IKEA Monkey

Sunchokes—also known as “Jerusalem artichokes”—seem to be the current “it vegetable,” and are popping up on all sorts of menus around the country. (Seriously, I have seen them in some form at the last five restaurants I’ve been to.) They’re super tasty but, if the chef doesn’t know what they’re doing, they can cause…

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Checkers / Rally's Bacon Cheddar Crisp consists of a seasoned beef patty, crispy bacon crumbles, ketchup, diced red onions, and warm cheddar cheese on a toasted sesame seed bun.

It comes as part of the 4 for $3 deal.

Just as a disclaimer, I don't live anywhere close to a Rally's so the burger sat for an hour before I was able to eat it. Still, it was pretty nice despite the lukewarm temperate.

There was a surprisingly generous amount of bacon in the burger, especially given the price. It seemed to amount to more than the three paper-thin strips you might get at some places. There managed to be some slightly crispy bits of bacon even after the hour-long drive (to go with the occasional chewy bits).

The way the bacon was compacted and cut made me think it was chili for a split second. Combined with the ketchup, the bacon added a bit of a barbecue flavor to the burger. The onions contributed to the same feeling and gave the burger some bite as well as a nice crunch.

The beef patty was still surprisingly moist and just meaty enough for a value burger. The cheese sauce was fairly mild.

The bun was soft throughout with a somewhat marshmallow-like sponginess. It held together well and didn't overwhelm.

Overall, Checkers / Rally's Bacon Cheddar Crisp turned out really well and represents an outstanding value for a fast food bacon burger.

Nutritional Info - Checkers / Rally's Bacon Cheddar Crisp
Calories - 390 (from Fat - 150)
Fat - 17g (Saturated Fat - 6g)
Sodium - 1160mg
Carbs - 39g (Sugar - 9g)
Protein - 20g

The EPA might also revoke a waiver under which the state of California imposes its own, stricter emissions rules.

Last weekend, Senator Tim Kaine’s youngest son, Linwood “Woody” Kaine, was pepper sprayed and arrested with five other people during a protest at the Minnesota state Capitol building in which they were suspected of setting off a smoke bomb. He kinda looks like Kurt Russell in Escape from New York. (Right?) So, I asked…

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The House Oversight Committee will not investigate Trump's claims of wide-spread voter fraud during the 2016 election, the committee chairman said.

Yesterday, in honor of National Consumer Protection Week, we highlighted four scams consumers should be aware of in order to keep their money. One way to avoid some of these telephone-based scams is to just avoid picking up the phone at all when receiving calls from certain area codes.

Because many scams revolve around contacting targets by phone, Inc.com reports that knowing where a call is coming from could keep unwanted hands off your pocketbook.

Inc. points out three phone scam variations that rely on consumers’ curiosity and need to find out who has called them.

In one variation, the fraudster calls a target, but hangs up before anyone answers. A second scheme, involves the scammer playing a pre-recorded message — often of someone in distress — when the target picks up. The final version involves a schemer sending a text message to the potential victim explaining that he or she is in danger and needs help.

For many victims, the desire to help or to know who has called results in a response, and that’s what the fraudsters are banking on.

While many of the numbers used by fraudsters appear to be from the U.S., Inc. reports that most aren’t. Instead, schemers have learned to use numbers from countries that also have the same country code as the U.S. — +1.

As a result, many of the calls are international and are not covered by traditional phone plans. This means victims will be on the hook for extra fees.

Common international area codes used by fraudsters include:
242 – Bahamas
441 – Bermuda
784 – St. Vincent & Grenadines
473 – Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
876 – Jamaica
284 – British Virgin Islands
345 – Cayman Islands

Additionally, Inc. points out that not all calls are from international scammers, some are from premium numbers — often similar to 900-numbers — for which the target will end up paying significant fees, sometimes up to $20.

So how do you avoid these simple scams? Don’t return calls or texts to numbers you don’t know. Inc. also notes that if a stranger were really in danger at an unfamiliar location, the chances they randomly called you are slim.

Inc. provides an extensive list of area codes in which consumers should be wary of calling or texting. You can find a full list here.

The art installation, called "Impulse," will be at Navy Pier until May.

Hello, I’m writing this from a steaming puddle under my desk, because I just read a pool report about President Donald J. Trump’s visit to a private Catholic school and as an unfortunate result, my eyeballs have melted into my head, which has collapsed into my butt, and I can’t hold my skin upright in my chair any…

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“I don’t wanna get near you. I’m glad you got the fish.”

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The 2017 Lenten / seafood season officially kicks off in March, which means a lot of seafood specials and menu items and some of your favorite fast food chains.

For your reference, here's a handy list of what's out there from the ocean in fast food land (I'll update if and when more deals become available):

- Arby's - Fish Sandwiches are back through at least April (details). You can get two for $5.
There's also the Meat Mountain "Denali Style" (details).

- Bojangles' - BojAngler fish sandwich is back (details).

- Boston Market - The Baked Cod meal is back and only available on Fridays. The meal includes two sides and cornbread.

- Burger King - The regular menu Big Fish Sandwich is available.

- Captain D's - $4.99 Full Meal Deals - A choice of 12 Butterfly Shrimp, Southern-Style White Fish Tenders, or new Fish and Home-Style Shrimp. You also get a choice of two sides and hushpuppies.
They also have a number of specials:
- 2 pieces of Batter Dipped Fish, two regular sides, and two hushpuppies.
- Crab Topped Tilapia, two regular sides, and a breadstick.
- Ultimate Seafood Platter - two pieces of Batter Dipped Fish, Six Butterfly Shrimp, two stuffed Crab Shells, Popcorn Shrimp, two regular sides, and hushpuppies.

- Carl's Jr. / Hardee's - Red Hook Beer Battered Fish sandwich is back but is now made with Alaskan pollack rather than cod (details).

- Checkers / Rally's - No deals currently but they regularly offer the Deep Sea Double and Crispy Fish Sandwich.

- Chick-fil-A - Cod Sandwich offered at select locations (it's an optional menu item that the individual franchisees can elect to serve). The sandwich is available individually for around $3 and in a combo for around $6. You can also get just the fish as part of a plate meal for around $7.

Arby's secret menu Meat Mountain sandwich gets a slightly larger, fishier variant with the new Meat Mountain "Denali-style," which throws in a complimentary crispy fish filet into the whole affair.

The name "Denali" references the highest mountain in Alaska, which also happens to be where Arby's wild-caught Alaskan pollock fish filets come from.

Arby's Meat Mountain (pictured) isn't listed on the menu but you can ask for it and get two crispy chicken tenders, 1.5-oz of roast turkey, 1.5-oz of ham, 1 slice of Swiss cheese, 1.5-oz of corned beef, 1.5-oz brisket, 1.5-oz Angus steak, 1 slice of cheddar cheese, 1.5-oz of roast beef, and 3 half-strips of bacon on a toasted bun. It'll cost you $10. If you mention "Denali-style" during the month of March, you net yourself a fish filet in there.

According to the chain, around 300 to 400 people scale the Meat Mountain daily.

Fish isn't available on the menu year round so the "Denali-style" Meat Mountain won't always be available.

From Pippin Barr, Snakisms is a collection of 21 different variations on the old school cellphone game Snake. Each variation is based on a philosophical -ism like stoicism, capitalism, and determinism. For example, in the asceticism game, you lose as soon as you consume a dot. Clever and funny…I laughed pretty hard at narcissism.

Tags: philosophy   Pippin Barr   video games

Meet Nathan Larson! He’s the self-described “Red Pill Libertarian” hoping to represent Virginia’s 31st District as a State Delegate, and boy is he ever a peach.

Larson was convicted in 2009 of threatening to kill President Obama, having sent a letter to the Secret Service reading “I am writing to inform you that in the near future, I will kill the president of the United States of America.” Normally, this would preclude him from being able to run for office, as it was a felony and being able to vote is a requirement for running for office. However, Larson’s voting rights were restored as part Governor Terry McAuliffe’s program to re-enfranchise felons who have paid their debt to society.

Shockingly, that is not even the most disturbing part of Larson’s campaign. Not by a long shot!

Larson is most generously described as the “actual worst of the internet.” You know those manosphere douches we make fun of all the time — like Roosh V and friends? He is one of them! In fact, his campaign page — which is a wiki — frequently links to the Return of Kings Wiki, and also includes a statement on how he cosigns Roosh’s “Open Letter To Donald Trump.” One of the main components of his campaign is his opposition to feminism. Here, he explains what having taken “The Red Pill” means to him:

“A red piller is someone who recognizes and is aware of (1) the way that feminism, feminists and their white knight enablers affect society; (2) the dark truths surrounding human sexuality; and (3) hypergamy, women’s AF/BB strategies, society’s feminine imperative, sexual differences in emotional attachment, and women’s attraction to DT traits and sexual dominance/violence. The red pill is extremely politically incorrect, and one may expect reflexive social ostracism for even mentioning the Red Pill in polite society.”

For the unhep, “AF/BB strategies” means “Alpha fux, Beta bux” — which means that women, because we are all evil whores, sleep with “Alpha men” but take the money of “Beta men.”

Here are some of the issues he is campaigning on, which I do not recommend reading on a full stomach! Or at all!

Legalization of Incestuous Marriage

Larson believes fathers ought to be allowed to marry their daughters if that is what the father wants (Oh, daughters have no say in marriage in Larson-world, everything is arranged). He writes… “The potential to have incestuous relationships down the road could provide an incentive to produce offspring and to care for them as an investment in one’s own sexual future.” This is also a good thing for the daughters, he claims, because “A father will tend to be significantly older than his daughter, and therefore will be more likely to be a better provider, and less likely to beat her, than a man her own age.”

Legalization of Marital Rape

Larson writes:

Legalization of marital rape sends an important message, which is that frigidity is not a behavior that a husband need tolerate from his wife. The point is not that he should actually rape her, but that he has a right to if he wants to, since she is his property, given (or sold) to him by her father. This can help instill a proper attitude of submission, which will ultimately benefit her, since women like to be dominated. Not only that, but women will probably have an easier time getting men to want to marry them if they say, “Look honey, once we get married, you won’t have to worry that I’ll deny you sex, because you can just rape me whenever you want, and the law will allow it.”

Yes, surely that is a thing women will say. The main problem with dating today is for sure the fact that our dads can’t sell us to men who will rape us. I feel like I should note here that Larson, shockingly enough, is married, and someone should probably go check on his wife.

Abolition of Welfare

This, naturally, is also related to Larson’s desperate desire to subjugate women, as he believes that if welfare were abolished, women would be forced to marry nice guys like him in order to survive.

Abolish the 19th Amendment

Surprise! Larson does not think women should be allowed to vote, because it destroys the family unit if women are allowed to vote differently than their husbands. Also, women wouldn’t even be affected by government policies if they would just stop going to school and not get drunk and pass out at frat houses.

“What do women suffer from the state? Oh, they pass out drunk at a frat house, and get raped, and the government doesn’t process the rape kit. Why are they passing out drunk at frat houses? Because of feminism telling them that passing out drunk at frat houses is liberating and empowering, and that fathers and taxpayers should pay tuition bills to finance this happening. Get rid of feminism, and the problem is mostly gone.”

He also posits that maybe only physically fit men should be allowed to vote, noting:

“Political parties’ “get out the vote” efforts would involve encouraging their supporters to put down the fork and start lifting. The increase in testosterone flowing through the electorate could have an interesting effect on politics.”

Yes, that would surely be interesting.

Eliminate funding for women’s education

Women don’t need to be educated beyond an 8th grade level, claims Larson, in order to be a wife and mother. And if women are in school and college during their years of “peak beauty” and fertility, then that means that men can’t marry them during this time and make them wives and mothers to their own future wives.

Abolition of Child Protective Services

Well, naturally. Larson is also in favor of child neglect, noting that Murray Rothbard — favorite philosopher of the worst humans possible — said that a child has no natural right to their parents’ resources, so they should be able to starve them if they want.

Legalization of Child Pornography

Because it’s NOT FAIR that men can’t look at child pornography if that is what turns them on. It is only illegal because feminists hate boners, or something.

In his defense of child pornography, Larson actually cites 4chan’s Rule 34 of the internet — “if it exists, there is porn of it” — as if 4chan’s Rules of The Internet is some kind of legally binding thing.

***

Larson is currently engaged in a custody battle with his former in-laws over his 2-year old daughter, who was born after he became estranged from his first spouse, who later committed suicide. In written correspondence, he admitted to being attracted to both children and adults. He has been denied custody, thank freaking goodness.

In keeping with his “worst kind of people on the internet” persona, Larson is also a Murray Rothbard-worshiping “anarcho-captalist.” Anarcho-captalism — which is to actual Anarchism what National Socialism is to Socialism (or what American Libertarianism is to actual Libertarianism) — is the most popular philosophy among those who were profoundly affected by having read the Wikipedia summary of Atlas Shrugged at some point in college, and are not particularly smart but wish to pretend to be. They tend to enjoy Kool-Aid-manning into internet forums and comment sections to insist that taxes and social programs should all be abolished, along with the minimum wage and all labor laws and safety regulations, and that everything (including police departments) should be privatized, and that if that happened, all the poor people would be fine with starving to death and would not have any food riots or anything, because they would at least be able to die safe in the knowledge that rich people didn’t have to pay any taxes. They also, like Rothbard, tend to be Holocaust deniers.

While the Libertarian Party of Virginia has said they would neither nominate nor endorse Larson, and Chairman Bo Brown has said they are considering a motion to expel Larson from the party altogether — which would be a smart move on their part — Larson still feels he has a pretty good chance of unseating Republican Del. Scott Lingamfelter. Why? Because hey! America elected Donald Trump, right? So anything is possible.

I hate to say it, but he does have a point there.

[Fauquier Times | Larson For Delegate]

WASHINGTON—Insisting to the nation that it’s totally fine in there and that they definitely don’t need any help, the country’s top experts from the other room reported Friday that 87 percent of loud crashing noises are nothing.

Speaking in muffled voices audible from the other side of the wall, the experts confirmed that nearly nine in 10 of these sounds—which included thuds, bangs, and a crash followed by a pause and then several smaller crashes in quick succession—honestly aren’t anything at all.

“Not a thing to worry about,” the experts said almost instantaneously after a loud clatter suddenly rang out from the adjacent room. “It’s okay.”

“Everything’s okay,” they added.

Despite initially reporting “Dammit!” and “God dammit!” separated by several seconds, experts from the other room emphasized that all such preliminary statements should now be entirely disregarded, because the situation is, in fact, completely fine. They went on to clarify that it’s really not a big deal at all and any exasperated groans overheard from the other room should just be ignored.

According to the experts, who spoke over the sound of something in the other room shattering, 37 percent of the noises aren’t anything you need to concern yourself with, 29 percent are no problem whatsoever, and the remaining 21 percent are not nearly as bad as they just sounded.

In 100 percent of cases, the other-room experts said everything is cool and there is absolutely no reason to get up.

Sources stated that the crashing noises from the other room were often followed by a number of quieter sounds, including what seemed to be a series of rapid footsteps and the scraping of an object being dragged across the floor.

“Being taken care of,” said the other-room experts. “Yeah, no, it’s fine. Just stay where you are. Just stay in there.”

At press time, the clamor had stopped, and after a minute of silence, the experts in the other room overwhelmingly determined that they were so completely fucked.

A radical Polish European Parliament lawmaker has launched another sexist tirade, calling it a "20th-century stereotype that women have the same intellectual potential as men," and that the stereotype "must be destroyed because it is not true."Janusz Korwin-Mikke's insults on Friday in Warsaw came...

Feb. 28, 2015... that's the last day that Chicago went a day without a shooting. [ more › ]

Barry Jenkins's deeply moving portrait of a conflicted young man keeps making history.

Scarf Tragically Lost In 15-Coat Pile-Up

This is not everyday pizza. It's not every-week pizza. It might not even be every-month, if you want to live to a reasonable age. But damn, is it good pizza. So good that it's worth a trip to Detroit just to taste it. So good that it's worth devoting months of time, weeks of research, and dozens and dozens of experiments to developing a recipe to duplicate it at home. So that's exactly what I did. Here's what I found. Read More

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to begin rolling back the Obama-era environmental policy on clean water

A lady doesn't need to be nominated to win.

YIKES.

Republican lawmakers across the country have grown wary of holding town hall meetings with constituents.

What's scaring these brave public servants? Paid protesters.

Specifically, paid liberal protesters. (It's a well-known fact that all conservative protesters are volunteer and have legitimate...