76 Comments

“Tell me Kmele, where are the balls?”

-Megyn asking Kmele about Democrats’ cowardice

Matt, if Moynihan had been there, there is NO WAY he would’ve failed to make a joke about Kmele’s balls. Come on, man!

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I was trying gamely to work it in….

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I figured if I thought of it, you must’ve too.

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I almost died listening to that.

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Thank you Matt for pushing back on Megyn Kelly's gushing praise of Trump. I am disappointed that Kmele didn't. Like you I am voting for no one, I'll write in None Of The Above. My vote or non vote will have more effect than yours or Kmele's since I live in PA.

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Matt and Team:

Long ago, my high school French teacher said, "Anything can be done better with chocolate, anything at all." I feel the same way about baseball. For this reason, I have already purchased my game ticket for WRIGLEY FIELD on August 17th and will be hitting up a game before your show (goddamn right!). I've never been to Chicago, and I can't think of a better way to spend my time there than to go to Wrigley. Thanks for the baseball vids - it's been a tremendously long week so thanks for making it "done better" with baseball.

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I did it once but it was heavy fog so I'm definitely doing it again this time.

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Another person said to do that. If I can fit it in, I will. And I might be able to. Thanks!

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I feel like these things are known, but just in case they aren't

My three favorite bars for chit chat and drawing are:

https://www.lazybirdchicago.com/

https://www.sparrowchicago.com/

https://www.estelleschicago.com/

Obviously food wise just kinda go where ever, Tho:

https://auchevaldiner.com/chicago/ -it is obvious to most chicago folks, burgers are great but its really the fries that do you in, I think they cook them in duck fat and cocaine. and ofcourse: https://kumascorner.com/

If you want some non-meaty stuff my favorite joint is https://www.handlebarchicago.com/ Their chillimac is straight up dangerous.

But the last joint is one I like to take new people to. https://www.sushidokku.com/booze-box great saki on tap (snow maiden is dope, but just get a flight of stuff) and obviously the sushi murders. Also the entrance to booze-box is just a big red neon arrow in the ally behind the joint, its right downtown so no big journey. Ok, I will stop now. :D have fun!

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Thank you!! I’m not there long enough to settle in and head wherever, so I’m grateful for the recs. My thought is that drinks with the fif guys will probably be NFCers invited only so I’ll probably be mostly on my own.

Thanks again!!!

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Does anyone else think Megyn’s getting a touch extreme lately? Struggling to take her seriously… when she started her show she seemed genuinely interested in objectivity. Not so much anymore. I thought Matt in particular brought some much needed sanity to their conversation here.

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Completely agree, I tried checking out her show a few times on days without The Fifth Column fellas and it just doesn't do it for me. I understand why the guys go on her show, she has a large audience and it is a good way to promote the podcast. However, her show seems to consist entirely of whatever the right wing culture war topic of the day is, and you always know exactly what side she and her guest are going to be on. I just find it so boring and predictable. And don't even waste your time in the Youtube comments for her show, it is a cesspool of MAGA idiots.

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There was a very brief period in the midst of the "racial reckoning" insanity that I checked out her show semi-regularly, if the guest looked interesting enough. But it became obvious after a few episodes that she is a partisan hack. Even when I was more sympathetic to whatever position she was discussing, I never found her to be a particular insightful or original thinker.

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Listened to the show today and yeah her fan-girling over Trump was a little bit much at times. That man of hers better take a look inside her Pee-Chee folder because she may have "Mrs Megyn Trump" written all over the inside of it.

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That Gurri piece... freaking awesome. He gets maybe too much credit for his prophecy, but not enough credit for his writing ability.

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And with all due respect to Matt, the piece is, as far as I’m concerned, just the right amount of “mean” — that is, rich in appropriately sharp, often funny criticism of a man who deserves nothing less, but has too often been spared it.

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"a ripping noise could be heard by those who listened closely..." I heard it too. Trump had farted or sharted.

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That Martin Gurri piece was absolutely savage.

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The best I’ve read on the worst of Biden.

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As a guy who just spent 14 hours trying to get from Austin, TX back to Michigan 10/10 would recommend Firehose as your constant companion. I would have likely ended up on the news did I not have this collection of links to preoccupy my deep-fried, drug addled, over-libated brain on this Ulysses-eske sojourn thought the flaming server farms of what was once a functioning airline system. I owe you some whiskey Matt, and as it is now 1am and I am both sober and sobered I need a goddamn nap. Cheers!

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Wen't to Cooperstown for the first time last year *shame face* and loved it! Enjoy.

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Thanks for the recognition, Matt, and also for the continuing firehose of content you all have been producing. In addition to old baseball highlights, I've been sharing with that same son of mine favorite movies that resonate with today's political craziness. Last night it was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. (Trump is now the Man Who Was Shot By Liberty Valance?). Earlier this summer we've watched The Death of Stalin and Being There. Any other suggestions for this virtual home film festival of ours?

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Bulworth: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0118798/

It might not be appropriate for a child, but that’s your call.

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The Campaign

Dr Strangelove

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Strangelove is a multi-generational favorite. My dad introduced it to me when I was a teenager, and I've paid it forward. And I've added The Campaign to my watchlist. Thanks for the rec!

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I somehow have never seen Bulworth. Will add it to the watchlist. Thanks!

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I’d also recommend one of my favorite films, The Manchurian Candidate: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0056218/

But Angela Lansbury’s character kissing Laurence Harvey’s character, her son, in a not-at-all-maternal way is likely to make for awkward family viewing.

Still, the oft-repeated description of Raymond Shaw (Harvey) as “the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life” does remind one of the corporate media and democratic establishment’s — but I repeat myself — characterization of Joe Biden over the last few years.

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I have to say I like the cast of the 2004 version a LOT as well. Denzel, Meryl, Liev...what's not to love?

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For those talking about possible Dem candidates. Shapiro campaigned on support for school choice but backed off after election due to pressure from teachers unions and the progressives

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I’m starting to trust my 30 year old self who decided that, whatever the truth of Anita Hill’s accusations, Joe Biden was an asshole. (The Obama glitter dust has worn off, like so many aspects of Barack’s reign)

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Always was, always will be.

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I needed a cigarette after that very satisfying Martin Guri piece.

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It was like lighting a cigarette, taking a drag, then tossing in onto a trail of gasoline that leads to a pile of explosives, and walking away while the fire rages behind.

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Haha well said. Good lord.

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I rarely share articles with friends but I sent the Gurri piece to two; not my dear The View-watching mom as it would break her 91 year-old heart & her still sharp but hopelessly Behar-ified brain (it's too late now so I just let her be). I agree with Jake O. -- I think his writing is wonderful.

Firehouse #102: The Longest Week (Since Last Week and Until Next Week)

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I tried to share it with my brother, but he's so staunchly Trumper and anything that isn't hot off the Breitbart press is not worth his time. Even this. He also can't believe I'd be open to anything but Trump's 'Merica, though, so we have (HE has) a hard time talking about it. I can't even tell the guy that the RNC is a party I'd have gone to - because I wouldn't be allowed since I'm not firmly in Trump's corner.

Won't even consider sending it to my dad - a staunch liberal with a COEXIST bumper sticker on his car. He does better in convo, but the pendulum swings too far the other way.

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You are caught between a rock & and a hard place🫣🙏

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Between them and a thousand miles, baby. I love them both. And dad has more years, experience, and hard living on his side - I way more understand his point of view than my brother's. He's old, he's over it, and a lot like me, he spent many years straddling the fence and enjoying engaging with all the things. He can have his views. My brother can, too - but it's a lot more sad for me because I think his view is wasted on being unable to see more than his side. And I miss the possibility of solid banter without anger and defensiveness.

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I shared it with several people when it was first published by Discourse — worth even a free subscription, by the way — conveniently forwarding it from my inbox, and I did so gleefully. If you’d like to give me your mother’s email address, I’ll be happy to do the honors.

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I appreciate the offer but I can't be even tangentially associated with that level of elder abuse. We've reached a fragile detente as regards political matters (more simply put we just don't discuss them) and I don't want to rock that little boat :-)

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Biden had it, Gurri's article, coming for a long time.

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Tagging on to @ Pete Morris's great comment, when Hank Aaron hit his historic 715th homer at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium on August 10, 1974 one of the two knuckleheads seen in all the videos rounding the bases with him for a short time became a friend of my husband's years later. I won't give his name (it's probably online) but he became a respected doctor in the area. I think he got into some minor trouble for his shenanigans but at least he had his clothes on; "streaking" was all the rage in the 70's :-)

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Make America Streak Again. That, and a revival of Morganna the "Kissing Bandit", would be a perfect companion to the second edition of Trumpmerica, which has a much more fun, '70s-like vibe to it than the first go-round.

On his annual pilgrimage, perhaps Matt can revive this appeal made on the pages of SI back in 2003: "Her bust should have its own bust in Cooperstown. Morganna the Kissing Bandit had measurements like a first-place hockey record, 60-24-39, and so she required a custom-built brassiere with, as God is our witness, an I cup. Arrested in Houston in 1985 after running onto the field and kissing Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan and shortstop Dickie Thon, she successfully used a 'gravity defense,' claiming in court that physics caused her to fall over an

Astrodome fence and onto the playing surface. 'Who's gonna argue,' she asked, 'with Isaac Newton?'

https://vault.si.com/vault/2003/06/30/the-final-kiss-off-why-did-baseballs-buxom-kissing-bandit-retire-her-act-four-years-ago-hard-to-say-because-now-shes-revealing-nothing

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Knucklehead is an entirely underrated comment about someone

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in keeping with the vintage setting/vibe of the story :-)

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I am aghast, Olivia Reingold was also on that second livestream

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They didn’t have her name listed!

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I can’t help thinking that wouldn’t have happened if Ms. Reingold still had hair of gold.

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Only God could love a woman for herself alone, and not her yellow hair

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Yeats. Very good.

Only God and one young man in despair: John McWaters.

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This bigotry against brunettes must stop

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Democracy dies in darkhairedness.

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This is aryan propaganda

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Light supremacy.

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This is crazy

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