Friday, April 03, 2009

Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame

That isn't something you generally hear from me, but...

In the eyes of the archbishop of Chicago, it was an "embarrassment" for the University of Notre Dame to invite THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES to speak. Because he supports scientific research and wants government out of reproductive decision-making? What's next?

So, Cardinal George, it would only be proper for a Catholic university to entertain speakers who are not only communicants with Rome but adherents to church orthodoxy? That doesn't sound particularly collegial, does it Rev. George? Shouldn't a university community be exposed to the widest spectrum of ideas, PARTICULARLY those you disagree with? I thought universities existed to expand intellectual horizons rather than to reinforce dogma. Are you so insecure in YOUR faith, Cardinal, that you cannot hear of differing views?

And by the way, when it comes to things that are embarrassing, when looking at your little bailiwick over the last few years...people who live in these....?

Bretton Woods, Somewhere Between Peyton Place and Dallas

President Obama gave a masterful performance at the G20 Summit. Many participants characterized it as the most important world economic parley since 1944, when the postwar financial system was remade even as WW II raged on. That summit meeting, hosting all the allied powers, was held at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.

Meanwhile, in the sleepy Preston Hollow enclave of Dallas, Texas, where the booze flowed freely since the arrival of faux President and Mrs. Laura “Pickles” Bush, No. 43 watched for any missteps by No. 44. He was also taking bets on how soon before his old buddy Berlusconi made a move on that babe, Cristina Kirchner, president of Argentina.



The President was speaking to the press:



PRESIDENT OBAMA: "There's been a lot of comparison here about Bretton Woods... you know, last time you... saw the entire international architecture being remade,'' he said. "Well, if, if it's just Roosevelt and Churchill sitting in a room with a brandy, you know, that's an easier negotiation.”





W.: “Hey Pickles! Ain’t Bretton Woods that gated community just down the road from this here Preston Hollow??? Ah didn’t know Roosevelt and Premier Churchill met for drinks over there?!”

LAURA “PICKLES”: “Ah’m not sure George, honey …”

W.: “Hell, woman, check the INTERNETS, do the GOOGLE. If OHBAHMA – he KNOWS things -- says our Dallas, Texas neighborhood’s hosted a presidential summit, we oughta have those folks over for a barbecue …"

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Blago Indicted

So Illinois' hairiest ex-governor likes to wear jogging suits:




How about trying this one on for size?



The Executive Mansion in Springfield:



wasn't good enough for him. How about here?




Bye Rod...

NEWSFLASH (April 1, 2012) - NORM COLEMAN CONCEDES!

The longest running Senate race in HISTORY has finally come to an end as Sen. NORM COLEMAN, Republican incumbent from Minnesota, reluctantly conceded defeat to comedian and author AL FRANKEN, after the Republican Party's legal options finally ran out. Republican National Clowns Chairman Michael Steele was inconsolable: "I am prepared to lead a march on Washington to prevent this Stuart Smalley character (author: I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!: Daily Affirmations With Stuart Smalley), this, this Rush Limbaugh denier (author: Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot) from being seated!"


Michael Steele: "I'll stand on the steps of the Capitol ...


Turning apopleptic, the RNC Chairman disclosed his STRATEGERY: "If necessary, I'll stand on the steps of the Capitol to prevent that COMEDIAN from walking through the door, just like my hero of old, Chris, I mean, George Wallace."

Read more about it here.

Welcome Back, Doc

We missed you, hope you're back to game speed. Unfortunately, though, while you were gone...

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

It's April 1.....

Minnesota, do you know where your senator is????

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar:

U.S. Senator Al Franken:

Harry Reid, grow a pair?? SEAT THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA!!!

Extra, Extra, Don't Read All About It!!!

Newspapers are dying. We see it all around us. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer no longer prints its paper, the 150-year old Rocky Mountain News is no more, both major Chicago dailies are in some form of bankruptcy and the list goes on. In the Internet world, newspaper publishers have not found a workable business model, and the future does not look promising.

I LOVE newspapers. I am a print guy. I do not read newspapers as a primary source of information. Given the nature of the beast, the "news" carried in the papers no longer fits that description. I read newspapers because it is what I do. I love the feel and smell of newsprint. I am surrounded by a sea of books at home, and I can access the information I need for the day instantaneously online, but my day gets off to a VERY bad start if I don't have my paper. Computer screens mean work to me, the printed page says life. I also enjoy the conversational interaction prompted by the paper, the "did you see this" exchanges with my wife [Editor's Note: That annoys the hell out of her, but that is a different story for a different time]. When I travel, I WANT to read the local paper. You learn about a place and its people through THEIR paper, not some homogenized piece of nothingness left outside your hotel door.

Newspapers have often responded to their new world by cutting corners. The paper itself becomes smaller, they rely more on canned stories, fluff pieces and bland wire service generalities. I cannot think of a better example of penny-wise and pound foolish. By reducing or eliminating the things I buy the paper for, I am inclined to continue buying your paper why?

I do not have a solution. If I did, I would be earning far more than I am currently. However, I was intrigued by a recent piece of legislation, S. 673, introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland. Like most bills introduced, it will probably die a slow death by committee, but his idea is fascinating. He calls for newspaper companies to be allowed to treat themselves as tax-exempt non-profit organizations, which could allow for subscription charges and advertising expenses to be deductible. Newspapers would be run by people who love newspapers rather than corporate conglomerates with an eye toward the bottom line.

The ultimate question, though, is even if we embrace what is probably a pipe dream of the honorable gentleman from Maryland, does a viable market remain (or can one be resurrected) for HIGH-QUALITY and LOCAL newspapers? I for one certainly hope so, because I would truly miss my very dear old friend.