Aftermath

Aftermath is the fourth studio album by the Rolling Stones, released in 1966. But that's not what we're talking about here.

One generally thinks of a 70th birthday party as a sedate affair. I wish that had been the case last Saturday. I woke up in my backyard Sunday morning along with a couple Belmont dudes that had decided to climb my pergola some time after midnight. The house was trashed and some wiseguy unbolted the guest bathroom toilet. I’m still waiting on the legal consequences of the three separate ER visits due to bounce house injuries.

OK, I kid. Our Saturday soiree went smoothly.  We turned the patio into Party Central and in the kitchen we had professional chefs from Pinterest and Flour + Water, because we’re connected. The chow was a major hit.  We started with stinky French cheeses, sesame noodles and spring rolls, then moved on to the curry chicken and eggplant entrees. We had plenty of vino and beer and I scored a few leftovers. There was oratory and singing, but no dancing. Things wrapped at a reasonable hour so I could get my usual ten hours of sleep.

I’ve been following the news on Trump’s Big Fugly Bill. It seems a lot of people have problems with it, but the Senate passed it nonetheless. I appreciate that Susan Collins unfurrowed her brow and voted no. Rand Paul, who hasn’t had his ass kicked by his neighbor for some time, made it to the Senate floor to cast a no vote. Thom Tillis did the right thing this time, after voting to confirm charlatans RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth.  I’ll be sending Tillis a new bolo tie as a thank you. Sen. Murkowski got special carve outs for Alaska, admitted it was a lousy bill, and still voted yes. I wish she could have thought of the other 345,000,000 Americans, especially the poor, many of whom will suffer silently when their Medicaid runs out and rural hospitals close, until it is possibly too late, and then flood the nearest emergency rooms. I’m crossing my fingers that the House wrangling sinks this thing. I can dream. At least Fetterman can head to the beach now. If you can get a freebie from Esquire, I recommend you read Charles Pierce’s take on this mess.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a65269543/republican-big-beautiful-bill-passes-senate/