Oh Bravo Mr. Houst Bravo. For your first prize winning entry you get ten kilotons of ballistic carp. Be glad you didn’t 2nd place, that’s 20 kilotons of Carp
Of all the things Elon could have said, this is the most damaging, because there is literally no way to undo it.
Elon actually has seen (and maybe even has copies of) something that disproves Trump’s previous denials. I don’t think he does, because the Bribem Boys have had it for longer, and would have released it. The counter to that (already being made) is that they couldn’t because it would blow the Bribem Boys up too.
There is no such info. However, Trump can’t prove a negative, since even if he releases “the Epstein Files” unredacted, everyone will assume there’s more. Probably, Elon was just shooting off his mouth after Trump appeared to buy into the story that “Elon is opposing the BBB because EV subsidies”. While I can see that (I doubt Elon reacts any better than the next guy to someone questioning the honesty of his motives), Trump almost HAS to sue Elon for defamation and challenge him to produce proof. Elon can claim he saw something and no one can prove he didn’t.
There wasn’t any such info, but Grok can probably whip something up (or already has). How do you validate it, especially when both sides have their own “experts”?
It doesn’t matter if I buy it, more than enough people will, or pretend to.
Sarah, there once was a guy named Larry Ellison. Maybe you’ve heard of him? He had a falling out with one of his employees, guy named Siebel. Larry fired him, with the usual comment “you’ll never work in this industry again”. Siebel picked himself up, founded his own company, Siebel Systems, and did pretty well, and took it public…. so Larry bought his company out from under him, ten or so years later, and fired him AGAIN.
People are people, and ego can override intelligence.
Sarah, can the man ignore subpoenas from NY, CA, probably Congress? Not to mention Ron DeSantis will almost have to have his AG open a case, since Trump is a FL resident.
Like I said, this is what’s called a planet killer.
As I said elsewhere, if Trump was actually an Epstein customer and named as a customer on that infamous list, Then The Biden White House and/or the News Media would have leaked that info.
Now, Elron might be subpoenaed about “How Do You Know That?” but IMO Trump won’t be subpoenaed about being an Epstein customer because It Would Have Happen during the Biden administration (if it was going to happen).
It’s not CREDIBLE. Again Ron DeSantis is not stupid enough to commit political suicide, either. That’s just stupid.
When I hear arguments like this, I go “Yeah, this is theater, and we’re just not getting WHY” — because all the depressives are going this crazy. For the love of Bob, people, how have you lived this long without a modicum of reality checking.
Yes, it’s possible Elon THINKS he’ll get his left wing customers back this way. He’s an autist.
BUT lawsuits? People at large buying this? PFUI. Use the brain G-d gave you.
The more you game it out to “Game over man, we’re done” the less I believe any of it is real. We’ve been on this train before. Your record of “Doom doom doom” has yet to be justified.
Sarah, did Elon’s feud with Zuckerberg include an accusation of possible pedophilia? How in the Hell do you disappear THAT? especially with the only person possibly more disliked than you?
Only seen one article on it. But the reason why all the DOGE cuts aren’t codified in the BBB is because legally they can’t be with the choices they have. To codify all those cuts into the BBB they need 60% of the senate and congress each to pass that bill. Not possible without a lot more GOP in each body, and that is presuming the RINOs play ball.
With the reconciliation bill passing the house, not headed to the senate (or the other way around? Doesn’t matter.) There is a new bill headed in called a “Reset” or legal word to that effect, that does codify a number of the DODG cuts. Whatever the bill is called, it allows money, not distributed to be pulled from funding, and grants, etc., and allows money distributed, but not spent, or spent “inadvisability” (illegally) to be clawed back. Latter most likely by fines and jail time.
Foxfier, I didn’t miss it. Neither did Elon. So everyone looking to exploit this will automatically say “Of course Elon didn’t mean THAT.” You’re not that naive, so don’t pretend to be.
Please all note, that being “mentioned in the Epstein files” is not equal to “being on the Epstein client list” and not by a long country mile. (As already pointed out by former actual prosecutors, IIRC e.g. our current FBI top-guy.)
Also worth mentioning, that the whole “cancel Elon’s contracts” thing would leave the US with worse manned space access than Belgium, and the Artemis project without a ride down to the Moon… even the most epic of archangel-class flame wars are still that, and often the ones most flagrantly and direly in need of unwinding, planetary-class egoes all aside.
I am still boggled at folks who will at least pretend that they trust the records of a systematic pedophile who managed to conceal himself for years.
Also worth mentioning, that the whole “cancel Elon’s contracts” thing
On the other hand, it would be a GLORIOUS excuse to do a massive canceling of contracts, followed by rebidding and… guess what, Musk’s still the better choice, guess he gets it again.
Or better, they’re canceled and judges don’t issue an injection saying you can’t do that, thus setting up more lawfare.
There’s lots of ways this can be an other-than-completely-retarded slapfight.
Trust the records of a blackmailer? Well, yes, because it was in his own best interest to have accurate records of what he was blackmailing people over. Trust his public statements? Absolutely not, because he has plenty of incentive to lie. But his private records? Only someone stupid would lie to himself in his private records, and he wasn’t stupid.
Only an idiot would have the equivalent of a book that says “who I am blackmailing, and why.” Assuming he was stupid enough to use blackmail at all, as opposed to tugging and influence, which we already saw he did. Do favors broadly, pull in folks who are good match, stay at the safe level with those who aren’t….
We already have seen what he did, to give himself cover, in the first round of Epstein files, the flight logs.
It is a -yuuge- stretch to “accusation of possible pedophilia”. Might even be legally actionable, and Trump does sue, so do be cautious. Sure “celebrity” “public figure”. You still wind up out the 50-500 grand in legal fees, etc. And he can burn the lawyer meter just to burn you. But why bother? You and I are internet randos.
He might “be in the Epstein files” as an entry like “Trump caught E annoying his Mar-a-Lago staff and kicked E to the curb. With gusto.”
oops. Yeah. We already know he is “in the files”, because -that- story went out years ago. oopsie.
Or something neutral, or null, or basically zip-a-dee-doo-dah. Because do you doubt the -Biden- coterie would have passed on leaking -that-? Really?
Ever wonder if Trump and Musk were yanking your chain, along with the other Trump haters? Like they have never done that public-feud-rasslin-shit before? Like Trump wasn’t a TV carnival barker in a prior profession?
Yeah. We already know he is “in the files”, because -that- story went out years ago. oopsie.
Which is what I said in this thread. The “allegations of pedophilia” around Epstein have been there for years. And that whole “actual malice” thing might be tough.
The thing YOU’RE overlooking is that the complete files have NEVER been out there, and no one knows what’s in them. It’s why the “just asking questions” approach of the Opposition is likely to gain at least some traction.
In the letter, Lynch and Garcia demanded a timeline of when exactly the Department of Justice will declassify and publish all of the Epstein files. The lawmakers also asked why they haven’t been released in full yet.
The two congressional Democrats also requested a description of the role the president had personally played in reviewing the files, as well as a list of all the Trump administration officials involved in releasing them.
If the files get released, the Democrats will have to explain why there’s no there there. So far, though, this is exactly how I predicted this would play out from their side. “Release the files!” to be followed by “You didn’t release them all!” and then “Look at what our brave (AI) whistleblowers were able to preserve!”
There’s being an acquaintance of Epstein, and then there’s being a customer of the Lolita Express. Trump has a history of liking good looking women, but I don’t recall any rumors of him being a pedophile-lolicon.
Look, everyone who’s really on our side knows it’s horsecrap. Sarah may not remember, but I’ve said plenty of times that DJT is about as squeaky clean as it gets. Dude has been investigated most of his life, and the only time anyone’s laid a glove on him it’s been a rigged sucker punch. If every other citizen was on our side of the bell curve, I wouldn’t worry. Of course, as Elon just showed us, even geniuses have lapses.
But it’s a tailor made excuse for tying both of them up in lawfare and not having anything get done.
Sarah seems to take it for granted that both of them can just ignore any lawfare. Maybe so. Of course, Sarah’s also been pointing out that Donald Trump has been pretty scrupulous about obeying even court orders he disagrees with.
I keep seeing how much time has been wasted on lawfare already, and we really can’t afford any more.
Virginia Giuffre’s estranged father cleaned up and got a job at (IIRC) the hotel and restaurant at Mar a Lago, which enabled him to get custody of Virginia and put her back in school. Virginia got an after school job there too, so she had some supervision and pocket cash.
Epstein and his crew visited the hotel as customers, saw and targeted Virginia, and eventually recruited her, which was why Epstein got banned from Trump properties forever, and why Trump demanded the first Palm Beach prosecution of Epstein.
Because Trump gave Giuffre and his troubled daughter a chance, and Epstein took that away. It was a violation of hospitality.
Here’s the thing – Dems will believe it, sure. Everyone else will go “Wait, didn’t Biden/Garland have those files for years? If there was anything about Trump in them, they would have happily published it”
Also I think that’s the main reason the files haven’t been released. How are we sure of their integrity after being in dem hands this time?
Answer: we’re not.
Again, as I said, that’s why those files can be claimed to contain anything at this point, and there’s no way to disprove it. As actual EVIDENCE the damn things are worthless, on chain of custody alone. As tools for smearing, they’re without equal. Bah.
If not it is because Elon thinks he can get back the lefty customers by attacking Trump.
That would be stupid, but he is on the spectrum.
OTOH Elon has to know that “Trump is on the Epstein list” a) makes no sense. The left would have divulged it LONG ago and b) that means he’s seen it and also didn’t talk till now.
So it makes no logic sense.
I do too. But Trump is hypersensitive to what he considers disloyalty.
And honestly? Elon is right. The “big beautiful bill” is bullshit. We need small, focused bills, ONE bill per department or major grouping and absolutely NO extraneous stuff attached to it. Does this mean Congress will have to plow through hundreds of bills to fund the government and it will take forever? THAT’S THE POINT. They should have to work late nights and weekends to spend our money just like we do to make it.
I preferred deficit hawk Trump from a few years ago to this Trump. But he’s calculating, so let’s see what’s going to happen. I just have a spinal reflex of hatred toward any sort of omnibus “too big to read” bill like this, regardless of party.
I know. It’s going to take drastic action across the board to get us a Congress worthy of the name. It might not be possible without it coming out the other side not looking a thing like the America we knew, and nobody wants that (to a point). But this isn’t sustainable. Already DJT is spinning his wheels in the Swamp. The Grahams and Tillises and sunshine patriots are killing his momentum.
I’m not black pilling. I just keep having to remind myself that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. When it *is* a sprint, very very Bad Things tend to happen. (I’m currently partway through volume 1 of Richard J. Evans’ magisterial three-volume series on the rising and falling of Germany under the Austrian Painter. Yesterday’s afternoon commute concluded the chapters about “Gleischaltuung,” the “coordination” of Germany. In five months after he was appointed Chancellor, the country went from a sickly but functional multi-party democracy to a one party dictatorial state with Adolf’s coalition partners jettisoned and shut down. Five. Months.)
It just clicked for me: People on the Right are “arguing from neutral”. They are treating this session of Congress just like any other from, say, 2004-2020, where the situation is more or less stable: some graft here, a dumb bill there. Under those circumstances, it makes sense to focus on needed reforms (single-issue bills, balance the budget, etc.), even at the cost of gridlock or a government shutdown. There’s nothing to lose.
The problem is that the situation isn’t neutral. Biden did damage that needs to be undone ASAP, and Trump can’t undo it without Congress. So fights that would otherwise be noble (e.g., getting rid of pork) only serve to let more urgent problems fester (immigration, China, etc.).
The Right is trying to fix the leaky roof now that they finally have the chance to, while Trump is trying to keep the basement from flooding.
And I just got an email from Congressman Chris Pappas trolling for anti-tariff stories.
Poor him. I emailed him back saying Trump was doing exactly what tariffs should be used for. And that Congress had failed to use them, much less use them properly.
I really loath the senators and representatives from New Hampshire.
Does this mean Congress will have to plow through hundreds of bills to fund the government and it will take forever?
No, it means it won’t take place at all, because the Democrats will be able to filibuster every one. That’s why a bill under reconciliation rules was necessary, and you can only have 3 reconciliation bills a year.
In a lot of ways, Elon is reminding me of Trump in his first term: he’s unfamiliar with how the sausage is made, and he’s used to being a CEO with lots less necessity to compromise on the little things, and the ability to move fast.
Elon does not know what is impossible. He is used to waving his hands, as was Trump 45, and his will be done. Does not work that way in WA DC. Trump learned better, the hard way.
Get the list that must be done, including codifying the Trump 45 cuts that are set to expire. Add some other big items. Slip in smaller items. Ignore what is impossible because of the rules, which is most of the DOGE recommendations that couldn’t be handled by fiat (like forcing a code to be required referencing budget line items that immediate cut some untraceable payments, etc.). Followup with second bill appropriate to more of the DOGE cuts. Death by a thousand small cuts. Until 2026, when (hopefully) most the house and senate democrats and RINOS have dug themselves into so big of a hole they can’t crawly out of it, and they are replaced, or they find themselves behind different bars than they are used to (legal consequences, finally). We won’t see until 2027 legislature, what can be done.
I agree. If a bill isn’t one line item, explanation can’t be read on the floor in less than an hour, throw it out. Presidential line item veto would be a good route too. Then it takes 2/3 to override the line item veto. Makes President, house, and senate members, put their reputations on the line. No more “I had no choice. It was part of the bill.” Excuses.
I mean, two things:
If it’s a game, I don’t know how they “land” it.
If it’s not a game, Elon is being stupider than I thought possible.
I’m comforted the depressive commentariat all buy it, because they’re never right.
BUT this is WEIRD.
Yeah, what surprises me is El Gato Malo is 100% doom, doom, doomity doom. Never seen him like this. Totally furious with Trump,thinks Trump lapsed into his usual narcissism, the midterm is lost, lost and the Republicans deserve it. Maybe Elon and disaffected fiscal conservatives can form a substantial third party and lay a pox on both their houses, but probably we’re DOOMED!
And of course the Never Trumpers are gloating. Talking about pox….
I think it’s bs. They can’t do stuff because procedure. it’s possible Elon is upset.
But guys, remember when Trump said Cruz’s dad killed Kennedy?
This could all settle rapidly, and more fool us getting spun up.
I suspect it’s just what it looks like: two egos clashing over differing priorities and the painful realities of political compromise.
But if it is a work, the simplest explanation is Good Cop/Bad Cop. Elon “goes rogue” and threatens to torpedo any Congressman who doesn’t back the cuts, either via primary or by backing a third-party candidate. Trump says “careful, he means it” and leans on Congress to get with the program for their own safety.
It isn’t as effective if Trump makes the threat himself. Congress knows he needs them, and a lot of them think they can just ride this out until the next cycle. But if Elon has a few billion dollars to spare and nothing left to lose…
Yeah, I am a rube, and the key principals in any controversy involving Musk and Trump are nuts.
IE, winning move is for me to not play right now, and to be in autistic mode.
Trump is smart enough to realize that sticking to using short cheap words in public sends some sort of message, and wild enough to go through with it.
I have no idea what Musk is doing, but I am sure he values his time, so if he is working at anytihng, it probably seems important to him.
For all I know, after Musk decided that Trump was the last best hope of mankind, or whatever, he started binging pro wrestling, and fell in love with the theater. If so, I bet they would enjoy the hell out of Mexico electing a luchador who wants to play the heel.
Of coarse Trump is in the Epstein files. Trump banned Epstein from the Mar a Lago Florida and I think other properties. Did Epstein then file a lawsuit against Trump for taking this action? Either way, by default, Trump is in the Epstein files. Not as a predator but as someone to retaliate against.
No post today. Post tomorrow. There’s always a post tomorrow. What? Look, somebody’s got to have some damn perspective around here! Post. Sooner or later. POST!. – Susan Ivanova (probably)
Not that I count as a Hun so much as a wallflower hanger-on, but I’m game for a meet-up. Thursday evening on works for me.
As for the Musk-Trump exchange, sorry, Sarah, but I don’t see it. I cannot imagine accusing the President of the United States of pedophilia and thinking it’s some smooth 4-D chess move that’ll be forgotten and forgiven once it’s served some secret political purpose. Maybe it’s just me, but that accusation is The Big One, a thermonuclear device salted with your favorite isotopes of cobalt and strontium, meant to destroy and poison forever.
I fear the Stupid Party has struck again. (Meaning it has struck itself, again.)
Real Huns don’t wear ties — especially that tie — but I will accept the acceptance.
After the last decade or so, do we still believe there are things too politically insane to be real? I think we passed the event horizon of world-swallowing madness when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, but that’s just me talking.
Oh, and a LibertyCon-related matter. I’m moderating a panel on Analog writers, and your husband Dan is on it. May I have an e-mail address for him, so I can contact him for panel prep along with his fellow panelists? (Yes, I watched the moderators’ instructional video. Does it show?)
Hit “suddenly” like a ton of bricks, or a Mac truck. Sore all over. Achy. Cold & flu Symptoms, though NyQuil seems to squashed that somewhat. OTOH the headache from heck rest of the night and this morning might have been worse. Tylenol (well outside the 4 to 6 hours of the last NyQuil dose which supposedly has the Tylenol ingredients) took care of that. Extremely tired. Covid? Heck if I know. Son had whatever first, down about 24 hours. Same with hubby. They are left with sniffles. Hubby caught whatever, right away, within 24 hours of son bringing home from his work. Me? A full week. Should have known I wouldn’t get to skip it.
Other news. Son got told today that once current jobs are completed, the company is shutting down. So he is looking for work now. Company does commercial custom cabinetry work, like the work being done for the Oregon capital work in Salem, and the Portland airport work, rebuilds/refurbishing; their last two jobs. Already let some workers go effective immediately if not working in custom builds. Son is in custom builds. Son said other cabinetry builders are already shutdown or majorly curtailed back.
And I have an appointment with Dr. Mengele’s minion next week at the clinic/disease incubation center. Arggh.
Re cabinet making: In Flyover Falls, the custom cabinet maker’s (RIP, I suspect Covid-shot related) business got bought (after he died) by one of the bigger local contracting firms, but kept the identity. Minor change, it’s now called Borror Millwork. (https://borror.co/) Parent company is Bogatay Construction.
I drive by them on my trips to town, and they’re still busy. (The oldest HS in F-Falls is doing a makeover, and I suspect they’re doing the millwork. The late owner did a big project for a prison in Lakeview, so I’m guessing he had to get the clot-shot or else.) Hell of a commute from Eugene, but if he’s [interested|desperate] it’s an option.
FWIW, we had them do a couple of projects for the house. Really good work.
Meanwhile, my beloved has been called for jury duty and our son just called to say our newest hire committed suicide last night. He’s off to make a morale visit before he heads for the courthouse.
And on a more positive, though somber note, it’s the 81st anniversary of D-Day. Lest we forget.
Then it seems like a good day for something off topic. Any of Hoyt’s Huns going to LibertyCon? Maybe we should all get together.
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Can’t go. I’d have to remember to sign up the day after Libertycon ends to be able to get in the next year.
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It’s OK. The world will wait. Just take care of yourself, OK?
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But Sarah! This is a Post! [Crazy Grin]
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That’s what YOU think.
You might even that that was a comment, and this is a reply
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Illusions all.
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As we already know, You Meant To Do That.
Stress not!
I have advanced to my sessile stage. I’m going nowhere, neither slow nor fast.
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No post.
No post today. Post tomorrow. There’s always a post tomorrow.
Look, somebody’s got to keep some perspective around here. Post.
POST!
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You shouldn’t Babylon and on about posts. ;-)
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Oh Bravo Mr. Houst Bravo. For your first prize winning entry you get ten kilotons of ballistic carp. Be glad you didn’t 2nd place, that’s 20 kilotons of Carp
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We’re gonna need a bigger pot to fry all that carp.
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People keep telling me that tomorrow is a new day. I can’t get them to say that it is a new improved day, though…
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Ceci n’est ce pas un post
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ceci. I hate autocorrect
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Found one last typo in the book. Fixing that….
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You think there aren’t any more? Oh, you sweet summer child.
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This is my eighth published book.
I am not, and never have been, sweet or summer, and “child” is many decades past.
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There is always one more typo. Always. ;)
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Don’t type that out loud. The little beggars will hear you, and at least three more will sneak back in. :P
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Always comes a point at which you have to say, “Enough, ’twill serve.”
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Never do today, what you can put off till tomorrow ;-)
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…never put off till tomorrow what you can put off till next week. :-P
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Ka-boom.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/06/05/is-trump-losing-patience-with-elon-musk-n2658204
Elon and Trump are done.
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if you buy that, I have some land in Florida.
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Sarah, the answer to your question is this:
Of all the things Elon could have said, this is the most damaging, because there is literally no way to undo it.
Elon actually has seen (and maybe even has copies of) something that disproves Trump’s previous denials. I don’t think he does, because the Bribem Boys have had it for longer, and would have released it. The counter to that (already being made) is that they couldn’t because it would blow the Bribem Boys up too.
There is no such info. However, Trump can’t prove a negative, since even if he releases “the Epstein Files” unredacted, everyone will assume there’s more. Probably, Elon was just shooting off his mouth after Trump appeared to buy into the story that “Elon is opposing the BBB because EV subsidies”. While I can see that (I doubt Elon reacts any better than the next guy to someone questioning the honesty of his motives), Trump almost HAS to sue Elon for defamation and challenge him to produce proof. Elon can claim he saw something and no one can prove he didn’t.
There wasn’t any such info, but Grok can probably whip something up (or already has). How do you validate it, especially when both sides have their own “experts”?
It doesn’t matter if I buy it, more than enough people will, or pretend to.
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No. Elon is NOT that stupid. He would know that this implicates HIM too, because he didn’t distance himself/say anything earlier.
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Sarah, there once was a guy named Larry Ellison. Maybe you’ve heard of him? He had a falling out with one of his employees, guy named Siebel. Larry fired him, with the usual comment “you’ll never work in this industry again”. Siebel picked himself up, founded his own company, Siebel Systems, and did pretty well, and took it public…. so Larry bought his company out from under him, ten or so years later, and fired him AGAIN.
People are people, and ego can override intelligence.
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Heh, oh is that where Siebel came from? We just got rid of it at Job. :) Replaced it with a Microsloth product.
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Sarah, if Elon was thinking clearly, he never would have said this.
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It’s not believable. Any of this.
Also I remember other Elon feuds — Mark Zuckerberg — that suddenly disappeared as if they’d never been.
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Sarah, it’s on the man’s X Account (linked in that article). That much is real (unless hackers? Please, Lord?).
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No hackers. But Elon is really good at pretending things never happened.
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Sarah, can the man ignore subpoenas from NY, CA, probably Congress? Not to mention Ron DeSantis will almost have to have his AG open a case, since Trump is a FL resident.
Like I said, this is what’s called a planet killer.
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As I said elsewhere, if Trump was actually an Epstein customer and named as a customer on that infamous list, Then The Biden White House and/or the News Media would have leaked that info.
Now, Elron might be subpoenaed about “How Do You Know That?” but IMO Trump won’t be subpoenaed about being an Epstein customer because It Would Have Happen during the Biden administration (if it was going to happen).
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It’s not CREDIBLE. Again Ron DeSantis is not stupid enough to commit political suicide, either. That’s just stupid.
When I hear arguments like this, I go “Yeah, this is theater, and we’re just not getting WHY” — because all the depressives are going this crazy. For the love of Bob, people, how have you lived this long without a modicum of reality checking.
Yes, it’s possible Elon THINKS he’ll get his left wing customers back this way. He’s an autist.
BUT lawsuits? People at large buying this? PFUI. Use the brain G-d gave you.
The more you game it out to “Game over man, we’re done” the less I believe any of it is real. We’ve been on this train before. Your record of “Doom doom doom” has yet to be justified.
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Aren’t we in Heinlein’s “Crazy Years”? [Very Big Crazy Grin]
Paul Howard (Drak Bibliophile) *
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It’s called bullshit. Yes, he can. And Ron de Santis is not his followers. he’s not about to commit political suicide.
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Sarah, did Elon’s feud with Zuckerberg include an accusation of possible pedophilia? How in the Hell do you disappear THAT? especially with the only person possibly more disliked than you?
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Honey, who in hell believes in the pedophilia? Other than the left?
And it included an offer to fight physically. So, yeah.
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Sarah, I really hope you’re right.
So far, Donald Trump is taking the high road. I hope it lasts.
https://x.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1930745968170795303
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Only seen one article on it. But the reason why all the DOGE cuts aren’t codified in the BBB is because legally they can’t be with the choices they have. To codify all those cuts into the BBB they need 60% of the senate and congress each to pass that bill. Not possible without a lot more GOP in each body, and that is presuming the RINOs play ball.
With the reconciliation bill passing the house, not headed to the senate (or the other way around? Doesn’t matter.) There is a new bill headed in called a “Reset” or legal word to that effect, that does codify a number of the DODG cuts. Whatever the bill is called, it allows money, not distributed to be pulled from funding, and grants, etc., and allows money distributed, but not spent, or spent “inadvisability” (illegally) to be clawed back. Latter most likely by fines and jail time.
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Recission is the term you’re looking for.
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Oh, and equally important, recission bills aren’t subject to filibuster, either.
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Trump is not disliked, except by the left.
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How the blazes did you miss that Trump was on “The Epstein List” back when they only released the flight logs?
Because that is what “the Epstein list” is going to be. A list of everyone who had association with him, not “these are our customers.”
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Foxfier, I didn’t miss it. Neither did Elon. So everyone looking to exploit this will automatically say “Of course Elon didn’t mean THAT.” You’re not that naive, so don’t pretend to be.
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Can lead a horse to water, but can’t make him think.
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Yes, this!
Please all note, that being “mentioned in the Epstein files” is not equal to “being on the Epstein client list” and not by a long country mile. (As already pointed out by former actual prosecutors, IIRC e.g. our current FBI top-guy.)
Also worth mentioning, that the whole “cancel Elon’s contracts” thing would leave the US with worse manned space access than Belgium, and the Artemis project without a ride down to the Moon… even the most epic of archangel-class flame wars are still that, and often the ones most flagrantly and direly in need of unwinding, planetary-class egoes all aside.
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I am still boggled at folks who will at least pretend that they trust the records of a systematic pedophile who managed to conceal himself for years.
On the other hand, it would be a GLORIOUS excuse to do a massive canceling of contracts, followed by rebidding and… guess what, Musk’s still the better choice, guess he gets it again.
Or better, they’re canceled and judges don’t issue an injection saying you can’t do that, thus setting up more lawfare.
There’s lots of ways this can be an other-than-completely-retarded slapfight.
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Trust the records of a blackmailer? Well, yes, because it was in his own best interest to have accurate records of what he was blackmailing people over. Trust his public statements? Absolutely not, because he has plenty of incentive to lie. But his private records? Only someone stupid would lie to himself in his private records, and he wasn’t stupid.
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Only an idiot would have the equivalent of a book that says “who I am blackmailing, and why.” Assuming he was stupid enough to use blackmail at all, as opposed to tugging and influence, which we already saw he did. Do favors broadly, pull in folks who are good match, stay at the safe level with those who aren’t….
We already have seen what he did, to give himself cover, in the first round of Epstein files, the flight logs.
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“in the Epstein files”
It is a -yuuge- stretch to “accusation of possible pedophilia”. Might even be legally actionable, and Trump does sue, so do be cautious. Sure “celebrity” “public figure”. You still wind up out the 50-500 grand in legal fees, etc. And he can burn the lawyer meter just to burn you. But why bother? You and I are internet randos.
He might “be in the Epstein files” as an entry like “Trump caught E annoying his Mar-a-Lago staff and kicked E to the curb. With gusto.”
oops. Yeah. We already know he is “in the files”, because -that- story went out years ago. oopsie.
Or something neutral, or null, or basically zip-a-dee-doo-dah. Because do you doubt the -Biden- coterie would have passed on leaking -that-? Really?
Ever wonder if Trump and Musk were yanking your chain, along with the other Trump haters? Like they have never done that public-feud-rasslin-shit before? Like Trump wasn’t a TV carnival barker in a prior profession?
The walls are closing in!
Trump is Done!
Its bad -this- time.
Lucy, we are not kicking your football.
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Which is what I said in this thread. The “allegations of pedophilia” around Epstein have been there for years. And that whole “actual malice” thing might be tough.
The thing YOU’RE overlooking is that the complete files have NEVER been out there, and no one knows what’s in them. It’s why the “just asking questions” approach of the Opposition is likely to gain at least some traction.
I did see something interesting this morning.
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/06/06/dems-now-want-epstein-files-to-be-released-in-stunning-flip-flop-1549232/
If the files get released, the Democrats will have to explain why there’s no there there. So far, though, this is exactly how I predicted this would play out from their side. “Release the files!” to be followed by “You didn’t release them all!” and then “Look at what our brave (AI) whistleblowers were able to preserve!”
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There’s being an acquaintance of Epstein, and then there’s being a customer of the Lolita Express. Trump has a history of liking good looking women, but I don’t recall any rumors of him being a pedophile-lolicon.
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Look, everyone who’s really on our side knows it’s horsecrap. Sarah may not remember, but I’ve said plenty of times that DJT is about as squeaky clean as it gets. Dude has been investigated most of his life, and the only time anyone’s laid a glove on him it’s been a rigged sucker punch. If every other citizen was on our side of the bell curve, I wouldn’t worry. Of course, as Elon just showed us, even geniuses have lapses.
But it’s a tailor made excuse for tying both of them up in lawfare and not having anything get done.
Sarah seems to take it for granted that both of them can just ignore any lawfare. Maybe so. Of course, Sarah’s also been pointing out that Donald Trump has been pretty scrupulous about obeying even court orders he disagrees with.
I keep seeing how much time has been wasted on lawfare already, and we really can’t afford any more.
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No. On the contrary.
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Virginia Giuffre’s estranged father cleaned up and got a job at (IIRC) the hotel and restaurant at Mar a Lago, which enabled him to get custody of Virginia and put her back in school. Virginia got an after school job there too, so she had some supervision and pocket cash.
Epstein and his crew visited the hotel as customers, saw and targeted Virginia, and eventually recruited her, which was why Epstein got banned from Trump properties forever, and why Trump demanded the first Palm Beach prosecution of Epstein.
Because Trump gave Giuffre and his troubled daughter a chance, and Epstein took that away. It was a violation of hospitality.
This was all in the Daily Mail ages ago.
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Here’s the thing – Dems will believe it, sure. Everyone else will go “Wait, didn’t Biden/Garland have those files for years? If there was anything about Trump in them, they would have happily published it”
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Also I think that’s the main reason the files haven’t been released. How are we sure of their integrity after being in dem hands this time?
Answer: we’re not.
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Again, as I said, that’s why those files can be claimed to contain anything at this point, and there’s no way to disprove it. As actual EVIDENCE the damn things are worthless, on chain of custody alone. As tools for smearing, they’re without equal. Bah.
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There’s no proving it either. As a tool for smearing they’re useless.
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I have no idea what game they’re playing, but there IS a game.
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This, to be honest.
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I most certainly hope so.
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If not it is because Elon thinks he can get back the lefty customers by attacking Trump.
That would be stupid, but he is on the spectrum.
OTOH Elon has to know that “Trump is on the Epstein list” a) makes no sense. The left would have divulged it LONG ago and b) that means he’s seen it and also didn’t talk till now.
So it makes no logic sense.
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Sundance at CTH think’s it’s the Sea Island crew, pushing for a Vance/Desantis lineup with the sweet-sweet money heading their way if DOGE is dropped.
I’m not sure if he’s right, but there is a bit of consistency in that take. My own take is that Elon is a bit too old for a tantrum, eh?
Main link here. See CTH for another article on Elon walking some of this back.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/06/05/president-trump-says-musk-just-went-crazy-as-worlds-richest-man-continues-public-meltdown-demands-impeachment-and-replacement-with-jd-vance/
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I’m really, really tired of the DeSantis as boogeyman crowd. This is guy who can be a real asset.
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I do too. But Trump is hypersensitive to what he considers disloyalty.
And honestly? Elon is right. The “big beautiful bill” is bullshit. We need small, focused bills, ONE bill per department or major grouping and absolutely NO extraneous stuff attached to it. Does this mean Congress will have to plow through hundreds of bills to fund the government and it will take forever? THAT’S THE POINT. They should have to work late nights and weekends to spend our money just like we do to make it.
I preferred deficit hawk Trump from a few years ago to this Trump. But he’s calculating, so let’s see what’s going to happen. I just have a spinal reflex of hatred toward any sort of omnibus “too big to read” bill like this, regardless of party.
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with the congress we have…..
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I know. It’s going to take drastic action across the board to get us a Congress worthy of the name. It might not be possible without it coming out the other side not looking a thing like the America we knew, and nobody wants that (to a point). But this isn’t sustainable. Already DJT is spinning his wheels in the Swamp. The Grahams and Tillises and sunshine patriots are killing his momentum.
I’m not black pilling. I just keep having to remind myself that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. When it *is* a sprint, very very Bad Things tend to happen. (I’m currently partway through volume 1 of Richard J. Evans’ magisterial three-volume series on the rising and falling of Germany under the Austrian Painter. Yesterday’s afternoon commute concluded the chapters about “Gleischaltuung,” the “coordination” of Germany. In five months after he was appointed Chancellor, the country went from a sickly but functional multi-party democracy to a one party dictatorial state with Adolf’s coalition partners jettisoned and shut down. Five. Months.)
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It just clicked for me: People on the Right are “arguing from neutral”. They are treating this session of Congress just like any other from, say, 2004-2020, where the situation is more or less stable: some graft here, a dumb bill there. Under those circumstances, it makes sense to focus on needed reforms (single-issue bills, balance the budget, etc.), even at the cost of gridlock or a government shutdown. There’s nothing to lose.
The problem is that the situation isn’t neutral. Biden did damage that needs to be undone ASAP, and Trump can’t undo it without Congress. So fights that would otherwise be noble (e.g., getting rid of pork) only serve to let more urgent problems fester (immigration, China, etc.).
The Right is trying to fix the leaky roof now that they finally have the chance to, while Trump is trying to keep the basement from flooding.
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Yes. We are in a MASSIVE emergency.
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And I just got an email from Congressman Chris Pappas trolling for anti-tariff stories.
Poor him. I emailed him back saying Trump was doing exactly what tariffs should be used for. And that Congress had failed to use them, much less use them properly.
I really loath the senators and representatives from New Hampshire.
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No, it means it won’t take place at all, because the Democrats will be able to filibuster every one. That’s why a bill under reconciliation rules was necessary, and you can only have 3 reconciliation bills a year.
In a lot of ways, Elon is reminding me of Trump in his first term: he’s unfamiliar with how the sausage is made, and he’s used to being a CEO with lots less necessity to compromise on the little things, and the ability to move fast.
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Last paragraph – 100%
Elon does not know what is impossible. He is used to waving his hands, as was Trump 45, and his will be done. Does not work that way in WA DC. Trump learned better, the hard way.
Get the list that must be done, including codifying the Trump 45 cuts that are set to expire. Add some other big items. Slip in smaller items. Ignore what is impossible because of the rules, which is most of the DOGE recommendations that couldn’t be handled by fiat (like forcing a code to be required referencing budget line items that immediate cut some untraceable payments, etc.). Followup with second bill appropriate to more of the DOGE cuts. Death by a thousand small cuts. Until 2026, when (hopefully) most the house and senate democrats and RINOS have dug themselves into so big of a hole they can’t crawly out of it, and they are replaced, or they find themselves behind different bars than they are used to (legal consequences, finally). We won’t see until 2027 legislature, what can be done.
I agree. If a bill isn’t one line item, explanation can’t be read on the floor in less than an hour, throw it out. Presidential line item veto would be a good route too. Then it takes 2/3 to override the line item veto. Makes President, house, and senate members, put their reputations on the line. No more “I had no choice. It was part of the bill.” Excuses.
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^ This.
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I mean, two things:
If it’s a game, I don’t know how they “land” it.
If it’s not a game, Elon is being stupider than I thought possible.
I’m comforted the depressive commentariat all buy it, because they’re never right.
BUT this is WEIRD.
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I do hope he is at least getting paid by Russia/China/DNC rather than sitting in the cuck chair because he likes it.
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Yeah, what surprises me is El Gato Malo is 100% doom, doom, doomity doom. Never seen him like this. Totally furious with Trump,thinks Trump lapsed into his usual narcissism, the midterm is lost, lost and the Republicans deserve it. Maybe Elon and disaffected fiscal conservatives can form a substantial third party and lay a pox on both their houses, but probably we’re DOOMED!
And of course the Never Trumpers are gloating. Talking about pox….
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I think it’s bs. They can’t do stuff because procedure. it’s possible Elon is upset.
But guys, remember when Trump said Cruz’s dad killed Kennedy?
This could all settle rapidly, and more fool us getting spun up.
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Also, the improbable true identity of the Zodiac Killer.
(I’m maybe actually back on a saneward trend again. )
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Or DB Cooper
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I suspect it’s just what it looks like: two egos clashing over differing priorities and the painful realities of political compromise.
But if it is a work, the simplest explanation is Good Cop/Bad Cop. Elon “goes rogue” and threatens to torpedo any Congressman who doesn’t back the cuts, either via primary or by backing a third-party candidate. Trump says “careful, he means it” and leans on Congress to get with the program for their own safety.
It isn’t as effective if Trump makes the threat himself. Congress knows he needs them, and a lot of them think they can just ride this out until the next cycle. But if Elon has a few billion dollars to spare and nothing left to lose…
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It’s hard to imagine any walk-backs from this . . . but who knows? A year ago I didn’t expect them to be working together.
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Yeah, I am a rube, and the key principals in any controversy involving Musk and Trump are nuts.
IE, winning move is for me to not play right now, and to be in autistic mode.
Trump is smart enough to realize that sticking to using short cheap words in public sends some sort of message, and wild enough to go through with it.
I have no idea what Musk is doing, but I am sure he values his time, so if he is working at anytihng, it probably seems important to him.
For all I know, after Musk decided that Trump was the last best hope of mankind, or whatever, he started binging pro wrestling, and fell in love with the theater. If so, I bet they would enjoy the hell out of Mexico electing a luchador who wants to play the heel.
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Of coarse Trump is in the Epstein files. Trump banned Epstein from the Mar a Lago Florida and I think other properties. Did Epstein then file a lawsuit against Trump for taking this action? Either way, by default, Trump is in the Epstein files. Not as a predator but as someone to retaliate against.
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I second the idea of a meet up at LibertyCon. Should be there from Thursday night late.
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I second the idea of a meet up at LibertyCon. Should be there from Thursday night late.
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Maybe we can put a Hoyt’s Huns sign on a stick at the bar in the Marriott? Are you on the LibertyCon Discord server?
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I’ll plan on being in the Marriott bar by 5pm. I’ll bring a carp.
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No post today. Post tomorrow. There’s always a post tomorrow. What? Look, somebody’s got to have some damn perspective around here! Post. Sooner or later. POST!. – Susan Ivanova (probably)
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:P
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Not that I count as a Hun so much as a wallflower hanger-on, but I’m game for a meet-up. Thursday evening on works for me.
As for the Musk-Trump exchange, sorry, Sarah, but I don’t see it. I cannot imagine accusing the President of the United States of pedophilia and thinking it’s some smooth 4-D chess move that’ll be forgotten and forgiven once it’s served some secret political purpose. Maybe it’s just me, but that accusation is The Big One, a thermonuclear device salted with your favorite isotopes of cobalt and strontium, meant to destroy and poison forever.
I fear the Stupid Party has struck again. (Meaning it has struck itself, again.)
Republica restituendae, et, Hamas delenda est.
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I like you, so you’re a hun.
I don’t think it’s smooth anything. I think it’s insane. But it’s too insane to be REAL.
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Real Huns don’t wear ties — especially that tie — but I will accept the acceptance.
After the last decade or so, do we still believe there are things too politically insane to be real? I think we passed the event horizon of world-swallowing madness when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, but that’s just me talking.
Oh, and a LibertyCon-related matter. I’m moderating a panel on Analog writers, and your husband Dan is on it. May I have an e-mail address for him, so I can contact him for panel prep along with his fellow panelists? (Yes, I watched the moderators’ instructional video. Does it show?)
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Ping me on my email. first two initials, last name at the email of heat.
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How about bolo ties? With a scorpion or big spider preserved in clear plastic as a tie holder? Navy folks can use a sea horse instead.
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Even by Current Decade standards, this sudden feud is wild.
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Guess who got sick yesterday?
Hit “suddenly” like a ton of bricks, or a Mac truck. Sore all over. Achy. Cold & flu Symptoms, though NyQuil seems to squashed that somewhat. OTOH the headache from heck rest of the night and this morning might have been worse. Tylenol (well outside the 4 to 6 hours of the last NyQuil dose which supposedly has the Tylenol ingredients) took care of that. Extremely tired. Covid? Heck if I know. Son had whatever first, down about 24 hours. Same with hubby. They are left with sniffles. Hubby caught whatever, right away, within 24 hours of son bringing home from his work. Me? A full week. Should have known I wouldn’t get to skip it.
Other news. Son got told today that once current jobs are completed, the company is shutting down. So he is looking for work now. Company does commercial custom cabinetry work, like the work being done for the Oregon capital work in Salem, and the Portland airport work, rebuilds/refurbishing; their last two jobs. Already let some workers go effective immediately if not working in custom builds. Son is in custom builds. Son said other cabinetry builders are already shutdown or majorly curtailed back.
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Hugs.
I had “the stomach flu,” two weeks ago and the tiredness just now seems to be lifting.
Meanwhile, I see the fireflies are out. Good.
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Does he like cabinetry? There might an opportunity up north?
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And I have an appointment with Dr. Mengele’s minion next week at the clinic/disease incubation center. Arggh.
Re cabinet making: In Flyover Falls, the custom cabinet maker’s (RIP, I suspect Covid-shot related) business got bought (after he died) by one of the bigger local contracting firms, but kept the identity. Minor change, it’s now called Borror Millwork. (https://borror.co/) Parent company is Bogatay Construction.
I drive by them on my trips to town, and they’re still busy. (The oldest HS in F-Falls is doing a makeover, and I suspect they’re doing the millwork. The late owner did a big project for a prison in Lakeview, so I’m guessing he had to get the clot-shot or else.) Hell of a commute from Eugene, but if he’s [interested|desperate] it’s an option.
FWIW, we had them do a couple of projects for the house. Really good work.
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Thanks.
He will figure it out. Even if it means moving.
Better off than a lot of his peers. He mentioned a co-worker just signed a new lease on an apartment, um – ouch.
Sister & BIL just moved their last one out, to Madison, Wisconsin, where he got his first post college job (graduated end of winter term).
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In the crude male vernacular, it is known as a “Pissing Contest”.
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No worries. Rest your mind. Be well, take comfort in your family. The Hun Horde abides.
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Have some midweek memes, courtesy of Granite Grok. Midweek Memes – Granite Grok
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Meanwhile, my beloved has been called for jury duty and our son just called to say our newest hire committed suicide last night. He’s off to make a morale visit before he heads for the courthouse.
And on a more positive, though somber note, it’s the 81st anniversary of D-Day. Lest we forget.
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