Wait, Robin Hood is the Bad Guy Now? A Thursday Open Thread

You know what I love about the post-January 20 news cycle? How comparatively banal it is.  Yes, Smirkin’ Joe is signing executive orders left and right, but 99% of that is just trying to undo damage done over the last 4 years.  Yes, COVID still rages, but we are largely numb to mass casualties at this point.

Five weeks ago we were debating whether the Joint Chiefs of Staff were going to have to bodily carry the former president out of the White House, and whether the nuclear launch codes had already been secured.  Three weeks ago, we were sorting through pictures of the sacking of our Nation’s Capitol and trying to figure out how much of the police and military would be on the rebel side if push came (back) to shove. Ten days ago, we started holding our breath.

Today? Today the big news is how a bunch of hedge fundies are getting their shit pushed in by a bunch of not-terribly-organized internet trolls.  (Seriously, check out Rikki’s explanation- it’s solid gold.)  Will it break the market? No.  Is it an existential threat to our way of life? No.  Will some innocent idiots probably get gutted when they realize that pushing their life savings into an effort to ruin rich people will not make them richer when the stock price comes back down? Oh yes.  But I admire their commitment to the bit.

Today, society’s ire is largely focused on Robinhood, the stock trading app/service/all-night dry cleaner that many of the Reddity Folk used to make their run on GameStop and similar shorted stocks.  You may remember Robinhood from that Infinite Money Glitch that made them look like amateurish buffoons.  Well, they decided (or claim their clearing house required them) to restrict their clients’ ability to purchase Gamestop and several other stocks.  They are not the only ones (Schwab and TD Ameritrade made similar moves) but given their populist messaging, it was especially jarring for Robinhood.  Ostensibly a measure to protect those same poor retail investors, the reality is that the People Who Matter needed to put a stop to the masses Fucking With Their Money.  And it sort of worked: the price went from $265 at open to $112. Then Up again. Then down again to close at $193.60.  Politicians on both sides started firing on Robinhood, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasting them for manipulating the market to protect the super-rich, then Ted Cruz seconding her, then Ocasio-Cortez telling him to shut the fuck up, you tried to get me killed 3 weeks ago.  Even the folks who had been saying some regulatory changes might be needed (to protect the poor hedgies) seem to think Robinhood deciding who can buy which stocks is…problematic. Two class action suits are already underway in SDNY, which is…just terribly impressive.   Robinhood has reversed course somewhat, saying they will allow limited buys tomorrow- a solution that seems to have pleased no one.

The reality is that this is like any gold rush: at the end of the day, the only ones who really get rich are the ones selling picks and shovels. So although I issue no financial advice, I personally will be investing heavily in popcorn stocks.

On the STICK TO SPROTS front, it was a (relatively) quiet day.

‘Arry Kane got injured as Tottenham Hotspur continued to be the Buffalo Bills of the Premier League.

Ron Rivera is Cancer Free, although unfortunately the WFT continues to have a 5’6″ malignant growth in the owners’ box.

The Houston Texans decided to hire David Culley of the Baltimore Ravens as their next coach.  Who is David Culley? A 65 year-old career assistant who coached the Ravens’ receivers and was the “passing game coordinator” for the last two years.  As ESPN helpfully pointed out, the Ravens finished last in the NFL in passing.  He is African-American, which is nice.  He also looks a lot like famed character actor John Schuck to me.

NFL news, scores, schedules, standings, fantasy football - Sports  Illustrated

John Schuck - IMDb

This means that the Wheel of Coaching has once again come to a halt, and once again Eric Bieniemy is still a semi-offensive coordinator instead of a bride.

Alas, this apparently has not been enough to placate Deshaun Watson, who essentially confirmed that he demanded a trade weeks ago, and that no this does not change his mind.  LET THE DICK-MEASURING CONTEST BEGIN!  Frankly, my bet is on the white guys with small penises and large amounts of money.  Watson does have a no-trade clause, so the Texans can’t unilaterally pull a spiteful move like dumping him in Detroit.  No doubt this will be an ongoing saga for most of the rest of the off-season; again, I have one word for you:

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No, wait: popcorn.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:

FUCK ALL!

No, wait.  There is a little something. Hardwood Football, for what that’s worth:

Portland v. Houston– 6:30 DFO Time on TNT

Golden State v. Phoenix– 9:00 DFO Time on TNT

At this point, I suggest ether.  It’ll get you to the weekend.

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The Right Reverend Electric Mayhem
Feared conqueror; scholar; poet; revered holy man; professional raconteur; soldier of fortune; aloof yet thorough lover; bandit; blazing gypsy speedboat. I have been called some of these things.
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Brick Meathook

I have been sound asleep all evening. I have become the king of steak and eggs.

Last June, if you recall, I bought huge bone-in rib-eye steaks at a great sale price at Costco. I bought eight total over two trips, and I vacuum sealed and froze them. Here’s a photo of the first four:

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Vacuum sealing is the greatest thing ever.

So I finally thawed one out last week and I can cut three individual steaks out of each one. The steak is pan seared on the stove-top in a cast iron skillet which is then placed in the oven for 8-10 minutes. I have made hash browns that only have to be put in a pan and heated and given a finishing browning, but I also have mashed that potatoes that were whipped with enormous amounts of butter and heavy cream, and they only have to be nuked (this was an ad-lib that turned out pretty good). Two slices of buttered whole wheat or rye toast, and last I fry two eggs over-medium that go on top of everything.

My timing of operations as I cook this is wholly refined. It’s like clockwork when I start each evolution. And as I finish with one thing it gets quickly cleaned and put away.

I wish I had photos of the final dish all plated, but I never think of it and I just dig in. Oh well, I’ve got plenty more steak and eggs to go, maybe I’ll remember next time (tomorrow).

Last edited 3 years ago by Brick Meathook
Gumbygirl

That sounds really good. I did pork chops the other day the same way(seared, then hot oven.) Cast iron is better than the grill, this is the hill I will die on! Especially for the pan sauce.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Also, since we’re talking about the shorts assholes, a hearty FUCK YOU to people that bet Don’t Pass at the craps table, too.

SonOfSpam

Enemies of fun.

SonOfSpam

Last one…for Weaselo I think?
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Senor Weaselo

Nope, but the Jets logo is bad enough compared to the prior one.

SonOfSpam

Sorry, I thought you were Giants guy for some reason.

THAT HAT THO.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Why yes I am holding five (5) shares of GME

Mr. Ayo

Honeymoon is over. Get out while you can.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Tomorrow is going to be wild

Senor Weaselo

THIS BRETTFAVRESCOLONOSCOPY I CALL HIM TOTO’S DEBUT SINGLE, “HOLD THE LINE.”

ballsofsteelandfury

At what price did you buy?

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Something like $293. I don’t even care if it goes up, fuck those shorts.

I mean I LIKE THE STONK

SonOfSpam

I hope it’s gets back to $942 like it was when you bought it.

clint greasewood

How long will the legislation currently being written by Wall Street lobbyist to protect hedge funds be signed into law? I imagine it will get crammed into to some bill under the guise of “Wall Street regulation and fairness” right before congress takes its 3rd recess of the year and the government is facing a shutdown.

Senor Weaselo

O/U: Monday

Gumbygirl

I’m not saying this is about me, but

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SonOfSpam

For Low Commander’s next birthday:
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Don T

Perfect for a ceremonial pyre

SonOfSpam

(femur drums intensify)

Brocky

dude hasn’t he suffered enough?

Viva La Tabula Raza

No Brick tonight, so I’ll step up to the plate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-AZRtI366w

Last edited 3 years ago by Viva La Tabula Raza
Viva La Tabula Raza

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My dad was aircrew on B-36s when he was a kid 65 years ago, they were huge, but this plane dwarfed it.

Last edited 3 years ago by Viva La Tabula Raza
Sharkbait

Yikes Tom

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Don T

Seems legit
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Viva La Tabula Raza

I know a guy from Albania named Erion. Pronounced Aryan. Cool dude, though.

Senor Weaselo

When pressed, Brady said he wanted to show Arians’ supremacy.

Brocky

not gonna lie, nothing in recent memory has reminded me how clueless i am in the ways of the world as the apparent ability of a few people on reddit screwing over some billionaires.

I have read multiple explanations (including Rikki’s) and I still don’t get fully what’s happened. i am so woefully underprepared for finance as an adult it defies logic, so I’m just gonna stick what I’m good at:

I’m falling asleep and my gut tells me balls needa reinforcements, so I’m just gonna post random pics

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ballsofsteelandfury

Bless you!!

BrettFavresColonoscopy
Sharkbait

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Senor Weaselo

“Pay it… back?” Donald T., who cares where because it’s not behind bars

montythisseemsstrangetome

AOC’s exchange with Cruz was just *chef’s kiss*

Viva La Tabula Raza

I wonder if all these stupid fuckers that get pwned on the twitter for the stupid shit they say ever even read the replies to their stupid fucking tweets. I don’t think they do.

litre_cola

Am enjoying new Double Crunch Ketchup Ruffles. Fucking delicious.

Game Time Decision

SNAAAAAAACKS

Doktor Zymm

Are they truly twice as crunchy as regular crunch?

herodotus450

The SI unit of measurement for Crunch is far superior to our American one, and is the main reason I support a switch.

litre_cola

Legit they are. Kind of a cross between kettle chips and original ruffles.

SonOfSpam

Congrats to Sparty for putting up 37 against Rutgers tonight.

That score Izzo bad.

Senor Weaselo

Nothing like an angry spinner on spinner ball of physics! Or witchcraft, considering the way Fusion spun.

SonOfSpam

“Angry spinner” is the 23rd ranked search term on PornHub.

Brocky

surprised its that low.

Doktor Zymm

BTW, RobinHood has clarified that it was their decision to shut it down, not their market-maker: https://twitter.com/vladtenev/status/1354900963232890883

Doktor Zymm

I’m on team DOOOOON’T CAAAARRRRRE though, since the Jan Civ DLC dropped today, featuring, aptly enough, the Corporations and Monopolies play mode

Sharkbait

I need to pick Civ back up

Don T

What I really want to know is this: is Gamestop still lowballing sellers of used N64 games?

herodotus450

And finance bros have never lied before.

Don T

If hedge funds are bailed out before PR, I may go full Fanon.

SonOfSpam

“IF” you were bailed out??? Damn you ingrates have short memories.
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herodotus450
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I really enjoyed this intro, Reverend!

Gumbygirl

The Graduate gif made me gigglesnort!

herodotus450

Texas is gonna have to answer for a lot of things when the time comes, but these Dallas Straws Jerseys might just be at the top of the list.

Senor Weaselo

Unless they glow in the dark.

SonOfSpam

Thinking about buying this as a gift for a friend. It’s bad, yes? Please tell me it’s bad.
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Horatio Cornblower

It’s like Ed Hardy decided to make hats.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I always assumed that if Ed Hardy vomited on a hat this is what it would look like.

bk109

Still better than the UCP cap (and several sets of fatigues) a buddy of mine sent me 😀

(UCP is the cammo pattern that your lads used for some unfathomable reason in Asscrackistan and Iraq)
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Viva La Tabula Raza

Looks like one of those paint jobs that auto manufacturers put on prototype cars to disguise them during road tests on public highways.comment imagecomment image

Last edited 3 years ago by Viva La Tabula Raza
bk109

Yup, ironically – it’s really easy to ID the brand (and car), because for some reason those prototypes always get registered in the same district as the factory…
And guess which 4-letter VAG marquee has its main RnD and factory in Ingolstadt
I’ll give you a hint – it ends with OOOOOOOOOhhhh,GIMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE … I mean -udi 😀

Don T

I always wanted a tramp-stamp for my head.

Doktor Zymm

Is your friend auditioning for a new show that’s like Jersey Shore but set in Huntington Beach?

herodotus450
Redshirt

Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger willing to restructure his contract for 2021, says he doesn’t care about pay – CBSSports.com

Roethlisberger wants to die on the field, or at least continue playing until the statute of limitations runs out.

bk109

Incorrect – Cap’n’ Fat Fuck (Chorus;) LEADER OF MEEEEEEEEEEN wants to kill Utree and he just might succeed if he retains the starting job for next season 😀

Senor Weaselo

This Death in Sportsball?

Redshirt

After the first week of Biden’s administration, I have come to the following conclusions:

Republicans: Still worship a worthless demagogue, and all the Republicans I like are retiring so they won’t be charged as accessories.
Democrats: Acting more smug and entitled that all the Award Show speeches put together.
Parents: Mom still brainwashed. Mom and Dad hate Democrats.
Me: Hate both sides equally.

So in summary, there is no Political God.

WCS

Bullshit pulled in the stock market?
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Redshirt

Yeah, it was only a stock going up six times its value from $100 to $600.

Now, if its a penny stock going up to $600, that’s something else.

Viva La Tabula Raza

Captain Walt Waldowski! The Painless Pole! Maybe the Texans think suicide is painless…comment image

Dunstan

“And I can take or leave it if I please.” — Deshaun Watson

Redshirt

I’m not sure what is sadder: that Reddit toyed with Wall Street or finding out that GameStop’s stock value is equal to Walmart’s.

Horatio Cornblower

Word is that Culley was hired because he loves the Little Baby Jesus as much as Cal McNair and Jack Easterby do, which is a lot. Whether or not he knows anything about coaching a football team remains to be decided, but also seems to be a very secondary concern to the Xian Cult running the team.

It’s fitting isn’t it? An imaginary team being run straight to hell due to the belief in an imaginary deity.

Redshirt

Hey, don’t drag my Savior into this mess!

Viva La Tabula Raza

Worked for the Jags!
—Mark Brunell