Weekend Open Thread
If you want to find out who the Democrats really are, just listen to what they say about their opposition. Remember when the Democrats declared that nobody was above the law? The arrests and charges against Donald Trump were questionable, yet many Democrats insisted that Trump broke the law and should be held accountable for it. However, it turns out that the Democrats are engaging in the “pot calling the kettle black” maneuver. Enjoy your weekend.
Category: Open thread
First
CONG-RATS L C
Welcome to Shawshank Fresh Fish !!!
Of course you realize you’ll be doing the clean up on Aisle 4 after a raving band of old fart Veterans comes flying through the Cong Rats !!!
Congratulations !!!
Thanks Thunder! Not really fresh, my handle is real- I read almost every post, just don’t comment much. I have a hazmat crew on standby, just in case there’s a repeat of the last time Tox had the scepter (still trying to forget what I saw. Ew.)
Belated, yet nonetheless heartfelt Rats ‘o th’ Cong @cha LC
What? No safety brief?
You must really trust us…
GB, I did consider a safety brief, but had a few thoughts…
1st, with no disrespect intended, most here are old enough to know better (at 61, I am throwing NO shade). If y’all decide to run amock, I’ll watch and likely join…
B, I realize maybe we all need to blow off some steam from the week. Just gotta find the right outlet, yeah?
#3, ExPh2 (god rest her) is still fresh in our memories, and I’m guessing OAM will be prepared, if needed, to deliver a scathing reprimand at Monday morning formation- better hope your name isn’t on the Blotter Report!
That being said, every one of you have heard about avoiding population change and the danger of mixing libations with transportation, all of the usual.
I hereby Decree, while I am in charge (heh, of a bunch of miscreants!), any skirmishes must be followed by a firm handshake and a shared beverage. A variety of hoppy and distilled options are available for those that imbibe. Me being 3 weeks without any alcohol has brought a new perspective, so I’ll be sipping Fresca, with other sodas at the ready. The pork butts on the smoker should be ready by 1600, with plenty of sides, burgers and various sausages in the interim.
I don’t comment a lot, but I appreciate the hell out of all of ya. Enjoy the weekend, and remember to tell your people how much they mean to you. Use words if you need to.
I completely understand and support going booze free, but Fresca? C’mon man, you know, the thing!
Yeah, I get it- I’ve been told I have odd tastes. I LOVE gin, neat, out of the freezer, and I can’t do whiskey or anything like it. No lemon-lime stuff either. I may be an old white woman…
I don’t know…you like gin? And yes, I know, lemon lime but a nice gimlet is not without its charms. I’m smoking a chuck roast on my new Traeger and I may make a gimlet later. However, I’m not using premade lime cordial…I have a bottle of organic Italian lime juice and a bottle of organic agave syrup so I’m going to try that for the first time in a gimlet. Those two organic items work wonders for a margarita, let me tell you. I made a “Bentley” margarita for my wife using Don Julio, the aforementioned lime juice and agave, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier. I gotta say it was quite tasty. I also made a “Cadillac” margarita using Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila instead but kept everything else the same and it was as good if not better. Those natural mixers are definitely the way to go.
Mustang, a gimlet damn sure sounds like something I could enjoy! I do like a dry dirty martini tho…
Maybe down the road somewhere. After more than a decade (probably two…) of drinking daily, I gotta take a break. My good friend asked what the final goal was, and I honestly have no idea. I made it through the ugly part of withdrawals without any of the really dangerous side effects, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t want to get there again.
Sometimes, on a hot day, nothing beats a g&t with a twist of lime.
I’m not averse to G&T, but a Salty Dog (Grapefruit Juice and Tangerey with a salted rim) or a Gimlet are more my speed when it comes to gin.
I can’t have grapefruit. Negates the cholesterol meds. But that does sound tasty!
My alcohol consumption dropped about 95% after my divorce (it was at a dangerous level, just never realized she was the cause), so I’ve replaced quantity with quality.
😎
MY two favorites to add to the Safety Brief when asked were:
Don’t pet stray animals.
DON’T piss on the electric fence!
Don’t pet stray animals…especially Cougars. 🤣
Especially these days:
Hey, if I wasn’t married, I’d have a go with Mrs. Vaughn. 🤣
Yeah, that and I’m too old for cougars.
Congratulations 🎉🎈
First
Where is everyone?!?
H/t to KoB, I do miss his shenanigans!
Yes
Yeah, that cranky old bastard left a hole here. I miss my big brother.
No doubt. I’m smoking a chuck roast today in his honor using the Traeger pellet grill my wife got me. I got it going low and slow and added some carrots and celery a little bit ago. I’m about to hit the “stall” so I’ll take the grill out of Super Smoke mode and turn the temp up to 250. This is my first smoke cook with this thing and my second cook overall so it’s practice for Memorial Day. I’m thinking either a brisket or barbacoa (beef cheeks and cow tongue, slow smoked and shredded). If I go brisket, I’m doing Mac and cheese, roasted potatoes and veggies, and maybe some cornbread. If I go barbacoa, Mexican rice and frijoles charros. Either way, Yuengling and Shiner Bock, “Bougie” margaritas, hard cider, Kentucky mules, possible Port Manhattans or Rob Roys. 🍺🥃🌮
If you see someone sneaking into your backyard, it’s me.
You’re more than welcome but my dogs might have other ideas…especially the Chihuahua. 🤣
I’ll go head to head with damn near any dog out there, I’ve even raised wolf hybrids. I’m not screwing with a territorial chihuahua, not even with silver bullets and holy water!
Of course, I’ve had a couple of Yuengling lager tall boys and I’m trying an Imperial mango cider from some joint out of Oregon…very nice combo of apple and mango at 9%. That shit ain’t no joke. 🍺🤣
PRESENT!
Wow, Second. 1st place loser! My best ever.
Dog gone it! Rats of the Cong to you, Lurker Curt! I was trying to get in a coveted, always-earned, never-given FIRST but work got in the way. I’ll take third this week.
Hey, there! Gather round! Want some trivia? I have some right here! Settle in and let’s see if there’s some silly stuff that might interest you. Enjoy!
DID YOU KNOW…?
Was the Roman Empire once put up for sale in an auction?
By Commissioner Wretched
didyouknowcolumn@gmail.com
Copyright © 2026
Okay, my trivia friends, I want to ask a question of you.
Many of you purchased the first collection of silly trivia from this column gathered into a book, back a few years ago. I am now contemplating collecting more from the columns since then into another book.
Since the first book bears the title of the column, I thought I’d call the second one Now … You Know!
The question is … would you buy it? Drop me an e-mail and let me know.
Meanwhile, here’s some of what might make it into that new book! Enjoy!
Did you know …
… the writer of To Kill A Mockingbird was able to write the book because of a Christmas gift? Harper Lee (1926-2016) was having a difficult time balancing her job with her writing. In 1956, she confided in friends about the issue, and her friends gave Lee an entire year’s salary as a Christmas gift, enabling her to take the next year off work and just write. Out of that came the classic novel which went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and sell more than 30 million copies. (I’d have time to write a Pulitzer winner myself if I had a year off with pay.)
… a museum exists dedicated to sea monsters? In Iceland, you can visit the Skrímslasetrið, in the city of Bíldudalur. This museum goes into great detail regarding the area’s history of sea monster sightings. Inside you will find displays, literature, and even eyewitness events. (I’ll believe it when you pronounce Skrímslasetrið for me.)
… the oldest version of the Medal of Honor belongs to the Navy? Authorized in 1861 for sailors and Marines, the Medal of Honor – the highest military award for bravery and valor in the United States – wasn’t authorized for soldiers until the following year. Additional trivia note: the Medal of Honor was originally only authorized for enlisted personnel. Army officers were allowed to receive it beginning in 1863, but the Navy did not allow officers to earn it until 1915.
… the Roman Empire was once put up for sale in an auction? In 193 AD, the Roman Praetorian Guard decided they’d had enough of the shenanigans of Emperor Pertinax (126 AD-193 AD) and assassinated him, then found themselves faced with a quandry – exactly who would take over? The Guard decided to essentially sell the throne to the man who would pay the highest price, and two very wealthy men, Titus Sulpicanus (137 AD-197 AD) and Didius Julianus (133 AD-193 AD) began to bid. When Julianus offered 25,000 sesterces to each soldier, the Guard declared him the winner and new Emperor of Rome. His “reign” lasted 66 days, and came to an end when an army led by General Septimius Severus (145 AD-211 AD) entered the city. Severus had heard about the so-called auction and then led – and won – a battle against the Praetorian Guard. The Senate passed a motion proclaiming Severus as Emperor, and Julianus was hunted down and killed by a soldier in the palace. Severus was the last of the five men who had held the imperial throne of Rome during 193 AD. (I would say Julianus got the short end of the deal, wouldn’t you?)
… turkeys are named after Turkey? No, I’m not trying to confuse you. The bird we know as the turkey was named after the nation of Turkey. Helmeted guinea fowl (what a turkey really is) came from Africa, but British merchants introduced them to Europe through Turkey, and people assumed the bird was from there. (Well, you know what happens when you assume, right?)
Biggus Dickus was unabled to secure financing in time to bid on the throne.
Julianus got the pointy end of the short sword, even though he won the auction.
… who the last English king to die in battle was? King Richard III (1452-1485) fell in battle at Leicester Cathedral in the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richard’s remains were discovered under a parking lot at the site of the old cathedral in 2012 and after DNA testing to confirm his identity, he was reburied in a tomb inside the cathedral. He was the last of the Plantagenet kings, succeeded by Henry VII (1457-1509) who was of the House of Tudor. (My kingdom for a horse, or something like that.)
… the U.S. government once experimented with insects as weapons? In 1955, the government carried out “Operation Big Buzz” in Georgia. The program called for the producing, storing, loading into munitions, and dispersing from aircraft a huge number of mosquitoes. The idea was to see if the mosquitoes could be used as weapons, once infected with the yellow fever virus. The 330,000 that were dropped into Georgia in May of 1955 were not infected, however; it was just a test to see if the wacky idea would work. And it did work, to an extent: mosquitoes from the drop were located as far as 2,000 feet from the release site. No further use was made of the idea, thankfully. (The mosquitoes showed very little interest in the job, it seems.)
… when the U.S. War Department was established in 1789, the Army had a total of 840 soldiers? Their job was to supervise public lands and guard the frontier of the young nation. (If you were wondering when the idea of drawing down the service after a war started, here you go.)
… we find many examples of irony in history? Case in point: Patrick Henry (1736-1799), famous for his speech including the phrase, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” At the time he made that speech on March 20, 1775, Henry owned 65 slaves. (Practice what you preach, Patrick.)
… executive fraud is very common? While most occupational fraud schemes are committed by accounting departments, upper management is not immune. Most executive frauds result in a median loss of $850,000. (No comment.)
Now … you know!
That same hypocrisy argument (for freedom, but owns slaves) has been used throughout history against Thomas Jefferson.
But at that time (pre-US), in Virginia, if you were a slave owner (purchased or inherited), BY VIRGINIA LAW, you were NOT ALLOWED to free your own slaves.
Why was that rationale? I have NO idea.
Don’t let the demonrats read Catch 22. Do you remember when Yossarian asked who’s fighting for more votes for decent people? Do you also remember when some demonrats declared they wanted waited votes in municipal elections?
That was supposed to read weighted votes. Although, I suppose demonrats would like to have votes counted when received after the election day; thus, waited votes. In CA, several days may pass after election day for the votes to be counted as long as the post office postmarks it on election day.
IIRC, Commiefornia had an election back several years where it took two or three weeks after election day to finish counting all those “harvested” ballots.
Getting ready for my students’ recitals this evening.
Gonna be fun.
Y’all have a blessed weekend.
TOP FIFTEEN, present and unaccountable as i award myself yet another Honorary First.
((((OVER))))
Who else is having a ball watching liberal heads explode over their failure at gerrymandering?
I don’t know why they’re pissed. They knew it was unconstitutional long before they attempted it.
Yeah, but the truth means nothing to libtards, one news network is reporting that “…the decision to redistrict was struck down by the Court after bring approved by voters …” Those assholes propagandize everything!
Present. And once again not 1sy
This is probably the best place I can think of to ask this question.
1. My grandson is likely to graduate BAC this summer.
2. I cannot find anyone online, or at the local clothing and sales who sells miniature versions of one of my badges.
Is it acceptable to wear full-size versions of my badges on a suit jacket? Even if permissible, would it be in good taste?
Miniature Badges for sale on line: Army Miniature Skill & Combat Badges, mirror-like finish | Marlow White
No. Buy the miniature ones.
Dems 2026 summed in photo…
Present! And there’s fresh fuckery afoot with Wes Moore:
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/05/07/blue-falcon-wes-moore-shirked-his-military-obligations-for-years-n3814653
Did someone change the rules for Wes Moore, 19 years old when he was commissioned? I remember back in the late ’70’s some young woman wanted to be an USAF Officer; she had a degree in computer wizardry, or so some such thing, that made her an excellent candidate. She could not be commissioned because she was under 21 years old. I do know in WWII there were a number of officers under 21, but, I thought the minimum age had been set at 21 some time after WWII.
During Vietnam times, there were few butter bars that made it through OCS just before they turned 21. The Army needed them for cannon fodder, I guess. But I never heard of one that was 19.
Well, I don’t know about “branchless commissioning” and “commissioned pending further training” under any ROTC or USAR program.
I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry Branch, on full time active duty, after completion of Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA.
That was on January 20, 1972, 195 days after my 19th birthday. I then reported to Airborne School, and then the 101st Airborne Division as a genuine 19 year old Second Lieutenant with a high school diploma. The last such officer, since the rules were changed while I was going through the OCS course to add at least two years of college as a prerequisite to even apply for OCS.
Of course, I had enlisted at age 17 under the delay entry program, and reported on active duty July 13, 1970. “Three days past 18 …” as the Chicks might say.
But I was already a three stripe E-5 buck sergeant … at age 18 … before I went to OCS.
God bless you!!!!
Nothing else follows!!!!
Other than that is awesome!!!!!!!!!
I had at least one of my OCS classmates commisioned at the tender age of 18 in 1967.
He was part of the ROTC program at one of the junior military colleges. As part of the program, you finish your two-year degree there, and get a conditional commission. You have to finish your four-year degree within two years to retain the commission.
Click through the links and you’ll see Moore didn’t do that.
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/wes-moore-shirked-his-military-obligations-for-years-investigation-finds-barely-showing-up-despite-army-paying-tuition-democrats-service-record-again-under-fire/
All things considered, the early commissioning program at these junior military colleges is a great deal. Though you’ll be a reserve component officer, so won’t make many points for retirement, you’ll still have an earlier commissioning date than anyone who goes through a traditional ROTC program, OCS, or even a service academy.
wes Moore should have had moore sense to not pull the shit he did. Hopefully he ain’t related to A Div. MM2 RD Moore on board the LPH-3.
Read the full Beacon article: Wes Moore Shirked His Military Obligations for Years, Investigation Finds, Barely Showing Up Despite Army Paying Tuition: Democrat’s Service Record Again Under Fire I smell a rat, D-rat blue falcon.
FIRST TWENTY FOURTH
UFO files released!
I’ve made it to the WOT finally
I’ve been arguing with idiots on X
Who claim the border wall is going to destroy wildlife habitat here in SE Arizona
And this is what they do…
Those idiots need to see that photo of a local mountain lion stalking a CBP agent outside of Naco. Stalking from the top of the fence.
https://tucson.com/news/local/mountain-lion-balancing-on-the-border-fence/article_ec8e50b0-f665-11e4-a2d2-2327620cc294.html
I was still working for CBP when these were taken. That big gato walked along the fence following a supervisor’s pickup. Kept looking at him, like “step out of that truck for 30 seconds and your ass is mine”.
I’m not even allowed to comment on the post anymore.. here it is if anyone wants to comment
This is one of the idoits
You have to love the flags
He seems nice.
The flags say it all
Interesting how he says “This is a fascist administration”, yet he’s free to rant against it online. Gotta love that fascistic first amendment!