Thursday, December 10, 2009

The lack of Texas accent makes all the difference

It is apparent that as long as one avoids the Texas accent, almost anything can be said by US presidents and it isn't likely to be criticized. Am I the only one who finds the paradox of a man accepting a prize for peace spending his allotted speaking time defending war unexpected?
I'm all for the destruction of our enemies, but I prefer the hypocrisy free spin myself.
"Such is the weight of he prize. Suddenly and forever, Obama is in the company of Gandhi, King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama."

Let's not forget Yassar Arafat, either.
"He won it, in the eyes of the Nobel committee, for changing the U.S. approach toward the world. The panel cited his efforts on nuclear disarmament, climate change and diplomacy."

If I remember, he was nominated far before he even took presidential office. Perhaps the "panel" should have cited his intent, not his efforts. I for one intend to enter both powerlifting competetions and marathons next year. Perhaps the prize committees for both will award me the first prize medals for my "efforts" as well.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Urban Dictionary's Word of the Day

The Urban Dictionary is daily stop for me. Today's word is truly hilarious. The Booty Text.
The lazy, low-commitment version of the booty call.

Irony is best. Well, best after "to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women." Here I thought that a booty call was already low commitment, not just low effort. A whole way to feel even cheaper than one though possible.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

NPR reporter pressured over Fox role

Wow, I'm actually a bit impressed by this, though not pleasantly. NPR is concerned that another network seems to have a political bias? Pot. Kettle. Black.
Is there anyone who listens to NPR who can with a clean conscience and without taking drugs say (or believe) that NPR doesn't have its own political bias? I don't know about the drugs or conscience, but apparently Dick Meyer from NPR doesn't (or can't) detect any bias there.
Is Fox biased? Sure. Biased like ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/NYT/LAT/NPR. Of course it isn't bias if one agrees with a particular worldview, its just-you know-the truth. Keith Olbermann isn't biased, he's just right. Speaking truth to power and all that. No bias to see here, just move along.
I can't decide on the diagnosis: hubris or tone-deafness.

h/t to Politico

Packers-Ravens

I managed to score two tickets for the Packers' Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens. A good friend is going with me and I'm under the impression that yes, alcohol will be a factor. It's supposed to be coldish there: high of 27, low of 18, wind about 5-10mph. Snow in the morning. Yeah, I'm going to freeze. I'll report in later with charming anecdotes.

Update: Charming Anecdotes:  It was cold, fun, and Green Bay won.  Sorry to the Ravens fans behind us, but I think we were gentle.

Good Heavens

Imagine my surprise when I looked at my Sitemeter stats (yes, I do that) and found I had had a visitor from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. What on earth is anyone from there doing here?