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mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:40 AM Feb 8

"I am the payroll accountant for professional protestors in Minnesota, and I am swamped" By John Moe

McSweeny's Internet Tendency
Daily humor almost everyday since 1998.


“House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., slammed Minnesota state leaders after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators disrupted a church service in St. Paul… Emmer speculated many of the agitators were ‘chaos agents’ or paid protesters, adding that he believes the majority are from outside the state.” — Fox News
- - -

TO: All contract protest staff
FROM: Joyce

People, I am trying to work with you here and make sure you all get your sizable paychecks, but you need to work with me, too. If you are a contract employee, I absolutely need your W-9. And that means your ACTUAL LEGAL NAME. I’m getting too many forms in here with names like “A. Concerned Citizen” and “Fight D. Power,” and while I don’t know you or your family history, I just don’t think those are accurate.
- - -

TO: All hourly protest staff
FROM: Joyce

Hi, everyone. I know things are hectic as heck right now, but please be sure to fill out your timesheets every Friday by 5 p.m. Central. I can’t pay you unless I know your hours. Please also try to be accurate. Someone turned in a timesheet, and under the hours, they just wrote “CONSTANT VIGILANCE.” Well, those are just not numbers. And I don’t think you’re vigilant when you’re asleep, now are you?

And honestly, you have time to fill out those timesheets. If you’re a passenger in a car following ICE agents, just jot it down on the dashboard!
- - -

TO: All protest staff
FROM: Joyce

I’ve been getting questions about disclosing your legal name and Social Security number to the government you are presently fighting. I understand your concern. All I can tell you is that the CFO, the CEO, and everyone else in upper management at Antifa have told me that since this is a legitimate centralized organization, we must follow the rules. Any questions, please check with your manager, see the flowchart on the company intranet for clarification if needed.

Also, remember: The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. These are not very bright guys. You should be fine.

TO: All protest staff
FROM: Joyce

Hotdish in the breakroom. Help yourself. Thanks to all the highly paid parents patrolling school drop-off and pickup for this delicious surprise!
- - -

TO: All professional actors
FROM: Joyce

First, let me say how honored we all are to have real actors on the team. I’m concerned that your “method” approach is creating problems with paperwork. You all insist that you’re not actors but regular Minnesotans moved to action by the emergency in your community. I want to remind you that we held those auditions in New York (two monologues and a song) and brought you here. Don’t forget: Your union classifies all this as regional theater.


https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-am-the-payroll-accountant-for-professional-protestors-in-minnesota-and-i-am-swamped

There are several more at this link!






71 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"I am the payroll accountant for professional protestors in Minnesota, and I am swamped" By John Moe (Original Post) mysteryowl Feb 8 OP
I know the feeling. I'm in charge of mailing out Antifa membership kits. surfered Feb 8 #1
What, no plush toy or "special gift"? n/t the nelm Feb 9 #71
Loved the timesheet warnings, and the CEO of Antifa reference. dem4decades Feb 8 #2
Delish malaise Feb 8 #3
Good One! Faux pas Feb 8 #4
Conservatives will believe any lie, especially if it involves Soros. Norrrm Feb 8 #5
... mysteryowl Feb 8 #13
To: All protest staff mysteryowl Feb 8 #6
LMAO surfered Feb 8 #7
Hilarious. LoisB Feb 8 #8
im ceo of humor AllaN01Bear Feb 8 #9
🤣 mwmisses4289 Feb 8 #10
Very funny PatSeg Feb 8 #11
... mysteryowl Feb 8 #14
roberts, kavanaugh, barrett all derailed 2000 Marthe48 Feb 8 #25
Nixon, too. enigmania Feb 8 #53
Oh yes, Nixon too PatSeg Feb 8 #57
Actually, there is another, compelling reason -- Uglicans CAN'T get crowds of protesters, or even attendees, WITHOUT eppur_se_muova Feb 8 #59
Oh yeah, $50 a head as a recall PatSeg Feb 8 #61
Do not circulate this -- we do not need this even if someone thinks it's funny -- DELETE THIS AverageOldGuy Feb 8 #12
Yes it is funny mysteryowl Feb 8 #15
If there are any paid influencers popsdenver Feb 8 #33
Yes, great example! mysteryowl Feb 8 #37
YES!!! niyad Feb 8 #43
Ridicule is an effective weapon Tasmanian Devil Feb 8 #18
Most MAGAots popsdenver Feb 8 #39
Cowering in fear of what those scum will do or say is EXACTLY what they want. niyad Feb 8 #28
I will say, that although your comment will not be supported here, I can say thank you. mysteryowl Feb 8 #36
I kinda hope it does show up on the Fox "news" Sewer FoxNewsSucks Feb 8 #65
"Hectic as heck" progressoid Feb 8 #16
... mysteryowl Feb 8 #17
It helps to read it in a "Fargo" accent. progressoid Feb 8 #55
... orangecrush Feb 8 #19
"The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. " IronLionZion Feb 8 #20
... mysteryowl Feb 8 #21
K&R...nt Wounded Bear Feb 8 #22
Hot dish for the win! Soul_of_Wit Feb 8 #23
The author must be from Minnesota! mysteryowl Feb 8 #26
I tell the MAGA doubters that it was the easiest $1000 I ever made. TheRickles Feb 8 #24
Brilliant! Raven123 Feb 8 #29
This looks like something Garrison Keller would write. mysteryowl Feb 8 #27
Who are Repubs going to blame for everything when Soros dies? ShazzieB Feb 8 #30
They'll say, "But is he REALLY dead?" Wednesdays Feb 8 #58
They should be careful popsdenver Feb 8 #31
See post 28 niyad Feb 8 #34
Yup popsdenver Feb 8 #42
Dear Goddess, those are hilarious!!! Thank you! I see where Meow Miix niyad Feb 8 #32
I can't stop laughing! mysteryowl Feb 8 #41
Hey, at least Antifa actually PAYS the people it contracts with, and NOT with crypto! generalbetrayus Feb 8 #35
TO: All protest staff mysteryowl Feb 8 #38
Antifa affiliate. Historic NY Feb 8 #40
Author of these hilarious writings... mysteryowl Feb 8 #44
I am passing the link on to my groups here, as well. niyad Feb 8 #45
It should be shared far and wide. mysteryowl Feb 8 #46
Doing my small share! niyad Feb 8 #47
Yes, he is a brilliant paid agitator. He doesn't see his contract mandating organizing. mjvpi Feb 8 #52
As one of the original writers of the Constitution, let me say that I may have made a typo allowing Wonder Why Feb 8 #48
I can't even get my group past the mission statement. The committee has agreed on a 15 page maximum, but then....... mjvpi Feb 8 #49
Satire goes right over the head of Figarosmom Feb 8 #50
I'm still waiting for my non-existent paycheck Dr. T Feb 8 #51
Sorry but this is stupid. drray23 Feb 8 #54
Mcsweeneys is a national treasure Layzeebeaver Feb 8 #56
"Your union classifies all this as regional theater." ROFL Beartracks Feb 8 #60
MAGAts will hold this up as proof NameAlreadyTaken Feb 8 #62
That was pretty great! mahina Feb 8 #63
Poor Joyce! She's not getting the cooperation she needs from those employees! liberalla Feb 8 #64
Awesome! nt Exp Feb 8 #66
Well, I'm in St. Cloud MN liberalhistorian Feb 8 #67
Does anyone have a phone number for the payroll department? yellow dahlia Feb 8 #68
Funny, but...... SCantiGOP Feb 8 #69
"Oprah's Very Special Protest Club." LOL JohnnyRingo Feb 9 #70

Norrrm

(4,653 posts)
5. Conservatives will believe any lie, especially if it involves Soros.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:57 AM
Feb 8

Conservatives will believe any lie, especially if it involves Soros.

This guy claims he has gotten rich from Soros.

And the Congressman 'believes' him.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
13. ...
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:32 AM
Feb 8
Also, remember: The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. These are not very bright guys. You should be fine.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
6. To: All protest staff
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:58 AM
Feb 8

TO: All protest staff
FROM: Joyce

The accounting department needs to take additional steps to track our sizable funding. On future invoices and timesheets, please designate your “team,” so we know which donor account to draw from. You should have already received an email as to whether you are on Team Soros, Team Obama, Team Illuminati, Team Secretive Jewish Cabal, The Cheney Family We’re As Surprised As You Are Team, or Oprah’s Very Special Protest Club.




PatSeg

(52,894 posts)
11. Very funny
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:31 AM
Feb 8

The only reason that republicans accuse Democrats of using "paid protestors" is because that is the sort of thing they would do. Remember the Florida Brooks Brothers riot in 2000. That laid the groundwork for so much that followed including the Jan 6th insurrection.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
14. ...
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:33 AM
Feb 8
Also, remember: The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. These are not very bright guys. You should be fine.



Marthe48

(22,982 posts)
25. roberts, kavanaugh, barrett all derailed 2000
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:06 PM
Feb 8

They all helped get bush installed in the white house and have killed our democracy ever since. Evil perverts.

PatSeg

(52,894 posts)
57. Oh yes, Nixon too
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 02:52 PM
Feb 8

There is plenty of blame to go around. After Eisenhower, there were no good republicans in Washington. They weren't good at governing, but they became very effective at messaging especially to the "poorly educated" and narrowminded base.

eppur_se_muova

(41,588 posts)
59. Actually, there is another, compelling reason -- Uglicans CAN'T get crowds of protesters, or even attendees, WITHOUT
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 03:06 PM
Feb 8

paying them ! Remember Trmp was hiring "crowd fillers" even for his first announcement he was running ! And ads for "seat fillers" have been so frequent they don't get much comment anymore.

Dems/Progressives get spontaneous support; Ugs/Conservatives get corporate-managed support on a short-term contract basis.

PatSeg

(52,894 posts)
61. Oh yeah, $50 a head as a recall
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 03:21 PM
Feb 8

I remember the talking heads on TV making fun of him and his ridiculous faux announcement. It was all show for him - he was pushing his brand. Little did we realize where it was all going.

AverageOldGuy

(3,664 posts)
12. Do not circulate this -- we do not need this even if someone thinks it's funny -- DELETE THIS
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:31 AM
Feb 8

Yes, I know, we can all get a good chuckle out of this, but we don't need anymore of this.

Why not?

Because the MAGAts will grab it and wave it around, claiming it is true. Don't be surprised if this shows up on Fox. Don't be surprised if Trump refers to it as proof of antifa and professional demonstrators.

Sorry -- blaze away at me if you wish but we do not need anything like this. Goddam it, we are in a fight for the survival of this nation. This is NOT a joking matter.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
15. Yes it is funny
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:35 AM
Feb 8

there is zero evidence of paid protesters.

Also, remember: The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. These are not very bright guys. You should be fine.




It is called oppression when you want to suppress humor.

popsdenver

(2,080 posts)
33. If there are any paid influencers
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:20 PM
Feb 8

they ALL are already employed to go theaters across the nation and sit thru MELANIA...............

Tasmanian Devil

(107 posts)
18. Ridicule is an effective weapon
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:56 AM
Feb 8

Ridicule is an effective weapon. It points out just how foolish they are to believe in an organized Antifa. Proving a negative, e.g. Antifa does not exist, is difficult and I appreciate this effort.

popsdenver

(2,080 posts)
39. Most MAGAots
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:26 PM
Feb 8

haven't the mental ability to even know what their own "Antifa" is........or even spell or know the definition of FASCIST.......
And, it is not just their classical un-educated trailer park trash, I have talked to numerous MAGAots that have a college degree or two............The Fox News Brainwashing has really done a masterful job................Un-Fathomable, it's like they all went out and voluntarily got a Lobotomy, all 70+ Million of them..............seriously..........

niyad

(131,353 posts)
28. Cowering in fear of what those scum will do or say is EXACTLY what they want.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:13 PM
Feb 8

Obedience, compliance, fear, in advance. Hell, they make things up or project anyway, so FUCK THEM. MAY THEY ROT IN THEIR HELL.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
36. I will say, that although your comment will not be supported here, I can say thank you.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:23 PM
Feb 8

Many people in our country are very scared and don't want to do anything to make it worse.
I do understand that.

Let's not let them win.

FoxNewsSucks

(11,644 posts)
65. I kinda hope it does show up on the Fox "news" Sewer
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 06:12 PM
Feb 8

The anus-mouth piece of shit in the WH will believe it and look even stupider than he already does.

IronLionZion

(51,078 posts)
20. "The government has been unable to find evidence that you are paid protestors or even any records of our organization. "
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:58 AM
Feb 8
These are not very bright guys. You should be fine.


TheRickles

(3,288 posts)
24. I tell the MAGA doubters that it was the easiest $1000 I ever made.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:05 PM
Feb 8

Plus, I got George Soros's autograph/signature, on the check.

ShazzieB

(22,453 posts)
30. Who are Repubs going to blame for everything when Soros dies?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:16 PM
Feb 8

Seriously, the guy is 95. He's not going to last forever!

popsdenver

(2,080 posts)
31. They should be careful
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:17 PM
Feb 8

with satire about this......Fox News will take it and present it as factual proof of left wing, imported, organized/paid protestors........

popsdenver

(2,080 posts)
42. Yup
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:34 PM
Feb 8

The objective of all "Terrorism" is to frighten the masses........and it works a lot of the time.......

niyad

(131,353 posts)
32. Dear Goddess, those are hilarious!!! Thank you! I see where Meow Miix
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:19 PM
Feb 8

is now a sponsor. My kitty loves Meow Mix.

generalbetrayus

(1,727 posts)
35. Hey, at least Antifa actually PAYS the people it contracts with, and NOT with crypto!
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:20 PM
Feb 8

I'm off to the credit union right now.

mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
38. TO: All protest staff
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:25 PM
Feb 8

TO: All protest staff
FROM: Joyce

Hey, there’s a big recycling bin in the break room filled with cash. Help yourself. Tax-free. Thank you to our new sponsor, Mall of America!


mysteryowl

(9,122 posts)
44. Author of these hilarious writings...
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 12:41 PM
Feb 8
John Moe - Contributor to MPR (Minnesota Public Radio)

Contributor
jmoe@mpr.org
@johnmoe

John Moe is the author of three books: Dear Luke, We Need To Talk, Darth; The Deleted Emails Of Hillary Clinton; and Conservatize Me. His writing has appeared in numerous humor anthologies as well as The New York Times Magazine, The Seattle Times, MSN, and many more publications. He has hosted nationally distributed public radio programs such as Wits, Weekend America, and Marketplace Tech Report and his radio work has been featured on All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Locally, he can be heard on MPR News and The Current. He lives in St Paul.

*******************************************************

I am going to email him a link to this thread on Monday.
I am sure he will appreciate seeing the impact he has had!

mjvpi

(1,909 posts)
52. Yes, he is a brilliant paid agitator. He doesn't see his contract mandating organizing.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 01:47 PM
Feb 8

He keeps falling back on the idea of the press's role being simple. Tell the truth to the American people. It will simply serve as wind in sails for those who chose to protest.

Wonder Why

(6,764 posts)
48. As one of the original writers of the Constitution, let me say that I may have made a typo allowing
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 01:17 PM
Feb 8

free speech to everyone. Sorry, your paid speech, such as when you are a Faux News commentator, are not considered free speech. At least, that's what Jimmie Madison told me when he was writing down my words in the original Document.

mjvpi

(1,909 posts)
49. I can't even get my group past the mission statement. The committee has agreed on a 15 page maximum, but then.......
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 01:31 PM
Feb 8

......... the daily news hits and our"target" changes. Each nightly meeting is waisted on discussing amendments. It's almost, as if, the constant rate of outrageous behavior is a premeditated tactic. I wish that I could get ahold of their mission statements. Project 2025 is a clunky substitute.

drray23

(8,693 posts)
54. Sorry but this is stupid.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 01:58 PM
Feb 8

Sure its satire but that it not how it will look to right wingers. This will be exploited to reinforce the narrative they are already pushing that the protestors are all paid by Soros and such.

Layzeebeaver

(2,269 posts)
56. Mcsweeneys is a national treasure
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 02:27 PM
Feb 8

There been some absolutely classic stuff posted there over the years.

liberalhistorian

(20,903 posts)
67. Well, I'm in St. Cloud MN
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 06:42 PM
Feb 8

the heart of Emmer Country (unfortunately!) and I haven't received any of my promised checks yet! Even after freezing my buns off yesterday morning at the weekly ICE protest at the downtown library, thus further proving my dedication to my employment! Now how am I going to be able to afford to buy the stuff to make my MN Hotdish Surprise for the next ICE takeout meeting? What say you to that, joyce??

yellow dahlia

(5,446 posts)
68. Does anyone have a phone number for the payroll department?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 07:31 PM
Feb 8

Mr. Dahlia and I must be sending our invoices to the wrong address. We are still waiting for our paychecks. Does anyone know if reimbursement will be quicker, if we sign up for direct deposit?

SCantiGOP

(14,700 posts)
69. Funny, but......
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:43 PM
Feb 8

This may be in Newsmax tomorrow as Breaking News. They do not understand humor, sarcasm or satire.

JohnnyRingo

(20,749 posts)
70. "Oprah's Very Special Protest Club." LOL
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 08:54 AM
Feb 9

This is all so well done.
Thanx for posting. Have a heart on me.

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