Behold. The festering carcass of American rot shoved into an ill-fitting suit: the sleaze of a conman, the cowardice of a draft dodger, the gluttony of a parasite, the racism of a Klansman, the sexism of a back-alley creep, the ignorance of a bar-stool dr... moreBehold. The festering carcass of American rot shoved into an ill-fitting suit: the sleaze of a conman, the cowardice of a draft dodger, the gluttony of a parasite, the racism of a Klansman, the sexism of a back-alley creep, the ignorance of a bar-stool drunk, and the greed of hedge-fund ghoul — all spray-painted orange and paraded like a prize hog at a county fair. Not a president. Not even a man. Just the diseased distillation of everything this country swears it isn't but always has been — arrogance dressed up as exceptionalism, stupidity passed off as common sense, cruelty sold as toughness, greed exalted as ambition, and corruption worshiped like gospel. It is America's shadow made flesh, a rotting pumpkin idol proving that when a nation kneels before money, power, and spite, it doesn't just lose its soul — it sh*ts out this bloated obscenity and calls it a leader.- Oliver Kornetzte less
Mem Fox, Ron O West, John Christopher, Teddy Tayles and me - I did a few children's books in the 80s under another pseudonym, now out of print.My daughter and I have both had poems published as part of larger anthologies. My daughter was eleven when she w... moreMem Fox, Ron O West, John Christopher, Teddy Tayles and me - I did a few children's books in the 80s under another pseudonym, now out of print.My daughter and I have both had poems published as part of larger anthologies. My daughter was eleven when she wrote the following:There once was a goatWho went for a float In a boat that was quite rotten.It sank like a stoneDown it went in the foamAnd that nautical goat was forgotten. Though the goat was quite drownedHe just wouldn't stay downHe came to the top all in pieces.Now we've whiskers on wavesAnd I rant and I raveFor the fish that I see all have fleeces. less
The portraits mightn't last long. If he's serious about trying to annex Canada, the Mounties will burn the WH down (again) and the portraits will go with it.
More Fentanyl gets into Canada from the US than the reverse, by a factor of TWENTY TIMES AT LEAST. It's an excuse. Canada's quota system is to prevent cheap, substandard garbage from being dumped on them (47% of the dairy industry's income is paid by... moreMore Fentanyl gets into Canada from the US than the reverse, by a factor of TWENTY TIMES AT LEAST. It's an excuse. Canada's quota system is to prevent cheap, substandard garbage from being dumped on them (47% of the dairy industry's income is paid by the US government, but they bleat about "socialism"). It also hasn't been exceeded since Trump's 2019 deal, so it's effectively no tariff at all. Another excuse. A two state solution is unworkable because neither Netanyahu nor Sinwar can afford it. Both depend on fear for their political survival. less
EVERYTHING will be going up, either incrementally or suddenly. The US doesn't produce potash worth a damn, so all foods grown in America (or fed on it, like beef) will be more expensive due to the new tariff on that. Everything that contains aluminium, fr... moreEVERYTHING will be going up, either incrementally or suddenly. The US doesn't produce potash worth a damn, so all foods grown in America (or fed on it, like beef) will be more expensive due to the new tariff on that. Everything that contains aluminium, from canned soda to airplanes. Modern electronics also require rare earth minerals refined only in China, so that's another swathe of products from toys to Teslas.
Israel didn't "declare their independence", the Jewish people were gifted territory by Britain who had just driven the Germans and Italians out and thus had administrative control over Transjordan in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The Al... moreIsrael didn't "declare their independence", the Jewish people were gifted territory by Britain who had just driven the Germans and Italians out and thus had administrative control over Transjordan in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The Allies were guilted into it having done nothing to stop Hitler's inhumane treatment of Jewish people which started several years before the War. That after Britain had reneged on an agreement struck with Chaim Weizmann in the FIRST World War when Britain wrested control over the region from the Turks. Transjordan was a fustercluck that was never going to work. One would think that after being the victims of one of the worst genocides in history, the Jewish folks above all others would hesitate to perpetrate a genocide themselves. But that's what is happening in Gaza.Modern history. Study it. less
Aluminium too. Canada has just shipped tonnes of it to Europe and Japan that had originally been earmarked for export to the US, tariff free and getting a better price for it - and US industry is screaming.Tariffing a product that cannot be produced local... moreAluminium too. Canada has just shipped tonnes of it to Europe and Japan that had originally been earmarked for export to the US, tariff free and getting a better price for it - and US industry is screaming.Tariffing a product that cannot be produced locally, or not in sufficient quantity to meet demand, is beyond stupid - they'll just sell it elsewhere and you'll miss out.
It was never off. Comrade Krasnov was only pretending to get tough with his boss.Zelenskyy won't be there, so this stinks highly of Chamberlain's "I came, I saw, I concurred" when he caved to Hitler's demand and handed him the Sudetenland - Czech Presiden... moreIt was never off. Comrade Krasnov was only pretending to get tough with his boss.Zelenskyy won't be there, so this stinks highly of Chamberlain's "I came, I saw, I concurred" when he caved to Hitler's demand and handed him the Sudetenland - Czech President Edvard Beneš wasn't at that one either.
The crux of your argument, and why it fails, hinges on one word - gov insurance.I've had two major operations, was on opioid painkillers for several years and the total cost to me was $0. No government delays, no red tape, I don't think they even bot... moreThe crux of your argument, and why it fails, hinges on one word - gov insurance.I've had two major operations, was on opioid painkillers for several years and the total cost to me was $0. No government delays, no red tape, I don't think they even bothered to check it. A specialist decided it was necessary, so it happened. So that's not how it works, not at all. Your doctor's secretary was probably incompetent, or being American the government "insurance" didn't know how it was supposed to work either. I pay a 2% levy on my income tax, a tiny fraction of what private cover (with no copays) would cost me in the States. The government actually doesn't have the option to refuse, the only push back is that they won't subsidize brand name drugs when a generic option is available - pharmacists have a list of what's on the PBS (several thousand lines of Excel spreadsheet but a search is easy). The important thing is the ingredients, the label doesn't matter. less
You don't have a clue how universal healthcare works, do you? It's private insurers who cause doctors to jump through hoops, then veto treatments as being "too expensive" - or slapping massive copays on them. All the government does down here is pay ... moreYou don't have a clue how universal healthcare works, do you? It's private insurers who cause doctors to jump through hoops, then veto treatments as being "too expensive" - or slapping massive copays on them. All the government does down here is pay for the treatment that qualified physicians prescribe. Finis. The only time they get involved beyond that is approving narcotics where absolutely necessary - it does require Health Department approval to prescribe drugs of dependence, except during a hospital stay where post-operative opioids may be the only reasonable pain relief option (I had a morphine button for 72 hours after my discectomy and fusion, programmed to release no more than one dose every six hours).Do you know how many nations where medical bankruptcies occur? One.The only losers in a UHC system are the insurance company shareholders, and I'm not losing any sleep over them. less
Case in point, New Zealand, where abortion is legal but the per capita rate is only a fraction of that in the US. Comprehensive, evidence based sex education in school and access to birth control stop most unwanted pregnancies from happening in the first ... moreCase in point, New Zealand, where abortion is legal but the per capita rate is only a fraction of that in the US. Comprehensive, evidence based sex education in school and access to birth control stop most unwanted pregnancies from happening in the first place. Support for mothers and families who want to have babies (including access to healthcare, family leave , subsidized childcare, child tax credits, safety nets for struggling families etc) so they don't feel the need to abort for financial reasons.If conservatives in the US are truly worried about lowering abortion rates, they would be fighting for these things rather than focusing on women's healthcare choices. less
So why is he so assiduously trying to divert attention away from them or discredit them? This BS about top Dems inventing them is just that."Let's create some fake scandal to destroy Trump's political career"So they have them in the 2016 campaign and don'... moreSo why is he so assiduously trying to divert attention away from them or discredit them? This BS about top Dems inventing them is just that."Let's create some fake scandal to destroy Trump's political career"So they have them in the 2016 campaign and don't use them. Again in the 2020 campaign and don't use them, AGAIN in the 2024 campaign and don't use them, and hope that Trump releases them himself without reading them? (That last isn't quite so far fetched, he probably can't, but his staff aren't all illiterate). It's nonsense. When you howl, you're hit. He's running scared. less
The tariffs are being paid BY AMERICAN CONSUMERS. This is ninth grade economics, did you fail that?Clinton did it routinely, and didn't have to wreck America's trade relationships or crash the stock market to do it.(He's probably also named in the Epstein... moreThe tariffs are being paid BY AMERICAN CONSUMERS. This is ninth grade economics, did you fail that?Clinton did it routinely, and didn't have to wreck America's trade relationships or crash the stock market to do it.(He's probably also named in the Epstein files and if so should be in jail. He can have the cell next to the Annoying Orange).
She's been doing that for a while, which is why I rarely contribute to the Mug anymore and never anything political. I've complained to JA but nothing gets done or even responded to.
I'm proud of the fact that I raised two kids and am currently having a second crack at parenting - two of my grandchildren. Happy pride month.If your pronouns are he/him, I will call you he/him.If your pronouns are she/her, I will call you she/her.If... moreI'm proud of the fact that I raised two kids and am currently having a second crack at parenting - two of my grandchildren. Happy pride month.If your pronouns are he/him, I will call you he/him.If your pronouns are she/her, I will call you she/her.If your pronouns are they/them, I will call you they/them.If you stop in front of me on an amber light when we both could have made it, I will call you a motherf***ing thunder****.
Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 is the emoluments clause and the Qatari airplane is a blatant violation of it.The WH is spinning it as a gift to the US but that's baloney and you know it. Boeing is based in the US and this aircraft remains Trump's personal... moreArticle I, Section 9, Clause 8 is the emoluments clause and the Qatari airplane is a blatant violation of it.The WH is spinning it as a gift to the US but that's baloney and you know it. Boeing is based in the US and this aircraft remains Trump's personal property even after he leaves office, assuming he lives that long. And assuming that there even is an election in 2028, he's likely to declare a "state of emergy" (that's how he spells it, he has the literacy level of an eight-year-old) and postpone the election indefinitely. less
You. Don't. Have. The. Raw. Materials.Bringing manufacturing back won't help farmers. Without Canadian potash, you all starve to death.Tariffs won't magically create bauxite deposits. You can't "drill baby drill" for what isn't there. So no aluminium. Tar... moreYou. Don't. Have. The. Raw. Materials.Bringing manufacturing back won't help farmers. Without Canadian potash, you all starve to death.Tariffs won't magically create bauxite deposits. You can't "drill baby drill" for what isn't there. So no aluminium. Tariffs won't magically create high yield deposits of neodymium, yttrium, dysprosium or tungsten - so no aircraft, no Teslas, no high end electronics, no computers of any kind (even your wristwatch is loaded with semiconductors).
Why is everything about guns in America?A popular joke doing the rounds at the moment:Why do Americans go fishing with guns?So they can take out a whole school.
"Buy American". You're obviously not a farmer or you'd realize that you CAN'T. Potash is vital for crop yields and the US doesn't produce any. Never has.You're obviously not smelting aluminium or you'd realize that you CAN'T. No bauxite deposits.You're ob... more"Buy American". You're obviously not a farmer or you'd realize that you CAN'T. Potash is vital for crop yields and the US doesn't produce any. Never has.You're obviously not smelting aluminium or you'd realize that you CAN'T. No bauxite deposits.You're obviously not making electronics, or aircraft, or anything high tech, or you'd realize that you CAN'T. No high enough yield deposits of rare earth minerals, no facilities for refining same - one advantage of a totalitarian government is no pesky environmental restrictions. The waste by-products are highly toxic and China is the only nation equipped to deal with that. less
She accepted the Medal of Sacrifice from Trump on behalf of her slain father, Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, noticeably flinched away when he tried to put his arm around her and told her she was "very beautiful" (she's young enough to be his granddaug... moreShe accepted the Medal of Sacrifice from Trump on behalf of her slain father, Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, noticeably flinched away when he tried to put his arm around her and told her she was "very beautiful" (she's young enough to be his granddaughter), and he he kept looking at her, completely baffled that she wasn't overjoyed to be in his presence. He was very unnerved by her demeanor, if not frankly confused.Bravo, Alexandria.
About Me:
Married for 31 years, two grown-up kids, three grandchildren.
Incorrigible smartass, musician, consultant with Origin Energy, professional umpire (cricket and Australian football).
I have a penchant for lame Dad jokes and REALLY bad puns.
Case in point, New Zealand, where abortion is legal but the per ... moreCase in point, New Zealand, where abortion is legal but the per capita rate is only a fraction of that in the US. Comprehensive, evidence based sex education in school and access to birth control stop most unwanted pregnancies from happening in the first place. Support for mothers and families who want to have babies (including access to healthcare, family leave , subsidized childcare, child tax credits, safety nets for struggling families etc) so they don't feel the need to abort for financial reasons.If conservatives in the US are truly worried about lowering abortion rates, they would be fighting for these things rather than focusing on women's healthcare choices. less
It seems the only parts of the Constitution that matter are the ... moreIt seems the only parts of the Constitution that matter are the bits they like.
She accepted the Medal of Sacrifice from Trump on behalf of her ... moreShe accepted the Medal of Sacrifice from Trump on behalf of her slain father, Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, noticeably flinched away when he tried to put his arm around her and told her she was "very beautiful" (she's young enough to be his granddaughter), and he he kept looking at her, completely baffled that she wasn't overjoyed to be in his presence. He was very unnerved by her demeanor, if not frankly confused.Bravo, Alexandria.
Thank you for being so internationally reviled that first in Can... moreThank you for being so internationally reviled that first in Canada and now in Australia that the conservative party leader has lost his own seat in Parliament and a centre left government has been returned - in Australia with a vastly increased majority. With Peter Dutton standing as an ersatz Trump and Gina the Hutt in the Muskrat role, Australia has rejected him utterly.
So with His Royal Orangeness channelling Mad King George and "tr... moreSo with His Royal Orangeness channelling Mad King George and "transporting persons upon the seas for pretended transgressions" (this was one of the reasons put forward by the Founding Fathers as an excuse for the Revolution that caused the United States to be in the first place), why hasn't anyone done it yet? Or gunned down ICE agents attempting to wrongfully arrest innocent people? I'm NOT advocating for these things to happen, I believe that the Second is an anachronism that should have been repealed by the end of the First World War. I'm just wondering why nobody has done it yet. less
The ores containing these rare earth elements are not found in s... moreThe ores containing these rare earth elements are not found in significant deposits in the US. They are found in low concentrations in Canada, higher in South Africa and Australia, but mostly in China. China isn't hitting the US with tariffs - they're stopping export altogether. These rare elements are VITAL to the US defense industry, as well as electric motors, aircraft engines etc. Unless the US can source them elsewhere (they can't, nobody else has got any), there will be no more semiconductors so there goes your electronics industry. Airbus already produces better airplanes than Boeing, but without yttrium Boeing will be forced to cease production altogether. Elon can't build his Teslas without neodymium and dysprosium. And no more stealth bombers or ammunition without tungsten. Supply chains. His Royal Orangeness has shattered them. Defend THAT, MAGAts. less
The nominees are:(If Harold Faltermeyer was dead, he'd be spinni... moreThe nominees are:(If Harold Faltermeyer was dead, he'd be spinning in his grave)(If you've ever been Rickrolled, you'll vote for this one)(Kids use this one to justify being spanked)(Pure 80s cheese)(I still can't decide whether this song or siring Miley was the bigger crime)(There's a special place reserved for you in Hell if you barked)
Surprise, surprise, some of His Royal Orangeness's cohort of bul... moreSurprise, surprise, some of His Royal Orangeness's cohort of bullies had criminal records for OTHER offenses. Daniel has been convicted of the production and possession of child pornography. His lawyer claims that Trump's pardon applies to this conviction as well. Will this child abuser walk free? Has Trump pardoned a nonce?
Right before tornado season. So when, not if, people are killed ... moreRight before tornado season. So when, not if, people are killed by tornadoes they weren't warned about, you know who to blame.
In 1812, Jefferson said that taking Canada would simply be a mat... moreIn 1812, Jefferson said that taking Canada would simply be a matter of marching. The Canadians set fire to the White House and gave the US a proper a$$-whupping.Now Trump is talking about forcing Canada to join the US, and we all know that the only way that can happen is invasion. We also know it won't happen, the military is actually required to refuse illegal orders even if they come from the Cheeto in chief. But if, for argument's sake, the US military DID attempt to take Canada, would the Canadians be angry enough to do it again? less
It would explain the red blotches on his hands, and the fact tha... moreIt would explain the red blotches on his hands, and the fact that that he's becoming increasingly irrational (more than he normally is).
Mahmoud Khalil, in the country legally, married to a US citizen ... moreMahmoud Khalil, in the country legally, married to a US citizen who is eight months pregnant, expressed his political point of view peacefully, a right protected by the First Amendment. That's supposed to be permitted in a democracy. If this egregious assault on civil liberties stands, what's to stop His Royal Orangeness from arresting American citizens who support any cause his regime doesn't like? That's what Putin does.
Lost in the noise of the past few weeks, not many people noticed... moreLost in the noise of the past few weeks, not many people noticed that Trump took some unprecedented steps to nullify the one branch of government he doesn't completely control - the judiciary (he's already cowed the legislative into submission with threats of being "primaried", and also his base have made PHYSICAL threats against the families of any Republican lawmakers who dare to repudiate him).Firstly, he fired any Justice Department prosecutors who participated in investigations against him, and removed the security clearances of any former intelligence officials who have criticized him publicly, including former President Biden.He signed an Executive Order removing the security clearances of and banning from federal buildings any lawyer that was found to have assisted in impeachment investigations against him. Even those acting pro bono.He signed an Executive Order banning not-for-profit workers from a federal loan forgiveness scheme if they were deemed to have engaged in "improper" activities. This include... less
One of the most difficult parts of watching Trump disgrace himse... moreOne of the most difficult parts of watching Trump disgrace himself in front of the whole world is that brief moment where you wonder if this is it ... will this be the thing that finally breaks through to his followers to reveal to them who he really is?But we've been here before. We thought the veil had irreversibly slipped when he bragged about sexual assault on camera.We assumed he had no more chances when he attempted a coup.We believed that 34 criminal convictions (and another 17 pending) would matter.It never mattered. It just shifted the goal posts.Even on this specific issue; it didn't make a difference to his supporters when we learned that Kremlin representatives had met his campaign officials in Trump Tower and offered to help get him elected. It couldn't turn the party against him when he was found to have extorted Zelenskyy, withholding aid unless he opened a phony investigation into Hunter Biden.And when Trump stood next to Putin and declared that he believed him over his own intelligence agencies,... less
The outgoing Secretary is a four star General. Hegsdeth is a dru... moreThe outgoing Secretary is a four star General. Hegsdeth is a drunk with minimal military service and no combat experience, the brass is NOT taking orders from that. The military is also required to refuse illegal orders, even if they come from the Cheeto in chief - so with all the bluster about annexing Canada, Panama and Greenland, how long will it be before the military decides that enough is enough and takes over?
I hate to say I told you so, but ...It took Hitler 53 days to di... moreI hate to say I told you so, but ...It took Hitler 53 days to dismantle the constitutional republic that was Weimar Germany. Trump hasn't been back in for 53 days yet.
Canada supplies 40% of US steel.Canada supplies 80% of US potash... moreCanada supplies 40% of US steel.Canada supplies 80% of US potash.Canada supplies 40% of US crude oil and 20% of US natural gas.Canada supplies 30% of US hydroelectricity. Canada supplies 24% of US lithium.Canada supplies all this at discount rates in exchange for market access. A tariff war means that ALL US industries that rely on these materials will pay more for them. The US cannot possibly resource them locally in sufficient quantities to meet demand, the infrastructure doesn't exist to produce them.Secondly, declaring a trade war on your greatest ally is a clear message to the rest of the world to NOT trust the USA. Who wants to do business with a country that does not keep its word and tears up trade agreements like the USMCA (which His Royal Orangeness HIMSELF signed in his first term) for no good reason? less
It stipulates that your ID must match your Birth Certificate, an... moreIt stipulates that your ID must match your Birth Certificate, and for most married women this is not the case!
Jordan Mailata played junior rugby league with Canterbury and So... moreJordan Mailata played junior rugby league with Canterbury and South Sydney after having surgery to replace defective valves in his heart as a teenager. He was drafted by Philadelphia a few years ago despite having no American high school or college experience and has just become the first Australian to start, play and win a Super Bowl (the "Monstar" Jesse Williams was on injured reserve with Seattle in 2013, he didn't start. Neither was he a rugby player, and Williams did play American football in college, with the University of Alabama).Quite a few Australian rules footballers have had success as punters, but Mailata is the first rugby player to play as an offensive lineman and be successful at it. Will it be more common now? less
Trump fired a bunch of aviation safety and regulatory personnel ... moreTrump fired a bunch of aviation safety and regulatory personnel as soon as he took office because they wouldn't kiss his a$$, and possibly to prevent his buddy Elon from being fined for multiple safety violations by SpaceX. Shazam, almost immediately a plane hits a military chopper over DC, and a medijet goes down over Philadelphia. It's probably too soon to blame His Royal Orangeness for this, but deleting those people whose primary responsibility is air safety is NOT going to improve the situation.
Denmark is refusing to allow the USA to purchase Greenland, with... moreDenmark is refusing to allow the USA to purchase Greenland, with Danish EU representative Anders Vistisen telling Trump to "f**k off". Greenlanders don't want to be American either, so if Trump wants to annex Greenland it will have to be invasion. Denmark is a foundation member of NATO, all members of which are sworn to defend each other against attack. This means that if the United States invades Greenland, the US military is under oath to fight against ... itself.
Loading ...
