Friday Night Open Thread: Recap

(Consults notes): I think we should check in on how you are doing with the Big Three: not sinning, what to do with found money, and murder.

Clear-ish conscience? Either way, let’s proceed.

Which rhymes with Greed. Greed is morally bad, but it works, as Gordon Gekko Insurance illustrates. But I’m here to speak against greed.

An example of greed is seen at a lot of barbecues. If there’s just one last tasty chicken thigh, or a rib, inevitably the the guy ahead of you in line who already has two on his plate AND two ears of corn takes it before you. That’s greed.

I’m not going to name names, because this is a moral post.

What do the philosophers say about greed? Some of them were greedy for attention, so take them with a huge grain of salt. A virtual impossibility, for a salt crystal; but that’s an example of verbal / metaphoric greed.

We may be getting too philosophical here. Philosophers are far too academic to use the word “greed,” and use the term “avarice” instead, so take their words with another grain of salt, of whatever size. They try to position themselves as the salt of the earth, when everyone knows that only apostles are.

The lust of avarice has so totally seized upon mankind that their wealth seems rather to possess them, than they possess their wealth.

— Pliny

I wish this dude specified when writing whether he was Pliny the Elder or Pliny the Younger. But he didn’t. Greed may have been involved.

The ancients knew all about greed, and apparently all about Hollywood and Hillary:

Avarice is so insatiable that it is not in the power of abundance to content it.

— Seneca

And about Hillary specifically.

Avarice increases with the increasing pile of gold.

— Juvenal

And Hillary and Nancy Pelosi (though this may have been because they met them).

Avarice, in old age, is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach our journey’s end?

— Cicero

Does anyone think it’s odd that the ancient Greeks and Romans recognized the problem of greed, yet here we are in 2021 with the same problem? And the same women?

For you kids out there who are now in your fifties, why do you think Star Wars named that character “Greedo”? Ah ha!

.

Do you have something you’d like to share? A link? A joke? Some words of wisdom? A topic to discuss? It’s our nightly Open Thread, and you have the floor.

Biden’s Musical Q and A

Biden is challenged: not just morally, ethically, physically, mentally, and CornPopply, but now musically.

Something completely different

I realized yesterday when I imagined Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” coming out of Biden’s mouth, that this was an untapped vein. Or, in Hunter’s case, the closest thing possible to an untapped vein.

REPORTER: Mr. President, where are you on negotiations with the Taliban?

BIDEN: On a long, lonesome highway, east of Omaha.
You can listen to the engine moanin’ out as one long song
And the thing about the woman, or the girl, you knew the night before . . .

REPORTERETTE: Will our troops, civilians, and Afghani allies be safe?

Well, my thoughts will soon be wandering, the way they always do
When I’m Biden sixteen hours and there’s nothing much to do
And I don’t much like hidin’, I guess chocalate chip is too.

REPORTER: But you’re making press appearances again?

BIDEN: Here I am, on the road again
There I am, up on the stage
Here I go, playing sitar again
There I go, {reading from teleprompter} “Turn The Page.”

{Turns to a page.}

REPORTER: Where has Hunter been lately?

BIDEN: When you walk into a restaurant strung out from the road
And you feel the eyes upon you as you’re making off with gold
You pretend it doesn’t bother you, but you just want to explode.

REPORTER: Speaking of which . . .

BIDEN {holding up hand}: No, let me finish.

Most times you can’t hear ’em talk, other times you can
All the Democrat clichés, “Is it woman or a man?”
And you’ve always seen Outnumbered, so you don’t dare make a stand.

REPORTER: So, Hunter’s . . .

BIDEN: Here I am, on the road again
There I am, up on the stage
Here I go, playing the star again
There I go, intern or page.

{Looks down at binder; turns page.}

REPORTER: You are clearly in the spotlight here, no more than six feet away from us, but not wearing a mask. Can you speak to that?

BIDEN: Look, man, out there in the spotlight you’re a million miles away
Every ounce of energy you try to give away
As the sweat pours out your body like the Musilex, as you say.

REPORTERETTE: Your spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, has said you are full of vigor — I hope that’s the word she used — and that she “has a hard time keeping up with you.”

BIDEN: Later in the evening as you lie awake in bed
With the echoes from the amplifiers ringin’ in your head
You stroke the day’s last silhouette, remembering what she said.

REPORTER: Mr. Biden , when will you hold your next press availability?

BIDEN: Twenty-Five or Six to Four.

REPORTERETTE: Could you clarify that?

BIDEN: Innagadavida, baby!

REPORTER: What is your plan for operations in Afghanistan?

BIDEN: {Quotes lyrics from “Louie, Louie” as he shuffles off without taking further questions.}

RIP II

If I remember correctly, FrankJ has a brother who’s a Marine. So, naturally, this site stands squarely behind the guys who are on the ground.

But what about the girls? I’m sure he knows some techs and stuff that are as sharp and capable as you could possibly want.

But what about the gays? OK, good and tough warriors can come from that demographic.

If you get through Parris Island, you’re a warrior.

But what about Trans?

Ummm… in the military? Where decision-making is a priority?

Eh. So you decided on being something you’re not, and stuck with it, no matter the repercussions. That might be bravery. If you got through Parris Island . . .

White privilege? General Milley thinks all troops need to read up on that.

Nope. That’s where I draw the line.

That’s why we’re getting our ass kicked Milley-tarily.

Humiliating. So sorry for the Marines and Navy personnel who died — and the further troops there, who may. Because of their commanders. And their Commander in Chief.

RIP I

Joe Biden Has Been Derelict In His Duty. He Is Unfit To Lead. He Should Be Impeached
The Federalist | August 27, 2027 | John Daniel Davison

News reports out of Kabul indicate the U.S. military is welding shut the gates of the airport complex, which could mean an abrupt end to evacuation efforts for an estimated 1,500 American citizens, at least, still trapped in Afghanistan.

If that is the case, we are now facing the worst hostage crisis in American history.

Our sources on the ground tell us gates are being welded shut. https://t.co/Fj9u5Up9b4
— Howard Altman (@haltman) August 26, 2021

Straight Line of the Day: Al Capone’s Family Will Auction Off His ‘Favorite’ Gun, Other Personal Items. What Would You Bid On?

Straight Line of the Day: Al Capone’s family will auction off his ‘favorite’ gun, other personal items. What would you bid on?

Al Capone’s Family To Auction Off His ‘Favorite’ Gun, Other Personal Items
New York Post | 8/24/2021 | Will Feuer

The surviving granddaughters of Alphonse “Al” Capone, one of the country’s most notorious gangsters, are auctioning off a slew of the mob boss’ treasures that include his “favorite” gun and letters to his son he wrote from prison.

Sacramento, California-based auctioneer Witherell’s said it has authenticated the items included in the collection and will run the live auction on Oct. 8.

Among the more eye-popping items listed in the collection is the ruthless racketeer’s “favorite” gun, a Colt .45 pistol that’s been passed down through the generations of Capone’s descendants and will start bidding at $50,000.

The collection, called “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone,” also includes a platinum Patek Philippe pocket watch monogrammed with 90 single cut diamonds starting at $12,500 and a matching pocket knife monogrammed with 20 single cut diamonds starting at $1,250.

Welcome to IMAO’s Original Site!

They found the missing evidence in the Keiller case!

Visible depression has somewhat moderated.

New Study of Avebury Monument Suggests It Started Out as a Single-Family Home
Phys.org | April 12, 2019 | Bob Yirka

Yeah, right. And Stonehenge was its barbecue pit.

The Avebury monument is a Neolithic site situated approximately 20 miles from the more famous monument Stonehenge. Like Stonehenge, Avebury is made mostly of large stones.

“But it’s such a cozy house, honey!”

In the case of Avebury, the stones are smaller and spread wider.

(Is it just me, or am I the only one who finds archaeological specula — speculation — erotic?)

The monument consists of both standing stones and other stones arranged in circles.

So, yeah, a private home. I follow their reasoning.

There is also a much larger ring of stones encircling the other stone structures, which is itself encircled by an embankment.

Let’s get it over with. Just ask Keith Richards what it was all about.

Rock ‘n Roll Throwdown : 1950s

Here are Friday’s matches.

Polls will close on Thursday September 2nd.

Let’s throwdown.

Match 1

Lawdy Miss Clawdy – Lloyd Price vs That’s All Right – Elvis Presley with Scotty and Bill

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
61 votes · 61 answers

Match 2

Lucille – Little Richard vs Ain’t That A Shame – Fats Domino

VS

https://youtu.be/u0Ujb6lJ_mM

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
71 votes · 71 answers

Match 3

Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry vs The Great Pretender – Platters

https://youtu.be/IEzfhclKO8Q

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
76 votes · 76 answers

Match 4

In The Still Of The Nite – Five Satins vs Fever – Little Willie John

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
108 votes · 108 answers

Match 5

I Only Have Eyes For You – Flamingos vs Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis Presley

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
75 votes · 75 answers

Match 6

For Your Precious Love – Jerry Butler & the Impressions vs I Walk The Line – Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
68 votes · 68 answers

Match 7

 Money Honey – Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter vs  Blueberry Hill – Fats Domino

https://youtu.be/Pm4l43exh2M

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
63 votes · 63 answers

Match 8

Please, Please, Please – James Brown & the Famous Flames vs Sh-Boom – Chords

VS

This poll is no longer accepting votes

Which song do you prefer?
65 votes · 65 answers