First of all, it's unfair of our hostess to troll the newbies. Joe's son took the picture. That's his clone on the right.
Most feminists, especially those in comfortable shoes, seem dedicated to erasing the differences between men and women. This causes some problems, illustrated by the following totally reliable news story:
But the differences between the sexes persist. The feminization of society has led to our present obsession with safety, which allowed the government to put the entire population (outside of "far-right racist" rural areas) under house arrest, pulling off a scam election as well as a scamdemic. We would have never stood for that in the 70's.
Behavioral differences survive comfortable shoes. A man who "invites" you to leave, upon being defied, will usually attempt to enforce his request physically - especially in front of a group of his friends. A woman will usually stomp back to her coven. When the feminine urge to avoid conflict at all costs is imported into politics we get things like Barry Soetoro giving the Iranians everything they wanted, and the untraceable cash with which to pay off Russian hit men. Such thinking is far from compassionate. It leads to a glow-in-the-dark state of Israel.
You could say Barry was less manly than Maggie Thatcher. And you'd be right.
We can all do our little part. I salute Mrs. Vass for using the word "comedienne". There is nothing anti-woman about recognizing there are feminine things and masculine things. Indeed, I will close by quoting another great comedienne, Lily Tomlin:
“No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”
"Most feminists, especially those in comfortable shoes, seem dedicated to erasing the differences between men and women. This causes some problems, illustrated by the following totally reliable news story"
200,000(?) years of history says Good Luck With That.
Steve, once Joe and I were up in Prescott at a Residence Inn for the summer. There was a very nice pool and we were sitting by it enjoying a family with 3 little kids playing nearby. All of the children were wearing pants and t-shirts and had long hair. Two were playing together with some kind of action figures, making up stories, cooperating. ONE was climbing on table tops, diving UNDER tables, running around like a wild flea. We both turned to each other and said, "THAT'S a boy!" It was. His name was Oscar. AG
THAT shows it is sheer ignorance in the trans activists' insistence that there are no differences between little boys and little girls until puberty and so you can just turn them into each other with no problem.
In fact, in humans a fetus with XY, unlike a fetus with XX , begins producing testosterone as early as SEVEN WEEKS of gestation. There is also a surge of testosterone at birth. After that the hormones are mainly quiet till puberty, but the XY baby's muscles, bones and brain have already been influenced.
You are too kind, Bonnie. It is not ignorance, it is an ugly, vile type of arrogance. It is also an evil that is almost incomprehensible: i.e., allowing the desire to appear trendy, hip, woke, whatever to one's equally sick and demented peers to overcome the maternal/paternal instinct to want the good and the best for our children.
"When the feminine urge to avoid conflict at all costs is imported into politics we get things like Barry Soetoro giving the Iranians everything they wanted, and the untraceable cash with which to pay off Russian hit men."
You've been reading Powerline this morning.
As for Barry, he routinely stomps off back to his coven. But Big Mike? Don't cross her or it could cost you your health.
Not even to MENTION -- where the heck is the final report on the PA assassination attempt of Trump? The parents? The many people yelling at the roof and pointing? The headshot taking out the assassin before anything could be learned? The money trail? The "sloped roof" nonsense? The Secret Service? AG
The Dim Dems have with their usual clear logic decided that Trump staged that "little" incident. Some have gone so far as to post pictures of "Trump's ear" showing that there's no damage to his ear, not even a graze.
Speaking of the chef...did the authorities conclude their investigation of his drowning? Did they give the investigation the same thoroughness that Ted Kennedy got when he drove his car into the water with that poor gal still stuck inside?
Funny I was just listening to Simon & Garfunkel when I saw that curly-haired photo of young Art, before he grew taller than Paul. But you say it's Joe's son so I must believe you!
I've always felt that it's my solemn duty, when faced with bullies of any sort or any sex, to stand my ground and (metaphorically) give them the finger. As Andrew Jackson said, "One man with courage is an army."
That is so funny you should say that, Tim. After Joe graduated college, we moved in very briefly with some friends who had two adorable little boys, 3 and 2, to have a kind of "commune" helping out and saving on rent. When the landlord immediately doubled the rent, the deal fell apart. But, when we moved on, the oldest little boy missed Joe a lot. He had found a picture of Art Garfunkel in the newspaper and cut it out to remind him of Joe!
I understand. This wasn't even going to be a "hippie" commune like the one Bernie Sanders got kicked out of for being a lazy slug. The poor young woman was a cocktail waitress at night and her husband was a milkman who had to get up really early in the morning. The plan was Joe would get a job and I would cook and deal with the little boys when their Mama was working or sleeping. It was the kind of plan someone 21 thinks up. The other couple was even younger!
When I was looking at real estate I went to see a place in Lewis County, Tennessee. I stumbled across a commune, they called themselves "The Farm" and seemed happy, friendly and well fed. Looked like they'd been there a long time. The people at the Lewis County Registrar of Deeds were friendly and helpful too - where I found out "15-20 acres" was in fact 10. Maybe.
It's easy to understand how "group rights" became a thing. Group wrongs were a thing. You could or could not be a professional, a noble, a soldier or a citizen because you were/were not a man, a born subject, born to a noble class, or of a particular shade of skin. Many other factors with low relevance were also used to favor some and to exclude others as groups.
In the end there are only individuals who should be rated as individuals. Even if 75% of young black men are poorly educated and socialized -- I don't think 75% are but it's way too high -- the individual across the desk, seeking a minimum-wage job to get his hand on the ladder of success, is who you need to consider. If you think he's poorly educated and socialized, you may have to reject him. If you think he'll frame at the job, you should snap him up.
The same would apply to a woman who wants to get under cars with a wrench and a work light. Does she know a carburetor from a fuel injector? Would she recognize an alternator if it rode past her on a bicycle? Does she believe an alternator ever rode past her on a bicycle? After the oral interview, a few minutes on the shop floor should tell you a lot -- and it's the same that you'd have learned about a man who wanted the same job.
"Feminists" -- too many, at least -- have the same problem as male chauvinists. They believe women are superior qua women rather than seeing individuals.
There's a long, sad history of group wrongs and demands for group rights. If we focus on each by each instead, we can do a lot better.
"Even if 75% of young black men are poorly educated and socialized -- I don't think 75% are but it's way too high..."
I the slums where I thrive, your statement is correct with just one word deleted: "Even if 75% of young men are poorly educated and socialized..." Alas, the 75% figure is probably low. Young men are being indoctrinated by ladies with bad haircuts who dominate our public schools...that plus those boyz heading towards men don't have their fathers living with them, just boyfriends of their mothers who tend to be unreliable.
"...just boyfriends of their mothers, who tend to be unreliable."
Boyfriends of mothers are also disproportionately abusive of mothers and children alike. The mothers are too often enablers of their own abuse and the abuse of their children. This turns up among fathers as well but it's less common because a father with custody is a rara avis in terra.
Yup. My brother raised all 4 of his children from 2 marriages where the women left. A really good guy, now happily married for 30 years, thank God. Third time really was the charm. And big kudos to the third wife who took on all 4 kids as well.
Love the reference to the Brad Paisley heart-breaking son! Love Brad Paisley, even though he does do the National Anthem at baseball games that traditionally go way way way into extra innings. AG
I loved Rush, but never cared for that term, hon. I think attaching "Nazi" to anything other than the Third Reich trivializes the original travesty. Even if some parallels could be pointed out...AG
Long ago I built turn-key kit cars for customers not into DIY. The boss brought a new employee for me to train saying, “I think she will be great. She was an Army helicopter mechanic.”
Within five minutes I could see her future. After marking holes for mounting gauges I handed her a drill and bit. She put the bit in the chuck, pulled the trigger and said, “It’s too loose and flies out.” Later I gave her a ratchet and socket to tighten something. She said, “it’s turning the wrong way.”
A brief interrogation revealed the only “mechanic” thing she did with helos was follow a chart telling where to touch left and right probes of a circuit tester to check continuity. IIRC she was allowed to transfer to the warehouse.
What a great column. I cannot say much today as I am currently sitting at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, covering myself in powdered sugar from their excellent beignets. We have a busy morning scheduled, so I will probably not get a chance to read any comments until much later today. I will do better next week!
I love Cafe du Monde, which hardly makes me unique! Just remember, dear Louis and Marilyn -- a "serving" of beignets (not making this up!) is THREE!! Laissez les bon temps roulet! (Or possibly, roulez?) AG
When will we be able to import memes, photos and videos? A meme that kinda fits, Louis is..."ME: I'm tired from all the crossfit this morning. MY CO-WORKER: It's pronounced croissant, and you ate four of them this morning!"
Lizzo has publicly shared her weight loss journey, stating that she has lost a significant amount of weight. She has attributed her weight loss to a combination of factors, including:
Dietary changes: Lizzo has adopted a healthier diet that focuses on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. She has also reduced her intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
Exercise: Lizzo has incorporated regular exercise into her routine, including strength training and cardio.
Medications: Lizzo has admitted to using weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, to help her suppress her appetite.
Mental health: Lizzo has emphasized the importance of mental health in her weight loss journey. She has said that she has worked on addressing her emotional eating habits and finding healthier coping mechanisms.
Lizzo has documented her progress on social media and in interviews. She has said that she is proud of her accomplishments and that she hopes to inspire others to pursue their own health and wellness goals.
As noted last week, with house privileges and now vet visits, I don't think the cats qualify as "feral" anymore. Free range is probably the best description
I noticed decades back that while every other demographic was encouraged to flaunt what makes them unique; afros for blacks and rainbows for gays, women were encouraged to erase theirs; burn your bra, shave your head, abort your baby...
Even at 13 I found all that highly suspicious and rejected such an obviously misogynist ideology as modern 'feminism'.
Forgive me for quoting Ammo quoting herself. Mrs. Grrrll: Quoting oneself is beyond the pale, and few souls wish to find themselves beyond the pale in polite company. You know…now that I think of it, that would be a great name for a teahouse: Beyond the Pale…or better, one of those micro-breweries. “Another Pale Ale barkeep.”
Ammo. The way I finesse the social faux pas of quoting myself is to attribute the quotes to folks like Bob Dylan, the late, great Prince, or my favorite bard, Boxcar Willie. And do you really think that Yogi Berra said all the things people attribute to him? “I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia…let them walk to school like I did”? My brother Jack said that. So with all that said, I loved this quote: “If you hate men so much, how come you’re trying so hard to look like one?” And while Robin Williams did call some gals “Women in comfortable shoes,” it simply ain’t true that P.J. O’Rourke called the women of the furrowed-brow “Ladies with bad haircuts.” He stole that one from Yogi Berra.
And let me guess. The baby boy of Max is the one on the right, the spitting image of John Lenin.
Ammo. Last week you wished us to “live long and prosper.” This week you reveal a “slavish devotion to Logic.” I knew, I knew it…you are a Vulcan. “Waiter…I’ll have the mind meld please with extra cheese…”
As most often is the case, there’s a lady in the blogging world that always gets our Friday morning safely to first base. Who’s on first? That gal with the most, a most congenial host, who when racing is first past the post, and then on Halloween will never give up the ghost, who wowed them once at the Yost Theater on the Amalfi Coast (Ok, I went too far with that one but at least it rhymes), we give thanks again, for another Substack gem from our beloved Mrs. Susan Grrrll.
Mr. Fluchel. We in America are well past the midpoint of our Season of Firsts. So many cities here have already had their first female fire chief, every corporation has had their first female heads of marketing for the East Coast...it's no longer a novelty, no longer a new story.
We're getting back to fundamentals. And Ammo wound-up her posting today on a King-like, Dream-like manner: "Let’s return to an entirely merit-based society where everyone has the RIGHT TO TRY, the right to prove he or she is QUALIFIED. Beyond that, let the chips fall where they may." Hear, hear!
I've told this story a half dozen times over the last 12 years in the comments section on the site, where Ammo Grrrll used to contribute. So, I'll keep it short.
In 1983-84, I was on a fully funded sabbatical at GWU in DC to obtain an advanced law degree (LLM) in criminal law. My next assignment would be at the Army Judge Advocate's School at UVA in Charlottesville.
In the spring, I had some difficulty arranging all my classes at the LLM level, so the school allowed me to pick a course at the top of the JD level. I saw a 300 level course called "Women and the Law" in the syllabus. It was supposed to be a survey of Civil Rights Legislation and relevant Federal Court Precedent, with an emphasis on women's rights.
I could say that, since I had almost no background in that area of the law, and had not even dabbled in it in the previous 10 years that I'd been a practicing lawyer, I picked that course to satisfy some academic or professional curiosity.
Heh! Not so. I was single, an Army Major, and generally bored with civilian life in our Nation's Capital. I also thought it might be a great place to meet intelligent, well-educated, females. A Two-fer.
Turned out that I was the ONLY male in a class of about 100 women. The instructor was the very same woman who confronted AG in the San Francisco coffee shop. I know this because the description in AG's column was a spot on duplicate of our instructor. Additionally, they behaved exactly the same way.
She and I clashed less than 60 seconds after she entered the small amphitheater, where the class met. She immediately confronted me, and demanded all sorts of explanations from me. She even suggested that my reason for taking the class suggested something less than the appropriate.
In situations like this, I have all the patience, consideration, judgment, and forbearance of a large ball-pean hammer. Secretly, I was considering dropping the course, since my real goals for that time slot seemed impossible to meet. But, I would not be bullied, especially by this harridan.
Skipping the details about the GWU administration, and the dean of the law school, I stayed in the class throughout the course, and received an A at the end. I'm sure that the fact that I publicly threatened to sue the instructor, and the school, if I received something less than I'd earned, had no bearing on the result.
Later that year, I met my wife, who is a very strong woman, but not a feminist in the model of many of the females in that class at GWU. We are less than two months from our 41st Anniversary.
I lived in SF in the late 80s... I think that the woman described by AG is in no way unique, and in fact, represented about 90% of the lesbian population in SF.
Let me guess, your instructor also drove a Japanese pick-up truck? (this was before Suburus were imported in large enough volume to equip the lesbian population on the West and East coasts.)
A happily married man married to a lady who is a natural good shot, when I went back to college in the 90's I took a course entitled "Russian Women's Literature" with no ulterior motive. The title made me remember that all the Russians I'd read were men, and I've always been fascinated by Russian history, and I needed a lit course, so I took it.
The lady prof, like most immigrants from Eastern Europe, was far from a leftist. She made a point of welcoming me to the class, but she did ask me why I was there. I was surprised to see there were no other men in the room, but as I started hearing stories like yours I understood. Too bad, it was one of the few courses where I kept all the books.
I took a Public Speaking course at the same Maine school, for that there were 15-20 students but only one other guy. I have no idea why. The prof was a man, and when it came time for us to do our first speeches he said "OK, which one of you two guys wants to go first?" Such a sexist assumption, he no doubt would be fired nowadays.
I am deliberately not naming the school. Thirty years ago I would have heartily endorsed it, but Maine has changed so much God only knows how bad it is now. A murder in Maine used to be statewide news for a week, now the news from there sounds like the body count you get in South Carolina. Progress with the Progressives.
Dear Ammo, Wait a minute, I thought Max was your husband, not your baby. I'm sorry Grrrl, but that photo looks so much like him I just couldn't pass it up. And yes, beautiful babies they are.
Robert Heinlein wrote an interesting story about a man who is his own father and mother -- it's called "All You Zombies". It has a definite creep factor.
Wasn't he the one who came up with TANSTAAFL- pronounced "tahnstafl" and means "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch". - the libertarian battle cry in my neck of the woods.
Max, perhaps you've found the key! I should be grateful that my two novels never made anybody's best seller list. Saved me from the "creep factor." There's a silver lining in every cloud.
"It is ever thus in every 'social justice' movement. The more obvious it becomes that virtually all impediments to success have been removed, the more furious the professional “victims” become that nothing much has changed in their lives. And the more resentful of others whose life decisions and discipline have catapulted them to success."
That comment by AG, in view of Max's column yesterday about systemic racism's being full of phlogiston, reminded me of this observation by a commenter whose identity I sadly can't recall:
It is because we had overcome the counterproductive discriminations of the past that the class of "professional victims" came up with the concept that they were being undercut, held back, even destroyed by "microaggressions."
Susan, this is a story for the ages. Those women at the tea shop were greatly failed by men. If only we men had taken them to the prom... What could have been avoided. All for the price of a few corsages.
Brilliant old (yet still on point) column and brilliant new column added to it.
This "[the image]features the most beautiful baby ever born, with the possible exception of your child or grandchild," reminds me of a conversation with fiends (all of us 65+ years old) several months ago. (I wrote about it a few days after it happened.) I noted that my grandson, then 5 months old, was the smartest kid ever. One friend said, "What a silly thing to say. No one can tell how smart an infant is." I responded, "As a grandmother yourself, you know it's each and every grandparent's obligation to tell the world that his or her grandkids are the bestest ever."
By the way, so far, at 11 months old, my grandson has not let me down.
On another note, about 25 years ago, when my ex (who was and is a lawyer) was pregnant with her relatively soon-to-be second ex's baby, my ex and I were discussing our daughter's future. In the course of the conversation we agreed that the women's movement had actually made life worse for women and for America.
"Brilliant old (yet still on point) column and brilliant new column added to it."
Scott Johnson, on Powerline, often runs an old posting. Sometimes you can pull-up the old comments. It's great fun to see a comment, say five years old, and conclude: "I can cut and paste that thing right here without change as my comment."
My wife described the evolving scene in the early 1970s when she was an undergrad at Douglass College, then the women's college at Rutgers. Aggressive lesbians were establishing a beachhead, including at the student newspaper where she was a writer. It should come as no surprise that these types hated men.
SEQUEL! NJ Mafia, medical school, and reverse affirmative action.
Some years before she went to Douglass, her family was living around Trenton. Her father sold wholesale goods to taverns. The local Mafia boss asked him to run numbers for him, which he refused. This was wrong etiquette, so they had to escape from the area overnight. They landed elsewhere in central NJ in a different Mafia zone. Deja vu! The boss there asked her father to run numbers, and he again refused. However, this new boss admired his courage and relented, even offering to protect the family against the old boss, who was his bitter enemy. Years later, approaching graduation, she applied to medical schools. She was graduating with. a BA in microbiology (Douglass felt women should all get BAs, even in science). Word somehow got to the new Mafia boss that she needed acceptance at med school, so he told her father that his connections could get this done in NJ. Her father said no again. She later found herself on the short list to enter a PA medical school for women. But they suddenly went coed!! They needed men, so a man knocked her off the list.
It's funny RAM, my best friend from age 6, eventually ended up living a lesbian lifestyle though she had been married twice, had 3 kids and liked men just fine. She actually liked hetero men better than gay men, although really she just loved everyone and was the least judgmental human I have ever known. She died from cancer 5 years ago and I miss her every day. Anyway, my experience with lesbians is there is a group of FUN lesbians who are just secure in being attracted to other women; and there are the ANGRY and HOSTILE lesbians. Just my own personal experience. In the women's show in Mpls we ran for 7 years straight, 3 of the comics were gay and could not have been nicer, sweeter, funnier people. And NONE of their humor related to their sexuality! They were not on a mission; they were just funny.
That was always my take on Ellen DeGeneres in her early years. She was sweet, self-deprecating, and actually funny. But then she became a missionary for the movement. But until then she had been my favorite Monkee (what have you started Petroski?).
All true, Ben. I don't know her personally, but I went to one of her shows in Chicago -- she had a terrific set -- and met up with her in the bar afterwards to tell her how much I had enjoyed her set. She was very nice and approachable. Then, as you say, she decided to be a spokeswoman and eventual "martyr" for the cause. She was much less funny and now...gone. But at least so far she doesn't call her "ex" country every day to remind us of how much she hates us like Rosie O'Donnell does..AG
I like the idea that a performer could mention "my sweetheart, Lilly Beth" whether the performer was a man or a woman and the audience would just note the tribute.
I usually speak of Geoff as my sweetheart and I got that from him speaking of me as "sweetheart". I asked him why he almost never says "wife" and he said, "I know husbands who don't like their wives. We all like their sweethearts."
My maternal grandma always called grandpa 'sweetheart' and always referred to him as 'sweetheart' in conversation. I was surprised to find out that his name was Raymond.
I don't like high-maintenance women, as a result I wasted a lot of time and effort trying to woo homosexual women. It was a real problem back in the days when people were still closeted.
First of all, it's unfair of our hostess to troll the newbies. Joe's son took the picture. That's his clone on the right.
Most feminists, especially those in comfortable shoes, seem dedicated to erasing the differences between men and women. This causes some problems, illustrated by the following totally reliable news story:
babylonbee.com/news/unclear-if-angry-looking-bald-person-a-neo-nazi-or-liberal-woman/
But the differences between the sexes persist. The feminization of society has led to our present obsession with safety, which allowed the government to put the entire population (outside of "far-right racist" rural areas) under house arrest, pulling off a scam election as well as a scamdemic. We would have never stood for that in the 70's.
Behavioral differences survive comfortable shoes. A man who "invites" you to leave, upon being defied, will usually attempt to enforce his request physically - especially in front of a group of his friends. A woman will usually stomp back to her coven. When the feminine urge to avoid conflict at all costs is imported into politics we get things like Barry Soetoro giving the Iranians everything they wanted, and the untraceable cash with which to pay off Russian hit men. Such thinking is far from compassionate. It leads to a glow-in-the-dark state of Israel.
You could say Barry was less manly than Maggie Thatcher. And you'd be right.
We can all do our little part. I salute Mrs. Vass for using the word "comedienne". There is nothing anti-woman about recognizing there are feminine things and masculine things. Indeed, I will close by quoting another great comedienne, Lily Tomlin:
“No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”
"Most feminists, especially those in comfortable shoes, seem dedicated to erasing the differences between men and women. This causes some problems, illustrated by the following totally reliable news story"
200,000(?) years of history says Good Luck With That.
Steve, once Joe and I were up in Prescott at a Residence Inn for the summer. There was a very nice pool and we were sitting by it enjoying a family with 3 little kids playing nearby. All of the children were wearing pants and t-shirts and had long hair. Two were playing together with some kind of action figures, making up stories, cooperating. ONE was climbing on table tops, diving UNDER tables, running around like a wild flea. We both turned to each other and said, "THAT'S a boy!" It was. His name was Oscar. AG
THAT shows it is sheer ignorance in the trans activists' insistence that there are no differences between little boys and little girls until puberty and so you can just turn them into each other with no problem.
In fact, in humans a fetus with XY, unlike a fetus with XX , begins producing testosterone as early as SEVEN WEEKS of gestation. There is also a surge of testosterone at birth. After that the hormones are mainly quiet till puberty, but the XY baby's muscles, bones and brain have already been influenced.
OF COURSE they're different!
You are too kind, Bonnie. It is not ignorance, it is an ugly, vile type of arrogance. It is also an evil that is almost incomprehensible: i.e., allowing the desire to appear trendy, hip, woke, whatever to one's equally sick and demented peers to overcome the maternal/paternal instinct to want the good and the best for our children.
"ONE was climbing on table tops, diving UNDER tables, running around like a wild flea"
Sadly entire generations of boys were placed on medication just for exhibiting that type of behavior. Which we all did when I was that age…
Comedians have made a good living talking about this
Two Things That Make Men Happy | Leanne Morgan Comedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o83Qn3QwdIU
Bill Engvall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMcsHjdfAw8
Good ones! And I'm pleased to learn about Leanne Morgan. Thanks Steve!
That's why I Get The Big Money! :-)
Good morning Clark.
"When the feminine urge to avoid conflict at all costs is imported into politics we get things like Barry Soetoro giving the Iranians everything they wanted, and the untraceable cash with which to pay off Russian hit men."
You've been reading Powerline this morning.
As for Barry, he routinely stomps off back to his coven. But Big Mike? Don't cross her or it could cost you your health.
Are you saying Big Mike got mad at the chef?
We should have learned a lot more about that. It was dropped way too quick.
Not even to MENTION -- where the heck is the final report on the PA assassination attempt of Trump? The parents? The many people yelling at the roof and pointing? The headshot taking out the assassin before anything could be learned? The money trail? The "sloped roof" nonsense? The Secret Service? AG
The would-be assassin's media accounts, cell phones, etc. WTH?
The Dim Dems have with their usual clear logic decided that Trump staged that "little" incident. Some have gone so far as to post pictures of "Trump's ear" showing that there's no damage to his ear, not even a graze.
And they say we're conspiracy nuts!
We sure have a lot more questions than answers.
You've got that right. Yet the president seems insouciant about the whole affair.
Oddly, I used Butler in my first book because I wanted someplace obscure. The geography and description of the drug scene are accurate.
Speaking of the chef...did the authorities conclude their investigation of his drowning? Did they give the investigation the same thoroughness that Ted Kennedy got when he drove his car into the water with that poor gal still stuck inside?
I have a photo in my picture file of Obama on the golf course taken after the "accident". He had a black eye and bandaged fingers.
There is no bottom.
Funny I was just listening to Simon & Garfunkel when I saw that curly-haired photo of young Art, before he grew taller than Paul. But you say it's Joe's son so I must believe you!
I've always felt that it's my solemn duty, when faced with bullies of any sort or any sex, to stand my ground and (metaphorically) give them the finger. As Andrew Jackson said, "One man with courage is an army."
And one WOMAN whose baby has just been insulted is a nuclear missile. AG
Don’t mess with Mama Bear!
Art Garfunkel has always been known as the "cute Beatle."
That is so funny you should say that, Tim. After Joe graduated college, we moved in very briefly with some friends who had two adorable little boys, 3 and 2, to have a kind of "commune" helping out and saving on rent. When the landlord immediately doubled the rent, the deal fell apart. But, when we moved on, the oldest little boy missed Joe a lot. He had found a picture of Art Garfunkel in the newspaper and cut it out to remind him of Joe!
AG
"When the landlord immediately doubled the rent, the deal fell apart."
Today's Ray of Hope.
I usually find out about these "communal" arrangements after my building falls apart.
I understand. This wasn't even going to be a "hippie" commune like the one Bernie Sanders got kicked out of for being a lazy slug. The poor young woman was a cocktail waitress at night and her husband was a milkman who had to get up really early in the morning. The plan was Joe would get a job and I would cook and deal with the little boys when their Mama was working or sleeping. It was the kind of plan someone 21 thinks up. The other couple was even younger!
AG
If you had told me that story, I would have said: "Here are the keys ma'am...you can pay me next Tuesday."
When I was looking at real estate I went to see a place in Lewis County, Tennessee. I stumbled across a commune, they called themselves "The Farm" and seemed happy, friendly and well fed. Looked like they'd been there a long time. The people at the Lewis County Registrar of Deeds were friendly and helpful too - where I found out "15-20 acres" was in fact 10. Maybe.
Yes. The Farm has been around since 1971, a very long life for an intentional community. https://thefarmcommunity.com/
It's easy to understand how "group rights" became a thing. Group wrongs were a thing. You could or could not be a professional, a noble, a soldier or a citizen because you were/were not a man, a born subject, born to a noble class, or of a particular shade of skin. Many other factors with low relevance were also used to favor some and to exclude others as groups.
In the end there are only individuals who should be rated as individuals. Even if 75% of young black men are poorly educated and socialized -- I don't think 75% are but it's way too high -- the individual across the desk, seeking a minimum-wage job to get his hand on the ladder of success, is who you need to consider. If you think he's poorly educated and socialized, you may have to reject him. If you think he'll frame at the job, you should snap him up.
The same would apply to a woman who wants to get under cars with a wrench and a work light. Does she know a carburetor from a fuel injector? Would she recognize an alternator if it rode past her on a bicycle? Does she believe an alternator ever rode past her on a bicycle? After the oral interview, a few minutes on the shop floor should tell you a lot -- and it's the same that you'd have learned about a man who wanted the same job.
"Feminists" -- too many, at least -- have the same problem as male chauvinists. They believe women are superior qua women rather than seeing individuals.
There's a long, sad history of group wrongs and demands for group rights. If we focus on each by each instead, we can do a lot better.
"Even if 75% of young black men are poorly educated and socialized -- I don't think 75% are but it's way too high..."
I the slums where I thrive, your statement is correct with just one word deleted: "Even if 75% of young men are poorly educated and socialized..." Alas, the 75% figure is probably low. Young men are being indoctrinated by ladies with bad haircuts who dominate our public schools...that plus those boyz heading towards men don't have their fathers living with them, just boyfriends of their mothers who tend to be unreliable.
"...just boyfriends of their mothers, who tend to be unreliable."
Boyfriends of mothers are also disproportionately abusive of mothers and children alike. The mothers are too often enablers of their own abuse and the abuse of their children. This turns up among fathers as well but it's less common because a father with custody is a rara avis in terra.
Yup. My brother raised all 4 of his children from 2 marriages where the women left. A really good guy, now happily married for 30 years, thank God. Third time really was the charm. And big kudos to the third wife who took on all 4 kids as well.
AG
The Mom she didn't have to be.
Love the reference to the Brad Paisley heart-breaking son! Love Brad Paisley, even though he does do the National Anthem at baseball games that traditionally go way way way into extra innings. AG
There you go!
I knew I could count on Petroski ( the northern one).
I’ve been reading down the comments hoping someone would quote Rush’s great description:
“ ladies with bad haircuts “
Like so many things Rush, the first time I heard it cringed, then chuckled, then thought Rush is right!
Rush stole that one from Jack.
By the by...Rush went a bit further. He called the ladies with bad haircuts "Feminazis." Boy did the Feminazis hate that one.
I loved Rush, but never cared for that term, hon. I think attaching "Nazi" to anything other than the Third Reich trivializes the original travesty. Even if some parallels could be pointed out...AG
(Channeling Norm Macdonald)
"When you can't make fun of the Nazis...just who can you make fun of?"
Long ago I built turn-key kit cars for customers not into DIY. The boss brought a new employee for me to train saying, “I think she will be great. She was an Army helicopter mechanic.”
Within five minutes I could see her future. After marking holes for mounting gauges I handed her a drill and bit. She put the bit in the chuck, pulled the trigger and said, “It’s too loose and flies out.” Later I gave her a ratchet and socket to tighten something. She said, “it’s turning the wrong way.”
A brief interrogation revealed the only “mechanic” thing she did with helos was follow a chart telling where to touch left and right probes of a circuit tester to check continuity. IIRC she was allowed to transfer to the warehouse.
That cutie on the right, with those curls, is definitely Joe’s. I think I see you in his eyes though.
I would have guessed the taller one, but for the hair.
Yup. Got it in one. The taller one, in fairness WAS (and probably still is!) 6 months older! AG
If he was six months older and the interval is anything else now, there's a Nobel Physics Prize in the offing.
They will never give a Prize to a conservative! But, point taken! AG
Maybe if you actually changed time flow like this, you'd get an Honorable Mention.
I agree.
What a great column. I cannot say much today as I am currently sitting at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, covering myself in powdered sugar from their excellent beignets. We have a busy morning scheduled, so I will probably not get a chance to read any comments until much later today. I will do better next week!
I love Cafe du Monde, which hardly makes me unique! Just remember, dear Louis and Marilyn -- a "serving" of beignets (not making this up!) is THREE!! Laissez les bon temps roulet! (Or possibly, roulez?) AG
There is so much that makes you unique, Susan dear.
Awwww...AG
Like so many other food items, I eat for four. Unlike my younger skinnier self, who would eat for a dozen.
When will we be able to import memes, photos and videos? A meme that kinda fits, Louis is..."ME: I'm tired from all the crossfit this morning. MY CO-WORKER: It's pronounced croissant, and you ate four of them this morning!"
That's hilarious, Mel, and really doesn't need the meme. But it would be cool if and hopefully WHEN we can accommodate them. Sigh. AG
Hey there Mel. Good to see you out and about.
Boy do I miss seeing Lizzo here amongst all the high-brow commentary.
I also could use a few video clips of trains smashing into each other.
You mean SKINNY Lizzo, Tony:
From AI:
Lizzo has publicly shared her weight loss journey, stating that she has lost a significant amount of weight. She has attributed her weight loss to a combination of factors, including:
Dietary changes: Lizzo has adopted a healthier diet that focuses on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. She has also reduced her intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
Exercise: Lizzo has incorporated regular exercise into her routine, including strength training and cardio.
Medications: Lizzo has admitted to using weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, to help her suppress her appetite.
Mental health: Lizzo has emphasized the importance of mental health in her weight loss journey. She has said that she has worked on addressing her emotional eating habits and finding healthier coping mechanisms.
Lizzo has documented her progress on social media and in interviews. She has said that she is proud of her accomplishments and that she hopes to inspire others to pursue their own health and wellness goals.
She is actually a very pretty woman. I have to be out of pocket for about an hour dealing with 5 kitties and the travelin' vet. Carry on! AG
Oh no! More trouble?
No, just time for regular vaxxes for the 5 9-week-old kitties. We checked with RFK and he says it's fine! AG
As noted last week, with house privileges and now vet visits, I don't think the cats qualify as "feral" anymore. Free range is probably the best description
Noooohhhhh. Lizzo...say it ain't sooooooooo.
As Bob Dylan once sang in his great hit "Raspberry Beret,"
"I'll take the good times, I'll take the bad times...I love you just the way you are." You don't fool with the Mona Lisa.
I thought Prince wrote and sang Raspberry Beret.
If you aren't already familiar with our dear Mr. Petroski, you will realize that he does this all the time as a joke. You are, of course, correct. AG
It's called "The Petroski Put-on". He knows the correct answer.
Huh? Prince you say?
(Looked it up)
Unwoke is right. As Emily Litella used to say:
"Nevermind."
Actually, it was Yogi Berra.
You may also have noted that the lyrics quoted were from a Billy Joel song...
Louis, Cafe du Monde during daylight hours? I thought they were only open between 1am and 5am, which is the only time I have ever been there 😉.
I noticed decades back that while every other demographic was encouraged to flaunt what makes them unique; afros for blacks and rainbows for gays, women were encouraged to erase theirs; burn your bra, shave your head, abort your baby...
Even at 13 I found all that highly suspicious and rejected such an obviously misogynist ideology as modern 'feminism'.
I agree with Petroski below that that is a VERY unique and interesting take. Not easy to do when almost everything has already been said! AG
Interesting take MLP.
As a student of history, I have contended that:
Civilizations grow in the Masculine and die in the Feminine.
That's a great quote JP. Did you get that from the Ammo Grrrll?
“Forgive me for quoting myself…”
Forgive me for quoting Ammo quoting herself. Mrs. Grrrll: Quoting oneself is beyond the pale, and few souls wish to find themselves beyond the pale in polite company. You know…now that I think of it, that would be a great name for a teahouse: Beyond the Pale…or better, one of those micro-breweries. “Another Pale Ale barkeep.”
Ammo. The way I finesse the social faux pas of quoting myself is to attribute the quotes to folks like Bob Dylan, the late, great Prince, or my favorite bard, Boxcar Willie. And do you really think that Yogi Berra said all the things people attribute to him? “I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia…let them walk to school like I did”? My brother Jack said that. So with all that said, I loved this quote: “If you hate men so much, how come you’re trying so hard to look like one?” And while Robin Williams did call some gals “Women in comfortable shoes,” it simply ain’t true that P.J. O’Rourke called the women of the furrowed-brow “Ladies with bad haircuts.” He stole that one from Yogi Berra.
And let me guess. The baby boy of Max is the one on the right, the spitting image of John Lenin.
Ammo. Last week you wished us to “live long and prosper.” This week you reveal a “slavish devotion to Logic.” I knew, I knew it…you are a Vulcan. “Waiter…I’ll have the mind meld please with extra cheese…”
As most often is the case, there’s a lady in the blogging world that always gets our Friday morning safely to first base. Who’s on first? That gal with the most, a most congenial host, who when racing is first past the post, and then on Halloween will never give up the ghost, who wowed them once at the Yost Theater on the Amalfi Coast (Ok, I went too far with that one but at least it rhymes), we give thanks again, for another Substack gem from our beloved Mrs. Susan Grrrll.
"If I never hear about another “first woman who…” again, it will be too soon."
It's even worse today. Now it's the first trans-woman half-eskimo, half-Swahili, lesbian who..."
Mr. Fluchel. We in America are well past the midpoint of our Season of Firsts. So many cities here have already had their first female fire chief, every corporation has had their first female heads of marketing for the East Coast...it's no longer a novelty, no longer a new story.
We're getting back to fundamentals. And Ammo wound-up her posting today on a King-like, Dream-like manner: "Let’s return to an entirely merit-based society where everyone has the RIGHT TO TRY, the right to prove he or she is QUALIFIED. Beyond that, let the chips fall where they may." Hear, hear!
I've told this story a half dozen times over the last 12 years in the comments section on the site, where Ammo Grrrll used to contribute. So, I'll keep it short.
In 1983-84, I was on a fully funded sabbatical at GWU in DC to obtain an advanced law degree (LLM) in criminal law. My next assignment would be at the Army Judge Advocate's School at UVA in Charlottesville.
In the spring, I had some difficulty arranging all my classes at the LLM level, so the school allowed me to pick a course at the top of the JD level. I saw a 300 level course called "Women and the Law" in the syllabus. It was supposed to be a survey of Civil Rights Legislation and relevant Federal Court Precedent, with an emphasis on women's rights.
I could say that, since I had almost no background in that area of the law, and had not even dabbled in it in the previous 10 years that I'd been a practicing lawyer, I picked that course to satisfy some academic or professional curiosity.
Heh! Not so. I was single, an Army Major, and generally bored with civilian life in our Nation's Capital. I also thought it might be a great place to meet intelligent, well-educated, females. A Two-fer.
Turned out that I was the ONLY male in a class of about 100 women. The instructor was the very same woman who confronted AG in the San Francisco coffee shop. I know this because the description in AG's column was a spot on duplicate of our instructor. Additionally, they behaved exactly the same way.
She and I clashed less than 60 seconds after she entered the small amphitheater, where the class met. She immediately confronted me, and demanded all sorts of explanations from me. She even suggested that my reason for taking the class suggested something less than the appropriate.
In situations like this, I have all the patience, consideration, judgment, and forbearance of a large ball-pean hammer. Secretly, I was considering dropping the course, since my real goals for that time slot seemed impossible to meet. But, I would not be bullied, especially by this harridan.
Skipping the details about the GWU administration, and the dean of the law school, I stayed in the class throughout the course, and received an A at the end. I'm sure that the fact that I publicly threatened to sue the instructor, and the school, if I received something less than I'd earned, had no bearing on the result.
Later that year, I met my wife, who is a very strong woman, but not a feminist in the model of many of the females in that class at GWU. We are less than two months from our 41st Anniversary.
Ball-peen hammer, indeed. Will have to have a early anniversary celebration in Sedona.
AG
Great story TonyP of the famed One, Seven Three.
Here's an advanced Happy 41st Anniversary for you and your very strong woman. May you enjoy many more years together.
So far, so good!
You are a year in front of me, congratulations. The big 40 coming up is why I missed CC in the woods.
Good news.
This telling includes details not shared before, so it's excellent!
I lived in SF in the late 80s... I think that the woman described by AG is in no way unique, and in fact, represented about 90% of the lesbian population in SF.
Let me guess, your instructor also drove a Japanese pick-up truck? (this was before Suburus were imported in large enough volume to equip the lesbian population on the West and East coasts.)
A happily married man married to a lady who is a natural good shot, when I went back to college in the 90's I took a course entitled "Russian Women's Literature" with no ulterior motive. The title made me remember that all the Russians I'd read were men, and I've always been fascinated by Russian history, and I needed a lit course, so I took it.
The lady prof, like most immigrants from Eastern Europe, was far from a leftist. She made a point of welcoming me to the class, but she did ask me why I was there. I was surprised to see there were no other men in the room, but as I started hearing stories like yours I understood. Too bad, it was one of the few courses where I kept all the books.
I took a Public Speaking course at the same Maine school, for that there were 15-20 students but only one other guy. I have no idea why. The prof was a man, and when it came time for us to do our first speeches he said "OK, which one of you two guys wants to go first?" Such a sexist assumption, he no doubt would be fired nowadays.
I am deliberately not naming the school. Thirty years ago I would have heartily endorsed it, but Maine has changed so much God only knows how bad it is now. A murder in Maine used to be statewide news for a week, now the news from there sounds like the body count you get in South Carolina. Progress with the Progressives.
Dear Ammo, Wait a minute, I thought Max was your husband, not your baby. I'm sorry Grrrl, but that photo looks so much like him I just couldn't pass it up. And yes, beautiful babies they are.
God bless,
Jim
Robert Heinlein wrote an interesting story about a man who is his own father and mother -- it's called "All You Zombies". It has a definite creep factor.
Heinlein wrote some very good novels, but he did exhibit the "creep factor" in more than one.
Mark Twain wrote a lot of creepy stuff that's largely fallen off the radar. "The Mysterious Stranger" may be the creepiest.
Hey there TonyP. Great to see you here.
The older he got, the worse he got--maybe because he had too much success and money?
I look forward to the day the famed novelist Max Cossack has too much success and money, especially if he is buying the rounds at the bar
Would it SPOIL him, though? I'd like to give it a shot! Lol.
AG
MTG: I'm hoping to find out if fame and fortune will ruin me. So far, it's a slow process.
Yes, but he was memorable.
Wasn't he the one who came up with TANSTAAFL- pronounced "tahnstafl" and means "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch". - the libertarian battle cry in my neck of the woods.
Yes—that’s he.
Max, perhaps you've found the key! I should be grateful that my two novels never made anybody's best seller list. Saved me from the "creep factor." There's a silver lining in every cloud.
There’s room for many in that cloud.
It is hardly necessary to comment on that which is already perfect . . . but I wanted to do it anyhow. Just great, thanks!
Wow! What a lovely thing to say, thank you! (And now I go to feed many cats). AG
"It is ever thus in every 'social justice' movement. The more obvious it becomes that virtually all impediments to success have been removed, the more furious the professional “victims” become that nothing much has changed in their lives. And the more resentful of others whose life decisions and discipline have catapulted them to success."
That comment by AG, in view of Max's column yesterday about systemic racism's being full of phlogiston, reminded me of this observation by a commenter whose identity I sadly can't recall:
It is because we had overcome the counterproductive discriminations of the past that the class of "professional victims" came up with the concept that they were being undercut, held back, even destroyed by "microaggressions."
Yes. Without fake "microaggressions" the grievance mongers would have little material to work with.
Those are darling boys! Rape vibes...my patootie.
Susan, this is a story for the ages. Those women at the tea shop were greatly failed by men. If only we men had taken them to the prom... What could have been avoided. All for the price of a few corsages.
Knowing women like these, I can assure you they hate men BECAUSE no one took them to the prom.
The reason no boy asked them to the prom is grist for another column. Hint hint...
No one ever took me to the prom and it had absolutely no effect on me. It certainly did not make me hate men.
Brilliant old (yet still on point) column and brilliant new column added to it.
This "[the image]features the most beautiful baby ever born, with the possible exception of your child or grandchild," reminds me of a conversation with fiends (all of us 65+ years old) several months ago. (I wrote about it a few days after it happened.) I noted that my grandson, then 5 months old, was the smartest kid ever. One friend said, "What a silly thing to say. No one can tell how smart an infant is." I responded, "As a grandmother yourself, you know it's each and every grandparent's obligation to tell the world that his or her grandkids are the bestest ever."
By the way, so far, at 11 months old, my grandson has not let me down.
On another note, about 25 years ago, when my ex (who was and is a lawyer) was pregnant with her relatively soon-to-be second ex's baby, my ex and I were discussing our daughter's future. In the course of the conversation we agreed that the women's movement had actually made life worse for women and for America.
Good morning Ira.
"Brilliant old (yet still on point) column and brilliant new column added to it."
Scott Johnson, on Powerline, often runs an old posting. Sometimes you can pull-up the old comments. It's great fun to see a comment, say five years old, and conclude: "I can cut and paste that thing right here without change as my comment."
It would be rude to omit the attribution.
In part because the current women's movement is a cultivation of misery and mental illness.
My wife described the evolving scene in the early 1970s when she was an undergrad at Douglass College, then the women's college at Rutgers. Aggressive lesbians were establishing a beachhead, including at the student newspaper where she was a writer. It should come as no surprise that these types hated men.
SEQUEL! NJ Mafia, medical school, and reverse affirmative action.
Some years before she went to Douglass, her family was living around Trenton. Her father sold wholesale goods to taverns. The local Mafia boss asked him to run numbers for him, which he refused. This was wrong etiquette, so they had to escape from the area overnight. They landed elsewhere in central NJ in a different Mafia zone. Deja vu! The boss there asked her father to run numbers, and he again refused. However, this new boss admired his courage and relented, even offering to protect the family against the old boss, who was his bitter enemy. Years later, approaching graduation, she applied to medical schools. She was graduating with. a BA in microbiology (Douglass felt women should all get BAs, even in science). Word somehow got to the new Mafia boss that she needed acceptance at med school, so he told her father that his connections could get this done in NJ. Her father said no again. She later found herself on the short list to enter a PA medical school for women. But they suddenly went coed!! They needed men, so a man knocked her off the list.
It's funny RAM, my best friend from age 6, eventually ended up living a lesbian lifestyle though she had been married twice, had 3 kids and liked men just fine. She actually liked hetero men better than gay men, although really she just loved everyone and was the least judgmental human I have ever known. She died from cancer 5 years ago and I miss her every day. Anyway, my experience with lesbians is there is a group of FUN lesbians who are just secure in being attracted to other women; and there are the ANGRY and HOSTILE lesbians. Just my own personal experience. In the women's show in Mpls we ran for 7 years straight, 3 of the comics were gay and could not have been nicer, sweeter, funnier people. And NONE of their humor related to their sexuality! They were not on a mission; they were just funny.
AG
That was always my take on Ellen DeGeneres in her early years. She was sweet, self-deprecating, and actually funny. But then she became a missionary for the movement. But until then she had been my favorite Monkee (what have you started Petroski?).
All true, Ben. I don't know her personally, but I went to one of her shows in Chicago -- she had a terrific set -- and met up with her in the bar afterwards to tell her how much I had enjoyed her set. She was very nice and approachable. Then, as you say, she decided to be a spokeswoman and eventual "martyr" for the cause. She was much less funny and now...gone. But at least so far she doesn't call her "ex" country every day to remind us of how much she hates us like Rosie O'Donnell does..AG
I like the idea that a performer could mention "my sweetheart, Lilly Beth" whether the performer was a man or a woman and the audience would just note the tribute.
I usually speak of Geoff as my sweetheart and I got that from him speaking of me as "sweetheart". I asked him why he almost never says "wife" and he said, "I know husbands who don't like their wives. We all like their sweethearts."
My maternal grandma always called grandpa 'sweetheart' and always referred to him as 'sweetheart' in conversation. I was surprised to find out that his name was Raymond.
"Some of you will be going home to your wives, some to your sweethearts. Some will be going home to both."
Col. Henry Blake
I must note here that those in the third category were usually not going home to only one woman.
MTG: I have come home to both and she is one.
I don't like high-maintenance women, as a result I wasted a lot of time and effort trying to woo homosexual women. It was a real problem back in the days when people were still closeted.
Did the fact that they wanted to arm-wrestle you rather than hold your hand cool the woo?
Nope. Like Mrs. Blackwater, all that means is she can drive a nail.
Is the nail a stick shift or an automatic?
Manual, of course. Always.
Funny, pleasant people can still choose socially destructive behavior.