Snark, my Sense of Humor, and American Politics

Dear Friends,
Those of you who know me at all know I have a tremendous and vast sense of humor. I find all sorts of things funny and look to find humor in every situation, usually successfully. Those of you who know me well know that from time to time my sense of humor can be snarky. Or sarcastic. Or downright dark. I try to keep those down to a minimum. I tend to keep that part of my sense of humor out of my professional life.

Side note: Those who know me socially are asking "That's a minimum?" My best answer is "Yes, now imagine what I self edit... Now imagine what I only share with my wife... " This is when we all nominate the wonderful Marie for sainthood.

The reason I haven't updated this blog recently is because I haven't had much to say, and the things that I thought I might share were best self edited. Readers who have experienced recent postings, especially the "Lies my father/mother told me" series, are wiping their brows in gladness. This is one of the few times the phrase "thank you for not sharing" is appropriate. It's not a proud moment, but still.

I will never lose my sense of humor. Nor will I lose every element of my sense of humor, but here's something very important-- I am sick of the level of snark I have seen in the past ten years. Let me make this very clear, if I've had it up to here with snark it's probably drowning mortals. What pushed me over the edge? The current debate on the Affordable Healthcare Act.

I find much of it disingenuous. Before President Obama was inaugurated Congressional Republicans publicly declared their goal over "the next four years is to make President Obama a one-term president." While the strategy didn't work that doesn't prevent its continuation.

But don't let Congressional Democrats off the hook. They're just as bad, nobody has cornered the market on "disingenuous." The party of my inclination is just as able to brew a tempest in a teapot. The reason I don't list any is that I have read so many Facebook posts and memes about how Democrats impede government sending America into poverty that I don't need to. If you disagree with my politics you have your own laundry list.

Important point! I don't hate the people who disagree with me! I need the people who disagree with me! People who challenge me and what I believe give me perspectives that challenge what I believe and make my beliefs stronger. You may make me either affirm or change what I believe, and either way it still makes me stronger, not weaker!

But the level of snark from both sides of the Congressional aisle don't challenge me. They now disgust me. As for me, on this day, I believe there's enough blame to go around. Again, enough blame to go around. As Shakespeare said, "a pox on both of your houses. Both of your houses!"

About fifteen years ago my father had an epiphany in Missouri state races. All of the men running for office, Democrats and Republicans both, were acting like idiot blowhards. The women on the other hand were measured and constructive. Today I look at Michelle Bachman and Hillary Clinton and wonder what happens once you reach a certain point. It's the Peter Principle of American Politics. I despair this once workable solution is now improbable.

If you want to accuse me of being snarky right now I want to plead "not guilty" but will probably settle for "no contest." I'm trying to express myself without going over the edge right now (and on a second reading too out things that were too close to the edge of snark for my comfort), but that is the tight rope I now choose to walk. That's the abyss I'm not going to throw myself into anymore, God help me.

So friends, please know that my sense of humor will remain sharp. My stories will still be funny. My puns will still be flowing like a river. And I seek to quit wasting my time and yours on snark, especially political snark. Now that's a load off my chest.

Love you all,
Paul

Government Cheese

"Government Cheese" written by Bob Walkenhorst and recorded by The Rainmakers.

This song was written in the early 1980's when one of the foods distributed to poor people was cheese, forever known as "Government Cheese." The song was an anthem to Reagan Conservatives and everyone else who though this was an absurd creation of the welfare state. The first verse goes like this:

Give a man a free house and he'll bust out the windows
Put his family on food stamps, now he's a big spender
no food on the table and the bills ain't paid
'Cause he spent it on cigarettes and P.G.A.
They'll turn us all into beggars 'cause they're easier to please
They're feeding our people that Government Cheese

As a liberal, it isn't my favorite in the catalog, but as someone with a lick of common sense I can't deny much of it. But there's also a final verse I want you to consider:

Give a man a free ticket on a dead end ride
And he'll climb in the back even though nobody's driving
Too goddamn lazy to crawl out of the wreck
And he'll rot there while he waits for the welfare check
Going to hell in a handbag, can't you see
I ain't gonna eat no Government Cheese

Here's my new point: Politicians, those who are nominally our leaders, are bought and sold by people who finance campaigns. Politicians need votes to get elected; getting elected takes money; money buys influence. Money buys influence.

Politicians have been given the ticket on the dead end ride of campaign finance and they aren't bothering to get out of the wreck because they keep getting their checks. This is why people in Washington don't change, they keep getting paid. In the end, the real difference between Republicans, Democrats, and Welfare Queens is the source of the check. What a bunch of hypocrites! Any way you slice it, they've all lined up to a teat and are feeding well while the rest of us are left to rot.

Good luck everyone. What we need is someone in government who will say, "I ain't gonna eat the corporate cheese." Until that happens, what we've seen for the last four weeks is going to be the beginning. I just pray it isn't the beginning of the end.

All or Nothing

Earlier today I was at a meeting of clergy. By the way, if you ever want to sit in a meeting with forty people who love the sound of their own voice, clergy meetings are the way to go.

During the time for prayer, one of the women in the group asked us to pray because the State of California was looking into getting "gay textbooks" into the schools. She said she saw it on "60 Minutes" last night and she knows that if we don't stem the tide now, it's just going to keep on going. (I didn't see the show, so I what I say is not based on the story, but on her reaction to it.)

The "Amen Corner" was in full voice. Now, cut to last month...

The meeting begins with a devotional. The June meeting featured a piece originally published in an Baptist (sorry, don't know which branch) magazine on death and dying by Henri Nouwen. It was a lovely piece that she read and from what she read the article was well done.

Now my questions:

Did she know Henri Nouwen was gay?

If you have any question that the answer to this question is "yes" then read the Nouwen biography "Wounded Prophet" by Michael Ford.

Here's my point: To hold up the spirituality of a gay man in one breath and condemn gayness in text books because "it's going to infect us all" displays hypocrisy or ignorance. I don't know which is which, I just know neither is good.

Here's the next point: Nobody should throw labels around without knowing where they land.

Here's my last point: I know this is true because I have an open account at the plate glass company to replace the walls in my own house. I have violated these rules, so believe me when I tell you I am sensitive about this.

Ignorance is a lack of information, so friends GET INFORMED before throwing out holier-than-thou statements. It's all or nothing people, you can't cast judgment against one without casting the same an all. So beware, you never know where it's going to fall next.

Paul reviews "Paul"

The UK Release Poster

Marie and I say "Paul" last night at the local cineplex and absolutely loved it. She could not stop laughing and neither could I. The movie contained some of the best sight gags I've ever seen. But honestly, there are some things about the movie you might not like.

1. If you don't like gay innuendo jokes, steer away.
2. If you don't like or get nerd humor, steer away.
3. If you are a fundamentalist Christian and really hate it when people make fun of you and your faith, don't even steer into the parking lot.

Honestly, this is going to be the focus of my review because it's a review of me. I really hated the way the writers, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost who also starred in the movie, dealt with fundamental Christians as people who are ignorant and simple. They treated the fundamentalist characters as less than human because they eschewed sophistication for faith in something greater who is the Creator (as they see the creator of course).

Frankly, I wasn't fond of this portrayal because I share enough of these prejudices that it makes me uncomfortable.

Now the movie was hilarious, I laughed out loud several times.  It's a great "fish out of water" movie.  It's a great "sure, we're nerds, but we are who we are" movie.  It's a great road trip movie.  It's a great buddy movie.  The love story, not so much but oh well, love stories in comedies that aren't romantic comedies always fall short. (So do the recent crop of romantic comedies, but that's another matter.) There's a sight gag at the end of the movie that's worth the price of admission.

But I can't get past the whole fundamentalist thing.  If you think you're smarter than a fundamentalist Christian and you think that makes you better than any fundamentalist Christian, well, then this won't bother you.  Honestly, I have to admit as I point this finger out, three others point back at me, and I'm paying attention.

I say let it bother you.  Reflect on what this type of joke says about us and how we look at humor.  We don't laugh at black-face any more.  We don't laugh at stoner humor (much) any more. Why do we make fun of people like that and when can we stop.

I recommend this movie, and so does Marie.  Just keep in mind, gay nerd fundamentalist Christians will want to spend money on another movie.

Sarah Palin and Blood Libel

I would like to thank Governor Palin for this much, if I am any indication I would like to thank her for teaching an entire generation the term "blood libel."

Here's a video of the Governor's statement, this version is from Governor Palin's facebook page and hosted at vimeo.com:

Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

If you are like me, you went to Wikipedia and read this, "Blood libel (also blood accusation) refers to a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, in European contexts almost always Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays." Thanks WikiWorld!

There are lots of thing to be said about this, but in my opinion none have said them better than Ruth Abrams in her blog The Versatile Writer. She writes:

Sarah Palin is not a member of a persecuted, segregated minority. Though she has resigned her legitimately elected office, she’s a political leader who is being accused of overblown, violent rhetoric. Of that I think she’s actually guilty. I’ve read the things she said and seen her little gun sight map. I don’t think her rhetoric is the key issue underlying the Tuscon shooting–it’s not even in the top three key issues, which are gun control, the lack of adequate mental health care and the stigma attached to seeking mental health care. [BTW, I don't agree with her stance on gun control as an issue in this matter, but I do agree with her stance on the state of mental health issues in America. -PAA]

But look, Sarah Palin, if someone shoots one of your political opponents and thousands of people turn to look at your gun-related metaphors for how to vote her out of office, it’s not “blood libel.” It’s people saying your wild west, violent, anti-intellectual style is as dangerous as your reactionary political substance. It may be opportunistic, but I’m glad they are. Now cut the cultural appropriation and pull up your socks–take some responsibility for what you say.

In her video response, Governor Palin says "each individual is accountable for his actions" saying this is not the time to blame talk radio or other such media for the actions of deranged individuals. What the Governor fails to take into account is that you should blame the person who yells "fire" in a crowded movie house as well as the person who starts the stampede. Media have been screaming "fire" for years and are now in shock when somebody fires.

She also mentions late in the piece that the cry from some politicians to "take up arms" is a metaphor for voting. I guess this means the 2nd Amendment's right to keep and bear arms is a rephrasing of voting rights. I'm glad we got that out of the way.

Finally, at about the 2:15 mark,in a place where Governor Palin extols the benefits of political rhetoric, she mentioned "maps of swing districts that were used by both sides of the aisle." Yes, both sides of the aisle. I'll take her at her word on this, but then ask the question every parents asks every teenager, "Would you jump off a cliff if everyone used sniper sight imagery in their civil political rhetoric?"

I pray somebody begins to say no and demands better from those who will govern us. We must demand more of those who we elect to office. In fact, let's quit electing politicians and start electing leaders.

Wuss!

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Wendell has declared us a nation of "Wusses" because the NFL didn't play a game in a blizzard. Well, here's what I have to say about that.

First, if you want to get style points on FoxNews by name calling then pick another city. Philly fans once booed Santa Claus for getting hurt in a parachute stunt. Then Philly fans once booed a guy who fell from the upper deck because he didn't get hurt. Wusses?

Second, if you're paying the contracts of the guys who could get hurt in all of this you might be happy the league (not the team or the city but the league) called off the game.

Third, if you are injured and emergency vehicles are focusing on maintaining Lincoln Financial Field instead of your street you might be glad the game was called.

Forth, if you're a beer vendor you're probably glad you didn't have to navigate snowy steps carrying case after case of bottles for two hours.

Finally Mr. Governor, get out of your limo, ditch your security detail, and tell the good people of the city you once served as mayor that they've become wussified. I'll watch that on pay-per-view.

On another weather related wuss note, an ESPN Radio talking head this morning said that "This wouldn't have happened in Colorado where he lived." He didn't mention that snow doesn't stay on the ground in eastern Colorado. Denver, the front range, the high plains, they can all get snow, but then the winds blow and it's all gone in a day or two. Don't play the "Winter in Denver" card until you compare it to a Philly blizzard.

As for me, I grew up in Kansas City where when winter locked in it locked in. Winds from Alberta made the air temps zero and the wind chills horrible. When it snowed, it stayed on the ground for a couple of months. Oh, that was after the glaze of ice that fell first.

Then I moved to the high plains. Yes it's cold, and yes it's windy (dear GOD is it windy), but while I remember Trick or Treating being snowed out on Halloween three months later I was on the golf course on Ground Hog Day. Wuss this five iron.

Presumption Comes In All Shapes

Yesterday I was listening to KRLD Radio 1080 coming into Dallas. One of the stories they were playing was about a father who was a Boy Scouts of America local volunteer. (Sorry, unable to find the link as I was writing this.) His son was in a local troop and the man was the chair of the popcorn fundraiser.

He had done such a good job that he was awarded a leader's shirt. Not too shabby for a divorced father staying connected in his son's life. He should be acknowledged for taking an active role in his son's life and as a scout leader.

Now the man has been asked to stop wearing his leader's shirt. Sure, he can still raise the money, please raise the money, but he can't wear the shirt.

He was asked not to wear the shirt because he is gay. Oh, and this was not news to anyone when he ran the fundraiser or got the shirt. His sexuality was not an issue when this began, but it is now.

The story goes on with the man objecting to the Boy Scouts discriminating against him, particularly since the troop meets in a local public school "funded by my tax dollars." He goes on to say that the courts have ruled that Scouts can discriminate against gays in and maintain a presence in the public schools. Then he did say he just may sue them.

This bugs me: He's a father, he's involved with his son, he raises money, he's a model of involved parent (so I would assume from what I heard on the radio). Now he can't wear the shirt the troop bestowed upon him because he's gay. That's not right.

But here's what really bugs me: The interview ended with him saying that such discrimination does not belong in public schools. If you are going to discriminate it should be done in the churches "where it belongs."

I got the quote right, he said discrimination, particularly the discrimination he faces, belongs in the church.

Here's what I want to say to the man: "Yes, there are churches that don't welcome gays and there are churches that do. But in lumping all people of faith together in one homophobic lump, you have just committed a sin of discrimination against people of faith. You say discrimination against you is wrong, and I agree. But you have just made the same judgement against me that the troop made against you.

Beware of glass houses... I have found they get drafty when you throw too many stones.

Once More, This Time with Feeling...

I may have told this story before in this blog. I have had it on MySpace, and I know you can find it on Time Loves a Hero, but I want to share it again.

Long ago, I worked in a program to first generation help and poverty-stricken college students get a college education. It was a federally funded TRIO program, part of President Johnson's War on Poverty.

This story was told to a workshop at an ASPIRE meeting by Dr. Paul Thayer, then Director of TRIO Programs (The Center for Educational Access and Outreach) and Talent Search at Colorado State University. Dr. Thayer is now the Executive Director of Center for Advising and Student Achievement.

Every year, programs take TRIO students to DC to meet local congressmen. It helps give students a look at government and the government a look at the poor.

In the 80's, when the Democrats held the Congress and the Republicans held the White House, TRIO people heard the same rhetoric every trip up Capital Hill.

The Democrats would tell the visiting students how important their work was and how important it was that TRIO Programs be fully funded. “There should be more programs and the current programs should have more funding.”

The Republicans would always say that they had their own funding priorities, and while TRIO Programs were important, they weren't on top of the list.

This ended in 1992 when Governor Bill Clinton was elected President.

The TRIO people returned to Capitol Hill with all of the markers they had received over the years and this is what they heard:

The Democrats told them that they had their own funding priorities, and while TRIO Programs were important, they weren't on top of the list.

The Republicans told them how important their work was and how important it was that TRIO Programs be fully funded. “There should be more programs and the current programs should have better funding.”

The day I heard this story was the day I decided that there weren't too many Republicans in DC and there weren't too many Democrats.

This was the day I decided there are too many politicians.

From Where the Grass Is Greener

The Today show just reported that many Republican and conservative Democratic members of Congress are skeptical about the President's health care reform package.

Gee, if I had their insurance I could afford to be skeptical too.

Blogging off of the top of my head

Dear Readers,
This is an open letter responding to an email I received and a news story posted in The Carroll County News and on ky3.com. The long and the short of it, as I noted in an earlier blog post, Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney enjoys a good drink and a little toke of the ganja and was found with both behind he wheel of his truck twice inside of twelve months.

Let's start here: Bad, very bad behavior. Impaired driving--whether you're drinking, toking, texting, doing a crossword puzzle, or whatever impairs your behavior behind the wheel--is very bad behavior and in some instances criminal. These behaviors have cause death and destruction in many lives and horror in every American community. Families have been ripped apart. People walk wounded both physically and emotionally and psychologically. Choosing to drive without focusing your full and undivided attention to the task at hand is dangerous and irresponsible.

If it is time to ask if I have ever driven while impaired, let me remind you I used to manage a bar. Yes, I have. When I was in my teens, drinking and driving was a hobby, not a felony. Thank God I have personally and as a society most of us have gotten over that.

What's the difference between the mayor and me? I haven't driven while impaired by alcohol in about fifteen years or so. By other impediments, twenty-five plus. When you consider the mayor is nine years older than I am, the difference between us is twenty-five to thirty-five years.

I have learned a lesson that Mayor McKinney might have learned finally on March 18, 2009 in Johnson, Arkansas. I hope he did.

I have come not to praise Mayor McKinney--nor have I come to bury him. He has made his mistakes and he will continue to pay for them. One of the prices he pays is thirty-nine days in county. Another which may be more embarrassing is one of wagging tongues and blogging hands, my hands included.

Yesterday, I got an email from an acquaintance about the Carroll County News article and his fury over the paper's response. The email I got was originally addressed to his pastor, but he sent it to me too with the salutation: CC for your information........act accordingly.

He writes (yes, the contents of the letter were written in a bold italic font):
What about character, responsibility, accountability, fairness, the example an elected leader is displaying to the youth of the community? Not one single Pastor has opened his pie hole.....to condemn this type activities.........silence signifies acceptance of this type conduct.......no wonder less than 10% of our people attend church.......the McKinneys are winning them over to the drugs, alcohol, gambling, loaded weapons, etc. type activity!!!!

He continues:
[My wife] talked today about writing an editorial about McKinney. She read the newpaper and couldn't believe that right in the middle of the story about his arrests Anna Matthews talked about all of his accomplishments for the city. [My wife] said that his accomplishments are outweighed by the negative example and influence that he is having on our students. She said that it is a shame that the person whose picture is on the wall of one of the new buildings also has his picture in the paper for drug and alcohol abuse. Her quote, "What message are we sending?" I told her that she shouldn't write an editorial because there would be repercussions toward her. Resentment and Retalitation run strong in Carroll County in general and Berryville in Particular.

From here, he complains about things that are wrong (his opinion that I imagine is shared by many others) with the Berryville School District. Among the things he talks about is an emphasis on athletics which he believes to be excessive and a salary structure that does not reward the work of support staff.

I have several problems with this message:
First--Why send this to me? He sent this letter to his pastor writing at the end "Think of you a lot.....come by sometime or call me.....I still think you are my pastor, am I wrong?" Private correspondence looses something when it becomes widely distributed.

Second issue--Even in indignation, if your argument is with education and the education system, using the phrases "in a academic distress state" and "money is throwed" hardly benefits your point.

Third--Straw man issues and slippery slope arguments do nothing to help this either. Yes, drugs, alcohol, gambling, and loaded weapons are all community issues, but to blame them on one man is neither valid nor helpful.

Finally--I appreciate you inviting your pastor (and me after sending me a copy of this letter) to get into the fray so that you and your wife can be safe and secure in your cocoon. It's nice for you to warn us that "Resentment and Retalitation run strong in Carroll County in general and Berryville in Particular" and then run to the shadows of your email allowing your pastor to take the brunt of a community's "resentment and retaliation."

Jesus called us to be his disciples in the world. The great commission teaches us to "go and make disciples." He knew it would be dangerous, shoot, he was crucified and risen before he gave the great commission. But know this, Jesus never said, "Here's what I want you to do, it's going to be dangerous, still I want you to get out and do it. In the meantime I will be here staying here at home with the wife. I will check up on you though and if you don't make enough noise I will zip off another email. Remember--I pay you to do the heavy lifting now get out there and do it."

The message tells me to ........act accordingly. Now gentle reader, I invite you to judge whether I am acting accordingly. That's what the "comment box" is for.

May the peace of God be with us all,
Paul

John and Kate Plus Manny Ramirez

Here's the J&K update: Evidently they have been separated for two years. It's not that either one was cheating on the other, they were cheating on the viewing public. This is particularly true of the Season 4 finale where they renewed their vows in Hawaii.

By this time, they were separated for one year and I would guess had no intention of reconciling. They were separated, but the vow thing in Hawaii made great TV--and that was the intent--great TV.

Shame on J&K for perpetrating this fraud. Shame on the advertisers for supporting this misrepresentation. Shame on TLC for being a willing accomplices for ratings and cash. Shame on everyone who watched it. Shame on me for milking this thing for my own purposes, whatever they are.

Where does Manny fit into this? Forty six days ago, Manny was suspended for violating Baseball's ban on "performance enhancing drugs" for the standard first violation length of 50 games. Last night ManRam returned to the minor leagues for a "rehab stint." This is allowed by Major League Baseball, by working with and playing for the Albuquerque Isotopes Manny violated no rules.

BUT here's the rub, by the time he gets back with the Dodgers the hope is he will be able to pick up where he left off, and the 'Topes will pick up some decent scratch from having Manny in the line up, even if it is for just three games. Nice suspension baseball. Keep him away...until it can make somebody extra cash.

That's the deal with John and Kate Plus Manny Ramirez, it's all about the money.

Feeling Uneasy in my Mid-40's

All right, I didn't see this until the CMT Music Awards youtube feed on some cable news website last week. This upload is five months old, so this is nothing new to those of you who watch CMT's Crossroads program. But this is my first look, so let me rant and reminisce.

I remember when "Pour Some Sugar on Me" came out 20-some years ago. The stories of Def Leppard's debauchery were legendary. These guys put on a show on the stage and under the stage there was an entirely different version of the show...if you know what I mean.

So now, 20 years later, a girl who could have been conceived to this tune sings it on stage with the band. According to the article I read, her parents were DL fans and she was born in December 1989, so my conception suspicion may not be so far fetched.

The devil and angel on my shoulders are screaming, "Oh what these boys would have done to a tiny 19-year old in a mini dress and boots back in the day" countered with the grain that screams "Oh my God, I could have a daughter her age now, I would never let my little girl come to a Def Leppard show, and she's on stage with them."

I think every 18 year old boy knows half of what I mean and every 40 year old man knows exactly what I mean.

Damn, I'm just getting older and I'm not that old. Again I say, we mock what we are to become.

Nekked People

Carrie Prejean, reigning Miss California, Miss America Runner Up, and opponent to gay marriage went on the Today Show last week. Matt Lauer asked her if there were any other nude or semi-nude photos of her floating around out there. She said that there may well be if some photographer took pics of her without her knowledge or permission.

I really hope that some Vanessa Williams circa 1981 style shots appear, published with accompanying model release documentation. I know it's better to kill with kindness, but holier than thou just bothers me.

Signs of Truth

You may have received these images before of a Catholic and Cumberland Presbyterian church arguing whether "All Dogs Go to Heaven." I have gotten it three times from three different folks, and it never ceases to amuse me.

Honestly, I think it's hilarious!

There's one thing though...it's not real. For details, check out this urban legend website.

These signs were created by someone using the Church Sign Generator. Honestly though, knowing this was not a conversation held between two competing churches in the real world does not make a difference to me.

People often complain that churches fight over the dumbest things when the Body of Christ should focus on issues of poverty, justice, and service to the Lord. People say that churches should stop navel-gazing into the occupants of heaven and instead seek the Lord and live as resdients of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

The people who say Christians are hypocrites have a hay-day with stuff like this.

Let's all laugh at this, because it's funny. But only when we live our lives so that the Lord thinks this is funny-instead of being all so true-will the last laugh not be on us.

T.O.- Give Him Credit, not a Hard Time

Terrell Owens, the football player commonly known as T.O., is not going to Buffalo for voluntary workouts. (Follow this link for details.) Folks everywhere are complaining that he it's "Just T.O. being T.O" "T.O. not being a team player." Well, I'm comfortable on the T.O. Bashing Bandwagon, but just a minute here. There's a detail in the story that has been underemphasized:

Owens, who was in Washington on Wednesday night to receive an award from the Alzheimer's Association, said he has reached out to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and that he's anxious to build a good relationship. "We talked shortly after I signed and we exchanged text messages," Owens said. "We're looking forward to the upcoming season."

and later in the same article from ESPN.com

The Alzheimer's Association honored Owens for raising awareness about the fight against the disease, which affects his grandmother, Alice Black, who raised him. On Wednesday, Owens credited his grandmother for the way he plays the game.

"My grandmother has been very, very instrumental in where I am as a person and my determination on the football field," Owens said.

People get on Mr. Owens (yeah, for once I will call him "Mister") for being selfish and a distraction, and this is often true. But this time he should be recognized for his charity work, not his fiery persona. If one of the NFL's golden boys had missed voluntary workouts for a charity function, nothing would be made of it. It's a shame Mr. Owens can't get the credit he deserves when he deserves it.

What, Me Worry?

Watching the President's address tonight, I was struck by one thing about the Governor of Louisiana who provided the Republican response. The press photo NBC used to promote his response made the governor look like Alfred E. Newman.

I don't know which is worse, the GOP releasing the picture or NBC using it.

I will say this, in a 50 minute speech there seemed to be only limited Republican bashing. There was some in the beginning, and there seemed to be some at the end, but considering the last 28 years of rhetoric, that's not so much.

The Republican response seemed a bit more dense on the bashing, but then again, what took Obama the better part of an hour Jindal had 15 minutes to accomplish.

One thing did bother me about the Republican response, the most common note in the response was "Government--Bad." When did government stop being of, by, and for the people? The way Republicans describe government it is as if there is a "royal family" somewhere taxing the serfs so the aristocracy can live like kings on the fat of the common people.

Funny, from where I sit with too many medical bills, earning Presbytery minimum wage, driving a 10 year old car without heat, AC, or a working blower fan; I refuse to get in a bunch about what Obama has done in 37 days.

Let's get back to "are you doing better than you were eight years ago?" Check your 401(k), check your IRA, check your home's equity value and get back to me.

Welcome Back John Stewart!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Ordinary Pupils

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

A hearty welcome back to John Stewart and The Daily Show as they return from their Holiday Break. I still find it refreshing that The Daily Show crew is willing to take on anyone with their tongue firmly in their cheek.

If you think they pick on just FoxNews, check out how they skewer MSNBC.

On Being Somewhat Snobish

I'm embarassed. I can be something of a snob sometimes. For example, I love good beer. My personal favorite is Aass Pilsner from Norway. I haven't had a bottle in years, still I fondly remember it. I have recently taken to Shiner Bock after living in Texas for three years. The offshoot- I get a little snobby over a Bud. I like Miller Lite, I was weened on Miller Lite, I will still order Miller Lite, but I'd rather have an Aass or maybe even a Chimay when looking at the ales.

I came by this after working in bars that specialized in imported beers for over four years. I had to know the product so I could talk about it and recommend one when asked. So I have opinions and was paid to give them. Still, I could become snobbish when need be.

I also get a little elitist in entertainment. I get distracted when works get derivitave over three generations. Example: The Producers. Who cared about the musical movie? It almost sort of came from the Broadway show. But of course, who remembers the original movie? Gene Wilder! Zero Mostel! Peter Boyle! This is great stuff and just got dilluted. It makes "Young Frankenstien The Musical" seem five times removed from the original. Yuck.

Of course, Marie made me watch Momma Mia! the other night, and I enjoyed it. How derivative can that get! A movie based on a Broadway show based on 22 ABBA songs! That should be right in my snob wheelhouse, but I did enjoy it. It was like cotton candy and that's not everyone's taste, but so be it. I couldn't eat it everyday, but I enjoyed the fluff.

Ah, personal hypocracy exposed. But I want some credit for blowing the whistle on myself.

American Politics... or The Same Thing Only Different

Last night Gov. Sarah Palin was on the Greta Van Susteren show talking about the election, the post-election and the media. The Govenor complained, and rightly so, that her campaign was marred by comments and questions that had nothing to do with her candidacy, but were focused on her gender.

When this was being said, the first thing that came to my mind is that US Represenative Geraldine Ferraro said the same things 24 years ago when she was the Democratic candidate for the Vice Presidency.

On the other side of the coin, President-Elect Barack Obama ran his campaign on private money because he got all the private money he needed and more. Since his war chest was as big as a whale he did not have to take Federal Election Commission funds and be bound by the restrictions that entails. The Republicans objected to this, especially since 1) he agreed to take the federalmoney with the strings attached and 2) Senator McCain and the Republicans had to take the public money with its restrictions.

The first thing that came to my mind with this is that this is the same objection Democrats have made against Republicans since I can remember. The Democratic party candidate has never had as much money as the Republican...until this year.

Can we all agree not to use either of these arguments ever again since both parties have used them against the other; and due to the inherent hypocracy that makes them no longer credible?

Oh, we can't? Sorry, I'll blog about football on Saturday.

Politics or Politicians

Once, long ago...I used to work in a TRIO program called Student Support Services. If you don't know what that is, no problem. In a nutshell, TRIO programs help current and future poor and first generation college students get a college education. It is a federally funded program, a part of Johnson's War on Poverty. Student Support Services works with college students to increase retention and graduation rates.

Every year, people go to DC to meet local congressmen with TRIO students. It helps give students a look at government and the government a look at the poor.

In the 80's, when the Democrats held the Congress and the Republicans held the White House, they heard the same rhetoric every trip to capital hill:

The Democrats would tell the visiting students how important their work was and how important it is to fully fund TRIO Programs. There should be more programs and the current programs should have better funding.

The Republicans would always say that they had their funding priorities, and while TRIO Programs were important, they weren't on top of the list.

This ended in 1992 when Clinton was elected President.

The TRIO people returned to Capitol Hill with all of the markers they have been given over the years and this is what they heard:

The Democrats told them that they had their funding priorities, and while TRIO Programs were important, they weren't on top of the list.

The Republicans told them how important their work was and how important it is to fully fund TRIO Programs. There should be more programs and the current programs should have better funding.

The day I heard this story was the day I decided that there weren't too many Republicans in DC and there weren't too many Democrats.

This was the day I decided there are too many politicians. Be sure to vote next month!