Annual Back Against The Wall Open Thread

The Amazon Prime shopping window has slammed shut so its malls or bust today!

Personally, pencil me in as "bust".

Comments

[Catsmeat]

Foist!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Extraneus,

The answer to your boot question is Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Cal, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

By the way, a new Q-anon series of clues hints that the big tech companies were going to take over space, put in monitoring satellites, and control the Norks so that they could threaten everyone with nukes and control all of us.

I personally think that is a bridge too far on conspiracy theories.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

https://gizmodo.com/foia-researchers-are-targeting-a-shadowy-fbi-program-ca-1821539109

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

If Nutjob Comey is defending someone publicly you can safely assume they ought to be in the same cell block together.
It's especially rich and telling to see him whining expansively about good, decent public servants being hounded because of partisan politics.
Of course they are Lord Projector Jim: they and you are being properly hounded for polluting your non partisan jobs and agencies with your own destructive and illegal partisan and personal animus and favoritism.

[JimNorCal]

It's not too early:
Merry Christmas, DrJ!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

A thread of Nikki Haley memes:

https://twitter.com/omriceren/status/944359837030236160

[DebinGA]

What's going on at Politico? Two blockbusters in last several days - that BOzo Inc. blocked a years long investigation of Hezbollah to get the Iran deal, and yesterday that Comey FBI pal James Baker was the likely source of Buzzfeed's dirty dossier scoop.

[Extraneus]

Jackie Speier

We haven't actually seen Strzok yet, have we?

[Captain Hate]

Nikki Haley had a great year in resuscitating her Image.

Politico is surely aware of the tides of public opinion.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Thomas Wictor is convinced Ben Rhodes is a psychopath due to his flat-face effect. And to further bolster his claims, he reminds us Rhodes couldn't get a security clearance. Here is an article from last January, whcih I didin't remember because the news was full of stuff to do with the transition:

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/congress-probes-fbi-ben-rhodes-security-clearance/

[James D.]

If Nutjob Comey is defending someone publicly you can safely assume they ought to be in the same cell block together.

Why should we taxpayers be forced to pay for their upkeep for years and years?

Conviction for treason, punishment of execution, firing squad, done.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

JamesD.,

I still wonder why Mattis was at Guantanamo day before yesterday.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2017/12/22/this-amazing-thread-on-being-pro-life-is-just-what-you-need-as-we-head-into-the-christmas-holiday/

You guys really need to read this. It's an amazing true life story. I can't recommend it enough.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Well, we have to go out for a few things that we forgot at the grocery, and also I have to drop some stuff in the mail.

And it's snowing, although not sticking on the wet streets, which is good.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Senator Rand Paul
‏Verified account @RandPaul
9m9 minutes ago

I want to pause to wish @realDonaldTrump a Happy Festivus. We told him to take today off, since he airs his grievances on here every day

[JimNorCal]

Nikki has a great look of fierceness in those photos!

[narciso]

From the overnight thread, Prince tall is coming up with 6 billion scratch to get to park place.

[narciso]

Ben Rhodes is not very smart this is why he was on Lee Hamilton's staff who always had the wrong answer to a question that's why they put him on the 9/11 commission.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Think about the intellectual corruption of the left for a moment.
Nutjob Comey, a federal employee, creates, on government computers and government time, some phony memos regarding his job and then leaks them to the press for the corrupt and express purpose of instigating an SC over an issue he already knew to be a lie. Progs argue that is not a criminal leak because those memos are his personal private notes.

Trump's transition, a 501(c)4 private non profit, is told by the official public archivist of the Federal government that their communications are their own private property, backed up by the statute creating the apparatus for transitions and by precedent and the progs argue that the GSA can give away even attorney-client communications of a private entity to a prosecutor.

One of the marks of psychopathy is a pathological dishonesty that can seamlessly and effortlessly tell diametrically opposite stories in the space of a single paragraph.

[JimNorCal]

MissM, that 10:33 was warm story to read. Being with daughter and step daughters this holiday is making me all emotional and teary :) :)

[narciso]

We assume those memos exist, Michael Schmidt wouldn't lie, the rosneft deal is the big thing that Steele promised Harding it turns out it was a mcvuffin.

[narciso]

Unless the Russians were supporting the intapaulo syndicate.

[lyle]

Welp, before heading out to dinner last night I was shaving and managed to cut myself. On my right...ear. The distaff side of JOM may or may not understand how this might happen. 😬 Bled all over the damn place as I held a tissue on it while attempting to open a bandaid simultaneously. Went to dinner with the stupid thing on. Fortunately I didn't have to explain to anyone just how this came to be...

Carry on.

[-peter]

can't keep up. Slept in, to catch up on much needed sleep. And today I have to work out, gift wrap, fix my son's license plate bracket with epoxy (in the pouring rain that won't work I'm sure,) and go to the barber. If anything really important got posted in the last eighteen hours, let me know. thanks.

[Man Tran]

My last HS shop project was building a 1215 MHz transceiver based on an IFF transponder out of a Korean War vintage F-86. That was such a new amateur band, I think there were about two guys playing on it. Awesome xmit tubes.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--If anything really important got posted in the last eighteen hours, let me know.--

Chester chewed the head off a bird a resin garden angel was holding I bought to replace a plaster garden angel he previously broke.
It's in all the papers.

[Extraneus]

I was going to link Andy McCarthy's piece today but since I don't read him anymore, I didn't. However, Scott at Powerline does both:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/12/mccabe-remembers-to-forget-mccarthys-take.php

[Buckeye]

-peter, sounds like my weekend.

In addition the the clogged drain yesterday, Mrs. Buckeye clipped the frame of the garage door.

Tore a tab off the front bumper cover. Attempt with an epoxy repair was a total bust.

Luckily I have a good friend who owns a string of body shops in Cincy who has an ace painter. He can make a new cover match perfect.

$800 later should be just like new.

[glasater]

A photo of OL's 'ledge' at this link

[Buckeye]

MT

One of the audio nuts I know turned a magnatron tube into a lamp for his listening room. Actually pretty cool looking.

Filament only, natch:)

[glasater]

Here the picture link where @Debradelai discusses how horrible Obama is/was..

[lyle]

Gee, Peter, I posted the most important stuff a mere minute or two before you.

[Buckeye]

lyle, since your coordination is only going to get worse with time, having some styptic powder on hand might be a good idea:)

[Momto2]

As I finish wrapping I am thinking how much I enjoy wrapping books! They are just such a nice, hard surface and perfectly shaped so that the paper makes crisp edges and the ribbon is easily pulled tight before tying.

I'm giving my son this (which was hard to find)
"As Little Design As Possible" for his design library https://www.amazon.com/Dieter-Rams-Little-Design-Possible/dp/0714849189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514047772&sr=1-1&keywords=as+little+design+as+possible

I gave our history teacher this (was on his want list)
"The Storm Before The Storm"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1610397215/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope there are some book-shaped packages under the tree for me this year!

[Tom R]

Thanks to Trump’s new Executive Order dealing with human trafficking and corruption, could it be used to seize the financial assets of anyone in the Obama administration and federal government who conspired to spy on Trump and his team?

[lyle]

It wasn't lack of coordination, Buckeye. I was actually shaving my ear since the older I get, the more hair seems to sprout on them. But the advice on the styptic is very good. I would have killed for it last night.

[Momto2]

From the doggie destruction stories...

In a joint effort - one of the cats knocked 2 of my carolers off of the piano and Darby proceeded to destroy one and severely damage another one. My husband used to give me one of these every year so I'll have to research if they are even still available. :(

Darby -1 1/2 Byers Carolers - 0

[Extraneus]

the older I get...

Heh. Been there; done that.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

May I suggest you get one of those tiny ear hair trimmers, lyle? Two days left to drop some serious hints to Santa.
I myself have done exactly what you did a time or two which is when I first learned just how rich is the blood supply to the outer ear.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Incidentally, my ear hair comes in a lovely golden blonde and grows to amazing lengths if I let it, which is why my wife and daughter christened them elf ears. :/

[lyle]

Great idea, Ig. My stocking is hung by the chimney with care, everyone...

[Robin, eff 'em all]

SBW at 8:30 from the last thread:

That was such a thoughtful response to suicide - thank you for sharing.

[Buckeye]

lyle, so far no hair sprouting from my ears, but eyebrows are getting to be a nuisance.

I really hate it when Mrs.Buckeye sneaks up on me when "resting my eyes" in my easy chair and takes her tweezers to an errant hair:)

[Janet 🚬]

Soldier care pkgs...
We'd get thank you letters at church & 3 of the items that were highlighted with requests for 'send more' were:

*styptic pencils
*eyeglass repair kits
&
*Far Side cartoon books

[Captain Hate]

We will definitely have a white Christmas here as the temperature has started to drop, changing the rain to snow. A bit concerned about youngest daughter driving across I 80 later today or tomorrow.

[Extraneus]

Gunman targeted police officers in shooting spree: authorities

Authorities in Harrisburg, Pa., were wondering Friday what drove a 51-year-old man to go on an afternoon shooting spree in which he apparently targeted police officers.

Police eventually shot and killed the gunman, whom authorities later identified as Ahmed Aminamin El-Mofty.

What could possibly drive a guy named Ahmed Aminamin El-Mofty to go on a shooting rampage?

Marsico said the FBI was assisting in the investigation to determine if it was a planned act of terrorism, the station reported.

“We can’t comment on that at this time,” Marsico told the station. “But the investigation will continue and it will be thorough.”

[Momto2]

Prayers for your daughter to arrive safely, CH. Enjoy your white Christmas. Despite earlier predictions, they now say Atlanta will not have snow.

[anonamom]

TMI here folks.
WAY TMI!

[Extraneus]

Liberals Love The New Tax Law, If They Think It’s Bernie’s

Doofus video at the link.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

glasater, thanks for that great Picture of the ledge.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

"Marsico said the FBI was assisting in the investigation to determine if it was a planned act of terrorism, the station reported."

At this point, what difference does it make?

[lyle]

Three inches of global warming here today. (That better, a-mom?) 😬

[Buckeye]

CH

Where does she have to drive from?

[Frau Steingehirn]

Any news from/about JiB's and Frederick's trip south? Did the three beagles behave?

You can tell I'm tired of political news. Lyle's ear was a welcome distraction. Thanks, lyle.

[Man Tran]

Just talked to our slip renter pal with the boat the the Orca recognize. He is in San Diego right now and they just had their street blocked off for a funeral for one of the firefighters lost on the blaze. Massive gathering. Full dress, bagpipes, the whole nine yards.

[rse]

momto 2-yes byers carolers are still available and are one of those items like baccarat crystal that contractually are never supposed to be sold at a discount. I have a large collection as does my mom who got me started.

The best selection I saw this year was in the ace hardware on n'side parkway and west paces by the apostles church.

The diva always gets the carolers out thanksgiving night so the friday afterwards the house is suddenly decorated while she sleeps in. Of course no one but me puts anything away in january.

just got a beef tenderloin in the oven. Just under 6 pounds so I can give leftovers to fil and my parents. Red said it looked bigger than the average baby.

Tomorrow night is cioppino as we are revising some of our traditions so there is less of a comparison with christmas eve from previous years. My youngest refused to look at the open casket so there will be finality tomorrow.

[henry]

Poolside in Florida watching my almost 3 yo niece play in the pool. White Christmas may be overrated.

[Clarice Feldman]

elf ears or not, your post above is brilliant, Iggy.

[lyle]

You betcha, Frau.

[lyle]

Testify, henry.

[Beasts of England]

Had a wonderful dinner with my side of the family last night. Ten of us in total, including the two fiancées, and everyone was in a good mood. It was the first year my Mom didn't cook her prime rib feast for the crew, so she took us all to a wonderful German restaurant in town. Delightful in every way.

The coolest thing was my brother's gift to my Mom: 23andMe. She did the swab a few months ago and he gave her the results last night. It's one of the great family mysteries, as her side of the family has stories of being all sorts of Indian and black Dutch.

She wouldn't open it in front of everyone, but I'll get to see it when I take her to lunch Christmas Day. My brother - who already peeked - said it's 'very interesting'. 😜

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Granddaughter got her laundry done and left.

We braved the traffic. Aldi's had a broken cart in the mix so we couldn't get a cart out because it had jammed the entire row. (The carts have locks in which you deposit a quarter which you retrieve when you return it.) I gave up on that while people were trying to unjam it and paid a couple of ladies for their cart, which they were just finishing unloading.

Got our stuff at Aldi's plus a few extras including the most enormous green olives I have ever seen, which are quite good, imports from Spain. (I already ate 3.) I went to Dollar General to pick up a few stocking-stuffer type gifts. It was very clean and organized and I found everything I wanted, including a paid of high powered reading glasses which I need to finish a needlepoint.

Meanwhile, my daughter had gone down to Dollar Tree, which we were in the other night and I absolutely refuse to shop at again. It is a filthy store - trash all over the floor and everything jumbled by customers. Worst type of place and I have my standards. (Around here there are Dollar tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar General.)

We are home, everything is unloaded, and I am thawing chicken to make Chicken Marsala for supper.

[James D.]

Beasts @ 2:47

“Two fiancés” ? Did I miss something? I thought only one of the Beastettes was engaged.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/667148/climate-change-uk-weather-forecast-global-freeze-ice-age-earth-2019

We are going to be very grateful for the opening of ANWR and the resurgence of coal mining. Tell your kids to thank President trump.

[mike in houston]

When Santa really thinks you have been naughty
https://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20171222181219.aspx

[anonamom]

We've done 23AndMe, and this year my spouse gifted his sibs and momma. Well received.

My husband did his a few years ago, and gave me a kit for Christmas.
I didn't do mine for quite a while, not wanting to know if I had the Alzheimer's snip---figured every time I misplaced my phone I'd think it was the end.
Once my older son did his, he "outed" me on many genes he had that he didn't get from his dad, so I went ahead and did it.

FDA keeps 23AndMe from giving you a report on all your information, but you can then send your data to Promethease for about five bucks and get a massive report.

Best news---do not have the gene that is related to increased chance of cirrhosis with alcohol consumption. Or the Alzheimers one either!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Why it's getting so a girl can't even strip off to a g-string and bounce her huge butt in the Miss Bum-Bum contest without getting disrespected by some guy grabbing her buns.

The world cries out; when will women be able to strut about naked in order to have men judge their arse the best of a veritable herd of naked bums in safety?

[Beasts of England]

My older nephew is also getting married next summer, James D.

[macthenaif]

McCabe will retire early next year. Too bad - he will be harder to monitor on the outside.

[Extraneus]

She has also demanded that Miss Bum Bum organisers scour CCTV to find the culprit.

Hitting out at the assailant, she said: “Just because I’m Miss Bum Bum doesn’t mean I don’t deserve respect.”

[sbw]

Thnx, Robin.

[Janet 🚬]

Extraneus's 12:52 link is excellent.

[Extraneus]

Singer Joy Villa accuses Corey Lewandowski of inappropriately touching her at Trump Hotel party

According to Politico, Villa claims was circulating at the party when a friend brought her over to introduce her to Lewandowski. She claims that Lewandowksi seemed irritated and dismissive when he thought she wanted to take a picture with him. Villa told Politico that she said, “[I]f you’re busy, don’t worry about it, we don’t have to take a photo.” According to Villa, someone then jostled her into Lewandowski and he posed for a photo.

That’s when things allegedly took a turn for the worse. According to Politico, Villa said, “I’m wearing this silver suit and stretchy pants, and after the photo, he smacks my a** really hard. It was completely demeaning and shocking.”

Villa further claims that when she confronted Lewandowski about it and said she could report him for sexual harassment. According to Villa, Lewandowski replied, “Go ahead. I work in the private sector,” and smacked her on the backside again.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

This article will mean the most to folks who grew up in New England. Similar stories could be told about the department stores of my home town, now all gone.

http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/downtown-department-stores-meant-christmas/

[Davod]

BBC headline - Scottish wind power surge reported in 2015 - BBC News.

Will we hear about the people who die this year when the Windmills freeze and there is no power?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Joy Villa is not who she pretends to be, and Corey's success has caused her to target him.

She is not to be believed.

[macthenaif]

McCabe will be eligible for full retirement benefits on May 5, 2018 (law enforcement). That's about the time the full IG report is due.

[Jane]

Henry, I just got out of the pool. Don't be a wimp!

[Extraneus]

I'm more apt to believe women who make a complaint at the time of the alleged assault. Months, years or decades later, not so much.

[Extraneus]

nuevo threado

[henry]

Jane, I did join her in the pool. :)

[Jane]

Phew Henry.

[GUS]

Beasts tell me you had rouladen.
I just listened to the BABY'S rock for an hour, and now, I TOO am off to ALDI. Got some cooking to do.

Screw you Henry. Just because of that taunting, I'm heading to RACINE CTY to do some CHOO CHOO CHRISTMAS shopping ...wink wink.

[henry]

Nice Gus!

[Captain Hate]

Where does she have to drive from?

Brooklyn; sorry, I just saw this. She's been on the road about a half hour.

[Beasts of England]

I had the mushroom schnitzel, GUS - and it was da bomb.

~ ~ ~

Welp, I couldn't stand it. Called my brother and made him divulge the results. And they were very interesting, but not in the way I thought it was headed.

Zero Native American
Zero Sub-Saharan African

100% Northern European, more than 80% British and Irish. They Irish side made it over here in 1791. That's very interesting, as my Dad's side didn't get here until a hundred years later...

Irish. Ugh. More red hair... ;)

[Man Tran]

Beasts,
Per my side note, mebbe we're related. :)

[Beasts of England]

That would be great, ManTran!!

My (red headed) daughters are freaking out. We'd have all bet everything we had that my Mom is an Indian. Jet black hair, dark skinned, high cheekbones, tall, wirey, a wide Indian nose... This is the funniest thing evah!! :)

[Beasts of England]

Dear sweet baby Jesus - don't let me be related to DublinDave.