Motley Moose – Archive

Solomon Northup

With all the movie talk centering around the film 12 Years a Slave, the plot, the cast, the director, critical reviews and audience responses, it is important that we don’t forget that this film is taken from real life…our history and yet, bound to our present.  

Solomon Northup’s tale is one of many narratives of the era of enslavement, and its aftermath.

I haven’t seen this film yet, years ago I saw the version directed by Gordon Parks, “Solomon Northup’s Odyssey, reissued as Half Slave, Half Free” and read Northup’s published narrative many years before then, several times.  

Given my own interests in genealogy and history, reading his harrowing tale, and about his eventual escape, even though his fate in later years is buried in mystery, I thought about his wife, his children and his descendants.  

Interrogatories

What’s your favorite kind of donut or other deep fried pastry goodie?

What’s your favorite bagel, and what do you top it with?

Have you been the subject of a surprise party? Ever surprise someone else?

Describe the sound your doorbell makes. Do you always answer the door?

The Twitter Emitter

The fact that men rape women, men rape men, women rape men, and women rape women proves that we don't have a rape problem. Got it.

— Allan Brauer (@allanbrauer) November 4, 2013

Apparently, this is the last week you can tell all your friends you were into Twitter before they went corporate.

— pastordan (@pastordan) November 4, 2013

Great job by the Senate. Unfortunately, the GOP House is the ENDA the line for any bills on equality.

— Dante Apollo Atkins (@DanteAtkins) November 4, 2013

somewhere in hell bin Laden is still chuckling over his jar of honey. "First you get the honey," he hisses. "Then you get the power."

— Mallory Ortberg (@mallelis) November 4, 2013

PLEASE NOTE: If you use your religion to deny people rights, opportunity and medical care, that's not "religious freedom."

— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) November 4, 2013

If these big corporations believe we don't need government, I don't see why they employ all those lobbyists.

— Chris Dashiell (@cdashiell) November 5, 2013

When the Wampanoag fed the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving they didn't realize they'd just begun Socialism for Illegal Immigrants.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) November 5, 2013

Did Rand Paul also cut and paste the thing on his head? #WentThere #CrankySueMe

— GottaLaff (@GottaLaff) November 5, 2013

People need to lay off Rand Paul. His "I have been to the mountaintop" speech is one of the greatest things I've ever heard.

— Jack Kimble (@RepJackKimble) November 5, 2013

You can tell @SenRandPaul has no fear of being called a plagiarist by the way his websites are being scrubbed of content.

— Allan Brauer (@allanbrauer) November 5, 2013

Rand Paul apparently thought it was "Atlas Cribbed."

— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) November 5, 2013

There’s an election in Virginia today:

Ken Cuccinelli is proving that women can still vote.

— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) October 28, 2013

Ken Cuccinelli and Christine O'Donnell would be a dream ticket for people who don't want their genitals touched ever, even by themselves

— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) October 29, 2013

Ken Cuccinelli: "I'm the only candidate who cares enough to make sure your younger neighbors aren't committing oral and anal sex. "

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) November 5, 2013

Interrogatories

We need a major scandal, celebrity or Republican, to fill the cable news hours. What would your favorite scandal look like? (h/t KelleyRN2 for the question)

What is the best dessert of all time?

What was the last foolhardy thing you did? (It doesn’t have to be major.)

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever eaten (even just a taste)?

The Twitter Emitter

I just tried to buy a gun online. Now I know why Republicans think healthcare.gov is slow.

— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) November 2, 2013

Me: I’ll have a turkey sandwich. Mold: Hey, what’s up? Me: I’m having a grilled cheese sandwich is what’s up.

— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) November 2, 2013

Look on the bright side: that Rand is a plagiarist makes it unlikely he's the author of dad's racist newsletters. #lemonade

— Dean Barker (@deanbarker) November 2, 2013

And Jesus said: "Love they neighbor, unless they are gay or poor or liberal or a RINO or anyone who disagrees with you. USA! USA!"

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) November 2, 2013

Troubling thought. If Obama really is an inept buffoon, what does that make those who keep losing to him? http://t.co/5sswLMssXg

— davidfrum (@davidfrum) November 2, 2013

If LAX shooting is recognized as domestic terror perhaps response will be restrictions on purchases of assault weapons. Ha, I kid! I kid!

— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) November 3, 2013

The Republican Party will soon collapse under its own white.

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) November 3, 2013

Rand Paul: "People accusing me of plagiarism are hacks and haters, but I'm not scared. The only thing I have to fear is fear itself."

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) November 3, 2013

Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

— Eastwood (@Eagle_Vision) November 3, 2013

#RandPaul: "My initial response to the plagiarism charges would've been stronger, but #Wikipedia crashed while I was writing it."

— Eric Wolfson (@ericwolfson) November 3, 2013

Interrogatories

For National Write a Novel Month, have you ever competed in nanowrimo? (See link at bottom of page.) If not, have you ever attempted, completed, or published a novel? Short stories? Fan fiction?

What is the hottest and coldest temperature you ever experienced, and where was it? What’s the biggest storm you ever experienced?

How old were you when you first read on your own?

For Family Stories Month, do you have a collection of good family stories? Do you have any you want to share?

The Twitter Emitter

I like how hospital food is apparently designed to make you a repeat customer .

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) October 28, 2013

Voter fraud, one problem that America doesn't have, is the only problem the GOP is trying to solve.

— HELL-OL GOP (@LOLGOP) October 28, 2013

Say what you want about McDonald's but they do an amazing job of making Chicken McNuggets taste like chicken.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) October 28, 2013

The French celebrate Halloween by handing out ennui to children.

— OberFacts (@OberFacts) October 31, 2013

Appellate Court reinstates Texas abortion law, though some were suspicious when Perry, Abbott & Dewhurst were judges at the Halloween party.

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) November 1, 2013

Shouldn’t Angry Birds Star Wars have started with Version 4.0?

— ¡socratic! (@socratic) November 1, 2013

Out of candy. Any kid who comes to my door will now receive a free anecdote about the time I met Lou Reed.

— Tim Siedell (@badbanana) November 1, 2013

Trick-or-treaters in Houston backed up at Ted Cruz's house for last 21 hours while he lectures them on the evils of Obamacare.

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) November 1, 2013

Kids in my neighborhood know they get no candy unless they lead.

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) October 31, 2013

Cory Booker sworn in to the Senate today, which means Newark firefighters will have to do their jobs instead of letting him save everyone.

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) November 1, 2013

Interrogatories

Do you get trick-or-treaters where you live? If so, is your place a popular destination? What kind of candy do you hand out?

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

When did you last dress up for Halloween? What were you?

What is the coolest costume that ever showed up at your door (or your party?)

Do you ever attend your city’s Halloween parade (if they have one)?

The Twitter Emitter

I need to be careful before using a hip phrase, in case it's already been used in a commercial.

— Chris Dashiell (@cdashiell) October 28, 2013

I'm going as Julianne Hough for Halloween. Hope I can pull off Blondeface.

— Cryptnabber (@Crutnacker) October 28, 2013

Obama is an evil man for eavesdropping on private phone calls, say employees of Rupert Murdoch at FOX News. #p2

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) October 28, 2013

Tea Party: "We must uphold the Constitution" SCOTUS: "Obamacare = constitutional" Federal Judge: "Texas anti-women law = unconstitutional"

— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) October 28, 2013

Give a man a fish, get primaried as a fishgiver.

— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) October 30, 2013

I was thinking of starting a Twitter union but then I realized there was no line we wouldn't cross.

— Cryptnabber (@Crutnacker) October 30, 2013

You know what we need is more white people telling black people why they shouldn't be offended by black face #p2 #tcot

— RagingTeabagger (@RagingTeabagger) October 30, 2013

Good news bad news. He had a nervous breakdown trying to register for a health plan. It was covered.

— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) October 30, 2013

I wonder how long it would take a giraffe to throw up.

— Bill Murray (@BiIIMurray) October 30, 2013

I'd like to point out that during the time the NSA was spying on our allies, our allies never attacked us. The program works.

— Tim Siedell (@badbanana) October 30, 2013

Interrogatories

[channeling the HUAC]: Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party? Republican Party?

Not to get too personal, but do you still have all the parts you were born with? (circumcised males need not mention that)

Candy Corn: Food or flavored wax?

For Haunted Refrigerator Day, assuming yours was haunted, what would it be that haunted it?

The Twitter Emitter

The more you know, the more you wish you didn't.

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) October 28, 2013

Rubio gives up on immigration reform, will focus instead on "getting abs like Paul Ryan by 2016"

— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) October 28, 2013

Marco Rubio could win the Tea Party back in a second if he would announce he's primarying Marco Rubio.

— HELL-OL GOP (@LOLGOP) October 28, 2013

NSA surveillance of 35 world leaders' phones produced "little reportable intelligence" but we can assume many terrible sexts.

— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) October 28, 2013

Anyone who hates Obamacare exchanges is still free to buy insurance on the individual market. I hear it's super easy w/o the gov't involved

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) October 28, 2013

NASCAR had its first African American race winner since 1963, though Donald Trump says "it's not official until I see a birth certificate."

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) October 28, 2013

Fox News panelist rattling off the coverage "most people don’t need” includes substance abuse which is weird bc they’re obviously high.

— Ana SCARY Cox (@anamariecox) October 28, 2013

Bong water taffy was also met with limited success.

— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) October 28, 2013

Most people who believe in intelligent design are evidence against it.

— Peter Flom (@peterflom) October 28, 2013

Obamacare ate my baby!

— kara vallow (@teenagesleuth) October 28, 2013

Oh, wait… my insurance went up every year before Obama was even elected. He IS the anti-Christ!

— Teresa CORPSE-c (@TeresaKopec) October 29, 2013

Folks who liked those indy policies probably didn't test them by getting seriously ill. The ill went bankrupt.

— Diane Webber (@dwebbKHN) October 29, 2013

So the "scandal" discovered by @nbc is that insurers can no longer sell substandard plans? yes, that's called "passing a new law."

— Anson Kaye (@AEWK) October 29, 2013

I just can’t not write this diary, although I wish it didn’t have to be written. We all know how the adherents of reactionary politics get branded “anti-science” – deservedly so. Problem is, an anti-science trend among the left also exists. It’s less pervasive, but when one suddenly encounters it, it’s both quite dumbfounding (surprise factor) and damaging to discourse, credibility, and any underlying progressive cause involved. One recent example made me write this diary, and it wasn’t even particularly glaring.

More below.  

Interrogatories

If you were invited to a really fancy dinner party, would you know which fork/knife/spoon/glass etc. to use, and when? If so, would you be able to engage in sparkling conversation at the same time?

What is the most recent book you finished. Was it good?

Where was your family (parents, grandparents…) during the Great Depression? How did they make ends meet?

Are you a fan of boxing? Have you ever boxed?

The Twitter Emitter

Suzanne Somers from that old show “Three’s Company” wrote an anti-Obamacare op-ed for the Wall Street Journal:

Suzanne Somers now leads in early Iowa 2016 caucus polls http://t.co/VFfugXJb1L

— daveweigel (@daveweigel) October 28, 2013

After Suzanne Somers take on Obamacare in the Wall Street Journal, I can't wait to hear Anson Williams's take on immigration.

— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) October 28, 2013

Waiting for the rebuttal from Cheryl Ladd.

— Chris Dashiell (@cdashiell) October 28, 2013

Good to see Suzanne Somers still playing Crissy Snow 35 years later.

— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) October 28, 2013

I can't wait for WSJ's new economics blog written by Tony Danza.

— T. (@TPPratt) October 29, 2013

Oh, shit, Chrissy doesn't like Obamacare? Well, never mind, then.

— Bearded Tombstoner (@beardedstoner) October 29, 2013

Not sure which is worse: Rand Paul copying his Liberty University speech from the 'GATTACA' Wikipedia entry or Herman Cain quoting Pokemon.

— Jason Febery (@JasonFebery) October 29, 2013

REMINDER: Before Obamacare insurance companies could only drop you if they had a good reason like they wanted to or you had cancer.

— HELL-OL GOP (@LOLGOP) October 29, 2013

If your doctor's office cared about your well being they wouldn't have copies of Us Magazine in the waiting room.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) October 29, 2013

Lindsey Graham: "I'm gonna block every appointment until I get new hearings on Benghazi, or until I'm no longer facing a primary challenge."

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) October 28, 2013

Ken Cuccinelli's whole life is the Seinfeld episode where they try not to masturbate.

— HELL-OL GOP (@LOLGOP) October 28, 2013

Interrogatories

How many U.S. States have you been to? How many countries have you been to? Which were your favorites?

Are you good at chess? How often do you play?

Do you actually read every word of the terms and conditions for software updates and various memberships?

When you were in grade school, did you ever have to make goofy presents for a parent as an art project? What did you make? Did the parent like it? Did the parent keep it?

The Twitter Emitter

@angelanicole74 I like how people always got a limit on how much the working class/poor "should have" but not how much the rich should have.

— Arrakis of Sarcasm (@yeloson) October 23, 2013

Immigration reform? I wonder how you say "Kabuki" in Spanish?

— William K. Wolfrum (@Wolfrum) October 24, 2013

If the primary use you make of your religion is to yell at people, you may wish to rethink your life

— SheriffFruitfly (@sherifffruitfly) October 25, 2013

At least we'll get a Lou Reed episode of Glee.

— rob delaney (@robdelaney) October 27, 2013

My kid is almost old enough for social media so we'll need to have "the talk" soon. You know, about your/you're and their/there/they're.

— Will Ferrell (@Will___Ferrell) October 27, 2013

It's not true that blackface is never funny. Racists think it's hilarious.

— Ian BOOOOdreau (@iboudreau) October 27, 2013

Great Britain, the rains will continue until Piers Morgan's citizenship is revoked.

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) October 27, 2013

This one is satire, unfortunately:

Lou Reed was one of the worst senators of all time. I'd say good riddance.

— Sarah PaIin (@SarahPaIinUSA) October 27, 2013

I can’t resist a pun:

(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Djibouti #songsaboutplaces

— cassandracarolina (@cassandra17lina) October 28, 2013

When your life becomes complete, it kills you.

— Gautam Trivedi (@Gotham3) October 28, 2013

Interrogatories

It’s National Greasy Foods Day. None of these has to be greasy if cooked right. What is your favorite food in the so-called “Greasy Food” category?

It’s International Artists Day. Do you have a favorite artist, and if so, who is it?

Speaking of artists, what is your opinion of Banksy?

What is your favorite building in your city? Why?

The Twitter Emitter

To give Ted Cruz credit, he DID display the virtues of political discipline and unity, once he united his entire chamber against Ted Cruz.

— Chris Lehmann (@lehmannchris) October 16, 2013

BREAKING: Princeton/Harvard Law grad whose wife works for Goldman Sachs attacks the Establishment

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) October 16, 2013

When is the House E&C hearing on the dumbass, pointless, costly, harmful govt shutdown?

— roadkillrefugee (@rkref) October 24, 2013

#GOP Game Plan: 1. Pick something about #Obama. 2. Launch an investigation over it. 3. Impeach #Obama. 4. Repeat 1-3 'til something sticks.

— Eric Wolfson (@ericwolfson) October 24, 2013

“If you’re an intellectually honest liberal you’ll unquestioningly accept my histrionic proclamations that ACA rollout is worst thing ever!”

— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) October 24, 2013

If Congress needs to see an Obamacare error log, it can just look at the 40-odd repeal votes in the Congressional Record.

— Danielle (@DCPlod) October 24, 2013

Next on Monkey Court: Bobo groomed Tinkles, but says Tinkles never returned the favor. Celebrity judge Ted Cruz presides.

— Hunter (@HunterDK) October 24, 2013

Why can't that fucking President Obama live up to the Bush standard? He was able to coordinate voting machines across 36 states! Leadership!

— kara vallow (@teenagesleuth) October 25, 2013

Spying is like farting. Everyone does it, but when you catch someone doing it, you complain.

— Frank Vdl (@fvdlfvdl) October 25, 2013

Pat Robertson attributes healthcare .gov glitches to "gay code that entered the site from a back door."

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) October 25, 2013