Weekend Open Thread
Many people on the left hold onto their “more government control” argument under the assumption that the left sees things from a realistic standpoint. They see society and the government as being “unfair”, and as needing to take certain actions to improve everyone’s lot. However, when one looks deep down into these arguments, something becomes obvious. Many among the left would rather force society to change instead of realizing that the “unfairness” is influenced heavily on the consequences of one’s actions. Enjoy your weekend.
Category: Open thread
First!
By two freaking seconds!!!!!
This is what Hack was planning to post:
Oh wise and all knowing Magic 8-Ball, will good fortune once again come to Hack Stone by bestowing him a second consecutive First Comment in the Weekend Open Thread, or will he be tossed in the gutter alongside Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris complaining that he was most qualified to post the first comment? Magic 8-Ball says…
Hack will just have to be satisfied with winning the Powerball Lottery tomorrow night.
Hope ya win!
CONG-Rats AH
Thank you, Jeff!
First!
¡No!
That’s Spanish for no.
D’oh!
That’s Spanish for D’oh!
Hack Stone approves this comment. Thank you for your attention.
Indeed…
Rats of the Cong to AH, who beat me to the throne by TWO FREAKING SECONDS. Shucks and other comments. Oh well, nothing left to do but leave my early Christmas present to you … the weekly trivia column! Enjoy.
DID YOU KNOW…?
Was a popular singer’s appearance on a television series not seen by many viewers?
By Commissioner Wretched
didyouknowcolumn@gmail.com
Copyright © 2025
In this column’s home newspapers, Christmas comes one week from today.
I hope you are ready.
If you aren’t, you still have time to get that last-minute shopping (or last-minute letter to Santa Claus) taken care of.
If you are, then sit back and coast. Make sure the tree is up and decorated, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care (now where have I heard that before?), and that your holiday repast is planned and underway.
Since I won’t see you here again before the holiday, let me be the first among others to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Now, your gift from me … trivia. Enjoy!
Did you know …
… a scientific term exists for the “pins and needles” feeling you get when your foot goes to sleep? It’s called temporary paresthesia and is the result of pressure on a nerve. (Yes, I had the nerve to say that.)
… you may know someone who practices hippology? No, that person doesn’t study hippos. They study horses. (I leave it to you to figure out why the study of horses is called hippology.)
… the CIA used a classic novel to try and undermine communism? During the 1950s, the Central Intelligence Agency launched balloons bearing copies of the novel Animal Farm from West Germany, sending them into the nations behind the Iron Curtain. The plan was for the novel by George Orwell (1903-1950), a thinly-veiled parody of communism, to be read by people in Communist nations and get them to question the party line. (Maybe if they’d not sent the books in English, it might’ve worked.)
… pinball was once banned in New York City? The game involving metal balls, flippers, bumpers and other noise-making gizmos was made illegal by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (1882-1947) in 1942. LaGuardia said the game robbed school children of their nickels and dimes and led to other forms of gambling. The mayor led police raids through the city, seizing and destroying the offending machines. The ban remained in place until 1976. (Notice they waited until the game cost quarters instead of nickels and dimes.)
… a popular singer’s guest-star appearance on a television series was not seen by many viewers? During the brief run of the 1961 dramatic series Bus Stop, singer Fabian (born Fabian Forte, 1943) was advertised as the guest star on one episode. Teenyboppers anxiously awaited his appearance, but in many markets the episode was not shown. Why? Because in the episode, titled “A Lion Walks Among Us,” the singer played a psychotic killer, and many affiliates chose not to run the show due to its violent content. For his part, Fabian has always said he considered his performance in that episode the best acting work he had done, and the show – though not seen everywhere – did a lot to bring respect to his acting career. (Odd things happen at the bus stop.)
… the cornea of the eye is the only part of the human body that has no blood supply? It does not need a blood supply, as it draws the oxygen it needs directly from the air. (It does that very well, too.)
… during the War of 1812, American sailors were more experienced than American soldiers? Many of the sailors in the fledgling Navy had already seen a great deal of service at sea against pirates in North Africa, while the soldiers had little experience and training at anything military. Veterans of the previous war, the Revolutionary War, had been out of service for almost thirty years when the conflict broke out. (Anchors aweigh!)
As to pinball machines, you only need one quarter, if you are good enough. Hack and his buddy Noodles would hit up the Camp Schwab USO during lunch and scarf down toasted PBJ’s and Foremost milk while racking up numerous free games on the Fathom Pinball Machine.
The machines NOW use flippers – but they weren’t on pinball machines until 1947, when LaGuardia died.
There was a movie a few years ago that discusses how pinball became legal. A guy proved that it was a game of skill. Cool story.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13365876/
… Dalmatian dogs are born pure white? They don’t develop their spots until they are three to four days old. (And then they get 101 of them.)
… the biggest part of the budget of the movie Pulp Fiction was salary? The budget for the 1994 hit movie was $8 million. Of that, $5 million was specifically for the salaries of stars John Travolta (born 1954), Uma Thurman (born 1970), and Samuel L. Jackson (born 1948), along with other members of the cast and crew. That left director Quentin Tarantino (born 1963) very little money with which to actually shoot the movie, but he made that budget work wonders – Pulp Fiction won the Academy Award™ for Best Original Screenplay and was up for six other Oscars. (Richly deserved awards, too.)
… a human’s senses are a lot stronger than you might think? On a clear, dark night, the unaided human eye can detect a candle flame at a distance of 32 miles. The tick of a watch can be heard in very quiet conditions from 20 feet away. One gram of salt can be tasted in 500 liters of water. A drop of perfume can be detected in a three-room apartment. And you can detect the drop of a bee’s wing on your cheek from half an inch above. (Humans are amazing, aren’t they?)
… during World War II, two NFL teams combined rosters? In 1943, many NFL players had been drafted into the military and were serving overseas. To remain competitive with the decimated rosters they still had, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers combined their teams to form the Steagles. The following year, the Steelers combined rosters with the Chicago (now Arizona) Cardinals to become a team known as Card-Pitt. By the 1945 season, however, the war was over and most of the drafted players had returned to their original teams, and the combined teams were disbanded. (Pittsburgh had trouble fielding a team.)
Now … you know!
Had the nerve to say that? You don’t say!
Hippology? Yeah, my mom (she’s sitting next to me and giving the stink eye as I write this. Oof!)
Well, I think fear also played a factor on why opposition to Communism never materialized behind the Iron Curtain.
Also, arcade games coming out at around the same time when they unbanned pinball also didn’t influence their decision at all.
Censorship.
Neat!
War of 1812 and the campaign against the Barbary Corsairs? Was this where and how our famous rivalry began? Jealousy? Though, understandable. Everyone wants to fight pirates!
Where does Cruella de Ville play in (original version. Not the cash grab version)?
Say what again!
Well, nowadays we don’t see candles. We see the cell phone light of a Gen Z’er lost in the woods. And most of our watches are digital. But yeah, humans are amazing. If only they can stop moronicly partaking in the proven failed communist experiment that our young ‘ens have the hots for, then humans would be unstoppable.
Rationing resources and rationing athletes. That is the American way.
Great trivia, CW! Better luck next time on being First!
Merry Christmas CW.
Merry Christmas to you!
Hippopotamus means River Horse, and we have the word Hippodrome, which was the name used for venues that hosted chariot races in Ancient Greece and Rome. Hack is wondering what corporate sponsors were available to slap a sticker on the side of a chariot before the big race.
And of course, we have the Potomac River in our nation’s capital, which is kind of redundant.
The outgoing District of Columbia Chief of Police, who is on her way out the door, just held a news conference where she went into Full Jan Brady Mode screeching about accusations that she pressured subordinates to cook the crime statistics. WMAL just played a clip, trying to find the audio to share. This shit is gold.
You stay classy (Former) Chief Pamela Smith.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/police/pamela-smith-washington-dc-police/65-b279072d-e00c-447f-a35c-44e995fbc58e#
Looks to me like she only decided to throw her ACME® Victim Card™ instead of her ACME® Race Victim Card™, which I’m sure she’ll throw very soon, many a DEI token hire does that!
It’s funnier if you watch the sign language lady while listening to the ex-chief.
Muriel Muriel Muriel !!!
Dat’s a good one. Her meltdown is the lead story on the 4:00 PM broadcast on WUSA news.
Let’s see if we can post the video.
https://www.wusa9.com/embeds/video/responsive/65-d77db25c-c453-4459-a5e8-3c397d8d10a3/iframe
YouTube:
She quotes from the Bible? I don’t recall ever reading or hearing eff you anywhere in the Bible. Must have been the unabridged version.
This shit only get better.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DQH1kbzFi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
“Steep decrease in crime,” my ass! I’d like to see the real stats in uncooked form for carjacking, murder, robbery, burglary and rape in the District of Criminals for 2023 and 2024.
That was fast, I just went off then on and I was locked out by the overload
correction, I didn’t check the top out for those couple of minutes.
I got the striking impression she was comparing herself favorably to Jesus?
Something like this, she’s trying to mean:
Happy Friday, you Gents! Hope all of you had a great week! Not much news going on with me. Just sending weekly emails to a Tesla recruiter, hoping for a response. I did get plastered on Wednesday to celebrate my graduation and almost bothered Fyrefighter early in the morning with my drunken’ tomfoolery via text (glad I didn’t!). Though, I did promise my little brother something during my drunken’ tomfoolery (who the hell is Tom?!) and now have to post some Key and Peele videos here on the WOT. Hope you guys enjoy them, especially one that is edited to be in reference to a WW2 strategy game.
Have a Great Weekend!
top 20…I was trying to listen to the new Agency head Jared Isaacman on where NASA is headed….now, seeing as how I coulden’t get past the GOT DAMN VPN wall from myCat 5 drop IN THE OFFICE, to the town hall….then shit…just shut everything down…fuck it….
Kidding but everyone said ….just go to NASAWatch in about an hour as they’ll chew this shit up outta this speech and we’ll see how it goes moving forward.
I’m feeling kinda Kennedy-es like the 1961 speech at at Rice University….. “We choose to go to the moon… not because they are easy, but because they are hard” to challenge the nation to achieve great things.
So maybe I’ll keep sticking aoround a bit…..at least another 3 years or so…. 😉
Here’s Key and Peele for a skit they did with Rocket Jump, unedited (Hope you’re happy, Q!)
Here is the edited version that reflects a game mode for the computer WW2 strategy game Hearts of Iron 4. In that game, you can set non-historical AI to be in charge of the countries and this gives you interesting, if albeit chaotic gameplay (I know the German flag is non-historical. The game devs were very iffy on the Swastika flag, so they decided to go with that.).
Here is Key and Peele’s take on the movie Les Misérables, which is a musical I love (DON’T JUDGE ME!):
And, finally, Key and Peele Retired Military Specialist:
Here is a clip I found from Generation Kill (a series I highly recommend btw), which follows the USMC’s 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as they participate in the Invasion of Iraq in 2003:
What Sergeant Major ‘Secret Pedo Potato Head’ Sixta failed to realize is :
“Due to the USMC Combat Equipment Loss Reporting process, if the helmet was lost during combat action and not due to negligence, the infantryman in question would not be found financially liable. Yes, using your chinstrap would’ve prevented the loss, but, due to the fast paced nature of combat, it is unreasonable to expect someone to secure their equipment to prevent loss while in the middle of combat.” -Amateur Historian comment on YouTube
Also, if command wasn’t riding the Marine in question about losing his helmet, he wouldn’t have made the dubious choice of donning a discarded Iraqi helmet and painting it in Marine camo. That led to a near-friendly fire incident. I’m not even a 100% sure that it happened, but hey, who knows.
I loved how he screeched about Grooming Standards like a true Lifer!
Last I heard, his first parole date is somewhere around 2050.
Serves the shitbag right. Fuck em.
Oh, 100%!!
Pedo Scum!
😉
Sad, but true.
Fire Department Chronicles:
The most stupidest things I’ve ever seen my “fellow” human beings do happened when they ever start to think of urine being anything except waste (nsfw):
Useless Medication Hiatus??? OK. Let me just inform you on how much a stay at the hospital costs and how insurance doesn’t subsidize stupidity.
I had surgery on my back earlier this year, in April. The surgery was outpatient. In at 7am and out the door at about 4pm. The bill, which fortunately, was covered by my insurance, was for a total of $57,000 dollars. And I didn’t even get to sleep in a hospital bed!
We gotta be living in a simulation! There is no way someone has the same intelligence as Pamela Poovy when it comes to allergens!
Where are they now #6! (That’s right, I’ve shared using this format 5 times 😀)
Stupid medical shows! (Nsfw)
So there I was at the job site, I had just retired from active duty and was doing temp jobs until something permanent came along. This day the owner of the company’s cousin from France was visiting. He sat amongst those of us who were working sharing the good news that he was on vacation after his discharge from the French military. He told us he was drafted and was so happy to be done. I asked him how long had he served; to which he replied, “The whole term, 8 long months.” His English was good; but, I don’t think he knew one can hear eye rolls if enough people do them at the same time.
And here is Chrono Prepper on isolation rot. I myself am an introverted loner, but even I need some level of social interaction to stay sane.
Paging Wilson to the courtesy phone….
Wilson: Someone call?
Well, Top Forty at least, present and unaccountable as i award myself yet another Honorary First.
((((OVER))))
Present & unaccountable as ever.
Y’all have a blessed Christmas.
If you think our present political situation is rough, check out the account of Herod the Great in “A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ”.
There was a very good reason Magi from the east would disturb him, why someone born King of the Jews would alarm him, and why “all Jerusalem” was disturbed with him.
Happey weekend/
Also.
I wonder what that set up would cost to duplicate in today’s dollar. Then the decision of 1/32 or 1/24 scale, after determining if you have the space available.
Lots of fun though.
Had a Revell Model Motoring HO set on which I spent many, MANY happy hours – stayed stored in my Dad’s basement many, many years until I gave up hope of anyone ever bringing out anything similar and finally got rid of what seemed miles of track. Two years later they bought out HO NASCAR, the same damn thing with different car shells. Broke my heart…
Epstein memes…
more…
Trumps wins at 4D chess again.
Hillary looks pretty hot in that photo.
Noooo, not Jimmy Buffet!
Oh, hey… Bill Clinton caught in a hot tub with an Epstein-trafficked babe:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/bill-clintons-spox-responds-bombshell-photos-former-president/
Release the files they said…, we’ll get Trump in an indefensible position they said …(or something similar).
Oh wait, I’m on the list? Let’s not talk about it any more.
We got him this time!
Who’s the white fellow with the kiddy diddler.
We got who? Jeffery or Michael?
Yes.
Plus:
Q – What NOT to do when running for County Sheriff ?
A – Campaign flyer FRAUD.
Caught 2022 – PHONY 5 medals and ribbons (FOIA email)
Caught 2023 – PHONY Rambo campaign trail tales (full FOIA)
Caught 2024 – FAKE Trump cred
(same month BANNED from SC Trump Rallies)
Caught 2025 July – PHONY “Endorsed by President Trump”
(SC GOP)
Caught 2025 December – PHONY “15-YEAR DECORATED POLICE OFFICER”
(Campaign flyer FRAUD)
Q – WHY does Teddy Daniels keep doing this?
A – Because Teddy Daniels for Dare County Sheriff 2026
(OBX / Outer Banks, North Carolina) is a serial liar and a CON MAN.
ICYMI – 11 police jobs in 10 years 7 months.
NOT “15 years”.
NOT “decorated”, unless 1 “Officer of the Year” community service award by a local county level American Legion Post counts.
Is he “highly decorated”, or “moderately decorated”? Inquiring minds want to know.
Good question. Is there an order of battle as to
which row an award should go?
“highly decorated”….top row.
“moderately decorated”….mid row
NDSM on it’s own row…
Hack Stone and 26L,
1 ACM / ARCOM / Army Commendation Medal
1 Purple Heart
Total 8 medals and ribbons, per 2x FOIA (that match).
But that’s NOT what he wears in public (mini medals),
and that’s NOT what he displays on his home shadowbox display wall shrine to himself (shown here).
8 medals for 3 years junior enlisted Army is fine.
But he phonies himself up to 11 worn in public,
and 13 on the wall for videos and podcasts.
To who(m) it may concern here at VG / TAH …..
I told you so.
Merry Christmas,
from the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania.
— MarineDad61
He needs someone willing to step and defend his honor on Al Gore’s Amazing Internet. Let’s look on Indeed and see if there any senior executives with this set of particular skills currently seeking employment. Hmm, there’s a guy more than qualified in the National Capital Region who was formerly a senior executive at All Points Logistics, followed by a successful run as Vice President of a proud but humble woman owned business. That’s strange, his phone number is no longer in service.
In an unrelated development, ABC’s The View will be going on an unscheduled hiatus for the next few weeks.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/several-elephants-killed-train-collision-impact-causes-multiple-coaches-derail
Squatters living in multimillion dollar homes in Bethesda Maryland? The article is behind a paywall, so Hack does not know if Psul and Karen get a shoutout.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/12/19/a-2-3m-maryland-home-allegedly-taken-over-by-squatters-leaves-block-on-edge/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHqEJ0g_rC7ZKPEUbBLDGPePWJZJ67lRnWWQSKhvidftaSDGHa8r6iazSSbPQ_aem_94MK1N_VYhe7jaXTc894gw
Found a free link. Burning Tree Road coincidentally is off of River Road, about halfway between Wilson Lane and Lonesome Pine Road, the former corporate world headquarters of a proud but humble woman owned business. Do you think this guy drives a beat up 1980’s vintage Jaguar?
https://foxbaltimore.com/spotlight-on-maryland/a-23m-maryland-home-allegedly-taken-over-by-squatters-leaves-block-on-edge
“Surprise, surprise! SGT Carter.” The New Yawk Slimes has admitted that Trump was not complicit in
Epstein’s sex crimes. NYT Buries the Lede: Admits No Proof Trump Was Involved in Epstein Crimes