Sad and Sick

Good morning.

The news on Milton continues to develop. Cat 5 might decrease to Cat 3 by the time it makes landfall, now predicted to hit between Sarasota and Tampa. Republican politicians in the 6 affected states continue their pleas, asking people to stop spreading the lies about FEMA in response to the national disaster that Helene caused.

How sad and sick that a segment of society in this country has become so ensconced in divisive and damaging rhetoric. So much so that they prefer to see their own people remain in dire, ravaged circumstances rather than receive the help they need to survive.

As republican politicians such as Lindsay Graham (R - S.C.), Ralph Norman (R - S.C.) and Anna Paulina Luna (R - FL) plead for Congress to cut their 6-week recess short and approve funds which were stripped from the stop-gap measure, Speaker Mike Johnson (R - LA) is refusing.

And, by the end of this week, a path across central Florida can be added to the devastated areas.

Monday Giggles

 

Good morning.

Last Monday I listed out the hurricane damage that was done to the complex where my siblings and I inherited a condo. My sister lives there, my brother visits --- I haven't been back since our mom died. No plans to visit at least until DeSantis is gone and the bullshit he's put in place can be overturned. If the Weather Service (part of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (which Project 2025 would dismantle) predictions stand, Hurricane Milton will increase to Cat 5 and head straight for the FL Gulf coast to make landfall somewhere between Ft. Meyers and Spring Hill (north of Tampa). The wider storm band effects will stretch from Key West to Gainesville. It will leave a swath of destruction across the central portion of the peninsula like Helene did all the way up through Asheville, N.C.

Let's be clear: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration (which project 2025 would also shut down) did not give its funds to illegal immigrants. The Trump administration used FEMA funds for the border wall, cut funding, and the republicans in Congress voted against funding FEMA. Per Republican governors and congressmen, the White House has been in contact with and is coordinating with all states, counties, cities, and municipalities affected by Hurricane Helene. Those conspiracy rumors and misinformation are hampering the aiding of victims --- all Red States, btw. Stop the rumors and misinformation being spread by logging onto the website and sharing their FEMA Rumor Response.

Now, on to the Monday Giggles.

Jocks Are

 

Good morning.

Well, one October Surprise has been resolved by the dockworkers union. Reporting indicates the other unions put pressure on them to go back to work until January - thus saving Christmas shopping.

"I stopped for coffee and changed tables so I wouldn't have to deal with seeing a man's junk hanging out of his shorts. What is it with men? You can't at least put on a jack strap. Isn't that what they were made for?"

Um, okay. First, it's not junk. That's offensive. Junk is something we throw away in the trash. Second, jocks are uncomfortable as hell. To quote a line from my buddy's first play, "You try cramming those double-Ds into a A-cup and then we'll talk." Yeah, it's like that, only worse.

Third, jock straps were actually invented in 1874 by C.F. Bennett in Chicago, working for Sharp & Smith Sporting Goods, specifically for "bicycle jockeys" who were that era's version of delivery services and messengers. Thus the name "jock strap" (or "jockstrap," depending upon your preferred spelling). It was designed to keep the men's balls from flopping around and getting bruised as they pedaled along cobblestone streets.

Some companies do make "street jocks," which are much less restrictive than ones worn for most sports.

Though many of today's players wear a type of full butt coverage sports brief like this one from YUSA Studios.

But anything that restricts the goods is uncomfortable. Add heat and sweat (because our balls do sweat) and, well, it's even worse. Most days, the first thing my wife does when she comes in from work is take off the bra. So, think of it in those terms the next time you see a guy's goods slipping out the legs of his shorts.

Have a great weekend.

Four

 

Good morning.

Well, we have not one, not two, not three, but four October surprises this election: The devastation caused by Helene that could hamper voting in five states; The dockworkers strike that could cripple the economy if it drags on; The Isreali ground incursion into Lebanon; The 165-page Jan 6 filing released to the public.

Which will have the greatest impact on the election?

As they would say in Great Britain: "Keep your pecker up!"