Tweedledee and Tweedledum Go to Quantico

Image:  Facebook

In a highly unusual move and on short notice, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of senior military officers from posts around the world to gather today in Virginia.

The price tag alone makes me blanch.

NBC News reports that what Hegseth told the assembled in Quantico wasn't "a showcase of major changes to the military but a recitation of familiar talking points from him and his boss, President Donald Trump."

These points boiled down to wokeness is weakness, no beards or long hair, and basic-training drill sergeants will again swear the air blue and put their hands on recruits.

Hegseth is the epitome of toxic masculinity, and he's shaping the military in his image. Those famous recruiting posters of old would now feature a pointing Uncle Sam saying, "I Want You To Be a Total Dick."

Following Hegseth's tromp through the culture wars, the admirals and generals had to listen to Trump meander. Talk about tough duty.

Most notably, Trump spoke of "the enemy from within." He said, "Inner cities are a big part of war," and compared Portland to a "war zone."

Trump said he told Hegseth that the U.S. "should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military."

Jesus H. Christ on a raft. The American president said American troops should use other Americans for target practice. 

We're getting ever further away from decency, sense, and precedent. I can only hope those stuck in that room today believe their duty is to defend the Constitution and the American people, not to follow blindly a couple of unstable "leaders" like Trump and Hegseth.

If not, here in Democratic-led Seattle, I could be under siege by Thanksgiving. And that'll do nothing for my digestion.

To Sum Up

 

Invading the City of Roses

Image:  Facebook

Donald Trump said today that he's directing the Defense Department to send U.S. troops to Portland, Ore.

What will they do, scrimmage the Blazers?

It's Jeff Not So

 

Birthday Blues

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

I turned 62 today, but thanks to Donald Trump I feel 162.

I should follow his litigious example and sue him for gross emotional distress.

He's gross, and it makes me emotional.

This Week's Quote

Image by Cécile Lecaux from Pixabay

Trump praised his own record constantly in what at times resembled more of a State of the Union speech than a U.N. speech. He rambled about how the U.S. had become the “hottest country anywhere in the world” — and trashed countries that don’t share his worldview. He trumpeted his extreme right-wing crackdown on immigration as a model for the world and warned that other countries that didn’t do the same were facing extinction: “I’m really good at this stuff; your countries are going to hell.”

Zeeshan Aleem

Source:  MSNBC

Turnabout Is Fair Play

Image:  Facebook

As a Seattle Storm season-ticket holder, I went to a lot of games at Climate Pledge Arena this summer. A young lesbian couple usually sat in front of me. They were a physically affectionate duo, free to be their gay selves in the lesbian-positive WNBA atmosphere.

They must've sold their tickets for a game at the end of the season, because that night a straight couple occupied those seats, also busily caressing and kissing.

A heterosexual display at a WNBA game. I thought DEI was dead.

What Coulda Shoulda Been

 

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

If you see anyone not mourning the death of Robert Redford the way you would like them to please call their employer and get them fired!

Covie

Source:  X

Righteous and Wrong-eous Indignation

Image:  Kevin Payravi at Wikipedia

Author Stephen King caught hell for posting that the late conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk "advocated stoning gays to death." King apologized. I don't understand why. He was right.

Last year, children's You Tuber Ms. Rachel had the audacity to claim that the biblical admonition to "love thy neighbor" should apply to gay people. On a podcast, Kirk reacted by saying "by the way, Ms. Rachel, you might want to crack open that Bible of yours. In a lesser reference, part of the same part of scripture, is in Leviticus 18, is that 'thou shall lay with another man shall be stoned to death.' Just saying."

He concluded that ol' 18 "affirms God's perfect law when it comes to sexual matters."

So Kirk didn't say gay folks should be stoned. He said God did. He passed the buck.

That people like Sen. Ted Cruz reacted to King with indignation and insults baffles me. It certainly sounds like Kirk was all in on the stoning notion.

What a case of splitting hairs. I bet King's next horror novel will be titled "Splitting Hares," and be about a Bugs Bunny impersonator who loses control whenever someone splits an infinitive.

It's What Makes a Subaru, a Subaru

 

Not Remotely Groovy

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

I've long felt that America never got over the turbulence of the 1960s. Now it seems like we're headed right back there.

In that decade, political violence famously took the lives of two Kennedys and a King. Yesterday conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and a few months ago Minnesota Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were both murdered.

If folks are so hot to return to the '60s, may I suggest lava lamps instead?

This Week's Quote

                                                 Image:  Facebook

Whoever that guy was who forged Trump’s name on the Epstein card in 1995 and patiently waited 30 years for a leak was a next-level strategist. It’s almost unbelievable.

Kyle Keegan

Source:  X

Blast From the Past

Image by PDPics from Pixabay

I learned a new word today that has roots in the 1840s. A snollygoster is "a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician."

Such a cool word. What a shame I can't think of anyone to whom it applies in 2025.

He Actually Posted This

 

Tucker and Pete

Image:  Gage Skidmore at Wikipedia

It's news to me that assorted far-right pundits believe Pete Buttigieg isn't gay.

On Tucker Carlson's podcast this week, guest Michael Knowles claimed that in progressive politics some identities are advantageous. "I give you Pete Buttigieg," he said, and Carlson responded, "The fake gay guy?"

Carlson said "my gay producer" always claimed Buttigieg was a fraud, and added that should he interview the former presidential candidate, "I’m gonna ask him very specific questions about gay sex and see if he can even answer. I doubt he even knows. You’re not gay, dude. Stop."

I don't know where to start. Yes I do.

The idea of Carlson asking Buttigieg sexual questions to authenticate his orientation is presumptuous and prurient.

(Though if he asks them too convincingly, gay rumors will start about Carlson, and I'm good with that.)

Nobody has the right to decide another person's orientation. Least of all a former Fox News personality known for bringing fringe conspiracy theories to the masses.

(Though part of me wants to believe in the racist great replacement theory, as long as Carlson would be among the first to be replaced.)

But what's most ludicrous about Carlson and Knowles claiming Buttigieg isn't gay is the reason for his alleged lying: Choosing gayness is a shrewd political move.

Sure. Just as shrewd as picking Sarah Palin for your running mate.

In 2025, being gay is still an impediment to political office, even in liberal areas. For one thing, people might be willing to vote for you, but they worry whether others will.

If he runs for president again, Buttigieg will be defying the odds. I can see him consenting to join Carlson's podcast. If Carlson asks him about what he likes in bed, Buttigieg should say only, "Chasten. And sheets that don't ride up."

This Week's Quote

Image:  Wikipedia

May you put your dentures in upside down and chew your head off.

Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls"

Source:  Southern Living

True For Both Lesbians and Gay Men