of ガメラの"chesticles". But it feels weird talking about that when referencing the friend to children.

[hepcat]

I had to look that up on google translate. I finally got it after I copied and pasted it into a web browser instead of yelling into my phone "Pi symbol, samurai sword, upside down underlined L, sideways e....no, other sideways e!"

[Daehawk]

I wouldn't mind that dream.

[Freyland]

I wouldn't mind that dream.

You would if you mis-read his post as a badly spelled Ghidorah, like I did.

[El Guapo]

I wouldn't mind that dream.

You would if you mis-read his post as a badly spelled Ghidorah, like I did.

Are you familiar with Gamera?

[Isgrimnur]

I hear he’s full of meat.

[Daehawk]

I misread it as Gamora

[Brian]

I hear he’s full of meat.

[El Guapo]

I misread it as Gamora

Not as sexy as Gamera.

[Isgrimnur]

Democrats cancel Central Texas events after Trump supporters surround, follow Biden bus on I-35

Totally normal, non-cultish behavior.

And the full story is that they attempted to force the bus off the road, striking at least one other car in the process.

Texas city will pay out $175,000 after slow response to Trump convoy harassing Biden campaign bus

A lawsuit filed by [Wendy] Davis, a former state senator who ran for Texas governor in 2014, and the other passengers accused San Marcos police of ignoring “acts of violent political intimidation” and abdicating their responsibility by not sending an escort despite multiple 911 calls made from the bus. Under the settlement, the City of San Marcos also agreed to give officers additional training that includes principles of giving “individuals a voice” and being neutral in decision-making.
...
San Marcos City Manager Stephanie Reyes said the city continues to deny many of the allegations in the lawsuit. However, she said the response by police that day did not reflect the department’s standards “for conduct and attention to duty.”

[malchior]

Love the use of the term "slow response" in the headline when it isn't even clear if they ever responded at all.

[GreenGoo]

It is already established that the police do not have any duty to protect. They should just start waiting until the crimes are over before showing up.

[El Guapo]

Some good news - looks like the opposition party in Poland has won the election there, defeating the right wing authoritarian party that has governed Poland since 2015.

Still possible for the ruling party to try to use shenanigans to hold on, but good news for now.