Mostly Harmless

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@japan_nobunaga 😂🤣😂🤣

[NOBUNAGA🇯🇵🏯_夏樹蒼依 @japan_nobunaga]

At a sports bar in Ohio, my friend offered me an "Atomic" chicken wing.

"You handle heat?"

A samurai does not decline a challenge on foreign soil.

"I welcome the spice," I said.

I took one bite.

My soul left my body. My eyesight blurred. My throat felt like it had been sliced with a heated blade.

I wiped my lips with a napkin, forced a calm smile, and said, "A refreshing kick."

My friend blinked. "Dude... that's Carolina Reaper. You didn't even sweat."

He called the bartender. The bartender called the cook.

"He ate the Atomic with a straight face! He’s a demon!"

The manager brought out a bright yellow t-shirt that said "ATOMIC SURVIVOR" and draped it over my shoulders.

I sat there, unable to move a single muscle, my stomach burning to ash while 50 strangers chanted my name.

I have never been prouder.
I have never needed an ambulance more.

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@Owennfa You missed the part where a minimum wage job was never and HAS never been intended to be a "living wage." You believe there should be a certain outcome based on your desire for it to be so... Not based on reality or logic or math... Or God forbid... SCIENCE.

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@GoldAtomComics @Owennfa 💯💯💯

[Comic Commander @GoldAtomComics]

Why is the modern world stuck in this mentality?

In the mid eighties, minimum wage was $3.35 an hour, and a
one bedroom studio apartment cost around $300 a month. $400 to $500 for a two bedroom.

Run the math on that. At $3.35 an hour at 40 hours a week, that’s $134 a week - or after FICA & Social Security deductions about $123.76 a week. A total of $495.04 a month.

So if you were straight out of high school or college with no skilled job prospects yet, and were working minimum wage - you only had 200 bucks a month for car payments, food, insurance and incidentals.

We had it just as bad or WAY worse.

But we weren’t deluded or entitled about it.

The solution was that young people would have roommates or move back home till they got their feet under them.

OR? They got married. Two salary teams.

And we made it.

Minimum wage jobs were what high schoolers did for job experience. And what college kids did over the summer to save up for a car or for college expenses in the fall.

Nowadays, kids expect to walk out of college on day one with a worthless liberal arts degree, swilling $8 Starbucks and going out every night with Ubers and ordering delivery food every meal.

That’s great if they land a job that supports it.

But the reality is that now, like back then - it’s not happening on minimum wage.

They’ll just have to figure it out, like we did. Grind and work their way up.

They’ll be fine if they are motivated. If not - they’ll be in your couch till they do.

Might I suggest a trade school for him?

Qualified trades are in huge demand right now - require very little education, and with lucrative overtime pay - some guys are making 150K - 250K a year in the right industries after a couple years on the job.

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@DrNeilStone Fortunately, you weren't the ONLY one there. We had people there who have and will continue to tell the WHOLE story. God bless them.

[The Real Mike Rowe @mikeroweworks]

Not the way I planned on spending my afternoon, but 7,600 comments should not be ignored! Bots, trolls and personal attacks notwithstanding, the critics of yesterday’s post were dominated by a large and vocal contingent who rushed to remind me that there’s “a difference between socialism and communism,” an obvious indication that they didn’t actually read the post.

Shelley Armour writes… “Mike! You know there is a difference between democratic socialism and communism, right?”

Hi, Shelley. Yes, I know there’s a difference, and I understand what the difference is. The larger point, and the fundamental flaw with your comment, is that you seem to believe the candidates within the Democratic Socialist Party are both “democratic and socialist" simply because that’s the name of their club. Well, maybe some of them are. I really couldn’t say. What I can tell you for sure is that more than a few have called for the complete dismantling of capitalism, free markets, representative government, property rights, borders, police, prisons, and the Constitution in general. My post referred to them, as well as a number of elected Democrats who have agreed to campaign on their behalf – including Gavin Newsom, who said, "The Democratic Party must accept the DSA in order to take back the Congress.” His words, not mine.

Tracey Steele writes…“Wow! I cannot believe Mike Rowe said this. He has a huge reach, and he is actually spouting the word “communism” like it’s the 1950s! Wow Wow Wow!”

Wow indeed, Tracey, and thanks for noticing the size of my reach! (Contrary to popular belief, size does matter!) To say it again, I am not the one “spouting” communism or conflating socialists and communists. The word is being “spouted” by members of the DSA who are using it to describe themselves. I am not accusing them; I am quoting them.

John Engles… Hey Rowe, what’s the difference between the Communists who want to run the country and the Nazi/fascist who currently is?

Several differences, John, but the only one relevant to this conversation is the fact that the communists currently running for office have clearly identified themselves as such. They do not dispute or reject the label. They embrace it. It is who they are, who they claim to be, and who they want to be. The president, on the other hand, has never claimed to be a Nazi or a fascist. That doesn’t mean he isn't, but it is worth noting he has rejected the accusation outright. Obviously, you are entitled to that opinion and the right to share it publicly, thanks to our Constitution. Unlike in a fascist, Nazi, or communist regime. (Also worth noting, Nazis and fascists are not the same thing.)

Chris Tomaloff writes… “Kinda like how the political right didn’t shout down the extreme rhetoric coming from their candidates?”

No, Chris, not like that at all. In the video I shared, we saw examples of prominent Democrats saying things like, “We need to elect more communists!” (Cea Weaver, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office.) Mamdani himself literally tweeted, "Each according to their need, each according to their ability." That’s a direct quote from the Communist Manifesto.

But what exactly is the corollary from the right? Are prominent Republicans tweeting, “We need to elect more Nazis! We need to elect more fascists! Eat the poor!” I don’t think so. John Engles may think Trump is fascist and a Nazi, but Trump disagrees, and so do a majority of voters. Communists, on the other hand, say it loud and say it proud. I’m inclined to take them at their word.

Beto Ojeda… “Mike has always leaned to the Trumpian view of things but never states it, so as not to alienate anyone, but we know how to read between the lines. This “communist” talk is McCarthyism 2.0.”

I wasn’t around in the 1950s, Beto, but from what I’ve read, it was indeed a very difficult time to be a communist in this country. Lots of private citizens were dragged before Congress, made to take “loyalty oaths," and blacklisted in their places of work. I can’t justify it or condone it, but I can explain it. We had just fought a hot war against fascism and Nazism and just begun a Cold War against a communist regime. The existence of an organized Communist Party in this country at such a time strained the limits of tolerance. But do you really think we’re less tolerant today than we were seventy-five years ago? Do you really believe my comments about communists who claim to be communists are synonymous with another Red Scare? If you haven’t noticed, Chris, no one in the DSA, including the communists, is being dragged before Congress and made to swear a loyalty oath to the Constitution. Today, a communist in America can run for office…with the endorsement of the governor of California! And the tacit approval of a major political party! Seems to me we’re about as far from McCarthyism as we can get.

As for my desire not to alienate anyone, I suppose I am guilty of that. I run a foundation that is open to people of all political beliefs, and we’ve assisted lots of Americans who lean to the left. I also know for a fact that many Democrats have supported mikeroweWORKS historically, and I have no desire to run them off. But do you really have to “read between the lines” to understand where I’m coming from?

True, I’ve never endorsed a candidate or publicly encouraged people to vote. But I’ve been very transparent about the fact that I’m a registered Independent who favors policies and programs that often align with conservative principles. Obviously, I would not characterize those conservative principles as “Trumpian,” because a) they were around long before him, b) Trump is not a conservative, and c) I do not agree with or support everything the President says and does. So, is it possible, Beto, that your accusation is rooted in the fact that I have never publicly denounced the president to your satisfaction? Is it possible you think I'm a Trumper, simply because I've never called him a fascist, or a Nazi, or a liar, or a conman, or a traitor, or whatever else you believe him to be?

Gretchen Seipp… Mike, the fact that you still act as though you’re not political after all this time is a bit ridiculous. I still support your work and foundation because I believe in it, but the folksy act has worn thin.

Aw, shucks, Gretchen. Folksy? Lil' ole me?
Honestly, how am I acting as if I am “not political?” This entire conversation is the very definition of “political.”

Christopher Pugh… I would have voted for Mike Rowe and Freddie a few years ago before he went full-on MAGA, and I’m all in favor of his project, but it’s pretty clear the political direction that he’s moved in and the money trail that has influenced it.

It’s Freddy, not Freddie. (I don’t much care, but he’s a terrier and particular about such things.) As for the “full-on MAGA” moniker, is there something I did specifically to earn that designation? Is there some kind of general definition you can share? Or, are you coming from the same place as Beto? Is calling me “Full-On MAGA" your way of saying that I’ve failed to condemn Trump to your satisfaction?

For the record, MRW is supported by liberals and conservatives alike. I have no idea what “money trail” you are referring to. Also, regarding my personal politics, think about the implications of what I wrote. I said that the Democrats have been given a gift – an opportunity to appear reasonable by speaking the truth to their own party, just as Bill Maher has done. All they have to do is distance themselves from candidates who have called for the complete dismantlement of our Constitution. All they have to do is say, “Hold on, comrade. Our tent is not that big. We respect your right to hate America, but we don’t want you in our party, and we will not support your candidacy.”

If they say that, I think a lot of Independents would see them as they see John Fetterman, who has, in the eyes of many voters, become the most “rational” Democrat currently in office. If they don’t – if they actually welcome communist candidates into their party – then I’m afraid the Democrats, by default, will offer the American people a very simple choice in November – a party that disavows communism vs. a party that doesn’t. I think such a choice would be very positive for Republicans because I don’t think most Americans want to align themselves with a Democratic Party that welcomes communists. The question for you, Chris, is why would a “Full-On MAGA” like me encourage Democrats to act in a way that would disadvantage the Republican Party? And the answer is simple – it’s because I support the existence of a Democratic Party that believes America is still a fundamentally good place.

I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in our country, and I believe the best way to realize those improvements is for Democrats and Republicans to have continuous, robust and public debate about all the issues. But if one of those parties is affirmatively determined to transform our democratic republic into a communist state, then we’re no longer debating the various ways to make our country better; we’re debating the merits of destroying it. And really, what’s the point of tolerating that?

America is already a big tent, filled with hundreds of millions of people with wildly differing views and lots of political parties that represent those views. We’ve got the Green Party, the American Freedom Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Constitution Party, and of course, the Communist Party USA, as well as the Democratic Socialist Party. America’s tent is so big, we can even tolerate fringe parties like the KKK, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and so forth. Why then, does Gavin Newsom want to make room in the Democratic tent for socialists and communists? There’s only one reason, and he’s already spelled it out for us – he believes the Democrats need them to win back the Congress. I think it’s a bad bet for the Democrats and for America. And if a prominent Republican reached out to the KKK with the same “big tent” offer, you’d better believe my vote would be in play.

Michael Tillman… When are you going to throw your hat into the ring, Mr. Rowe?

Ha! When it no longer fits my head!

[American AF 🇺🇸 @iAnonPatriot]

Throwback to Jimmy Kimmel slamming the unvaccinated and saying they should be DENIED medical treatment at hospitals.

What an absolute POS.

[Tony Seruga @TonySeruga]

Standing in line at CVS today to pick up a prescription for Yolanda. They were still 10 minutes from reopening after lunch (yes, really), and about 60 people were waiting.

An older gentleman—a Navy veteran—and I started talking about Fauci’s refusal to testify. Before long, it felt like the entire line was listening. I was about to take a poll when we realized something surprising: roughly 90% of the people around us had no idea what we were talking about.

Most had never even heard of the Fauci diary.

Whether you see that as concerning or not, it says something about how fragmented the public information landscape has become.

And yes, folks, this is today’s America, and why Bolsheviks, jihadists, and Marxists are winning elections.

Americans have had it too good for too long, and their complacency is about to cost them it all.

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@LordPrydwen @BMONEY0329 @SirBylHolte You're allowed to use punctuation. It's free. Maybe look into that before calling anyone "dumb?" 🤔

[Pro America Politics @proamericapol]

Pete Rose was one of the greatest players to ever play Major League Baseball.

He is the all time hits leader with 4,256.

Rose was banned from MLB for life for betting on games, including those he played in.

He died at 83 without ever being reinstated or inducted into the hall of fame.

Angel Reese just admitted to doing the exact same thing.

But, instead of giving her a Rose-style punishment, the WNBA scrubbed evidence from the internet and downplayed the seriousness.

Why is Angel Reese being given a free pass by the woke WNBA?

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@HannahDCox I'm from Indiana, transplanted to the Cinci area 25 years ago. It's not "chili," it's condiment. It's ok on a hot dog or spaghetti like they serve it. But as standalone chili? Nah!

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@PaxAeterna @JonnyRoot_ @Nordstrom He did this to himself. As a management level employee, how I'm the world is he treating those he works with if this is how he treats teenagers at a basketball game???

[Jon Root @JonnyRoot_]

BREAKING: The identity of the man that berated the two teenage female Sophie Cunningham supporters at the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever game is Marco Esquivel.

Esquivel is a Nordstrom corporate employee in Seattle.

His LinkedIn is no longer active.

@Nordstrom, will you publicly condemn his actions?

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

Please share this with everyone. Let’s never listen to these liars ever again. I guess CNN doesn’t need Sanjay to be a useful idiot anymore

[Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol]

I just spoke to a friend of mine.

Told him that tens of thousands of military-aged Muslim migrant men from Morocco were CURRENTLY invading Spain and have been all day long.

He didn't believe me, had ZERO CLUE it was happening and said that he hadn’t read about it anywhere.

I sent him all the videos on X that we have all seen today.

Dude was absolutely stunned, still couldn’t believe it.

One of the most insane betrayals by a government of it’s people I have ever seen and it’s not even on the front page of most major news sites right now.

That's not an accident, by the way, it's a deliberate choice of the media to hide the truth.

The best thing you can do for your friends right now is get them on X.

As fast as possible,

They're being lied to by silence... and they don't even know it's happening.

[Overton @overton_news]

RFK Jr. reveals the single most disturbing thing he discovered in Anthony Fauci’s diaries.

This is peak hypocrisy. No other way to put it.

KENNEDY: “One of the things that was new to me in his diary was his admission that he got a pulmonary infarction in July of 2021 after receiving the vaccine.”

“So he took the Moderna vaccine on TV… to show people it was safe.”

“And then he got one of the primary most expected adverse events, which was potentially deadly blood clots in his lung, myocardial infarction.”

“He kept that secret from the American public, and we only learned about it because of the diary.”

“He was getting the best medical treatment that is available to anybody in the world at Walter Reed and all these other centers. There were doctors fawning over him.”

“Meanwhile, he was telling other people to take this product and concealing the fact that he himself, after announcing this press conference to show it was safe, had actually gotten very, very sick from an injury that was highly expected and highly likely to be caused by the vaccine.”

[Mostly Harmless @itbedave]

@VigilantFox Bravo for being humble!

[The Vigilant Fox 🦊 @VigilantFox]

Stephen A. Smith publicly APOLOGIZES to Kyrie Irving after calling him "selfish" for refusing the COVID jab.

"Hindsight-wise, it didn’t make him stubborn or selfish. It made him BRAVE."

"I watched Dr. Fauci on Capitol Hill yesterday, and the person I thought about most was Kyrie Irving."

“Kyrie Irving stood out in my mind because of the heat that he was taking... He refused the vaccine. New York City's mandate made him ineligible for home games, and he linked his stance to people losing jobs over vaccine mandates."

“In my opinion, particularly hindsight-wise, it didn't make him stubborn or selfish. It made him brave. His willingness to stand up and say, ‘Nah, I'm not doing that.’

“It's just a time for reflection — to look at things differently.”

Kyrie gave up $11,400,000 in game checks during the 21-22 NBA season and a $100,000,000 extension with the Nets to be unvaccinated.

That cements his holdout as the largest financial sacrifice any athlete has ever made over an issue in history.

[Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson]

FLASHBACK: Dr. Fauci said he would HAPPILY testify and “cooperate fully” with any Congressional committee in 2022.

“I have nothing to hide!”

He did not in fact cooperate fully today.

It’s because he DOES have something to hide…