Looking at the situation in Washington I see stupidity & cupidity both in DC by “conservatives” and online from “conservatives”

First in Washington:

I find it completely unbelievable that the GOP has not forced the Democrats to do an actual filibuster. This could have been done months ago and would have served two purposes both which would have been positive for the GOP.

The first of course was the possibility that they would be able to get a vote on the “Save” act. Given that voter ID is an 80-20 issue it is something that would help republicans nationally & force Democrats to insist that women and minorities are too ignorant to get ID’s.. The falseness of this argument is so easily proved as almost everyone has ID) & the cries of “racism” so phony (where are the lawsuits against Banks by lawyers seeking a quick buck) that it would increase GOP chances in the falls.

There is also of course the possibility that such a vote will pass. If it does the Democrats who rely on cheating to win are finished.

I’m convinced this hasn’t happened because quite a few members of the Senate on the GOP side are afraid of angering people who might have a desire to keep this from becoming law. As long as the bill is not in a position to be passed it costs them nothing to talk up the bill, but the moment there is a possibility that it could become a law they’re in trouble.

I think this is the real reason why the vote hasn’t been called. He’s protecting members of his own caucus from a vote they don’t want to take.

That’s a disgrace.

But the disgrace & the bad decisions aren’t only in Washington I see them also online among the base and it comes in two flavors.

Flavor #1 is the “Why isn’t everything done now!”.

By every since objective measure Donald Trump has accomplished more than any “conservative” president has managed since Reagan and more. Moreover he is managing to do this with all of Washington, all of media, all of academia & every person our enemies can buy online & in Washington doing all they can to stop him.

Moreover despite all the left/media claims he is doing all of this within the law, not defying courts, or trampling on the the Constitution. This upsets some people who have spent a life getting instant gratifications but the reality of life is actually doing things takes time. Particularly if you’re not looking to break the law or become a dictator.

That’s annoying enough (& I think augmented by bot-farms & paid folks trying to push this “Trump is a failure” business).but what really pisses me off is the reactions when we actually win.

The president got his AG choice passed 50-49 and while leftists are screaming bloody murder that it happened quite a few conservatives are screaming because the margin wasn’t higher because some GOP senators like Susan Collins didn’t vote for him.

For a party that’s supposed to know history this kind of thing is nonsense.

If folks knew their history they would know that this is standard fare, as I wrote about in the early days of the blog during the Obamacare debate:

The background: In the book was a Congressman Leo O’Brien who had promised a vote to Sam Rayburn on an issue and was getting killed at home over it. Since his word had been given (Yes that makes a difference, I still believe that one’s word is sacrosanct) Tip told him he had no choice but to go to Rayburn and ask to be released. (How hard must that have been) I’ll let Rayburn and O’Neill finish the story:

“…you gave me your word and I expect you to keep it. However I can certainly appreciate your situation, so here’s what I’ll do for you. On the day of the vote I want to see you in the front row. Keep your eye on the doorkeeper. If I don’t need your vote, Fishbait Miller will give you the sign and you’ll be free to vote your district.”

…when Leo took his seat in the front row, he looked around and saw thirteen other guys that Sam had in his pocket in case he needed them. It wasn’t just Leo. The entire front row was sitting there and waiting for the nod from Fishbait Miller.

This is the real question that we don’t know the answer to. Does Nancy Pelosi have the votes and is just deciding who sits in the front row or is she scrambling for votes? And if the media knows what the truth is will they tell us?

It turned out she had the votes and made it a point to allow as many Democrats as she could in swing districts to vote against it & make a fuss about it.

Now Susan Collins is the last GOP member of congress in an increasingly blue New England. Despite being clearly the most liberal member of the GOP in the Senate & despite the complete ineptness of her opponents in Maine (only Donald Trump is more lucky in his enemies) her seat is still at risk. A vote in “opposition” to Trump might annoy but in the end it wasn’t needed for the win and if it gives her a better chance to win in November it decreases the chance of the left taking charge of the upper house.

Yet people are crying online that “true” conservatives in Maine should vote against her over it or that they hope she loses for voting against Trump.

Again there is an element of bot & paid actors in this bit but there are plenty of others who are either just click baiting or forgetting how keeping a majority in a country works.

The difference between being in the majority & controlling the agenda & being in the minority is huge & how huge is evident by the desperation Democrats have to get that majority back.

Let’s not help them by our own stupidity or let being annoyed cause us to make stupid decisions that we will later regret.

100 Word Fan Fiction: The Expert Witness:

Posted: August 8, 2026 by datechguy in fun
Tags:

“Herr Schultz you received the Iron Cross for stopping an escape at Stalag 13?”

“JaVol” said the plump old man

The prosecutor continued:  “And were you not present when 30 prisoners who escaped during the defendant’s leave actually turn themselves in when he returned early?

“Ja Vol”

“And did you not witness Hitler himself complement Col Klink on the camp?”

“He loved our barbed wire”

“Yet Herr Schultz in 3 years as a guard at Stalag 13 of war crimes you claim you know nothing & saw nothing?”

His face lit up: “That’s me

Last time: The Accused, Next time: A Biased Witness

100 Word Fan Fiction: The Accused:

Posted: August 5, 2026 by datechguy in fun
Tags:

“I’ve looked at your record, 3 years 100’s of prisoners, absolutely no escapes…”

Klink grinned, “I worked hard for that record…”

“And it’s that perfect record that works against you.”

His face dropped “…it was just dumb luck.”

“They will insist it was only due to your criminal actions”

“But herr Rolfe how can this be? In 3 years we only had a single prisoner fatality at Stalag 13 & that happened when I was in Berlin!”

“Why Now, he thought, They waited 30 years to bring this case vs you that’s our best defense.”

Last time: Don’t Mention the War Next: The Expert witness?

It’s the first of the month so it’s time for the indulgence calendar posting but before we do that I want to tell you about a special plenary indulgence available today and tomorrow called the “Pardon of Assisi which was obtained for man by St. Francis.

The origin of it is rather cool:

In a vision in July of 1216, Jesus, Our Lady, and angels presented Saint Francis of Assisi with the “Pardon of Assisi,” which the Church recognizes today.

Jesus said to him, “Francis, you are very zealous for the good of souls. Ask me what you want for their salvation.”

Lying prostrate on the ground, Francis responded, “Lord, I, a miserable sinner, beg You to concede an indulgence to all those who enter this church, who are truly contrite and have confessed their sins. And I beg Blessed Mary, your Mother, intercessor of man, that she intercede on behalf of this grace.”

Jesus responded, “It is a very great thing that which you ask Me; but you are worthy of even greater things, Friar Francis, and greater things you will have. So I accept your request, but I want you to go to my Vicar, to whom I have given the power to bind and loose in Heaven and on earth, to ask him on my behalf for this indulgence.”

The sitting pope Pope Honorius III approved it and thus a plenary indulgence is available if you do the following:

  1. Visit any Catholic church from Noon today to midnight tomorrow to honor Mary under the title “Our Lady of the Angels”
  2. Pray the Apostles Creed and the Our Father (what protestants call the Lord’s Prayer) for the intentions of the Pope (he releases a different prayer intention every month but just “the intentions of the Pope” will do.
  3. Within 20 days go to confession (even if it’s only for venial sins)
  4. Within 20 days receive holy communion

This is slightly different than the norms for a Plenary indulgence in three ways:

  1. Normally the prayers for the intentions of the Pope are not specific
  2. Normally a confession heard 20 days before the indulgenced act (the church visit to honor Mary) would be sufficent
  3. Normally you would need to receive holy communion on the day of the indulgence (which I will do)

As always if you have attachment to sin the indulgence becomes partial and you can only apply it to either yourself or someone who has died.

And speaking of the dead my wife’s only remaining sibling died suddenly on Monday so any prayers for DaWife or for the soul of my sister in Law Dianne will be much appreciated.

Ironically she died after I had already done the August calendar and uploaded it to WQPH site so she is not on it this month but she will be featured on the September Calendar, but feel free to write her in on the lines offered on each day.

Anyways here is the calendar: