Category Archives: Politics

Worthy candidate

Posted on August 11, 2012 | 2 Comments

I laughed and laughed at The Campaign this afternoon…which is really no surprise.

What made me laugh was.

I  expected Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis to be funny.  Their take on two candidates for a US Senate seat in North Carolina was over-the-top and out-of-control.  No issue was off-limits. No person, place or thing (translation: animal) was safe if their misuse provided a potential positive bump in the polls.

But for me, the surprises kept this movie from being your standard comedy.  Things the trailer didn’t reveal.  Cameos it didn’t spoil (and I won’t either).  The promos even used some alternative footage so that the real punch lines weren’t given away before you sat down in the theatre.

What a novel idea.

Probably my biggest ‘aha’ in The Campaign is how much I enjoyed the performance of Dylan McDermott as Galifianakis’ evil campaign manager.  I don’t think of him as a comedic actor, but McDermott stole every frame he appeared in.

The ending was also unexpected.  And I will surprise you now by not giving it away, except to say –

Watch the credits.

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Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Politics

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Branded

Posted on June 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

You can tell some folk’s politics by the signs in their yard.  But the logo on their coffee cup?

Wake up.  It’s true.

A report by Buyology, Inc., a New York City firm that measures the unconscious
decision making that drives brand preference, links consumers’ politics to the brands they buy.

For example, Democrats are more likely to buy Starbucks coffee.  Republicans prefer Dunkin Donuts’ brew.

No beans about it.

Partisanship also rears its ugly head in folks’ choice of car, insurance, sport and gaming system.  Democrats prefer Jeep, Progressive, NFL and Wii; Republicans go for BMW, Allstate, Major League Baseball and XBOX.

But both parties agree on Coke, Google, VISA, Apple and Olay.

Wha?  The Democrats and Republicans agree on five whole things? This is either a sign of a huge turnaround…

Or the end of the world.

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Humor, Life, Politics, Shopping

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Vote with your stomach

Posted on April 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Foodies have the James Beard Awards.  But what’s out there for Cheetos lovers like me?

The Munchies

The self-proclaimed ‘People’s Choice Food Awards,’ The Munchies recognize the “most amazing tastes, faces and places in the food world.”

Thirteen culinary experts have selected 100 nominees in 20 categories.  I mean, when comedian Michael Ian Black , co-host of the “Mike & Tom Eat Snacks” podcast, is on the selection committee —

You know it’s legit.  And fun.

Of course, you would expect New York City to be well-represented in any food competition.  But I was excited to see some local spots in the running, including our neighborhood coffee shop Joe in the “Coolest Coffee Shop” category.

So, cast your vote today!  The contest closes April 30th.  Remember, this one matters most because…

It’s the people’s choice.

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Posted in Food, Foods, Humor, Internet, Politics, Restaurants

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Friend of Hank

Posted on February 28, 2012 | 3 Comments

Has the endless string of GOP debates and cable commentary soured you on politics?

Perhaps this cat will change your mind.

Hank is an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Virginia.

And yes, he’s a cat.  A nine-year old Maine coon.

This write-in candidate can’t write. Or speak. But thanks to his campaign manager Matthew O’Leary, Hank has a platform.  And a Facebook page.  And a Twitter page and bumper stickers and yard signs.  He even gives interviews to the media.

But he never wears pants. Yep, just your typical politician.

What’s not typical is who is benefiting from his cat-paign (sorry).  All monies raised for his election are going to the Humane Society of Fairfax County.

I wish I lived in Virginia — just this once — so I could vote for Hank.

Rory Dog, however, is not impressed.

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Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Politics

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Danke schoen

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 2 Comments

Have I mentioned that I’m part German?

Yep.  And I’ve never been more proud of the fact than today.

A group of German linguists has chosen ‘shitstorm’ as the “Anglicism of the Year.”

Shitstorm…defined as “a public outcry, primarily on the Internet.”  The jury who made the declaration said shitstorm fills a gap in modern German vocabulary.

This pleases me on many levels.

I always think of the Germans as being so practical-minded.  And sure, they may have added this word to ‘fill a gap.’  But it’s a poop word!  I love that.

It also makes some of the words that we silly Americans have added to our dictionary of late seem a little less, well…silly.  Word like turducken. Bromance. Defriend. LBD.

Tramp stamp.

Yep.  That’s a shitstorm of language going on there.

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Posted in Commentary, Education, Humor, Life, News, Politics, Travel

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Blackout

Posted on January 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Congress censors the web, this is all you’ll read online.

Sign the Google petition and urge them to vote NO on SOPA and PIPA on January 24th.

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Posted in Blog, Blogging, Blogs, Commentary, Internet, News, Politics, Technology

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Spray say

Posted on November 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

With all the talk of late about pepper spray — meme, ecards, Bella toting it in Twilight (yes, I watched it again on FX) — I found myself wondering:

Is there a difference between pepper spray and mace?

Yes. Yes, there is.

Turns out they are two very different self defense products.

Mace is the brand name for an irritant similar to tear gas and usually has no effect on criminals under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent that will immediately take down and cause temporary pain to an assailant. It inflames the capillaries of the eyes and skin causing temporary blindness, nausea, breathing difficulties and an intense burning sensation.

Wow.

Makes you wonder why pepper spray was the self defense product ‘of choice’ at places like Walmart and Occupy Wall Street.  Wouldn’t a simple irritant have been good enough?

(And wouldn’t nothing have been the best choice?)

Plus, this seems less funny now.  And way more painful.

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Posted in Commentary, Health, Humor, News, Politics

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Off the menu

Posted on October 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

People are always asking, “Where should I eat when I visit New York City?”

How about a suggestion of where you definitely should not?

Park Avenue Autumn, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is famous for changing their menu and decor each season.  (It was called Park Avenue Summer until a couple of weeks ago; I think you catch my drift.)

Chef Kevin Lasko has included venison and date syrup, a noted Iraqi delicacy, on this season’s menu.  What’s wrong with that, you ask?  Nothing…except he and artist Michael Rakowitz are serving the dish on plates once owned by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The restaurant attempted to explain their decision to use the china in a press release, saying the plates “represent the rich and complicated history of a place long misunderstood by its invaders.“

I’m sure they do.  Doesn’t mean I want to eat off of them.

You’d think a restaurant would have a bit more taste.


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Posted in Business, Commentary, Cooking, Food, Foods, Humor, Life, Politics, Restaurants, Travel

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Yep Knope

Posted on September 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

Modern Family and Melissa McCarthy may have taken home the Emmys this year, but my money’s on her in 2012.

This is one campaign I hope never ends.  (Sorry, Ben.)

Do you watch Parks and Recreation?  No?? Well, good Lord, man — start!  It’s one of the funniest things on TV.

Here’s a sample quote from last night’s show:

Waiter: Would you like any wine to start?
Leslie: Yes, and I’m gonna be direct and honest with you.  I would like a glass of red wine and I’ll take the cheapest one you have because I can’t tell the difference.

Woman after my own heart.

Vote Knope!

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Posted in Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Politics, Television, TV

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First impressions

Posted on August 9, 2011 | 2 Comments

Did Newsweek go too far?

Their latest cover features a wild-eyed Michele Bachmann and the headline “The Queen of Rage.”

I’m not questioning their word choice.  I mean that photo — that maniacal look on Bachmann’s face.  Does it step over a line?

Or merely capture the real essence of Bachmann?

She is the Republican candidate for President who said — and I quote — “not all cultures are equal.”  Who called global warming “voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.” Who said we were “running out of rich people.”  Who wants to abolish the minimum wage.   And who said “gay marriage is probably the biggest issue to impact our state and our nation in the last 30 years.”

Huh.  Whadda ya know?

You can judge a book by its cover.

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Posted in Advertising, Celebrities, Commentary, Design, Humor, Magazines, Photography, Politics, Writing

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