So, you haven't been invited to his backyard shindig?

Count yourself among the left out!

Don is really one of the good guys.

Funny how so much ink is being spilled over someone y'all don't take seriously. Heh.

Sure, I know that he is running what can barely be referred to as a “poorly runner scam”, but I am sure that some people might read his rhetoric and unwittingly buy into what he is claiming out of ignorance. As someone who has experience running a non-profit that survived only by the generosity of the communities I worked in, I have a huge problem with scammers who take advantage of the kindness of others. I just like to make sure anyone new to this site is warned about drinking his Koolaid!

And to be honest, while much of OneDemands’ set up wreaks of being a cash scam (read: his website!!!), Don does not exhibit any of the sociopathic characteristics you’d usually expect from someone running a scam. He is not a charmer. He doesn’t press for money at all. OneDemand is just an idea that sounded good on the surface, but that you realize as soon as you start to go deeper was never fully thought out. So either he truly did not mean for OneDemand to be a scam; or if he did mean for it to be a scam, he is the worst con man to ever grift!

That reminds me of a politics related item on my bucket list:

I've watched Reaganism® trash the American Dream for 40 effing years now. So, I want to go to Reagan's grave and pee on it. I'll probably face arrest unless I'm very clever at it, but that's what I want to do.

Okay, I'm talking "spitting" on someone's political grave... not their actual grave. I wish Donald Trump a long life and lots of time either in prison or under house arrest for his crimes against the United States.

As for that Reagan thing, it won't do you any good since he's buried in a large mahogany casket that is encased by a heavy bronze-lined vault placed 7-feet deep in an underground crypt paved over by solid concrete.

For the primary this year, there was one polling place in this county of 750,000+.

I heard about that mess in KY, but y'all do get to vote by mail no questions asked. I want to do that, dang it.

I also heard that there were 13+ percent of Republicans who voted "uncommitted" rather than vote for Trump. Ouch. Trump keeps saying he's popular in the GOP, but the polls that matter keep saying otherwise.

FYI that "ass" was the auto correct version of "as."

And, from afar, I think You're splendid! Keep, er, kicking ass (I couldn't resist ;P

John From Censornati

I'll spit on it and maybe bring a shovel. Deal?

That reminds me of a politics related item on my bucket list:

I've watched Reaganism® trash the American Dream for 40 effing years now. So, I want to go to Reagan's grave and pee on it. I'll probably face arrest unless I'm very clever at it, but that's what I want to do.

We will vote.

They make it hard to vote in Texas, and we're still going to vote. Nothing will stop us. If I have to wear a giant rubber... suit and N95 mask, I'm voting. :)

We're gonna dance on his grave.

I'll spit on it and maybe bring a shovel. Deal?

I got the idea from [175].

175? Uh oh.

Funny how so much ink is being spilled over someone y'all don't take seriously. Heh.

You can take aspects of a person's demeanor and actions seriously without taking their entire message seriously.

Seriously.

I hypothesize that "ya'all" have been encouraged by (the admittedly transient) success of last week's ghostbusting.

Here's a look at How the Pandemic Defeated America, from The Atlantic.

Wow. That article is a great summary of "how we got here." Sad with so many things preventable.

When Ebola came to America, we had a competent POTUS and competent leaders of the City of Dallas who listened to the doctors/scientists and took the actions they were given. The doctor heading the response and giving our marching orders? Dr. Anthony Fauci. There was massive contract tracing, massive amounts of quarantining, and it was a crazy time in North Texas. We got our marching orders and followed them to the letter. Can you imagine if we had refused because some con artist politician downplayed the problem and insisted it was a right-wing hoax?

So to recap: This pandemic didn't have to be this way; Ebola landing in North Texas and the government and citizens' response is the proof. It wasn't going to magically disappear one day, and SARS-CoV-2 isn't either.

An exit strategy was needed.
Provocation escalated until an excuse was provided.
Rest assured that the poltergeist always returns.
Enough with the Beetlejuice chants!

I'm guessing you've got some choice tunes already lined up

Just one, but I believe that ya'all will be impressed with how unusually appropriate it is.

Thanks for posting that Atlantic article! I'm just a bit through it but can tell it's a must read. More to say about it throughout the week - it's an important piece.

The good news for countries like the US is that it is not too late to turn the response around and get the virus under control ...

Says who? Why does someone become beholden to a gift of $300 when they weren’t when they got a gift of $200?

They don't!

I love that you proudly admit that you are unable to accept a gift without feeling like you have to do something in return as if that is something to be proud of! Really???

This! Russ is absolutely correct; this is ridiculous.

That’s like bragging about castrating yourself because you couldn’t walk past a tree with a knothole without sticking your dick in it.

Okay, I'm a visual person, and that's a picture that's going to linger. Just FYI, I pictured Don's as small because... you know... small mind, small...

The fact that you cannot resist the urge to do what you shouldn’t does not make you sound trustworthy. Why would I vote for a candidate who only takes small donations because they cannot be trusted not to prostitute their office if they accept larger donations? That is what you are selling, BTW.

Hey, that is a very good point, Russ. It's like a political candidate taking ownership that he can't be trusted! Boom. Hammer time. Let's say I give $500 to a cause I believe is worthy, and that person sends it back saying they won't accept more than $200, and I know full well that the extra $300 would go a long way to helping cover amounts that others aren't able to send for whatever reason. What do I think about that person? It's not good things, I will say. :)

Or did he get a yellow or red card? Don is simply boring and I thought other troll should have gotten the card instead. Whaddup, CW?

Which is in keeping with my expectations for someone whose website has been undergoing the longest update in history assuming of course he manages to keep it up and running.

If I was trying to start a movement I certainly would be doing some leg work to get some buzz external to my myopic need to have someone else write about it.

I would probably also analyze if my messaging was effective if my moveon.org petition only managed to net 16 signatures...Just saying.

Kick has a good side?

I have multiple good sides. For instance, one of my good sides contributes to multiple worthy causes and political candidates and things I believe in. After about a week of reading your repetitive comments on this blog, I vowed right then and there that I would never again contribute less than $201 to a politician or a worthy cause ever again... and I haven't.

Recently, I reached into my pocket and volunteered to pay for lunch for a group of hard-working volunteers. I do that a lot because I believe people that work hard deserve to be kept happy. I asked them how much they thought would cover it, and I kid you not, they said $200 ought to cover it. I made them take $220. I got my principles, you know. :)

As a member of Grave Dancers Union Local 420, I would like to propose that we all get some practice. How about we all choose some songs for The Donald for next Sunday? We can't let the Lincoln Project have all the fun.

Done!

Kick, that's as thorough a summary of OD's problems ass I've yet to see.

I claim ownership to being an "ass," but in my defense, I'm not a big fan of trolling trolls who troll. I am not calling anyone a name, just explaining what behavior turns me into a veritable "ass."

The only thing I would have added to her comment is the question that you've yet to answer, namely, what about the ocean of PAC money out there? Corporate money, "dark" money and (possibly/likely in Trump's case?)

Excellent point. Perhaps Don's plan is exactly like the Trumpian coronavirus plan in that, quote: "One day, it's like a miracle, it will disappear." At least we'd then have an answer even if it was mindless and nonsensical.

Don you've failed to address these points. That's too bad because I think most of your fellow Weigantians want big money out of politics. If you cannot up your game to persuade this Libtard** audience, how are you going to make any headway with the rest of the electorate?

I can answer this one for him: He isn't.

**Libtard? I have a couple of Trumpanzie buddies and I tell them that I'm a "Loud and Proud Libtard."

(2) I'm grown up enough that I know that no one can make me feel bad about myself except ME (OK, maybe Kick, if I ever get on her bad side.)

Okay, two things:

* It's intelligent to own the name, particularly when it's supposed to be an insult and you can own it while owning your opponent. Best example I have of this phenomenon is the GOP referring to the Affordable Care Act as "Obamacare," which was designed to insult him and the plan. So Barack Obama says (paraphrasing): I'm proud of that because Obama does care. Argument over... hoisted by their own petard.

* I have multiple sides, and none of them are "bad" per se. Naughty? Guilty as charged. Bad? Well... define "bad." ;)

How did it come to this? A virus a thousand times smaller than a dust mote has humbled and humiliated the planet’s most powerful nation. America has failed to protect its people, leaving them with illness and financial ruin. It has lost its status as a global leader. It has careened between inaction and ineptitude. The breadth and magnitude of its errors are difficult, in the moment, to truly fathom.

Now is your chance to not disappear but instead address Kick's 170 and my 180. If you don't we know not to take you seriously

Yes I have answered all of that. Many times.

No, you haven't; you never have.

That is why it is childish trolling. Kick (and you) are claiming I never did things I have done and are just using reset comments and demands for proof already provided or ridiculous to expect because you have no rational adult argument.

I made a rational argument. I say a candidate can earn my vote by hitting their knees and saying 25 Hail Mary's a day. If you think that's irrational, then your on the right track to understanding exactly how you sound on a repetitive basis on a permanent loop that's gone on for 5 years. You should know that it gets worse with age, and I should think you'd understand by now that your wish isn't anyone's command.

I should’ve looked further down to your response to DH before bothering to write my reply! You dropped the mic with that one! BOOM! Thanks for the assist! So glad that you know what point I am trying to make and can word it in even clearer terms.

Don’s “You’re trolling me!” reply is the new “I have already answered that,” fan favorite of his that is just as false, but at least gives him a little variety.

"Why not?"
Because the candidate would be beholden to the contributor.

Says who? Why does someone become beholden to a gift of $300 when they weren’t when they got a gift of $200?

I love that you proudly admit that you are unable to accept a gift without feeling like you have to do something in return as if that is something to be proud of! Really???
That’s like bragging about castrating yourself because you couldn’t walk past a tree with a knothole without sticking your dick in it. The fact that you cannot resist the urge to do what you shouldn’t does not make you sound trustworthy. Why would I vote for a candidate who only takes small donations because they cannot be trusted not to prostitute their office is they accept larger donations? That is what you are selling, BTW.

Plus, you debunked your own argument a few sentences down when you say:

The only time that a big money candidate even thinks about going against the big money interests that finance their campaigns is when they think it might cost them too many votes.

A politician won’t vote to pass legislation that they know will cost them votes in the next election. Isn’t that how we expect it to work with politicians — they vote the way their constituents want or they lose their support????

Proofread.

Better.

178 reposted for clarity:

[170]

Kick, that's as thorough a summary of OD's problems ass I've yet to see.

[172]

Don Harris wrote:

Kick(171)-

I know who the "tard" is when I talk to Republicans.

Kick, that's as thorough a summary of OD's problems ass I've yet to see.

[172]

Don Harris wrote:

Kick(171)-

Childish trolling.

If you choose to make an adult argument worthy of a response I may choose to respond.

No, Don that was NOT childish trolling. Kick just blew away your Messianic One Demand. The only thing I would have added to her comment is the question that you've yet to answer, namely, what about the ocean of PAC money out there? Corporate money, "dark" money and (possibly/likely in Trump's case?)

Don you've failed to address these points. That's too bad because I think most of your fellow Weigantians want big money out of politics. If you cannot up your game to persuade this Libtard** audience, how are you going to make any headway with the rest of the electorate?

**Libtard? I have a couple of Trumpanzie buddies and I tell them that I'm a "Loud and Proud Libtard."

I do this because while it may seem self-depreciating,

(1) It gets them to laugh and thence their defenses lower enough to have a political discussion that doesn't end up in fisticuffs.

(2) I'm grown up enough that I know that no one can make me feel bad about myself except ME (OK, maybe Kick, if I ever get on her bad side.)

(3) I'm not the genius who's been voting against my own wallet (and environment and religious freedom -- as in freedom from other people's religious beliefs -- e.g. abortion) since effing Saint Ronnie.

I know who the "tard" is when I talk to Republicans.

Death defying, mutilated armies gather near.
Crawling out of dirty holes, their morals, their morals disappear.

Yes, indeed!

No, literally.

NY prosecutors say Trump investigation extends beyond hush money payments

Manhattan prosecutors on Monday asked a federal judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's lawsuit challenging a subpoena for his financial records, arguing that the claims have already been rejected by other courts, while emphasizing that their investigation extends beyond hush-money payments.

Last week, lawyers for Trump filed an amended complaint seeking to block the state grand jury subpoena to Trump's long-time accountant Mazars USA for eight years of personal and business records by arguing the subpoena was "wildly overbroad" and issued in bad faith.

Trump's latest legal challenge comes after the US Supreme Court ruled last month that the President does not have broad immunity from a state grand jury subpoena.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/03/politics/trump-new-york-vance-investigation/index.html

Winning!

Even with the two dissents, the SCOTUS was in unanimous agreement 9-0 regarding the issue that Trump must comply with the criminal process; however, the high court reiterated the president is entitled to pursue procedural challenges that are afforded to any citizen of the United States (not a surprise, he always could). For the average citizen, issues are generally worked out in good faith through Courts. For an operator like Trump who uses the legal process as their own personal tool in order to obfuscate and delay justice -- the tactics of Roy Cohn -- that could mean additional delay of months or even years in the criminal investigation by the Manhattan prosecutors into whether Trump has committed criminal tax fraud. As per Trump's standard modus operandi, his legal team will use whatever means necessary that is at their their disposal to tie the issue up in the Courts for years... indeed, as they've already been doing, using the office of the presidency as a means to tie it up even further knowing full well that the SCOTUS has never in its history made a ruling that placed a president above the law in either civil or criminal issues. The SCOTUS wouldn't even entertain such a request from Joe Average Citizen so Trump is yet again using the office of the presidency as a shield to avoid personal responsibility, and he'll continue to do so as long as he's in office.

The prosecutors in New York already have Donald Trump's federal tax return information since the IRS and the states already share information freely back and forth. What they've been trying to obtain (and Trump is trying to delay) are Trump Organization business records, accounting records at Mazars and the financial records from Deutsche Bank back to 2011. Once eventually acquired (after intended delays via Court, of course), if those business documents do not support the tax returns as filed, you have criminal tax fraud. This ain't rocket science. It's simple math.

Donald Trump has already faced two tax fraud cases in civil court regarding his 1984 tax return. He lost both of those civil tax fraud trials. He had no evidence for massive tax deductions he had taken in 1984. Trump had just fabricated a claim with no documentation for massive deductions.

This case at issue before the Court now is criminal tax fraud involving a Grand Jury, and based on reporting in The New York Times where they obtained the tax records of the Trumps in regards to the issue of Fred Trump's estate (wherein his neice provided the tax returns), who knows what lies ahead for the Trump money laundering tax evading criminal cabal? Somebody in New York knows, that's who.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Start spreading the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So to recap: Trump is screwed, and he knows it. There's not a dang thing Trump can do to wangle out of this tax case now that SCOTUS has ruled he has to give over his tax records. Trump will eventually either come to an agreement with prosecutors or be indicted for criminal tax fraud. His tax records aren't going to match his tax returns or he would have already supplied them.

If you choose to make an adult argument worthy of a response I may choose to respond.

Did it ever occur to you that your statement above is an apt description for the response you're receiving regarding "your idea" that isn't really your idea? If it hasn't, it should have.

Childish trolling.

You can't address the issues.

If you choose to make an adult argument worthy of a response I may choose to respond.

You just did respond. *laughs*

i wonder if it would make sense to have some watchdog activity specifically targeting and reporting on digital manipulation, be it photos, speeches, or whatever else. digitally altering an opponent's sound, appearance, and even fabricating statements they never made, seems to be a burgeoning field in propaganda.

JL

<i?Once again you change what I said to fit your argument. I did not say no one has ever run a small donor only campaign, I said no big money candidate has ever been a strong and competent leader.

No, he didn't change what you said, and after all these years, you still haven't answered a boatload of questions along the same lines. Your insistence that anyone who would take a donation larger than your mandated $200 amount is an elementary asinine purity test signifying nothing.

A strong and competent leader would not take big money to run their campaign. ~ Don Harris

*
Prove it. Your equating of "big money" with evildoers is tedium ad nauseam and something for which you've yet to provide any proof despite multiple requests to do so. Your standard answer is claiming that someone twisted your words when no one has done that. As so many others have said and Russ is saying again:

And you have still failed to provide any evidence that “strong and competent leaders” only accept up to the amount that you have deemed is acceptable! ~ Russ

You've claim repeatedly that those who would accept more than your mandate aren't worthy, strong, competent, etc. Prove it. I could set my own arbitrary purity test and claim that those candidates who don't say 25 "Hail Mary's" a day aren't "strong and competent" leaders because I said so. I mean, if they're not willing to hit their knees and do the praying, they cannot possibly be worthy to lead. It sounds stupid because it is. Your standard operational statements sound likewise.

One reason the small donor only candidates lost is they did not have an organization behind them. ~ Don Harris

Okay then. Please name the small donor only candidates and prove they didn't have an "organization behind them." I'll wait. The other reason the small donor only candidates lost is because they did not hit their knees and say those 25 Hail Mary's a day. It sounds stupid because it is.

The only time that a big money candidate even thinks about going against the big money interests that finance their campaigns is when they think it might cost them too many votes.

I don't know a candidate that doesn't meet your definition of "big money candidate." Please explain how it is that you believe you know what they all think. It sounds asinine because it is. You have no idea what a "big money candidate" thinks, and I know this because you haven't hit your knees and said the magic 25 Hail Mary's... I just know you're an "evildoer" because I just know.

The basic principle of democracy and One Demand.

The basic principle isn't a principle at all. You have decided who is worthy based on your arbitrary condition. I have decided anyone who doesn't hit their knees and perform the 25 Hail Mary's is doomed to failure, and I know you're not doing them because you're failing.

Stupid is as stupid does... or in this case doesn't do. .. derp, derp. *give me a damn break*

Piped the Tangerine links this AM thru my vintage stereo monitors and was not disappointed. I vaguely remember watching the movie in a actual theater back in the early 80s - which is when I had the monitors built.

The World has gone MP3 - but it just doesn't that good to my ear.

Anybody seen Ex-Machina? I think it's still on NetFlix. Sound track is very TD-esque. One of the better low budget Sci-Fi movies ever made IMHO.

Might as well recommend Tales of the Loop from Amazon Prime. Only 6 episodes, I hope they make more.

Right. So, where do you live and are there any neighbours about?

My musical tastes are, shall we say, rather eclectic... ranging from Jimi Hendrix to all sorts of weird things...

You'll fit in quite nicely around here, then.I believe Jimi Hendrix came up last night. Where were you? :)

Don't be such a stranger.

I b

For anyone who has never experienced it, here's Tangerine Dream's Tangram:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQpAJUZeIAY

Okay, about halfway through... dead silence. Ah, is this the intermission? ;)

Yes, this is musical art... sounds to post by.

My musical tastes are, shall we say, rather eclectic... ranging from Jimi Hendrix to all sorts of weird things...

Weird is good. :)

if you're happy and you know it, bang your head!

OMG! This is too awesome... that drum kit... that little headbanger :)

Here's the most awesome thing they ever did -- from the soundtrack to "Thief," here is "Igneous":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Npi_hw4NHY

Enjoy. Crank it up. It's best on a superb speaker system powered by a monstrous stereo system. If it doesn't make you nervous and downright skittish, it's just not loud enough....

:-)

-CW

Or if you're really impatient, click on 32 minutes in, that's where it really starts to get interesting.

And please remember, they were doing this sort of thing YEARS before anyone else...

:-)

Edgar Froese rocks.

-CW

Times like these, I tend to want to retreat into proto-syntho-pop. This was at least a decade or two before others ventured into this territory (except maybe Mike Oldfield, but that's a whole different subject...).

For anyone who has never experienced it, here's Tangerine Dream's Tangram:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQpAJUZeIAY

I know, I know, I'm swimming against the tide here, but it still soothes me.

My musical tastes are, shall we say, rather eclectic... ranging from Jimi Hendrix to all sorts of weird things...

:-)

The deeper we get into the coronavirus, the more I keep thinking of the Yes lyric:

Death defying, mutilated armies gather near.
Crawling out of dirty holes, their morals, their morals disappear.

You can see why, obviously...

-CW

https://youtu.be/5aPpvTFfOJE

Why, thank you, Ma'am!

Hope everyone had a lot of fun tonight!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whgn_iE5uc

I first heard it while driving around the Hawai'ian Islands - it didn't matter which island, this song kept being played on the radio.

Wrong ocean but, what're gonna do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa0eBa6wifo

Too bad about your SIN but, the west coast is good!

I would but I am not in the vicinity of Torahknow (please forgive my west coast Canadian, my S.I.N. begins with the dreaded 9).

The next time I am in your neck of the woods I might see if you want to try one...

Sounds like a "Sparkling Shamrock"

Could be, it is kind of a regional/seasonal thing. The original inspiration called for lemonade in place of the seltzer water, but since I was on a ruck to get back to fighting trim I opted for the lemon seltzer.
I found that I like the less sweet version and my physique likes the lack of sugar.

Okay... I did promise you a song for a bass player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqGuaAl6Ic

Metallica

I prefer my Soul Asylum unplugged ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J0rvMq7uto

Heh.

However, I might be guilty of a couple of Sapphire w/ Elderflower tonic water and a splash of Saint Germain, Lemon seltzer, and garden fresh cucumber peel, garden fresh chopped mint; Served over crushed ice in a highball.

Sounds like a "Sparkling Shamrock." :)

However, I might be guilty of a couple of Sapphire w/ Elderflower tonic water and a splash of Saint Germain, Lemon seltzer, and garden fresh cucumber peel, garden fresh chopped mint; Served over crushed ice in a highball.

You may go ahead and make mine a double. :)

I thought so, too! :-)

Elizabeth Miller wrote:

MtnCaddy,

I never heard of Mike Gordon but those are some fun lyrics, getting away from it all, leaving it all behind, for a while ...

Mike Gordon is the bassist for Phish.

It's Styx with Gowan but, you can call him Larry ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WHjH4UgVrM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWPo5SC3zik

So totally not... It's been at least 20 or so years. Thats right about when they stopped putting the stuff in the stuff...

However, I might be guilty of a couple of Sapphire w/ Elderflower tonic water and a splash of Saint Germain, Lemon seltzer, and garden fresh cucumber peel, garden fresh chopped mint; Served over crushed ice in a highball.

You weren't actually at that concert in Atlanta, were you!?

I wish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do5rStVLGeQ

Gowan joined Styx in 1999 after a celebrated solo career and, here, it's just like he's always been Styx.

You're always in the mood for stoner tunes! Heh.

Yep! :)

I was wondering if anyone would remember that. Well, the night is still young!

Here's one of my favourites from 1978. Which was such a great year for songs! Then I'll take a listen to yours ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrmFLfnWp4w

Really nice lyrics ...

I never heard of Mike Gordon but those are some fun lyrics, getting away from it all, leaving it all behind, for a while ...

Here was what I was up to...

Maybe Kick could come up with one for you ...

Yes, I could. The song that matches what Russ said:

Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much (Official Music Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDOujdDWXuo

You weren't actually at that concert in Atlanta, were you!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepxVNU24rM

Desperado ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBg5cnoNyAE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd8R18MpFLU

Absolutely, positively, unequivocally!!!