Open Thread Feb. 23: Nudists Forced to Run for Cover
Boy, was I fooled. For a while there I thought Delaware had entered the 21st century — not on time, mind you, but within the 5-to-10-year lag period it always takes Delaware to catch up with the rest of the East Coast. Then I read Kevin Ohlandt’s item at Exceptional Delaware about — gasp! — a nudist party at one of the swimming pools owned by Rep. Mike Ramone. Kevin wrote about it on a tip, and the story was picked up by the mainstream media, Ramone had to scramble to explain that he rents his facilities to private parties and, by the end of the day, the nudist group — after 20 years of renting the pool — told Ramone it wasn’t worth the hassle. Kevin is a valuable voice on education issues, but he was used here by someone who just wanted to embarrass Ramone and perhaps suspected Kevin would render the tale in the tone of a Victorian scold, which he did. Perfectly in keeping, one supposes, in a state that puts onerous restrictions on titty bars.
It’s been interesting to watch the opposing reactions to student protests from school officials. In Slackjaw America, they’re threatening students with suspensions and, lo and behold, they’re doing the same thing in the slackjawed sections of Delaware.
Elect an ammosexual, watch him get arrested. That’s life in Missouri, where Gov. Eric “50 Shades of Gray” Greitens was arrested after a grand jury indictment charged him with “invasion of privacy.” Apparently, the alleged nude photo of the hairdresser he allegedly blindfolded and allegedly duct-taped to his Bowflex was transmitted electronically at some point, leading to the indictment, which sounds pretty flimsy to me. Greitens is a former Navy SEAL — America sure knows how to churn out sociopaths — but his once-promising political career is dead in the water.
Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick has studied how the Florida high school students commanded the national stage and boiled it down to four lessons the Resistance should learn. Number 2 is especially apt: Don’t waste time fighting with people who don’t share your values or goals:
The Stoneman Douglas students don’t seem to be wasting their time debating or negotiating with the gun lovers on the other side. They are simply working to get gun legislation passed, to raise awareness, and to energize other young people. As someone who has devoted the greater part of the past year to an intramural media debate about whether to give up completely on the other side or to strive to change hearts and minds, it’s refreshing to see that this doesn’t really matter.
Bad news for anyone who’s banking on Mueller’s investigation to nail Trump: Those new charges against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates mean that they haven’t flipped on Cheetoh-Face, even as they stare at decades in federal prison. I have a theory on that — better alive in the joint than killed on the street by one of Putin’s assassins.
Poor little rich girl Rebekah Mercer wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal last week that I didn’t read, because it was behind a paywall (count on face-lifted shar-pei Rupert Murdoch to charge people to listen to the lies of a billionaire). Michael Tomasky did, though, and he calls bullshit on the second-generation plutocrat who claims she’s misunderstood — she says she wants to help the downtrodden, but does so by funding Breitbart and other RWNJ enterprises.
A Delaware lawyer is raising a ruckus over the state’s mandated bipartisan balance on its courts. He won a federal order against the state, which he says the state is now ignoring, which seems to be true. He’s got an excellent point. There is no provision made in the state Constitution for unaffiliated judges. If the goal is a non-partisan judiciary, a bipartisan one is a poor substitute, especially considering that there are more unaffiliated voters in Delaware than there are Republicans.
Among the institutions that are dead but don’t know it yet, the NCAA ranks right up there. Its desperation shows in its latest court filings about why it should profit immensely from the unpaid labor of its “student-athletes” — it cited a loophole in the 13th Amendment that allows unpaid labor by prisoners. Glad to see these modern-day slavers admit what they’re running.
I was dreaming Delaware teachers would support the walkouts and organize teach-ins sitting outside the school. That would be an awesome media event. High school kids can’t vote but they can do voter registration and GOTV.
Of course the Russian bots would then begin flooding the district with demands the teachers be fired, and the principals and board would cave.
I agree that the sea change going on in the gun “debate” is the willingness to utterly ignore the crazy shitbags on the other side.
If only Professional Democrats could learn that lesson.
Not just the crazy shitbags. Also the “moderate” people who want to “find common ground.” The only common ground with these people is at the graveyard, and I’ll fight them until they put me there.
Agreed, you can’t argue with a crazy mind and should not attempt to educate one either as what passes for a mind was closed long ago.
You have to love the poorly educated:
How Manafort’s inability to convert a PDF file to Word helped prosecutors
OMG
There’s a small bit of good news from higher ed, however, Both MIT and George Mason U (that I know of, so far) have said they won’t penalize students who walk out on gun protests.
Nobody at George Mason will walk out. It’s RWNJ central, one of their bulkheads for turning academia into another branch of their propaganda machine.
I wasn’t clear. If you have been accepted to George Mason, and are disciplined by your high school for protesting, your admissions decision all not be affected. Ordinarily, disciplinary action during your senior year can get your admission withdrawn. Their statement was:
At Mason, our goal is to attract students who can become engaged citizens that are prepared to act. So when we see high school students who are already exercising their right to peacefully protest serious issues like gun violence in schools, we are encouraged. We believe these students should be supported. If you face disciplinary action for participation in a school walk-out or a protest, it will have no bearing on your admission to George Mason University. We support your right to exercise free speech and stand
with you.
Gates has now pled guilty to some kind of conspiracy charge. PLEASE KEEP UNRAVELING…
@puck, yeah he was the fuck in the back of the class who had to be the center of attention at everyone else’s expense…
@brooke: They want people who are motivated whom they can then turn to the dark side. The devil never sleeps.
So, Ramone says no to nudists, but yes to the NRA? One group is heinous and the very definition of profane, the other likes skinny dipping.
Ramone’s ability to resist pressure equals a jellyfish’s. He’s very squishy.
I blame the people who acted like this meant something. Mostly I blame Dan Gaffney of WDEL’s downstate sister station — also Susan Monday’s boss — who pretended to be shocked (or, worse, really was shocked).
This was leaked to Kevin Ohlandt because anyone else would have laughed it out of his inbox. It was a very short time before Gaffney picked it up and ran hard with it. So I suspect Gaffney, who’s in touch with every RWNJ organization in the state, knew about this before Ohlandt took it up.
It was a set-up, people.
For the record – Skinny dipping is the best. I’d highly recommend it to Dan Gaffney, Susan Monday, and Susan Monday’s boss. If nudity always means “sexy time” to these folks, they’ve got issues.
“‘You have to love the poorly educated:”
I’m constantly amazed by people who don’t know how to do the most basic things like removing the “author” and “last modified” on word documents and the similar stuff on PDF, plus using throwaway email addresses.
I don’t know how to do any of that, for the simple reason that I have no need to.
Alby, you are funny. I knew about this for a looooooong time before I wrote it. While I will never reveal my source, I find it hysterical so many think I was used. Even more hysterical that folks think it is over!
In that case, Kevin, shame on you for making it sound so lurid.
“Sound so lurid”… that is funny too!
I went back and read it again, and I might have misread your mockery of the prudes as sincere. You have to admit a headline that reads “Breaking News: Which State Legislator Allows a Nudist Party at Their Business” doesn’t scream “sarcasm.”
But I admit I’ve gotten blurry about sarcasm on these issues after reading enough conservative complaints about Reg 225.
105.9 should not be considered “mainstream media” (yeah, I know WDEL ran it too, but they’re connected. I doubt WDEL on its own would have covered it — at least I hope not)
I see your point. WDEL is an actual news station, where WXDE (105.9) is just talk, with interviews they package like news. ‘DEL ignores much of that, but this one involved an upstate lawmaker, so….
For a look at my “true motivations” behind all this, you may want to read this.
https://exceptionaldelaware.wordpress.com/2018/02/24/exclusive-delaware-swim-fitness-centers-november-inspection-report-new-information-about-delaware-spa-party/
Wow. Those are some sketchy connections. You have shown nothing to indicate anyone had sexual relations while in the pool, and you sure are acting Victorian about the nudity.
I encourage others to draw their own conclusions.
Alby, I was drawing a comparison between Ramone’s description of the group as elderly folks and how the Delaware Spa Party advertised itself on social media. I have no issues with nudity in and of itself. While I don’t participate in nudist activities, I have no beef with those who do.
Hey Alby, do you have kids or grandkids that swim at that public pool? Would you want to know if a bunch of naked people were rubbing their naked genitals on pool furniture your kids/grandkids could be eating off of the following morning? Honestly as someone who has had the unfortunate experience of seeing that disgusting facility with my very own eyes, I’m certain that the the facility was not cleaned after these events. Thankfully my family stopped frequenting that public pool some time ago, but it’s my understanding the originating complaint involved male ejaculate covering areas of the deck and was found on furniture. Given Kevin’s discovery of the post on that jack it site, perhaps they weren’t having orgies, but seems like there’s certainly some Indication they could be going solo on themselves at a public pool. I’m sorry but it’s disgusting. Listen I don’t give a good god damn what people do in the privacy of their own homes, but with all the families and kids using that facility within hours of these parties for years on end, you’re damn right I’m mad as hell. There’s a reason Ramone never advertised these parties were happening, certainly not with any promotional materials at his facility which is common practice when these kinds of facilities have after hours events, because that pervert knew every family would be disgusted and most would stop frequenting his business. The hypocrisy of Mike Ramone is endless- nudists should have the right to privacy and he shouldn’t be villanized for being “kind.” Meanwhile Ramone opposed a woman’s right to privacy when he voted against the Roe V. Wade bill. He’s a garbage legislator, his deal with Karen Peterson protecting him from getting an opponent is over. If I lived in that district, I’d love to expose him for the total dick bag he really is. Maybe you jackholes could spend a little less time eating your own and maybe expend just a hot minute on a story that has actual potential public health implications for any Delawarean who may have come into contact with the man juice at that dirty shithole.
“…it’s my understanding …male ejaculate ”
It is this kind of first hand (second hand?), real time fact checking that keeps blogging relevant.
Facts Matter: You’re a sick fuck. Get help.
Alby – Sensitive are we? Explain to me how I’m the sick fuck because I don’t want my kids swimming in a pool or sitting on pool furniture that hasn’t been adequately cleaned after a “nudist dance party.” Seriously, you dumb motherfuckers have spent an exorbitant amount of time trying to out and shame Democrats over the last few days but god forbid you call out the blatant hypocrisy from a Republican. You people are what’s wrong with progressives, you’d rather go after another dem for being less than perfect instead of pointing out why this piece of crap Republican deserves to get beat. Why are you defending Mike Ramone? You’re all about transparency just not when it comes to families being informed about where they take their kids. I can’t wait until you old timers finally die off and your stupid opinions and piece of shit hot takes are no longer fodder for the 6 people who read this site every day. You think you’re making Democrat politics any better when in fact you are useless steaming piles of worthless garbage. Fuck you, you’re probably a fat bald old man who attends those parties and jacks off in that pool. Wouldn’t put it past a loser like you.
Can we get back to the jizz-shots? Can you describe the loads? Sounds like hearsay?
Idiot- Kevin’s the one who reported about that website. I have no idea, ask Alby how much he’s seen when he’s attended? Another mom shared with me what she was told RE why the pools were drained and closed. Given that these spa parties were mentioned as a possible get together venue for disgusting men like Alby to have circle jerks seems to substantiate that these are the kinds of sick fucks these parties attracted. Again- do you have kids? Want to go for a swim with them after one of those shindigs? I highly doubt it, just as the rest of us wouldn’t either. Are you guys blowing Ramone or what? Jesus Christ- you make no sense.
Double… no triple hearsay!
This intrepid Kevin should get back on the case. Throw all the AM radio money into it.
You should do a stakeout. INVESTIGATE!
Also, sick fucks who who like to swim and fuck? Sounds totally lit.
SWIM IN A PUBLIC POOL! Are you that fucking stupid? Still won’t answer if you’d swim there with your dumb kids after one of those parties. Deflect all you want but I’m mad as hell my kid swam there shortly after parties were held, and that i had to hear about this on a blog. Maybe you like your kids to be covered in disgusting old fucks boldly fluids but I do not. And I had a right to know that this was going on when I chose to take my kid there. You assholes know I’m right, I have no doubt.
Facts matter, my friend. And they don’t care about your feelings.
So you’d be fine given what you’ve heard if your kids had swam there after a party? Seriously – answer a question and stop deflecting. If you wouldn’t care, that’s your prerogative. But you can’t scream transperancy one second and it’s none of my business another. Hypocrites – white male privilege at its finest. Is it required that all perverted old ugly white dudes defend each other or do you just do that instinctually?
You’re terrible at the internet.
As much fun as this is, our time’s up. Regrets, folks.
Ah, come on, friend. Why delete the last one? It brought the entire gag together. You’ve ruined it!
One. Sick. Fuck.
Man, I had that thing strung along nice.
Best bit for me,we’re defending Ramone! Rich and lovely.
If you’ll allow me the boast, that was some of my best work.
Man, whoever she is she apparently has confused human male ejaculate with something from the “Alien” movies.
Wild stuff.
If you’ve read Kevin O on this, it’s not that much different.
Normie dynamo, him.
My prurient interest was piqued so I read the Exceptional Delaware piece. Aside from some marginal titillation, I was more curious about how this relates to the perpetual Delaware education crisis and Ramone’s involvement in it. Does the Christiana school board attend these parties or something?
No, it’s just shocking to some people that we’re naked beneath our clothes. As if bacteria are held back by a swim suit.
In 2013, there was a plan for a fitness charter school to be housed at Delaware Swim and Fitness Club. Ramone supported the idea of renting his establishment to the charter school.
Brian wrote about his other views/legislation.
None of this should be taken as an endorsement of Mike Ramone, who suffers from the Dunning-Kruger effect and is a reliable if squishy Republican vote.
We weren’t defending or endorsing Ramone. We were mocking a stupid story and the people who care about it.
Ramone says no to nudists, but yes to the NRA? One group is heinous and the very definition of profane, the other likes skinny dipping.
Just evisiting my best comments.
I’m simply stunned by the scientific illiteracy of people who think a) nudists ejaculate constantly even when not engaged in sexual acts and b) swimwear stops pathogens.
It’s an indictment of Delaware’s pitiful public education system that these people have high school diplomas. Or maybe they don’t.
OMG