1/. Excellent column from Michelle Goldberg as she runs through the Republican outrages of the week......
With MAGA Republicans, hurting somebody "lower" than them gets them off....
John McEntee — who started out carrying Donald Trump’s bags and rose to become, in the chaotic final days of Trump’s presidency, his most important enforcer — has a TikTok account. In a video he published last week, he explains how he likes to keep “fake Hollywood money” in his car to give to homeless people. “Then when they go to use it, they get arrested, so I’m actually like helping clean up the community,” he said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/13/opinion/kristi-noem-vice-signaling-maga.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
2/. Trump [James Austin Johnson] gives us an update from the courthouse steps....
SNL cold open.....very amusing....
3/. And if the above story needs confirmation that with Republicans, cruelty is the point,
Florida is almost the worst and pretty close to as bad as Texas....
An organization led by a wealthy Republican donor helped write a controversial new state law meant to force homeless people across Florida into state-sanctioned camps, according to records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
Emails obtained by the Sentinel through a public-records request show that a lobbyist for the Texas-based “Cicero Institute” sent a package of homelessness-related legislation last fall to the office of Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast).
Key elements of Cicero’s plan were then incorporated into House Bill 1365, a new law requiring cities and counties across the state to stop people from sleeping or camping in parks, under highway overpasses, or on any other public property — unless they are inside a secured camp that has been approved by the state. The bill passed Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature on largely party-line votes and was quickly signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has also worked with Cicero and its lobbyists in the past.
4/. it all looked good for a while.....
5/ The Times with an interactive analysis of the coming insurance crisis all over the country.....
Did you know insurers are now cancelling policies in Iowa? Iowa!
At first glance, Dave Langston’s predicament seems similar to headaches facing homeowners in coastal states vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes: As disasters have become more frequent and severe, his insurance company has been losing money. Then, it canceled his coverage and left the state.
But Mr. Langston lives in Iowa.
Relatively consistent weather once made Iowa a good bet for insurance companies. But now, as a warming planet makes events like hail and wind storms worse, insurers are fleeing.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/13/climate/insurance-homes-climate-change-weather.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
6/. Jon Stewart....a really funny one....
7/. Trump voters don't care about Stormy's revelations.....
Stormy Daniels may have regarded sex with Donald Trump as brief, unimaginative and regrettable but the porn star gripped the nation with a salacious and lengthy retelling of the encounter to a New York court this week.
Daniels’s humiliating testimony in Trump’s fraud trial infuriated the former president who glowered from a few feet away. But her account only confirmed what most Americans already knew about a man widely regarded as a sexual predator and appeared unlikely to change many votes in November’s presidential election.Stormy Daniels may have regarded sex with Donald Trump as brief, unimaginative and regrettable but the porn star gripped the nation with a salacious and lengthy retelling of the encounter to a New York court this week. Daniels’s humiliating testimony in Trump’s fraud trial infuriated the former president who glowered from a few feet away. But her account only confirmed what most Americans already knew about a man widely regarded as a sexual predator and appeared unlikely to change many votes in November’s presidential election.
8/. Cruelty is the point.....
9/. In a few weeks this prick Alito is going to vote on whether Trump has immunity.....
They just don't care any more....
An upside-down American flag was reportedly spotted flying outside the home of the conservative US supreme court justice Samuel Alito during the closing days of Donald Trump’s presidential term in 2021.
The inverted flag is a symbol that has become associated with Trump’s false claims that Joe Biden stole the election.
Used by some Trump supporters during the January 6 Capitol riot, the upside-down flag was seen outside Alito’s home on 17 January 2021 – 10 days after the riot in DC and three days before Biden’s inauguration, according to a report in the New York Times on Friday.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/17/supreme-court-alito-upside-down-flag?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
10/. Tom Tomorrow and the weird world we live in.....
11/. Thom Hartmann on how Republicans are openly planning to steal the November election......
The question is what are the Democrats doing to counter this? You guessed it.....nada....
The GOP’s favorite phrase when it comes to presidential politics appears to be, “Nobody knew at the time.”
Once a president is sworn into office, regardless of how much evidence there is of crimes and irregularities committed to get him there, both the press and the electorate just seem to want to ignore that evidence and move along. After all, there’s never been a successfully contested presidential election in American history.
Which is why the GOP will again count on getting away with their crimes against electoral democracy this fall. The big question for America will be, “What did we miss that we should have known at the time?”
We have, you’ll recall, seen this movie before:
https://hartmannreport.com/p/which-nobody-knew-at-the-time-will-759?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=302288&post_id=144604347&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2cwgv&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
12/. SNL - Commercial for Lanzettis Lawn Care, where the guys will definitely NOT sleep with your wife....
13/. Let's hope this works.....a Progressive group is taking on the corrupt Supreme Court....
UNITED FOR DEMOCRACY, a coalition of progressive groups and labor unions, is gearing up to launch a $10 million persuasion and base activation campaign centered on “the MAGA Supreme Court.” The coalition will spend $1 million on ads in Arizona and Pennsylvania, as well as in the Washington, D.C., area, and the campaign will also involve canvassing and events, officials tell Rolling Stone. The United for Democracy coalition, which launched last year with a seven-figure ad buy, counts 140 member organizations, including major labor unions, reproductive rights advocates, environmental groups, and liberal think tanks. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/progressive-campaign-supreme-court-maga-1235019403/
14/. Imaginary.....or is it?
15/ Paul Krugman and the lunatic Republican party's policies....
MAGA Republicans say that America is in crisis: The economy is collapsing while the nation is being overrun by hordes of violent immigrants. Not true.
But if that’s what you believe, you should be laser-focused on fighting the clear and present danger, right?
Instead, they’re focused on the menace of woke washing machines.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/09/opinion/republicans-home-appliances.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
16/. The weirdest story of the week....
17/. Judge Cannon, the one delaying Trump's trial for no good reason at all, is a
creature of Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society.....
Let me ask you a question: How many all-expenses-paid vacations at luxury hunting and fishing lodges have you enjoyed over the last few years? I’m not talking about a motel in the boonies of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or a drafty log cabin on a lake in Maine or Minnesota. We’re talking about a luxury resort on 1,200 acres alongside the Yellowstone River just outside Yellowstone National Park. We’re talking about a lodge featuring rooms with stone fireplaces that go for upwards of $1,000 a night in high season, meals that include “house-cured meats from local ranches, garden-fresh produce from nearby farms, and, of course plenty of Northwest craft beers and spirits,” as the resort’s website describes the offerings.
18/. A really true toon.....
19/. Last week's WE
Weekend Update #1 - not too bad at all.....
Weekend Update #2 - Che has some good ones.....
Weekend Update #3 - Sarah Sherman is RFK's brain worm......funny....
Weekend Update #4 - Heidi Gardner insists she is not angry.....funny +....
20/. DeSantisland Florida, the state most vulnerable to climate change, doesn't believe in it.....
Floriduh indeed...
In 2023, water off the coast of Florida reached over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The same year, Hurricane Idalia caused approximately $3.6 billion in damages and 12 fatalities across the US. The year before that, Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $115 billion in damages and killed nearly 150 people. Meanwhile, the state is literally sinking.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that all of this is happening because of climate change, which itself is happening due to an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which largely occurs from the burning of gas, coal, and oil. Unfortunately for the people of Florida, Republicans decided some time ago that science is for communists and that the party would be better off adopting a platform of burying the planet in a shallow grave.
21/. Vanity Fair lists 13 TV series you may have missed.....
Some really good series in this story....
22/. The Times gives us 5 sci-fi movies to stream......
Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
In this month’s sci-fi picks, surviving a pandemic and predicting a catastrophe.
23/. Rolling Stone and the 15 movies they like coming to the Cannes Film Festival.....can't wait for a couple! [Furiosa!]
A MUSICAL INVOLVING drug cartels, gender identity, and Selena Gomez. A Brooklyn sex worker’s fairy-tale romance involving a Russian oligarch’s son. An Italian director’s tribute to his hometown, via the sort of go-for-baroque filmmaking that’s become rarer and rarer, and a woman named after a siren from The Odyssey. A French filmmaker’s tribute to his own career, filled with past heroes and villains from a rich back catalog. The return of a New Hollywood legend. A high-octane sequel from an Australian New Wave legend. A harrowing yet uplifting doc on Ukraine. A biopic on Donald Trump: The Younger, Pre-Fascist Years!
24/. And speaking of "Mad Max - Furiosa", here is a profile of Anna Taylor-Joy [star of Queen's Gambit] which
is quite interesting.....
There’s nothing normal about making a “Mad Max” movie, and Anya Taylor-Joy knew that when she signed on to star in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the newest film in George Miller’s long-running action series.
“I wanted to be changed,” she said. “I wanted to be put in a situation in extremis where I would have no choice but to grow. And I got it.”
Trials by fire don’t burn much hotter than the conflagration that consumed “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015), the most recent film in the franchise, which was one of the most infamously difficult productions in Hollywood history. In the works for nearly two decades, the movie was shut down several times by studio executives, who feared they were producing a big-budget boondoggle. And the constant clashes between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, two of its stars, in the remote Namibian desert required outside intervention.
Today's groaner.....
A fisherman was dining alone in a fancy restaurant and there was a Gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table.
He had been checking her out since he sat down, but lacked the nerve to talk with her.
Suddenly she sneezed, and her glass eye came flying out of its socket towards the man.
He reflexively reached out, grabbed it out of the air, and handed it back.
'Oh my, I am so sorry,' the woman said, as she popped her eye back in place.
'Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you.' They enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, and afterwards they went to the theatre followed by drinks.
They talked, they laughed, she shared her deepest dreams and he shared his. She listened to him with interest.
After paying for everything, she asked him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap and stay for breakfast.
They had a wonderful, wonderful time.
The next morning, she cooked a gourmet meal with all the trimmings.
The guy was amazed. Everything had been so incredible!
'You know,' he said, 'you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?'
'No,' she replies. .. ....
'You just happened to catch my eye.'
Today's good advice....
ADVICE FOR ANYONE MOVING TO FLORIDA:
1. Save all bacon grease. You will be instructed later how to use it.
2. If you do run your car into a ditch, don't panic.
Four men in the cab of a four wheel drive with a 12-pack of beer and a tow chain will be along shortly.
Don't try to help them. Just stay out of their way. This is what they live for.
3. Remember: "Y'all" is singular. "All y'all" is plural. "All y'all's" is plural possessive.
4. Get used to the phrase "It's not the heat, it's the humidity". && the collateral phrase "You call this hot?? Wait 'till August." 5. Don't tell us how you did it up there. Nobody cares.
6. If you think it's too hot, don't worry. It'll cool down-in December.
7. A Mercedes-Benz is not a status symbol, a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford is.
8. If someone says they're "fixin" to do something, that doesn't mean anything's broken.
9. The value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but the availability of shade.
10. BBQ is a food group. It does NOT mean grilling burgers && hotdogs outdoors.
11. Everything's better with Ranch dressing.
12. DO NOT honk your horn at us to be obnoxious, we will sit there until we die.
13. We pull over and stop for emergency vehicles to pass.
14. We pull over for funeral processions, turn our music off and men remove hats or caps.
Some people put their hand over their heart.
15. "Bless your Heart" is a nice way of saying you're an idiot.
16. No matter what kind : sprite, coke, pepsi, mtn dew, it is called SODA not COKE or POP
Also no matter where we go SWEET TEA will also be the first choice.
17. If there’s an accident on the road, don’t slow down to take a picture, keep on going
18. If you don't like the weather in Florida, wait 15 minutes, it will change.
19. Be sure to have your passport on hand and ready should you go south of West Palm Beach
20. Publix subs
Today's oldie but goodie....
Yesterday I was at Costco buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Necco, the Wonder Dog, who weighs 151 lbs. I was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.What did she think I had an elephant?
So because I'm retired and have little to do,on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again.
I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care
ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and that the way that it works is, to load your jacket pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat
one or two every time you feel hungry.
The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again.
(I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.)
Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me.
I told her no, I stopped to Pee on a Fire Hydrant and a car hit me.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard.
Costco won't let me shop there anymore.
Today's dating joke..
I got chatting with a girl in a bar last night,
"Can I buy you a drink?" I asked.
"Don't you have a girlfriend?" she replied, "Guys like you always have girlfriends.
""No, sadly we broke up just over a month ago," I assured her.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that," she said, "Go on then, I'll have a Cider please.
A few drinks later after a kiss and a cuddle we headed off back to her place and made passionate love. While I was putting my clothes back on she said, "So, you're good looking, a nice guy and amazing in bed, can I ask why on earth you split with your girlfriend?"
I said, "My wife found out."
Today's retiree joke
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to the local grocery store.
Unfortunately, like most men; I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.
Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter, from the local store manager:
Dear Mrs. Harris:
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store.
We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store.
Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Harris, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:
1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'.
This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union
grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money. We don't have a Code 3.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a, 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows
and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
EMTs were called.
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna Look' using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 22: When an announcement came over the loudspeaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed;
'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
15. Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where is the fitting room?
And last, but not least:
16. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile; then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.'
One of the clerks passed out.
