tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71734290642631459732024-03-02T17:46:47.834-08:00Friendly FireDon and David. Just two guys from Arizona who tend to get a bit ticked off about all sorts of things. So we've decided we need somewhere to vent -- and we will vent about anything. Mostly politics, but we'll talk about books, music, movies and anything else that strikes our fancy. We're also pretty big Springsteen fans (especially Don) so you're likely to see some videos here.. We hope you will let us know your thoughts about our rants -- but we promise to treat you fairly.Mission Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12020867994335108461noreply@blogger.comBlogger877125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-60135822847480961402024-01-07T15:50:00.000-08:002024-01-07T15:50:59.259-08:00TOP SECRET: NSA Phone Intercept. 1.7.24 Moscow Station<p>(VP Kremlin direct line rings. Recording begins)</p><p>VP: Da? <br /></p><p>DJT: Boss it's me.</p><p>VP: Who is "me"?</p><p>DJT: Donald</p><p>VP: (silence)</p><p>DJT: Your boy. Donald.</p><p>VP: I don't, uh, I don't recall any Donalds. You must have wrong number.</p><p>( call disconnects)</p><p>(VP Kremlin direct line rings) <br /></p><p>VP: Hello?</p><p>DJT: Boss, we had a deal.</p><p>VP: Deal? </p><p>DJT: Yes. Yes deal--<br /></p><p>VP: What is this deal you say we had? </p><p>DJT: You know, uh, <b>our</b> deal.</p><p>VP: No idea what you're talking about.<br /></p><p>DJT: Boss, that's not funny.<br /></p><p>VP: You know what's not funny? I will tell you. I put a lot of money into you and all your little friends over there. And what do I have to show for it? I will tell you. I have Ukrainian drones blowing up a lot of my stuff. I have sanctions freezing my money and my friends' money. I have NATO expanding while my armies are contracting, one corpse at a time. All in all I have royal pain in my ass.That's what I have to show for "our" deal.</p><p>DJT: But- <br /></p><p>VP: I tell you, at this point all I can do for you is send some of my Mama's special tea. Old Russian recipe. Sip to your health.</p><p>DJT: But-</p><p>VP: Das vedanya.</p><p>DJT: (unintelligible)<br /></p><p>VP: Bye bye. <br /></p><p>(call ends)</p><p>(recording ends)<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-21429689817530960512023-12-18T20:09:00.000-08:002023-12-18T20:09:57.959-08:00Henry Kissinger Was A War Criminal<p>That's it.</p><p>That's all.</p><p>Take your realpolitik and shove it up your ass. <br /></p><p>Burn in Hell.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-61135529802771387362023-12-11T14:54:00.000-08:002023-12-11T14:54:59.859-08:00Punching Down<p>You can learn a lot about people by who they choose to attack.</p><p>For instance, Republicans always go after minorities.</p><p>ALWAYS.</p><p>Never powerful people. People able to strike back. People with deep enough pockets to defend themselves.</p><p>No. In fact they grovel before wealth.</p><p>Republicans much prefer attacking relatively powerless people.</p><p>Black people. Brown people. Young people. Gay people. Transgender people. Muslim people. Pick a minority and the Republicans will eventually attack it.</p><p>The only exception to this that I can think of is Jewish people.</p><p>Republicans don't generally attack Jewish people. (George Soros being a notable exception.) Mind you, this isn't because there isn't a rich strain of antisemitism running through The Big Tent. Always has been, always will be. No, it's just because there are enough wealthy Jews willing and able to hit back.</p><p>And when you punch back at a Republican, they generally run away with their tails between their legs.<br /></p><p>They even attack women.<br /></p><p>Of course this is because they're so fucking stupid that they think that women are a minority.</p><p>And just because most Republican women are content being breeding stock, they think that <b>all </b>women should be content being breeding stock. </p><p>So they were shocked, shocked by the backlash against the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade. </p><p>They finally got what they've dreamt about all these years, and quelle surprise, a large majority of Americans are pissed at them.</p><p>Good. Let them squirm and dissemble. Let them spew their States' Rights bullshit. Let them try to walk it back.<br /></p><p>After years of making punching down a key part of their policy, they've picked a fight they cannot win.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-2193175880066528402023-11-29T18:47:00.000-08:002023-11-29T18:47:28.392-08:00The Real Problem<p>The real problem isn't that we have semi-human scum like Lauren "Handjob" Boebert, Marjorie Taylor "Calling Me Trailor Park Is An Insult To Trailor Parks" Greene, Andy "I Haven't Been Indicted Yet" Biggs, David "My Own Family Hates Me" Schweikert, Paul "What's Shakin?" Gosar, Jim "Let's Wrestle" Jordan, Matt "Venmo" Gaetz, James "There Is No Nickname You Can Give Me That Captures How Truly Loathsome I Am" Comer, Mike "It's In The Bible" Johnson, Virginia "Hateful Old Thing" Fox, John "Cornpone" Kennedy, Rand "In Putin's Pocket" Paul, Marco "Tiny Man Tinier Brain" Rubio, Rick "Medicare Fraud Hall Of Fame" Scott, and all the rest of those Republican assholes in Congress.</p><p>This is a big country, after all, and there are plenty of meretricious grifters. In fact, you might even say that meretricious grifting is one of our founding principles.</p><p>No, the problem is that there are millions of people willing to vote, over and over and over again, for these clowns.</p><p>After they have proven, time after time, that they have <b>no interest at all</b> in governing. They just want to perform.</p><p>Put on a little show for the cameras. Put on a little show for Traitor Don. Put on a little show for Putin and the Big Money Boys.<br /></p><p>Maybe get some airtime on Fox "News". Or NewsMax, or OAN, or any of those other channels that only certifiable idiots watch.<br /></p><p>But they are so fucking bad at it! I mean small town community theater BAD.</p><p>Every time they're certain that they have a gotcha question, an "ah hah!" moment, or a witness that will reveal everything...it inevitably blows up in their faces.</p><p>Every. Single. Time.<br /></p><p>At this point, only a moron would fall for their schtick.</p><p>That's the<b> real </b>problem.</p><p>TOO MANY MORONS.</p><p>And apparently there's not a goddamned thing we can do about it, except cross our fingers and hope that the next CoVid surge thins out the herd a little.</p><p>No, not a little. </p><p>A Lot.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-84681115612211943042023-11-12T16:23:00.000-08:002023-11-12T16:23:35.845-08:00Running On Empty<p>For a 2 Party political system to function properly, you need two functioning political Parties. That's the bare minimum.</p><p>However, if you have one Party that wants to govern, create laws that help people, solve problems in the society, et cetera, and one Party that wants to behave like the monkey house at an underfunded, failing zoo, hurling their feces and shrieking, then, well, you've got a problem.</p><p>Time after time it has been proven that the majority of voters don't want what the Republicans are trying to serve them. On gun control, on voting rights, on abortion, on the minimum wage, on the environment, on everything, the people have said, over and over, "Nope".<br /></p><p>You would think that they would take the hint, and try to come up with some policies that people like.</p><p>But, no, that's way too hard for the feces hurlers. That would require a certain degree of thought. And where's the fun in thinking? Thinking is hard. </p><p>It's so much easier to just shriek a little louder and hurl another turd. Oh, and throw in something about Jesus, too.<br /></p><p>Take a minute and try to think of one thing, one piece of legislation, that the Republican Party has come up with to help the <b>majority</b> of the American people. Not the bankers. Not the corporations. Not the Billionaires. The majority.<br /></p><p>Nothing, huh? Not a goddamn thing.<br /></p><p>Tax cuts for the rich? More guns for <b>everyone</b>? These are their favored policies. And all the proof you need that the Republicans have nothing to offer. </p><p>ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-56834013650767599422023-09-30T16:02:00.001-07:002023-10-06T13:37:15.376-07:00Seriously, How Hard Is It To Condemn Nazis?<p>You would think that this is a no-brainer.</p><p>And, since it requires literally "no brain", it should be right up the Republicans' alley.</p><p>Alas, you would be wrong. Terribly wrong.</p><p>Nazis, who sane people recognize as the worst humanity has to offer, are marching all over Florida, a state with a Republican governor, two Republican U.S. Senators, and a majority of Republican U.S. Representatives.<br /></p><p>None of whom can even pretend to be morally offended by this.</p><p>Let us be clear on this: people who don't condemn Nazis, loudly and repeatedly, are shit stains.</p><p>Of course, this shouldn't come as<b> too</b> much of a surprise. </p><p>After all, Governor Ron DeSantis has single-handedly reduced the entire education system of Florida, from pre-K to University, into a fucking sick joke. Senator Rick Scott still holds the record for Medicare fraud, Senator Marco Rubio, who at one time seriously thought he could be President (hold for laughter) needs help drinking from a small water bottle, and the state's most famous Congressman is Matt Gaetz. Uh huh.</p><p>Shit stains all.</p><p>Honestly, it doesn't take a lot of sense or courage to denounce Nazis. </p><p>However, it does take a bit of human decency, which is obviously more than <b>any</b> of them have. <br /></p><p>To be fair, Nazis are still a reliable Republican voting block, so this could simply be a case of not wanting to offend your base.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-16384732841884951722023-07-29T17:42:00.000-07:002023-07-29T17:42:22.324-07:00Some Stuff I Learned From Republicans<p>Apparently, slavery was kinda like an internship. You didn't get paid--but you learned a lot of very valuable skills. And the raping, tearing apart of families, senseless brutality, selling off of your children, constant threat of death for offending your "masters" were WORTH it. Plus, you got room and board, in addition to the skills you were learning. </p><p>And you could take these skills with you when you left the plantation. But you couldn't leave the plantation except by dying, or being sold to another plantation, or trying to run away to a free state--except they'd hunt you down, even in a free state, because the Supreme Court said that was OK! But the point is, <b>if</b> you <b>could</b> have gotten away from that HELL ON EARTH, you'd have a very nice set of marketable skills. So stop complaining. And try to be just a little grateful.<br /></p><p>Lying, cheating, and stealing are OK--if a Republican does it.</p><p>It's impossible for a Republican to commit treason. And if they do, well, that's OK too.<br /></p><p>Any money is good money, never mind the source. In fact, never <b>mention</b> the source, if you can avoid it.<br /></p><p>Nazis aren't that bad. Not really. No, what they are is a reliable bloc of conservative votes.</p><p>Vladimir Putin is a great man. A strong man. A manly man. <br /></p><p>Drag queens are much more dangerous than automatic weapons.</p><p>Global Warming is a myth. Those 30 days of 110 degrees or more weather in Phoenix, Arizona are just a little thing called Summer. This is perfectly normal.<br /></p><p>Women are primarily breeding stock.</p><p>Donald J. Trump is a good business man. <br /></p><p>Donald J. Trump is a good Christian.</p><p>Donald J. Trump is a patriot.<br /></p><p>Democrats raise children--or steal them--for their blood.</p><p>January 6th was just a normal Capitol tour that got a little out of hand. <br /></p><p>Low information voters are the best voters.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-33587319636009720782023-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:002023-07-06T16:10:32.753-07:00No Way Out. No Way Out. No Way Out.<p>And so, after a lifetime of getting away with, well, EVERYTHING--rape, tax fraud, witness tampering, cheating sub-contractors, money laundering, cozying up to the MOB, lying about, well, EVERYTHING, strong arming everyone, and, of course, TREASON, TREASON, TREASON--Donald J. Trump finds his pendulous teats in a wringer.</p><p>This must come as a "yoog" shock to a career criminal.</p><p>Honestly, when you've skated away from serious charges your entire life, you<b> must</b> think of yourself as bullet proof.</p><p>The idea that you're finally going to face the music is incomprehensible. It's unbelievable! It just can't be!<br /></p><p>But it's where Donald J. Trump now finds himself. </p><p>Some of his enablers--the smarter ones--are falling all over themselves in the rush to turn on him.</p><p>He will face endless prosecutions.</p><p>With any luck, ALL of his assets will be RICOed.</p><p>And, fingers crossed, he will take at least 3 members of his immediate family, and many Republicans, with him.</p><p>These are all good things.</p><p>Now, were he Japanese, and honorable, he would, at this point, be at least <b>considering</b> seppuku. Melania would be happily sharpening the knife even as we speak. And the line to deliver the final coup de grace would be long, and giddy with anticipation.</p><p>Alas, he is neither Japanese nor honorable.</p><p>He is, instead, a toxic narcissist, who believes he is smarter than any lawyer or judge. Handsomer than any Hollywood star. Richer than Croesus. Braver than any soldier. Wiser than, well, ANYONE on the face of the earth. </p><p>All of the bluster, all of the threats, all of the increasingly deranged posts on Truth Social, will fall on deaf ears. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.</p><p>Jack Smith is knocking at the door, and only the craziest, hardcore MAGAts remain by Trump's side.</p><p>#SAD.<br /></p><p>And so, for Donald J. Trump, there is No Way Out. No Way Out. No Way Out.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-38875382325097783092023-05-24T14:52:00.000-07:002023-05-24T14:52:54.186-07:00Some Thoughts From An Angry Old Man<p>Ya know, if you have to constantly tell everyone that you're an "alpha male", you are <b>definitely not</b> an "alpha male". The proof to this is every guy on Twitter who claims to be an "alpha male".<br /></p><p>The only way I can see this country ever having sane gun laws is if a whole bunch of elected Republicans get gunned down. Maybe then...</p><p>It's nice that the Supreme Court gets to set its own ethics code--and then ignore it. Nice for them, not for us.</p><p>Speaking of the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has set a standard for self-hating Black men that may never be broken. I have two words for Clarence: the first one is House...To be fair, he has to wake up next to Ginni most days, and isn't that punishment enough?<br /></p><p>And one more thought regarding the highest court in the land: 23% of Americans identify as Catholic, but 66.6% of the Supreme Court are Catholics. And most of them seem to be practicing a positively Medieval version of Catholicism. They are stuck in the Darkest of Ages, and they want us all to join them.<br /></p><p>If someone had beaten some sense into Donald J. Trump when he was a young man, he might have turned out to be less of a festering, sexually predatory, <b>turd</b>. Might. My late mother-in-law had a simple solution for rapists: Cut off their balls. She was not a violent woman, but you did not want to cross any of the lines she drew.<br /></p><p>Every time I hear "Macho Man" for the rest of my life I will think of a morbidly obese man, wearing a ton of makeup, kitten heels, a poorly fitting blue suit, a clownishly long red tie, a diaper, and something pretending to be "hair" on his empty head. This is probably not what the Village People had in mind.</p><p>Marjorie Taylor Greene desperately wants to be Trumpie the Clown's running mate. The best she can reasonably hope for is adjoining cells.<br /></p><p>Kari Lake will never be governor, but there are openings at Fox Nausea--I mean Fox "News", and all she has to do is keep lying her fool head off and she's as good as hired. You go girl!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-17960410141012149312023-04-18T17:53:00.000-07:002023-04-18T17:53:11.448-07:00Signor Baseball's Somewhat Belated 2023 MLB Preview<p>It's really very simple: Some teams spend money and some teams don't.</p><p>The thing to remember is this: They<b> all</b> have money. They're all owned by billionaires or near billionaires or a consortium of very rich people.<br /></p><p>Sure, the major market teams have <b>more</b> money. The local TV money for the Yankees or Dodgers is much greater than it is for the Royals or Pirates. Life isn't fair, after all.</p><p>But <b>every</b> team has enough money to spend to be competitive.</p><p>So, if your favorite team consistently fails to sign free agents--or keep young talent once their rookie deal expires--it's not because they can't. It's because <b>they don't want to</b>.</p><p>With that in mind, here goes:</p><p>AL East</p><p>Arron Judge can hit 70 homers and the Yankees still won't have enough pitching. And there isn't a weak team in the AL East to fatten up against. So...</p><p>As of this writing the Tampa Bay kids are 14-3. If they can maintain that pace, I'm guessing that 135-27 will probably win the division. <br /></p><p>Toronto is good, too. No glaring weaknesses, unless you count that AstroTurf field of theirs. UGH.<br /></p><p>Baltimore is better than they have been. Probably not good enough yet to win the division, but certainly good enough to cause problems for the other teams.<br /></p><p>Boston isn't better than they have been. But the Red Sox will still find a way to be competitive. And no matter what their record, nobody wants to have to play important games against them at Fenway in September. Things can get weird up there in a hurry.<br /></p><p>New York may have to settle for a Wild Card--if that.<br /></p><p>AL Central</p><p>Minnesota, Cleveland and Chicago are all flawed teams. And each has a chance to win this division. The Twins pitching isn't very deep, the Indians don't have too many power bats, and the White Sox desperately need Mike Clevenger to return to Cy Young contender form. It wouldn't be surprising for a team right around .500 to win the division. Whatever their relative weaknesses, <b>somebody</b> has to win. Let's go with the Guardians to repeat. But it wouldn't be much of a surprise if Minnesota or Chicago won.Very little chance of a Wild Card team here.<br /></p><p>Elsewhere in the Central, Kansas City and Detroit are just bad. <br /></p><p>AL West</p><p>This is still Houston's division. Even without Verlander, I don't see them being caught by any of the other West teams. Seattle has the best shot if the Astros suffer a whole bunch of injuries
or a few season long slumps. Finishing a strong second should get the Mariners a Wild Card slot.The single best thing that could happen for baseball is for the Angels to make the playoffs. Trout and Ohtani haven't even sniffed the post season--and that verges on the criminal. And if they don't make it this year, and it's a long shot, Shohei Ohtani may decide to move on to greener pastures. This isn't basketball and merely having 2 great players doesn't guarantee anything.</p><p>Texas added Jacob DeGrom, who has spent the last three years injured off and on. Healthy he's an ace. But he hasn't been consistently healthy in a long time. So...good luck with that.<br /></p><p>Speaking of luck, out in Oakland, the A's run of luck with money ball has simply run out. They will not be scrappy over achievers. They will simply be bad. <br /></p><p>NL East</p><p>Well, if the Mets <b>don't</b> win this year, there will be one very unhappy hedge fund billionaire. Having spent 350 million bucks on his team's payroll, anything short of the World Series should be considered a failure.</p><p>And Atlanta is right there, hoping to help them fail. The Braves can seemingly reload on the fly without suffering a decline. Nice trick. Probably a solid Wild card pick--maybe take the division if the Mets falter.</p><p>Philadelphia spent a whole bunch of money only to finish 14 games out last season. They are still spending a whole bunch of money this year, and chances are they'll still finish way back of the Mets and Braves. They're not a bad team, they're just in a very tough division.<br /></p><p>Miami has great starting pitching and not much offense. The Dodgers of 60 years ago used to regularly win World Series with that combination. But that was then and this now, and the way the ball flies these days, you better have a few big boppers to go with those good young arms.</p><p>And in D.C. the Nationals have spent the years since their World Series victory divesting themselves of almost all of their talent. An interesting approach, to be sure.<br /></p><p>NL Central</p><p>Like the AL Central, we're looking at teams with a few weaknesses. </p><p>St. Louis looks to be the best bet, with Milwaukee right behind them. The Cards are consistently solid--not great, but always competitive. And the Brewers are developing the same sort of consistency. <br /></p><p>Chicago added some good pieces, but not quite enough to win the division. Pittsburgh keeps finding good young talent and then losing them to free agency. And Cincinnati will battle the Pirates for last place, yet again. Two good baseball towns doomed by bad ownership.<br /></p><p>NL West</p><p>This may be the year that the Dodgers <b>don't</b> win the West. They still have an edge in pitching, but damn that every day San Diego lineup is scary. Probably whichever team finishes second will be a lock for a Wild Card.<br /></p><p>The Giants are rebuilding, but .500 should be attainable. And their ballpark is still one of the best, if not <b>the</b> best in the MLB.<br /></p><p>The Rockies are <b>always</b> rebuilding.<br /></p><p>In Arizona, the Diamondbacks have a whole bunch of young (potential) talent. If the majority of them pan out, they will be at least competitive. If the majority of them don't pan out, it will be another long season. The highlight of which will be the constant whining from their front office about the physical state of their stadium. </p><p>Which, even when brand spanking new, has always had all of the charm of a Costco. Such is life.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-75202158489945843882023-03-21T14:49:00.002-07:002023-03-21T14:49:46.006-07:00Shocked! Shocked! And Other Seemingly Random Observations<p>Shocked! Shocked to find out that Fox "News" talking heads lied to their viewers! </p><p>That they <b>knew</b> they were lying and still did it! <br /></p><p>That they repeatedly said one thing in private and the complete opposite on air! <br /></p><p>That they did all of this to keep their ratings up, for fear that the MAGAts would abandon them if they didn't! </p><p>That Rupert Murdoch did <b>nothing</b> to stop the lies.<br /></p><p>Shocked!!!</p><p>I mean, who <b>can</b> we trust anymore? </p><p><br /></p><p>In the interest of Truth, Justice and the American Way, the Freedom Caucus should change its name to the Treason Caucus.</p><p> </p><p>If Marjorie "Howler Monkey" Greene wants out, if a national "divorce" truly is "inevitable", I say a good first step would be for her to resign from the Congress. Not to worry; any district that would elect and then re-elect something like her, would no doubt send someone equally bad as her replacement.</p><p>And Marge would quickly end up at Fox, or Newsmax, or OAN, where she would be welcomed with open arms by all the other feces flingers, and quickly make up all that lost revenue she moaned about suffering while serving in the House.<br /></p><p>So, a win-win?</p><p> </p><p>In assessing why Republicans do all the awful things they do, don't get
lost in the weeds. Just apply Occam's razor: the simplest solution is
preferable to more complex ones. So, it's either they've been bought
with Russian/Corporate money, or they've been blackmailed with Russian
Mob Compromat. Those are the simplest answers. And those are the correct
answers.</p><p> </p><p> Kevin Durant hurting himself in a non-contact pre-game layup drill is the <b>most</b> Phoenix Suns' thing I can imagine. And I've been watching this circus since 1968. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-7235592712094676532023-02-24T18:50:00.000-08:002023-02-24T18:50:00.560-08:00Crashing And Burning Are Totally On-Brand For Tesla, Aren't They?<p>So this is what happens when you rush technology into the market place before it's ready.<br /></p><p>Your "self driving" cars run over things. Or into things.</p><p>Sometimes they burst into flames, too, as a sort of bonus.</p><p>Not to worry, though.</p><p>I'm sure once Elon "My Entire Body Is Made From Marshmallows" Musk decides he's finished ruining Twitter by making it a safe place for every Nazi, white supremacist, Putin apologist, Russian Bot, and brain dead Republican/Libertarian, and fixes his super genius gaze on the problems with Tesla, everything will be just fine.</p><p>Uh huh.</p><p>The sooner this twat blasts off for Mars, the better off we'll all be.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-72840648929870703102023-01-30T16:36:00.000-08:002023-01-30T16:36:04.057-08:00Dead Man Walking<p>All this talk about Trump running in 2024 is just that: talk.</p><p>The bloated, orange faced traitor is just using the possibility of another campaign to grift a few more dollars from his incredibly gullible base.</p><p>Apparently many MAGAts are still, even after all the country has been through, stupid enough to send Trumpie the Clown money. Alas, there is no cure for that kind of deep, deep, stupid.</p><p>The members of the Main Stream Media, on the other hand, are, for the most part, smart enough to see that Donald J. Trump is nothing more than a dead man walking.</p><p>But, and this is the crux of it, the mere <b>possibility</b> of that putrid sack of shit running again is good for their ratings.</p><p>And ratings are<b> ALL</b> that matters.</p><p>So there will be hysterical speculation about his imminent return, and his potential running mates: Marjorie Trailer Park Greene? Kari "I'm not a loser--you're a loser!" Lake? Stormy "Like a little mushroom" Daniels? George "Who am I today?" Santos in drag? The possibilities are endless...</p><p>That breathless hysteria is designed to get your attention and keep you watching. After all, a circus is always more entertaining than discussing the nuts and bolts of governing.</p><p>And Trump is nothing if not a clown.<br /></p><p>But, fortunately, the reality is very different.<br /></p><p>Donald J. Trump will spend most of whatever is left of his miserable, traitorous, life in court, in jail, or in exile somewhere without an extradition treaty with the US.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-37208394735641116332023-01-20T13:55:00.000-08:002023-01-20T13:55:18.343-08:00WTF Was Kry$ten $inema Doing In Davos?<p>Was she doing field work for a graft sub-committee?</p><p>No? </p><p>Oh, then she must have been there to get patted on her head and her tummy rubbed by her rich owners.</p><p>I can hear them now, "Good job Kry$ten. Good girl! Here's a cookie." <br /></p><p>No other reason in the world for her to be there, hobnobbing with the billionaires.</p><p>In addition to being a fake progressive, she is a corporate whore. A wholly owned subsidiary of whichever oligarch has the deepest pockets.</p><p>Her high five with that cunt Manchin pretty much sums it up.</p><p>I am reminded of a quote, variously attributed to Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook, and Groucho Marx:</p><p>"We've already established what you are, ma'am. Now we're just haggling over the price."<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-56540431139016681352023-01-06T13:21:00.000-08:002023-01-06T13:21:11.170-08:00Credit Where Credit Is Due<p>Without Donald J. Trump we never would have known just how many racists, traitors, and out right imbeciles our great nation contained.</p><p>Now we know that there are millions, and millions, and MILLIONS, of them. <br /></p><p>Without Donald J. Trump we never would have discovered that there is no bottom to how low the Republican Party is willing to go. Before Trump, the Insane Clown Posse was just a band's name. Now it's the name of an entire political party. </p><p>Without Donald J. Trump the true moral depravity, soul less greed, and general nihilism of Fox News and Rupert Murdoch would have just been a rumor, and Ingraham, Carlson and Hannity would have just been annoying idiots, running their mouths about <b>everything</b> to incite the rubes and enrich the Murdochs. Now, thanks to Donnie Boy, we know them to be nothing more or less than an ongoing threat to Democracy.<br /></p><p>Without Donald J. Trump the number of Americans, AMERICANS, willing to sell our country out to Vladimir Putin would have remained unknown. Flynn, Stone, Manafort, Bannon, Ginni Thomas and their ilk are all traitors, and should, at the very least, spend the rest of their miserable lives in prison--along with all those Republicans awash in Russian money. (Although it seems to me that a firing squad would be a more efficient and effective deterrent.)<br /></p><p>So, when anybody tries to tell you that Trump never accomplished anything positive for this country, just remind them of the above items.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-31031990304758576522022-12-18T16:03:00.001-08:002022-12-28T13:44:18.984-08:00Welcome To Scama-Zona! Or is it Ari-Scama?!<p>Arizona is a transient place. </p><p>People come and people go.</p><p>But one thing remains constant:</p><p>Arizona Republicans run scams.</p><p>Many years ago there was the "alternative fuel" scam, in which you could get a very nice check to offset the price of a new dual fuel vehicle. You did not have to<b> ever</b> use the duel fuel aspect of your shiny new vehicle. And most, if not all, of the people who took advantage of this didn't. No, they just took the very nice check and continued using gasoline. Because, well, because they could. So the rest of us were in effect subsidizing the purchase of their new vehicles with our taxes. With no benefit at all to the environment.<br /></p><p>(By the way, this one smelled so bad that the Republican governor at the time decided to deep six it before it could bankrupt the state--but only after hundreds of millions of dollars had been wasted.) <br /></p><p>Today there is the "sell a shit load of water to the Saudis for a pittance" scam. See, way out in western Arizona, some genius in the Republican controlled state government decided to let the Saudis have access to all the ground water they could pump to grow alfalfa for horses. During our ongoing multi-year drought. Oh, by the way, the horses are in Saudi Arabia. Because of course they are. Has anybody been fired for this? Are you kidding?<br /></p><p>And always, ALWAYS, there is the never ending "school vouchers" scam, wherein money for public education is rerouted to charter and private school parents. They can get a voucher to help with tuition. They call this "school choice". And is supposed to help ALL students--according to its sponsors. That is a flat out lie. </p><p>Private schools cost two to three times more than the voucher provides, so the parents have to pay the difference. But guess what? Poorer families can't afford to pay the difference. Which means vouchers are in essence a subsidy for wealthy parents who are already sending their kids to private schools. </p><p>And all while draining money from the already under funded public schools. Neat trick, huh?</p><p> <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-11936100933857145812022-11-27T14:01:00.000-08:002022-11-27T14:01:17.789-08:00"A Seriously Troubled Man"<p> "A seriously troubled man."</p><p>This is how Glorious Leader Orange Man described Kanye West.</p><p>And Glorious Leader was trying to help by...????? <br /></p><p>Counseling him? Who wouldn't benefit from the knowledge of Glorious Leader Orange Man?<br /></p><p>Comforting him? Perhaps there are "comfort ladies" at Mar-a-Lardo?<br /></p><p>Trying to get money from him? Once a grifter <b>always</b> a grifter.</p><p>Breaking bread with a neo-Nazi anti-semite piece of shit? It's a big tent.<br /></p><p>Who knows?</p><p>No, what's important here is that Trump could call anyone else--<b>anyone</b>--"seriously troubled." </p><p>Let us list, briefly and no doubt incompletely, Trump's uh...let's call them troubles:</p><p>Traitor. Insurrectionist. Twice impeached. Adulterer. Accused rapist. Tax fraud. Mob ties. Multiple bankruptcies. Pathological liar. Racist. Lusts after his eldest daughter.</p><p>Any "help" from someone with <b>that</b> resume would be...priceless.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-28703119990500700282022-11-07T12:09:00.000-08:002022-11-07T12:09:29.243-08:00It's Simple<p>People who think that the President is responsible for gas prices don't really understand how Capitalism works. They also seem to have forgotten all about the war in Ukraine and the general perfidy of Saudi Arabia.<br /></p><p>People who think we're the only country suffering from inflation haven't taken a very close look at the rest of the world. They also seem to have forgotten a world wide pandemic which disrupted the normal supply chains. In fact, our inflation is relatively low compared to everywhere else.</p><p>So voting for Republicans based on those two items is, well, kind of stupid. </p><p>However, there are some issues that should sway your vote.</p><p>For instance, one party wants to eliminate democracy, and one doesn't.</p><p>One party wants everyone eligible to vote to be able to vote--easily and safely. And one doesn't. <br /></p><p>One party wants to help ALL of the people, and one just wants to help the rich.</p><p>One party wants to take the steps necessary to save the planet, and one doesn't give a fuck as long as there's a profit to be made.<br /></p><p>So, unless you're a Putin loving total racist asshole, this really shouldn't be a hard decision.</p><p>If you're a female the choice is very simple.</p><p>You can vote for the Party that thinks of you merely as breeding stock, a vessel to replenish the "domestic supply of infants", with little or no say in the manner. Face it, you're too "emotional" to make your own decisions. Even if you've been raped-or impregnated by a relative. Even if you're carrying a non-viable fetus.<br /></p><p>Or you can vote for the Party that wants you to have autonomy over your body.</p><p>That's it.</p><p>That's all.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-3774318249224617242022-11-02T16:36:00.000-07:002022-11-02T16:36:09.815-07:00Unbelievable<p>When you look at the "people" that the Arizona Republican Party has nominated for office in 2022, any rational person would say "Gee, these folks should lose by a landslide."</p><p>We're not talking the kind of localized goons like Gosar, Schwiekert, Lesko and Biggs, either. There are House districts in my poor, benighted state, that consistently send this kind of, uh, "person" to Congress. </p><p>Doesn't matter how awful they are, their brain dead constituencies "think" (and, of course, I use that word very loosely) that they are doing a bang up job "owning the Libs" and protecting us all from the brown people and, naturally, "socialism." The fact that they have never achieved <b>anything</b> positive for the state doesn't enter the conversation. They have that "R" next to their names, and by God that's enough for all of those schmucks that consistently return them to office.</p><p>No, we're talking about state wide offices. Governor, Senator, AG, and Secretary of State.</p><p>We're talking Lake, Masters, Hamadeh, and Finchem.</p><p>We're talking a former Fox News talking head without a shred of humanity or dignity, but with the requisite extra dose of hypocrisy. She knows absolutely nothing about governing, and is more than willing to share her ignorance. And all the soft filters in the world can't conceal her utter emptiness.<br /></p><p>We're talking Peter Thiel's lapdog. A "libertarian" asshole, who doesn't have a clue about how anything works, but is certain he can "fix" it, and who thinks he's found a state with just enough stupid people to get elected.*</p><p>We're talking another "law and order" dipshit who is loudly on the 'it's George Soros who's behind it all" bandwagon. Here's a quote from the law and order boy: "the corrupt media, deep state, the establishment, and even the COURTS worked to rob President Trump and the American people in November 2020." Oh yeah, in addition to the Soros bullshit, he's also dabbled in more overt antisemitism. Which makes him an almost prefect Republican, I guess.<br /></p><p>We're talking someone who's gone beyond "all hat, no cattle" to "all hat, no brain". He wandered the fringes of the Jan 6th insurrectionist treason, too timid to take part, but wanting to be there--just in case things worked out for the traitors. He's proudly an Oath Keeper--you know, the clowns that wanted to hang John McCain. And, naturally, an anti-vaxxer. Quite the resume.<br /></p><p>They've all begged for the Orange Pig God's approval. They've all lied about the 2020 election to curry the Orange Oinker's favor. They've all proudly sported "Trump endorsed" on their signs.<br /></p><p>Again, and it can't be said often enough: If, at this point, you continue to support Donald J. Trump in any way, then you're a TRAITOR, too.</p><p>And this also applies to you if you vote for people who happily grovel before Trump.</p><p>*(to be fair, this applies to <b>all</b> Republican candidates) <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-46612802994966993252022-10-07T14:53:00.000-07:002022-10-07T14:53:13.581-07:00Things We Don't Talk About Enough<p>America's eugenics movement inspired the Nazis. Oops.<br /></p><p>Republican presidential candidates committed treason on at least three separate occasions: Nixon's team meddled in the Paris peace accords in 1968, promising the North Vietnamese a "better" deal if they'd reject LBJ's proposed deal. Reagan's team talked to the Iranians in 1980, promising them a "better" deal if they'd reject Carter's deal for the hostages. And Trump, of course, is so far up Putin's ass that he can count the Republican Congressmen nesting there.</p><p>Slavery and stolen land helped build this great land of ours. <br /></p><p>Guns DO kill people. All the fucking time.</p><p>Nobody needs an AR-15 for self protection.</p><p>People who like to throw their Second Amendment "rights" in your face always leave out the part that says "a well regulated militia."</p><p>Back in the 1950's, the decade that conservatives are so nostalgic for, the corporate tax rate was 45%, and the personal tax rate for the richest people topped out at 91%. <br /></p><p>(Actually, it's the <b>1850's</b> that they're <b>really</b> longing for.)</p><p>There's way too many Catholics on the Supreme Court. And the Republican ones are seemingly longing for a return of the Inquisition.</p><p>Churches that decide to meddle in politics should be taxed.</p><p>Apparently the Christo-fascist majority on the Supreme Court think that their black robes and lifetime appointments make them bullet proof. I guess we'll see.</p><p>Libertarians have never built a goddamn thing by themselves.</p><p>Without massive government support, all those Billionaire Libertarians would just be a gaggle of cranks sitting at the far end of some dive bar, talking to themselves.<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-15684144323327230162022-09-21T14:01:00.000-07:002022-09-21T14:01:52.802-07:00But I Thought...<p>But I thought Donald J. Trump was a billionaire?</p><p>So why is he always asking Cletus and Ruth Ann RealAmerican to send him their Bingo money?</p><p>A billionaire shouldn't need pocket change from common folk, should he? </p><p>I mean, the Windsors didn't pass the hat to put Queeny in the ground, did they? <br /></p><p>Hmmm. Curiouser and Curiouser.<br /></p><p>But I thought the Republicans were the law and order party?</p><p>So how do they rationalize the constant law breaking of their members?</p><p>Oh! That's right, laws don't apply to Republicans. My bad.</p><p>But I thought TREASON was a bad thing?</p><p>Apparently not when Republicans do it.</p><p>But I thought hating people because of the color of their skin, or their sexuality, or their beliefs in general wasn't a particularly Christian thing to do?</p><p>Then again, many American Christians are about as far from Christ as you can possibly be. In fact, they spend their lives doing un-Christian things--and then expect to be "saved", because they put some money in the collection plate.</p><p>But I thought Hitler was a bad guy?</p><p>Then how come Trump rallies look more and more like Nazi rallies, right down to the salute?</p><p>Hey, that's a pretty good question!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-32200314508166199662022-08-31T15:08:00.000-07:002022-08-31T15:08:00.700-07:00What Did They Think Would Happen?<p>So you nominate a life long criminal, who has been charged with money laundering, and accused, with good reason, of multiple sexual assaults, defrauding subcontractors, buddying up to mobsters, lying/cheating/stealing, to name just a few of his accomplishments.</p><p>And somehow, with a lot of help from RussiaRussiaRussia, Facebook, a nonfeasant media, the head of the FBI, and a few million gullible and/or brain dead American voters, this asshole gets elected President of the United States.</p><p>Did they think he would suddenly stop all of his crime-ing?</p><p>Are they fucking stupid?</p><p>Well, yes.</p><p>But they also knew this was their best, and perhaps last, chance to pack the courts with Christo-fascists.</p><p>AND to give a huge tax cut to all of their billionaire/millionaire supporters.</p><p>What's a little grifting compared to all of that? </p><p>But when you have someone without <b>any morals at all </b>in a position of almost unlimited power, and you let him go unchecked because you're busy screwing the country in your own way, really bad things can happen.</p><p>Donald J. Trump only cares about himself and money. He will do ANYTHING for money, and to gratify his ego.</p><p>Selling our secrets to the highest bidder? Why not? If the price is right, anything goes.</p><p>It's a safe bet that intelligence assets have died because of him.</p><p>It's also a safe bet that some of our nuclear secrets may now be in Moscow, Beijing, Riyadh*, wherever the money was right.</p><p>I've said it before, and I will say it again: </p><p>At this point, anyone who still supports Trump is a goddamn TRAITOR.</p><p>*There's a reason the Saudis gave Jared Kushner 2 billion dollars to "invest" and it isn't because he's good with money. He gave them something in return. Something he shouldn't have had any access to at all, since he couldn't get a security clearance without his father-in-law's interference. Hopefully, the DOJ will get to the bottom of his crimes, and Jared can spend the rest of his life in prison.<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-7271163780180792392022-08-08T16:37:00.002-07:002022-08-08T16:37:26.604-07:00Where Do They Find These "People"?<p>As I survey the Republican candidates for office in Arizona, I have just one question:</p><p>Where do they find these people?</p><p>I've never seen such a collection of...God knows what.<br /></p><p>It's like if you combined a carnival freak show, with a mental hospital, with a Nazi rally, with the Island of Doctor Moreau.</p><p>It's not enough to be just an inveterate liar any more. </p><p>This was, after all, the basis of the Republican Party for many, many, years.</p><p>But today you've got to add in fascism, racism, homophobia, misogyny, and good old fashioned treason, to be taken seriously.</p><p>And most importantly, you have to crawl on your hands and knees and beg a Traitor-Sexual Predator-Con Man-Pathological Liar-Tax Cheat-Crook-Multiple Bankrupt-Adulterer-Fraud for his approval.</p><p>Yeah, without Donald Trump's blessing a Republican candidate doesn't have a chance in Arizona.</p><p>So take what little self respect you have left, put it somewhere, and start groveling before a traitor.<br /></p><p>That's what Kari "I'm Completely Unqualified To Hold Any Elected Office" Lake, Blake "I'm Peter Thiel's Lapdog" Masters and Mark "I Will Lie About Anything" Finchem did.</p><p>Not an ounce of dignity or humanity in any of them. All of them Stop the Steal true believers.</p><p>Again I ask, where do they find these "people"?</p><p>If any of these assholes gets elected, this state will go backward even faster than it already is.</p><p>Which would make all the MAGAts happy. </p><p>Next stop 1850!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-27922896002286345702022-07-20T17:02:00.000-07:002022-07-20T17:02:28.944-07:00Signor Baseball's My God The Season's More Than Half Over Better Late Than Never MLB Predictions<p>So, it's a little late.</p><p>Ok. It's a lot late. <br /></p><p>I've been busy.</p><p>Not exactly sure doing what...but something.</p><p>Anyway, here goes:</p><p>AL</p><p>I do not trust the Yankees in the playoffs for the simple reason that they can't seem to beat Houston on a consistent basis. And chances are they won't hit 3-4 home runs in every playoff game. Plus their pitching is still inconsistent. (Some things never change...)<br /></p><p>So, they will win 108 to 112 games, everyone in NYC will start dreaming of another World Series, and then they will run into better pitching at some point in the playoffs, the homer binge will dry up like last week's flowers, and that, as they say, will be that. This has happened consistently now for over a decade, but "hope springs eternal" et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Still, it will be fun watching Judge hit home runs, knowing that each one will add a million dollars a year to his next contract. </p><p>For a while it looked like all three wild cards would come out of the East, but the Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays have started to come back to the pack, and now it will be 6-7 team horse race--including the the three East runners up, the Guardians, White Sox, Mariners, and Orioles (quelle surprise!) for the three slots.</p><p>Elsewhere, the Astros are a lock in the West and the Twins have to worry about both Cleveland and Chicago catching them in the Central. If that happens, throw Minnesota into the wild card mix.<br /></p><p>And, yet again, the Angels have wasted a year of both Ohtani and Trout's prime. Two of the best players in the MLB have never even come close to sniffing the playoffs. I don't know who's running that franchise, but he should probably do us all a favor and start looking for a new job. </p><p>NL</p><p>Those dreams of a Mets-Yankees World Series have withered like last week's flowers. Atlanta is hot on the Mets' tail, and based on past performances will catch them in mid August/early September. However, New York should still grab a wild card slot, and if Scherzer and DeGrom are healthy, can make some noise in the playoffs. Two very strong starters can take you a long way. You only have to look at the Nationals a couple of years ago, or, for you older folks, the Diamondbacks in 2001. In Philadelphia, the Phillies will have to content themselves with the prospect of a wild card.<br /></p><p>In the Central, the Brewers and Cardinals will be neck and neck all the way to the end, with the loser having a strong shot at a wild card.</p><p>And in the West, once again the Dodgers are far and away the class of the division. Both the Giants and Padres have a chance at a wild card. </p><p>Finally, the Diamondbacks aren't nearly as bad as last year. They aren't good, either. Next stop is mediocrity. Based on where they were, a .500 season would warrant a parade. But that will have to "wait until next year."</p><p>And Arizona's fans can content themselves watching all the former D-Back players in the playoffs with other teams. They should be used to it by now.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173429064263145973.post-5288218682393077552022-06-28T15:39:00.000-07:002022-06-28T15:39:16.270-07:00The Easiest Cure For Traitors And/Or Treason<p>So I'm watching The Guns of Navarone the other night.</p><p>Pretty good action flick. Solid performances from everyone--with Anthony Quinn especially good. Should probably be remade with modern special effects...</p><p>Anyway, at one point in the film, one of the team is found to be a traitor. </p><p>Their treason has endangered the mission and all the other members of the team.</p><p>Of course, the traitor has their<b> reasons</b>. </p><p>Traitors<b> always</b> have their reasons.<br /></p><p>In the film a short discussion regarding the traitor is followed swiftly by execution.</p><p>That's it. </p><p>That's all.</p><p>No appeal. </p><p>No Fox News counter argument to obfuscate everything.</p><p>No Republican "what about?" bullshit. <br /></p><p>You are a traitor.</p><p>This is your punishment.</p><p>I guarantee if we put a few of our traitors up against a wall, this sort of shit <b>would never happen again. </b><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0