# The Union's in a state **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 24, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923 "2026-02-24T04:33:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/241 "2026-02-25T04:02:06Z")
No problem, @Monty ; it’s all the more for me. 😉 Seriously, it’s your choice, and I respect that. Hey, if you ever visit, I’ll be glad to buy you the libation of your choice. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/242 "2026-02-25T04:02:11Z")
And it’s over. What a disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/243 "2026-02-25T04:02:16Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I have. Don’t. > [@Spoons](#): > > Stick to the Oban. Sounds like good advice to me. @Monty, I figured. You’re not missing much, IMHO. I only drink these days on noted occasions. This is one. Thank you again for starting both threads. These days, I almost think all Trump threads should just start in the Pit. They’re so awful and soul-destroying. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/244 "2026-02-25T04:03:28Z")
Yes, thank you for starting the thread, @Monty. I did not like his speech, but I always enjoy a watchalong. Glad you gave us one; thanks again. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2026, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/245 "2026-02-25T04:04:31Z")
@Spoons Where do you happen to be (in general, don’t give the exact locale)? > [@Aspenglow](#): > > @Monty, I figured. You’re not missing much, IMHO. I only drink these days on noted occasions. This is one. > > Thank you again for starting both threads. These days, I almost think all Trump threads should just start in the Pit. They’re so awful and soul-destroying. The real reason I started the other thread is because I respect those who just don’t do The BBQ Pit. This thread, as I imagined, would be the star of the event. By the way, what do you think of this thread’s title and, of course, my comment about the felon being the “Slur of the Union”? I only got one Bingo from my card. And one away from another. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/246 "2026-02-25T04:06:02Z")
As ever, both clever and appropriate. 🙂 You’ve done a lot of hard work this year keeping us all informed. That is noted and appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/247 "2026-02-25T04:07:03Z")
Hey, did I miss the speech? I just got here. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/248 "2026-02-25T04:07:26Z")
@Monty I appreciate all the work you put into this. Absolutely loved the title of the thread and especially the Slur of the Union comment! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/249 "2026-02-25T04:09:26Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > @Spoons Where do you happen to be (in general, don’t give the exact locale)? I’m in southern Alberta, Canada. I’ve been interested in American history and politics for years. It is threads like this that allow me to learn more and share what I know. Hell, I actually wrote papers on American legal history for classes at my Canadian law school! Cannot do that without a good knowledge of American history, politics, and the US Constitution. But I participated in the thread because while I may be an outside observer, I am genuinely interested. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/250 "2026-02-25T04:10:17Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > _A personal aside_: My mother passed away just after Easter of 2017 and my father followed in February of 2018. They were both supporters of Trump. I’m thankful now that I do not have to be shouting at them for this debacle. Fuck dude. My Trumper dad passed in 2023 and I am so angry at Trump that he makes me glad that my dad is not here. It’s a different level of anger for the man, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/251 "2026-02-25T04:26:30Z")
You know my dad was a racist bigot, but a pretty mild one. He kept his opinion to himself in public and was friendly to everyone who was friendly to him. My mom tried to be non-racist, but she had a problem with people “mixing.” She had an acquaintance who umm preferred the company of black men. At least that’s what my mom said. Anyway my mom was very disaproving of this person dancing with black men. Neither of them would have tolerated trumps bullshit. My dad in particular was not a stupid person and knew a phony when he saw one. They both died long before trump was known outside of New York City. But I don’t think I would have had to fight with them about that piece of shit. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/252 "2026-02-25T04:26:36Z")
Y’know, years ago, I had a horse. She was a pleasant-natured mix; her pedigree would have at least a few horse breeds in there. I loved working with her, she seemed to like working with me, and we enjoyed many happy rides and times together. But holy hannah, could she ever shit. Her GI tract must have worked overtime, because it seemed that what she ate an hour or two prior, reappeared at her back end two hours later. It probably wasn’t working overtime, of course, but it might as well have been, because she did it so often. I had to take care when grooming her tail, for obvious reasons. My dear old mare is long gone, but I thought of her tonight, as I watched the speech. Trump was spewing horseshit as often as my mare did. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/253 "2026-02-25T04:28:21Z")
Watching the talking heads on CNN now. They’ve got Nancy Pelosi on the panel. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/254 "2026-02-25T04:28:55Z")
The picture I saw if Melania standing beside that poor old navy pilot looked like she smelled something bad. Too much Botox, one might think. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/255 "2026-02-25T04:33:55Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Y’know, years ago, I had a horse. She was a pleasant-natured mix; her pedigree would have at least a few horse breeds in there. I loved working with her, she seemed to like working with me, and we enjoyed many happy rides and times together. > > But holy hannah, could she ever shit. I have a dachshund like that now. I’ve never owned an animal that shits as much as he does. Epic poops – about 4 times a day! But he couldn’t begin to compare with the endless shit that comes out of Trump. From both ends. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/256 "2026-02-25T04:39:36Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > As ever, both clever and appropriate. 🙂 You’ve done a lot of hard work this year keeping us all informed. That is noted and appreciated. Thanks! As for thread titles, I’m yet to top [June, I’m worried about the Peeve (mini-rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/june-im-worried-about-the-peeve-mini-rants/834846). > [@bobot](#): > > Hey, did I miss the speech? I just got here. I think a sound evaluation would be you did not miss it. > [@Ellecram](#): > > I appreciate all the work you put into this. > > Absolutely loved the title of the thread and especially the Slur of the Union comment! Thanks! “Slur of the Union” just came to me as I was typing it. I’m releasing my inner Shakespear apparently. > [@Spoons](#): > > I’m in southern Alberta, Canada. I’ve been interested in American history and politics for years. It is threads like this that allow me to learn more and share what I know. > > Hell, I actually wrote papers on American legal history for classes at my Canadian law school! Cannot do that without a good knowledge of American history, politics, and the US Constitution. But I participated in the thread because while I may be an outside observer, I am genuinely interested. I forgot you’re a Canadian lawyer. (Do y’all up in the great underpopulated North still call yourselves that, or is it barrister?) For better or for worse–and of late it seems to be for worse–the US administration is an important issue for not just Americans but for the entire world. And, going by the closing remarks from the SOTU, the interstellar community. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My Trumper dad passed in 2023 and I am so angry at Trump that he makes me glad that my dad is not here. It’s a different level of anger for the man, isn’t it? My parents were Episcopalian. Mom converted to that after they married; she grew up Roman Catholic. I converted years ago to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which, of course, my mother called a cult. I’ve mentioned before that I grew up in Dixe and specifically in the Seaboard but for two years–one in Tennessee and the other in Pennsylvania. Growing up in Virginia, especially the so-called Tri-State Area it was unlikely to not be aware of the felon’s stunts at the time since, of course, he was breaking federal laws even those years so long ago. My mother condemned him. Then the felon ran for office. And got the nomination. Literally (I mean literally in the literal sense of the word), Mom flipped into supporting him. Dad, I think, supported him out of party allegiance. And Mom said I’m the one in a cult. Good Lord! It sure is a different level. It’s a cocktail of anger, disgust, disappointment, shock, and horror. > [@Sylvanz](#): > > she had a problem with people “mixing.” Where I grew up, mostly in Virginia but also in Geogia and Tennesse, there was a sayingl which I hope has gone the way of all flesh: _The robin doesn’t mate with the bluejay_. I think you know what that means. > [@Sylvanz](#): > > Neither of them would have tolerated trumps bullshit. My dad in particular was not a stupid person and knew a phony when he saw one. I honestly believed my parents woudln’t’ve either. I’m at the above-mentioned level of disappointment with them still becasue of one horrible human. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > But he couldn’t begin to compare with the endless shit that comes out of Trump. From both ends. Over twenty years ago, on the night before Thanksgiving, I had a terrible cold, so I couldn’t smell or taste anything. I accidentally drank some long-expired milk. 'Twas the burning of the tongue that alerted me. I spent the entire four-day weekend on the terlet spewing diarrhea. The fun part was I was also puking between my legs. And even those four days of shit and vomit _still_ didn’t match the load of shit over the two hour insult to America’s democracy we just witnessed. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/257 "2026-02-25T04:45:21Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I forgot you’re a Canadian lawyer. (Do y’all up in the great underpopulated North still call yourselves that, or is it barrister?) Heh. My business card states “Barrister and Solicitor,” as all Canadian lawyers are styled. My preference is for barrister work (arguing before courts and tribunals) rather than solicitor work (paper lawyering: wills and estates, real estate, contracts, collections, and the like). But according to local custom, I’m styled as both. Well, I actually do rather like contracts, and they do enter into practice areas that I have argued before courts and tribunals, so maybe I should exclude those from the above list. But as far as I’m concerned and in any event, “lawyer” works just fine by me. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/258 "2026-02-25T05:03:16Z")
I was just watching a YouTube of Rachel Maddow’s initial reaction to Trump’s speech and she showed a clip of Trump ranting and raving at the beginning of his speech, talking a mile a minute, and a huge chunk of coke or Adderal or something came flying out of his nose. Did anyone else see that? Apologize ahead of time if it was mentioned. I just got home from work. Didn’t watch the speech. Didn’t read the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/259 "2026-02-25T05:04:35Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > For better or for worse–and of late it seems to be for worse–the US administration is an important issue for not just Americans but for the entire world. And, going by the closing remarks from the SOTU, the interstellar community. Sorry, I forgot to address this. Yes, we elsewhere in the world are interested in what the US has to say, because it will always affect us somehow. Trump’s tariffs, for example. But many other things as well. I remember the spring of 1996. We had some American business associates up to our Toronto office for some reason. At lunch, somebody mentioned something that prompted one of our American associates to say, “We’ve got a Presidential election coming up later this year, but you wouldn’t know that.” We Canadians looked at each other, dumbfounded. How could we not know that? It was all over our TV and print media, every day. Clinton, Republicans, the thing had been going on for a year. How could we not know that? Getting back to your remark, my anecdote illustrates just how closely we follow the US news, but the US doesn’t follow anybody else’s. Unless it’s something that involves the US somehow, as with Greenland or Iran—or Canadian PM’s Mark Carney’s speech at Davos, which drew Trump’s ire. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923/260 "2026-02-25T05:06:15Z")
[![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQC7DSi6sCWrWsh3fAABgv41_XJpyhWscrCOA&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQC7DSi6sCWrWsh3fAABgv41_XJpyhWscrCOA&s) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unions-in-a-state/1027923.md?page=14)