Vote in the New York City Election

[Admiral Yi]

Very clever.  You can't be 100% sure who he's mocking.

[celedhring]

Seems Cuomo will be cut off from his support base in the Hamptons, though.

[Josquius]

He's sworn in. Found this out today and it made me giggle a bit. He has to pay $9 to be mayor.
Now is it just me or is that such an American weird little institutional tradition?
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/01/zohran-mamdani-mayor-nine-dollars-filing-fee/87983627007/


Like having to recite the last round of cricket scores whilst sitting bare bummed on a picture of the pope, holding a white cat and a wellington boot- sure. As a brit that sounds like a perfectly normal tradition.

Having to pay some guy $9 to get your papers.... That's just so cute and American. I can imagine this holding even in some glorious far future world without money in the way many of our traditions have outlasted them making any sense.

[Valmy]

Don't you guys also have tons of weird antiquated traditions? Yes, the older the state the more weird things like this they will have. Like Virginia's weird and adorable insistance it is not a state. It's a commonwealth. This is a very important distinction.

[grumbler]

Don't you guys also have tons of weird antiquated traditions? Yes, the older the state the more weird things like this they will have. Like Virginia's weird and adorable insistance it is not a state. It's a commonwealth. This is a very important distinction.

The "weird and adorable insistance[sic]" that a Commonwealth is a commonwealth derives from the original governments of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to distinguish themselves from the crown colonies like Georgia.  All retain the term today. Kentucky also uses the term because it was once part of Virginia.

I don't see what is "weird and adorable" about it, but YMMV.

[Valmy]

Don't you guys also have tons of weird antiquated traditions? Yes, the older the state the more weird things like this they will have. Like Virginia's weird and adorable insistance it is not a state. It's a commonwealth. This is a very important distinction.

The "weird and adorable insistance[sic]" that a Commonwealth is a commonwealth derives from the original governments of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to distinguish themselves from the crown colonies like Georgia.  All retain the term today. Kentucky also uses the term because it was once part of Virginia.

I don't see what is "weird and adorable" about it, but YMMV.

I mean some antiquated distinction from the 18th century they take such odd pride in today? You don't find that weird and adorable? But again YMMV. If doing some tradition of paying 9$ for a mayoral filing fee is weird than surely this would qualify.

[HisMajestyBOB]

It's only proper that Virginia distinguishes itself because it's the best state in the nation.
The other "commonwealths" are just trying to copy our glory.

[garbon]

It's only proper that Virginia distinguishes itself because it's the best state in the nation.
The other "commonwealths" are just trying to copy our glory.

[grumbler]

I mean some antiquated distinction from the 18th century they take such odd pride in today? You don't find that weird and adorable? But again YMMV. If doing some tradition of paying 9$ for a mayoral filing fee is weird than surely this would qualify.

I live in Virginia and am unaware of any general "odd pride" in "some antiquated distinction."  It's just a name.  I think that you have been sold a bill of goods.

[Valmy]

I mean some antiquated distinction from the 18th century they take such odd pride in today? You don't find that weird and adorable? But again YMMV. If doing some tradition of paying 9$ for a mayoral filing fee is weird than surely this would qualify.

I live in Virginia and am unaware of any general "odd pride" in "some antiquated distinction."  It's just a name.  I think that you have been sold a bill of goods.

The fact you are giving me so much shit for it does track 

Look I like it. I love that Virginians make such a big deal about this. You don't think it is odd because you live there. And yes it is just a name, it is not doing anybody any harm. I said it was adorable didn't I?

[Valmy]

It's only proper that Virginia distinguishes itself because it's the best state in the nation.
The other "commonwealths" are just trying to copy our glory.

 

[grumbler]

The fact you are giving me so much shit for it does track 

Look I like it. I love that Virginians make such a big deal about this. You don't think it is odd because you live there. And yes it is just a name, it is not doing anybody any harm. I said it was adorable didn't I?

I'm not giving you any shit at all.  I am just pointing out that your facts are wrong. Only a few weirdo and/or historian Virginians are even aware that Virginia is a commonwealth like the other two original colonies.  To everyone else, its just an unremarkable word.

[HisMajestyBOB]

The fact you are giving me so much shit for it does track 

Look I like it. I love that Virginians make such a big deal about this. You don't think it is odd because you live there. And yes it is just a name, it is not doing anybody any harm. I said it was adorable didn't I?

...Only a few weirdo and/or historian Virginians are even aware that Virginia is a commonwealth like the other two original colonies....