(10-15-2026 06:32 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 02:37 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Just scheduled my flu shot

I got to wondering, did talarico have his flu shots. If not, why not?

Why haven’t you had your flu shot yet?

(10-15-2026 10:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  But while you are here, I noticed that nobody responded to my statement that if Talarico won, there would be celebrating in Tehran. Does this mean that you (and the others) agree with me on that?

I think this because Iran's enemy is Trump. The enemy of the Left/DSA/Democrats is Trump. If the principle of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" holds, that puts them all together in the Big Tent (their phrase, not mine).

Of course, if you think Democratic victories in Congress would upset and dismay the IRGC, this is your chance to say so. I don't see it, but I am willing to listen to you if that is what you think.

(10-16-2026 12:06 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 10:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  But while you are here, I noticed that nobody responded to my statement that if Talarico won, there would be celebrating in Tehran. Does this mean that you (and the others) agree with me on that?

I think this because Iran's enemy is Trump. The enemy of the Left/DSA/Democrats is Trump. If the principle of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" holds, that puts them all together in the Big Tent (their phrase, not mine).

Of course, if you think Democratic victories in Congress would upset and dismay the IRGC, this is your chance to say so. I don't see it, but I am willing to listen to you if that is what you think.

Buehler? Buehler?

Anybody, please feel free to express your thoughts on this matter. The floor is open.

Essentially, the choices are:

A. The movers and shakers in Tehran will be happy to see more Democrats* elected to Congress
B. the movers and shakers in Tehran will be unhappy to see more Democrats* elected to Congress.

binary choice. Feel free to explain your choice.

* = includes DSA candidates.

BTW, I choose "A".

Quote: HOLD THE PRESS: NBC holds Abdul El-Sayed’s feet to the fire on his family’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

He CLEARLY panicked and lashed out at the reporter.

NBC: “When people ask you a question, they do expect the truth.”

EL-SAYED (flustered): “Are you insinuating that somehow I was lying?!”

This is so good. Abdul’s panicking and his lies are catching up to him.

A rare act of journalism from NBC News.

{VIDEO}

7:35 PM · Oct 14, 2026

Quote: Steve Guest@SteveGuest

Insane: Charles Blow on CNN NewsNight defends Abdul El-Sayed’s ties to terrorists and terrorism.

{VIDEO}

10:36 PM · Oct 15, 2026

Quote:Pick your fighter, America:

Elon or Ilhan.

{VIDEO}

3:30 PM · Oct 16, 2026

Quote:Republicans dominate the executive and legislative branches of all five of the financially healthiest state governments, while, at the opposite end, Democrats exercise total control of the five states with the biggest debts, as measured by the Truth-in-Accounting (TIA) nonprofit watchdog.

The TIA report — the 17th annual edition of the non-profit’s “Financial State of the States” — compares how much each of the 50 state governments have in terms of assets and liabilities, then computes how much each resident would receive in states with a surplus, and how big a new tax bill each tax-paying resident of deficit-ridden jurisdictions would face. The compilation in this news story of partisan affiliations of the state governments involved was done by The Washington Stand, not TIA.

The healthiest state in the Union is North Dakota, which TIA topped the list despite a decline in revenues from oil and natural gas.

“In 2025, North Dakota’s financial situation improved. It ended the year with $21 billion more than it needed to pay its bills. That means the state had a Taxpayer Surplus™ of $72,300 and earned an ‘A’ grade from Truth in Accounting. North Dakota reported revenues exceeding expenses,” the TIA report said.

At the opposite end of the rankings is New Jersey, with just $56.8 billion to fund $219.1 billion in outstanding debt. Every New Jersey resident would have to pay $45,800 in taxes to eliminate the deficit. The biggest share of the outstanding debt is in unfunded pension and retiree health care benefits. The former debt is more than $79 billion, while the latter exceeds $91 billion.

Just as Republicans control all of the major offices in North Dakota state government, Democrats occupy New Jersey’s three most important executive branch positions, and Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the state’s legislature.

Together, the top five states gained nearly 48,000 new residents, while the bottom five lost almost 350,000, with California the biggest loser at 229,000.

Connecticut is the second least healthy state government, according to the TIA report, with every resident having to pay an additional $41,400 in taxes to restore the Nutmeg State’s financial health. Third is Illinois, with a deficit per resident of $36,900, followed by Massachusetts, where $24,100 would have to be paid by each resident, and California at $16,000.

Democrats control all three top executive branch positions and both state legislative bodies for all five of the least healthy state governments.

New York ranks 36th on the TIA ranking, with each resident having to pay another $6,700, while Great Plains and Southern states dominate the sixth through 20th positions of the healthiest states, including Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho in the central portion of the United States, and North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Georgia in the South....

(10-17-2026 10:46 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 12:06 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  [quote='OptimisticOwl' pid='20807971' dateline='1792122348']

But while you are here, I noticed that nobody responded to my statement that if Talarico won, there would be celebrating in Tehran. Does this mean that you (and the others) agree with me on that?

I think this because Iran's enemy is Trump. The enemy of the Left/DSA/Democrats is Trump. If the principle of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" holds, that puts them all together in the Big Tent (their phrase, not mine).

Of course, if you think Democratic victories in Congress would upset and dismay the IRGC, this is your chance to say so. I don't see it, but I am willing to listen to you if that is what you think.


Buehler? Buehler?

Anybody, please feel free to express your thoughts on this matter. The floor is open.

Essentially, the choices are:

A. The movers and shakers in Tehran will be happy to see more Democrats* elected to Congress
B. the movers and shakers in Tehran will be unhappy to see more Democrats* elected to Congress.

binary choice. Feel free to explain your choice.

* = includes DSA candidates.

BTW, I choose "A".

No takers? What a shocker. I thought the lefties would be falling all over themselves to explain. Guess not.

(10-17-2026 01:04 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hey, you...you concerned about affordability? You concerned about prices? You actually believe the Democrats' blatant Lies that they will somehow 'fix' the problems they substantially originally caused? I got some swampland you need to take a look at for sale...

Republicans Dominate 5 Financially Healthiest State Governments,
Democrats Run the 5 Worst

Quote:Republicans dominate the executive and legislative branches of all five of the financially healthiest state governments, while, at the opposite end, Democrats exercise total control of the five states with the biggest debts, as measured by the Truth-in-Accounting (TIA) nonprofit watchdog.

The TIA report — the 17th annual edition of the non-profit’s “Financial State of the States” — compares how much each of the 50 state governments have in terms of assets and liabilities, then computes how much each resident would receive in states with a surplus, and how big a new tax bill each tax-paying resident of deficit-ridden jurisdictions would face. The compilation in this news story of partisan affiliations of the state governments involved was done by The Washington Stand, not TIA.

The healthiest state in the Union is North Dakota, which TIA topped the list despite a decline in revenues from oil and natural gas.

“In 2025, North Dakota’s financial situation improved. It ended the year with $21 billion more than it needed to pay its bills. That means the state had a Taxpayer Surplus™ of $72,300 and earned an ‘A’ grade from Truth in Accounting. North Dakota reported revenues exceeding expenses,” the TIA report said.

At the opposite end of the rankings is New Jersey, with just $56.8 billion to fund $219.1 billion in outstanding debt. Every New Jersey resident would have to pay $45,800 in taxes to eliminate the deficit. The biggest share of the outstanding debt is in unfunded pension and retiree health care benefits. The former debt is more than $79 billion, while the latter exceeds $91 billion.

Just as Republicans control all of the major offices in North Dakota state government, Democrats occupy New Jersey’s three most important executive branch positions, and Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the state’s legislature.

Together, the top five states gained nearly 48,000 new residents, while the bottom five lost almost 350,000, with California the biggest loser at 229,000.

Connecticut is the second least healthy state government, according to the TIA report, with every resident having to pay an additional $41,400 in taxes to restore the Nutmeg State’s financial health. Third is Illinois, with a deficit per resident of $36,900, followed by Massachusetts, where $24,100 would have to be paid by each resident, and California at $16,000.

Democrats control all three top executive branch positions and both state legislative bodies for all five of the least healthy state governments.

New York ranks 36th on the TIA ranking, with each resident having to pay another $6,700, while Great Plains and Southern states dominate the sixth through 20th positions of the healthiest states, including Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho in the central portion of the United States, and North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Georgia in the South....

If you want affordability, even today, Republicans are still always the better option compared to Democrats. Democrats are factually, demonstrably the loser when it comes to making your life more affordable, and it ain't even close. Democrats appear to only know how to tax and spend your money away on illegal foreigners and big corporations that don't care about you.

(10-15-2026 10:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 06:32 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 02:37 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Just scheduled my flu shot

I got to wondering, did talarico have his flu shots. If not, why not?

Why haven’t you had your flu shot yet?

Primarily, A full slate of medical tests and medical appointments over the past 4-6 weeks. I didn't want a possible mild case of the flu from the shot to affect the meetings with the various doctors, or the results of various test, some of which take most of a day. Did tests today, so, at this point, I have no more commitments until Tuesday, when I meet with my kidney specialist, so a mild case would not affect either the doctor's visit or the test results. I highly doubt I would be out anywhere near 9 days - maybe a day or two at most. Not too bad for an 81 year old with cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and other problems.

Quote:Also, secondarily,
I have seen a study that shows the protection lessens over time, so an early shot means less protection later in flu season. A study by doctors, with degrees from medical schools.

But while you are here, I noticed that nobody responded to my statement that if Talarico won, there would be celebrating in Tehran. Does this mean that you (and the others) agree with me on that?

(10-17-2026 01:04 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hey, you...you concerned about affordability? You concerned about prices? You actually believe the Democrats' blatant Lies that they will somehow 'fix' the problems they substantially originally caused? I got some swampland you need to take a look at for sale...

Republicans Dominate 5 Financially Healthiest State Governments,
Democrats Run the 5 Worst

Quote:Republicans dominate the executive and legislative branches of all five of the financially healthiest state governments, while, at the opposite end, Democrats exercise total control of the five states with the biggest debts, as measured by the Truth-in-Accounting (TIA) nonprofit watchdog.

The TIA report — the 17th annual edition of the non-profit’s “Financial State of the States” — compares how much each of the 50 state governments have in terms of assets and liabilities, then computes how much each resident would receive in states with a surplus, and how big a new tax bill each tax-paying resident of deficit-ridden jurisdictions would face. The compilation in this news story of partisan affiliations of the state governments involved was done by The Washington Stand, not TIA.

The healthiest state in the Union is North Dakota, which TIA topped the list despite a decline in revenues from oil and natural gas.

“In 2025, North Dakota’s financial situation improved. It ended the year with $21 billion more than it needed to pay its bills. That means the state had a Taxpayer Surplus™ of $72,300 and earned an ‘A’ grade from Truth in Accounting. North Dakota reported revenues exceeding expenses,” the TIA report said.

At the opposite end of the rankings is New Jersey, with just $56.8 billion to fund $219.1 billion in outstanding debt. Every New Jersey resident would have to pay $45,800 in taxes to eliminate the deficit. The biggest share of the outstanding debt is in unfunded pension and retiree health care benefits. The former debt is more than $79 billion, while the latter exceeds $91 billion.

Just as Republicans control all of the major offices in North Dakota state government, Democrats occupy New Jersey’s three most important executive branch positions, and Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the state’s legislature.

Together, the top five states gained nearly 48,000 new residents, while the bottom five lost almost 350,000, with California the biggest loser at 229,000.

Connecticut is the second least healthy state government, according to the TIA report, with every resident having to pay an additional $41,400 in taxes to restore the Nutmeg State’s financial health. Third is Illinois, with a deficit per resident of $36,900, followed by Massachusetts, where $24,100 would have to be paid by each resident, and California at $16,000.

Democrats control all three top executive branch positions and both state legislative bodies for all five of the least healthy state governments.

New York ranks 36th on the TIA ranking, with each resident having to pay another $6,700, while Great Plains and Southern states dominate the sixth through 20th positions of the healthiest states, including Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho in the central portion of the United States, and North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Georgia in the South....

If you want affordability, even today, Republicans are still always the better option compared to Democrats. Democrats are factually, demonstrably the loser when it comes to making your life more affordable, and it ain't even close. Democrats appear to only know how to tax and spend your money away on illegal foreigners and big corporations that don't care about you.

Quote:Mountain Man@MountainMan280

So @LATIMES you’re admitting that illegal aliens do vote? Because if someone is a citizen they have zero to fear from ICE

7:48 PM · Oct 17, 2026

(10-18-2026 10:44 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  
Yep, it's mostly Democrats that did it.

(10-19-2026 08:06 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 10:44 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  
Yep, it's mostly Democrats that did it.

Wow... the perception of the current administration must be really horrific if GoodOwl has been reduced to saying that it's "mostly" the Democrats fault at this point. Yikes.

(10-19-2026 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 08:06 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 10:44 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  
Yep, it's mostly Democrats that did it.

Wow... the perception of the current administration must be really horrific if GoodOwl has been reduced to saying that it's "mostly" the Democrats fault at this point. Yikes.

but to the point of the cartoon, the three actions pointed out are primarily Democrat policies, primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats, even more, DSA policies, and they all contribute to high prices.

Maybe take less time to attack GO and more time to think about the meanings of the cartoons. If Go says that water is wet, he is not automatically wrong.


Is there anything in the cartoon you disagree with? If so, what and why?

(10-19-2026 10:11 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 08:06 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 10:44 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  
Yep, it's mostly Democrats that did it.

Wow... the perception of the current administration must be really horrific if GoodOwl has been reduced to saying that it's "mostly" the Democrats fault at this point. Yikes.

but to the point of the cartoon, the three actions pointed out are primarily Democrat policies, primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats, even more, DSA policies, and they all contribute to high prices.

Maybe take less time to attack GO and more time to think about the meanings of the cartoons. If Go says that water is wet, he is not automatically wrong.


Is there anything in the cartoon you disagree with? If so, what and why?

It's kind of you to swoop to the defense of GoodOwl. I know he is too busy to respond on this forum given all the other forums where he has to cut-paste the same recycled right-wing posts.

It's interesting that you used the term "attack". Can you please refer specifically to the wording in my response to GoodOwl that made you consider this an attack?

(10-19-2026 10:28 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 10:11 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 08:06 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 10:44 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  
Yep, it's mostly Democrats that did it.

Wow... the perception of the current administration must be really horrific if GoodOwl has been reduced to saying that it's "mostly" the Democrats fault at this point. Yikes.

but to the point of the cartoon, the three actions pointed out are primarily Democrat policies, primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats, even more, DSA policies, and they all contribute to high prices.

Maybe take less time to attack GO and more time to think about the meanings of the cartoons. If Go says that water is wet, he is not automatically wrong.


Is there anything in the cartoon you disagree with? If so, what and why?

It's kind of you to swoop to the defense of GoodOwl. I know he is too busy to respond on this forum given all the other forums where he has to cut-paste the same recycled right-wing posts.

It's interesting that you used the term "attack". Can you please refer specifically to the wording in my response to GoodOwl that made you consider this an attack?

The whole response. You say nothing, zero, nada about the cartoon or its contents, only talk about GO.

But here is your chance to talk about the contents. Which one(s) do you think do NOT result in higher prices, and which one(s) are NOT primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats?

I think the cartoon points out the ignorance and shortsightedness of most protesters and of most Democrats. JMHO.

Gotta go now, but I will check this afternoon for your answers.

(10-19-2026 01:19 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 10:28 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 10:11 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 08:06 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  Wow... the perception of the current administration must be really horrific if GoodOwl has been reduced to saying that it's "mostly" the Democrats fault at this point. Yikes.

but to the point of the cartoon, the three actions pointed out are primarily Democrat policies, primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats, even more, DSA policies, and they all contribute to high prices.

Maybe take less time to attack GO and more time to think about the meanings of the cartoons. If Go says that water is wet, he is not automatically wrong.


Is there anything in the cartoon you disagree with? If so, what and why?

It's kind of you to swoop to the defense of GoodOwl. I know he is too busy to respond on this forum given all the other forums where he has to cut-paste the same recycled right-wing posts.

It's interesting that you used the term "attack". Can you please refer specifically to the wording in my response to GoodOwl that made you consider this an attack?

The whole response. You say nothing, zero, nada about the cartoon or its contents, only talk about GO.

But here is your chance to talk about the contents. Which one(s) do you think do NOT result in higher prices, and which one(s) are NOT primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats?

I think the cartoon points out the ignorance and shortsightedness of most protesters and of most Democrats. JMHO.

Gotta go now, but I will check this afternoon for your answers.

So you stand by your phrasing that I "attacked" GoodOwl?

What I was doing was joking that things were getting so bad that even GoodOwl was hedging his language about who was responsible for the current cost of living.

"Attack" is laughable, IMO. Do you want to defend the term or do you want to retract it? Let me know and then I'll answer your stuff.

(10-19-2026 04:08 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 01:19 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 10:28 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 10:11 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(10-19-2026 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  but to the point of the cartoon, the three actions pointed out are primarily Democrat policies, primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats, even more, DSA policies, and they all contribute to high prices.

Maybe take less time to attack GO and more time to think about the meanings of the cartoons. If Go says that water is wet, he is not automatically wrong.


Is there anything in the cartoon you disagree with? If so, what and why?

It's kind of you to swoop to the defense of GoodOwl. I know he is too busy to respond on this forum given all the other forums where he has to cut-paste the same recycled right-wing posts.

It's interesting that you used the term "attack". Can you please refer specifically to the wording in my response to GoodOwl that made you consider this an attack?

The whole response. You say nothing, zero, nada about the cartoon or its contents, only talk about GO.

But here is your chance to talk about the contents. Which one(s) do you think do NOT result in higher prices, and which one(s) are NOT primarily pushed and enacted by Democrats?

I think the cartoon points out the ignorance and shortsightedness of most protesters and of most Democrats. JMHO.

Gotta go now, but I will check this afternoon for your answers.

So you stand by your phrasing that I "attacked" GoodOwl?

What I was doing was joking that things were getting so bad that even GoodOwl was hedging his language about who was responsible for the current cost of living.

"Attack" is laughable, IMO. Do you want to defend the term or do you want to retract it? Let me know and then I'll answer your stuff.

Stand by it.

(10-19-2026 04:15 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  Like Frizzy said... can't admit you're wrong so you double down on stupid.

(10-19-2026 04:15 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  Anyway... as far as the recycled meme goes I'm not in favor of a massive MW bump that some leftists are suggesting. I'm generally in favor of lowering taxes with a more simplified tax structure. I also lean towards less rather than more government regulation.