More Political Whoops

I do love The Daily Show on Comedy Central, this from Thursday October 23rd.



You got to admire the equal opportunity offender.

Don't tell me you didn't see this coming...

News outlets (including Time Magazine) are reporting that large companies hurt in the recent economic downturn have come to the government teat for some of that sweet, sweet milk.

Duh.

Let me recommend a movie...

If you have never seen the Johnny Knoxville movie "The Ringer" I recommend it. It is a very sweet movie about a man who tries to fix the Special Olympics. By the way, if this premise doesn't offend you, I haven't explained it well enough. It is about a man who tries to fix the Special Olympics.

Don't worry , it's really a sweet movie and was made in full cooperation with Texas Special Olympics. The DVD extras really bring out this partnership; and the bloopers are outrageous!

It was shot in Austin and San Marcos, Texas and in one scene, the lead character played by Knoxville goes to make confession. The exterior of the church where Knoxville makes his confession is actually the chapel at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where I went to seminary.

What I loved about this scene is knowing that I preached in that chapel three times. If you want to see what it looks like, follow this link.

As heard on the Jim Rome radio program...

Times like this I am glad I live in America. This news comes form the Belfast Telegraph, written by Gary Fennelly.

A Swedish ice hockey game has been delayed several times after the ice became littered with sex toys.

Fans of the AIK hockey team in Stockholm brought items to the arena on Tuesday for a game against the visiting Leksand.

The start of match was delayed to allow staff to clear the ice of inappropriate items.
Fans held up profane banners and a giant inflatable penis in an attempt to unsettle Leksand defender Jan Huokko.

Earlier this year explicit video of Huokko (34) and his girlfriend having sex made it to the Internet after his mobile phone was stolen.

Two things are important to remember here:

1. While videos of personal sex-capades should always be personal, there is something to be said about them not being made in the first place, and
2. I'm glad to be an American where (usually) the strangest thing thrown on the ice is an octopus, and that only in Detroit.

Ick! You can decide for yourself which is ickier. As for me, I pick the former over the latter.

Sad Political Marketing

Let me begin saying, yes, I am a registered Democrat. So let me say as an "insider" to those "on the inside" bad marketing is just plain sad. Barack Obama's political organization is called:

OBAMA FOR AMERICA

You'll find this tag at the bottom of his webpage and I am sure on other literature. Unfortunately, this reminds me a little too much of:

BARTLET

FOR

AMERICA

I enjoyed "The West Wing." Bravo just repeated the episode where Matt Santos won the Democratic nomination after giving his "vote for the candidate who shares your values" speech. (Regardless of the candidates you support, this is very good advice.)

Still, I don't think a candidate's slogan/organization name should be so close to a TV show that it needs a footnote.

If this is how I see it, imagine how Republican Wonks see it. Of course, Obama has used this for months and months and Bill O'Reilly hasn't seemed to pick it up. Am I the only one who sees this stuff?

Perspective Means Everything

On November 18th, AC/DC released their first recording in eight years, "Black Ice." On November 23rd, Guns N' Roses will release their first recording in fifteen years (this is so long ago that their last albut was really an album, vinyl and everything!), Chinese Democracy.

When I was a teen, I was amazed that my parents would make a big deal about some old tyme band or singer putting out "new" music. "Ooooooooooh, Sinatra's still alive?" I would wax sarcastically.

I'm only going to say this once, in the words of Mel Brooks, we mock what we are to become.

Working Conditions in the NFL?

Kellen Winslow II plays tight end for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. I am not a big fan of Mr. Winslow. While in college he called playing football "war" as real soldiers were fighting and dying in Iraq. Then he almost killed himself in a motorcycle accident three years ago. I think he often writes checks with his mouth his talent can't cash.

Having said this, today, I agree with and stand behind Mr. Winslow. Really, no kidding.

Mr. Winslow has had two staph infections in last three years. There have been six instances of staph in the last three years at the Cleveland Browns training facility . (Click here to read a report from ESPN.com.) Because he complained about being sickened in a place where he was supposed to be healing, he has been suspended for the next Brown's game; being docked $235,294, one game's pay.

This is outrageous. Where personal health in the workplace is concerned, I say he should have every right to complain--and complain out loud.

Hey Cleveland Browns, Upton Sinclair called and he thinks conditions are deplorable.