Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Did MSNBC Cost Hillary Clinton the Election?


A breaking conspiracy theory* now says that Rachel Maddow and MSNBC cost Hillary Clinton the election not Jill Stein who is being blamed by some for losing the Democrats states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida

What if viewers of MSNBC believed Rachel Maddow and either stayed home (like the cast of Hamilton) because their vote wasn't needed or cast their votes for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson as sort of a mini-protest? In the video above Maddow is so cocky who could blame Bernie Sanders supporters watching at home for making other plans on election day? What has Rachel Maddow done to this country!

* Yeah I just made up this breaking conspiracy theory. But it doesn't make the schadenfreude of the video any less amusing.

Monday, November 28, 2016

The Wife of Pi

Heh heh.

Arctic and Antarctic Ice Sheets



So the Arctic ice sheets are melting. But the Antarctic ice sheets are growing.

The skeptic in me wonders why the loss of ice mass in the North Pole is attributed to Global Warming (the science is settled) but the explanation for the ice gains in at the South Pole has many theories. Doesn't quite seem like proper science to me.

The historian in me wonders - hasn't this happened before? Isn't the Arctic ice melting before where stories of a semi-mythical Northwest Passage came from? And didn't the opposite effect of the Arctic ice growing so much that the Bering Straits were frozen solid give rise to the theory of that's how the first people originally came to North America come from?

The scientist in me wonders if this might be caused in part by the Earth changing from a magnetic North Pole to a magnetic South Pole. What about the change in Earth's tilt being an explanation? Maybe a combination of both and possibly other factors? Truth is scientists just don't know. More research is needed. But true science is not served if every result needs to be pre-determined to point to a man-made global catastrophe.

The science is not settled. Mankind has just scratched the surface of the science of how our climate works and the history of past changes.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Why does a QB say "hike" in football? What is he "hiking"? Seriously this little language nugget bugs me... I'm depressed that Florence Henderson has taken the secret of where Mrs. Brady buried the body of her first husband to her grave... What kind of monster was Fidel Castro? One interested in starting a thermonuclear war...  In my opinion - if you can't name the last two people to hold a Cabinet position you really aren't in a great position to complain about Trump's choices... WTF?!? Seriously - WTF?!?... Another language question - why is it that we say "slept like a lamb"? Why a lamb? Why not a sloth or a welfare recipient?... I only know Ron Glass from his work as an actor but he seemed like the nicest and coolest guy around. RIP Ron Glass... Bill Cosby says he plans to go back on tour. Most likely to countries without extradition treaties with the US...

Tom Brady's 200th Win

Tom Brady goes for his 200th win today as a starting QB in the NFL. That would tie him with Peyton Manning for the most wins in NFL history. Brady could be reaching 200 wins in just 261 games. It took Manning 292 games.

Not only is this another data point in the argument that Brady is the greatest QB to ever walk the Earth - it also leads to some interesting drama. Will NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell be in attendance at the game against the Jets? Will there be a televised in-person congratulations from the commissioner if Brady wins the game? How cold will the reception be for Goodell in the Patriots locker room?

And even more interesting - would Roger Goodell dare to show up in Foxboro next week when Brady most surely will break the tie with Manning in the home game against the St. Louis LA Rams?

Saturday, November 26, 2016

How History Could Have Been Different

Fidel Castro had a law degree and when he was young he joined the firm of Azpiazo, Castro and Resende. He didn't do very well in the practice. Castro was a young lawyer without any clients.

I can't help but wonder how history could have been different if only Castro had been a better lawyer. Or if he happened to get a big case or client. Would Fidel have been so hot for communism if he was sitting on a pile of money?

But no - Castro was a shit attorney and a horrible monster. And any person praising him upon his death is an idiot. 

Friday, November 25, 2016

Thursday, November 24, 2016

The Sexy Pilgrim



Happy Thanksgiving! You're welcome!

Great Thanksgiving Story

My favorite Thanksgiving story comes from Gabe Kaplan (of Welcome Back Kotter fame). 

When Gabe was a kid – his older sister was embarrassed about becoming a young woman. She used to have the young Kaplan go into the drug store to buy her Sanitary Napkins. Gabe was curious and asked his sister just what these things were. 

“Oh, they’re special occasion napkins,” she would reply. 

This explanation was enough for Kaplan and he didn’t give it another thought. 

Then one Thanksgiving morning – young Gabe was left alone at home while his parents and older sister drove to the airport to pick up his uncle. Gabe was left with the job of setting the table for Thanksgiving. Then it occurred to him, “what could be more of a special occasion than Thanksgiving?” 

Needless to say – his parents were confused, his sister was very embarrassed but his uncle couldn’t stop laughing when they came home and saw the creative way young Gabe had set the table for Thanksgiving. 

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Political Corruption

**WARNING - HERE BE TALK OF POLITICS**

As I've gotten older I've become less and less political. I think that's because I've come to believe that both parties are equally rotten to the core. The current kerfuffle over Donald Trump's "conflict of interests" regarding his businesses and his duties as President is a perfect example of this.

Will foreign nations try to curry favor by staying at Trump hotels and playing golf at Trump resorts? Absolutely! Will they also try to curry favor by trying to do other business deals with him? Again - absolutely! I don't mind this so much because it is more out in the open and transparent then say a gift to the Clinton Foundation for example. Recently it was revealed that Norway has cut their donations to the Clinton Foundation by 90%. Is this because the Clinton Foundation has stopped doing worthwhile charitable things or because the power and influence of the Clinton's were crippled when Hillary lost the election?

The Trump University settlement? During the campaign it was made clear by the media that Trump University was a scam from top to bottom. But maybe if that same media hadn't tried to portray Mitt Romney as a bigoted, misogynist, shady business man the public might have believed them when a real bigoted, misogynist, shady business man actually appeared. Besides - I'm glad Trump did the right thing and settled the case so it wouldn't be hanging over his Presidency.

Going back to Trump's hotel business - am I the only one who remembers the stories written with glee about how Trump's campaign was hurting his business? Who is really surprised the opposite is happening now that he won? Besides for every foreign delegation - there's an NBA team or Hollywood star boycotting Trump properties.

It's the nature of the beast. Get over it!
  

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Butt Fumble



Four-years ago today.

Rodney Dangerfield

Today would have been Rodney Dangerfield's 95th birthday. Some of my favorite Dangerfield one-liners.
My wife was afraid of the dark... then she saw me naked and now she's afraid of the light.
Yeah, I know I'm ugly... I said to a bartender, 'Make me a zombie.' He said 'God beat me to it.'
I come from a stupid family. During the Civil War my great uncle fought for the west
I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get.
I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent back a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.
I was so depressed that I decided to jump from the tenth floor. They sent up a priest. He said " on your mark ......"

Monday, November 21, 2016

Just Saying

I'm just saying but if you Google "Jeffrey Dahmer cannibal" you get about 128,000 hits.

If you Google "Harry Reid pedophile" you get about the same number of hits (if you include "Harry Reid pederast" it's over 141,500 hits).

With Your Left Hand Free - alt-J



Just a catchy tune for a blah Monday.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- CERN physicist Brian Cox's talk on why we need science

- This is true (especially on days there is football on TV)

- Jaromir Jagr is amazing. I really wish the Bruins kept him.

- Given the success of the movie Doctor Strange - you would think there would be a resurgence in the Three Dog Night song Shambala.

- The (Russian) spy who added me on LinkedIn

- Why Arizona Ice Tea is cheaper than water

The Gettysburg Addess



153-years ago yesterday.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Trump should collectively nominate the cast of Hamilton to be Secretary of Education just to see leftists heads explode. "But they are not qualified" the media will point out. Then why are you listening to them Trump could ask... I love Mitt Romney. People who see cheap in that picture and not humble just don't get it... Quote of the day: "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened."- Mark Twain...  A day late but still worth remembering... I don't want a drone. I want the mechanical owl from the first Clash of the Titans movie... This is true (and sad)... Reading Charlie Pierce's post election Tweets - I can't help but picture him going naked Howard Hughes peeing into glass jars insane because the election didn't go his way... Am I the only one who reads this report and immediately thinks of Breaking Bad?... I would love to hear Adele cover Ted Nugent's Stranglehold... I'm still disappointed that Conor McGregor wasn't signed to play Mad Sweeney in American Gods... This is also true (and sad)...

Friday, November 18, 2016

Heh Heh

A nice young woman on a flight from Switzerland said to the priest beside her, "Father, may I ask a favor?"

"Of course. What may I do for you?"

"Well, I bought an expensive electronic hair remover that is well over the Customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there anyway you could carry it through Customs for me? ..Under your robes perhaps?"

"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie."

"With your honest face, Father, no one will question you."

When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?"

"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare."

The official thought this answer strange, so asked, "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?"

"I have a marvellous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, which is, to date, unused."

Roaring with laughter, the official said, "Go ahead, Father." "Next!"

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Heh Heh


Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Heh heh - good question.

- Theranos is to the medical device companies what Enron was to energy companies and Theranos fraud was basically exposed by one man.

- A cross country runner gets destroyed by a deer in the middle of a race. Once you see it in the back you will replay the video several times and each time say "WHOA!!"

- Heh heh

- Maybe the best Tweet in the history of Twitter

- Heh heh

- I think Tony Romo is nothing but class but this made me chuckle.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Clinton's Last Hurrah

Are you familiar with The Last Hurrah?  The recent election got me thinking about it.

The movie (and the book) are truly classic but unfortunately the movie (and the book) have started to fade from the public consciousness. The movie was directed by the legendary John Ford and the screenplay was the work of Frank Nugent (who also wrote the screenplay for Ford's The Quiet Man and Forte Apache).

The basic plot of the book is both a thinly veiled biopic of Boston's James Michael Curley and also a tale of the changing of the guard in politics. The tale of the old, machine politics, ward boss, dispenser of favors vs the new, young telegenic politician is very spot on. Does this sound like it could also be a brief synopsis of the election last Tuesday (except that Donald Trump isn't exactly young).

The problem with those old Frank Skeffington / James Michael Curley ways is that A: the ugly side of graft and extortion are glossed over and B: they just wouldn't work today. They wouldn't work today because the spoils system of patronage has been replaced by affirmative action and civil service. At least that's what I used to think.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were much in their own way old school machine politics animals. The pay to play with the Clinton's and the Clinton Foundation though wasn't patronage for jobs - it was millions in exchange for access to power. Maybe the real cause of Hillary's downfall was in the pursuit of global graft they forgot Tip O'Neil's dictum that all politics is local.

Hollywood is always looking for remakes. Why not a remake of The Last Hurrah? But instead of basing it on James Michael Curley - base it on Bill and Hillary Clinton. Like the original movie - the remake could be a thinly veiled biopic and a tale of the changing of the guard in politics.

I'd go to see it.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

The New England Patriots are now winless since Donald trump was elected President... Amazing photo of the "Super Moon" over the Saint Louis arch... Is there a stat for Ben Roethlisberger getting hurt when Steelers are losing vs when they are ahead? Just saying... New TV show idea - Scott Baio is an LA real estate agent selling homes of Hollywood stars who are moving to Canada because Trump was elected President... Cool - Bruce Springsteen rescued from roadside by NJ bikers... Still surprised that Zima was never actually the Official drink of the US Men's Figure Skating Team... Damn it! The Twitter handle "ThanksTrump" is already taken... This is true... Just saying but Al Gore was born 9 months after aliens supposedly landed at Roswell, NM. Coincidence or something else?... "A man is what he wills himself to be." - Jean-Paul Sartre... I would be curious to see which number is larger - the number of Liberal Arts Colleges that cancelled classes because Donald Trump was elected President and the snowflakes had trouble dealing with that or the number of Liberal Arts Colleges that had no school on Veterans Day to honor those who served in the military...

Heh Heh

These two old ladies, Myrtle and Mildred, are at the beach, when Myrtle notices that Mildred's pack of cigarettes have a condom stretched over it. 

"Why on earth did you do that, Mildred?" 

"It's the best way I've ever found to keep the sand out of my cigarettes while at the beach!" 

So the next day, Myrtle goes to the drug store, and tells the pharmacist that she'd like a pack of condoms. The pharmacist is surprised, and says, "Well, Ok, but they come in different styles and sizes. Do you know what you what?" 

Myrtle responds, "I really don't care as long as they work on a pack of Camels." 

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Nature

You might have seen this clip that was all over the Internets last week from Planet Earth II:



Here's some behind the scenes of how it was filmed.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Leonard Cohen

Songwriter / singer Leonard Cohen has passed away at age 82. Cohen has lived quite a full life as evidenced by this October 16, 2016 New Yorker profile.

Today you will see many people posting or linking to versions of his best known song Hallelujah but I prefer this collaboration with U2.
 


Liam Clancy - Band Played Waltzing Matilda



Seemed like a good song to remind some on this day of remembrance of the price veterans can pay.

Veteran's Day


Thank you to all the veterans out there. Your service is greatly appreciated.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Wednesday, November 09, 2016

Top 5 - Thoughts on President-Elect Trump

Holy Shit! Didn't see that coming - did you? Here's my Top 5 initial thoughts on a Trump Presidency.

1. I know many are going to wake this morning with the feeling that they are now living in a Stephen King novel. But in the real world there was no Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone to save the day. "The missiles are flying. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" I know this new reality is scary for many people but in actuality President Trump is most likely going to have to delegate much of the day-to-day responsibilities both because he has no experience and also because I don't think that stuff interests him. Think a more disinterested Jimmy Carter instead of President Greg Stillson.

2. Paul Ryan as Speaker of the House is in position to become the real power for the next four years. Half the country hates Trump and the people who represent those people in Congress will be willing to reach across the aisle to vote for any measures Speaker Ryan puts forth that are viewed as keeping Trump in check. And if Ryan has eyes on a 2020 run for the White House this could be a very interesting dynamic.

3. Can you pardon yourself? I'm all for President Obama pardoning Hillary Clinton for the email business. That damage is done and even though it sends the wrong message that some people are above the law - it is probably best to move forward without long drawn out court proceedings. But will pardoning Clinton embolden President Trump to pardon himself? Can the President do that? Sorry everyone who went Trump University and everyone else suing him. How funny would it be if that was the real reason Trump ran for President in the first place - to pardon himself.

4. Cutting the cord. The biggest losers in last night's results (besides Hillary and the Clinton Foundation) are the MSM (Main Stream Media). They enabled Trump by giving him free air-time. They rooted Trump on because they thought he would be the easiest candidate for Hillary to beat. They have lost all credibility by slowly losing any veneer of being impartial over the years. They say that the two main reasons cable TV stays relevant is because of news and because of live sports. For many people watching the news just proved to be a gigantic waste of time. Those people in the media didn't know dick. And on top of that I'm guessing that Donald Trump will most likely demand being on TV almost full-time as President which will result in many more deciding they can watch their live sports at a local bar. Cutting the cord will be a much bigger thing in the next couple of years and the media having to then shed jobs will be the karma paid for the MSM shilling for Hillary.

5. It bugged me how much President Obama golfed during his Presidency but if President Trump wants to golf every day for the next four years - that's OK by me. It lessens the opportunities for him to do any damage at his now day job.

We have now gone from a man who served as Governor of a major state and had executive experience to a one-term Senator known for voting "Present" to a man who had never previously been elected to anything. I don't likey this trend.

Tuesday, November 08, 2016

Gonna Raise Hell - Cheap Trick


This mostly forgotten song would probably make a good theme song for the year 2016 as a whole.

Also seems as fitting a song for election day as any.
 

Sunday, November 06, 2016

Went to see Doctor Strange Friday night with my son. We both give the movie two thumbs up. The movie is also getting very good reviews on both IMDB and on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you liked Guardians of the Galaxy or the Lord of the Rings - pretty sure you'll like Doctor Strange. If those movies weren't your cup of tea - well save your money. And don't worry if you aren't familiar with the main character - the movie is basically an origin story. In my opinion the best Marvel origin story movie since Iron Man.

And yes there is extra content after the credits - so stick around.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Heh heh - I can't help but giggle at that.

- In pictures - Ireland's historic victory over New Zealand's All Blacks. The first time in 111-years.

- This is cool. A man's lived a rich life if he has a friendship like this that lasts 51-years (and still going strong).

- Tough to describe what beauty is but you know it when you see it. This is beautiful to me. Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland.

- Heh heh 

- Incredible - this is Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill.

Friday, November 04, 2016

Gunga Galunga


The flowing robes, the grace, bald, the Boston Bruins hat... striking! Big hitter the Lama.

Let It Roll Tonight



What a great song. You don't hear it played near enough. Always gets me pumped up.

The weekend is here! Let us spring up out of our sober shells! This weekend we shall soar like drunken eagles!

Thursday, November 03, 2016

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Congratulations to the Cubs and the City of Chicago. I have the feeling that this is just the first of a few Championships to come... I love this poker story... Jut a reminder - the Red Sox magic number is now 163... Any time I see Newt Gingrich - I try to picture him as Santa's gay half-brother to see if it makes him more likable... Some good tips for better swimming... Not only is Tom Brady 1st in quarterback rating, he's also tied for 11th in TD's despite missing the first 4 games... Pretty sure Rape Whistle would be a horrible name for a band or a coconut rum drink... Henry Miller's 11 Commandments of writing... First it was the Chippendale Dancers, then it was the Thunder Down Under, now it's MEAT RAFFLE!... Should the Jaguars hire Tom Coughlin? I say yes (or hire Josh McDaniels)... I think if Mel Gibson came out and endorsed Hillary Clinton then most of Hollywood would forgive him en masse...  Heh heh...

Mount Whoredom

Long before Archer had Whore Island there was an actual Mount Whoredom.

Prostitution was so rampant in Boston in the 1770's that a British military cartographer marked the red light district in Boston as Mount Whoredom. The American troops surrounding Boston back then may have been short of military dress and ammunition but they were drinking about a bottle of rum a day - apiece. Viva the American way!

This may be one of those historical facts that only twisted minds like mine find interesting.

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

Is Jon Lester a HoF Player?

Joel Sherman raises the question of whether Jon Lester is a Hall of Fame player. I hadn't really thought about it before but the answer is NO. At least not now.

Jon Lester would need at least 5 more seasons averaging 15 or more wins, 200 strike outs and an ERA of about 3.00. That would give Lester about 221 wins and about 2,861 strikeouts. That's still borderline but that's what's really needed to put Lester into the conversation.

I love Jon Lester but we are talking about a guy who's top finish in Cy Young voting was 4th in 2010 and 2014.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Bauer ice hockey gear maker files bankruptcy in US and Canada

-  OK - now Congress will absolutely come up with the money to fight Zika

- The Civil War in just 5 minutes

- If Albert Einstein dressed as Doctor Strange for Halloween

- This might be my favorite moment from Election 2016

- I think I'm rooting for the Cubs tonight just for Bob Newhart's sake. The John Belushi story is gold. Bob's the best.

- History might be against the Cubs tonight though.

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

Jamie Collins

Have to get this off my chest so I can stop thinking about it. I think Bill Belichick did the right thing by trading Jamie Collins.

Anyone watching New England knows their offense is firing on all-cylinders. It is the defense that is the big question mark. And the Patriots defense this season was actually better when Jamie Collins was not on the field. Let that sink in for a minute. The biggest issue for many fans is the lack of pressure on the opposing QB by the Pats defense. Collins had just 1 sack in the first half of the season. Do you think someone will be able to step up and replace or improve upon that one sack in the second half? I do.

New England was already starting to use rookie Elandon Roberts more and Collins less. You don't want a player in his contract year, a player who by reports plays when he wants to play, getting reduced snaps in games. That player is bound to be unhappy with his decreased playing time hurting his market value. Would that player become a clubhouse distraction down the stretch and into the playoffs? Well now the Patriots don't need to find out.

Right now the Patriots don't have any major dead money salaries on the books. Their two best players, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, are both grossly underpaid. The team wasn't about to give Collins the type of money he is looking for and in the end the current on-the-field production and potential distractor-factor wasn't worth it to Belichick for what the team is already paying him now.

I wish Jamie Collins nothing but the best. I hope he does get his big payday. But it will be interesting to watch (from afar) if all that money effects his motivation to play all-out.

Neil Gaiman - Make Good Art



It never hurts to hear this good advice every once and a while.