Blinded by the (Electric) Light

One of the perception problems that the Republicans have is that they're anti-science. A lot of them, for instance, are against embryonic stem-cell research. They think that it's a kin to murder. Others think that global warming, not only is fallacious but debunked to the point where they're constantly throw around such loaded terms as myth and hoax (this, I'm saying, as opposed to a more reasoned discussion). Still others champion such discredited concepts as intelligent design. These people, folks (some of who actually ran for president; Brownback and Huckabee, just to name two), actually think that evolution is not a viable theory. Add to that the fact that Republicans (thankfully not all of them but, yes, a lot) are constantly belittling the more highly educated amongst us and, yeah, it does start to get a little awkward at times (hypocritical, too - this, in that W went to Yale and Harvard, Coulter went to Cornell, Ingraham went to Dartmouth, etc.).........................................................................................................Now, this isn't AT ALL to say that the Dems don't have their own perception problems. They, for instance, seem to want to solve every social problem via the establishment of a new government entitlement program. But, I'm telling you, folks, the fact that a lot of Republicans seem to be embracing such a strong anti-intellectualism, that is really, REALLY, going to make it hard for independents (like me) to support them in a national election. And, yes, that is absolutely a shame. It's a shame - THIS, because America seems to do well when BOTH parties prosper (this, as opposed to now, when they're both flailing).

He Who Shoots From the Hip Often Shoots Himself in the Toe

Don't count me amongst those who say that Glen Beck's programs aren't interesting. I mean, sure, the presentations are often maddeningly slanted, his reactions borderline paranoid, etc. - but, yes, folks, the subject matter itself is frequently thought provoking. Hell, he even has some credible guests on (Amity Shlaes, for instance) from time to time. But, I'm telling you, folks. When Mr. Beck said (not on his own show, ironically) that President Obama, in his opinion, was a racist, that one was way, Way, WAY, beyond the pale. And the fact that he's never apologized for it (unlike Mrs. Obama, who's apologized several times for her gaffe/statement) - that, folks, just might be a bridge that's too far/over the edge for me. And to think that this guy used to work for CNN.

Hollywood Beauties at Their Best (In No Particular Order)

Faye Dunaway (1967).....Eva Marie Saint (1959).....Greta Garbo (1932).....Teresa Wright (1943).....Barbara Stanwyck (1941).....Helena Bonham Carter (1998).....Hedy Lamarr (1942).....Cyd Charisse (1955).....Vivien Leigh (1941).....Jane Fonda (1965).....Ava Gardner (1953).....Olivia de Havilland (1941).....Marlene Dietrich (1930).....Irene Dunne (1939).....Natalie Wood (1962).....Susan Hayward (1949).....Rita Hayworth (1946).....Demi Moore (2003 - yes, I much prefer the more mature version).....Loretta Young (1947).....Lana Turner (1952).....Gene Tierney (1944).....Elizabeth Taylor (1958).....Carole Lombard (1934).....Norma Shearer (1930).....Grace Kelly (1954).....Jennifer Jones (1946).....Jean Simmons (1960).....Diane Lane (2000).....Susan Sarandon (1981).....Audrey Hepburn (1957).....Elisabeth Shue (1995).....Lee Remick (1965).....Ingrid Bergman (1944).....Ann Miller (1946).....Ann Sothern (1942).....Brigitte Bardot (1963).....Merle Oberon (1939).....Michelle Pfeiffer (1992).....Claudia Cardinale (1968).....Raquel Welch (1968).....Linda Fiorentino (1994).....Sophia Loren (1961).....Kristin Scott Thomas (1996).....Deborah Kerr (1956).....Vanessa Redgrave (1966).....Joan Fontaine (1942).....Lauren Bacall (1948).....Catherine Denueve (1976).....Julianne Moore (1999).....Ann Margret (1974).....Joanne Dru (1948).....Ashley Judd (1999).....Winona Ryder (2002).....Naomi Watts (AS WE FRIGGING SPEAK!!!!!).....Paulette Goddard (1939).....Donna Reed (1953).....Eleanor Parker (1954).....Jessica Lange (1982).....Janet Leigh (1958).....Mia Farrow (1974).....Ursula Andress (1962).....Mary Astor (1941).......................................................................................................Alright, alright, I got a little carried away. And, yes, there are indeed some ommissions (some of which are intentional, some of which are not). But, come on, what do you think, not too shabby, huh?

Worsted

Here, folks, is a perfect example of why I've grown to despise Keith Olbermann. Remember how last week he made such a huge commotion about what was happening at that Indian reservation; the suffering that was accruing from those major snow storms, the power outages, etc.? Remember how he even went as far as to put the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs onto his dreaded worst persons list? Yeah, huh? Well, think about it, folks. Who in the hell is in charge of that particular committee now? It's the Democrats, right? They have the majority of the members (9 of the 15) and the chairman, Byron Dorgen - he's a frigging Democrat, too. Mr. Olbermann conveniently left out this little piece of information. Do you think that he would have left it out had the Republicans been in charge, had Senator McCain still been the reigning chairman? I personally don't think that he would have..............................................................................................Oh, and, yes, just for the record, this story was in fact a legitimate one. I would even go as far as to say that Mr. Olbermann's outrage this time was warranted. It's just too bad that he had to ruin it all by showing off his hyper-partisan stripes. Too God damned frigging bad indeed.

Gracious Under Fire

I think that Michelle Obama has been an excellent first lady (as I did as well her predecessor, Laura Bush). The woman is smart, classy, and has, at least from what I can gather, always conducted herself with dignity (and, yes, folks, I include here all the excellent work she's been doing, too; support for military families, her initiative on childhood obesity, etc.). I mean, yes, I know that she had a gaffe (or two) during the campaign and all but, please/come on, that was pretty damn near two years ago. Is there not at least a statute of limitations here? I definitely think that there should be...................................................................................................Oh, and, yeah, that goes double for you, Sean Hannity.

(Rules/Laws) Errors of Omission

Rachel Maddow says that she isn't "pushing an agenda" - that she's only trying to get some "useful information" out there. Hm. Of course, what she gladly forgets to tell us is that she taut she taw a putty tat, too (that and, yes, various other various sundry bits/pieces).

Obviously Oblivious

It's a fact, folks. Sometimes the truth really is right in front of you. I mean, just take a gander at Chuck Heston, for Christ. He's on this planet, right, and the apes on the planet are talking. But not only are they frigging talking there, THEY'RE SPEAKING IN PURE ENGLISH!!!!! I mean, I know that it was only a movie and all but, PLEASE, shouldn't the light-bulb have gone off at least a little sooner/did Chuck really need to see the Statue of Liberty covered up to its armpits in sand? I'm just asking, folks.