I’m a Leaf on the Wind: Tuesday Open Thread

Hello friends.  I apologize that I’m not making even the faint gesture toward humor that I normally do.  It’s a heavy goddamned week. I won’t recite the current List of Dark Shit, because that only emphasizes it. Suffice it to say, this 80s Nostalgia thing has gotten WAY THE FUCK OUT OF HAND, with your threat of nuclear war and your Russian invasions and your persecution of trans kids.

NFL NEWS: Not much. Mostly it’s news about What’s Not Happening.

*Not Calling: Packers GM and Telemarketer Nemesis Brian Gutekunst says no one has called him yet regarding a trade for Q-aron Rodgers.  That makes some sense, since nobody knows if he’s retiring, demanding a trade, or stealing the Declaration of Independence.

I am not the first to draw the parallel between these two brilliantly-talented-but-insane men.  This composite was from 2012, and things have only gotten spookier.

Is he going to steal 50 cars in one night or lose to the 49ers in the playoffs?

The best-case scenario to my mind is Rodgers announcing he wants to be traded, go somewhere like New England or Carolina for a ransom, and then decide to retire after the first training camp.  CHAOS REEEEEEIIIIGGGNNNSSS!

*Not Talking: Kyler Murray and the Cardinals brass, since his agent released a looping, confused and frankly somewhat daft attempt at negotiation-through-the-media on Monday.  In case you missed it:

In short, Kyler loves Arizona very much and has had so much fun, but needs to know where this relationship is going.  Not that he’s demanding an engagement ring, but if he doesn’t get one there are a lot of teams that would be happy to marry a QB like him in a hot minute. Not that he’s going to break up over it, but he’s totally going to break up over it. So Kyler doesn’t feel like they are finished, but he wants Arizona to want to commit half it’s projected salary cap to him for the next ten years or else…

The problem is that, under this analogy, Murray (or more likely his potentially-coked-up agent) is demanding a proposal after about 6 months of dating.  Murray has been in the league for 3 years.  He still has 2+ years of team control on his rookie deal.

The Announcement frames this in terms of cap savings– that getting a long-term deal done would lower his cap number and allow Arizona to sign All The Free Agents.  He is slated to make $11 million this year and (presuming they pick up his fifth year option) about $29 million in 2023.  Those are by no means prohibitive cap hits.  I see no reason why Arizona would rush a giant extension. At moments he looks sublime (see: first two games of last season), but he also fails badly at key moments and can be neutralized more easily than you would expect from an “electric” player (see: most of the rest of last season).  Moreover, he’s not shown much in the way of progression from year to year- the numbers that made him an outstanding rookie made him an upper-middle third-year player, and his extra dimension (rushing) faded by about half last year. I can see why a team would want to lock him up now, but pulling a weird series of public stunts this early to try and pressure a decision seems problematic.

*Not Throwing: Jimmy G, at least until summer.  Garoppolo is going under the knife on his throwing shoulder, at a time when he is almost certainly on the trading block.  Now, normally this would be Bad News for the Niners, since throwing shoulder injuries would usually reduce a player’s price.  However, this is Jimmy.  No team expects to get a healthy QB when they trade for Jimmy.  The fact that he manages to be a league-average quarterback with bones made of spun sugar is now a feature instead of a risk.

*Not Taking Any Options Off The Table: The Giants, Colts and Falcons.  The Colts and Falcons’ GMs both indicated that nothing was decided with regard to their expensive incumbent quarterbacks. That’s probably good news for Carson Wentz, who was presumed to be as good as gone after the Clots late-season collapse.  That’s probably mixed news for Matt Ryan, whose $40 million dead cap hit is dwarfed only by his $48 million actual cap hit this year, with another $43 million coming next year. These are stupid numbers, even for a QB that I like.  The Falcons can reduce the hit to something like $24 million if they designate him as a Post-June 1 Cut (ah, the arcane magic of June 1!), and they need to bite the goddamned bullet instead of trying to squeeze one more year in while their division is horrible.

Meanwhile, new Giants GM has indicated that every option is on the table with regarding Oft-Injured Bright Spot Saquon Barkely.  It’s sad because Barkley seems like he never got a fair shake in New York, suffering repeated leg injuries from trying to carry the dead weight of Eli Manning and Daniel Jones on the field. It’s also Not Sad, because the Giants can kiss my ass.  They deserve nothing.

NON-NFL NEWS:

*MLB is still dicking around its players.  Listen, I’m usually the voice of “both sides provide value” in player-versus-owner debates.  But this shit is enough to turn me into a raving Workers of the World Unite looney.  Fuck the owners. Let them stay locked out. We learned how to cope without baseball in 2020.  Have you heard the Good News about the NC Dinos?

 

OBSCURE FILM PICK OF THE WEEK:  Serenity!

Nathan Fillion! Summer Glau! Gina Torres! Alan Tudyk! Jewel Staite! Adam Baldwin before he went insane and Joss Whedon before we knew he was a fucking creep!

I’m not going to explain the premise, because you should already know it.  Yes, it’s the movie ending to the late, lamented TV series Firefly.  And if you don’t know Firefly you’re fucking DEAD TO ME.  Seriously. it’s only 14 episodes. Go watch it.  I’ll wait….

It’s not the movie I wanted. Tonally, it’s a little off from the series.  But it’s sufficiently satisfying closure and catharsis in a time where we don’t usually get either in any parts of our lives.

Also, you should be watching Tudyk in Resident Alien.

 

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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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Dunstan

I listened to 80s tunes instead of the SOTU tonight, so I just want to say: America, everybody Wang Chung tonight. Thank you.

TheRevanchist

There was a SOTU tonight? Shit. I didn’t even know or care.

Dunstan

This is the way.

Horatio Cornblower

Especially when you could have had a Pittsburgh Maulers shirt.

Horatio Cornblower

The first thing I do when I run the world is have James Corden deported to the Kuiper belt. Hardly the most important thing that needs doing, but goddamn is it going to make me feel good.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I mean the advances in rocket technology alone will make it worth the effort.

Horatio Cornblower

Oh, I’m not all that concerned that the rocket work.

SonOfSpam

Deport Jimmy Fallon with him and give Colbert all the shows.

Sharkbait

I mean, it needs to be done

Senor Weaselo

And Craig can have the Late Late show again!

SonOfSpam

His favorite TV character:

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Horatio Cornblower

Was that the line about the Iranian people when he was talking about Ukraine?

Gumbygirl

There’s not a damn thing wrong with his brain. He’s not a great public speaker, so what? At least he’s not a public embarrassment, like Drumpf.

SonOfSpam

His approval rating is relatively low because it’s cool to shit on the old guy. He’s doing a much better job than people give him credit for, and all the Bernie Bros can cram their hot takes right up Jill Stein’s borscht hole.

Dunstan

Comparing presidential approval ratings across eras is like comparing NFL QB stats. (Uh, except in the opposite direction I guess.) The country is too polarized for any president to get much above 50 percent now, and all it takes to dip into the low 40s or even 30s is for some members of your own party to get a little disgruntled.

And this is pretty much the traditional low point of presidential approval. Americans elect a president, then get annoyed with him 1-2 years in when he has not ushered in a new golden age, proceed to give the other party control of Congress, and then realize they’re no better.

SonOfSpam

And I’m convinced he’d be over 50% tomorrow if the DoJ indicted Trump. There are a lot of normals who are pissed that dickcheese seems to be getting away with it again. (Still optimistic he’s gonna die in prison, but every day he breathes free air is a day too many.)

Last edited 2 years ago by SonOfSpam
Dunstan

Yeah, you could be right. Approval ratings are tricky. It’s like how recently some American conservative idiots were trumpeting that a majority of Canadians disapproved of Trudeau’s handling of the trucker protests, but if you looked at the data, there were more people who thought he was too soft on them.

Horatio Cornblower

I didn’t like Joe Biden when I voted for him, I don’t like him now, and I won’t like him any better when I’m pulling a lever for him in 2024 when the GOP runs Trump or some piece of shit like DeSantis who’s trying to be Trump without he dementia.

Dunstan

Sure, he was pretty far down my list of choices for the nomination, too.

Gumbygirl

A- fucking men.

Horatio Cornblower

I mean, technically he’s right; the Russians attacking Kyev probably isn’t going to have much effect on the Iranian people.

Horatio Cornblower

Allan Tudyk had a small, creepy role in Season 5 of Justified.

Don’t get too attached to him.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

So I see Colorado’s biggest embarrassment continues to be a festering bowl of dog snot

Horatio Cornblower

That’s no way to talk about John Elway, sir.

Dunstan

Damnit, yours hadn’t posted yet. I deny that I Blair Witched this one…

Dunstan

Wait, John Elway is at the SOTU?

Gumbygirl

Neigh.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I see all the John Elway jokes are taken. Are there any Drew Locks left?

SonOfSpam

Go old school. Craig Morton wasn’t great.

Game Time Decision

One was way too many

Dunstan

Tim Tebow is available. For SOTUs and for circumcisions.

SonOfSpam

ONE OF EACH PLEASE

Horatio Cornblower

I’m not watching the SOTU, but I will say I don’t understand the fascination with “Let’s go Brandon”

Man, just say “Fuck Joe Biden”, like I do. Guy’’s nothing more than an empty suit who hasn’t had an original job since his first Presidential try ended when he plagiarized a speech from a British politician. A British politician who made that speech in a campaign he *lost* for Christ’s sake.

But I’ll vote for Biden five more times before I vote for some narcissistic shit-for-brains grifter like Trump, so fuck him double, Brandon.

Dunstan

The “Let’s Go Brandon” thing reminds me of that joke on Friends where Ross has some weird gesture he invented when he and Monica were kids that was a substitute for flipping the bird, so that their parents wouldn’t know, but he continues using it as an adult because… well, because he’s Ross.

I’ve spent 4+ years saying “fuck Donald Trump.” It’s fine. Own your profanity.

Sharkbait

Exactly this. We’re all adults. Say fuck!

Horatio Cornblower

Funny way to spell “another”

Horatio Cornblower

Haven’t been around much since I need to replace a computer and I’m lazy, but this has given me more time to watch TV.

Season 5 of Justified has aged much better than I remember, and if you are not watching The Righteous Gemstones you need to remedy that. The last episode has an all-timer of a line.

clint greasewood
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

SOTU more like SOJU amirite?

[cracks open a bottle]

King Hippo

Diamond Joe seems to be running on the Fozz platform now. Let’s see if he mentions “bourble.”

King Hippo

They should replace the formal speech with a really involved Bollywood dance number for the House majority.

King Hippo

Nah, he’s saving that for when he tries to force out his monthly poo.

King Hippo

Biden could probably get his approvals into the 60s if he just said “Fuck Putin” over and over until election day.

Gumbygirl

That would work for me. Fuck Putin.

Brick Meathook

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Redshirt

I look forward to unknown Republican Tonald Drump giving the Republican Response to Biden’s speech tonight.

Redshirt

I just love watching The Other Party begrudgingly standing to ovate after seeing their leadership stand up.

“Okay, are we… We not… Oh, we are?! Well, okay, I guess.”

Don T

Liked the NFL talk, loved the Jints hate
/screwy eyes, tongue out emoji
//damn you, humorless laptop

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Watching SOTU on about a 10 minute delay so NO SPOILERS!

I can’t bear to know beforehand who won’t stand up when.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

(this isn’t even a Madison Cawthorn joke)

King Hippo

He was going to do the American Nazi Party official response, but I guess he wasn’t…up for it.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“He sure wasn’t.” – his ex-wife

(no, really, his wife left him)

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

God I wish someone would push that piece of shit down a big hill with a crocodile-infested river at the bottom.

Redshirt

I won’t tell you about a drunken Donald Trump trying to rush the podium, then.

Redshirt

Yes, because having someone like the Vice President or the Secretary of State as the Designated Survivor is just idiocy.

Senor Weaselo

And Kiefer Sutherland in Designated Survivor.

Don T

I write medium speed, two fingers, typos galore. However much old school I am, a manual typewriter is my worst nightmare.
And yeah, I hurt my fingers plenty when they went through the space between manual typewriter keys.

Redshirt

I just tuned into the State of the Union Address. Has Biden threatened to fight Putin behind the playground at recess yet?

SonOfSpam

Here for any Bonilla-makes-a-mil-a-year-for-doing-nothing content.

Dunstan

I love Kaylee from Firefly so much. Possibly even more than I love this cocktail I’m about to make. I would not last long with either.

litre_cola

So my non local futbol jersey purveyor did not have my Colo Colo retro jersey so they substituted it for this. I like it.
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King Hippo

muy bien el substituto!

litre_cola

Guess I am a Corinthians fan now.
/Checks table.
I really don’t know how Brazil works.

litre_cola

With my luck lately Bolsonero is a supporter.

King Hippo

State of the Union – It’s Complicated.

I would love Diamond Joe SO MUCH if he said that. Also if he showed up in jeans and wifebeater.

/j/k, I love him NO MATTER WHAT

//also watching YYYYYYYYYYAM IT!! on TUDN instead

///also also might be imploding from the Red Bulls

King Hippo

I type pretty fucking fast, considering I only use two fingers (PHRASING)

King Hippo

Followed a 3.5-hour depression nap with TWO 12-oz dragonfruit Red Bulls. I’m sure my brain will start working any goddamned minute now.

litre_cola

Yam FC vs City of Juarez! Vamos you Sweet Potatoes!

King Hippo

I’ve said it constanntly since last summer – Manfred has zero interest in the interest of the game, beyond doing whatever the ownership cabal wants. Which is to break an already very weak union.

If there is ANY season in 2022, I’ll be surprised. If there are MLB games plahyed prior to 4 July, I’ll be shocked.

Redshirt

If I’m the players, I’d put together a Players League. Show the owners the fans don’t show up for then.

King Hippo

Wear the Birds on the Bat, but with #BFIB instead of any city references. I AM THERE. Redlegs, Brewers, and Pie-rats should also participate.

Redshirt

MLB is a dying sport. The financial inequalities between the big market and small market clubs are a cancer for the sport but no one wants to fix it. The players are focused on making the most money and the owners are focused on keeping the most money.

Be honest, forget about the current rosters and just focus on the teams themselves. If someone told you that in any random year, Los Angeles and Cincinnati would be playing for a championship, would you instinctively think Rams-Bengals or Angels-Reds.

King Hippo

I did get an e-mail tonight reminding me to cancel my MLB.tv subscription (not their intent, but still a good reminder), so there’s that.

scotchnaut

I watched baseball into the mid-90’s and then quit. To me there’s nothing compelling about the sport in and of itself. Now storylines seem contrived and all the owners are implacably conservative. As a NY Giants fan, I feel like I’m speaking as an expert on the conservative part.

King Hippo

It’s the sport that I understand best, and I still have nostalgia from listening to KMOX as a child, on my old skool clock radio (after sundown, I think one could get KMOX in Red China, the signal was so strong).

scotchnaut

Apologies for blown calls suck balls. Just get the call right in the first place.

https://www.tsn.ca/everton-referee-apology-manchester-city-frank-lampard-1.1765118?tsn-amp

Redshirt

(Super Bowl triggering ensues)

King Hippo

Is there Sapphic content in this here Firefly movie?

scotchnaut

Implied Sapphic content is even hotter!

Redshirt

So the gender inverse of this?

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King Hippo

it MOVED, Jerry!!!

herodotus450

I don’t think there’s even any hetero content smh