I Never Knew It Was So Saucy...

Just what I needed when feeling a bit down, 9 minutes of laughter...

Dammit The World Still Sucks

So, I was a little bummed out when something came up and I had to work over most of Thanksgiving weekend...and then I watched the news, and, as usual, realized that (although I still retain the right to complain) that's really not worth getting worked up about when there's still so much agony in the rest of the world.

So even though I have to work when I'd usually be kickin' back, I'm thankful for living in relative peace, for having good friends, hell, for even having a job right now. I'm trying to send some Good Karma across the globe today, how about giving me a hand!

____________________________



___________________________



____________________________

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I am uncertain how much posting I'll do over the next few days. Actually, I've been cutting down a bit since the election to kinda regroup anyway--Bruiser is going through some major election withdrawal. But, never fear, there's always going to be more stupidity to rant about, even as we approach 2009...

In any event, if you stopped by in the meantime, have a great Thanksgiving everybody!!! And, if you are stopping by from a foreign land, well, just have a great weekend!

Derek Rose is the Real Deal...

That 1.7 percent chance of getting the number one pick paid off. Now, if there were 5 or 6 other actual players on this team...

Obama's Flux Capacitor

There's some criticism coming down--perhaps a bit of hyperbole, but with a grain of truth--that President Elect-Obama's "Change Express" is a little bit off the tracks. After all, he campaigned expressly on hopes of a new manner of government...but a vast majority of his first appointments to staff and cabinet level positions, including, but not limited to, Rahm Emanuel, Eric Holder, Bill Richardson, Lawrence Summers and certainly, the Hillster, are all persons with great ties to the Clinton Administration. Is this really "Change" or a return to the policies of the 90s? And, if so, is that even a bad thing?

Putting aside the predilection to fail to keep it in his pants, the Clinton era did leave office with a balanced budget, a budget surplus, a regime change in Kosovo that DIDN'T leave us in a 10 year boondoggle...there were significant accomplishments that the current occupant can't point too. (In fact, I'd like to see him point to one that didn't turn out to be a joke--other than the accomplished way he oversaw election stealing.)

It's also understandable that an incoming Democratic Administration would look towards experienced people in a time of economic crisis and world turmoil--and that the Democrats of this era with that kind of experience probably worked for Good Old Bill at some point.

Still, I would like to see a few more new faces. It's hard to make the case for a new kind of government when you are falling back on an administration that began 16 years ago now. It's tempting, and easier, to go after experience...but as you said during the campaign, time and time again, it's more about judgement. Maybe some new blood, with some different ways at looking at problems are in order.

For the second time this November...

Gov. Palin stands next to a turkey being slaughtered...

Many Props....

Sometimes you think the World is generally made up of self-interested sons of *$(#*$()#*()#, and then you are minding your own business reading a magazine and you see a story like this, a short one, in Men's Health no less....

Two doctors (oddly enough, Twins) who donated their time, their money, and potentially their lives to operate on kids in a war zone...

"The Healers

Occupations: Cardiothoracic surgeon; urologic transplant surgeon

How they make a difference: Operating on kids in war zones

Picture an identical-twin pair of 6'2" African American surgeons with stethoscopes draped around their necks trudging through a poppy field in Afghanistan, seeking to heal victims of disease, land mines, and the crossfire of guerrilla war. Any Hollywood screenwriter would reject the scene as implausible."

Read the rest and start working on your screenplay, here.

Also Not Good.

"Breaking News: At the final bell, the Dow drops below 8,000 for the first time since 2003"

So, can we get that economic stimulus package sometime soon?

Anyone...Anyone....

Bruiser does not have a lot of his assets tied up in the market, but ye olde 401K looks worse every time I stupidly forget and open a statement. That's that screaming sound you hear once a month, followed by substantial weeping.

Peeps who are ready to retire and were planning on those funds for substantial income--I just don't see how they could make that money back. Even if the market is cyclical, at some point, you have to pull out, right? (That's what she said).

I'm not at that point yet...but it's been scary out there for some time...and I imagine there's going to be a lot of sad lookin' xmas's this season, here, in the leader of the free world.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...

(CNN) — A grand jury in south Texas indicted Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on separate charges related to alleged prisoner abuse in federal detention centers, Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra told CNN Tuesday....The Associated Press reported that the indictment stems from Cheney's investment in the Vanguard Group — an investment management company that reportedly has interests in the prison companies in charge of the detention centers. It also charges Gonzales halted an investigation into abuse at the detention centers while he was attorney general. Read mo.

I hope this is true. If so: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Bout Damn Time.

HIMYM--Consistently Funny

My favorite sitcom this year is by far How I Met Your Mother. I've been hit or miss on it in the past (I still think the title is too "on")--but this year the cast seems to really be enjoying itself, and as Neil Patrick Harris continues genius work on the show the rest of the gang has molded into the funniest ensem on TV (sorry, Entourage dudes). Some HIMYM fun...



________________________




________________________

Playoffs You Can Believe In!!

Doc Brown loses DeLorean, etc.

CNN is reporting that among those suffering major loss in the most recent round of California wildfires is Christopher Lloyd, star of Taxi, the Back to the Future flicks, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and many other memorable roles.

"Doc Brown" suffered a complete loss of an $11 million dollar home as well as a large collection of memorabilia accumulated over his lengthy career. I'm sure the guy's got pretty good coverage--and there are many who had less whose loss is just as profound--but it still falls into the major suckage category.

Best wishes to everyone suffering through this traumatic event.

Uh Oh.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Citigroup said Monday it planned to cut more than 50,000 jobs, the latest move by the struggling bank to cut costs in order to weather the credit crisis plaguing Wall Street
In an investor presentation on its Web site, the company said it would reduce its staff levels to approximately 300,000 employees. As of the end of September, the New York City-based bank had about 352,000 workers....read more.

I'm not an economist...actually my economic knowledge ranks below that of even John McCain, for the love of God...but I gotta think this is bad. On the other hand, Citigroup could probably save the same amount of money, and keep 50,000 jobs, by cutting one outrageously paid CEO. I'm all for awarding achievement, but when do more of the top dogs start taking the hit for the mess they created, rather than laying it off on the employees? I'm guessing, never.

Secretary of State Bingo....

Is it down to one...

Reports are coming fast and furious out of Chicago and D.C. that HRC may be the next Secretary of State--if she wants the job. Mike Allen reports at Politico today that "An Obama adviser threw out one final rationale: It’s better to have the Clintons inside the tent than outside, causing trouble."

Allen's report cites to the possiblity that President-elect Obama is intrigued by the notion of forming a Lincolnesque "Team of Rivals" to advise him in the Oval.

I think she may be a better choice than John Kerry. Although I can't tell you why. Maybe I'm still ticked that he ran a crappy campaign in '04. The question with Sen. Clinton--will she go rogue, as they say in Alaska.

Is it a Quantum of Suck?

I hope not. I plan to be in line tomorrow to see it...but...reviews are coming in and they can be described as mediocre at best

A brief sample...
_ _____________________________

by Roger Ebert

OK, I'll say it. Never again. Don't ever let this happen again to James Bond. "Quantum of Solace" is his 22nd film and he will survive it, but for the 23rd it is necessary to go back to the drawing board and redesign from the ground up. Please understand: James Bond is not an action hero! He is too good for that. He is an attitude. Violence for him is an annoyance. He exists for the foreplay and the cigarette. He rarely encounters a truly evil villain. More often a comic opera buffoon with hired goons in matching jump suits. Read Rest.
_________________________________________________

Where the film should be lively, it's frenetic, sometimes so furiously paced that key plot details can be easily missed amid the whiplash editing. It's as if director Marc Forster (The Kite Runner) didn't so much study Casino as try to pull off another Bourne movie. USA Today

__________________________________________________

Opening credit sequence: 5 — the usual semi-abstract woman's form, liquid and monumental. The song: 4 — Jack White and Alicia Keys duet on a power-pop number that's tenacious but not delightful. Chief villain: 6 — Amalric, who normally plays underdogs, hasn't the stature of a Dr. No or a Salamanca, but he's got the evil sneer down pat. Bond girl: 9 — Olga Kurylenko is more than OK. Fight scenes: 9 — frenetic, if familiar. And Bond — 7: Craig certainly fills the frame of a modern, wounded action hero; but, just once or twice, could he, and this mostly knuckle-cracking, often crackerjack film, crack a smile? Time

Daaaaaaaaammmmmmmnnnnnn

I tend to prefer College Hoops to pro...just like the speed of the game better...but, you have to 'preciate sometimes...

Flicks I plan on catching ASAP

______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________



_________________________________________________________



_________________________________________________________




_________________________________________________

Hi hooooo John Deere, Away

Deep in the heart of central Illinois--God's Country, you might say--there's a little town called Arcola. Arcola, you may not know, is Broom Corn Capital of the World. Broom Corn is, well, the corn they use to make natural fiber brooms out of--duh. (I can't tell you how I know this, it hurts too much).

Each year, in the end of summer, Arcola holds an annual Broom Corn Festival. It's quite popular. The streets of the town are filled with entertainment, good food, and down home fun. There's a nice parade, and, one of the highlights of the parade each year are the Lawn Rangers! Who, you ask, are the Lawn Rangers. Well, they are America's premiere lawn mower marching brigade! (Also, they drink a lot). Pretty much every male of stature in town of a certain age becomes a Lawn Ranger in a rite of passage. They are charged with decorating their Lawn Mower to the best of their ability, imbibing in as much alchohol as their respective livers can stand, and march proudly through the streets, brandishing their mower.

Sometimes they have special guests. The Columnist Dave Barry has writte about the Lawn Rangers a few times and has been there to march. Often th Rangers are invited to parades around the state! But I was just alerted to what you see below--it's a dang good thing it didn't come out before the election, could have swung the whole thing!!!

Sen. Al Franken???

My new favorite pollsters....Nate Silver and the gang at 538.c0m (they of the very accurate Presidental prediction at 1 p.m. on Nov. 4) are giving Al Franken a very slight edge to win the MN recount despite Franken starting off behind Norm "He should just concede despite State Law" Coleman.

The analysis is based on the expected areas of the State where "undercounts" were not picked up by the Optical Scanner voting system used in MN and therefore may be picked up in the required hand recount.

"Franken did in fact perform better -- really, quite a bit better -- in precincts with more undervotes. If undervotes follow the pattern of the recorded votes, then Franken would win 52.5% of recounted ballots (excluding any ballots cast for third parties). This is a significant finding, as these are the first numbers I have seen to break the undervote down to the precinct level....

The long story short is as follows: if Al Franken in fact wins anywhere near 52.5% of the undercounted ballots, it is quite likely that he will prevail, even given what I would consider to be fairly pessimistic assumptions about the number of correctable errors. You could halve my estimate of the number of recounted ballots, for instance (to 5,623) and Franken still projects to prevail around 69% of the time. If, on the other hand, Franken only wins say 51% of the undercount, then the precise number of correctable errors is more important.I hesitate to say this, but I think the evidence points on balance toward Franken being a slight favorite to win the recount."

Read the rest, here. These guys are very meticulous. I wouldn't be suprised to see them pull off another one here--bet the underdog!

Recomended Watching

"There are those in our own country too who today speak of the 'protection of country' -- of 'survival.' A decision must be made in the life of every nation at the very moment when the grasp of the enemy is at its throat. Then, it seems that the only way to survive is to use the means of the enemy, to rest survival upon what is expedient -- to look the other way.

Well, the answer to that is "survival as what?" A country isn't a rock. It's not an extension of one's self. It's what it stands for. It's what it stands for when standing for something is the most difficult!

Before the people of the world, let it now be noted that here, in our decision, this is what we stand for: justice, truth, and the value of a single human being."
_____________________________________________
Does that sound like rhetoric you may have heard during the recent political season? Yeah, I thought so, too. It's actually a monologue delivered by Spencer Tracy near the end of Judgment at Nuremberg, a 1961 film by Stanley Kramer detailing a fictionalized version of the Nuremberg Trials (the Trials of Nazi War Criminals after WWII).

I was flipping channels last night and caught the start of the flick. I'd never seen it before. I like to watch the old grainys sometimes, and I thought I'd give this one a try. I wasn't sure if I'd stay the whole time, because ye olde Tivo told me it was 3 hours and ten minutes long--quite the commitment for a black & white. I knew it was a courtroom drama, a genre I enjoy...so I settled in at the start--and was simply riveted.

The film is a fictionalized trial of Four Judges who helped carry out Hitler's extermination orders during the Third Reich. Remarkably, it raises and discusses issues regarding the role of the judiciary in a way that we still talk about in campaigns today--is it a judge's role to idly enforce the law's passed by the judiciary or to take a more "active" role in legislating? What does a judge do when faced with immoral orders from the legislative branch? Is it enough to say "I was just doing my job" when charged with horrific tasks? Most would say no, but the question isn't really that easy.

Obviously, the role of judges in Nazi Germany was a difficult one--and perhaps the most extreme example of the discussion between a so called active and passive judiciary. In the film, as at the real trials, the judges were held "responsible" for not taking it upon themselves to disobey the law of their country. It's hard not to agree--under the circumstances--with the verdicts handed down. As the debate goes on even today in this Country over whether judges should merely enforce the laws given to them this film makes a powerful argument against taking a hard and fast rule on this subject.

I also found it unbelivable that in 1961 they filmmakers got away with using actual footage of the concentration camps...the gruelling images are not unlike those you've seen in more modern documentations of the era like Schiendler's List. It caught me off guard, but also made the experience of the film more compelling and moving. Unlike most films of that era, it felt for the most part like I was watching a movie that could have been made today. (Except for a couple of points where they had the old, "he's driving in a car on a soundstage while they run pictures of Germany behind 'em" effect).

The cast is simply ridiculous. There's a lot of good acting happening. A sense that this is one of those films in the era when actors were starting the transposition from matinee idol expounding to really getting into their characters. Maximilian Schell won an Academy Award (rightfully so) as the defense counsel for the accused. Spencer Tracy is perfect casting as the lead judge of the tribunal. Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, a somewhat sad Judy Garland, and yes, a very young William Shatner (even keeping his emoting in check) make up the kind of cast you couldn't afford to put in one flick today.

If you happen to be flipping channels on a Sunday night and run across this one--stick around, it's an amazing film.

Secretary of State Bingo!

Generally considered the most prestigious of Cabinet Positions...Who's it gonna be??? Rumors are flying that 2004's most famous elongated face is pushing heavy for it--but some are suggesting the Sen. from New York. I'm guessing Hillary doesn't want the job, and it may be none of the above--but it's fun to play the game.

Why not hear it again :p

Blamin' Palin

Wow. There's something odd going on here. Two days ago, McCain staffers and the jolly good folks at Fox Snooze were perfectly happy to have Gov. Palin as next in line for the Presidency--now, Fox (That's right, Fox) is reporting McCain staffers stating that Palin didn't know such things as, well, whether Africa was a continent. If you've ever read this blog...ever...you know I'm not exactly a fan of the Gov. Still, it's awfully hypocritical two days after an election to so completely toss under the bust this woman you were endlessly touting as being qualified for the Vice Presidency.

I'm not sure even I buy that she was as ridiculously uninformed as the staffers are making her out to be (FOX News not actually being, news, per say). She was a bad pick--but if she truly was as woefully unprepared as you say, then, John McCain, for the good of the country, should have dropped her from the ticket. I just heard someone say on MSNBC that the Repubs have a habit of trying to appeal to "Joe Six Pack" during elections and then pissing all over them immediately thereafter. This may be another prime example of the Repub hypocrisy machine.

I feel a bit bad for the Gov. if the 47 million or so votes her ticket got didn't make me a bit scared for what might have been.

Impressive Work at 538.com

Over on my blog list under "Electoral Projections" is a link to a site called 538.com.

At approximately 1 p.m on Election Day I got a text message stating that the polling web site 538.com was calling the race for Obama, projecting a 6 percent win in the popular vote and 344 electoral votes.

At approximately 10 p.m. that night, Obama had 349 Electoral Votes and had a nationwide lead of--six percent in the popular vote. The numbers have changed a bit as more states finish counting, but man, that's an impressive call.

Throughout the course of the campaign, especially at the end, there was talk about inaccurate polling methods, the "Bradley effect" and any other conceivable way to discount the fact that Obama was polling well. I think the folks at 538.com prove pretty convincingly here how polls can work crazy accurate when done right.

Very Impressive Work.

I'm Still Sleepy...

This is a fun little round up of Tuesday from Countdown.

November 4, 2008

If you look hard enough, maybe you can see me at Grant Park....the Doc. is a bit tired today. More on my election day experience later...but for now....Good luck, President Elect Obama. The really hard part comes next--cleaning up the Bush mess.

Make Your Choice Count

Well, five faithful readers, I will be off tomorrow participating in the Obama Campaign's "Counsel for Change" Voter Protection Program. Thousands of people around the country are volunteering their time to help combat vote suppression efforts..I've only met a few of them, but I'm proud of every one.

Now, obviously, I have a favorite. You may be able to tell...but whether Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Naderite, or whether you want to write in your Aunt Milly because you think she'd do a damn good job--you have a right to vote. It's a cliche to say that people died to give you that right--but dammit if it ain't true. So don't let anyone screw with your right to vote. A couple of tips....

They are expecting massive turnout. Get there as early as you can.

Be patient. The precinct workers are under a lot of pressure tomorrow, too. Ninety-nine percent of them want everything to go smoothly as well. Help them out.

Know your local rules before you go. Some states have ID requirements, some only require you to be on the rolls. It's best to bring some proof of registration or address just in case.

IF YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED UNTIL YOU COME BACK WITH PROPER ID. (BUT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AGAIN TO PROVIDE IT).

There may be people wandering the lines giving you instructions. Be wary of anyone telling you of voting requirements--often times members of certain parties will try and make up voting requirements that are non-existent and will succeed in tricking voters to get out of line. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TOO.

If you are in line at the time the polls close--YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE in most states. Don't get out of line just yet!! A cut off person will be designated by the election officals on site.

Also, again, there are monitors (like the good Dr.) who will be on hand to answer questions and help if there are verification problems. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, PLEASE DON'T BE SHY.

Have a great Election Day and maybe I'll see ya at Grant Park.

Peace.

Dr. Cherryhill's Congrats of the Day

Goes out to this lovely lady on the news of her Engagement this past weekend in Napa. My heartfelt congratulations...and may God have mercy on your soul.

"It's funny because it's true"

Meanwhile...while we vote...

There's a lot of problems here in the good old U.S.A., and I think we've pretty much metaphoically beaten them to death over the course of an election...but, at least we don't have this...people actually being beaten to death like this:

"MOGADISHU, Somalia — A 13-year-old girl who said she had been raped was stoned to death in Somalia after being accused of adultery by Islamic militants, a human rights group said.

Dozens of men stoned Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow to death Oct. 27 in a stadium packed with 1,000 spectators in the southern port city of Kismayo, Amnesty International and Somali media reported, citing witnesses. The Islamic militia in charge of Kismayo had accused her of adultery after she reported that three men had raped her, the rights group said..." Read more, here.

I'm hoping the next Administration, either one, takes a much stronger position on human rights abuses. These acts should not be tolerated by civilized nations. No one has all the answers, but more should be done.

John McCain can be pretty funny...

Again, if this guy had showed up on the campaign, we might have a different race tomorrow. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder if Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman was the running mate, that Sen. McCain wouldn't have stood by while Tina Fey, once again, made Gov. Palin look ridiculous. Could it be there is some truth to the reports of tension between McCain and Gov. Failin? My guess is, he can read. He knows this was a bad choice, and it may in the end cost him an election he could have won even though he was starting well behind thanks to eight years of President "Duh".

Community Organizing Crack Fiends.

Happy Halloween Part II

A friend sent me this and I figured if the Simpsons' Halloween Special can always run after Halloween every year, then, there's nothing wrong with a little post Halloween Buffy.