Thread 14 - TalkLair: “What The Hell Are We Supposed To Use, Man? Harsh Language?”

[Kucinghitam]

(Previous thread 13).

Summer should be well under way, but the chilly wind, grey clouds and pouring rain beg to differ. Looks like 2024 continues to be a washout - on the bright side, the Tories got washed out too! In the TalkLair, we remain hunkered down keeping cosy and warm. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

I feel a tiny sense of relief at Biden pulling out, but mostly I'm feeling despair that we were ever in this situation in the first place, and that it's too little too late. Just what the hell was the Democratic Party thinking?

Yep. Given the US's views on dreadful, bolshie women who don't even have the simple decency to be 100% "white", Kamala Harris is going to struggle. Am I right in thinking that she isn't the Dems' candidate until she's endorsed at the convention in about a month's time? I wonder who they'll drag out to oppose her.

That was, of course, me who sent him to the old place. He's already exhibiting the kind of behaviour that made him intolerable in the lifeboat so I don't think he'll last long.

Re Biden - I'm sad to see him go as I think he's a decent man. who has done some terrific things in the last four years. Obama's statement is spot on. I think Harris would be fine but I don't know that this country is ready to elect her. On the other hand, if the convention doesn't nominate her that would be even more chaotic. I think they need to find a good VP candidate. Speaking for myself I'd choose Pete Buttigieg, but a combination of a black woman and a gay man is probably unelectable in much of the US. An alternative might be Cory Booker, who I think is great, but that would be a black woman and a black man, so ditto. And I also like Gretchen Whitmer, but that would be two women, so ditto again.

@Britinme That was, of course, me who sent him to the old place. He's already exhibiting the kind of behaviour that made him intolerable in the lifeboat so I don't think he'll last long.
You are an evil woman, and I applaud you!

the mills of god grind slowly but they grind exceeding small

That sounds lovely. We have one of those metal plates too, with white enamel edged in blue. I might have to search out the nearest bilberry picking spot, or go to the Long Mynd and see if they still grow there, which they ought to.

Re the US election, it's quite the popcorn moment. I'm vaguely following it but it's better for my head state to focus on things closer to home, such as how the beans and cabbages are coming on.

Yes, plate pies! As far as I remember, my aunt’s were made with very buttery short crust pastry and were bloody delicious.

The US election is going to be quite a ride I suspect. Fingers crossed for a sensible outcome but it’s a long shot.

I very much fear we're in for another Trump administration, and that feels like quite an existential place for democracy.

We are living in dangerous times.

I suspect the Democrats best option now is Harris plus the right choice of running mate (not sure who that is but I’m not as up on US politics as I should be).

Britinme · Today 14:35

I very much fear we're in for another Trump administration, and that feels like quite an existential place for democracy.

If I was a gambler, I'd bet on a Trump win. I suspect he'll get the popular vote, as well and I agree, it's going to be terrible. When he tried to get Hilary Clinton, the courts at least weren't packed with his partial creatures.

I think he may well not get the popular vote - Clinton got 3 million more popular votes than he did but the way the electoral college works meant that didn't translate into electoral college votes - he got 304 and Clinton got 227. Biden got 7 million more popular votes but that translated into a substantial electoral college majority (306 to 232). It's a weird system.

It was set up that way basically so that the coastal states, which have by far the largest population, can't necessarily outweigh the impact of the middle of the country states, which are the agricultural hub of the nation. The Senate is set up the same way for the same reason - every state, however large or small and whatever its population, only has two senators. The House of Representatives is weighted more towards population, but some of the states (especially in the south) are heavily gerrymandered so that, for example, the black vote is restricted to one or two districts rather than being spread through the whole state. Interested parties can find out more details about that here: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/most-gerrymandered-states

In a follow-up to Friday's Crime Scene drama outside our kitchen window, they carted off the Alleged Perp's nasty drunk of a stepdad to London by air ambulance (he is expected to survive) and eventually fished the AP out of the sea and arrested him. They then sent 3 - count them, THREE! - forensics teams, who spent the rest of the day at the house before shutting it up and closing all the blinds. They haven't been back.

This suggests that AP's mum may have died, which is likely what provoked it. AP has been charged with GBH "with intent" which is not good - though if you stab someone enough times, the intent is obviously there! - and was due in court today.

There is much "He was always a wrong'un" being tattled around the village about AP. This really is a ghastly place and I am contradicting them every time I hear it! I've known him for 10 years and am considering offering a character reference. If that gets me shunned, fuck'em!

<on edit - actually, being shunned would be a Major Win!>

Goodness @Gonners!

Sounds like dramatic times @Gonners

Blimey Gonners. Take care of yourself.

It's upsetting, but sadly there's absolutely no question whodunit. He's the sort of man who would do anything for anyone, though, and I'm not about to turn on him or pretend I don't consider him a friend. I'm fine - just very angry at the awfulness of Other People!

That’s a big shock to deal with. And Other People are the Worst.

Gosh it's all go! I hope AP is okay, @Gonners and bloody good for you.

When I picked up the Biden news yesterday evening I thought I was late to the "party" but I'd stumbled on to my email alerts (Torygraph, Independent and New York Times) really quickly so was almost unfashionably early. It was a shock but not a surprise, it was sad but inevitable. It feels a little "it is a far better thing" etc from A Tale of Two Cities. The Dems are still in a perilous position though. I think it has to be Harris and there's a chance she might succeed, slim but not completely impossible. I guess we'll see what happens next month but the Dems will have to avoid any public infighting and show a united front even if that's not how they feel.

Me, me, me update. I was diagnosed with a pneumonia in my left lung on Friday and we're still treating it with all manner of antibiotics and I'm on oxygen but I do think I'm getting there today. I went for a couple of walks the length of the corridor and back, about 50-100 yards/feet/I have no idea but it is in no way a short corridor. First time with a physio holding an oxygen cylinder for me and second time Snoop holding the baby. It felt good.

Yesterday I had an endoscopy under general anesthesia to check the doings, they're a tiny bit not happy but not totally unhappy with a bit of it but we'll see tomorrow. Oh I'm on a specialist ward, got off ICU on Tuesday.

Today loads of dressings came off and I've now seen part of a pretty big scar which explains a lot of pain, comes foward under right boob and goes far back according to Snoop. I have one that reaches to just under centre boobs to just above the pubic area. So two not insignificant scars that I'm proud of. Boob/back scar is all thick thread which I assume/hope will melt or whatever it is some stitches do. Boob/pube or to be less of a giggling schoolgirl about, abdominal stitching is staples which may well come out tomorrow as they'll have been there two weeks. Two whole weeks since major surgery!

I had moved on to eating pureed food, my days it was gopping, but I've been back on sips of water - and feeding tube which was ongoing anyway - since Saturday and I'm good with that. I think that's it for now. Today felt like a good one AND I was able to have a short shower - standing is more painful than walking, there is no shower chair, hence short - and my hair is clean again!

Basically, some steps back, some forward, I'm doing what I need to do, walking etc to be ready to leave when the doctors are happy to let me go and it's all much better than I could have imagined two weeks ago. Still more pain than I'd like but huzzah for liquid morphine!

Oh dear about pneumonia in July, Mouse. I really hope you're well enough to escape soon and increasingly mobile. Good luck.

Thanks for the update Mouse. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Wow @MouseMinge you're having such a time of it. Getting out of ICU is a good sign though, as is the corridor walking. Pneumonia not so good though. The scars sound impressive snd a bit scary!

That's it. I'm putting my foot.down..you have definitely reached your pneumonia quota, Mouse, and you're not allowed any more!

The walking and food progress, though, keep that up.

Oh @MouseMinge, boo to pneumonia! But you are doing so brilliantly with everything, keep it up!