Hollow Weenie

And there was a little something for Ukraine, too

In the interest of journalistic integrity, not that many other news sources find journalistic integrity interesting, I have to admit that this is a file photo of Biden from last Halloween. Because this year even Joe's PR team realizes that he needs to pretend to be more interested in world crises than using candy to lure potential child-sniffing victims.

Not that costumed kids will be missing out on much. Thanks to Bidenomics, nobody can really afford to be handing out candy except in those microscopic cubes oxymoronically called "fun-size" bites. Which may also explain why the White House is encouraging cash-strapped peons to buy "fun-size" houses, cars, and groceries while using only "fun-size" amounts of energy and medical services so as not to deplete their suddenly "fun-size" savings accounts and retirement portfolios.

Here at stately Jarlsberg Manor, I usually like to decorate my yard for Halloween with a bunch of inflatables, lights, sound effects, and a video projector or two. However, we've had rain for days and I haven't been able to set anything up yet. And there's more rain and the first freeze of the season in the forecast for North Texas. So I'm not sure if I'll be able to properly honor the holiday or if I'll be stuck with 300 teeny-tiny fun-size Milky Ways, Snickers, Twix bars, and M&Ms. 

Which my not-so-fun-size waistline definitely doesn't need. In any event, Happy Halloween to all!

FROM THE CRYPT

To help fill out the page, here is one of my very first "Hope n' Change" cartoons from way back in 2009, before I knew what the webcomic would actually be. It seems Halloween-appropriate and I've taken the liberty of colorizing the black & white original because I could use that for an excuse to put off housework a bit longer.

SCROTUS

At least try not to spend so much time scratching them

We are living in sad and dangerous times. And inexplicably bizarre times; how else to explain that in the aftermath of Hamas's attack on Israel that killed and maimed thousands including women, children, and Americans, Joe Biden has just rubberstamped $100 million in aid to the Palestinians who elected Hamas and keep them in power? And this while Hamas is holding American hostages?!

I found news of this to be so unbelievable that I had to look it up myself. And sadly, it's true - but in researching the story, I found myself getting distracted by an interview conducted on Air Force One that reveals that Joe Biden has suddenly grown chin testicles.

Fortunately, he appears to be waxing them, but they're still pretty disturbing to see wobbling back and forth. And it begs the question of what's going on here? A quick Google search of "Biden" and "balls on chin" only brought up an AARP Magazine article in which Jill Biden was reminiscing about fellatio.

Are chin-balls yet another unforeseen side effect of the Covid mRNA non-vaccines? Or is this an entirely new Fauci-funded surprise from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and Bat Ball Science? Then again, maybe it simply evolved on its own in one of China's infamous open-air wet ball markets.

But wherever it came from, it's not a good look - and I can't imagine the N95 "Uncle Joe Jockstraps" we'll soon need to wear on our faces will be much of an improvement.

GENERAL BITCHEN

• I've been a bit more out of touch recently because I've developed some pretty significant hip pain and am having to learn how to cope with it both physically and mentally. Initial x-rays show severe degeneration of my left hip (which, in fairness, is the kind of hip you'd expect to find in a degenerate) which makes walking painful and frequently necessitates the use of a cane. And not a cool cane topped with a silver skull that twists to release the hidden poison-tipped sword within. No, I'm using the Walmart adjustable special and hoping it doesn't suddenly "adjust" mid-step.

To date, the x-rays have only caused my gerontologist (sigh...) to note "that probably hurts a lot" and then give me a referral for a hip specialist to see in late November. I know hip replacements are popular these days, but I have a horror of hospitals and surgery. SOooo it's been worrisome. Hip pain advice will be warmly welcomed in the comments. Although I can't legally get medicinal marijuana in Texas despite having (wait for it!) joint pain.  

• And just to round out this page and give everyone something to look at, here's a picture related to a project I'm kinda sorta maybe working on...

As I've mentioned here before, I have a deep and abiding love and fascination for the bygone world of sideshows (and yes, freakshows). So I'm currently researching long-forgotten sideshow acts which showcased unusual talents and physiognomies. Where that research will take me I'm not sure, but from the mists, "Roderick the Riddle Revealer" has suggested that it will be "no place where you make a profit."

War in Israel

 Don't look away...

This is what's happening in Israel...

Note: this is the actual scene, but I joined it together imperfectly from two vertical video shots.

It started on a Holy Day in Israel. 5,000 incoming missiles, assaults from land, sea, and air, over 600 killed, and over 2,000 wounded. Palestinians have taken Israeli hostages (and non-Israelis who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time), some of whom have already been raped, killed, and paraded through the streets for the delight of cheering throngs of savages.

I lack the insights and language to describe either the history or the horror that is taking place before our eyes, but it takes no special perspective to recognize pure evil when it presents itself. There is no difficult choice about which side is right and which is wrong.

A very good friend of mine in Israel is in the heart of this nightmare. I fear for his life and the lives of his family and friends. Indeed, for all of the people of Israel. He shared this post from a friend on Facebook and it's important to read...

"Biden gave Iran access to frozen money, most recently $6 billion that had been frozen in South Korean banks. Since the administration came into office, it has been pouring money into Gaza aid projects knowing well that Iran’s client terrorist group, Hamas, is fully in control of the territory and would benefit from the help. In fact, Biden officials put in writing, in recently leaked documents, that they knew Hamas would benefit from the money they were sending. They sent it anyway."
---
"As the day of horror ends in the United States and a new day dawns in Israel, the lasting images of the day need to be assimilated. Yes, this was a shocking terrorist attack on a scale which justifies the 9-11 analogy, but with the added aspect of deliberate, individual cruelty on the part of the Hamas animals against Israeli civilians:

"-- The Israeli children -- aged 5, 6, 7 -- kidnapped into Gaza and tortured on video.

"-- The Israeli women raped, kidnapped, and paraded before jeering mobs in Gaza.

"-- The German tourist murdered at a music festival whose stripped body was paraded before jeering mobs in Gaza (in the mistaken belief that she was Jew).

"-- The elderly woman, clearly senile, dragged away uncomprehendingly by vicious animals.

"-- The teenager grabbed from the same music festival, screaming in terror, as her boyfriend is grabbed by terrorists helpless to assist.

"-- The family with a small girl and boy -- a third, older sister having just been murdered -- filmed as terrorists taunt them while the children weep in horror.

"-- The Hamas drone footage of the deliberate and targeted destruction of an ambulance.

"And on and on.

"The usual clowns will look for openings to condemn Israel for a "lack of proportionality" in its response. NO -- after a horror like this, the response MUST be disproportionate. It must be so severe and decisive that it is understood loudly and clearly that this will never again be tolerated.

"It will be a hard week to come, maybe longer. But one thing will be clear: We will know at the end who our friends are and who are not. And that will also be remembered."

- From a friend who prefers to remain anonymous.

As my friend accurately pointed out, more than "thoughts and prayers" are needed from all of us (although they, too, should be included in your support). Rather, we need to be in touch with our legislative representatives to demand appropriate actions to bring this violence to a halt - and hopefully make it impossible to happen again. In my opinion, any American response that the world doesn't scream is "too much" is not enough.

Here's a good place to begin: Mercury One, which is a totally legit charitable/humanitarian organization, is collecting money for medical supplies - because Israel's stockpile, intended to last for years, was used up in a single day. You can make a donation at this link, and I hope you will.