I'm so glad someone finally said this aloud...

Snow Day Links

Wow! It's been a while since I've caught up on this blogging thing! But this evening it will be a relief to listen to some music (the end of the Olympics gives us permission, finally, to turn off the TV) and see what's been going on in the great tubes of the internets!

• I love TED, warts and all (check out this TED Talk from (autistic) Temple Grandin... and speaking of autism...).

• Mark your calendar/save the date! Friday, March 26, 2010, 9pm: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I can't wait!

• This is a great piece of flash fiction.

• Jon Stewart: CPAC, Ricky Gervais, Progressivism, Health Care, Bank of America!

• Bill Maher: Atheism, Health Care (with Chris Rock).

Your links for the past week or so...

First, the Ted Kennedy stuff: The play-by-play, Obama's eulogy, Ted, Jr.'s eulogy, the Big Picture, and Eugene Robinson's "A Prince's Fate" (and one more: What Teddy would do).

Then there's health care (the Huckabee plan is already in place!):

Where's the efficiency in this system?!?

And the rest...

Oh, the fakery. The faces of coal are fake. The anti-marriage Mainers are fake. Which is all very sad and pathetic. But this fake Ronald McDonald is pretty much hilarious.

Big Egg.

The Man Who Walked Around the World.

Ta-Da! The gays save marriage!!!

And finally, this is a jam-packed "New Rules" from Bill Maher, including these choice tidbits:

But, what did Obama actually say to make Karl Rove's head explode and the popcorn fly out? Well, cover your children's ears. When he was asked if he believed in American exceptionalism, he said he did the same way the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks in Greek exceptionalism. Yes, "President John F. Kenya" actually said that people in other countries might like their countries better.

Well, I was so shocked, I nearly dropped the Bible I was using to help me masturbate into my gun.

Sarah Palin, in her farewell speech kept telling us how she's wired. You know, I'm not a doctor--or an electrician--but, I suspect this is faulty wiring, this world view that, in her words, we should never apologize for our country. Really? Never? Not for slavery? Or Japanese internment camps? Or if we tortured the wrong guy at Guantanamo Bay? The Indians?! Nothin', Sarah? "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," maybe?

I mean, shouldn't John McCain apologize for…you?

Mitt Romney's new book is called No Apology: The Case for American Greatness. You can find it at Borders in the "Suck Up" section. It's such a perfect title for today's conservative, combining paranoia with arrogance. "No one has yet asked me to apologize, but if someone ever does, f*ck them."

The Family

Scary stuff. Keep listening to hear the part about "Wamp of Chattanooga."

Linkiddy doo dah

And here is yet another hodgepodge from the past week...

• Bottled water. How do you feel about it? Ripped off? Misled? You should. We got some stainless water bottles earlier this year and they are wonderful -- the openings are big enough to add ice, there are no BPAs in the water we drink, there is no waste for the landfill, and they fit in the bike drink holders. We took them with us on our road trip last month and had no trouble refilling them with ice and cold water at gas stations along the way, and, thanks to our cozies and the added ice, it was so nice to have water that stayed cold for hours after a rest stop.

• This may come as a shock to some, but not all low-income housing has to be ugly.

• Anonymous hugging!

• This remembrance from Pam Spaulding (apparently my brother's classmate at Stuyvesant!) is the best post I've seen since Frank McCourt died last week.

• Abraham & Issac retold.

• I admit that I haven't been consuming much media lately (comcast recently cut us down to just a few worthless channels), but I'm still surprised that since the Henry Louis Gates, Jr. story broke, I haven't heard a single person mention the movie Amos and Andrew.

• On health care: we could be doing a LOT better than we are -- certainly better than BCBS is doing (which is maybe the RNC chair's insurance company -- he's not sure, but he's still trying to kill any chance at reform). Why are some of our representatives dragging their feet? Other systems work. Lewis Black shares some thoughts. And so does Bill Maher (best one ever?).

• I've said it before many, many times, but it bears repeating over and over and over again: the only thing abstinence-only education produces is really freakin' stupid teenagers.

• For the record: calorie labeling is a positive thing. As with many things (including sex -- see above), ignorance can be toxic.

• Here's a shocker: the C-Street Cult (oh, Zach!) story shows no sign of slowing down! Why is disgraced Senator Ensign giving Zach Wamp money? Apparently, it's a secret! Unfortunately, in other marriage defender/marriage non-honorer news (AKA republican sexual hypocrites), Tennessee still picks the winners.

• Jimmy Carter is challenging the Southern Baptist Convention's sexism -- but is he making any sense?

• Pat Buchanan: Why do you keep talking? You're making Lou Dobbs look good. Even Rachel, who often refers to you as "Uncle Pat," thinks you're a misinformed douche.

• Today was Sarah Palin's last day. Top Ten observes the occasion.

• Lastly, this just leaves me gasping for air. And Jimmy Carter thought the Baptists were bad! Ha!

• And finally, I posted this on facebook about a week back, but if you missed it there, you might enjoy it here. I apologize to everyone who attended my wedding, because it wasn't this cool. Neither was any wedding I've ever attended. The bar has been raised.

UPDATE:

More on health care

It has to be said.

(via One Good Move)

Oh, and Mary and Joe (update: and Kent)? Do you know that expression, "shit or get off the pot?"

It's time. Either support us getting what you've had for years, or walk away from that teat you've been suckling at for most of your lives.

Overdue things you may have missed

I meant to run through these things over the weekend, but that ended up being too busy and fun-filled, and before I knew it, it was Monday! Ack!

• Are there cancer vaccines on the horizon?

• If you're into gymnasts or stunts, you'll dig this guy.

• Why are so few Christians vegetarian?

• Oh, dear Dog, Tennessee has distinguished itself yet again. I've been living here for almost 20 years, and I'm still waiting for us to get a bit of national press for something that isn't humiliating...

• Here's a no-brainer: kids need to move around more. In other breaking news, crunchberries are not really fruit.

• Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year results!

• I don't know if I can go through life without experiencing a Kogi Taco.

• A lovely collection of iconic portraits.

• Bill O'Reilly: ignoramus or liar?

• Buy beer, not porn.

• Awww. A rat and his cat!

And finally, what looks like the Topic of the Week, health care. Here are a few links, and then come commentary from Bill Maher:

• Wow. In today's America, Sixty percent of bankruptcies are due to medical bills. That is a staggering number. Is there still anyone left out there who doesn't believe we need health care reform, and fast?

• Here's another sobering tidbit: People are now not filling prescriptions to save money.

(via One Good Move)

Sunday Flashback

Sunday Sermon

(via one good move)

Oy.

I just finished up a huge project today. I'd been working on it for days, using every spare moment all weekend. Now I'm wiped out and have to veg for the evening. Religulous is cued up in the DVD player and I'm checking out for the day. Hopefully I'll have something cogent or amusing to say tomorrow...

Video Roundup!

Here's what I've collected since the last time I did a video dump. Sorry some of it may be a bit dated. So much creativity is flowing out there these days, and I haven't been able to do a roundup in a while!

The Daily Show: The Drill Pickle, Hannity and Palin, Bill Clinton, Around the World in a Day, McCain Suspends Campaign, Bob Schieffer, Bush & the Economy, Florida Focus Group, World War I, Kill Bill, Gams and Gammer, Bailout Bill Passes, Common Man-Off, Nate Silver, The Stupid Vote, Sarah Vowell goes back to the 30s to be reassured, World War II, Michelle Obama

Real Time: New Rules (Levi Johnston), Bush in Drag, New Rules (Ebony and Irony), New Rules (Preach Around)

The Young Turks: McCain and Spain, Debate I Wrapup

The Late Show: Bill Clinton, Chris Rock, John McCain, McCain: Take Two, Brian Williams

Sarah Silverman: The Great Schlep

The Colbert Report: Colbert Suspends His Show, Teen Talk Voter Abstinence

SNL: Couric & Palin, VP Debate

Penn & Teller: The Bible

Video Roundup

The campaigns, 527s, news channels, volunteers and comedians have been spewing video like an open hydrant lately and I'm going to try to round up the last week's worth here (wish me luck!).

Obama: McCain's Lobbyist Campaign, Community Organizing, Education, On Letterman, 1982, What is Change?, On Tax Plans, What Economy Are You Talking About?, McCain's Fundamentals, Another four?, Equal Pay, Old Boys Network, Hope

Biden: America Needs More

McCain: Bloodthirsty Warmonger, On GOP Diversity, Bush-McCain Republicans, Hot Blooded!, The First Family of War, Going for the Pedophile Vote, Squirming, Protecting Sex Offenders, John McCain's Lies, Recycled Bush, Lies exposed, Women's Issues, Out of Touch, McCain's Honor, On Palin's Experience, Subtle Racism, Rove: McCain has gone too far, Rape Kits, Medical Records, Romney on McCain, Who's better off?, Fall From Grace, McCain is a Republican, Carly Fiorina, Buh-Bye, Carly!, Stay the Course!, Invented the Blackberry, Lying Their Way to the White House, ABC: McCain Flip-Flops, WHAT? Spain is in Europe?!?

Palin: Forced Gestation, Pentacostal, Wolf Hunting, Sound Familiar?, Bridge to Nowhere, Palin is a Liar, Book Banning, Charging Rape Victims, Hardball: Who is She?, The Bush Doctrine, Drags Out an Old Canard, Pork is Yummy!, On Special Needs, Pray For Us, Sarah!, The Todd, Her First Ad

Rachel: Lipstick, The Fundamentals Are Strong, Commissions

Palin spoofs: Palin in Four Minutes, Vlog, Palin is a Liar, Gina Gershon, The famous SNL skit

Stewart: McCain 2008 = Bush 2000, John McCain, Reformed Maverick, McCain's Acceptance Speech, Palin is the Bush Doctrine, McCain's Change?, Generic Off

Colbert: Repo Man, How Dare You?, McCain Attacks Obama

Bill Maher: New Rules (Republican Convention), New Rules (Cities vs. Small Towns), With Paul Begala

Craig Ferguson: Cut to the Chase

The Young Turk: It's Not Just George Bush

(Michael) Palin for President!

Scary warmonger gets ripped off

Video catchup!

While we here at Chez 10K have been distracted by the TV (for weeks, really -- first by the Olympics and then by the Democratic and Republican conventions, respectively), the creative among us have been churning out the videos. Here's a sampling:

Sorry, yet another video (but it's a good'n'!)

This is clearly going to get some people really stirred up...

religulous
(via Buck)

Happy Earth Day

Bill Maher had an Earth Day message on Friday, and mentioned the missing bees.

It was a beautiful Earth Day here in Chattanooga. I went to a plant sale at Crabtree Farms (I got some marjoram to replace the plant I lost over the winter, some jalepeño pepper plants and a couple of varieties of tomatoes) and then got to play in the dirt for a little while. I hope you were able to enjoy the lovely day as well!

Gore does SNL

He opened the show last night. Crooks & Liars has the video (and if one video isn't enough, check out Bill Maher's season-closing show over at One Good Move).

UPDATE: The General says "Al Gore must be stopped!"

What If God Were One of Us?

A Joan Osborne earworm has been playing in my head ever since I read Sam Harris's provocative There is No God (And You Know It) on the Huffington Post this morning. I'm still wading through the comments, but the responses to the post are, I think, the best part.

I don't really care what my neighbors believe as long as they are good people -- in theory, at least. I mean, it shouldn't matter. If the dude across the street wants to worship Jesus, Buddha or the honeysuckle bush behind his house, who am I to stop him? What he believes and how he attends to those beliefs should have no bearing on my ability to go about my daily business. The problem is that there are a growing number of people in the world who do want to intrude on my personal business, and further, want to use their belief systems as a source of public policy, and they're becoming more and more insistent about it, and many people continue to die as a result.

It can be hard to separate the message from the messenger, just as it's hard to distinguish the fanatic from the object of his obsession. That is why, I think, we are seeing more public criticism of religion from atheists. Back when people were fairly private about religion, most atheists were content keep their thoughts about religion to themselves. But that is no longer the case. Religion is increasingly in our schools, courtrooms, pharmacies, and in the highest reaches of our government. Anyone who is not alarmed by that probably hasn't given it a whole lot of thought.

Religion itself is fairly harmless, but combined with a love of money, politics or a desire for power, it becomes a very dangerous thing, as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and others of their ilk are so fond of demonstrating. It would be one thing if James Dobson actually focused on the family. But he doesn't. His blatantly political agenda calls for such things as the elimination of the Department of Education and the barring of women and homosexuals from military service. Where in the Bible is the issue of public vs. private education discussed? And I'm afraid that until the real Christians rein in the pseudo religious leaders and politicians who use Christianity to line their pockets and enhance their power, the division between the religious and the secular in this country is only going to get wider and more combative. And people like me, who would ordinarily identify as Christian, will become more and more reluctant to do so.

UPDATE: See the Boston Globe, Washington Post, and New York Times for articles about Dobson's involvement in recent political controversies.

UPDATE: video of an interesting discussion with Bill Maher, Salman Rushdie, Ben Affleck, and Andrew Sullivan

Quick Clip

Watch the video.

"Michael Brown must unresign so he can be publically fired. We are not letting you off that easy, Brownie. You can't just slink off midway through your service -- this is FEMA, not the Texas Air National Guard." -- Bill Maher

The Boogey Man Is You

Watch the video.

Here's an exerpt (some of it sounds kinda familiar):

Is George Bush purely evil? Of course not. And that's what's so evil about him. He doesn't twirl a mustache and smirk and cackle... well, he doesn't twirl a mustache. He's like the Peanuts character, Pigpen -- wherever he goes, he stirs up such a humongous mess, it can only be cleaned up by Halliburton.

But he is not pure evil, because evil is a chain. Did any one person doom New Orleans? No. It's a chain. People vote for a corrupt leader, a corrupt leader puts unqualifed cronies in high places, and when those cronies fuck up, evil gets done. The devil didn't fly up from hell and knock a hole in that levee. The levee just didn't get built because the money for it went to rich people's tax cuts and pork projects and corporate welfare.

Evil isn't Salem's Lot, it's Trent Lott. This week an ailing American bald eagle was found to be dying from mercury poisoning (republicans immediately tried to blame it on the eagle's "lifestyle choices"). But it's worth noting that also this week, the White House threatened to veto limits on mercury pollution. Now, pure evil would be if George Bush sat around the White House saying "Let's poison eagles." And even I don't believe George Bush would do that. Cheney would do that. And even he is not pure evil. Dick Cheney doesn't hate poor children and caribou -- they're just in the way.

Bottom line: some people think satan is real and some people think global warning is real. If you think stopping gays from "doing it" is more important than the icecaps melting, the boogey man is you. -- Bill Maher September/16/2005