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Wednesday’s Forum

Steven L. Taylor
22

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22 responses to “Wednesday’s Forum”

  1. Mu Yixiao Avatar
    Mu Yixiao

    Ann Widdecombe killed in “targeted attack”

    “It is clear that this was a targeted attack,” Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing told reporters. “We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”

    Police did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that she had sustained “serious injuries.” Taylor called it a “brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her own home.”

    1. Kurtz Avatar
      Kurtz

      I have an idea of how you will answer, but maybe I am wrong. What is your intention in posting this link?

      1. Mu Yixiao Avatar
        Mu Yixiao

        A prominent (retired) British politician was killed in a manner that is being described as a premeditated and targeted act. I thought it worth noting.

        1. CSK Avatar
          CSK

          A self-described terrorist in his twenties has threatened to shoot Nigel Farage in the head. He was arrested and then released on bail.

        2. Kurtz Avatar
          Kurtz

          I wasn’t sure if you had something else in mind.

  2. drj Avatar
    drj

    As Coney Barrett and Kagan testified before Congress, they managed to provide even more support for the contention that SCOTUS is out of control.

    Coney Barrett was predictable in her utter disdain for the people who are impacted by the court’s rulings, but Kagan didn’t exactly cover herself in glory either.

    Personal highlight: Coney Barrett on the shadow docket:

    Barrett contended that the Court could not explain its “unreasoned orders” because doing so would disclose details about “internal negotiations.”

    In other words, the Court’s desire for secrecy is more important than the people who are affected by their orders understanding the why of these.

    How on earth is this even remotely democratic?

    And that is leaving aside the fact that “internal negotiations” quite shamelessly put the lie to the notion of just calling balls and strikes.

    These Justices are basically unelected politicians with fancy robes. It would be good if they had the decency to acknowledge this.

    This, however, made me LOL:

    Barrett described the personal toll that threats have taken on her and her family, such as having to explain what a bulletproof vest was to one of her young children

    said the judge who almost certainly voted against every gun control measure that came before her. “It’s only a problem when it affects meeee.”

    Christ, what an asshole.

    5
    1. Kathy Avatar
      Kathy

      Why don’t they ask Crowe and Leo to foot their security bill?

      1
  3. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    The jokes write themselves.

    Report: Explosive diarrhea outbreak sweeping Texas now tied to Taco Bell

  4. drj Avatar
    drj

    A heart-felt cry from the heartland:

    Trump Derangement Syndrome is getting in the way of my love life

    Ladies, take some pity on the self-declared “MAGA-light.” After all, it’s not them, it’s you.

  5. Mu Yixiao Avatar
    Mu Yixiao

    @CSK

    They just let him go??

    I’m no fan of Farage, but if it’s a credible threat, it’s bonkers to let the person out of custody.

    1. CSK Avatar
      CSK

      Yeah, I don’t get it, either. He’s described as a British Asian man, and apparently he’s made numerous threats against Farage.

      ETA: Or maybe not. The reports are a little vague on the number of threats. But the guy definitely did threaten at least once to shoot Farage in the nead.

  6. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    This is so incredibly strange.

    Pete Hegseth says soldiers over age 30 to be screened for testosterone deficiency

    US defense secretary unveils plan that will work to ensure service members have the ‘right testosterone levels’

    First of all, this appears to misunderstand the role of testosterone, and–importantly–every body is different.
    Second, it feels like a way to get rid of women and gays in the military.
    Third, used the way he’s suggesting, this is gender affirming care.

    3
    1. gVOR10 Avatar
      gVOR10

      I’m flashing back to Little John in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood movie.

      Let’s face it. You’ve gotta be a man to wear tights!

      Elsewhere Phillips O’Brien in his substack is talking about the Revolution in Military Affairs wrought by drones, accurate long range fire, and sensors. None of which requires particularly manly men, or really, men at all, to operate.

      3
    2. Scott Avatar
      Scott

      It is as though Hegseth has a cartoon concept of what the sailor, soldier, airman, marine actually does in the military. Testosterone yes, vaccines no? Which contributes most to readiness? You all get one guess. Glad I retired a long time ago.

      1
      1. Steven L. Taylor Avatar
        Steven L. Taylor

        a cartoon concept of what the sailor

        Next up: all sailors must carry an emergency can of spinach in their shirt for whenever they have all they can stand, and they can’t stands no more.

        4
    3. Kathy Avatar
      Kathy

      Side effects of excessive testosterone intake include shrunken testicles, enlarged breasts, higher risk of testicular cancer, infertility, hair loss, and acne.

      1
    4. Mu Yixiao Avatar
      Mu Yixiao

      The more that Hegseth sets out these orders, the more I’m convinced he’s looking to turn the US armed forces in to Chip ‘n Dale’s dancers.

      He wants his boys white, baby-faced, and buff.

      This isn’t an outline for combat readiness, it’s a list of preferences on a Grindr profile.

      2
  7. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    In his substack today, Paul Krugman warns El Taco is setting up to steal or suspend the midterm elections.

    I wish I could say his concern is misplaced, but I’ve been expecting just that since November 2024.

    1
  8. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Review of Nolan’s The Odyssey.

    Sounds good. But at a reported 3 hour running time, I’ll wait until it gets to streaming.

    I do want to note one thing from the review: Odysseus tells Penelope before departing for Troy “..that the notional cause for the imminent war with Troy .. is a pretext. It is a banal commercial contest for trading routes.”

    This agrees with the account of Jeff Wright in his podcast “Trojan War: The Podcast”

    I wonder if Nolan’s movie delves on the irony that Odysseus was most reluctant to take part in the war, most desirous to get the hell out of it, took the longest to return home, and it was all his doing.

    1. dazedandconfused Avatar
      dazedandconfused

      Steve Winwood, I think, read the book.

  9. Mu Yixiao Avatar
    Mu Yixiao

    @Kurtz

    I wasn’t sure if you had something else in mind.

    I’m quite curious what “nefarious purpose” your mind went to when I posted that link–and why you thought it.

    A notable politician (on whatever part of the political spectrum) was “brutally murdered” in a “targeted attack”. That caught my attention in the AP news feed. Prior to reading the AP story, I honestly had no clue about her political leanings. I just knew that she was a prominent politician and the frequent butt of British comedians’ jokes.

    This is a forum that concerns itself with events–important and minute–that deal with politics–domestic and foreign. If it came across a reputable feed, I would post a link to a similar story about any politician being “brutally killed in a targeted attack” regardless of political party, place on the political spectrum, or country.

    1. Kurtz Avatar
      Kurtz

      The news is a couple days old, so I wondered if you had a specific reason for sharing it. The reason need not be nefarious.

      I’m not out to get you.

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