Taking a Different Tack?

Could the wright finally be getting the message?

Y'see, when the film Fahrenheit 9/11 came out last year, wright-wing groups came out to protest it in droves. The result: It was one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, and it was the highest-grossing documentary ever. Michael Moore laughed all the way to the bank.

And when the movie Saved came out in the same year, I got a mass e-mail forwarded to me by my crackpot aunt urging me not to see it. So, naturally, I watched it. It was an enjoyable piece of fluff, with a syrupy message. I recommend watching it at least once. And although the movie didn't do all that well, it would not have done as well as it did if not for the wright-wingers urging people NOT to watch it!

So now comes Brokeback Mountain. And this time, the wright wingers are taking a different approach. They are simply writing bad reviews of it.

So could it be that they're finally grasping the obvious--that the single most effective way to get someone to do something is to tell them NOT to do it?

I sure hope not. It could mean that someone on the other side actually has two brain cells to rub together. And the single most important advantage we have over the wright is that they are to dumb to get it.

Personally, I will not be seeing this movie. I have ZERO desire to see Jake Gyllenhall and Heath Ledger kissing. Ugh! Mental...image...taking...over...must...
picture...Pamela...Anderson...naked...Ahhh! Much better!

They Said it Better Than I Could, cont.

The Tampa Tribune takes on Bill O'Reilly's fictitious war on Christmas:

Putting aside the idea that all "Happy Holidays" represents is a variation on the phrase "Happy Holy Days," which certainly seems appropriately theological, the "Christmas" kerfuffle looms as an insane chattering class issue for a more important reason.

Really now, if one's appreciation for the birth of Jesus Christ is somehow reaffirmed because one can find a "Merry Christmas" sign in Wal-Mart while one is buying an iPod, it probably doesn't say much about the depth of one's faith, does it?

Rather, isn't the true spirit of Christmas really to be found under your roof, or by the tree, or around the dinner table, or in your heart surrounded by your family, your friends?

Amen.

Read the full article here.

As for me, I survived another Christmas, although my I'm surprised my credit card didn't spontaneously combust.

I also broke my right big toe two days before Christmas, and it hurts like hell.

So everyone have a safe and happy new year. Expect a "year in review" post sometime in the next few days.

Peace out!

A Moment of Silence, Please

Sad news indeed today. John Spencer is dead.



You may know him better as "Leo" from The West Wing.

Tragically, it would seem that life, indeed, does imitate art. His character suffered a heart attack on the show during the sixth season. He recovered.

I don't know how the show will deal with the loss. Presumably (although I don't know for sure) the show has finished taping all the remaining episodes for this season. But if Jimmy Smits' character is elected President, Leo would have been the VP.

Of course, there's a good chance this may be the last season for TWW anyway, in which case it wouldn't matter.

At any rate, tonight I will raise a glass in John's memory. Farewell! We'll miss you!

The Fictitious War on Christmas

Seems lately like every wright-wing blowhard these days is talking about the so-called "War on Christmas" going on in America.

Pardon my language, but what a giant steaming pile of 24-karat bullshit!

As near as I can tell, the whole non-issue was started by Bill O'Reilly, Christian soldier extraordinaire. He has called for boycotts of everything from Target to Wal-Mart--simply because they tell their employees to say "Happy Holidays" or some such, instead of "Merry Christmas". Apparently, this makes them all non-Christian heathens who will rot in hell for all eternity.

By the way, Billy boy, in just what part of the bible does it say, "thou shalt engage in sexual harassment with a subordinate, including engaging in unwanted phone sex with her, then pay her to keep quiet about it"?! Some Christian you are! Suck my dick, you bloviating nutjob!

(That last bit was added in a desperate bid to be put on O'Reilly's "enemies list". I can't imagine a better way to increase readership of this blog!)

As for the so-called "War on Christmas", I simply have this to say: Yes, there is a war on Christmas, but not in the way Bill thinks. No, the real "War on Christmas" began, in my humble opinion, when the big networks stopped showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Y'see, they can talk all about broadcast rights and other reasons why the special was pulled from the networks, but I have to believe that this line had a lot to do with it:

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

(emphasis mine)

Now, just imagine how happy stores (and other potential Christmas advertisers) were about THAT!

Yes, this simple statement that Christmas was more about friends, family, fellowship, and good cheer--and yes, even about Jesus--and (gasp!) NOT about buying things and going into debt for six months. It probably soured advertisers from the start. This is probably the reason why I haven't seen The Grinch in years (yes, I still don't have cable).

So Bill, if you want to talk about the REAL war on Christmas, I'll be happy to debate you any time you want. Or are you too busy hiding under your desk?!

(Again, a bid to get on his enemies list!)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Christmas shopping to do--probably at Target. ;)

Tooting My Own Horn

Got my letter to the editor published by The Blade today. Here's the link (it's the one at the bottom of the page.)

But, for those of you to lazy to access it, here's the text:

On Saturday the neo-Nazis plan to exercise their right to (hopefully) peaceably assemble. Fine. Our Constitution guarantees that right, along with many others.

I, however, plan to exercise my right to ignore them. And I encourage every other citizen to do the same. Attention is what these people want. If we ignore them, then maybe they will realize that northwest Ohio in December can often be a cold, miserable, uninviting place - especially when you're outside - and they will crawl back under their rocks.

Short. Simple. To the point.

I believe I have sounded off before on this subject. The Neo-Nazis plan their rally on Saturday, and I encourage anyone who will listen to ignore them. I have always believed that the best antidote to hate speech is to ignore it. To paraphrase a popular saying: If an asshole talks in the forest and no one hears him, does he make any noise?

Meanwhile, the local police will be cordoning off about six city blocks downtown. They will be closing the Government center (where I work, by the way.) They are putting up protective barriers over all the lower windows. The Ohio State Patrol has been given special permission to patrol in Toledo and lend a hand if necessary.

God only knows how much money is being spent on this whole project because of these Nazi thunder-fucks. And it may all be for nothing. There's a good chance these people may show up, realize that it's fucking cold in this city, and go the fuck home!

At least, that's what I'm hoping.