33 Comments

It's called at-will employment. Unless you have some kind of contract or are protected by anti-discrimination laws, you can be fired at any time for any reason.

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It seems kind of sensible since, as an at-will employee, I can also _leave_ at any time for any reason.

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Yep. I've left various jobs in my life, almost always with adequate notice. Sometimes to a move up, sometimes just a move out.

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Taylor Lorenz writing about tech would be like me writing about women.

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Jim you nearly made me spit out my coffee! That was priceless

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"Well, Jim, it turns out that all women are bi... Wait - have you heard this one already?"

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BTW, whenever you laugh at Biden's screw-ups, the MAGA-heads get angry at you, too. Because Trump. So at least you're an equal-opportunity offender. Much like Taylor Lorenz. Who, having conquered the Features section, is now moving on to Tech, which she will no doubt dominate with her typical Courage and Brilliance. And, she DESTROYED Matt Yglesias with One Weird Trick! The Taylor Lorenz Decade is back, baby!!

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Please stop calling those of us who kept Hillary out of the White House and allowed for the biggest economic boom in the 21st century as MAGA-Heads. And I don’t know any Trump supporters who aren’t laughing at Biden. You have to laugh or you’ll cry.

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I apologize; I didn't mean to offend. I voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, and am looking forward to doing so again in 2024. However, there are some among our number who will brook no criticism of His Trumpness, and will respond to any slight, real or imagined, with performative outrage. If I were to write, "Trump was great, but his views on tariffs were simplistic," they would respond, "SO THAT MEANS YOU LOVE JOE BIDEN AND INFLATION AND THE TALIBAN!!" I exaggerate but little; barely at all.

I need to find a new term which indicates I am directing my mirth, not at all Trump supporters, but only at that subset which might be labelled "cultists."

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I know what you mean. Thanks for clarifying. Sadly “zealots” exist in just about every group, it’s a struggle to keep them from ruining the movement for everyone else. A lot of of over-zealous Trump supporters I have met online are former Democrats that didn’t even vote for him in 2016. I think the left stokes a “cult of personality” type party because it appeals to a lot of their voters, and a lot of them switched to Trump after 2016 and brought the mentality with them. I grew up in a Dem family, my grandpa and father both served in the state assembly as Dems and it’s a very political family. I’m the black sheep because I don’t vote Dem, I can’t stand group think. That said I do know Democrats who love Nancy Pelosi because they think she does a great job handling the “squad.” To then the squad are the latest zealots that need to be handled. They really are paranoid about “extremists,” and don’t see how they themselves are a bit unhinged. Any talk of corruption when it comes to their leaders is just a Republican smear to them, because Dems are the good guys and Republicans are dirty liars. They are smart people who can’t be reasoned with. Ironic how they think everyone on the right are sheep. I do manage to make some headway with them, because I hate the establishment Republicans almost as much as they do.

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OH MY GAWD, bike related content. My moment to shine.

*ahem*

I think the funniest thing was when the NY Post said that Biden's TRICKED OUT BIKE was responsible for his fall. See? The tech on that special, crazy-hi-tech machine that is ridden by riders in the Tour De France made it just so damn difficult for Joe! Bikes today?!?! Can you blame him?

https://nypost.com/2022/06/18/president-bidens-tricked-out-bike-loaded-with-extras-and-one-caused-his-fall/

I'ma tell you all right now: there was nothing special or tricked out about that bike. Was the writer talking about clips and straps on the pedals? Like the ones in common use for over 100 years? Because that is what caused his fall. He took one foot out of the strapped pedal, putting it on the ground, leaving the other foot in. He then proceeded to put all his weight on the still strapped on foot, and fell. Pretty simple stuff.

But that bike! TRICKED OUT and loaded with EXTRAS!! Look, this duck knows a thing or two about bicycles, and lemme tell you what a tricked out bike looks like.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-pinarello-bolide-time-trial-bike-breaks-cover-at-tour-de-suisse/

Full carbon, electronic shifting, disc brakes, 15 pounds. There is no way Joe Shits-his-pants could ride that bike. Too twitchy, too responsive. Instead, he was riding a garden variety bike that was just too gosh darn tricked out and loaded with stuff, like pedals.

But what do I know? I'm just a duck that has been riding and racing bikes for over 30 years, almost half as long as this doofus has been bilking the people in DC.

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When I first read that the toe clips caused his fall (hadn’t seen the video yet) I thought he was legit riding with the shoes that literally clip onto the pedals. Couldn’t figure out why an octogenarian would ride with that setup but ok. Then I saw the video. Bless his heart. Wearing sneakers. With toe clips on the bike. It’s the beach not a peloton studio! And he fell after coming to a standing start. It’s like the right side of his body is stupider than the left side. Unbelievable.

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Viva de Pato!

This was a PR stunt gone awry. After even the NYT suggested Joe's just a little grey in the tooth, they needed to show how youthful and full of vim and vigor he is. Instead - FAIL! He's not only sorta aging, he's old and losing his faculties faster each day.

Don't try so hard. Just hide and stop talking and basically get the hell out of our way.

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They are going to publicity stunt him into an early exit from the White House with a grand finale in the rotunda.

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I'm hoping for something spectacular.

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Lol. It’s called a State Funeral.

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Jim’s post about Taylor Lorenz made me think of the word “scold,” as in “she’s a scold.” But then a better word occurred to me: harpy. I had to look it up. Harpy: a cruel, grasping woman. I think harpy fits better.

I had no idea that subscribing would improve my vocabulary! I mean, how often do we get to accurately use “harpy?”

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I think it might be worth polishing off the ol' Harpy. I can see it getting some solid use.

At my next cocktail party I promise to be all "H/T: Dan"

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"Rehoboth Beach to Biden Falls" Dammit Jim, I'm a tech writer, not a comedian! I can't keep up with this kind of crap. I might need to dox someone. *Looks around*

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From now on, I'll slow down driving through the town of "Biden Falls. "

Those speed cops play hard ball.

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You read an entire novel in a day? I already know I'm a slow reader but now I feel like a real dumbass.

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"The Boys" seems to be taking a turn to woke, or PC as we said back in my day.

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Haven’t watched any of the new season yet. That’s sad because I really enjoyed the previous seasons for total lack of PC among other things

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We wouldn’t want or hurt anyone’s feelings, that’s a fate worse than death.

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Thomas Perry is a writing fiend and has some terrific books out there. Try the "Butcher's Boy" series as well as the "Jane Whitefield" series.

Nail biters.

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I read the Butchers Boy when it first came out. Been a fan ever since. Loved the Old Man. Hmmm maybe because I’ve turned into one.

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Let’s start calling canceling what it is, blacklisting. The Dems are the new McCarthyites.

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One reason I don't read as much anymore is that it's hardly worth the effort to sort the (Sturgeon's Law) 90% crap from the good stuff.

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I'm glad it's a joke for u Taylor but for all the students of color (including ones with "funny" last names like Yglesias) who have been mocked and shunned by white girls named Taylor and had their faith in humanity shattered it's not funny. Hope you can have a little more empathy, especially in your position of racial privilege.

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The Jane Whitefield series has an interesting twist: first she rescues people, then gives them new identities -- sort of a one-woman witness protection program.

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Will definitely get The Old Man.

Getting old way better than the alternative.

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Important update: Taylor Lorenz is GOD!!!

https://twitchy.com/samj-3930/2022/06/20/dad-who-barely-survived-covid-makes-taylor-lorenz-look-like-even-more-of-a-jackas-for-shaming-matt-yglesias-for-joking-about-catching-covid/

A man who was in a covid-induced coma for SIX WEEKS told her to lighten up, and she bitch-slapped him but good!

YASSSS QUEEEEN!!!!!

(sarcasm, in case that wasn't obvious.)

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2nd the recommendation of the Old Man (show). Enjoying immensely.

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