Hambone v3.0

Weekend Open Comments

God.   Got.   Game.

 Judge Don Willett pinned the image above to the top of his Twitter feed a few days before he was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.  Once a very popular figure on Twitter, Willett wisely retired from social media after his appointment to the federal bench in January 2018.

Don Willett is in the news this week for a very good reason.  He has written a controversial opinion that has the legal profession talking and arguing from coast to coast.  Damon Root at Reason writes…

Since joining the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in 2017, Judge Don Willett has emerged as a prominent critic of qualified immunity, a controversial legal doctrine that generally shields police officers and other government officials from being sued when they violate citizens’ constitutional rights. “To some observers, qualified immunity smacks of unqualified impunity, letting public officials duck consequences for bad behavior,” Willett observed in the 2018 case of Zadeh v. Robinson. “I add my voice to a growing, cross-ideological chorus of jurists and scholars urging recalibration of contemporary immunity jurisprudence.”

Willett spoke out against qualified immunity once again earlier this week. Writing in dissent on Tuesday in Cole v. Hunter, he faulted the doctrine for formalizing “a rights-remedies gap through which untold constitutional violations slip unchecked.” As Willett put it, “the real-world functioning of modern immunity practice—essentially ‘heads government wins, tails plaintiffs lose’—leaves many victims violated but not vindicated.” Willett made it clear that he thinks the Supreme Court should revisit the doctrine and set things straight.
Here is another excellent article on Judge Willett and the issue of immunity from the John Locke Foundation.  Below is a quote from an earlier opinion by Willett.

Section 1983 meets Catch-22. … Important constitutional questions go unanswered precisely because those questions are yet unanswered. Courts then rely on that judicial silence to conclude there’s no equivalent case on the books. … An Escherian Stairwell. Heads defendants win, tails plaintiffs lose. …

Qualified immunity aims to balance competing policy goals. And I concede it enjoys special favor at the Supreme Court, which seems untroubled by any one-sidedness. Even so, I add my voice to a growing, cross-ideological chorus of jurists and scholars urging recalibration of contemporary immunity jurisprudence and its “real world implementation.” [Footnotes and citations omitted.]

Don Willett has been on Trump’s list for the Supreme Court all along.  I believe he will eventually make it to SCOTUS, for all of our benefit.

Posted

in

by

Texpat

Tags:

Comments

149 responses to “Weekend Open Comments”

  1. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    We have a weekend thread! Thanks Texpat.
    Mornin’ Gang

  2. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    O.C. Topic; I hope that I have a chance to RTWDT, but as usual, I’m real busy. But I have a new chain for my Stihl, third one in as many months. The last three large pines kind of did in the last one, with cutting them up and all. I’m about to head out and cut one 16″, pine stump off at the ground, since it is right in the middle of the trail and then that 30′ Bay tree further down the trail, is coming down.

  3. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    One ore thing, I’ve turned my Kubota into a Log Skidder, it is a back saver, and doesn’t complain. 😉

  4. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Good morning Hamsters

    A rather refreshing 75 at 6 am and just a hint that fall might actually show up in the next month.  Not at all smothering in humidity though that will appear once sunup moves in.

    The OC pic is a hoot.

  5. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    And what are the essentials of Socialism? What is the mark of a real Socialist? I suggest that the real Socialist is one who wishes — not merely conceives it as desirable, but actively wishes — to see tyranny overthrown. But I fancy that the majority of orthodox Marxists would not accept that definition, or would only accept it very grudgingly. Sometimes, when I listen to these people talking, and still more when I read their books, I get the impression that, to them, the whole Socialist movement is no more than a kind of exciting heresy-hunt — a leaping to and fro of frenzied witch-doctors to the beat of tom-toms and the tune of ‘Fee fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of a right-wing deviationist!’ It is because of this kind of thing that it is so much easier to feel yourself a Socialist when you are among working-class people. The working-class Socialist, like the working-class Catholic, ‘s weak on doctrine and can hardly open his mouth without uttering a heresy, but he has the heart of the matter in him. He does grasp the central fact that Socialism means the overthrow of tyranny, and the ‘Marseillaise’, if it were translated for his benefit, would appeal to him more deeply than any learned treatise on dialectical materialism. At this moment it is waste of time to insist that acceptance of Socialism means acceptance of the philosophic side of Marxism, plus adulation of Russia. The Socialist movement has not time to be a league of dialectical materialists; it has got to be a league of the oppressed against the oppressors.

    I’m re-reading George Orwell’s Road to Wigan Pier and realizing again what a brilliant piece of scathing satire it really is.  He starts out describing the Dickensian conditions of the British working class and then presents the idea the only solution is Socialism.  Of course.

    But then he slowly dismantles it, mocks it and laments the problem with Socialism is Socialists.  It’s the people who get in the way of letting it work.

    George Orwell – God’s gift to freedom loving people everywhere.

  6. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    RE: #5

    I get the impression that, to them, the whole Socialist movement is no more than a kind of exciting heresy-hunt — a leaping to and fro of frenzied witch-doctors to the beat of tom-toms and the tune of ‘Fee fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of a right-wing deviationist!’

    Good grief, man, that is funny as hell.

  7. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Tyler Mahan Coe – son of David Allen Coe – has a podcast called Cocaine & Rhinestones . It is a podcast about the history of country music made in the 20th century.

    Each episode is also available in text format.

    It is really, really good.

    https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/about-contact

  8. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    Shannon’s #88 from last night had me in tears. That was dang funny.

  9. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    An Escherian Stairwell. Heads defendants win, tails plaintiffs lose. …

    That particular drawing has always been one of my favorites by M.C. Escher.

  10. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    My baseball team was playing on the west coast again last night, so I was up late watching the game when the lightening fireworks started and a light sprinkle began to fall.  Later, it changed to a steady light rain, but it stayed around for a while and gave us a nice soaking, which we desperately needed.  It’s a little cooler this morning, and still some overcast, but the rain has moved on. I haven’t gotten any total reports, but my guessameter says close to 2″ overall.  It all soaked in – no runoff noted.  I’ll do a walk-around here in a bit and see how many fire ant beds it brought to the surface.  Meanwhile, I’ll just savor the cooler, clean smelling air for a while and give thanks.

    In other news, it’s Saturday, so you all have a great one.

  11. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    And Power Lines Week In Pictures:  https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/08/the-week-in-pictures-annexation-division.php

    And from Ace, words of wisdom from the younger set: http://ace.mu.nu/archives/Advice-from-kids.jpg

  12. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Shannon’s #88 from last night had me in tears. That was dang funny.

    Really? I kinda felt like he owes me five minutes. 😀 Maybe I gave up on it too soon.

  13. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    RE: #5

    Things are never as bad or as good as people perceive them to be.  This was, after all, written in 1936 in an era far worse than the one we inhabit now.

    One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words ‘Socialism’ and ‘Communism’ draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, ‘Nature Cure’ quack, pacifist, and feminist in England. One day this summer I was riding through Letchworth when the bus stopped and two dreadful-looking old men got on to it. They were both about sixty, both very short, pink, and chubby, and both hatless. One of them was obscenely bald, the other had long grey hair bobbed in the Lloyd George style. They were dressed in pistachio-coloured shirts and khaki shorts into which their huge bottoms were crammed so tightly that you could study every dimple. Their appearance created a mild stir of horror on top of the bus. The man next to me, a commercial traveller I should say, glanced at me, at them, and back again at me, and murmured ‘Socialists’, as who should say, ‘Red Indians’.

  14. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    12 GJT
    Oh, man. You didn’t stay for the guy riding a giraffe?

  15. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    13
    I swear I’ve seen that posted here before.

  16. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    15 Shannon

    It can never be overstated or over-posted.

  17. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    What could possibly go wrong when you put a woman into a position of responsibility.  Especially a gay one.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7390353/NASA-investigates-claims-astronaut-accessed-spouses-bank-account-space.html
    Wanna bet that nothing happens to her since she’s in a protected class?

  18. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Super Dave says:
    AUGUST 24, 2019 AT 7:12 AM

    One ore thing, I’ve turned my Kubota into a Log Skidder, it is a back saver, and doesn’t complain.

    Boy am I glad.

    That last log skidder you had did nothing but complain to us over here—

  19. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Morning, Hamsters. I was thinking about fishing up an Escher artwork featuring an endless staircase, but then I figured everyone had prolly seen at least one of them already. Amiright?

     

  20. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    GJT says:
    AUGUST 24, 2019 AT 8:43 AM

    Shannon’s #88 from last night had me in tears. That was dang funny.

    Really? I kinda felt like he owes me five minutes. Maybe I gave up on it too soon.

    Ten. He owes you ten minutes. Me too.

  21. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    RE: My #5

    But is it? Sometimes I look at a Socialist — the intellectual, tract-writing type of Socialist, with his pullover, his fuzzy hair, and his Marxian quotation — and wonder what the devil his motive really is. It is often difficult to believe that it is a love of anybody, especially of the working class, from whom he is of all people the furthest removed. The underlying motive of many Socialists, I believe, is simply a hypertrophied sense of order. The present state of affairs offends them not because it causes misery, still less because it makes freedom impossible, but because it is untidy; what they desire, basically, is to reduce the world to something resembling a chessboard.

  22. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Wanna bet that nothing happens to her since she’s in a protected class?

    Protectedclass2

  23. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Hubs is trying to put a new inside-the-tank toilet kit in his upstairs john. There is a threaded plastic ring that is installed from below the tank, fits over a plastic pipe that protrudes through a hole in the bottom of the tank. Well, he/we can’t get that OLD ring to come off. We have loosened it somewhat. What could cause a plastic ring to be jammed up on a plastic pipe? Out of desperation, I just sprayed some WD-40 around the hole in the bottom of the tank, letting it drip down around the edge of the hole.

    What would you do????

     

  24. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    23 mh42

    Dynamite works for me.

  25. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    …or a hacksaw if you don’t have a blasting cap.

  26. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Better call a plumber.

  27. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Cut it off with a Dremel tool.  That’s what I had to do on mine.

  28. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Melt it out with a propane torch.

  29. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Here I am in this investor expo and it is so nice to be surrounded by people who say…
    We want you to succeed!
    How can I help you make money and retire well?
    Would you like to learn how you can leave your family a legacy/put your kids/grandkids through college?
    I’m going to introduce you to someone that I think you’ll be able to help.
    There’s a way to get what you want, let me help you figure it out.
    You did THAT! Fabulous! I’m so happy it worked out so well! Now, explain again what you did…

    I’ll bet There’s not a single lib in the place. Their heads would explode with all this nonjealousy and success floating around.

  30. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    And a bit of good news for our troops on the ground: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a28786906/a-10-new-wings/

  31. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    And the Dems going for Slow Joe?  https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/08/dems-set-to-nominate-grandpa-simpson.php

  32. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Thanks for all the he-man suggestions! I have a dremel tool, but not sure there is enough room to see what I’m doing.  I’ll find that thing and charge up its battery just in case.  The cranky stuck ring is about 8″ away from a side wall.  Did you dremel-cut the ring or the plastic pipe inside the tank?

  33. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Call a plumber and have an adult beverage or two while you wait for the plumber.  Under no circumstances touch that old ring, as after a couple of adult beverages it will not look the same and disaster might ensue.  Watch the plumber from a safe distance.

    It will be worth every penny, guaranteed.  🙂

  34. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Hubs refuses to call a plumber.

     

  35. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    There are YouTubes. Then afterwards you can get you a YouTube Certified Plumber badge.

  36. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    mh42

    If you don’t have a hacksaw or reciprocating saw, use the Dremel.  Cut the plastic pipe off from underneath.

  37. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    CALL A PLUMBER!

  38. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    1 more vote for calling a plumber!

  39. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    22 Hamous

    Astronaut McClain looks exactly like my childhood friend.  His name was Charley Barnes.

    Oh, and she plays rugby.

  40. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    36 cont’d.

    After all this time, you could’ve gone to buy any of several tools at the store to cut a 3/4″ piece of plastic pipe.  You might have spent $12 and the toilet would already be repaired.  I’ve even had to cut one off with a hammer and chisel when I didn’t have any tools with me.  I’ve probably installed 200 of these things in my lifetime.

    A plumber on Saturday is going to run you more than a c-note just to show up.

  41. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    #40 –

    A plumber on Saturday is going to run you more than c-note just to show up.

    sadly that is 110% correctamundo

  42. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    My subject today was “qualified immunity” for public employees.  Here is a downside story about that…

    (Reuters) – The Kentucky county clerk who in 2015 gained widespread attention for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples may be sued for damages by two of those couples, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday.

    In a 3-0 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said Kim Davis can be sued in her individual capacity, though sovereign immunity shielded her from being sued in her former role as Rowan County Clerk.

    Don’t despair though,

    Both decisions came two hours after another federal appeals court said two Minnesota videographers, Angel and Carl Larsen, could sue the state for requiring them to film same-sex weddings though it violated their Christian beliefs.

  43. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    39 Texpat

    She also looks like my cousin Clay.

  44. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    #32 – Just cut the pipe where ever you can get to it.  Or even cut the plastic nut to loosen it up, assuming that there is a new nut in the replacement kit.  Whatever it takes since you are throwing all that stuff away anyway.

  45. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I got a call from Kingston, Jamaica.
    I decided not to answer.
    I figured it was some woman trying to find GJT.

  46. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    We haven’t been working non-stop all day on this. We’ve tried maybe 4 times to get an adjustable pliars clamped on it, and got it loosened somewhat. It’s not like it is the only toilet in the house. I may look through the tool cabinet tonight and see what small hand saws we have. The little dremel would not work at all because it is impossible to SEE the inch of plastic pipe sticking out the bottom, OR the now raggedy-a$$ plastic nut. That side of the toilet is 8″ from the wall.

    We  have loosened the nut enough that there is now a small gap  between the nut and the bottom of the tank. Maybe enough for me to get a short saw blade in there.

     

  47. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Nothing’s easy any more.

  48. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    GJT and the Rastafarian Voodoo Woman.  Who knew ?

  49. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Via David Zincavage at Never Yet Melted.

    An old rancher went to a town hall meeting. The local politician was there to talk about the latest Ag legislation he proposed. The politician talked about grazing, property rights, irrigation, and how the government could help the generational ranchers of the area.

    After listening to the impassioned promises put forth by the politician, the old rancher raised his hand to ask a question.
    Seeing that he had the attention of the weathered old rancher, and thinking he could score some points, the politician took the old man’s question….

    Old man: “Senator, did you know that cows, horses and goats eat the same feed?”

    Senator: “Yes sir, everybody knows that!”

    Old man: “Then senator, can you tell me why cows poop patties, horses poop cubes, and goats poop pellets?”

    Senator: “How would I know the reason for such a simple thing like poop?”

    Old man: “Then senator, can you tell me how a man who doesn’t know sh*t, can help me run my ranch?”

  50. phil Avatar
    phil

    Hey unca Shanny.

  51. phil Avatar
    phil

    Hey unca Shanny II.

  52. phil Avatar
    phil

    Hey unca Shanny III.

  53. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    I’ve touted Eric S. Raymond here before, the author of the famous Anti-Idiotarian Manifesto, and an ancient blogger by internet standards.  Here he enlightens us with his imagination on how the Democrat candidates would introduce themselves if they were honest.

    Hi, I’m Joe Biden. I’m the perfect apparatchik – no principles, no convictions, and no plan. I’m senile, and I have a problem with groping children. But vote for me anyway because orange man bad.

    Hi, I’m Kamala Harris. My white ancestors owned slaves, but I use the melanin I got from my Indian ancestors to pretend to be black. My own father has publicly rebuked me for the pandering lies I tell. I fellated my way into politics; put me into the White house so I can suck even more!

    Hi, I’m Elizabeth Warren. Even though I’m as white as library paste, I pretended to be an American Indian to get preferment. My research on medical bankruptcies was as fraudulent as the way I gamed the racial spoils system. So you should totally trust me when I say I’m “capitalist to my bones”!

    Hi, I’m Bernie Sanders. I honeymooned in the Soviet Union. I’m an unreconstructed, hammer-and-sickle-worshiping Communist.

    Hi, I’m Kirsten Gillibrand. I used to be what passes for a moderate among Democrats – I even supported gun rights. Now I’ve swung hard left, and will let you just guess whether I ever had any issue convictions or it was just pandering all the way down. Tee-hee!

    Hi, I’m Amy Klobuchar, and I’ve demonstrated my grasp on the leadership skills necessarily for the leader of the Free World by being notoriously abusive towards my staff.

    Hi, I’m Robert Francis O’Rourke. I’m occupying the “imitate the Kennedy” lane in this race, and my credentials for it include DUI and fleeing an accident scene. The rumors that I’m a furry are false; the rumors that I’m a dimwitted child of privilege are true. But vote for me anyway, crucial white-suburban-female demographic, because I have such a winning smile!

    Hi, I’m Pete Buttigieg. I was such a failure as the mayor of South Bend that my own constituents criticize me for having entered this race, but the Acela Corridor press loves me because I’m fashionably gay. And how right they are; any candidate you choose is going to bugger you ** the *** eventually, but I’ll do it like an expert!

    Hi, I’m Bill de Blasio. I’m as Communist as Bernie, but I hide it better. And if Pete thinks his constituents don’t want him in this race? Hold…my…beer!

    Hi, I’m Cory Booker, and I’m totally not gay. OK, maybe I’m just a little gay. My city was a sh*thole when I was elected and I’ve done nothing to change that; I’m really just an empty suit with a plausible line of patter, especially the “I am Spartacus” part. But you should totally vote for me because I’m…what was the phrase? Oh, yeah. “Clean and articulate.”

    Hi, I’m Marianne Williamson. If elected, I will redecorate the White House so it has proper feng shui. I am the sanest and least pretentious person on this stage.

    The Anti-Idiotarian Manifesto, December 26, 2003

     

  54. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Found the small hacksaw, we’ll see what it can do tomorrow.

    I was amazed by how several of you’uns admitted having to saw off this pipe from the bottom of a toilet tank. How come all the How-To videos show the nut just easily hand-screwing off that pipe? Is this renovation supposed to be done every 4-5 years to ensure that it will be easy? I still don’t understand what happens to plastic that makes a plastic ring-nut adhere to a plastic pipe?

  55. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I detected some push back when I recently divulged that I have a defined limit when it comes to saxophone solos.

    Sorry. Not sorry.

    Wood beats metal. Every time.

    https://youtu.be/YYRDBZzo61Q

  56. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I could listen to Pete Fountain or Benny Goodman for hours.

  57. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    We’re doomed this time for sure.  It’s time again to light your hair on fire, wrap your pets, bring in you pipes, buy all the batteries you can find, and don’t forget the water.  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT05/refresh/AL052019_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind+png/205313_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png

  58. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    My #54

    Pete was only 27 at that time.

    He passed in 2016 at the age of 86.

  59. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    54 mharper42

    The mineral deposits will eat into plastic and seize up the threads just like with metal.

    I’ve had the same problem you have many times.  Stop watching the morons on YouTube and go down to Home Depot and get a new, sharp small hacksaw and get this job over with for crying out loud.  I even used a serrated bread knife once when I had to get the thing off in an unexpected semi-emergency without any tools available but a pair of channel-locks.

    Go buy this in the morning or this one.  They will both work.

  60. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Thank you for the recommendations, Texpat. Unless it is pouring rain, I am tied up with HOA business tomorrow, so if anyone has to go to a big box hardware store, it probably won’t be me.

    Somehow, Hubs and I have reached our mid-70’s without ever having to know how to get that plastic ring off the plastic pipe. Never too old to learn!

     

     

  61. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #56 EG

    Looks like Haiti gets whacked again.

     

  62. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Hamous !

    The Canadian court issued it’s final ruling in favor of the Dismissal motion that was filed in May 2019 by Dr Tim Ball’s libel lawyers.

    Not only did the court grant Ball’s application for dismissal of the nine-year, multi-million dollar lawsuit, it also took the additional step of awarding full legal costs to Ball. A detailed public statement from the world-renowned skeptical climatologist is expected in due course.

    This extraordinary outcome is expected to trigger severe legal repercussions for Dr Mann in the U.S. and may prove fatal to climate science claims that modern temperatures are “unprecedented.” (snip)

    Dr Mann lost his case because he refused to show in open court his R2 regression numbers (the ‘working out’) behind the world-famous ‘hockey stick’ graph (shown below).

    There is still Mark Steyn’s case to go before SCOTUS.

     

  63. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    55 Shannon

    Fair enough, but I see and hear woods as one thing and brass as another.  I wouldn’t want to live without either one.  I think the oboe is a highly underrated woodwind, but the sousaphone gets no props either.  People always talk about the trumpet and yet the cornet gets no respect.

  64. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    There is still Mark Steyn’s case to go before SCOTUS.

    SCOTUS?

    SCOTUS?

    I thought his problems were in Canada.

  65. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    64 Shannon

    Michael Mann sued Steyn and National Review here in the US.  Steyn didn’t trust the weasels at NR so he demanded his case be severed from them.

  66. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I always wanted to play the bassoon.

    https://youtu.be/CZ1Nz3UOOas

  67. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    66 Shannon

    Yeah, a very cool instrument.

  68. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    The beautiful Schumann oboe solo with virtuoso cleavage.

  69. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    “I was trying to prove [to my mother] that the bassoon was a woodwind instrument as opposed to a brass instrument.”

    https://youtu.be/Yw1GHwaET-o

  70. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Sidebar to TP.

    Fay says that Beth played oboe.
    Until she didn’t.

    Mind boggling.

  71. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Y’all are talking skin flutes and bonophones while there’s a crazy college football game on.

  72. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    How to Make a Clarinet…

    …at the Schreiber factory in Germany.

    Also, there are no drunken Danes riding giraffes.

  73. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    62 Texpat

    That’s a monumental win but the Riefenstahl Wing of the Democrat party has deemed it a non-story. Not a word is mentioned.

  74. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    73 Hamous

    They won’t be able to keep the lid on this one.  I guarantee it.  The climatistas have waited 9 years fro Mann to win.  Now that he’s lost, they just won’t be able to keep their mouths shut.  Plus they’re going to have to start prepping the groundwork for a loss to Steyn in the US.

  75. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    I hope you’re right but if the media ignore it … if a tree falls in the forest …

  76. gtotracker Avatar
    gtotracker

    Just for fun, six or four, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9HXClusp_E

  77. phil Avatar
    phil

    Clarinets and oboes skin flutes coronets and parachutes.
    Someone please pass the Grey Poupon and cooked snails.

    Pffffftttt.

     

  78. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Mornin’ Gang

  79. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    As usual, I missed the fun, but I will try to stay tuned to mharper’s toilet repair conundrum. I’ll just say that you can call a plumber, but this fix is easy enough for anybody to accomplish and will save you money to do it yourself. Also the newer, toilet float valves are easy to install and last a long time. Getting old part off after years of use can be a problem, especially if it is submerged for 20 years. Go back to Texpat’s #59. The Drywall Saw is the way to go, with the coarse teeth, it’ll get the job done quickly. If you don’t have a lot of room, you can use a simple charcoal starting lighter, just be careful to not get the tank too hot.

  80. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    My #79, I have the Ace Hardware version of the Drywall Saw, I call it the poor-man’s Sawzall.

  81. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    1927 GMC 2 ton truck – coast to coast in 102 hours in 1927.

    Baker set 143 driving records from the 1910s through the 1930s. His first was set in 1914, riding coast to coast on an Indian motorcycle in 11 days. Cannonball Baker did a publicity stunt for GMC in September 1927 carrying seawater from the Atlantic to the Pacific non-stop in 102 hours to prove the mettle of GMC’s brand. Baker was a well known and legend in motorcycle endurance records and was sponsored by Indian.

    Baker was the real deal and a man’s man. He was also the first head of NASCAR.

  82. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I was out with Lil’ Dawg, about 4, this morning and the big ole, Waning Crescent Moon was hanging in the eastern sky and since we’re out in the sticks, the stars are brilliant.

  83. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Despite their best efforts the Gators managed to win last night. I’ll chalk it up to first game jitters and intense hatred between the two teams. It was downright ugly but a win is a win.

    Cocky quarterbacks are annoying, especially when they’re as inconsistent as Feleipe Franks was last night. After his performance you’d think he’d be a bit humbled but I expect he’ll be just as cocky in two weeks.

  84. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    An aquatic variation of Look! A squirrel with a fluffy tail!

  85. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Scrolling through yesterday;
    #18 Sarge 😀
    My laugh of the day came from El Gordo’s #31

    I don’t know who Beto O’Dork is on YouTube, but whoever it is has nailed Joe Biden’s obvious liability—his visible aging—in this compilation. He might be the only candidate in the Democratic field who will make Trump look like Demosthenes by comparison. No way this doesn’t become a huge problem next fall if he is the nominee.

    #49 Texpat 😉
    I think my favorite is Texpat’s #53 Spot On!

  86. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I posted this over yonder;

    I spotted this Hickory Horned Devil, crossing the yard, the other day. He is huge, about 5″ long, a pretty green color with orange horns. I’ve not seen one in years. Oh and he morphs into a Regal Moth, after he spins a cocoon around himself.

  87. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    This is good; Pelosi and her herd of cats, over the falls.

  88. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Good mugly morning Hamsters.   So much for two mornings offering the smallest hint of cooler days to come sometime in September if we’re lucky.   Back to air you can wear.  Only a week left to August, then the slide down September to fall.

    Have not looked at the Chron yet other than the front page of the comics, not even the all-important front page.  That must wait until household chores are initiated, like feeding the washing machine and putting breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.

  89. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    #87 Super Dave

    Ms. Pelosi is apparently the only one amongst the Dem hierarchy who understands the serious fallout attempting impeachment brings.  The rest of them are too hate filled and short sighted to have a clue.  Another charge of the light brigade seems to be in the offing.  Start the popcorn machine.

  90. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Morning gang.  The rainfall we had a couple of nights ago seems to be being reported in the 2 to 3 inch range, and as expected, it did bring some fire ants to the surface and it did fill in some of the cracks in the ground and was greatly appreciated.  But today is expected to go back to100+ temps and crystal clear blue skies again.  No big plans on the horizon for today.  Will just play it by ear and see what develops.  In the interim, I hope that each and every one of you have a great one and enjoy yourself to the limit.  More later.

  91. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Man’s gotta work hard to develop a physique like this http://ace.mu.nu/archives/ugly%20pants%2020190825.jpg

  92. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    I am delaying my Sunday Sudoku today, having breakfast instead of big coffee and puzzle. Then have time to see if the hack saw I found is too big to maneuver in the tight space under the toilet tank. If so, Hubs can go buy a tiny tool from Texpat’s very helpful links last night.

    I don’t enjoy working the puzzle if I have time constraints. Also, I don’t want to be riding around in someone else’s car for 2 hours after drinking a pint of coffee from my huge mug. Yep, you guessed it: we are doing deed restriction drive-through this morning. All hands on deck.

     

  93. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I feel for ya, Harper.

    The clearance around the guest bathroom potty is nonexistent. Changing out the potty seat requires me to curl up like a pretzel. Not so good for a bad back.

  94. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    BTW, there is no rule that says that a hacksaw blade has to be attached to a handle to work.  If space is tight, as I imagine it is, just wear a glove and slip the blade in there and start working.  It should only take a few strokes to saw right through the pvc pipe.  Brother Dave’s drywall saw is the same concept.

  95. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    #94 El Gordo, yup, I keep a hacksaw blade, with a duck taped handle, in my tool box, comes in handy in a tight place.

  96. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Ninety Six!….Teeing her up,…..

  97. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    I have one of these for such situations.

  98. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat
    MICHAEL FRIEDSON at themedialine.org
    08/25/2019

    Following months of monitoring plans for a major terrorist drone attack against Israel by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Israeli jets flew into airspace above Damascus on Thursday and prevented Tehran’s explosive-laden drones from flying into Israel. The army reported that the Iranians arranged a second attempt at the same attack on Saturday. In both cases, Israel Air Force jet fighters neutralized the threat. A spokesman for the Israeli military said the plan was from “top down,” with the notorious Quds Force – the Revolutionary Guard’s elite strike force — behind it, organizing armed terrorist groups. On Saturday night, the Iranian proxy, Lebanon-based Hizbullah, said they had retrieved two Israeli drones that crashed in the Beirut area. Contrary to its normal refusal to comment on cross-border missions, Israeli authorities from the prime minister on down wanted it made clear that the Jewish state will go anywhere it needs to in order to prevent strikes against its people, with Netanyahu declaring that, “Iran has no immunity anywhere.” Within the past few days, Israeli jets have also flown missions against Iranian assets in Syria and Iraq.

  99. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Here you go.  Just waiting for someone to claim the prize.

  100. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    97 Hammie
    I’ve never owned one of those, but I think about all those years (before they were invented) that Texpat and I were doing construction/remodeling and sure could’ve used one.
    A sawzall is just too massive in certain situations.

    One of my favorite all-time purchases was this Milwaukee kit. The mini-Hackzall is really handy in tight spaces:

    https://tinyurl.com/y5emsezx

  101. phil Avatar
    phil

    Dang Joe Walsh is running for president in 2020.

     

    Oh wait…

     

     

  102. phil Avatar
    phil

    15 million dollar Hampton’s mansion Birthers revisited.

  103. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    #97 #100, I like both of those, the mini-Sawzall would be real handy.

  104. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    Harpers – 0

    Toilet – 0

  105. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    This toilet battle is dragging into extra innings.

  106. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    I have found these things to be extremely useful in both the kitchen and garage.

    . . . .It’s a floor cleaner, its a dessert topping . . . .

  107. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I forgot to mention that we got a ¼” of rain overnight. It has rained in some fashion, every day this last week except Thursday. Yesterday it rained a trace about 1 PM, just enough to get the clothes on the line wet a little. About 8 PM, it started thundering and lightening, to our southwest and I told my Wife, “well Enterprise is getting some rain.” It probably will peter out before it gets to us. She got her fancy phone and looked at the radar and there was one red blob, just to the west of the town. It came through here after midnight, but didn’t rain much, bright and sunny now.

  108. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Getting a real nice rain here, in Glorious Copperfield.

  109. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Looking like rain here but nothing yet.

  110. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    100
    BTW – I bought it in a hurry at Moore Supply/Brenham for $100 back in 2013.

  111. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Raining now. Hard.

  112. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    106 Bones
    Great for the necks of misbehaving children, too.

  113. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    110
    I guess Moore Supply let a Milwaukee jobber put a wall display near the parts desk. It was all top end Milwaukee power and Moore didn’t try to get rich off their customers. Always fairly priced.

    On everything.

    Good folks.

  114. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #112 Shannon: Yes, great for that too; works like a come-a-long.

  115. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Y’all need to just back off on the time requirements to repair a toilet (or anything else for that matter).  I know from personal experience that projects like this can take inordinate amounts of time for planning, strategizing, revising plans, measuring, calculating calories required to complete the task, and any number of other time consuming activities before the actual on site work can begin.  These things just take time – and then there are the climatic conditions to consider, even though it’s indoors, longer shadows being cast by the sun, etc.  Somehow, after the passage of the proper amount of time, all the stars will suddenly align, the You Tube video will be watched, the job will get started, and ten minutes later, it’s done.  Without all that planning, there’s no telling how long it might take.  Take it from me, I know about these things.

  116. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    115 ELGordo

    The problem is is that she keeps him locked upstairs and he needs the toilet. He might escape if she lets him use hers, downstairs.

  117. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Did I tell you how long it took Mr & Mrs Harper to get a big new venetian blind up, after the 20-y.o. old came apart one night? Approx. 2 months. Well, maybe just 6 weeks. Most of that was waiting for mail order blind to arrive. And then the replacement blind to arrive.

    Well, Hubs is having debilitating backache, so I went to HomeDepot and got both the tiny hacksaw and a similar small wallboard saw. Have tried the hacksaw, and there is enough room for me to operate it, but I can’t be sure which surface the blade is pressing against. I want it in the little gap created below the tank by the miniscule amount of unscrewing we managed to do yesterday. If that’s where the blade is, I am sawing against the pipe, above where the ringnut is stuck. It is good to see particulates showing up.

  118. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    “There is a little dance that goes on nearly every day on Twitter. It usually starts with a pro-Trump conservative attacking a Never Trump conservative by suggesting their anti-Trump program is pointless and can only serve to help a Democratic Party lurching to the left. Next, the Never Trumper typically responds that if they are so irrelevant, why are pro-Trump conservatives so obsessed with them?

    “A fundamental misunderstanding is at work here. Nobody really thinks Never Trumpers are irrelevant. In fact, they and their views are all over the place. The Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and many other prominent left-leaning media outlets ensure that Never Trump pundits maintain relevance by plastering them all over our nation’s news commentary.

    “So, yes, Never Trumpers certainly have relevance, but there is something arguably much more important that they do not have: a constituency.

    https://thefederalist.com/2019/08/23/the-empty-relevance-of-never-trump/

  119. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    100 Shannon

    I finally bought an orbital tool kit after using my friend’s several times.  A really, excellent versatile tool.

    Years ago, I bought a Milwaukee multi-tool deal that included a mini-reciprocating saw.  I thought I’d never use it, but now I’m on my third one after wearing out 2 of them.  I even use it with the pruning blade to do light trimming in the yard.

  120. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    I went to a house warming party past night and discovered my friends, the new owners, strongly believe their house is still inhabited by the spirit of the original owner who died of cancer about three years ago. The hostess regaled us with examples of unexplained phenomena. The predominant manifestation revolves around the smell of baked goods and aromas of dinners that involve ingredients the new owner never uses. The new owner is not a baker and apparently she never cooks fish in the house though she loves fish. She always goes out to a restaurant to eat fish. My friends believe the old lady is preparing various dishes for the frequent dinner parties she used to host. The original couple were childless and thus had ample opportunity to host parties on a regular basis.

    Buddhist will typically leave food and drink out for their departed loved ones. Though my friend is not Buddhist she is doing the same thing. I accidentally partook of some of the food left out for the departed Mrs. Marsha Lee Roe West. That freaked my wife out. Though my wife is Orthodox Christian now, she grew up Buddhist and they are very superstitious. Of course Orthodox believe in the afterlife and the possibility of deceased ones interacting with the living. We interact with them via prayers for them.

    In any case, I truly hope Mrs. West stays put in Pecan Grove and doesn’t fancy Sugar Land.

  121. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    So you can’t eat what’s left out for the departed, but can you eat what they cook? Sounds delicious!

  122. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    It seems that the little French prig forgot to mention that he invited the slimey Iranian Foreign Minister to the party.

  123. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Well the new back porch got finished a couple days ago, at least the part contracted out. I need to  wire and put up a ceiling fan, flood lights and an outlet, plus do some dirt fill work then put up skirting. We are undecided on whether to screen it in at some point. This is Buddy the Dog’s new house so yesterday I put up a temporary gate, though temporary, I can’t be happy throwing something up there so OCD kicks in and it actually could be permanent. Anyway got Buddy’s doghouse moved out here, he seems to like it- he has had no escape from the afternoon sun other than his doghouse so he should be. I was in charge of construction clean up, so just got done with that. I love my tractor! Oh – took a trailer load of lumber not used for credit at Home Depot. Contractor doesn’t plan out too good, there was quite a bit.

    So now, how about a Shiner?

  124. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    So now, how about a Shiner?

    Or three! 😀

  125. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    The sounds really good. Wish I had one.

    Be right over.

  126. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I have mentioned that I spent all last week working to clear a trail from the Kudzu Patch down to Bear Creek, at the southwest corner of our property. The South 45, as it were. I worked 6 days and made 510′, a little less than halfway. In fairness, I spent almost 2 days on the first 60′ since it was a jungle and then used the Kubota to level out some of it. I should have waited on the tractor work. My wife was real busy on other things the first 3 days but helped a lot on the last 3, she is a lot of help and can work as hard as I, and enjoys it as much as I do. I had to take out a lot of trees and some were pretty big. I had a 50′ pine, with a 14″ diameter trunk, right in the middle of the trail that was easy enough to take down, but when I sawed off the trunk, at the ground, it was almost as wide as the saw blade was long. I purchased a new saw chain, late on Friday and the first thing Saturday morning, I whacked it off in about 35 seconds flat! I do LOVE my Stihl, Farm Boss that my daughter and Son-in-Law, got me for my retirement.
    Ole Dave, lopping some limbs off a Sweetgum. You may not be able to tell, but the left front wheel of the Mule is 6″ off the ground.
    The old Red Mule that I now claim and the new 4X4 that belongs to my wife. The trail is off to the right of the picture, left rear of the Camo-Mule.

    @ the 400′ mark, looking east, where we came in. The 2 small tree stumps at the bend of the trail were taken out the next day, after I got the new chain.

  127. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Super Dave
    When you get all of those RV hookups installed, we’ll all show up over there and make you feed us.

  128. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Well, the rain finally started, just after I got my itty bitty grill fired up. I just pulled it under the small back porch and will be grilling some nice, thick, Rib-Eyes, shortly.

  129. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Shannon, we have room,… so would you prefer, squirrel, grits N gravy or Possum N Sweet Taters? Wait, I just remembered that the Bluegill and small Bass are tearing it up in the pond,…maybe a fish fry? You catch em, I fry em. 😉

  130. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    #126 Super Dave says:

    August 25, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    WHUT?
    Shannon’s comment seemed to be directed to my comment?!?! Oh well, steaks are sizzling.

  131. gtotracker Avatar
    gtotracker

    Or just reach a hacksaw blade in at an angle and cut though one side of the nut. Then pull that off.

  132. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Errbody should know what gets you in the bucket by now, after 10+ years 😉

    There’s a small number of words and three links or more. That’s pretty much it.

  133. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    and three links or more

    CRAP, that’s what it was, shoulda’ left off one. 😉

  134. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Keep that popcorn coming.

    Burrows Speaks, And Lies

    https://texasscorecard.com/blog/burrows-speaks-and-lies/

  135. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #131

    I’d love to reach in at any angle but there are no options other than the angle where I am able to get the new blade to fit into that small slot. Tilt the blade up to cut on the ringnut and I have no blade in play before the clamp on the end of the blade hits the bottom of the tank. Plus the wall is 8″ left of the side of the tank. This is all fairly low to the floor, so I sit on a hassock to get my right arm down to the level of the work. Have tried a small mirror and a flashlight to try to see up and under the tank, but it doesn’t help at all. Just working by feel is better.

    I have a free day tomorrow, so I hope to saw away and finally get that pipe cut through so the bottom of it will fall to the floor and the rest of it can be lifted out from above.

  136. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Saw something where one of the liberal media clowns is claiming that Trump wants to start nuking hurricanes – which of course I don’t believe for a second.  but, that set me to wondering why hurricanes are always getting such a bad rap.  First of all, they are the reason that global warming will never happen – they take tremendous amounts of heat from the ocean waters and transfer it up to about 60,000 feet where the temperature is 70 below zero.  When they arrive on shore, if they do, they dump huge amounts of fresh water to restore the aquifers, lakes, ponds, and refresh rivers and streams that have been becoming overgrown and slow moving, and provide fresh water for all the fauna and flora in their path.  I know of no other force of nature that can accomplish so much.  Now the fact that for some reason people like to live in hurricane prone areas seems to be a reflection of their mental stability rather than some evil forces of nature.  So, if you fear global warming, you should rejoice and praise hurricanes; and if you are ambivalent,  you might at least wish to consider how important hurricanes are to keeping our planet alive and teeming with life.

  137. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    #135 – I’m reverting back to the Dremel tool with a cutting disk. You can cut that nut straight up and down rather than sideways and it will break off.  PVC is not that hard to cut, and if the nut get a cut on one side of the thread it will release and fall off. And if you slip, the tool will not damage the porcelain. I had to cut a sink drain attachment that was one of those chrome things once, and the Dremel did just what I’m talking about  – and it’s harder than PVC.  Anyway, just keep on chugging and you’ll get ‘er done.

  138. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Audra Mae Unclouded Day

  139. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Jesus gave me water

  140. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    You know what ticks me off? That i wonder if some punk ass kid licked my carton of Blue Bell Neapolitan ice cream.

  141. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #137

    EG, the kink in that plan is I did not find my dremel, I only found the kit box with all the attachments. It’s been maybe 5 years since I last used it, so it could be anywhere right now. I looked for it early after you first mentioned it, knowing it would need to be charged up before I could use it.

  142. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Well, as I said before, nothing’s easy any more.

  143. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    If Dems were honest – http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=8434&cpage=1#comment-2270237

  144. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    135 mh42

    We’ve reached peak commode here and it’s time to face the reckoning.  Get a very long chain and wrap it around the toilet, drop the chain out of the second floor window, hook it to rear of your pickup you backed up by the side of the house, shift into low gear and then ease out towards the street until you hear all the loud noises stop. If you look in your rear view mirror and see that toilet on the ground, your worries are over.

  145. gtotracker Avatar
    gtotracker

    Of all sites to have plumbing enforcement by committee. What  say yea if said commode is still vertical in the AM?

  146. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #144

    Oh Texpat, there’s a kink in your plan too.  I sold my old Toyota Hilux about 4 years ago. 🙂

    Sorry to be such a drag. I won’t talk about it tomorrow.

     

  147. fat albert Avatar
    fat albert

    MH:

     

    I’d try dynamite. Better use 2 sticks – just to be sure!

  148. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    tap tap tap anyone home?

  149. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Nope, they’re still sawing gourds.
    Mornin’ Katfish,…Gang

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.