IDF Soldier Terrified For Life After Tiny Baby Gets Enough Food to Survive for Six More Hours

Posted on by The Hard Times Staff

GAZA CITY — Yosef Peretz, an IDF soldier stationed in watch towers at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid station, is fearing for his life after seeing Palestinian babies getting scraps of food that might sustain them for the next few hours, sources confirmed.

“I’ve been having trouble sleeping at night ever since the food started arriving in Gaza. Just yesterday I saw a four-year-old girl smile while eating handfuls of raw rice, I took that as a direct attack on me and on Israel because I know Hamas is somewhere in that girl’s stomach cooking that rice and making it into a bomb that they will drop on an innocent Israeli baby,” said Peretz. “And just this morning, I saw a newborn baby eating some sort of paste. Now that baby might have enough energy to storm the guard towers and I’ll be forced to engage in hand-to-hand combat. I know that baby has been radicalized by Hamas, and it could take me hostage.”

Jillian Gomez, an aid worker with UNRWA, says the IDF’s fears are overblown.

“I’m not exactly sure what the Israeli soldiers are afraid of. I’m surrounded by desperate people who are so weak from hunger that they can barely open any aid packages, and the IDF claims that these are all Hamas super soldiers disguised as malnourished women and children,” said Gomez. “The Israeli soldiers are some of the most cowardly people I’ve ever encountered. They hide in their guard stations, armed with high-caliber weapons, and will randomly fire into crowds of people for no reason. The world needs to wake up.”

Pennsylvania Congressman John Fetterman defended Israel’s actions.

“Look, Israel has the right to defend itself. I hear a lot of people saying Israel is committing war crimes, and that’s simply not the case. Israel is simply strengthening their border by starving the people in Gaza and denying them medical treatment,” said Fetterman while in line at a local bank cashing a check from AIPAC. “I’ve talked to a lot of people on the front lines of the war and these soldiers tell me that the Palestinians have called them a lot of nasty names, some of them have even thrown rocks. Are the soldiers not supposed to beat and torture these people after they do that?”

At press time, a top Israeli official confirmed that all the starving children of Gaza that have been terrorizing IDF soldiers were in fact generated by AI.

Concerning: New Boyfriend’s Sex Playlist Just 3 Locust Songs Long

Posted on by Joe Rumrill

MUNCIE, Ind. — Local 29-year-old Reema Cordero was alarmed to find that her recently official new boyfriend has a sex mix that is reportedly only a few Locust tracks, sources confirmed while searching and failing to find words of encouragement.

“I mean, I really like the guy, but come on, the whole thing clocks out at around a minute and 17 seconds! Not to be judgemental, but a girl could really use a song with a bridge to at least entertain the possibility she might get hers too, jeez!” lamented Cordero. “And, all due respect to Justin Pearson and company, but the BPM on songs like ‘Get Off the Cross, The Wood is Needed’ makes for some, I’ll just come right out and say it — weird fucking! No time for foreplay, nothing to get me in the mood, just blast beats, synth squeals and snarling. There are girls out there that swoon for that stuff, but it sure ain’t me.”

Cordero’s new boyfriend, 28-year-old screenprinter Steve Bender, launched an ardent defense of the playlist.

“Oh come on, first of all, this could totally be a work in progress that has been taken entirely out of context. Well, sure, it isn’t, but I’m saying it could be, is all! Plus, get this: I don’t pay for Spotify, so the ad breaks between the tracks really add a bunch of time, so…” sputtered Bender, making sure to be out of earshot of his boys. “Those ads really rack up considerable seconds, we’re talking in the upwards of dozens. That’s an awful lot of humpage where I come from. Tons of humpage. I feel like you’re not picturing the sheer amount of humpage here.”

Locust leader Justin Pearson offered his voice of support, pulling for the couple’s success.

“Hey, I’m just proud that my music could bring any two lovers together, and make them happy, even if only one of them gets to remain that way after two minutes,” said a prideful Pearson with a sly smile. “The Locust’s music may be known for short bursts, but we’re energetic, god damn it. Call me crazy, but I’d rather be with someone like that than someone who screws to a Rick Wakeman concept double-album. Sounds like a tiring time to me. Get your rocks off and get to bed, that’s what I say.”

At press time, the couple is hoping breathing exercises and meditation could one day allow them to add Napalm Death’s “You Suffer” to the mix, netting them 1.3 more seconds of intimacy.

Modern Day Jolene? My Husband Is Falling in Love With His Banking App’s AI Assistant

Posted on by Ben Friedman

Whenever I’ve heard “Jolene”, it always triggers some intrusive thoughts. Like if a bank teller can be hot enough to almost tempt someone away from Dolly Parton of all people, could my husband Jeff also be so easily led astray? Sure, his screen time is borderline excessive, but I never once believed he’d spend a second of it talking to other women.

Unfortunately, those intrusive thoughts have turned into a real-life marital crisis because just like in the song, my husband is being tempted away from me by the AI assistant in his Bank of America app.

I knew something was up when I caught him on the app at 2 a.m. sending that harlot Erica messages about opening another savings account. Does he not realize we have a joint account already? It’s like he wants to get caught.

It’s almost comical how easily she could take my man. Is the allure of some soulless AI espousing financial advice that much more powerful than being with someone who has only provided him with a loving home? I’ve eavesdropped on her speech-to-text capabilities, and it’s far from soft like summer rain.

On top of that, this autonomous home wrecker can look like whoever Jeff wants her to look like. Dolly could at least do a Jolene threat assessment, what with the auburn hair and green eyes, and know who she was up against. Is Erica a goth muscle mommy, or a green-haired alt girl? Going by his Instagram searches, I’m potentially up against a top 1% OnlyFans model who moonlights as a bank teller.

Worst of all, I can’t even tell her to leave my husband alone. I called her out after requesting “help” setting up a retirement plan, and that bitch told me to call customer support. I will take a hammer to BoA’s servers if she doesn’t stop sending my man DM’s about building equity.

You know what? Fuck this. If Jeff wants to goon over an artificial computer woman, he can have her. My happiness doesn’t depend on competing with Erica, so I’m going to take some advice from a different Dolly song and dump the dude.

Have fun talking about her in your sleep, jackass.

Photo of Missing Child Not Doing the Kid Any Favors

Posted on by Mike Maher

RYE, N.Y. — A photo being used to help locate local missing boy James Dooley is shaking a community to its core, sources who wish the child dead based on looks alone confirmed.

“It’s terrible the Dooley boy’s missing. But my lord! That photo of him is far worse,” lifelong Rye resident Agnes Vanderblue shuddered. “It scares people. They won’t go outside. Would it have killed anyone to use photoshop or a filter or something? I blame the parents. A child goes missing every 40 seconds in America. Those are pretty good odds your kid will end up on a milk carton or telephone pole some day. Sharing your poor, unfortunate-looking missing boy with the public like this isn’t just negligence; it’s abuse! It’s like they don’t even want him to be found. Well, mission accomplished! Because I’m not searching for a face like that.”

Detective Roy Berg with the Rye Police Missing Persons Unit admitted the case has overwhelmed his under-resourced department, but not for reasons you’d expect.

“I’ve got zero leads on Dooley’s whereabouts,” Berg said. “But I’m up to my dick in death threats over this damn photo. They’re not even anonymous threats! People are on record stating how upset, physically ill, and downright violent the sight of Jimmy’s face makes them. Instagram took down our posts. Zoning declared every billboard blight. We’re drowning in backlash! So instead of offering a $50,000 finders reward, we’ve doubled the amount for anyone who retrieves and destroys all photos of this kid. The response has been staggering.”

Dr. Joyce Hammer, host of true crime podcast “Weapon of Joyce,” explained the key to finding missing children comes down to one thing.

“I hate to say it, but attractive missing kids are statistically more likely to be searched for and found than kids who, well, look like this,” Hammer said. “When a cute baby or some hot-shit teen disappears, the media gets a raging ratings boner, and everyone wants to be the hero who kicks down the door of some flophouse and saves America’s sweetheart from the needle or some perv. But this kid? With that mug? You might find him, but you can’t save him.”

At press time, to generate more favorable public interest in the case, all of Dooley’s photos were replaced with a totally different, more photogenic boy.

American Eagle Launches New ”Those People Are Just Better at Basketball” Ad Campaign

Posted on by Dan Rice

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle announced a series of ads highlighting how good black people are at playing basketball in an attempt at a major course correction after perceived racist undertones in their “Sydney Sweeney has good jeans” ad campaign, company executives confirmed.

“We were mortified when some people perceived the Sydney Sweeney ad as promoting white supremacy,” said AE spokesperson Tiffany Roseland. “At American Eagle, we pride ourselves on being the furthest thing from racists imaginable. That’s why we’re setting things right with a new ad series highlighting the way Black men just absolutely dominate the court. Would a racist company celebrate the fact that Black people’s knack for rhythm and higher bone density make them superior athletes? I think not!”

The ad, featuring a black basketball player dunking over Sydney Sweeney, who turns to camera and shrugs as the words “Those people are just better at basketball” superimposed on the screen, is the first of many that AE executives claim will highlight the achievements of non-whites.

“This is only the beginning, so anyone accusing our company of being white supremacist better get ready to eat humble pie!” said AE Marketing director Kurth Cornworth. “Next up, we’re dropping two simultaneous ads, one about how Latinos are all about ‘la familia,’ and another highlighting how much better Asians are at math. ‘How are they going to use those observations to sell jeans?’ you ask. Don’t worry. We hired the most Jewish ad agency on Madison Avenue; they’ll know exactly how to spin it. After the check clears, of course. If you know what I’m saying.”

Much to the company’s chagrin, the ad has already been met with its own hailstorm of backlash, including from voices on the right.

“Black people dominate basketball? Give me a break!” said staunch conservative Donald Connors. “What about Larry Bird? What about all of the fantastic Russian players? This is nothing but woke white erasure, and I won’t stand for it! Larry Bird actually played a scrimmage in jeans one time, I’d like to see Michael Shaq or whoever do that!”

When reached for comment, AE’s board of directors simply gushed at how well spoken Charles Barkley is.

Punk House Doorbell Just Big Hole in Door You Scream Into

Posted on by Chris Bowen

ITHACA, N.Y. — Tenants of a local punk house solved their issue of not having a working doorbell by smashing a huge hole into the front door and asking guests to scream into it when they arrived, confirmed sources who couldn’t think of any other way around it.

“We all got sick and tired of our lazy-ass slumlord ignoring our requests for a working doorbell, so we did what any self-respecting punks would do and used a sledgehammer to smash a 10 by 8 hole into the front door,” punk house tenant Megan Marquez explained. “Now we know when our Grubhub driver is here to deliver food, or if they’re being brutally murdered. Not to mention the cross-breeze feels quite refreshing this time of year. The only downside is that we frequently mistake the screams coming from next door as guests ringing our new doorbell. Some people just do not have manners.”

Landlord Richard Stratford was less than pleased with the new addition.

“I showed up to do a routine inspection, and found bugs, bats, bees, plus a family of raccoons that made their way through the new ‘doorbell,’” Stratford said while patching up the hole with duct tape. “Not only that, but they have holes kicked in walls throughout the place, and they are calling them ‘doorbells’ too. They also took it upon themselves to make a bathroom doorbell, a crawl space doorbell, and an attic doorbell. I think I’m going to need to jack up their rent by a couple hundred bucks now.”

Skuz Wilson, dubbed the “Punk Rock Bob Vila,” made his career out of providing tips on DIY home projects.

“The old ‘smashing a hole in the door doorbell’ is a classic from my third video, ‘You Can Get Vomit Out of That, and Several Other DIY Work-Arounds,’” Wilson explained. “In that edition, I also provide a failsafe way to unclog your toilet using only a crowbar, as well as an easy way to put up that mailbox you’ve always wanted using only an axe. If you order now, I’ll even throw in a pack of smokes and a sixer of Steel Reserve! Just make sure to sign the mandatory waiver that comes with every DVD.”

At press time, the tenants of the punk house made their own in-ground pool using a tarp and mostly rain water.

What if the Most Punk Thing All Along Was Actually To Settle Down With a Husband and a Dog in a Comfortable but Modest Home in South Jersey?

Posted on by Malia Simon

As a lifelong punk coming up on my 29th birthday, I’m starting to have a lot of realizations about life: maybe my dad was right about the secret benefits of having a reliable income. Maybe a new toothbrush every year is worth the $ 7.99. Maybe my planters fasciitis would go away if I didn’t wear Doc Martens year round.

I know what you’re thinking. No, this isn’t me “settling down.” No, I’m not “naturally aging out of a phase in my twenties that was inevitably set to end once I got tired enough.” This is simply a change in my understanding of the word “punk,” a maturation of it, if you will. There are a lot of people who will tell you different things about what it means to be punk. Have any of us ever stopped to consider that perhaps the most punk thing was right under our noses all along? What if the most fuck-the-man, nonconformist thing one could possibly do was to find a pleasant man of 6’2, move to South Jersey, and buy a Vitamix for soup?

Listen, I’ve gone through the whole gamut. I know what it’s like to be you young bucks. I’ve bummed cigarettes from people at death metal basement shows. I’ve moshed at poetry readings in a junkie’s RV. I’ve boycotted Vitamin C. Don’t tell me I don’t know what punk is. If anyone knows punk, it’s me. I’ve simply come to the realization in my later years that none of that is as hardcore as waving to my neighbor Sam while he mows the lawn on a Sunday, getting 8 and a half good hours of sleep and owning an Australian Shepherd.

Dare I say nobody’s doing that. It’s like going “fuck the system” by acknowledging when the system makes my life better, which is pretty much all the time now. Did you guys know the system has some pretty neat farmers markets? I just got three radishes for 4.50. Not a lot of people know about this underground “exchanging money for goods and services” thing.

I know I still have it in me: if I wanted to mosh, I could. I am simply choosing the simple life, the free life, the life where my body has all its required vitamins. I’ll say it: I feel good. Healthy. Within the confines of the law. Is there anything more dangerous than that?

New Government Initiative Invites Incels to Trade In Their Firearms for Bass Guitars

Posted on by Peter Woods

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a new federally funded program asking the incel community to voluntarily trade in any guns they own for a new bass guitar, confirmed sources.

“No group poses more of a threat to other Americans than these angry white guy weiners,” said Deputy Director Anelie Rinne. “It’s almost cliché to say that this country has a male loneliness epidemic at this point, but it’s true. These boys get so mad at the fact that they are sad and friendless and instead of working on themselves they lash out. But for whatever reason, bass players seem totally fine with their self-inflicted, bottom rung social status. So if we can turn all of the incels into bassists, we’ll be much safer as a nation.”

Following the announcement, online incel communities reacted with unexpected levels of enthusiasm.

“Dude, I could totally get laid if I got like super good at bass,” said self-identified incel Mitch Osbourne. “Guys like Geddy Lee and Les Claypool are totally getting blow jobs 24/7 because of their music, you can just tell. I just have to figure out the best technique. Do you think playing with a pick or my fingers would rizz bitches up more? Actually, I bet it’s slap bass. That will probably get broads the horniest.”

Despite the overwhelming positivity from incels and governmental departments, some advocacy groups questioned the efficacy of the program.

“Giving incels basses doesn’t solve the root problems of misogyny and gender-based violence and only placates potentially violent men,” said Fay Nixon, a spokesperson for the National Organization for Women. “Plus no one wants to fuck bassists. You would get absolutely roasted by every one of your girlfriends, and rightfully so, if you lowered your standards all the way down to bassist dick. If the bureau cared anything at all about women, they would obviously be giving them saxophones. It’s clearly the horniest instrument.”

As of press time, the program already traded 60 guns for bass guitars, with participating incels having started at least one eight-member, all bass Buckcherry cover band.

Apple Watch Congratulates Local Oaf for Standing

Posted on by Brett Olsen

PARMA, Ohio — Local lummox Andrew Creosote felt a vague sense of accomplishment Tuesday morning when he uncharacteristically stood up triggering a congratulatory message from his Apple Watch, confirmed sources.

“I work from home and have been rewatching ‘The Sopranos,’ so no—I don’t move a lot,” Creosote revealed as the smell of boiling eggs filled his studio apartment. “I got this watch years ago as a way to discreetly check messages, but I immediately had to disable most of the settings because the High Heart Rate notification was broken and would not stop waking me up. I honestly forgot this thing doubled as a fitness tracker, but I think I’m finally ready to take my health more seriously. It sounds silly, but my watch saying ‘Good Job!’ actually did motivate me to start standing once every four hours.”

Creosote’s primary care physician Chris Stauffer agreed that standing is important.

“Standing is always preferable to being sedentary, but—well,” Stauffer trailed off. “I know this is a major HIPAA violation, but I’ve never met anyone like Andrew. By all accounts, the odds of him still being alive are astronomical—impossible, even. His average daily steps can be explained by five trips from the couch to the kitchen along with occasional bathroom outings depending on the variety of snacks consumed with a near-zero margin of error. If standing is the first step, I sincerely hope he takes many more.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook says this type of positive trajectory is exactly why the Apple Watch has been such a commercial success.

“Apple is a lifestyle company, but we’re well aware that for every athletic influencer, there are thousands of Andrews,” Cook admitted while nonchalantly dismissing an Arby’s notification. “While some of our more exceptional customers may utilize the Apple Watch’s emergency satellite services when lost on Mount Kilimanjaro—a feature only available when paired with an iPhone that supports this functionality—others just need basic safeguards and reminders on how to stand, wash their hands, or sleep—you know, things you learn when you’re a toddler.”

At press time, Creosote set a goal to stand a good five or six times a day with the hopes to walk a 5K within the next 10 years.

Five Ways You Can Deactivate Your Ankle Monitor Before the Five Finger Death Punch Show Next Week

Posted on by Steve Packosky

Well, shit. Your favorite band is coming to Sturgis next week, and you’re not about to let Big Brother keep you from attending just because you smashed a bottle of Miller High Life over the head of that dipshit home plate umpire at your son’s little league game. Honestly, that fucker had a strike zone the size of the Northwest Territories, and you did the entire town a favor by sending him to the hospital. Too bad the judge didn’t agree, and now you’re stuck at home with this goddamn ankle monitor. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. Here are five ways you can deactivate it so you can attend next week’s Five Finger Death Punch show.

Cut It Off
This is the most obvious solution. While it’s likely it will trigger some sort of alarm down at the station, you should have enough time to get to the venue and lose yourself in the crowd for the duration of the show. They’ll most certainly catch you on your way out, but by then you’ll have caught the whole performance, so worry about that later!

Befriend Local Police Officers
Everyone knows you back the blue, which you’ve proudly displayed with that flag on the back of your souped-up Ford F-150 (that is, when you’ve been allowed to drive). Anyway, it’s a 100% guarantee that there will be a heavy law enforcement presence at the show, so get to know the local cops. Before you know it, you’ll be singing along to “Wash It All Away” with half the local precinct while the alarm from your monitor goes unnoticed.

Hack It With Computers
This is a shot in the dark, but can’t you do anything with computers these days? Your kid’s always chatting it up with strangers on that fucking thing, so see if he can hack into it like Sandra Bullock in “The Net.” You’ll have to spend time with him to do this, which is a drag, but keep your eyes on the prize.

Kick Your Coffee Table Really Hard
Fuck man, we don’t know. It’s not like it’s indestructible, right? Aim for the monitor’s red light and make like you’re Adam Vinatieri. Just ignore the agonizing pain shooting up your leg and keep going until that light goes out. You’ll be starting unnecessary fights with people in the moshpit in no time!

Cut Off Your Foot
Clearly this is the most drastic option, but honestly, is a two-footed life really worth living if you haven’t seen FFDP perform their cover of “Blue on Black” live? That’s what we thought. Grab that sabre saw out of the garage and find something to bite down on. Ivan Moody awaits!