HA HA!

The big beautiful count continues in Alaska and Mississippi. Dems are ahead. AWESOME!!!

At 6AM eastern standard time, in Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola was ahead of Republican Dan Sullivan by 637 votes. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom was ahead of Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,138 votes.

There’s still a ways to go before all the votes are collected in Alaska but they’re just about done in Mississippi. The last time Mississippi had a Democratic senator was 38 years ago.

In HA HA! news, I read that the drug addict nazi Richie Rich, who thinks he’s some kind of real life of Tony Stark/Iron Man, is having a big sad over the election results.

Well, of course he is! He spent a lot of dough to buy that election and what did he get? Bupkis!

According to a report highlighted by WIRED, more than 99 cents of every traceable dollar Musk spent on races that have been decided went toward a losing candidate.

The scale of the defeat is staggering. One widely circulated estimate puts Musk’s midterm spending at $474 million, including more than $150 million in Texas alone. (source) 

Musk moved his business empire, Tesla (in 2021) and Space X (in 2024) from California to Texas in order to avoid being examined too closely by government agencies AND to get out of paying fair corporate and personal taxes.

Obvs he figured the entire state of Texas — politicians and populace both — was either wholly corrupt and easily buyable or too desperately poor to do anything about his crimes against them and nature itself.

Democrat Nathan Johnson, who won the race for Texas’ attorney general, campaigned on a promise that he would closely examine Leon’s biz contracts with the state. Heh, heh, heh! He will have the authority to investigate MusKKK's suspected (probable) crimes without Trump’s “Justice” Department goons getting invited to the party.

Leon was def NOT counting on being, potentially, held accountable for his slimy shenanigans and environmental crimes OR being unable to simply buy his way out of trouble.

Texas has flipped from on-the-take, Pedo ass-licking Red to Blue. On the federal level they'll now have:
Senator James Talarcio and House Reps Katy Padilla Stout, Leticia Gutierrez, Henry Cuellar, Vincente Gonzalez, and Johnny Garcia.

On the state level:
The new governor — Gina Hinjosa
Vikki Goodwin will be the new lieutenant governor.
Nathan Johnson is the new attorney general.
Jon Rosenthal was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission
Sarah Eckhardt will be the state's chief financial officer.

Democrats were also leading in the four statewide races for the Texas Supreme Court and three races on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The state's top two courts are each currently made up of nine Republican judges. (source) 

Boy howdy, there’s even more. A LOT more. Check the link — it’s unfuckingbelievable! Texas turned blue! I'm perma-stunned.

I never would have guessed, when the state gerrymandered, to make five more Republican districts (and get rid of Jasmine Crockett), that they’d end up shooting themselves in both feet with a howitzer. Of those five seats, Democrats won four AND, well, Abbott lost BIG TIME.

Why do I care so much about Texas politics? Apart from the fact that I spent a fair amount of my carnival years in that state, I have a dear friend (Hi Mary Beth!) and family there. Also, I’m not an asshole (really!). I know that not all Texans are big haired bleach blonde, cowboy hat and boot wearing, giant gas guzzling, environment destroying truck driving, braggarts. Yes those folks do exist but that’s a cheap, lazy stereotype. Just like the images of Bostonians as Brahmin assholes, wearing boring but ultra expensive clothing, who are always sure to let you know you’re inferior, if you’re even visible. OR we’re drunk townies with wicked thick accents, always ready for a fight.

 Nobody's pretty in Stereotype Land.

OMFG!!!

When I went to bed, Susan Collins was ahead by a lot in Maine. Depressing! I was fully prepared to wake up to profound disappointment this morning.

At 5AM Ten was already up. He walked into the bedroom when he heard me stirring and that was the first thing outta my mouth —“did Susan Collins win?”

No, she did not.

Thank fucking god! I nearly started to cry.

“What about Texas?”

We won — BOTH the senate AND the governor’s seat! Talarico and Hinjosa both won!!!

Now my tears of relief and joy really started flowing.

We flipped Texas!
We actually got South Carolina!
We flipped North Carolina, Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa too!
Did I mention Maine?!!!

Democrats needed 52 senate seats to ensure that any legislation put forward would have the votes to pass (remembering that MAGA-Dem Fetterman’s vote could NOT be counted on). We now have 54 senate seats! Fetterman is wholly irrelevant.

Yes, we lost Florida but … it’s Florida. I wouldn’t expect that state to do anything sane. Having said that, Angie Nixon came close with 47.98% of the vote to Moody’s and 50.87%. MAYBE the stupid is beginning to die off there?

Alaska hasn’t been called yet. It looks close but at this point the other Republican incumbent is ahead. With all the GOP interference it’s no surprise. (closing rural polling places and Trump’s bullshit threats to block the election results if Peltola wins and have the DOJ launch a full scale investigation of Alaskan Democrats)

We’re projected to win at least 250 House seats, going well beyond the 218 needed for a majority.

This means, of course, that little always-on-vacation Mikey Johnson can go ahead and make good on his word to quit Congress. He can go home to Shreveport, Louisiana and start lawn care business. Don’t know if the lawn mowing gig provides as many vacation days as Congress but I’m sure he and his beard wife can sort that out.

Immigrant murdering, woman hating, Trump toady Governor Gregg Abbott is OUT as governor of Texas and Democrat Gina Hinojosa is IN! Georgia has traded in their white, male, Republican governor for a Black woman — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta. She’s the first Black woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state and the first Democrat to win the office in Georgia in decades. Another first — Deb Haaland won the governorship in New Mexico. She will be the first Native American (Kawaika) woman governor. And Dr. Amy Acton won Ohio’s governor’s seat over that slimy pool of rapist supporting, weasel vomit, Ramaswampy.

I feel like it’s easier to breathe this morning. I know the battle to regain this country is only now truly getting underway but I have hope again.

I’d like to see a real fighter as Senate Majority Leader. Someone like Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth or Mark Kelly. Someone with a real backbone who’s not on AIPAC’s payroll. Same for House Majority Leader. How about Jamie Raskin, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Rashida Tlaib?

Meanwhile on Mars … apparently the joints quite dusty AND that dust is mighty fine. Small enough to slip inside your bloodstream and fuck you right up.

Since old Elon’s so hot to colonize Mars, don’cha think the old election fixer should take a wee Martian excursion and check it out? Did you know, of the three space race robber barons, Leon is the only one who has not flown into space. 

Why not? Maybe it’s because his rockets keep blowing up before they get out of the atmosphere? I think he should go anyway. Don't you?

The Big Day

Yesterday I came across a story about an apparently abandoned pet emu in north Queensland, Australia. Poor baby.

A Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation spokesperson said rangers had been monitoring an emu in Bluewater that "has not been seen to exhibit any concerning behaviour".

"Residents are asked to give the emu plenty of space and not to feed it or provide it access to food," the spokesperson said.

How is it supposed to get any nourishment? We all need sustenance don’t we? How is it being protected from predators and nasty weather? Where does it sleep?

Why did this make the news? Some old man is kicking up a fuss because the poor lonely emu is hanging around his home. Clearly she’s looking for company and probably a nice meal. The crotchety old fuck claims he’s afraid of a bird who’s just looking for a friend and a little conversation. WHAT a fucking whiny, chickenhearted (not to diss chickens, mind you) pansy! Also, what a callous, self centered twat! He can’t offer a hand of kindness to a sad, abandoned emu?

I tell ya right now, if Eric the emu showed up here in Valhalla, she’d surely be welcomed.

~~~
It’s five days until Jen and I leave for Iceland. I think I’m ready or as ready as I can be. After all my left foot problems, I’m finally able to wear shoes again. Granted, I can only, comfortably, for any length of time, get around in my silver glitter Crocs. Aside from those, I’m barefoot. So, yeah … I’m heading to Iceland tricked out in glammed up, disco rubber clogs. I AM a cutting edge fashion queen and don’t you forget it!

We’re planning on being proper slugs while in residence at our private lagoon. There will be much soaking in the geothermal heated waters, reading, snacking, and sipping adult bevs in our room, gazing out on the amazing moss-covered lava fields, taking meals in the hotel restaurant, and napping. Naps will be had!

I still need to locate my rucksack and other travel accoutrements. Since I haven’t gone anywhere but Mass General in the past eight years, I’ve no fucking idea where anything is. I’ll launch an archeological dig in my closet later today.
~~~
For some reason I seem to be getting a bunch of Aerosmith songs stuck in my head lately. I was never a fan though I did like a few tunes. I was wild about Dream On when it came out in ’73. Sweet Emotion in ’75 was cool. It’s the Run DMC/Aerosmith version of Walk This Way that I really like. The video, to me, seems to show Tyler and the rest of the band taking themselves less seriously — maybe mocking their own images a bit?

In any case, the latest hit in my head is Janie’s Got A Gun. The song is about a young woman who kills her rapist father. I wonder if this has anything to do with Dr. Amy Acton who is running for Governor of Ohio (which IS one of the 50 states — pay no attention to Don Pedo Jr. He’s a moron, just like his father). Probably the song slipped into my head subconsciously.

Have you voted yet? Ten and I did. Jen and Oni will be voting in person after they get off work today.

GO VOTE!!!

Election Eve

Nervous about tomorrow? Who me?

Am I afraid that Texans will fail to redeem themselves? That they’ll reelect and vote in the usual bunch of slimy racist, misogynistic, greedheaded evildoers? Oh, you fuckin’ best believe I am! I have grandnieces and great-grand nephews down there — I'm def anxious about their futures.

Am I worried that there’s enough gullible Michiganders who will fall for the vile Trump/Vance lies about El-Sayed? Yup!

Will the Republican’s rigging of the vote in Alaska work? 


Is Maine’s forever "concerned" yet corrupt Susan Collin’s concerned about her reelection prospects tomorrow or has she bought herself enough votes to squeak back in? 

In Ohio, will Sherrod Brown top Jon Husted’s Trump ballyhooed ass? Is Ramaswamy complete, incinerated toast after his astoundingly brainless, tone deaf, utterly fucking classless and cruel — were-you-raised-in-frat-house?!!!! — child rape victim blaming ad against Dr. Amy Acton?

Is there any chance that Turek will triumph over Hinson in Iowa or Hamilton over Marshall in Kansas?

 I mean, these are crazy times, the economy is très ugly if you’re not Richie Rich and who the fuck is? Club Wealth is ultra exclusive, you know. They don’t let in the hoi polloi, folks like us. Prez Pedo brags about how “We're making a freaking fortune,” he’s talking about Exxon, Chevron, Valero and their shareholders — NOT you and me. OBVS!

It’s possible that when people who’ve previously voted Republican are finally personally affected — hit in the old wallet — they might set aside their usual prejudices. They MIGHT possibly think a second time about some of those inflammatory stories that out of JDouche and Trump spew. They might realize that it’s all fantasy racist weasel shit?

Maybe they’ll think more carefully. Maybe they’ll vote blue or maybe they’ll just stay home — deny the robber barons and their servants the votes they need to stay in power, to maintain control.

An old broad can dream, eh? Meanwhile ...

I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today.
I will NOT look at the polls today. 
I will NOT look at the polls today 
I will NOT look at the polls today!!!

Mike Luckovich

 

If You Haven't Already ...

Pat Bagley

Ten and I put our early vote by mail ballots in our local drop box a week ago Tuesday. How about you?

Rob Rogers

Drew Sheneman

Mike Luckovich

Rick McKee 

Nick Anderson

Jeff Danziger

Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury

David Horsey

Halloween

Jakub Różalski

Waddya know — it’s Halloween. I used to love this day as a kid though I only remember a couple of the costumes wore.

One year, when my older sister and I were very small, the prep school where my father taught had a party for faculty and families. Our parents dressed us as themselves. I was my mother and my sister was Daddy. I find this pretty amusing now that I’ve spent so much time in therapy, analyzing and evicting the noisy, unkind ghosts, demons and shrewish wraiths that spent way too much time whispering in my ears. Those fuckers all had my mother’s voice.

Another year, when I was past trick or treating age, I dressed as a sparkly fairy. I was probably 12 — you don’t get to trick or treat after you start wearing a bra. Unfortunately, no one had explained the rules to me beforehand. I still felt like a kid. I WAS still a kid! I just didn't look so much like one anymore. NOT MY FAULT!  

The only time I’ve dressed up since then, wasn’t for Halloween — it was for Rocky Horror. I was always Magenta or a reasonable facsimile.

When we (Jen, Oni. The Amazing Bob, Erin, and I plus, roughly, 1,000 cats) first moved down here to Valhalla from Cambridge, our new neighborhood really went all out on home and yard decorations. It wasn’t just for Halloween either. There were incredible displays on EVERY single big and little holiday. Over the years, that’s faded. I wonder why. I suppose part of it is that we’ve all gotten older. Children have moved out, younger families haven’t necessarily moved in and maybe the new parents don’t have the same home bedazzling fever.  //shrugs// We don’t holiday up the outside of Valhalla (apart from a few tastefully placed pumpkins and other attractive gourds) and we didn’t even do that this year. 

Avi Steinberg

By the way, you absolutely, totally need a Halloween fish fact. You knew that though, right?

There are at least two ocean ghost fish species. One is the Australian ghost shark which isn’t exactly a shark but they are related, like cousins. There are actually 38 species, known so far, of ghost sharks with the newest one discovered off the coast of Southern California. They live along the seafloor and reproduce by laying eggs. Ghost fish laying eggs — cool, huh?  

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
~ William Shakespeare, The Tempest

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.
~ Stephen King 

'Tis now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out contagion to this world.
~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet 

Back to bedazzled homes though, Jen was on Beacon Hill yesterday and THEY totally had it all going on! Here’s some of the fun.

 

*Heavy Sigh*

Patrick Stewart at Tenebra. His eyes closed.

He was a brilliant Shakespearean actor. He could play anything, anyone. 

Stewart played alongside some of the best Shakespeareans of his time, including Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. He was lecturing on Shakespeare at UCLA when his name came up for the lead in a new series of Star Trek.

"Don't do this, Patrick," he remembered McKellen advising him. "You're a very good stage actor. That's where you ought to be. Don't do it."

But Stewart's agent had reassured him that the show was unlikely to make it past the first season. As the actor recalled to NPR, he was encouraged to take what he believed to be a quick and easy job. "'Do six months' work. Make some money for the first time in your life and get well known. Get a suntan, and go home.' And I thought, 'Yeah, that doesn't sound too bad. I could live with that.'"

But Star Trek: The Next Generation was a tremendous hit. (source)

Instead of six months work, some quick bucks, and a suntan he did seven seasons, four feature films, and the series Star Trek: Picard (which I loved). And that’s just the Star Trek stuff. 

As Captain Picard he was, he became the wise, compassionate father figure that so many fans needed. Jesus he was a huge improvement, to say the very least, over that scene masticating ham who preceded him in the original series. Stewart made TNG.

The whole Borg/Picard story arc was absolute killer. This weekend, Jen, Oni, and I will have a little Picard mini marathon. Maybe the first of many.

Some wise words from our very good Captain:

Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because it will never come again.

What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived. That is what it is to be human.

To say you have no choice is a failure of imagination.

History’s darkest moments can be a tipping point for change.

Fear is the greatest destroyer.

If we’re going to be damned, let’s be damned for what we really are?

There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders.

 It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness. That is life.

Somewhere in the Paramount vaults, there must be an outtake of me tottering onto the Enterprise bridge from the captain’s ready room and saying, “Tea is in the tapestry room, Your Grace.” Everyone on the bridge laughed, but our director had no idea what was going on and was none too pleased. Remember, we were not there to have fun.”
~ Patrick Stewart, Making It So: A Memoir

Engage

Randomosity

Daniel Abrahams

Jack Ohman

Rupert Fawcett

Tom Tomorrow

Dave Whamond