Ok, ok, so this post isn't that "mega", but as it has been a while since my last post I have a handful of items to mention. So, onto the content...

First, the bad. I have generally been trying to avoid thinking about the BP-oil-spill-in-the-gulf situation. I know it's bad, really bad, but I have too much in my personal life going on to devote much concern to this. And besides, what good would my concern do? My friend sent me this and it made me laugh and cry a bit. It just proves that no matter how many resources we throw at the situation, nothing can surpass a bit of relevant knowledge and understanding. Warning, this article uses many an expletive, but makes good points despite. Oh, and a preface: booming is a technique for gathering oil that is drifting ashore. Now fearless readers, here you go: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/5/11/865387/-Fishgrease:-DKos-Booming-School

After reading that, I need something to lift the spirits. To that end I present you with a bear that practices Kung Fu... hang it there, the toss is worth waiting for.

And I know I emailed this to a few people, but I had to post it too. While the band and the music are not that interesting, the drummer alone is well worth the time to watch. Enjoy, the most awesomely enthusiastic drumming of all time!

And with that I am out... until next time, dear readers.

So here are a few things that have been rolling around in my head lately that I thought I would share, just to give you a little idea of what it's like to be me.

First there was the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the ban on corporate campaign spending because it was a first amendment violation. OK, I appreciate the first amendment and the maintenance of its integrity, but at what point does lobbying cross the line? Am I going to be able to vote Time-Warner-AOL for President in 2012? I heard this suggested on the radio and I think it is a great idea: from now on, all elected officials should have to wear some form of advertising for each one of his or her lobbyist's interests, a la Nascar. That could lead to a few changes in our national identity, but why not just be proud of who we are.

Now here is a short story... but first some preface. A few weeks ago I had Otto outside in the backyard without a leash. With the exception of the driveway, the entire yard is fenced and contains him, so that outside with no leash had been the SOP. On this particular day however, on the way inside he managed to slip by me in the driveway and get out into the front yard where he got into a bit of a fracas with a passing Great Dane (he is more courageous than he is smart). After that was all over, it was decided that it was time to employ the leash at least from the door to the backyard. So now we have that to deal with on a daily basis. Great.

So now fast forward to a few nights ago. Otto and I are getting ready to go out, so I slap the leash on him, throw a piece of gum* in my mouth, and open the door. At this point, Otto decides he has waited long enough and bolts for the backyard, dragging me in his wake and nearly sending me sprawling. "Whoa!" I exclaim, which gets him to stop momentarily. As I bend down to unhook his leash, I sneeze and spit my gum out onto the ground.

"You see?!" I say, as if this will somehow explain to him (a dog mind you), that in some strange cosmic way his pulling on the leash has lead to my sneezing and the subsequent loss of gum.

As he bolts off into the night, now liberated from the tyranny of his leash, I say out loud to no one in particular,

"We're like Laurel and Hardy... and I'm the dumb one."

After that I spent a few minutes laughing out loud. And I wonder why the neighbors give me strange looks. Like sands through the hourglass...

*Note that I have substituted gum here for a less socially acceptable item. If you know me, you'll know what I mean. If you don't know me, it was really gum.

A recent story in a local weekly paper got me thinking -- actually, the reader comments at the end got me thinking -- about all of the Religious Right rhetoric we've been subjected to over the past decade. It's time Christian zealots are corrected.

First of all, the United States wasn't founded by Christian men based on Christian values and ideals. The founders basically were deists, and the ideals and values are basic to many religions: Empathy, cooperation, compassion, valuing human life.

For those of you in the Ridiculous Right who slept through history class, the founding fathers sought to escape the tyranny of King George III and the Church of England. The United States of America is the first democracy in world history to form under a government and constitution that DOES NOT recognize or submit to a formal god or religion or to have a national church or religion.

Second of all, the separation of church and state was not a function of political correctness or an attempt to not offend anyone. Instead, colonists wanted to be free to worship as they chose -- WHATEVER that meant to each person -- without dictation or direction from religious rulers. (What Billy Graham would have been 300 or 400 years ago.)

In modern times, the separation presents Americans with a measure of tolerance and inclusiveness. What makes our country great is its basis for welcoming anyone of any background, and the uniqueness and intrinsic value of different cultures and religions.

So, for those of you Bible thumpers who believe the Republican Party is an engine in the religious rebirth of the United States, remember where you came from. If you are indeed as loyal to the Constitution and its authors' intentions as you claim to be, put down your pistols, take off your Pslam 109:8 T-shirts and educate yourselves.

You're pissing me off.

First, here are a few sites worth checking out - they all make me laugh.
Very Demotivational
Awkward Family Photos
This is Photobomb
Failblog
Ugliest Tattoos

Next, I love this acronym: FTW. Now I know this might seem bad; my previous understanding of this acronym was in the context of outlaw bikers and the like, and meant "F**k The World" - this I do not endorse (at least publicly). The new and improved version is "For The Win" - and this I do endorse wholeheartedly. FTW!

Next, I hate this phrase: at the end of the day. Like any buzzword or phrase (for example outside the box, or synergy) I'm sure its usage in popular reference will be short. In my opinion it cannot be short enough.


And finally, I was directed to this article in Vanity Fair recently, Monsanto's Harvest of Fear. Scary, scary stuff. If this article interests you and you haven't seen the movie Michael Clayton I highly recommend watching it. It's a horror film based on reality, where there is no stalking crazy man in a mask but rather just a trans-global corporation devoid of even a shred of integrity. You know, the frightening stuff of reality.

I supported Barack Obama. I canvassed for Barack Obama. I encouraged anyone who would listen to vote for Barack Obama. I myself voted for Barack Obama. Why? Because I thought he represented the first real chance for change in a long, long time, and introduced a breath of hope in a country that had been run asunder by the seemingly idiotic leadership of George Bush and his crony henchmen.

Recently I read these two articles, and they have made me wonder if I wasn't duped, played for the fool by believing anything could or would change within our country. Please forgive the use of colloquial language; it may cheapen the content slightly, but I think it is demonstrative of the writer's passion.

Sick and Wrong by Matt Taibbi
The Lie Machine by Tim Dickinson

Both of these articles made me sick to my stomach. One demonstrates how easily those with money and power can manipulate and motivate large groups of people. Can these people really be so oblivious to the bigger picture? Apparently this point isn't lost on the President. So you can poke fun at people's ignorance, but why haven't you been able to educate them any more effectively than your opponents in the GOP?

And how is it that despite President Obama's promises on the campaign trail to clean up the "K Street culture" in Washington, it is apparently still the driving motivator for our leaders and the decisions and legislation they produce.

I just fail to understand that while there seems to be massive public agreement that health care costs have run out of control, the now Democratic run government still can't manage to get anything done. I understand they inherited the economy and its woes, and I don't fault them for any more than half of that (hey, they have been around this whole time even if they were the minority). But seriously President Obama, you have yet to live up to a single thing you promised during your campaign, and my faith is losing steam in a hurry.

Now, a year after his historical election, I have to ask President Obama who said, "Yes we can!"... can we?