# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657 "2024-01-05T16:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 163
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3241 "2024-12-20T01:45:32Z")
At least when “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase would bet a kid $500 that he couldn’t bounce a basketball ten times and then have his bodyguard knock the ball away after the ninth bounce, they actually gave the kid the money backstage afterward. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3242 "2024-12-20T23:31:08Z")
Oil company in Wisconsin said they had a “2 gal” spill, then they said it was “126 gallons”. It was 70,000 gallons. > **[How could Enbridge's oil spill in Jefferson County go from 2 to nearly 70,000...](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2024/12/20/drone-images-reveal-damage-from-enbridges-line-6-oil-spill/77073320007/)** > > The Line 6 oil spill raises concerns over delayed public notification. Wisconsin DNR isn't required to inform the public unless there's imminent risk. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3243 "2024-12-21T00:29:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Oil company in Wisconsin said they had a “2 gal” spill, then they said it was “126 gallons”. > It was 70,000 gallons. To be fair, I’m sure at first only 2 gallons spilled, then 126 gallons, before 70,000 spilled. It’s possible that 2 gallons spilled in a split second, and seconds later it was up to 126… It’s like if you told someone that you bet $15 at the casino. You neglect to mention that you bet $500 afterward, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t true. Or in the words of Mitch Hedberg: [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8s6ELgCcAAxKua.png) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8s6ELgCcAAxKua.png) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3244 "2024-12-21T00:30:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > To be fair, I’m sure at first only 2 gallons spilled, then 126 gallons, before 70,000 spilled. [![](https://y.yarn.co/ec64c1d1-ad7a-434c-af52-0ba0588906c2_text.gif) ](https://y.yarn.co/ec64c1d1-ad7a-434c-af52-0ba0588906c2_text.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3245 "2024-12-21T04:02:15Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s possible that 2 gallons spilled in a split second, and seconds later it was up to 126… I’d give you that if they reported it in real time instead of 6 weeks, and a series of inspections, later. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3246 "2024-12-21T07:04:07Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’d give you that if they reported it in real time instead of 6 weeks, and a series of inspections, later. I’m imagining Maxwell Smart reporting it. [![](https://memories-matter.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/get-smart.jpg) ](https://memories-matter.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/get-smart.jpg) “DNR? Enbridge here. We had a tiny spill… About… 2 gallons.” “Wouldja believe 126 gallons…?” “Okay it was around 70,000.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3247 "2024-12-21T12:44:33Z")
“Missed it by _that_ much.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3248 "2024-12-23T02:37:59Z")
I nominate my next-door neighbor, though it is kind of dishwater stupid. Recently, he has taken to flying two flags on angled poles on his front porch. One is a red flag bearing a USMC device. The other would be described as “sable canton bearing array of fifty stars sable, a field of thirteen stripes alternating sable with sable” – IOW, it is solid black, but if you study it with backlighting, you can see the US flag. Now, a black American flag can have a few meanings, but the one that seems to fit in this context, with the Marines flag beside it, is “no quarter”. He seems to be declaring, “_I am a badass, don’t fuck with me or I will kill you_.” It is possible that he is concerned about MAGAts running wild (not entirely without justification, IMO, though this is a quiet-ish neighborhood), but standing up and declaring your badassness strikes me as utter folly. He is attracting unwarranted attention to himself. I guess people who think they are badasses do that. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3249 "2024-12-23T02:58:37Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > It is possible that he is concerned about MAGAts running wild (not entirely without justification I think it is the opposite. He’s a Trump cultist. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3250 "2024-12-23T03:06:45Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Now, a black American flag can have a few meanings “I am a pirate”, perhaps? Perhaps you could recruit a crew of stern, husky gentlemen to seize his vessel by force of arms and bring a claim against it in Prize Court. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3251 "2024-12-23T04:00:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I think it is the opposite. He’s a Trump cultist. He does not really behave like that, though. He was not showing signs of celebrating the election (there were a few distant fireworks shot off election night, but not him. And, he has a Chevy Bolt EV, which does not seem particularly MAGAty. I think he is just a guy, not really aligned one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3252 "2024-12-23T04:12:45Z")
Flying an all-black American flag is certainly intended to convey _some_ message. Have you thought of asking him what that is? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3253 "2024-12-23T04:28:30Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I guess people who think they are badasses do that. People who want to _signal to others_ they’re badasses. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3254 "2024-12-23T04:32:58Z")
The black American flag is a sign of resistance against the government. If he’s not MAGA, then he doesn’t know what he’s proclaiming. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3255 "2024-12-23T04:48:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Have you thought of asking him what that is? A desire to abolish democracy and replace it with a ninjaocracy… Shadowy assassins from Japan run everything from the shadows. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3256 "2024-12-23T04:59:23Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The other would be described as “sable canton bearing array of fifty stars sable, a field of thirteen stripes alternating sable with sable” – IOW, it is solid black This reminds me of an old episode of _The Carol Burnett Show_ in which the cast were all singing the national anthem of a country composed solely of the border lines as seen on maps. The anthem referred to the flag as “White, white, and white”. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3257 "2024-12-23T05:03:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The black American flag is a sign of resistance against the government. If he’s not MAGA, then he doesn’t know what he’s proclaiming. He only first put it up about a week ago – a MAGAt would have been flying it all year long. It is possible he is disenchanted with how things are trending. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3258 "2024-12-23T05:35:45Z")
I had to flip a coin to decide which omnibus thread to put [this story on Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/prankster-arrested-reportedly-filming-himself-205955769.html) in. > Prankster arrested after reportedly filming himself spraying food at Walmart: ‘Reckless’ I’ve seen such stories in the news a few times in the last couple of years, but this bit takes the cake. > A prankster was recently arrested and charged after allegedly spraying bug killer on food in an [Arizona Walmart,](https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southwest/arizona) police say. BUG KILLER?! Yep, bug killer. And that brought some serious charges to this “prank”. > Charles Smith, 27, was charged with felony-level poisoning and misdemeanor-level criminal damage, in addition to misdemeanor charges of endangerment and theft. The [Mesa Police Department](https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/crime/police-and-law-enforcement) confirmed the arrest in a statement to Fox News Digital. Have fun explaining away the conviction for poisoning when you get your next job interview, genius. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3259 "2024-12-23T05:36:37Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The black American flag is a sign of resistance against the government. If he’s not MAGA, then he doesn’t know what he’s proclaiming If he’s not MAGA, maybe he intends to resist the incoming MAGA government. I think that we, at any rate, don’t know what he’s proclaiming. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/3260 "2024-12-23T06:18:15Z")
Isn’t the ‘[thin blue line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_blue_line#/media/File:Thin_Blue_Line_Flag_(United_States).svg)’ flag mostly black and white? Yeah. It only has one blue line, that might not show if it was hanging diagonally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=164)