Just watched a replay of Clint Eastwood's RNC speech and a few things came to mind:
One, when did Clint Eastwood die?
Two, shouldn't somebody tell him?
Three, seriously...what's with the chair and imaginary Obama sitting in it?
Four, this is the best the GOP could come up with?
Between the VP candidate lying and misrepresenting facts during his speech, geriatric Eastwood, and Ann Romney trying to convince "the help" that her husband has their best interests in mind while she speaks down to them, I don't see how any logical, rational, educated person or any non-WASP could vote for these buffoons.
I'm not sure what the GOP was trying to accomplish with these speakers, but it sure wasn't trying to convince anyone other than the radical side of their base voters.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Return of the Kings
All hail the mighty Van Halen!
This past February 7th, 2012 marked the release of "A Different Kind of Truth", Van Halen's first new album with original vocalist David Lee Roth since 1984. This is an excellent album; the more I listen to it the more I catch nuances that make it fresh. There are only a couple of songs I am not crazy about, but I'll still listen to them rather than over half the stuff out there.
What I thought: Dave's lyrics are underappreciated;if you haven't actually listened to them, you are missing all the excellent word play that makes these songs work. Ed's playing is phenomenal. I believe that the addition of Ed's son Wolfie and the return of Dave have reinvigorated Ed to remind people of why he is the king of ten fingers. Alex plays better and harder than drummers half his age, and Wolfie does an outstanding job of silencing all the haters. I've seen and heard many differing opinions on the album since it's release...some nice and some not so nice. Since I'm the "thirty something know it all", I decided to write my own, since everyone else is wrong...I'm just kidding...well kind of.
So here goes my attempt at reviewing the new Van Halen album; I've included my favorite line from each of the songs. So here it is in front of your naked steaming eyes...
TATTOO: First single/video, adult rocker, catchy hook w/sing-along ability, interesting lyric phrasing, quintessential EVH solo, "Swap meet Sally, Tramp Stamp Tat, Mouse wife to Momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo"
SHE'S THE WOMAN: Reworking of VHII era song with new lyrics and minimal musical revamp, wish they'd have kept the Mean Streets pre-solo which I felt flowed better, good bass work, good dual guitar/bass opening, you can tell that the song Mean Streets was inspired musically by this song, "It's looking like the city towed my other apt"
YOU AND YOUR BLUES: One of my two faves on album, outtro reminiscent of outtro on Aftershock from Balance, very catchy hook, personal lyrics, nice bridge, tight solo, song flows very well, "Woman you suffer from a color, I suffer cause of you, now everybody suffers, cause of you and your blues"
CHINA TOWN: Wicked opening followed by AVH's double kick which sounds like a chopper, good lyrical story, catchy pre-chorus melody, jazz chords, wild horsey opening to solo, good tandem solo with Wolfie, good play on words, "Headless body in topless bar"
BLOOD AND FIRE: My other favorite, most reminiscent of mid-80's VH, sounds classic but modern, AWESOME and protoypical EVH in his wheel house solo, catchy melody, nostalgic lyrics possibley regarding Roth's return to band, "I told you I'd be back, say you missed me, say it like you mean it. AHHHHH SAY IT!!!"
BULLETHEAD: My least favorite on the album, a raging sprint, reworking of an older possiblity which was ahead of its time back then, wah-wah solo, "Bullethead got a different kind of truth"
AS IS: Awesome opening between AVH's drums and EVH's heavy guitar, jazz infusion riff with squeals leading into 2 Burritos and a Rootbeer Float from Two and a Half Men cameo, arrangement is wicked, love the 3 different music styles in 1 song, "I say love 'em all let cupid sort 'em out"
HONEYBABYSWEETIEDOLL: Trippy opening before music smacks you in the mouth, reworking of an older song from what I've read online, I like the chorus with it's harmonies, aggressive pre-solo and solo, "Honetbabysweetiedoll"
THE TROUBLE WITH NEVER: Riff is very Hendrix influenced, I like how the chorus is a different style than the main riff and verses, solo reminds me of F.U.C.K. & Balance era, coming in from the bridge EVH smacks you in the mouth with some heavy riffing and mega-wah, "When you turn on your stereo, does it return the favor?"
OUTTA SPACE: Style reminds me of DLR Band album, straight up rocker with no bullshit, good solo, "I am the reason we outta space"
STAY FROSTY: Cool Delta-Blues acoustic opening, complete beat down when the heavy instruments come in, totally a sing along with the "Unh unh unh, unh unh unh..." part, a lot of comparissons to Ice Cream Man but this is an entirely different song with it's own personality, solo is blazing, DLR's lyrics are wicked "frosty", second solo just as blazing as first one, "If you wanna be a monk, you gotta cook a lot of rice, Stay Frosty"
BIG RIVER: Another reworking from the Gene Simmons demos, completely changed lyrics, same melody and music (with better bass work), solo fits the song very well, if this had the same lyrics it would be the same as the original demo version, good song overall, Marissa says it's a driving song with which I completely agree, "Big river oh yeah"
BEATS WORKIN': An arena style Ed and Al opening that almost makes you forget there was a song about to start, very DLR-solo style song which considering this is a reworking of an older VH song shows you just how much influence he had on the music, solo starts laid back and melodic but morphs into a Drop Dead Legs-esque finish before coming back into the song, "This beats workin' baby..."
I hope you pick up the album and enjoy it as much as I do. Let me know what you think of my review and leave me your own reviews in the comment section. Bozdee bozdee bop!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Swami's Sports Predictions
Once again the Swami is making his predictions for the upcoming sports seasons and off-seasons. Last year the Swami was correct on 40% of the local predictions he made; local being Cubs/Sox/Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks. On the Majors predictions, Swami went 0 for 5, though he does get 1/2 a point for picking the opponents in the AL Championship Series.
So, let's see if the Swami can be better then 40% on the locals and actually get one of the Majors right this year. Without further adieu, Swami's picks!
Cubs: This off-season the Cubs will be hiring a new GM after firing Jim Hendry. Tom Ricketts says he wants a baseball man, but then he wants a "moneyball" man he says at other times. Personally, I think he's just confused. He wants a "moneyball" man cause he thinks that means they've won the lottery and will pay their own salary! They'll also be in the running for a new manager since "Cue-Ball" Quade will be gone. Looks like the Cubs will also be parting ways with 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez and possibly LF Alfonso Soriano, leading to a full on youth movement. This will mean the Cubs will be without a regular 3-bagger for the first time since mid 2003, though many would argue they've been without one for the last few years.
Cubs Predictions - For GM, I think the Cubs will go after an insider name like Rick Hahn of the Sox or former Phillies Asst. GM Chuck LaMar. My Dark Horse BlockBuster pick is Theo Epstein...even though I don't feel he'll leave Boston, but if he does I think he'd come here to tackle the challenge of changing Cubs culture. Don't be surprised to see a review of Ryne Sandberg for the manager position. That would actually make a lot of sense since he managed most of these kids in the last couple of years, helped in their development, and found team success with them in the minors...not to mention he's just taken a previously last place AAA team and made them first place this year. If Ramirez goes bye-bye, look at the Cubs to go youth at 3rd. DJ LeMahieu or Brian LaHair could get time at 3B next season, maybe even Josh Vitters if they're really interested in seeing what they have going into the next few years. I think Soriano will start the season with the Cubs since they realize he's been a good influence on the younger Hispanic players, and even if he's not worth his annual salary anymore, he's still a 20 HR/75 RBI threat. Staying through the whole season might not happen though. Expect to see Brett Jackson in the starting line-up. Kerry Wood will be back since he's great insurance if Marmol continues his pitching woes of 2011. The Cubs will keep either Pena or Ramirez; I don't feel they'll keep both...especially with Soriano still here. If it's a youth movement in 2012, here's my Starting 8: C-Soto, 1B-Pena/LeMahieu, 2B-Barney, SS-Castro, 3B-LaHair/LeMahieu/Vitters, LF-Jackson, CF-Byrd, RF-Colvin(too early to give up on him). Season prediction of 70-80 wins; won't be nearly as bad as 2011.
Sox: The Sox made a major addition last off-season picking up Adam Dunn, but it didn't pan out this season. I still feel this is a good signing; he's bound to rebound next season. Thing about the Sox is that they are no longer the team that won in 2005; just needing to add a piece here or there to continue being players at the big table. Looks like there could be a revamp of the team from the manager on down. The big questions for them going forward this off-season: Do they keep Ozzie? If not, then whom? Do you resign vets/clubhouse leaders Pierre and Konerko or go different direction? Do you keep Pierzynski? Buerhle?
Sox Predictions - Well, when I started writing this Ozzie still was manager, and now that I'm finishing it he's not. That takes the zip out of that bullet. As for the next manager, the papers are talking about former Sox players Sandy Alomar Jr. & Dave Martinez, and now former Boston manager Terry Francona. Seeing how Big Jerry is loyal to those he likes this is a tough prediction since he likes all three of them. I see Alomar Jr or Francona; probably the former and not the latter due to finances. I expect Adam Dunn to rebound from this aberration of a season and play his game in 2012. If not for the Sox, then someone else since it's possible KW will trade him back to the NL. I expect they'll trade AJ Pierzynski since they have Tyler Flowers champing at the bit. Expect to see Pierre to leave, too. Buerhle will go, too, if the Cardinals will take him. If not, expect him to sign a one year with the Sox. I totally expect Konerko to stay on the South Side till he retires. Season prediction of 75-85 wins; about the same as 2011.
Bulls: Who knows if there will be a season, so no prediction.
Bears: The Bears are still in a state of flux regardless of what the figure heads, Angelo & Smith, say. They have a good quarterback whose talent is being wasted cause he has no blocking and no receivers since the Bears bid adieu to their best receiver tight end Greg Olsen. Last season was a fluke; they never belonged in the play-offs much less the NFC Championship game. They have a very good multipurpose running back in Matt Forte, but he is the final year of his contract, is grossly under paid, and the Bears are unwilling to give him a fair value contract till after the season.
Bears Predictions - The Bears will not overachieve like last season. I expect they'll be a better team than last year, but last year was a fluke. They should've only won a max of 8 games last year. This year I expect they'll be about the same, especially since they didn't correct the two major flaws of last year: no go-to WR & no OL. The Bears will get 6 to 8 wins. No playoffs this season; especially with Detroit and Green Bay being as good as they are this year. Matt Forte has been lighting it up this year and plays like a man possessed; probably cause he's proving his point about wanting the Bears to SHOW HIM THE MONEY! As for the whole rest of it...Fire Angelo & Smith while hiring better football people to replace them and it all changes for the better!
Blackhawks: Here come the hawks, the mighty Blackhawks! I'll admit that last year at this time I was still having the Stanley Cup Hangover when I made my predictions; this year I'm much more in control of my rational thinking. The electric shock therapy of a half-ass season brought me back; thank you Dr. Shock-ula! The core group is still intact, a year more experienced, and the new additions look great on paper...have a feeling they'll look great on ice, too. Last season the Hawks lacked physical players hence their speed game was nil. This season they'll have plenty of "shove" to go with their "push". The signing of Dan Carcillo was a good move, along with bringing in another scoring threat in Andrew Brunette. Plus, the Kane at center experiment seems to be moving in the right direction. With Kane playing center you have scoring lines of Toews & Sharp, Kane & Hossa, & Bolland/Brunette. That's a good thing! I expect the Blackhawks to be much improved over last season.
Blackhawks Predictions - Blackhawks will finish in 1st or 2nd in the division. Kane will average a point per game again; this time going over 90 points. Hossa will score 30+ goals. Toews will score 80+ points again. Corey Crawford will show why he's the starting goalie. I expect the Hawks to make the Stanley Cup Finals this year, so long as they don't lose much time to injuries and everyone plays as well as they should.
Other predictions:
World Series: Brewers OVER Yankees (if neither reach then the Phillies win it)
Super Bowl: Lions OVER Bills (if neither reach then the Packers win it)
NBA: NOBODY WINS IN A LOCKOUT
Stanley Cup: Blackhawks win it all!
So, let's see if the Swami can be better then 40% on the locals and actually get one of the Majors right this year. Without further adieu, Swami's picks!
Cubs: This off-season the Cubs will be hiring a new GM after firing Jim Hendry. Tom Ricketts says he wants a baseball man, but then he wants a "moneyball" man he says at other times. Personally, I think he's just confused. He wants a "moneyball" man cause he thinks that means they've won the lottery and will pay their own salary! They'll also be in the running for a new manager since "Cue-Ball" Quade will be gone. Looks like the Cubs will also be parting ways with 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez and possibly LF Alfonso Soriano, leading to a full on youth movement. This will mean the Cubs will be without a regular 3-bagger for the first time since mid 2003, though many would argue they've been without one for the last few years.
Cubs Predictions - For GM, I think the Cubs will go after an insider name like Rick Hahn of the Sox or former Phillies Asst. GM Chuck LaMar. My Dark Horse BlockBuster pick is Theo Epstein...even though I don't feel he'll leave Boston, but if he does I think he'd come here to tackle the challenge of changing Cubs culture. Don't be surprised to see a review of Ryne Sandberg for the manager position. That would actually make a lot of sense since he managed most of these kids in the last couple of years, helped in their development, and found team success with them in the minors...not to mention he's just taken a previously last place AAA team and made them first place this year. If Ramirez goes bye-bye, look at the Cubs to go youth at 3rd. DJ LeMahieu or Brian LaHair could get time at 3B next season, maybe even Josh Vitters if they're really interested in seeing what they have going into the next few years. I think Soriano will start the season with the Cubs since they realize he's been a good influence on the younger Hispanic players, and even if he's not worth his annual salary anymore, he's still a 20 HR/75 RBI threat. Staying through the whole season might not happen though. Expect to see Brett Jackson in the starting line-up. Kerry Wood will be back since he's great insurance if Marmol continues his pitching woes of 2011. The Cubs will keep either Pena or Ramirez; I don't feel they'll keep both...especially with Soriano still here. If it's a youth movement in 2012, here's my Starting 8: C-Soto, 1B-Pena/LeMahieu, 2B-Barney, SS-Castro, 3B-LaHair/LeMahieu/Vitters, LF-Jackson, CF-Byrd, RF-Colvin(too early to give up on him). Season prediction of 70-80 wins; won't be nearly as bad as 2011.
Sox: The Sox made a major addition last off-season picking up Adam Dunn, but it didn't pan out this season. I still feel this is a good signing; he's bound to rebound next season. Thing about the Sox is that they are no longer the team that won in 2005; just needing to add a piece here or there to continue being players at the big table. Looks like there could be a revamp of the team from the manager on down. The big questions for them going forward this off-season: Do they keep Ozzie? If not, then whom? Do you resign vets/clubhouse leaders Pierre and Konerko or go different direction? Do you keep Pierzynski? Buerhle?
Sox Predictions - Well, when I started writing this Ozzie still was manager, and now that I'm finishing it he's not. That takes the zip out of that bullet. As for the next manager, the papers are talking about former Sox players Sandy Alomar Jr. & Dave Martinez, and now former Boston manager Terry Francona. Seeing how Big Jerry is loyal to those he likes this is a tough prediction since he likes all three of them. I see Alomar Jr or Francona; probably the former and not the latter due to finances. I expect Adam Dunn to rebound from this aberration of a season and play his game in 2012. If not for the Sox, then someone else since it's possible KW will trade him back to the NL. I expect they'll trade AJ Pierzynski since they have Tyler Flowers champing at the bit. Expect to see Pierre to leave, too. Buerhle will go, too, if the Cardinals will take him. If not, expect him to sign a one year with the Sox. I totally expect Konerko to stay on the South Side till he retires. Season prediction of 75-85 wins; about the same as 2011.
Bulls: Who knows if there will be a season, so no prediction.
Bears: The Bears are still in a state of flux regardless of what the figure heads, Angelo & Smith, say. They have a good quarterback whose talent is being wasted cause he has no blocking and no receivers since the Bears bid adieu to their best receiver tight end Greg Olsen. Last season was a fluke; they never belonged in the play-offs much less the NFC Championship game. They have a very good multipurpose running back in Matt Forte, but he is the final year of his contract, is grossly under paid, and the Bears are unwilling to give him a fair value contract till after the season.
Bears Predictions - The Bears will not overachieve like last season. I expect they'll be a better team than last year, but last year was a fluke. They should've only won a max of 8 games last year. This year I expect they'll be about the same, especially since they didn't correct the two major flaws of last year: no go-to WR & no OL. The Bears will get 6 to 8 wins. No playoffs this season; especially with Detroit and Green Bay being as good as they are this year. Matt Forte has been lighting it up this year and plays like a man possessed; probably cause he's proving his point about wanting the Bears to SHOW HIM THE MONEY! As for the whole rest of it...Fire Angelo & Smith while hiring better football people to replace them and it all changes for the better!
Blackhawks: Here come the hawks, the mighty Blackhawks! I'll admit that last year at this time I was still having the Stanley Cup Hangover when I made my predictions; this year I'm much more in control of my rational thinking. The electric shock therapy of a half-ass season brought me back; thank you Dr. Shock-ula! The core group is still intact, a year more experienced, and the new additions look great on paper...have a feeling they'll look great on ice, too. Last season the Hawks lacked physical players hence their speed game was nil. This season they'll have plenty of "shove" to go with their "push". The signing of Dan Carcillo was a good move, along with bringing in another scoring threat in Andrew Brunette. Plus, the Kane at center experiment seems to be moving in the right direction. With Kane playing center you have scoring lines of Toews & Sharp, Kane & Hossa, & Bolland/Brunette. That's a good thing! I expect the Blackhawks to be much improved over last season.
Blackhawks Predictions - Blackhawks will finish in 1st or 2nd in the division. Kane will average a point per game again; this time going over 90 points. Hossa will score 30+ goals. Toews will score 80+ points again. Corey Crawford will show why he's the starting goalie. I expect the Hawks to make the Stanley Cup Finals this year, so long as they don't lose much time to injuries and everyone plays as well as they should.
Other predictions:
World Series: Brewers OVER Yankees (if neither reach then the Phillies win it)
Super Bowl: Lions OVER Bills (if neither reach then the Packers win it)
NBA: NOBODY WINS IN A LOCKOUT
Stanley Cup: Blackhawks win it all!
Calling a Spade a Club Doesn't Change The Card
I received a chain email today. At first I found it slightly comical...ya know, satirical. But after re-reading it and thinking about it, I found it racially offensive. In fact, the more I read it, the more angry I get by it's message. I don't believe the friend who forwarded it to me to feel that way; I think he found it funny the way most people find stereotype jokes funny amongst their own. I find that type of stuff funny all the time, but not when it's serious. Unfortunately, I know some people will take it seriously and forward it to share their view with others solidifying their kinship of race and socioeconomic class. Well, enough of my ranting; I want you, my readers, to tell me what you think in the comments section.
Here's the story:
President Obama condems the ant and blames President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the
Pope for the grasshopper's
plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry
King that the ant has
gotten rich off the back of thegrasshopper,and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts
the Economic Equity &
Anti-Ant Act (EEAAA!)retroactive to the beginning of
the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government GreenCzar
and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper
and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house,
crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken
over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and peaceful, neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses
bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Be careful how you vote in 2012.
I've sent this to you because I believe that you are an ant
�
not a grasshopper!
Make sure that you pass
this on to other ants.
Don't bother sending
it on to any grasshoppers
because they wouldn't
understand it, anyway
Here's the story:
MODERN VERSION OF THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the antis a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshoppercalls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving. CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN,and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshoppernext to a video of the antin his comfortable home with a table filled with food.America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopperis allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprahwith the grasshopperand everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not EasyBeing Green...' ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant'shouse where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We shall overcome. Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants. |
President Obama condems the ant and blames President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the
Pope for the grasshopper's
plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry
King that the ant has
gotten rich off the back of thegrasshopper,and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts
the Economic Equity &
Anti-Ant Act (EEAAA!)retroactive to the beginning of
the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government GreenCzar
and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper
and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house,
crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken
over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and peaceful, neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses
bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Be careful how you vote in 2012.
I've sent this to you because I believe that you are an ant
�
not a grasshopper!
Make sure that you pass
this on to other ants.
Don't bother sending
it on to any grasshoppers
because they wouldn't
understand it, anyway
Seems kinda funny at first, right? Humor me and do this test; substitute the word white man for ant, and the "n - word" for grasshopper and re-read the story. (You could also substitute any other racial epitaph for black people for the word grasshopper.)
Takes a more sinister tone doesn't it? Sounds more like what the
original author's point truly is to me. This story was obviously made to
appeal to the lowest common denominators of fear and racism.
"That's right folks, if you vote for Obama, then you're voting for 'those people' and all 'they' do is do drugs and not work while expecting us white folk to pay for them and if Obama gets his way it'll end our nation as we know it!"
What I do know is that a lot of people will disagree with me and say that "it's only a joke" or I'm "looking too far" into it. I don't feel it's just a joke, nor do I find anything about this this type of racial generalizing funny. The moral of my rant: Racism disguised as a cute children's proverb is still racism.
"That's right folks, if you vote for Obama, then you're voting for 'those people' and all 'they' do is do drugs and not work while expecting us white folk to pay for them and if Obama gets his way it'll end our nation as we know it!"
What I do know is that a lot of people will disagree with me and say that "it's only a joke" or I'm "looking too far" into it. I don't feel it's just a joke, nor do I find anything about this this type of racial generalizing funny. The moral of my rant: Racism disguised as a cute children's proverb is still racism.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Politics...my favorite!
The GOP had a presidential contender debate last night...it got me to thinking; when did they start doing this crap so early? 2012 is the year of the election and when the debates should be going on. Now they're starting it a full six months earlier than they used to; it's gotten to be like election season NEVER leaves. BTW, if the GOP arguing over who's going to lose to Obama in the next election six months earlier than usual doesn't show you how desperate the "old boys club" is to get one of their own back in the White House, nothing does.
Yes, I did just make a prediction: The President will win re-election.
I'm also making another prediction: The House of Representatives will become more evened out between Dems and Repubs. The majority of Tea Party elected officials will lose their re-elections. There won't be a huge majority on either side, and I don't have a problem with that.
The Senate numbers will stay about the same; a slight majority on the Dem side as has been the case since 2010.
Now back to the pretenders, I mean, debaters. Who've we got...
Gingrich: Why?
Paul: Delusional.
Bachmann: Seriously? This woman isn't qualified to lead anything.
Huntsman: Most logical of the group doesn't stand a chance with insane base.
Romney: Not gonna happen; especially with base.
Perry: Man who threatens to secede Texas from Union, and now he wants to be President?
One last thing, and I'm asking anyone that votes and/or sides with the GOP to give me a logical answer, why is the GOP so quick to protect the rich from having to pay more in taxes? I'll hang up and wait for your calls...
Yes, I did just make a prediction: The President will win re-election.
I'm also making another prediction: The House of Representatives will become more evened out between Dems and Repubs. The majority of Tea Party elected officials will lose their re-elections. There won't be a huge majority on either side, and I don't have a problem with that.
The Senate numbers will stay about the same; a slight majority on the Dem side as has been the case since 2010.
Now back to the pretenders, I mean, debaters. Who've we got...
Gingrich: Why?
Paul: Delusional.
Bachmann: Seriously? This woman isn't qualified to lead anything.
Huntsman: Most logical of the group doesn't stand a chance with insane base.
Romney: Not gonna happen; especially with base.
Perry: Man who threatens to secede Texas from Union, and now he wants to be President?
One last thing, and I'm asking anyone that votes and/or sides with the GOP to give me a logical answer, why is the GOP so quick to protect the rich from having to pay more in taxes? I'll hang up and wait for your calls...
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Mild Eruption
When did we lose our respect for others? I'm not talking respect for people in another part of the world, I'm talking people right here in our neighborhoods? It's like everybody has the Carlos Zambrano M.O.; ME FIRST - F*** THE REST. Absolutely perfect example of this happened to me this morning on my way to the Caribou Coffee in La Grange. I was driving Eastbound on Ogden Ave in La Grange, just East of Nazareth high school where the speed limit is 30mph, and I admittedly was driving 35mph which was with the flow of traffic. There was a car to my left who was doing approximately the same speed I was and was a half car length behind me. I looked in my rear-view mirror and there was a red SUV so close to me that her bumper looked like it was riding on top of my trunk. She kept getting closer then would back off a couple of feet before charging back on top of my car. I wasn't going too slow as evidenced by my keeping with the flow of traffic and that I was driving 5mph over the speed limit. I gave a tap-tap of the brake lights to warn the woman behind me to back off my car, cause if I hit the brakes she's going to destroy half my car, but this did nothing to deter her. I started slowing down as we approached the red light at LaGrange Rd., and she jumps into the lane next to me and gives me the finger! This was some (economically) upper-middle class white woman in a vehicle too large for any real purpose she could ever have, and she was my mother's age at least, though based on the leathery burnt bacon face she had she could've been quite older than my Mum, which means she should have learned manners at some point in life.
I don't understand the purpose of her tailgating me, and then being upset with me. Why was it of such importance to ride my a**? Did that enforce her feeling of superiority in her chariot of impotence? She didn't get anywhere any quicker cause the light was RED! Maybe she has a disgust for young guys in cool cars (like me) cause as a younger woman her sexual advances were spurned by the such probably because of the "I've smoked since birth and have had an IV of grain alcohol since 10 in order to procure this hideous mask of a face that is too scary for even a Wes Craven movie." Maybe she found out her husband was banging his secretary since he's not a fan of bacon? Then again, I could be searching for zebras. If it sounds like a horse, and smells like a horse, and looks like a horse, it's more than likely a horse. What that means is that she drove like a rude b****, acted like a rude b****, looked like a rude b****, probably smelled like one though I don't know what that particularly smells like...(maybe patchouli?), which means she's more than likely just a rude b****.
Mind you, she's just an example of a growing trend. More and more I see how people have little or no respect for others, particularly while in the protective comfort of their over-sized vehicles since there is little chance of having to actually face someone they've just insulted or demeaned. Why are people acting this way? I'm not going to say it was better in the past, cause the past always looks great from the future, but I don't remember this kind of rudeness being so rampant as little as 10 years ago. Chances are you've been treated rudely at least once today, maybe more? What do you think? Why do you think people find it easier to behave this way? Tell me your "r.b." story.
I don't understand the purpose of her tailgating me, and then being upset with me. Why was it of such importance to ride my a**? Did that enforce her feeling of superiority in her chariot of impotence? She didn't get anywhere any quicker cause the light was RED! Maybe she has a disgust for young guys in cool cars (like me) cause as a younger woman her sexual advances were spurned by the such probably because of the "I've smoked since birth and have had an IV of grain alcohol since 10 in order to procure this hideous mask of a face that is too scary for even a Wes Craven movie." Maybe she found out her husband was banging his secretary since he's not a fan of bacon? Then again, I could be searching for zebras. If it sounds like a horse, and smells like a horse, and looks like a horse, it's more than likely a horse. What that means is that she drove like a rude b****, acted like a rude b****, looked like a rude b****, probably smelled like one though I don't know what that particularly smells like...(maybe patchouli?), which means she's more than likely just a rude b****.
Mind you, she's just an example of a growing trend. More and more I see how people have little or no respect for others, particularly while in the protective comfort of their over-sized vehicles since there is little chance of having to actually face someone they've just insulted or demeaned. Why are people acting this way? I'm not going to say it was better in the past, cause the past always looks great from the future, but I don't remember this kind of rudeness being so rampant as little as 10 years ago. Chances are you've been treated rudely at least once today, maybe more? What do you think? Why do you think people find it easier to behave this way? Tell me your "r.b." story.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Amending Birth Certificates
The Chicago Tribune had an article yesterday regarding a lawsuit brought by a local transgender named Lauren Grey against the State of Illinois. She's suing to have her birth certificate amended to show her sex as a female though she was born male. Ms. Grey has had hormone therapy and operations, but has not had her "out-y" turned into an "in-y", so to say. The state requires that surgery in order to alter the sex on a birth certificate.
Anyone who knows me understands that I have no qualms with gays, lesbians, cross-dressing, gay/lesbain marriage, transgender operations, etc. I'm all for living your life how you want to live it in order to be happy. You only live once so no point in living unhappy. However, the issue of changing the gender on the birth certificate I don't agree with at this time. My primary reason is this: you can do a blood test on a transgender such as Lauren Grey, and it will come back as a female due to the hormones that are taken. But a DNA test will come back as a male. Now say a female transgender (formerly male) commits a crime where DNA evidence is used, and the the test on the evidence DNA comes back saying a male committed it, and they have no suspects; what now? This is an issue that more than likely will not be common, but that doesn't mean it should have the opportunity to happen. Unless there can be a resolve to this issue, I don't feel it should be supported.
Anyone who knows me understands that I have no qualms with gays, lesbians, cross-dressing, gay/lesbain marriage, transgender operations, etc. I'm all for living your life how you want to live it in order to be happy. You only live once so no point in living unhappy. However, the issue of changing the gender on the birth certificate I don't agree with at this time. My primary reason is this: you can do a blood test on a transgender such as Lauren Grey, and it will come back as a female due to the hormones that are taken. But a DNA test will come back as a male. Now say a female transgender (formerly male) commits a crime where DNA evidence is used, and the the test on the evidence DNA comes back saying a male committed it, and they have no suspects; what now? This is an issue that more than likely will not be common, but that doesn't mean it should have the opportunity to happen. Unless there can be a resolve to this issue, I don't feel it should be supported.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Volkswagen shows some advertising "Force"
Did you tune in to watch the Super Bowl yesterday? Were you watching the game or the commercials? Both? Well, I've heard everyone at Starbuck's today talking about the commercials; their favorite one or how this year's weren't as good as the last (Funny how that seems to be the argument every year!). A couple of them struck me as funny, and quite a few bored me, but my ultimate favorite was the Darth Vader/Volkswagen commercial. Here's the link to it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0
In case you didn't see it, it starts out with a kid dressed in his Darth Vader costume. The helmet is overly big on him which makes it that much better. The background music is The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes back (which is Wagnerian in style and was the "official" music of Nazi Germany where Volkswagen originated but that's a blog for another day). He's going around his house pointing his hands at all kinds of stuff trying to control them with "the Force".
The apex of the commercial comes as the dad parks in the drive-way; the kid runs out and stands in front of the car trying to "Force" the car as the dad walks by him and goes inside. Suddenly the car turns on and the boy is visibly shocked with a "did I do that?" body language emanating from him.
The next shot is of the dad and the mom in the kitchen by a window. The dad has the remote for the car in his hand, and turns to the wife with a smirk that smacks of "can you believe he just did that?"
Any one of us boys (end even some girls) that are of the Star Wars age can appreciate this commercial. After watching this commercial again on youtube, I've found it actually evokes emotion. It's touching, and it shows a side to family life that is everyday and real. This is one of the better commercials I've seen. It isn't just a funny 30 second clip...it actually stirs up feelings and is relatable to many people.
So here's your chance to tell me what your favorite commercial was; say which one and why in the comment section below.
In case you didn't see it, it starts out with a kid dressed in his Darth Vader costume. The helmet is overly big on him which makes it that much better. The background music is The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes back (which is Wagnerian in style and was the "official" music of Nazi Germany where Volkswagen originated but that's a blog for another day). He's going around his house pointing his hands at all kinds of stuff trying to control them with "the Force".
The apex of the commercial comes as the dad parks in the drive-way; the kid runs out and stands in front of the car trying to "Force" the car as the dad walks by him and goes inside. Suddenly the car turns on and the boy is visibly shocked with a "did I do that?" body language emanating from him.
The next shot is of the dad and the mom in the kitchen by a window. The dad has the remote for the car in his hand, and turns to the wife with a smirk that smacks of "can you believe he just did that?"
Any one of us boys (end even some girls) that are of the Star Wars age can appreciate this commercial. After watching this commercial again on youtube, I've found it actually evokes emotion. It's touching, and it shows a side to family life that is everyday and real. This is one of the better commercials I've seen. It isn't just a funny 30 second clip...it actually stirs up feelings and is relatable to many people.
So here's your chance to tell me what your favorite commercial was; say which one and why in the comment section below.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Bear Down! We've got a Bear Down!
Everyone is abuzz this morning about the Bears losing to Green Bay yesterday. Was this actually a surprise? Did you truly expect them to be Super Bowl bound with the fundamental issues they have? If anything, all this season did was empower the McCaskey's to keep the status quo regarding Angelo and Smith. "Look Virginia! This obviously proves that we're right there with the elite teams in the league."
Of course the most volume is coming from the fools who are cursing quarterback Jay Cutler, some even burning his jersey, under the guise of fan-dom. Well, like the saying goes, you can't fix stupid!
So, in the wake of the drubbing, here are some points that I feel will put this in perspective.
1. Jay Cutler is one of the thoughest competitors in the NFL. During the constant barrage of defenders pummeling him all season (57 sacks this seasons not including hits not resulting in sacks), I never heard or read of him making excuses, taking a play off, or complaining. His teammates respect him for that. He's played hurt throughout the season, and tried to continue playing in this game even though it was obviously affecting his play negatively.
2. I don't care if you're a current player or a fan; if you're questioning Cutler's toughness you're looking for the easiest scapegoat. Do you KNOW what is really going on in that locker room or trainer's room? How would you know ANYTHING? You were sitting on your couche for this game. Don't be ignorantly malicious just cause you don't like the guy or cause you're sitting at home during the play-offs. That's just pathetic.
3. To paraphrase Dennis Green, 'The Bears are who I thought they were.' They honestly had no business being in the playoffs this year. Every Bear fan that says how they had an awesome season and how awesome they were should find something better to do than sit around drinking their awesome shooters with their awesome friends and soaking up eachother's awesomeness. The Bears were mediocre this year. Case in point:
Of course the most volume is coming from the fools who are cursing quarterback Jay Cutler, some even burning his jersey, under the guise of fan-dom. Well, like the saying goes, you can't fix stupid!
So, in the wake of the drubbing, here are some points that I feel will put this in perspective.
1. Jay Cutler is one of the thoughest competitors in the NFL. During the constant barrage of defenders pummeling him all season (57 sacks this seasons not including hits not resulting in sacks), I never heard or read of him making excuses, taking a play off, or complaining. His teammates respect him for that. He's played hurt throughout the season, and tried to continue playing in this game even though it was obviously affecting his play negatively.
2. I don't care if you're a current player or a fan; if you're questioning Cutler's toughness you're looking for the easiest scapegoat. Do you KNOW what is really going on in that locker room or trainer's room? How would you know ANYTHING? You were sitting on your couche for this game. Don't be ignorantly malicious just cause you don't like the guy or cause you're sitting at home during the play-offs. That's just pathetic.
3. To paraphrase Dennis Green, 'The Bears are who I thought they were.' They honestly had no business being in the playoffs this year. Every Bear fan that says how they had an awesome season and how awesome they were should find something better to do than sit around drinking their awesome shooters with their awesome friends and soaking up eachother's awesomeness. The Bears were mediocre this year. Case in point:
- Who's brilliant idea was it to put the "ready for AARP" Todd Collins in? Was Red Grange not available? Todd Collins hasn't thrown a pass in what...a DECADE?!?!?
- The head coach couldn't make a good decision in a pressure situation, if he were handed an envelope with the decision in it. (See above point)
- The offensive line couldn't block traffic during rush hour on The Ike.
- The "Devin Hester as a primary receiver" experiment should be done. Now. Forever. (Hi Devin, you need to finish running the route ESPECIALLY if you're wide open)
- The Tampa 2 defense, so enamored by Angelo and Smith, has more holes than a bucket made of Swiss cheese. Hey coach, the middle of the field is WIDE OPEN! (BTW, the theory of letting the other team catch the ball and then collapsing to the ball carrier STILL RESULTS IN A CATCH & GIVES UP YARDS)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Arizona Law...aka the Wild West
The tragedy that unfolded over the weekend in Tucson, Arizona is an indictment of the angry rhetoric that has become the norm in this country. While two newspaper, opinion writers I respect have correctly written that the only person to blame is the shooter, I disagree that others are not accountable. When you have Vice Presidential candidates putting cross-hairs over the opposing party's candidate's faces and saying, "Don' retreat. Reload.", they have gone too far. When you have someone act on those types of comments, it is time for people to be held accountable. I fully understand and agree that the lone gunman is to blame for pulling the trigger and wiping out six lives, and putting 14 other ones in jeopardy. However, I do feel that those who prey on the easily influenced and weak-minded, such as the shooter is, should be held accountable as well.
Would he have still done what he did? Possibly. But is there a shadow of doubt that this boy, and more like him are being pandered to with the "Don't retreat. Reload" crowd? Are they not being told on a daily basis by the likes of Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh how they need to be angry because "their country and way of life" is being taken away by The President and his party? Are they not being shown that whomever disagrees with their opinion is the enemy, is wrong, and that there is no room for any kind of compromise? Recently there was a white supremacist who was tried and convicted here in Chicago of soliciting violence against a juror who was part of the jury that convicted Matthew Hale. He posted the juror's name, address, phone number and picture on a white supremacist site. His lawyer's argument of defense was that it fell under his 1st Amendment rights of free speech. The jury felt otherwise. His conviction was based on the knowledge that it would incite violence by others by giving them the information needed to find and harm the juror. By this rationale how are the talking heads I mentioned any different than him? They are giving these horrific and inhumane ideas credence by being in the national spotlight and giving the illusion that they are agreed with and backed.
So, the big question is: How many more incidents like this do we tolerate till we start holding the inciters accountable?
Would he have still done what he did? Possibly. But is there a shadow of doubt that this boy, and more like him are being pandered to with the "Don't retreat. Reload" crowd? Are they not being told on a daily basis by the likes of Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh how they need to be angry because "their country and way of life" is being taken away by The President and his party? Are they not being shown that whomever disagrees with their opinion is the enemy, is wrong, and that there is no room for any kind of compromise? Recently there was a white supremacist who was tried and convicted here in Chicago of soliciting violence against a juror who was part of the jury that convicted Matthew Hale. He posted the juror's name, address, phone number and picture on a white supremacist site. His lawyer's argument of defense was that it fell under his 1st Amendment rights of free speech. The jury felt otherwise. His conviction was based on the knowledge that it would incite violence by others by giving them the information needed to find and harm the juror. By this rationale how are the talking heads I mentioned any different than him? They are giving these horrific and inhumane ideas credence by being in the national spotlight and giving the illusion that they are agreed with and backed.
So, the big question is: How many more incidents like this do we tolerate till we start holding the inciters accountable?
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