Many Things

I saw this movie last weekend and loved it. I rarely enjoy mainstream comedies anymore, but this one gave me lots of laughs.

In our celebrations of a new year and in the minds of many, a new decade, it is time to take stock of all the things that we said goodbye to over the past ten years or so. Some of these things haven't disappeared entirely, but they will soon enough. So, say goodbye to: Mouse pads Road maps VCRs, videotape cameras, and videotapes Film cameras and film Cassette players and tapes Manual car windows Manual car locks Correct spelling Personal letters Desktop computers Wired Internet connections Dial-up Internet connection AOL Wired telephones CRT televisions Movie rental late fees Low-interest credit cards Paper checks Receptionists Newspapers I do bemoan losing a few of these things. Most of us hate calling companies and being answered by a machine instead of a receptionist. I hate losing real paper newspapers, although I admit I haven't often subscribed in the past few years. I don't miss low-interest credit cards because high-interest ones have forced me...

Sometimes you stumble across something on the Web that makes you laugh and also makes you think. This photo was one of those times for me. Since we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, how more appropriate could the sign be.

There is not a dull moment in Sacha Baron Cohen's brilliant comedy, Bruno . Cohen's style of comedy is not appealing to everyone, and some people "just plain don't get it." I love off-beat humor, especially humor that pushes the envelope. Bruno does more than push the envelope. It licks it all over, stamps, and mails it. I am aware that some gay folks don't like this movie for some reason or other. I haven't read their criticisms because I don't care. The character of Bruno is an extreme caricature that makes fun of stereotypes. He uses outrageous situations and dialog to make fun of homophobes, "ex-gay" charlatans, and rednecks. Whatever anyone else wants to read into this movie, go for it. That's my take. Two fists up. Here's the restricted trailer .

This message appeared tonight while I was playing Mafia Wars on Facebook. Somehow, the HTML code appeared. Oops.

In case you missed it this week, President Obama wrote a teacher's note for a child during one of his town hall appearances. The story and video are here if you want to know more. What has not been reported, or if so, I haven't seen it, is what was written on the back of the note. Now it can be revealed. Town Hall meeting Grab a burger with brown mustard - Don't tell Michelle Tell Congress to pass health care Take Michelle on date in Rome on next European adventure - This is a lot of fun Buy arugula at Fresh Market Remind everyone again that I inherited this mess from Bush Buy a new teleprompter Sneak out for a smoke - Don't tell Michelle or reporters

Although I don't listen to right-wing talk radio, I've heard and read the news reports that the right doesn't get the joke. Well, pardon me, but if people laugh at something, it is usually funny. I saw the crowd laugh at Wanda Sykes . So shut up about it and move on; Sykes is known for her "over the top" style. On May 9, 2009 she created controversy at a White House Correspondent's Dinner stand up routine, where she cracked jokes about Rush Limbaugh being the 20th hijacker but "he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight", wished that he would be waterboarded and then joked that she 'hoped his kidneys would fail,' in response to Limbaugh's statement that he hoped Barack Obama 's policies would fail. [ Wikipedia ]

A spokesperson for Miss Piggy confirmed today that she has tested positive for swine flu. She is accepting flowers and other forms of love at this time, unless you have recently traveled to Mexico.

Swine flu is airborne, so this mask should help. Order yours today. Oh yeah, lay off the bacon too.

This is where all the buttholes in the world should actually live. Maybe they could drive each other crazy.

Okay, enough serious stuff for now. Here's a laugh from Lewis Black, one of my favorite comedians.

Jon Stewart got very serious last night on The Daily Show about the lack of journalistic objectivity , veracity, and quality of CNBC in this on-point interview with Jim Cramer . It is often rather serious and sometimes uncomfortable to watch, but I encourage you to watch it. If you follow Jon Stewart, Jim Cramer, or CNBC, this is must-see TV. Update : I had to strip out the videos and the actual links because of technical issues with Comedy Central. Visit these URLs to see each of the three unedited segments or visit The Huffington Post , which overcame the technical issues. http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221516&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221517&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=221518&title=jim-cramer-unedited-interview

If you are like me and missed this gem when it was broadcast, now you can catch up. DO NOT miss this one . Jon Stewart is at his sharpest and takes on CNBC, Santelli, and all the other dimwits who thought they knew so much about the economy. This just made my weekend! A tip of the hat to the Huffington Post for sending me the link. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M - Th 11p / 10c CNBC Gives Financial Advice Daily Show Full Episodes Important Things With Demetri Martin Political Humor Joke of the Day

Rush is the head of the Republican Party. Michael Steele is just head of the RNC. If you disagree, tell me how I am wrong. I used to think of Rush as a "radio personality." I've never thought of him as an entertainer, and apparently he doesn't think so either. BTW, I recall Chris Matthews saying a few days ago that Rush always sounds as if he had just eaten a hearty breakfast. At least that's how I recall the remark. Check out this website: www.imsorryrush.com

Here is another one in my series of posts ( here and here ) on the myth of clean coal. The folks who produced these videos are very clever. IMHO, the facts support that clean coal is a myth, but if you differ, please leave a comment. My apologies to those who get these posts by email. Some email programs strip out the YouTube videos. Here is the direct link to the video at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJVbdiMgfM .

I don't know if you've seen this ad on TV, but I saw it today for the first time and had to laugh. Clean coal is a myth, as I have blogged about before , and it is really no laughing matter. Even the Bush administration halted a "clean coal" plant in Illinois because it proved too expensive. However, in the final version of the stimulus bill, which President Obama signed Tuesday, there is a provision for $3.4 billion for "carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects" (otherwise known as “clean coal”). While this project may indeed put people to work as is the law's intent, IMHO it is not the best way to spend our money for future energy needs. Can such a demonstration plant be built for $3.4 billion? Maybe, but it is not worth that huge expense for a single demonstration project that may end up producing little energy. More information is available here: http://www.youtube.com/user/thisisreality and http://www.thisisreality.org/ . Watch this ...

Despite what other news media have reported, Many Things has confirmed the identity of the flaming object seen this weekend in the Texas sky. The fireball that streaked across the Texas sky and appeared to dive toward earth over the weekend remained a mystery on Monday after the military said the event had nothing to do with a collision of satellites last week and did not seem to involve an artificial satellite coming down. [ NY Times ] In fact, the flame was none other than Miss Dee Flaytable, pictured here in an earlier photo, who was just having a bad hair day. She hopes you enjoyed the show.