tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43545660237565140202024-03-07T19:39:22.135-05:00AFTER MIDNIGHTThe ongoing saga of a continuing life.Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-53148261137523705422011-03-16T02:14:00.005-04:002011-03-16T03:01:51.258-04:00A Less-Kind, Harsher America?I'm 53, and I'm nervous.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Not for the usual reasons, mind you. My hair started falling out when I was 14, so that's a long-lost battle. Terrorist attacks? Always a possibility, but so are sunspots, the odd mugging, or running into some of my former girlfriends. My physical health is lousy, but I've resigned myself to all that. Actually, a longer life is not high on my Wish List, for reasons that will become obvious in a few minutes. </div><br /><div></div><div>This happened a day or two ago. I was at my neighborhood convenience store, picking up <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Uv-yhM_ec-c6Efi36M3GoUddvmKDB_Eavx1EZKEQyncfDayOoGABpkmJZ4mBgvrPub1SWagBqB2rXgEYxbLwdSXN1Pd9j8O4K-T-pCHNP1BQCoAK9iIGXMpF1nqFG-dKhbM7lQXuR64/s1600/3c17e2cd8e113390.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 108px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584562529864737922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Uv-yhM_ec-c6Efi36M3GoUddvmKDB_Eavx1EZKEQyncfDayOoGABpkmJZ4mBgvrPub1SWagBqB2rXgEYxbLwdSXN1Pd9j8O4K-T-pCHNP1BQCoAK9iIGXMpF1nqFG-dKhbM7lQXuR64/s200/3c17e2cd8e113390.jpg" /></a>a few bottles of Diet Pepsi [the only vice I still have worthy of note]. Like many of these stores, the check-out people change regularly. I was waited on by a man in his mid-20's, seemingly nice enough. We got to talking, and the subject of the Japan earthquake/tsunami came up. "I feel bad for the people there", he said, "but putting nuclear power plants in a country that has earthquakes and tsunamis regularly seems like a really bad idea". I pointed out that this particular <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">trembler</span> was of a once-in-maybe-a-thousand-years magnitude. He was certainly sympathetic, but still maintained that Japan was just a bad place for nuclear plants. I did see his point, but did have to straighten him out when he added that whoever put New Orleans where it was wasn't very bright, either.</div><div> </div><div>Now, here's my concern: this man was part of the group of people who'll likely be running the Nation in a generation or so. No matter the knowledge or education level of this group of leaders, they will be seeing a country filled with aging Baby Boomers, crushing his friends with entitlements that will almost certainly suck Social Security dry by the time <em>they</em> would be old enough to draw on it. In an earlier time, we Boomers would have made as much provision as we could do care for ourselves. But, like domesticated animals, we no longer know how to care for ourselves financially, or in any other sense of that term. In a very real way, we <strong>need </strong>the protections the government has put in place for us. The problem is, the younger generations do not have enough potential workers to keep the money train running. </div><div> </div><div>You might see where this is going; the New Leaders, noting that the Boomers don't have the means to care for themselves, could very possibly choose to put us on the mid-to-late-21st Century <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">equivalent</span> of an ice flow. And I don't care how patriotic they can make that act sound! I've lived my whole life in the Northern United States; when I die, I want to die somewhere warm, at the very least indoors. </div><div> </div><div>A message to my fellow Boomers: be afraid. Be very afraid...</div><div> </div><div>-Mike Riley</div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-1409433242562198782011-01-14T04:50:00.006-05:002011-01-14T05:21:20.361-05:00this is the dawning of the age of...what?<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp-bFkgdBga8WgMSY4jQWBATQtx63fm8LWPbjPZdbM7UVWwk6aKsQkNv5ZHrsQiT6ZXB3NPyLPEAb8ayAV0G7A86lSb0FZ3d7g4BzzOfNYiHmzRtgaIe9gJ9p63Up5n1cbKogvVq2rUs/s1600/zodiac.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561977746827955058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp-bFkgdBga8WgMSY4jQWBATQtx63fm8LWPbjPZdbM7UVWwk6aKsQkNv5ZHrsQiT6ZXB3NPyLPEAb8ayAV0G7A86lSb0FZ3d7g4BzzOfNYiHmzRtgaIe9gJ9p63Up5n1cbKogvVq2rUs/s200/zodiac.bmp" /></a> On my list of "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">usually</span> harmless <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hokum</span>", one of the top spots is reserved for astrology. Reputedly created in ancient <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Babylonia</span>, it uses an analysis of the relative position of certain stars in the sky to predict the future. I suppose it's no more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inaccurate</span> a system than the casting of rune sticks, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">divination</span> arising from a study of animal entrails., both of which have been accepted means of prediction in history. <div> </div><div> </div><div>The main problem with the zodiac today is that the relative position of the stars has moved since the original charting, about the distance of one whole sign, according to some estimates.<img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 192px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561977924827468978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykTtcYYuXgJfNnuFL2UyXET5qCP2lEfSvLPdqd-Hd-uD1bNQu7noElK7DzqWy4tZKHuRI4ZuiI6msfjeAZiNMwqlXHf6Fdcv8nbxZaJU3Gu5GHheBkX3ics0Wi7EnR4TbCOGH-wTgeT0/s200/imagesCAYC14CD.jpg" /> Obviously some adjustment was needed. But what to do?</div><div> </div><div>Meet<a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/100950/20110114/new-zodiac-sign-ophiuchus-may-change-the-future-of-astrologers-too.htm"> <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Ophiuchus</span></em> </a>[symbol, or one suggested symbol, anyway, at right]. One of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">three</span> dozen possible constellations postulated by the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Babylonian</span> wiseguys...sorry, wise men, it has become championed by astrologer Parke <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kunkle</span>, who recently noted that the new sign's influence on the existing Zodiac explains many previously mysterious events in history. The rise of Lady Gaga, for instance, as well as the otherwise inexplicable audience for <em>How I Met Your Mother.</em></div><div> </div><div>Understand, I have no real objection to the update; new nonsense for old hurts a nonsensical system not at all. For the record, I find more truth in the so-called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_horoscope">Chinese "horoscope", </a>based around 12 animals. In that system, I'm a Rooster, and a Rooster I prefer to remain.</div><div> </div><div>-Mike Riley</div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-22940930973480343812011-01-13T04:25:00.008-05:002011-01-13T05:15:07.456-05:00...just what we need...the Fear Index...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl3UHVuXzJ6Vh0cR0wrYnt_JxOwBt6sIU83vNfECVDcRiDnzrb_yQkd4lr9n0VhgOT1vu-XegD4aEYJySj0gptrnS8dRRHuwpEmiFrAuUbzz10jO3TPjRH2mJPm71f6hJzsamphnvsj0/s1600/imagesCAEIJ1BQ.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561599748645444322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl3UHVuXzJ6Vh0cR0wrYnt_JxOwBt6sIU83vNfECVDcRiDnzrb_yQkd4lr9n0VhgOT1vu-XegD4aEYJySj0gptrnS8dRRHuwpEmiFrAuUbzz10jO3TPjRH2mJPm71f6hJzsamphnvsj0/s200/imagesCAEIJ1BQ.jpg" /></a></div><div><div>Having been born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and living now in the nearby city of Niagara Falls, there are two things I am expected to be an expert at: losing the championship of the National Football League [see Super Bowls XXV-XXVIII, inclusive], and snow.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>While "the streak" is a matter of public record, Buffalo's rep as the Snow Capitol Of America might be a little mis-guided. No one in this area would deny that it snows <em>a lot</em> around here [just over 74 inches of the white stuff last winter]. But that 74.1 inches would be good only for <em>seventh place</em> on last winter's tote board. Buffalo wasn't even the most snow-covered spot in New York State; Syracuse, as it usually does, topped the State roster; it also finished first in the National Snow Bowl with a mind-boggling <strong>106.1 inches</strong> of semi-solid precipitation [it's said the Innuit people of the Arctic have more than 200 words for snow. Why is there never an Innuit person available when you need one?].</div><br /><div></div><div>The difference comes in the area of snow removal. Since the "perfect storm" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_1977">Blizzard of 1977</a>, blamed for the deaths of 23 people, Buffalo and its surrounding cities seem to have taken a vow that they will never be shut down again as they were in that season [Ironicaly, the average amount of snow that fell was only about a foot, an unusually high amount for one storm, but by no means as crippling in itself as this blizzard turned out to be. The difference was the strong winds that built up drifts as high as <em>three feet</em> in more than a few locations.].</div><br /><div></div><div>If you were one of many thousands stranded by last month's storm, or are currently cooling your heels in an airport hundreds of miles from where you want to be, curse the lack of equipment and training most airports have. Buffalo's is equipped with state-of-the-art plows and other specialized devices. Airport staffs from around the world come in during storms to watch the Buffalo crew clean up [and presumably, to take notes].</div><br /><div></div><div>This got me thinking; because of the Blizzard of '77, the Buffalo area has committed larg<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZpVcB3V1fKkMLt3FY2MSJ0F-cnPZl_3BlyxJN5evPzGPINpNzV_qw57psMU7DP8LtFlUP4aorDFo5ESikRVvaezB_8qIdaTUoxObSJjS32PDpC4HOuxPL-R3Wib0w06JaxdAHBufe_0/s1600/mangastats.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 151px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561609048882548834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZpVcB3V1fKkMLt3FY2MSJ0F-cnPZl_3BlyxJN5evPzGPINpNzV_qw57psMU7DP8LtFlUP4aorDFo5ESikRVvaezB_8qIdaTUoxObSJjS32PDpC4HOuxPL-R3Wib0w06JaxdAHBufe_0/s200/mangastats.jpg" /></a>e amounts of money to ensure quick snow clearance. Other areas, I would guess, make preparations based on the difficulties they most fear: I would think San Francisco, for example, spends large amounts on earthquake preparedness, while Florida would probably spend heavily on hurricane cleanup equipment and training. It would be a simple mathematic process [not for me, for real statiticians] to calculate what frightens any area in the world by figuring out which area of disaster preparation it spends the most on, exclusive of police and fire prevention and extinguishing [although both would likely enter into a community's disaster preparation expenses]. Anyone interested in finding out the paranoia triggers in their local is free to use this concept, without credit to me [as a matter of fact, the less you mention me in this process, the better]. The only thing I would ask is that the title The Fear Index be used for this process. Let's at least keep the name simple and explanatory...</div><div> </div><div>-Mike Riley</div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-88166338495223983212010-12-17T02:46:00.008-05:002010-12-17T03:22:11.877-05:00An idea whose time has come...again?<strong>"Tax the rich, feed the poor/Till there are no poor no more"</strong><br /><strong> -"I'd Love to Change The World"; Alvin Lee</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wKrx44h8HKie9iR33urmEewzflF8ooeqrrMzH7euvJ7cuUk6RarEgED_jPU0F2RNTHM5zNCR_3VJgn89iD19O5_sQ0dqO72ayD6DSSd618BJCqaZkoWcBBC-r7hNKZy3c2RoqALV7N8/s1600/ttr4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551555645489780882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wKrx44h8HKie9iR33urmEewzflF8ooeqrrMzH7euvJ7cuUk6RarEgED_jPU0F2RNTHM5zNCR_3VJgn89iD19O5_sQ0dqO72ayD6DSSd618BJCqaZkoWcBBC-r7hNKZy3c2RoqALV7N8/s200/ttr4.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I am not a political person, nor am I a fiscal expert. But sometimes someone suggests a course of action that just makes sense. Case in point: if you click on the football picture in the right-hand column of the blog, you will be taken to <a href="http://artvoice.com/issues/v9n49/tax_the_rich#SlideFrame_0">this site</a>, a recent column by Dr. Michael I. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Niman</span> from the weekly newspaper <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Artvoice</span></em>. Let it be noted that his "official" fields of expertise are in journalism and media studies. That said, it doesn't take a degree in economics to see that the present system of taxation in the US does not work.<br /><br />Understand, I have no grievance with the rich, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">especially</span> those who have worked to achieve their level of success. But the rich of previous generations understood that they needed to bear a much greater tax burden than those in the lower- and middle-classes. Indeed, their acceptance of the principle allowed a strong middle class to form in this country, as well as allowing vital protections for the lower classes.<br /><br />Google "tax the rich", and you will find many articles, taking one side or the other on the issue. My finance-impaired brain has tried working through as many of them as I can, and I have yet to find an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">argument</span> <em>against </em>taxing the rich compelling as those <em>in favor of</em> increasing tax rates for the wealthiest Americans. I am particularly in agreement with one of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Niman's</span> points: since many of the legal functions of the nation protect the assets of the wealthy, it is in their best interests to help support that system through increased taxation.<br /><br />Taking one person's opinion as gospel is always a dangerous act. So go ahead and research the idea for yourself. I believe you will come to the same conclusion as I have; we need to tax the rich at a higher rate than currently assessed. The Tea Party came to its current level of influence through grassroots involvement from many people. If you believe that America needs to again "tax the rich", please get involved, if only to tell your friends to read this blog, or research the question for themselves. Sitting on the sidelines could prove fatal to the America most of us believe is our nation at its best.<br /><br />-Mike RileyMike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-58329806914718939332010-12-10T03:41:00.010-05:002010-12-10T05:08:36.366-05:00Hard Sell<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2wpLimxCvBOYoFeYqvXGEKzhjY8lNtVdRjSFuRwI1FpWjNR31U_7aPVrO75gdCt6lgBF1qpBNM9yQefkxnb1aNJTorZYx22hFK7y0cDRdiwswkDNsmh7gfnLYTW7B2uFJsAI8fghDUI/s1600/ist2_3203141-usa-map-american-flag.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548972422666504418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2wpLimxCvBOYoFeYqvXGEKzhjY8lNtVdRjSFuRwI1FpWjNR31U_7aPVrO75gdCt6lgBF1qpBNM9yQefkxnb1aNJTorZYx22hFK7y0cDRdiwswkDNsmh7gfnLYTW7B2uFJsAI8fghDUI/s320/ist2_3203141-usa-map-american-flag.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>As someone who considers himself a good American, I believe a first-time voter should affiliate with a political party;your prejudices concerning the political system need to start somewhere. Growing up in the time and place I did, becoming a Democrat was almost inevitable. So I became, and have remained, a member of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dems</span> for around 30 years now.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Please understand, though, that my affiliation does not include a financial <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">commitment</span> to the future success of the party. Number 1, joining the Democrats is usually not the first step to wealth and prosperity. Not at the level I'd be at, anyway. Number 2, it's not like the Democrats, on those rare occasions they've been in power in Washington, have made any tangible effort to leave me better off. Besides, it's one thing to support a party's stance on issues. But you don't want to <em>encourage them.</em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Td3cTKGN4MQZtGVCqoNz8i3YvLysjqR2fkV_gxs77Wa_80LRvzfyLZ4MFAKiwEXcronSIEiVCsSRVBcgomF1ympqfu8rYH-bazzF4biLnfYssGPPojZjGhyphenhyphenB3n2WyjjxLpAIkRm69Ws/s1600/dcccLogo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 119px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548978960571300354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Td3cTKGN4MQZtGVCqoNz8i3YvLysjqR2fkV_gxs77Wa_80LRvzfyLZ4MFAKiwEXcronSIEiVCsSRVBcgomF1ympqfu8rYH-bazzF4biLnfYssGPPojZjGhyphenhyphenB3n2WyjjxLpAIkRm69Ws/s320/dcccLogo.jpg" /></a>So what am I to make of an e-mail I received from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this week, explaining that the party still has hopes of shoring up the results of November's Republican tidal wave at election time, <em>but only if I cough up a few bucks to help out</em> {I don't know who's coughing up the bucks to help <strong>me </strong>out, but my hopes are frankly set low}. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Let it be said, though, that the Democrats do pay attention to the world around them. Noting how much money PBS takes in by offering little more than beads and trinkets at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exorbitant</span> rates, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">DCCC</span> has opened something it calls "My Democratic Store", soliciting donations in exchange for, well, why don't I just show you some of them [please believe me, these are <strong>actual</strong> items from the "Store". I'm not clever enough to make this up]?</div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P3TjFB4G6fZOf0xpo3wTm0Vkf41b-3qUPh4rF_EpLy1wCVQicSRzIgo8CLzqu4isb-XjTU1Is_yclJooj-K1SLI7vy4EOyQ7QYWs1blv181lgMyN24d5JCIXBjnwYyCG8xAxHdsvHac/s1600/19392t.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548992338780019250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P3TjFB4G6fZOf0xpo3wTm0Vkf41b-3qUPh4rF_EpLy1wCVQicSRzIgo8CLzqu4isb-XjTU1Is_yclJooj-K1SLI7vy4EOyQ7QYWs1blv181lgMyN24d5JCIXBjnwYyCG8xAxHdsvHac/s320/19392t.jpg" /></a>Exhibit 1; an autographed copy of [soon-to-be] former Speaker Of The House Nancy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pelosi's</span> book, <em>Know Your Power</em>. Given the Democrats' failures at such relatively simple tasks as passing legislation when they held both Houses of Congress and the White House, what any of them, and especially <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pelosi</span>, knows about power is uncertain at best. For a somewhat lower price, you can get an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">un</span>-signed version of the book [I hate to bash my home t<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">own</span> of Buffalo, NY, but the situation reminds me of the contest someone held once; first prize was a week in Buffalo.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR2a2F8lee8CMsCM0tj8YSfzylwtgt9tnXNkcFDcK5TUT_MBlIh7gyxttmo0vIaLSBSuGfMrZuvX_LanSNc-W_HWMsZlKfAl_LnbCAhWZCZHymQ_3hvZro4FxNyun4vGbKWS46UHtG0k/s1600/19392t.jpg"></a></div>Second prize was two weeks, and Third place had to stay all month. My apologies to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Buffalonians</span> everywhere].</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb0etU3s704uJWi0Si0GPuL6CJwNdNRER0AdTWF-vZMGLC46qJHjXoD2PCH-_sbVieNTvQFdp-4eWo0UhhxotDFKaRbnkn4Yc_jCTHlMWW2sTsl0tw7s6uJvkzVOh4Prqos5UPlnAEBs/s1600/19144Tall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548984403328146594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb0etU3s704uJWi0Si0GPuL6CJwNdNRER0AdTWF-vZMGLC46qJHjXoD2PCH-_sbVieNTvQFdp-4eWo0UhhxotDFKaRbnkn4Yc_jCTHlMWW2sTsl0tw7s6uJvkzVOh4Prqos5UPlnAEBs/s320/19144Tall.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Staying with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pelosi</span>-oriented memorabilia, how about a three-gallon popcorn tin, celebrating <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pelosi's</span> two years as Speaker? Besides the fact that it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">resembles</span> nothing so much as a trash can, one would note that an item like this is more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">kit ch</span> than respectful collectible. It reminds me of all those "collectibles" made in England any time one of the Royals marry [If you want even a percentage of all the Prince William and Kate items eventually coming to market, you'd better start shopping <strong>now</strong>.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi3FgIzEQPvGXZg-YCIcb1auRI2hziA5BPwyQJ0Wuj3hqFGdJ8edcCbaV5c67M7CZczhvBGDUjMsL4YmShM99wrXN1zRl60fWN9WWfkfTgbJGNBYv7-1JxFaYsNf17q8SElvP12Mgqr0/s1600/19142t.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548987613402972706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi3FgIzEQPvGXZg-YCIcb1auRI2hziA5BPwyQJ0Wuj3hqFGdJ8edcCbaV5c67M7CZczhvBGDUjMsL4YmShM99wrXN1zRl60fWN9WWfkfTgbJGNBYv7-1JxFaYsNf17q8SElvP12Mgqr0/s320/19142t.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Just about everyone in the room recognizes this item, I trust; an exact replica of the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">onesies</span>" worn by classic newspaper comic strip star "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Li'l</span> Dem" [reading this strip as a child is just one more reason I became a Democrat]. Or am I just mixing this up with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yellow_Kid">the Yellow Kid</a>?<br /></div></div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>I don't know; I'm hopeful that the Party can find its financial footing without assessing members dues. But knowing how much trouble the Buffalo Bills Team Store is having getting rid of jerseys from ex-players Terrell Owens and Trent Edwards, just to name two, I'm not optimistic.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy Holidays, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">btw</span>...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>-Mike Riley<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-77402827244812109822010-01-18T01:03:00.009-05:002010-01-18T02:01:45.285-05:00Bloggers Unite For Haiti [But We're Wasting Our Time]<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogGhMBbsLesApJFh0FtuDPh8YZPRjEeJHq7PUcswgFlc0hcaxPGvBn93fg3dK4iR2AfWtza7NvQKXCOiqLjvKXRrkj6yuRTi61TccikcEkpUvTJdTmX0yUTRb5fupD-BzMwvl_agmdxw/s1600-h/676.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427957098477661938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogGhMBbsLesApJFh0FtuDPh8YZPRjEeJHq7PUcswgFlc0hcaxPGvBn93fg3dK4iR2AfWtza7NvQKXCOiqLjvKXRrkj6yuRTi61TccikcEkpUvTJdTmX0yUTRb5fupD-BzMwvl_agmdxw/s200/676.jpg" /></a><br /><div>When I came here to write this post, I saw that my last collection of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mutterings</span> were about Human Rights Day. Nothing wrong with that, of course; the struggle for human rights, unfortunately, is, and probably always will be ongoing, in one form or another. Still, there are many issues under a topic like that, and plenty of opportunity for a blogger worth her/his salt to fill space in a way that Could Actually Make A Difference.</div><div></div><div></div><div>That noted, WHY IN HELL ARE WE BLOGGING ABOUT A DISASTER SO <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">CATACLYSMIC</span> THAT IT ACTUALLY HAS MADE THE POOREST NATION IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE WORSE? I mean, come on, people! The news media of the world have sent their best reporters, photographers and commentators [where these people were when Haiti was running up an 80% poverty rate is a question these news organizations should ask themselves when this is all over]: stories, reports and images are across every possible information source [so much so, in fact, I'm not even taking time to add them here; if you want to know, you know - if you don't care, nothing anyone presents is going to matter]. </div><div></div><div>The point is, we know. We've seen the destruction. The bodies in the streets [one Haitian official, asked early on for a death toll estimate, started at 50,000. He then went up to a half-million. Let that number roll around your brain for a minute. Then he got to what probably was the only real answer: nobody knows. And honestly, nobody probably ever will...]. The physical and societal infrastructure flattened. We know. Either we do something, or we don't.</div><div></div><div>If your answer is: we don't, thanks for reading this far. You may as well head elsewhere, though; there's nothing else for you here today. If your answer is: we do, the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross</a> is a good place to start [if you live outside the US, your local Red Crescent/Red Cross are reliable places to donate money. And, if I understand this right, money donations are the best way to help. Apparently, relief agencies, whenever possible, purchase needed supplies as close to the site of the disaster as possible. It helps the economy of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">devastated</span> country by putting money into circulation]. In some areas, banks, stores, and other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">businesses</span> are taking donations [just be careful that the location you choose is legitimate; scammed money helps no one but the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">scammer</span>]. On the right side of this blog page, you'll find a link badge for the group <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/">Doctors Without Borders</a>, a group I've personally admired and respected since I first heard of them. Please <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consider</span> them at donation time.</div><div></div><div>I don't really think you needed this commentary to get you to do what's needed. But, if it was helpful, I'm glad. This is one time we need fewer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> and more contributors...</div><div></div><div>-MR</div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-3822916643984330862009-12-09T22:55:00.033-05:002009-12-10T00:09:52.107-05:00An Open Letter To The World - Human Rights Day 2009<div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 112px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413452628524299170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhtyCnVu5JXl9A5I0ToeoESB12FUbhe2csq-FGQA6ZsV5G7Wio-abrL0uM4tH9KhWDYcdWsyHDzTyhBEbdI95izYxRAZbv7w2tWTSuFN-Ha4IBFfTL0F8SrLX4v8e2nZ-oMdJStOINIw/s320/cac96ad2d7479850.jpg" />10 December, 2009</div><div><br /> </div><div>Dear Fellow Humans-</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Have you ever felt overrun by mixed emotions? That's where I'm at as I write to you. Today, as many of you know, is Human Rights Day, set aside by the UN to commemorate the <a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a>, ratified this day in 1948. This document was created in the wake of a World War that saw millions of persons killed because of religious, ethnic, racial, or societal distinctions, and millions more oppressed for the same reasons [some of which happened <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_internment">right here in the US</a>]. The Universal Declaration simply and clearly lists the basic rights of every human being. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Now I know that some nations ignore rights that most of the world take for granted. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bloggers</span> around the world, no doubt, will report on individuals who have been jailed, for years, for the simple act of sending an e-mail [China]. Or, perhaps, some will write about religion-based oppression of woman [<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Afghanistan</span>]. Still others will note police violence against innocent citizens [Brazil], or oppressive laws that deny freedom of sexuality [Lithuania]. But I've got to be really honest here. As much as I am discouraged and disheartened by these human rights violations, I am somewhat jealous of these nations as well. Each one of them; indeed, virtually every <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">civilized</span> nation on Earth, has something that I, as an American, am denied - <em>access to free, government-funded, health care. </em></div><div><br /></div><div><em></em></div><div>If you happen to have a copy of the Universal Declaration [if not, click on the link above], I draw your attention to Article 25. Quoting Heading 1: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing <strong>and medical care</strong>..."[emphasis mine]. The United States is one of many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">signatories</span> of the Universal Declaration. But it stands out like a sore thumb when it comes to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7X1ucRbjlZkLQjU3idWYB7UYhanixJ6Z7WwbKKJPXwvGiE9VRMBDhcmHvhd0CLGwnRvZG0eOrlOCTqPX-CTeowhQqbKTHRLeDmbBNAWlp4gszbIrYyX1xsUK9o6b3i4Ki9ZLpub2H3k/s1600-h/40.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 50px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 50px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413464304301278098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7X1ucRbjlZkLQjU3idWYB7UYhanixJ6Z7WwbKKJPXwvGiE9VRMBDhcmHvhd0CLGwnRvZG0eOrlOCTqPX-CTeowhQqbKTHRLeDmbBNAWlp4gszbIrYyX1xsUK9o6b3i4Ki9ZLpub2H3k/s400/40.gif" /></a>its disregard of this Article. Health care "reform" has been one of the major themes of the almost-ended political year here. But, as our associates at <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/">Amnesty International </a>[one of today's sponsors] point out, the "new and improved" health care plan does little to address <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/demand-dignity/health-care-is-a-human-right/health-care-is-a-human-right/page.do?id=1021215">several major deficiencies</a>.</div><div> </div><div>I guess I would feel better about the American system if it got results. But it doesn't. While spending more money than any other nation, the US ranked <strong>37<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></strong> in the most-recent World Health Organization's rating of health-care quality [among the nations having better results: Canada, the UK, Oman, Cypress, the United Arab <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Emirates</span>, and Morocco]. Even those "fortunate" enough to have health insurance are frequently beggared by payment of premiums, fees, etc [including Your Friendly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Letterwriter</span>].</div><div> </div><div>Maybe it's just me, but until America has its own house in order, perhaps we should have a moratorium on intervention [critical or otherwise] of anybody else. Hey, oppression is bad [we all get that]; but, as Martin Luther King, Jr. noted, <em>"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane".</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div>-Mike Riley</div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-1356329524634172762009-12-04T01:39:00.036-05:002009-12-04T05:23:10.755-05:00Messing With A Classic<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411268909430533570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70vqk8xhT2csLvjxiwISK8mJX8pEty0JQXZCj728QyPwkfS7F74m-2kkF16xKAjq2Nf84PuCALPUw98VcJSWyGauyDtqxEmbKtK0OXXU4INZORf5KdGBFEqi-3laJ93iec1Guk7XrbSA/s200/MarcelDuchamp-LHOOQMonaLisawithmoustache.jpg" />Taking on a classic is always difficult, frequently <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">provocative</span>, and sometimes just plain <em>wrong.</em> Take the example at left - <strong>Marcel Duchamp</strong>'s <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LHOOQ</span> </em>[pronouncing the letters approximates a French phrase implying <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.surrealists.co.uk/artistsimages/MarcelDuchamp-LHOOQMonaLisawithmoustache.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.surrealists.co.uk/viewPicture/72/&usg=__hm79NrXTufs4dA8_lYo-7o01bDQ=&h=387&w=250&sz=8&hl=en&start=14&sig2=fPG-U_ipm2-31Qjt4AsFUg&tbnid=77tOJ4lf-O_RLM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=79&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmona%2Blisa%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bmustache%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG&ei=Ia8YS_6PNszQlAfa-ZyJAw">a portion of Mona Lisa's anatomy </a>(not visible in the painting) is worthy of note]. Note, also, the <em>moustache</em> and goatee modeled by La <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gioconda</span>; it just makes me think of <strong>Jim Croce</strong>'s advice of what <em>not</em> to do with "<strong><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/jim+croce/you+dont+mess+around+with+jim_10149470.html">Big Jim</a>"</strong> in one of his songs. Then again, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dada">dadaist</a> Duchamp had no objection to <em>provoking</em> his audience [the degree of difficulty, it should be pointed out, was low: Duchamp had only to scribble his changes on a cheap postcard reproduction. He worked much hard on another of his notorious "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">readymades</span>"; the piece he titled <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3671180/Duchamps-Fountain-The-practical-joke-that-launched-an-artistic-revolution.html"><em>Fountain</em></a><em> </em>]. But what about those whose patronage <strong>depends</strong> on public approval?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-VGRevhvBngHT1Nv8uPejnsiLE7LiFqceBSj0_YnrCX4O6x69-fPSuCAytCXOs8BXtigwroQ2H7nOUYXFej1nq9cgajL2DhRCqPl_vPskW73Fcx83T7gAOovQaEm2ziXarSBaeVtJ-8/s1600-h/28.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411282005700734290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-VGRevhvBngHT1Nv8uPejnsiLE7LiFqceBSj0_YnrCX4O6x69-fPSuCAytCXOs8BXtigwroQ2H7nOUYXFej1nq9cgajL2DhRCqPl_vPskW73Fcx83T7gAOovQaEm2ziXarSBaeVtJ-8/s320/28.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Consider</span> the good folks that make <strong>Sun-Maid</strong> products, most notably raisins. Since the early years of the last century, their trademarked icon was a young girl, reputedly spotted drying her long black hair in a California yard. Sure, she was "updated" a few times in the 20<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TH</span> Century; each time, though, the final image was undeniably that of the young girl.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJIi6ZbGu-TXl7qTRW345aRpdurmpCVpEujrgZrEwV115Q81ONctWjSMGmnE-8gR1KYNAYx7KVrnasNyZkAEJtjnpKS7aXDd2HPf2jL7Tf6JEdwqrUpUebyFVK7WQxl2GzEUq2S_MXag/s1600-h/30.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411282886130005522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJIi6ZbGu-TXl7qTRW345aRpdurmpCVpEujrgZrEwV115Q81ONctWjSMGmnE-8gR1KYNAYx7KVrnasNyZkAEJtjnpKS7aXDd2HPf2jL7Tf6JEdwqrUpUebyFVK7WQxl2GzEUq2S_MXag/s200/30.jpg" /></a>Then, around three years ago, Sun-Maid decided on a major re-imaging: "Sun-Maid Girl" [she has no name currently, but may eventually get one] was aged about 10 - 15 years, put on a strict diet [too much baby fat in the original], and is now usually pictured at work in the fields [instead of in a moment of repose]. The people at Sun-Maid probably expected a little publicity with the change [after all, it had worked for <a href="http://adage.com/century/icon04.html"><strong>Betty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crocker</span> </strong></a>and the <a href="http://www.mortonsalt.com/heritage/mug.html"><strong>Morton Salt Girl</strong></a><strong>]; </strong>instead, the change went virtually unknown until recent weeks, when it has become the object of derision<strong> </strong>and [seemingly] bad-natured humor [some critics call the new look "a Barbie doll in Amish attire". In fairness to Sun-Maid, I live near Amish country, and no <em>decent </em>Amish woman would wear red like the Sun-Maid Hussy does].<br /><br /><br />Looking at the whole Sun-Maid "redo" [noted in <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108296/sun-maid-girl-makeover-sparks-controversy.html?mod=family-love_money">this link-packed Yahoo! feature</a>], the obvious question is, <strong>Why</strong>? Sure, <a href="http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=42091&ssd=11/9/2002&arch=y"><strong>Aunt Jemima</strong> </a>needed [and got] her racially-awkward "baggage" removed [as have <strong>Uncle Ben</strong> and the <strong>Cream of Wheat "Chef"</strong>, although their modernization was less spectacular than "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">AJ's</span>"; that said, when was the last time you heard the Cream of Wheat Chef referred to by his traditional name of "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rastus</span>"?]. But Sun-Maid Girl [maybe she should have become a super-hero, her feats of strength and skill fuelled by eating raisins] seemingly had no baggage, no issues that needed correcting. So why change? [At the time. a Sun-Maid official noted it was a good time to get on the "health" bandwagon. Some bandwagons have slippery floors...]<br /><br /><br />Still, it could have been worse for Sun-Maid: original plans called for the new Sun-Maid "Girl" [I think the new image should be known as "Sun-Maid Woman"; she seems a bit long in the tooth for "Girl" status] to appear in a series of commercials, showing her at the spa, grocery shopping, etc, all made easier by the energy derived from those raisins. Rumor has it that she may become multi-lingual, reflecting the diversity of the nations where Sun-Maid grows its products [a lovely gesture, don't get me wrong. But wouldn't it be better for Sun-Maid Woman to monitor the practices of the companies that grow, harvest, and sell the produce she eats, and to speak out against any questionable actions along the food chain? I may be wrong, but the image of Sun-Maid's animated icon speaking publicly against the corporation that supplies her computer-generated living would be attention-getting, to say the least].<br /><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">BTB</span>, I'm kicking around re-writing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Maybe changing the Third Movement to a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rumba</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Waddya</span> think?<br /><br />-Mike Riley<br /><br />PS: More "Messing With A Classic" <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108073/vegemite-contest-draws-protests?mod=family-home">here</a>...-MRMike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-44878424742232145552009-11-13T01:14:00.035-05:002009-11-17T01:07:44.475-05:00Ponzi, and other, schemes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2E_wbyTn1huh_bhTjAsNzjrcFtYazZjX2D9a_sH8JqFpkT0P_eldtuOcavhUOBwJ_JM-XR9ePa4TBS6asSShkSGd9cJf21ieCyrHvNoV_ydPtX7iRNY5SBmu7IQRDMX5Ey9L5twjtMM/s1600-h/ponzi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 90px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403468068696075506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2E_wbyTn1huh_bhTjAsNzjrcFtYazZjX2D9a_sH8JqFpkT0P_eldtuOcavhUOBwJ_JM-XR9ePa4TBS6asSShkSGd9cJf21ieCyrHvNoV_ydPtX7iRNY5SBmu7IQRDMX5Ey9L5twjtMM/s400/ponzi.jpg" /></a>The debate continues as to whether or not <strong>Bernie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madoff</span></strong>'s $64.8 billion scam is the largest in American [or world, for that matter] history. That said, no one seems to be in any hurry to rename the type of fraud <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madoff</span> allegedly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">perpetrated</span> in his "honor". For the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">foreseeable</span> future, anyway, it looks like it will keep its current name of "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> scheme", from its first notable operator, <strong>Charles <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> </strong>[left]. <div><br /><div>It's a little surprising that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madoff</span> was able to play his game as long and as large as he did; in addition to the classic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> case [<a href="http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/20995.html">this explanation</a>, from the <em>Mental Floss </em>web site, is the best I've seen], more than a few others tried the operation, to varying degrees of success, before its revival in the new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">millennium</span> by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madoff</span> [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidence_trick">here's a list </a>from <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> </em>that includes a few of them]. You'd think that at least some of the investors would know better.</div><br /><div>And it's not even as if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> invented the whole thing in the first place. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme"><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span></em>'s article on </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVR6wyELh8nelTRZZi3x4W3LwnsRwERN8uP0RjDhs5W3AX_UTmWeA_Do6p0rk5HhDo4NZn2LaIZZR42etz5vZB3fdwIXqCSo2tvWhPyT0VA5skjuk_sIhdtqILyEC4pCu8eyX5JYV4LI/s1600-h/dickens.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 111px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403475026079471362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVR6wyELh8nelTRZZi3x4W3LwnsRwERN8uP0RjDhs5W3AX_UTmWeA_Do6p0rk5HhDo4NZn2LaIZZR42etz5vZB3fdwIXqCSo2tvWhPyT0VA5skjuk_sIhdtqILyEC4pCu8eyX5JYV4LI/s400/dickens.jpg" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> schemes</a> notes that <strong>Charles Dickens</strong>, of all people, wrote about such a scheme in his 1857 novel <em>Little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dorrit</span> </em>[there is, incidentally, no evidence that Dickens ever actually carried out a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> scheme. He <em>did</em> use a ploy common to many authors until fairly recent times; namely, selling <em>subscriptions </em>to upcoming books. The money taken in was used to help support the writer until the work was completed, or to defray publishing costs. In exchange, the author would usually include a list of subscribers in the first edition of the book, as a sort of "dedication". Dickens was said to play the "subscription game" better than most, reputedly delaying the release of new works until the optimum amount of subscription money was collected. He is also credited with the practice of releasing books by chapters, forcing the reader to keep buying new segments until the work was complete (and probably paying more in the process than if the book had come out whole).].</div><br /><div></div><div>It should be noted here that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> schemes are not limited to unscrupulous individuals or groups. <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ten-most-troubled-states-in-cnnm-2889165804.html?x=0&.v=7"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Consider</span> this article</a> from <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">CNNMoney</span>.com,</em> via <em>Yahoo!. </em>In looking at the ten US states suffering the worst in the current economic crisis, it notes that two [Nevada and Florida] are hurting because of a lack of new "players" [<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">businesses</span> and residents, respectively]. Is it just me, or are these two states running a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span>? What if the Federal government steps in to prop them up? (Logic tells us that investing in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponzi</span> scheme, even in the late stages, should be profitable, <em>if Government intervention leads to compensation of investors</em>) Should bad behavior, even if necessitated by selfish state residents who consistently have refused to allow tax increases, be rewarded? Just asking...</div><div></div><div>A personal note: I live in what may be the most-economically-challenged corner [Niagara Falls] of the most-economically-challenged region of New York State [Western New York]. In one of my other blogs [<em><a href="http://challengingthethunder.blogspot.com/">Challenging The Thunder</a>; </em>why not stop in?], I look at the history of Niagara Falls daredevils, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">stunters</span> who have attempted to go over the Falls in a barrel, or [in one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disastrous</span> case] <a href="http://www.infoniagara.com/niagaradaredevils/jessesharp.aspx">a kayak</a> [Yeah. Really. This guy was nuts. Plunging in a barrel makes a lot more sense. It really does. Trust me on this one]. Although both the US and Canada now make every effort to stop potential feats of daring before they turn tragic, it was not always so. Some early challenges were actually sponsored by local merchants, and at least condoned, if not welcomed, by authorities. Maybe it's time to return to that mindset. Hey, as long as the daredevil signs a document freeing the Government from any legal responsibility for his or her demise [which, of course, means all such <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">stunters</span> would have to be over the age of 18], why not? Tourism has been down on both sides of the border the last year or two; maybe the prospect of imminent death would draw a crowd. It works for auto racing. Let me do some math here...okay, the combined width of the American and Canadian Falls is around 33-hundred feet. okay, what's the record distance for a motorcycle jump? 395 feet, last time I checked. Alright, a <em>rocket-powered</em> motorcycle might be able to do it [don't laugh: <a href="http://freaking.ridic-ulo.us/?p=30">someone </a>once tried to ride a rocket-powered <em>jet-ski</em> the width of both Falls. Probably would have made it, too, except that his safety parachute failed to open. Sources disagree on whether his body was ever found; either way, it probably wasn't pretty...]. Okay, rocket-powered motorcycle, back-up parachute...wait, we can't do it....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 118px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 66px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403496966741391666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cfefokHPSSQfEQ2TZHxfpNGAIkEBFV5a48gTuI1Q-KHkZIV4siwlsjlwbH8lMEaKdMs_QTaoXGVH_xdXTdIXOGEDHw7yAc55pYVJ6x52ThqVIt__sviByztqs_rEZ1ayybizd2v9jlU/s400/jumptheshark.jpg" /></div><br /><div>...<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark">it's a Fonzie scheme</a>.</div><div></div><div>-Mike Riley</div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-74021138230000924362009-10-14T22:00:00.001-04:002009-10-14T22:00:00.691-04:00Blog Action Day - So Many People In The Same Device<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojibMtXcMCbprLZgWcBgDttoHJ7KdqbJEScwci56vA67JuiQpywLvblcJuJ53Cl_3J8dep9ASMx_3CbRpBSRNKsK20DdHgmYc3FqTMPlN6WGSRaH7yqDSZ7j5BSo-IkpcOrEH53l85LE/s1600-h/vinylrecord.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 86px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392305130404245122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojibMtXcMCbprLZgWcBgDttoHJ7KdqbJEScwci56vA67JuiQpywLvblcJuJ53Cl_3J8dep9ASMx_3CbRpBSRNKsK20DdHgmYc3FqTMPlN6WGSRaH7yqDSZ7j5BSo-IkpcOrEH53l85LE/s400/vinylrecord.jpg" /></a>I am by no means the oldest blogger in the world, but, being in my 50's, I think I have a different perspective than the typical poster. For instance, I'm actually old enough to remember an era when music recordings were stored in analogue form, on vinyl discs [okay, most of you probably know about vinyl. The progressives among you may even own an example or two]!<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>I remember 1975's release of the self-titled debut from <em>Ambrosia. </em>One of its tracks <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">featu</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN5A0f78IhwTLSSjuFbpeAIsWJEcgp7mrOMHLbcQHub03ou16arpsllud8JIj6IOZ6Ne6KkGtEmVP7SfeeBly3rJVhz5DVZ90yDI8WSLLedHGANmCXapbBlcOKgzXtyTvPBn5V1-cNeQ/s1600-h/ambrosia.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 111px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392305704314340370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN5A0f78IhwTLSSjuFbpeAIsWJEcgp7mrOMHLbcQHub03ou16arpsllud8JIj6IOZ6Ne6KkGtEmVP7SfeeBly3rJVhz5DVZ90yDI8WSLLedHGANmCXapbBlcOKgzXtyTvPBn5V1-cNeQ/s400/ambrosia.jpg" /></a>red the group putting music to lyrics <strong>Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. </strong>wrote for his book <strong><em>Cat's Cradle</em></strong>. The song was <a href="http://chickenlicken.vox.com/library/audio/6a00d4141b5c05685e00d4142d2a1f6a47.html">"Nice Nice Very Nice"</a> [lyrics <a href="http://lyrics.filestube.com/song/587fc3c1e39a053c03e9,Nice-Nice-Very-Nice.html">here</a>]; its theme, the interconnectedness of life. </div><div><br />Of course, interconnection can be good, bad, or, as frequently happens, both. Take India's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kasmir</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">glaci</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlEXCznHsHdOADjhqU1xB9xaCJmfvcWkMhTh7dNLeitxAZsG6i0PEL1n4xf5wrmR6hZLAlvu3b0ERHTmLh4I5i7DkWTYEIBHgMfzvnqSZ4FwnkscD0Tg916DHPy16kW9rqDEgkBG7xq0/s1600-h/kashmir-glacier-324x205.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 127px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392313131725493874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlEXCznHsHdOADjhqU1xB9xaCJmfvcWkMhTh7dNLeitxAZsG6i0PEL1n4xf5wrmR6hZLAlvu3b0ERHTmLh4I5i7DkWTYEIBHgMfzvnqSZ4FwnkscD0Tg916DHPy16kW9rqDEgkBG7xq0/s200/kashmir-glacier-324x205.jpg" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ers</span>. They serve as water sources for millions of people who live in the region. Unfortunately, because of the planetary warming caused by climate change, <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/10/13/india-kashmir-glaciers.html">the glaciers are melting too quickly.</a> The anti-poverty group <a href="http://www.actionaid.org/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ActionAid</span> </a>has noted that most of the glaciers in the area [the waters shared by India and Pakistan] have shrunk dramatically. The group adds that rain and snow fall have been affected in many areas worldwide by climate change; the changes have reduced food production in many regions of the world. Thus, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kasmir</span> crisis is being repeated many times over, frequently in areas that were having trouble feeding their populations even before climate change. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>We live on a planet that is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">virally</span> interconnected; the latest Michael Jackson news, reported in Los Angeles, becomes headline fodder for London, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Caracas</span>, or Sydney in seconds. While it's certainly good to have multi-national communications, there are downsides. People in underdeveloped countries get glimpses of the industrialized world, and aspire to be a part. Consumerism drives countries to demolish their precious <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">eco</span>-structures, to free up more land for industry and resources. In the world of the "haves", consumption and pollution run rampant. It makes me think that the bravest person ever has yet to make an appearance. We'll know who it is when the first prominent politician in the developed world suggests the possibility that people may need to do with <em>less</em> - less electricity to power fewer "toys", less petroleum to fuel cars, less opportunity to waste the finite resources of Planet Earth.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>This is the part where some clever person stands, delivers a brilliant idea, then lets his or her suggestion become the basis of a plan that saves the world. Sorry. If you picked <em>this </em>blog for Inspired Wisdom, you're obviously not a regular reader. All I can do on this Blog Action <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu74OPKQfyXycgDihE7dVtV0Qje3N-gdKnNGdR-qRi_OVM4cReYbsg6Q-MWQf8MaTy7GKhP1pJzXmV-Mx_ezZch7B7-i2yGoi5YtOE18nkqrTF5YV0gzldpLiqhIov53vqw2blMOqEGOI/s1600-h/CAOSNOEPCAVAVQHUCAUWKIT3CAQUYMU7CAN5YVIKCAB1W0TWCARK1KR2CA9ZASDTCA9039SCCAG2AT47CAPRR7BMCA1L5197CASM16PYCABQPJ42CAQFOZUGCAWUIIUHCA73379UCAYQ2Z31CAP2RT5Y.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392323105941776818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu74OPKQfyXycgDihE7dVtV0Qje3N-gdKnNGdR-qRi_OVM4cReYbsg6Q-MWQf8MaTy7GKhP1pJzXmV-Mx_ezZch7B7-i2yGoi5YtOE18nkqrTF5YV0gzldpLiqhIov53vqw2blMOqEGOI/s400/CAOSNOEPCAVAVQHUCAUWKIT3CAQUYMU7CAN5YVIKCAB1W0TWCARK1KR2CA9ZASDTCA9039SCCAG2AT47CAPRR7BMCA1L5197CASM16PYCABQPJ42CAQFOZUGCAWUIIUHCA73379UCAYQ2Z31CAP2RT5Y.jpg" /></a>Day is what many of my colleagues are trying to do; open up the discussion, ask what we hope are the right questions, and sincerely ask Who- or What-Ever It Is We Worship for someone with the right answers. </div><div>Hopefully, this isn't the only Blog Action Day-themed post you encounter today. Read as many of them as you can; if nothing else, be aware of the breadth of the problem of climate change. Comment, if you're so moved. A healthy conversation among the peoples of the world is the first step to a solution. If you want to learn more, do some research [you do have <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a> on that computer, don't you?]. More to the point, don't let your interest end today. Keep your political leaders' "feet to the fire" on this one - it really is a matter of life and death.</div><div></div><div>-Mike Riley</div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com168tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-87139156552327710272009-10-05T02:04:00.026-04:002009-10-05T03:26:29.372-04:00Is there something to "The Twinkie Defense" after all?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCWn2HAUn_rOXgDHYGbaSY9dgouOsOH4BJu_AUG2yhQ1DjU4UQ0VEqcLs0TGJobEeHpB07sQFaeZCP4AGs-4WRuSKVTizzzA5wv8tRI63VkmLbX0hl8eOY0fNxAFKfAUh-DEmLvo23tE/s1600-h/twinkiehenge.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 78px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389013503594936754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCWn2HAUn_rOXgDHYGbaSY9dgouOsOH4BJu_AUG2yhQ1DjU4UQ0VEqcLs0TGJobEeHpB07sQFaeZCP4AGs-4WRuSKVTizzzA5wv8tRI63VkmLbX0hl8eOY0fNxAFKfAUh-DEmLvo23tE/s400/twinkiehenge.jpg" /></a> First of all, I'm assuming we all know what's meant by <a href="http://www.snopes.com/legal/twinkie.asp">"The Twinkie Defense"</a> [if unaware, please click on the hyperlink; it not only explains the term, it debunks the myth that it was successfully used in the case that first brought the term to national attention]. <div><div><div><div><br /><div>Anyway, the Twinkie Defense [hereafter TD] is based on the theory that too much processed foods, especially sugar, can cloud your mind, rendering it incapable of rational thought. Although thoroughly discredited in the Dan White prosecution, Science may have just jumped the gun on its conclusions.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhq9ncjcsEuf2_YHGlwb9gOq1eH4ckR3Jy7vVQijoTD2FJRw6A77JsxBTRysCqa5LY8fREQ0LuHOUSZwZ2StAnVW2N0u9tgQJtCll21E1lnRUWLjlvQP72ooBkqlN8AJt3l045rfdgSQ/s1600-h/britishthugchild.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 117px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388996937854917122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhq9ncjcsEuf2_YHGlwb9gOq1eH4ckR3Jy7vVQijoTD2FJRw6A77JsxBTRysCqa5LY8fREQ0LuHOUSZwZ2StAnVW2N0u9tgQJtCll21E1lnRUWLjlvQP72ooBkqlN8AJt3l045rfdgSQ/s400/britishthugchild.jpg" /></a><br />A study in Britain has thrown out the proposition that giving children too many treats may turn them into violent adults. We're not talking about the children being <em>violently ill</em> from a less-than-nutritious diet; this is the kind of acting-out violence most demonstrated in the UK by their beloved soccer hooligans. Well, at least most of them can sing...<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>Actually, this theorem seems to have a healthy dose of evidence behind it. Senior lecturer <strong>Simon Moore</strong> discovered, while doing research on violent British children, that kids who were most likely to committ violent crimes as adults had the worst diets in childhood. </div><br /><div>Moore took<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBjyRx6rWDdqLFLjBvz9iSt-QxsYBabmuO60NOJ50bHug99hwzjPhn7w9A5GRG-FWXaZOr_BNdEa-M3bFeN2_bmXybSlABgLtMtSM3uxGGxh-7Uf9dHYhe2wNQrWwYC13W7giBnrI1lg/s1600-h/research.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 137px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 99px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389001127595329346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBjyRx6rWDdqLFLjBvz9iSt-QxsYBabmuO60NOJ50bHug99hwzjPhn7w9A5GRG-FWXaZOr_BNdEa-M3bFeN2_bmXybSlABgLtMtSM3uxGGxh-7Uf9dHYhe2wNQrWwYC13W7giBnrI1lg/s400/research.jpg" /></a> his research a step further, using the results of a massive study of English people born during a certain week in 1970. By chance, the survey asked the subjects at the age of ten if they ate candy daily; at age 34, they were asked if had ever been convicted of a crime. A stunning <em>69 percent</em> of regular candy-eaters had at least one conviction by age 34, versus 42% results from those who weren't. Next, Moore eliminated various factors: parenting styles, financial levels, even location [urban/rural]. The numbers remained steady.</div><div> </div><div>Simon Moore says there are several possible reasons for his results, and that all should be looked into:</div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>- are there certain compounds in sweets that cause this behavior?</em> Well, perhaps. A further question would be "were candy manufacturers aware of this, and hid the information?" If so, shouldn't someone sieze Willy Wonka's passport, <strong>post haste? </strong>[If there's a bigger flight risk than him, I'd like to meet 'em]</div><br /><br /><div><em>- is excessive candy eating an indicator of possible future problems? </em>For what it's worth, M<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc1Ndtq9WMQE-8wWkqKWzFJkXL15XhyphenhyphenvfbQlMKLhljAFniMiw2oYEAnk_ReQ26gNEE6v-4VbnjjmnYNjAqD-CtBczHU8RbrcK0W0gRhwNDMfkB3RQFxEwWqWOxrQtwyIloE9ht2m1mNw/s1600-h/britishthugadult.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 83px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389007040941223090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc1Ndtq9WMQE-8wWkqKWzFJkXL15XhyphenhyphenvfbQlMKLhljAFniMiw2oYEAnk_ReQ26gNEE6v-4VbnjjmnYNjAqD-CtBczHU8RbrcK0W0gRhwNDMfkB3RQFxEwWqWOxrQtwyIloE9ht2m1mNw/s320/britishthugadult.jpg" /></a>oore leans towards this theorem; he believes that kids who got daily treats may not develop the patience needed to delay gratification [see <em>A Clockwork Orange</em>. But not on a full stomach]. This, the theory goes, leads to impulsiveness [a key factor in violent acts, according to Moore]. Another possibility suggested by this, says Moore, is that evil children get more candy, just to keep them calm. <strong>And are you keeping <em>your </em>porch light on this Halloween? They can't all move out of state...</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>- were British children born that week just more toxic than the usual run?</em></div><br /><div>Always a possibility. Never eliminate random chance from the Human Equation.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>- is this true only in England? </em>Combine the American obesity epidemic with the increase in violent acts. Then do the math...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>-are there any solutions? </em>Four words: <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZGGQf2C5Kc">A Generation Of Supernannies </a></em>[in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIuiTuR5Bn0">whatever</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K3pkUzHs30">language</a> is required]<em>!</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>- Mike Riley</div></div></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-48299911300684398152009-09-24T00:40:00.031-04:002009-09-24T02:39:12.289-04:00Sinister Musings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zbxHUgVC1vmQsOGuycBLD710UWvG_infhStyKppCie54-TGU9TRfJ4d7OkkIASqOY46ElJSs7RbEUvjdNsv1w5U7T31z7AP-9Wi2dphXMYqlU3-SiN2q3kvUzpGYP1K7PoDRfoMKYsw/s1600-h/comeback.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 99px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384890572128356050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zbxHUgVC1vmQsOGuycBLD710UWvG_infhStyKppCie54-TGU9TRfJ4d7OkkIASqOY46ElJSs7RbEUvjdNsv1w5U7T31z7AP-9Wi2dphXMYqlU3-SiN2q3kvUzpGYP1K7PoDRfoMKYsw/s400/comeback.jpg" /></a><em>Okay, I'm back. My favorite writer, </em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker"><em>Dorothy Parker</em></a><em>, was an expert at writing explanations for her frequent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappearances</span> from the Public Eye [she once covered up a two-year gap in writing for </em>The New Yorker <em>by claiming she had spent the time in Switzerland!]. I wouldn't even pretend to be able to come up with a story like that [though anyone who spent the summer in Niagara Falls, NY and thinks they saw me may be onto something. Then again, I live there...], so just accept my return, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>? Think of me as the less-than-acceptable uncle, fresh from drying out after an extended bender. It's as good a story as any...</em> <div><div><br />It's probably safe to assume that, from Time Immemorial, there have been <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-handedness">left-handed persons</a>. Not that this was always a good thing. From the Latin word for left, <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sinistra</span></em>, modern Eng<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUgy3KHt9En3_voVNAfqwbg4DNQg9gqvIsJPhyIPvpdivcEmUkhbRAdE0zpddGMl8AxzB-WqXCrPOJJQoYoJreVLeSpfXy1jj0NF95P71KbXk_DFBV5w9H-jpAJ0Bb8tWbNtPQdwDgzU/s1600-h/PCAIGZB0XCAG4IZPUCA720BG9CA9KDTAQCAUTEO68CAVRXOE8CAOUXBG1CAPC91PNCASDBZ1TCAUHB4AGCAL7BWKDCACUV3M3CAKUX5VPCAGO3UTTCALXEGA2CAUCH5B9CAB2V51BCAU0B904CA9SCKR5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384909646271711266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUgy3KHt9En3_voVNAfqwbg4DNQg9gqvIsJPhyIPvpdivcEmUkhbRAdE0zpddGMl8AxzB-WqXCrPOJJQoYoJreVLeSpfXy1jj0NF95P71KbXk_DFBV5w9H-jpAJ0Bb8tWbNtPQdwDgzU/s400/PCAIGZB0XCAG4IZPUCA720BG9CA9KDTAQCAUTEO68CAVRXOE8CAOUXBG1CAPC91PNCASDBZ1TCAUHB4AGCAL7BWKDCACUV3M3CAKUX5VPCAGO3UTTCALXEGA2CAUCH5B9CAB2V51BCAU0B904CA9SCKR5.jpg" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lish</span> derives the word <em>sinister</em>. Classical Latin, for what it's worth, frequently used "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">sinestra</span>" to mean "evil" or "unlucky". Some traditions in the early Christian church, for instance, claim that Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ, was left-handed. Nowadays, though, left-handedness is just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">considered</span> a characteristic of anatomy, one shared by around ten percent of humanity [If you'd like a truly intriguing time-waster, check out this listing of <a href="http://www.indiana.edu/~primate/left.html">notable left-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">handers</span></a>. For those not fully comfortable in English, the page is available in Spanish, French and <em>pig Latin! </em>Grad students have <strong>way too much</strong> time on their hands...]. Famous lefties, for what it's worth, include <strong>Joan of Arc</strong>, <strong>Julius Caesar</strong> [wonder if anyone had the "stones" to call <em>him </em>"sinister" to his face? Besides <strong>Brutus</strong>, of course...], and <strong>W. C. Fields</strong>.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Kermit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd4njkfA_d4uZrJ4mdc9MgJcYTWNl05RhNUE5MNHKeCYBy3XSXDaGBxJaDLkj1TpQzDD4kPiv-UNEmcO3MJLJMhYqlRVA9Rqtg8W14RPd1JP2u-5AzNVYXafddROJem6V0gwDulqEXbk/s1600-h/WCAYGR3I0CAE5ZUV0CAIUGL5QCAPCEFP8CAYATT5ECAOVTDRHCAXN6FXTCAUDIL96CAI46OUCCA13MN7MCA4P352WCAB73YNPCAH7FEWHCADW6UL8CA86RGDZCABQP05DCA7VEZ14CATNA4ZACAXCVZQ3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384910744184909874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd4njkfA_d4uZrJ4mdc9MgJcYTWNl05RhNUE5MNHKeCYBy3XSXDaGBxJaDLkj1TpQzDD4kPiv-UNEmcO3MJLJMhYqlRVA9Rqtg8W14RPd1JP2u-5AzNVYXafddROJem6V0gwDulqEXbk/s400/WCAYGR3I0CAE5ZUV0CAIUGL5QCAPCEFP8CAYATT5ECAOVTDRHCAXN6FXTCAUDIL96CAI46OUCCA13MN7MCA4P352WCAB73YNPCAH7FEWHCADW6UL8CA86RGDZCABQP05DCA7VEZ14CATNA4ZACAXCVZQ3.jpg" /></a> The Frog </strong>is believed to be left-handed [as was his creator, <strong>Jim Henson</strong>], as are <strong>Bart Simpson </strong>and <strong>Ned Flanders </strong>[and their creator, <strong>Matt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Groening</span></strong>]. Left-handed artists run the gamut from <strong>Michelangelo</strong> and <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">DaVinci</span></strong> to <strong>M. C. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Esher</span></strong> and <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">LeRoy</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Neiman</span>. </strong>Musicians? <strong>Sir Paul McCartney</strong>, for one [also, reputedly, <strong>Ringo Starr</strong>]; add <strong>David <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Byrne</span>, Cole Porter, Paul Simon</strong>, and <strong>Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach, </strong>among many, many others [I won't even mention any of the notable left-handed athletes].</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>There is an interesting belief in present times; namely, left-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">handers</span> are believed to be <em>more intelligent or creative</em> than their right-handed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">brethren</span>. Believers in this theory [probably lefties, but I digress] point to the fact that eight of the 44 US Presidents have been southpaws [including current office-holder <strong>Barack Obama</strong>. Then again, both he and principal challenger <strong>John McCain</strong> are lefties, so that one was a pretty safe bet]. I'm staying out of this debate, except to note the list includes <strong>James A. Garfield, </strong>whose sole notable act as President was to die about a month after taking office [reputedly due to attending his Inaugural festivities, on a rainy day, <em>without a hat or coat,</em> and contracting fatal <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pneumonia</span>. Not the brightest crayon in the box...].</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaJ6wgRCbcLAMVgVXjVAgOqgPXVDfWFAZv4rVJJ8L_YDU6JXlvNHW25DO34nKTge-bBSeI6cc0ZoAPEH_TzHPLum4mTE6UBsHzVj9JNbOWY1DrIcq-My3epYmbdZCmfdahEHXBXu9OIw/s1600-h/DCAAARG0JCAFHA09KCA78T771CABWFOBZCACG1SGLCAP6GBXLCA4O4RZICAKATQ66CASM8UBMCAJPDLOGCAZKCYE6CAVAKQDNCAO1XGJXCA6WQ9FOCADUCCT3CAXV7RTPCA1WYPCHCAWF2DR3CAS1SIQZ.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 86px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 115px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384917532043682290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaJ6wgRCbcLAMVgVXjVAgOqgPXVDfWFAZv4rVJJ8L_YDU6JXlvNHW25DO34nKTge-bBSeI6cc0ZoAPEH_TzHPLum4mTE6UBsHzVj9JNbOWY1DrIcq-My3epYmbdZCmfdahEHXBXu9OIw/s400/DCAAARG0JCAFHA09KCA78T771CABWFOBZCACG1SGLCAP6GBXLCA4O4RZICAKATQ66CASM8UBMCAJPDLOGCAZKCYE6CAVAKQDNCAO1XGJXCA6WQ9FOCADUCCT3CAXV7RTPCA1WYPCHCAWF2DR3CAS1SIQZ.jpg" /></a>So why am I bringing all this up? Big news for left-handed men; namely, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE58M5FM20090923">a re-design of the </a><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE58M5FM20090923">classic "y-front" male underwear</a> [Underwear. Another great topic, Mikey. What a fabulous re-start for this blog...]. Having family and friends who are lefties [including one of my brothers], I can see the excitement this would cause. I must confess, though, I've never heard any left-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">handers</span> complaining about this problem; then again, they may all wear boxers...</div><div> </div><div>Anyway, it's good to be back. Hope you missed me...</div><div> </div><div>-Mike Riley</div><div> </div><div><em>P. S.: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bloggers</span>, please scroll down the right side of this page, and click on the "Blog Action Day" badge. We need <strong>mass</strong> action on this one, people!</em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-969063541266994262009-07-06T23:31:00.004-04:002009-07-06T23:39:19.704-04:00Time Out...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXqtxAcXMwUKWKmjn1bbtpRe2B9j7KsLbVxFxikjuReFdlin8UoPHd-3HR-p6pp-v6votOhdrg8uInePO2-cALkGYFIKiFIfFMh8vA2GruHIAeLhDtV6yVmoBYfRRJNi4hIxFmM2VIYs/s1600-h/CA92SX82CAEJQUQDCAN15WTRCAJVU5BJCA299WXZCAZX0SYACAR0W6KICA2P2ID9CA59VDE6CAXHV8UECAEHGRRZCARD6PVXCA2IEIIHCA67YAGHCA7NZNV5CASNN1DACAGTQ2MLCA8LCNM0CACP1KP1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355555804452775042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 96px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXqtxAcXMwUKWKmjn1bbtpRe2B9j7KsLbVxFxikjuReFdlin8UoPHd-3HR-p6pp-v6votOhdrg8uInePO2-cALkGYFIKiFIfFMh8vA2GruHIAeLhDtV6yVmoBYfRRJNi4hIxFmM2VIYs/s400/CA92SX82CAEJQUQDCAN15WTRCAJVU5BJCA299WXZCAZX0SYACAR0W6KICA2P2ID9CA59VDE6CAXHV8UECAEHGRRZCARD6PVXCA2IEIIHCA67YAGHCA7NZNV5CASNN1DACAGTQ2MLCA8LCNM0CACP1KP1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It is with great regret that I must take a break from writing this blog. I have several personal matters to attend to, which will consume the vast majority of the time I used to spend writing it. As of now, I hope to return to blogging, in one form or another, in January of 2010.<br /><br />I want to thank my readers and commentors for their friendship and insights. So that none of you will worry, please understand that my health is good. I just need to devote my full attention to these "off-stage" matters.<br /><br />My intention is to leave the previously written posts up, for those who may not have yet read them.Entrecard advertisers: please be aware that I am taking no new ads. Any ads that I have already agreed to use will be presented as scheduled. I intend to leave the EC widget up, but EC may remove it because of no new posts.<br /><br />Again, with regrets, I declare INTERMISSION. Smoke 'em if you got 'em...<br /><br />-Mike Riley</span></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-21831600652181426592009-07-02T23:33:00.004-04:002009-07-02T23:38:48.354-04:00The carnival is open...where the Hell am I?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrPjOoMZBQI8Kd6elLTIKN6PliTPUsx5lkppVepo51CZTbSxOHeCltIIhK3nJl8iBfg8nH7lhoUucUvpppjP2cfQv8laVsGVPgsjC1bY-iAnA73iY8pZ-vGTmTMeYFP-WB7XpARbBxFI/s1600-h/flagscombined.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354072211097697074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 91px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrPjOoMZBQI8Kd6elLTIKN6PliTPUsx5lkppVepo51CZTbSxOHeCltIIhK3nJl8iBfg8nH7lhoUucUvpppjP2cfQv8laVsGVPgsjC1bY-iAnA73iY8pZ-vGTmTMeYFP-WB7XpARbBxFI/s400/flagscombined.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It's been one of those weeks...I expected to have a "Can-Am Celebration!" post up here by yesterday...obviously, that hasn't happened. Sincere apologies to all of you who were waiting for it [all right, you weren't waiting all that strenuously for it], and a special bit of gratitude to those of you who are in on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">extravaganza</span>. I'll be here for real Saturday morning...'till then, enjoy the holiday weekend</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span> </div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-21269761413196990712009-06-25T23:40:00.003-04:002009-06-26T00:05:13.584-04:00Requium For A Thriller<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_Sp98a5lrXr2CtUoOIQXVhgDJuRwbsxJP_MHWg53MrQSKVV5qRZ5FteGJ6qb5TkEkYYVRarS-i4mixypb_S6s53EInyNp8fVpwLZei0GnJnQOUm3imp9DQ6j-uukeV3SPX4wkx7FlqY/s1600-h/jackson9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351476370518461490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_Sp98a5lrXr2CtUoOIQXVhgDJuRwbsxJP_MHWg53MrQSKVV5qRZ5FteGJ6qb5TkEkYYVRarS-i4mixypb_S6s53EInyNp8fVpwLZei0GnJnQOUm3imp9DQ6j-uukeV3SPX4wkx7FlqY/s400/jackson9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"It's close to midnight..."</span></em></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">...actually, around 11:30 pm in the Eastern United States, where I write from. Michael Jackson passed from this world a little less than six hours ago. Already, the culture vultures are descending; a mob scene formed around the Los Angeles hospital where he was brought, and pronounced dead. Already, canny marketers are mounting tickets from his now never-to-be-presented 50-show tour on plaques, ready to be sold on e-Bay [as similarly quick-thinking people did when Elvis died]. Already, the circus has descended. Then again, was there ever time that Jackson's life <em>wasn't</em> a circus?</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Child of a father who reputedly beat him, and from whom he was estranged as quickly as he could be. A major performer, in the Jackson 5 with his brothers, at a time most children are just learning multiplication and division. A superstar around the world before he was really mature enough to understand just what that would entail.For a time, he truly was what the hype named him - <strong>The King Of Pop</strong>. He could dance, he could write songs, he could help craft the videos that made him one of the indelible images of his heyday. And yeah, he could sing. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, the life of an icon is never that simple. There were the continual rumors: the charges of child molestation [does anybody think that Jackson ever really understood that what he was doing was wrong? How much time had he ever spent in normal life to get that kind of context?]; the plastic surgeries; the skin condition that drove him to bleach himself [which led to another whole series of questions about his sense of racial identity]; the leaked stories about his bizarre lifestyle [how could he know what was normal?]; at the end of the day, he had no escape from "the beast about to strike". Fame is a brutal creature...</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">R.I.P, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jakko</span>. Emphasis on <em>peace...</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-3477826508403125342009-06-04T03:49:00.003-04:002009-06-04T03:52:02.380-04:00Twenty Years Later...<span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes, there's nothing more to add...</span><br /><object id="yfop" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=" height="270" width="320" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="_cx" value="8467"><param name="_cy" value="7144"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="0"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><embed src="'http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf'" width="'320'" height="'270'" name="'yfop'" type="'application/x-shockwave-flash'" pluginspage="'http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer'" flashvars="'id=" shareenable="1'"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-12812511450033761232009-05-27T02:15:00.018-04:002009-05-27T04:35:02.971-04:00The Carnival Comes To Town!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1OBMVrfG7x-KBayqO-YzTcPx58O0BfTqJsSNTdgBUkfqYgkKQcx_SUaFffZq9ph9GLqqQZodNUsZmoWjq3Trfta21G89f8QEHns1qsGGDXqLPkpUwduj84aP9KcJNJCeUWDxmMnIDe0/s1600-h/tmpphpMd47CY.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340390584758466322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1OBMVrfG7x-KBayqO-YzTcPx58O0BfTqJsSNTdgBUkfqYgkKQcx_SUaFffZq9ph9GLqqQZodNUsZmoWjq3Trfta21G89f8QEHns1qsGGDXqLPkpUwduj84aP9KcJNJCeUWDxmMnIDe0/s400/tmpphpMd47CY.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I've been posting at this here address for nigh onto three years now. Sometimes the ideas and words flow like maple syrup from the trees at the end of Winter. Other times, not so much. To keep it interesting for You, the Reader [as well as, let's be honest, Me the Writer], I've been known to play around with this blog from time to time; everything from different blog designs, to different 125 x 125 card designs. My personal favorite of all of this was my 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> post, the now-semi-remembered <a href="http://aftermidnightpage.blogspot.com/2008/06/blog-roast.html">Blog Roast </a>[celebrating my 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> post and, as these sort of things frequently work out, actually being my 101st; oh, fudge...]; the biggest disaster, without question, was the infamous "Iron Blogger" [<a href="http://aftermidnightpage.blogspot.com/2008/08/open-letter-to-my-readers.html">this post</a>, a few days after the whole thing fell apart, gives the key points fairly well. By the bye, I still think the <em>idea</em> of a posting event based on a last-minute topic is a good one. I may yet come back to it; perhaps a competition for the most coherent explanation of the current "Video Of The Week" (see below, at right)]. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMhYvWDjsFqwBGVUW8b486L7lfVWshiFlWa5jlfPhSVDbdIYp5miHNDfhjc_gaLc4tBk9gVH-LM6qY3LtaZwb14XjFPPzYQ5C2MT7LEfxtUSJYbGEd4qkGMNmm9vNqfcDG65lC3Okfhg/s1600-h/carnival.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340405278552067202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMhYvWDjsFqwBGVUW8b486L7lfVWshiFlWa5jlfPhSVDbdIYp5miHNDfhjc_gaLc4tBk9gVH-LM6qY3LtaZwb14XjFPPzYQ5C2MT7LEfxtUSJYbGEd4qkGMNmm9vNqfcDG65lC3Okfhg/s400/carnival.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">I've since learned that the "approved" way to get lots of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bloggers</span> to write on the same topic is to announce a "carnival" [in most churches, when a carnival is announced, the Men's Group runs the beer tent, while the Ladies' <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Auxiliary</span> ends up cooking most of the food. Your organization may do things differently, so your mileage will almost certainly vary]. Actually, the announcement was made in April, at the <a href="http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/canam-celebration"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bloggers</span> Unite site</a>. To be honest, the response to date has been somewhat less than overwhelming. Counting my post on the topic, <em>four <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bloggers</span></em> are in on it.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbn2PKwO2WrEE6VxNLEqZi6_skldTJwVMHr_TOosxQJzm43AYjoe-Hx4yPhyYtjSZHfVEh3o1zRhhNttC42DUwohlETNmRBiuRXFJPLV3uLqty2eYBvDXj4NCUE6Ib_v5N18GAnkgRgg/s1600-h/oie_fc3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340412513394026514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 113px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbn2PKwO2WrEE6VxNLEqZi6_skldTJwVMHr_TOosxQJzm43AYjoe-Hx4yPhyYtjSZHfVEh3o1zRhhNttC42DUwohlETNmRBiuRXFJPLV3uLqty2eYBvDXj4NCUE6Ib_v5N18GAnkgRgg/s400/oie_fc3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm not sure why the response to date has been so small: I mean, I've posted event badges at the BU site [including the attractive design at left]. I've put badges on my other blog [which link to the above-mentioned info]. Is it because I'm not awarding prizes? I don't think so, I've seen more than a few such events that didn't, and yet have good response. No, it's not up there with "World AIDS Day", "Human Rights Day", or even "World Wide Knit In Public Day" [actually, based on my bus-riding experiences, EVERY DAY is Knit In Public Day]. Still, between the people who actually blog in Canada and the United States, people from other countries that have visited one or both nations [and probably have an uplifting, humorous, or upliftingly </span><span style="font-size:130%;">humorous story to relate], or people who dream of visiting the US or Canada, there </span><span style="font-size:130%;">should be seven. maybe eight or nine participants ["<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">carnivalists</span>"? "carnivores"?] </span><span style="font-size:130%;">chomping at the proverbial bit!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU2te5s717O8F2lKr2omjAdFgXngCAFCO9LE_5lGDSEuE7rmf0pz-JT6uqt4quwOYI_-MXXle_WVY0mNgtcwfGqgR1uz_zXXWsQmqwcm9nr2_do7BfL3-cFTat87AjX6eorC7VZooIiY/s1600-h/carnivaltkts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340416601200907170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU2te5s717O8F2lKr2omjAdFgXngCAFCO9LE_5lGDSEuE7rmf0pz-JT6uqt4quwOYI_-MXXle_WVY0mNgtcwfGqgR1uz_zXXWsQmqwcm9nr2_do7BfL3-cFTat87AjX6eorC7VZooIiY/s400/carnivaltkts.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Anyway, that's the deal. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bloggers</span> Unite members should sign up there; non-members can post links in the "Comment" section after my July 1st posting on the topic. The ticket booth is open, get in now, before we get in double figures [I wish!], and you'll have to wait in line behind the cranky family pictured at right [I swear I saw both parents hit a child on the side of the head, just before the placid-looking image over there was snapped!]. It's just going to be easier on <em>all of us</em>, o.k.?</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcTxcbySqSWmHtLMW3vatXoyiwqshqd650I-wRxwuqWz0-Fq7yWitFxQqKt99LZZEKOXXhi_a06a4yO4lVUG1Ql54oEOK8yb56xFIP-kXlDfv3763o4VZDrUY_3Z4_dkk_MCTY_aHpVo/s1600-h/carnival.jpg"></a>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-9792692313292862172009-05-19T01:19:00.015-04:002009-05-19T02:53:42.673-04:00McBreasts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2nqWO5f2vIjQkdsiwn3pBZeGaFaqfj_xMacH-u2aApDu3-HFvUFhBUTyea4AzEq0m-z0x7dsPGWKDMgX8S90FofVQYpaWsct0zOjgR9QzcC5wirR016D_35q9OL7PCwIB8_sl9t8VP0/s1600-h/CAIH60XHCAOVZ3OBCA5TQE6TCAMIH4G3CA2ID9OACA9DR931CA8YGYOHCA85IZW3CAOX28BPCATE5NBTCAPN6DIDCA5GGPI0CAUGDQPHCA1XP1HYCAP8LAAKCA8S2SUFCA4SU9VJCA7O0PC1CAMZZC0P.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337400498021921266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2nqWO5f2vIjQkdsiwn3pBZeGaFaqfj_xMacH-u2aApDu3-HFvUFhBUTyea4AzEq0m-z0x7dsPGWKDMgX8S90FofVQYpaWsct0zOjgR9QzcC5wirR016D_35q9OL7PCwIB8_sl9t8VP0/s400/CAIH60XHCAOVZ3OBCA5TQE6TCAMIH4G3CA2ID9OACA9DR931CA8YGYOHCA85IZW3CAOX28BPCATE5NBTCAPN6DIDCA5GGPI0CAUGDQPHCA1XP1HYCAP8LAAKCA8S2SUFCA4SU9VJCA7O0PC1CAMZZC0P.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The Woman I Love and I went to Buffalo on business [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dr</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">appt's</span>] this morning. On the way, we saw a sign for a "gentleman's club"...</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rHEGmQ01QiJbAvRY9-OiwGH_KNmxA_zHJhPJEYXhfEa_4Ake8DgDibYqFdXD5qjRHcElASXzOFCMeyYCn5yDmCQL0bIbYB9gRo9z8M-eiPB3fKxbNvintGzU-6Jmk4em0H-jR0nTBAo/s1600-h/CALH6FI3CANR4ZBLCAS7ZL5ICA6HRU91CANDXNU7CACBPWDRCAH4FWCBCA3EQ5W1CA7OU4OYCAYI9T47CAQC6P2ZCATNCL7YCAUR4VYDCADB37VCCAADQWNOCAWSHL6HCAEA22R6CAWKXGA0CA7C6CCK.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337401187192030258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 113px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rHEGmQ01QiJbAvRY9-OiwGH_KNmxA_zHJhPJEYXhfEa_4Ake8DgDibYqFdXD5qjRHcElASXzOFCMeyYCn5yDmCQL0bIbYB9gRo9z8M-eiPB3fKxbNvintGzU-6Jmk4em0H-jR0nTBAo/s400/CALH6FI3CANR4ZBLCAS7ZL5ICA6HRU91CANDXNU7CACBPWDRCAH4FWCBCA3EQ5W1CA7OU4OYCAYI9T47CAQC6P2ZCATNCL7YCAUR4VYDCADB37VCCAADQWNOCAWSHL6HCAEA22R6CAWKXGA0CA7C6CCK.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">...no, not the gentleman's club pictured at right [if memory serves me right, one of the more famous clubs in 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>-Century London]...</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN_ToWYcDDKzrGk2Inj10rXKqcqcofIOSFtrZ0hG5G6MG7dYgoH_NXKIo8fHl8wGruscyYw_ObowdXdQkqUbiyXMm6VlxoJwIrB776r-0e-6bcWGUcJ2AERP2PT8E7XcwIVI_u2JjnMY/s1600-h/CAKKYF1ZCAIURFUUCABWBY5DCATAXJ4NCAENR037CAUJGZ47CA0YDJ2KCA7DBR1WCAIW2BD4CAECGY57CAK7N13WCAF8O2ETCA1J3Y3GCAO33YS6CATC2ZOQCALWQX2RCAEBSKV4CAYC7FO2CAUOTWA0.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">...<em>this </em>kind of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">gentleman's</span> club [for the unaware: "gentleman's club", in this context, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">refers</span> to nightclubs where women strip down as far as local ordinances allow, then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">danc</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6MXGAHCGk1usXl1bfnThVwYKiEbjm0AGh6X7KrY_Kgwm9x72iPzRFxJxx3QS2Yet4WVppfvjSYvFCEM3Wegu-ygHHs5V49FnZR2pcA4sbBV3thTDzN9HHE1viqJU2jJR2uMU2C29zm8/s1600-h/CA7WGKP6CARAA7UBCAJ2CEUTCAOKVIFRCAZKWGJYCANN3YSOCACUGOOWCA5ZK846CA4BOH2MCA3NXE3FCA4ZE35ACAEJGVW5CAEEI1SOCA3XW812CAVMTPSOCAA3JL9OCAYAPO69CAL7D6HBCA5SAK8W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337405232927045394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 86px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6MXGAHCGk1usXl1bfnThVwYKiEbjm0AGh6X7KrY_Kgwm9x72iPzRFxJxx3QS2Yet4WVppfvjSYvFCEM3Wegu-ygHHs5V49FnZR2pcA4sbBV3thTDzN9HHE1viqJU2jJR2uMU2C29zm8/s400/CA7WGKP6CARAA7UBCAJ2CEUTCAOKVIFRCAZKWGJYCANN3YSOCACUGOOWCA5ZK846CA4BOH2MCA3NXE3FCA4ZE35ACAEJGVW5CAEEI1SOCA3XW812CAVMTPSOCAA3JL9OCAYAPO69CAL7D6HBCA5SAK8W.jpg" border="0" /></a>e for an almost exclusively male audience. Not that there's anything wrong with that]. The sign referred to the club as being "world famous", and noted it would be open for business in a few months. Now, I'm not as "hip" as I once was, but I think this kind of situation is covered by the term "fail". "World famous" and "opening soon" don't seem to go together in the same sentence. When I pointed this out to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TWIL</span>, she said "Maybe it's a franchise".</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">A franchise? They franchise this sort of thing?</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, the thought has crossed my mind before. Anyone who's been in more than one such place in a lifetime will note the similarities; poor lighting, over-priced drinks, [mostly] <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">unenthusiastic</span> "dancers" [for some reason, most of said performers around here are advertised as being "from Montreal". It turns out that I'd gone to grade school with a couple of them, and I certainly <em>did not </em>attend grade school anywhere in the Canadian province of Quebec], even the disinfectant [strawberry-scented] used to "freshen" the places seems the same from locale to locale. </span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I guess my next question is: where do they sell these franchises? Do they have a booth at traditional franchise fairs, sharing space with Mrs. Fields' cookies and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Om3YKI5c5LjxcJx1RaQ7NuepTD07CjwTUtW21rps9Dqrh1OU9D3lnWjwYRvBwcJ6AEoxrcLXQvAlgjNRXrYg6rMyutmjD4GUyTHBoqo6SP15lCUl4fvl229Km2yg1dDm3U6BM8kWKE/s1600-h/CAECVW1DCAC5Y4WICAMIJTAUCAMOSDRUCAIXBTGECAC2PRMCCATI5UJ0CA31GBYGCAJWTN10CA0ACE1NCATX19WACAVQEXRYCA58W0EUCAZVP7MKCAL6HAKBCAV330EXCALKSROJCA0YOL75CAGH107Y.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337408570685111890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 36px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Om3YKI5c5LjxcJx1RaQ7NuepTD07CjwTUtW21rps9Dqrh1OU9D3lnWjwYRvBwcJ6AEoxrcLXQvAlgjNRXrYg6rMyutmjD4GUyTHBoqo6SP15lCUl4fvl229Km2yg1dDm3U6BM8kWKE/s400/CAECVW1DCAC5Y4WICAMIJTAUCAMOSDRUCAIXBTGECAC2PRMCCATI5UJ0CA31GBYGCAJWTN10CA0ACE1NCATX19WACAVQEXRYCA58W0EUCAZVP7MKCAL6HAKBCAV330EXCALKSROJCA0YOL75CAGH107Y.jpg" border="0" /></a>Stanley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Steemer</span> carpet cleaning offers? Or does one have such a deal presented as an "opportunity" in the back room of such establishments? I'm really not looking [even if I were, who could afford such a business?], but I admit to a mildly-unhealthy curiosity about the whole thing.</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Come to think of it, just what does one <strong>get</strong> with such a franchise? I know traditional franchises usually include a name, a list of "standards" that the franchisee is supposed to maintain, tips on operating the business, and generic advertising, which can then be tailored to the home city of the new operation. (I can just picture some of the advertising: "fine print" phrases like "Breast size is based on weight, not volume. Contents may have settled". Or headlines like, "You deserve the b[r]e[a]st!". Let's face it, it's 90 % of what most guys go to these places for.)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">For what it's worth, my favorite story about "Gentleman's clubs" involves a certain establishment in Pittsburgh, PA during the 1950's. The owner, under the laws of the time, was not allowed to open on Sundays.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337422278349738514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6Blem3Iqq08EWoAaHiR_bKMh-AtqlUPxK04vh1FK7ObggPJjubRmwVbBScEggx2AD_23RiVHli7xNLw39LacDnp2yONnUTbPdmN7gh_hyphenhyphenotKE9Qzx1lnRrXaYIIoTH0OukCvJQs5fXI/s400/logoThreeStooges_home.jpg" border="0" /> One Sunday, he noticed that a local TV station was running old short films featuring the <a href="http://www.threestooges.com/">Three Stooges</a>. He found that the old films were quite popular, especially with children. Inspired, he brought the Stooges to the Steel City, featuring them in Sunday afternoon shows that were open to families. He is said to have made a fortune, and the appearances were instrumental in reviving the Stooges' career. In another surprise, did you know that one of the "Stooges" who replaced Curly Howard actually had a "no touch" clause in his contract? Moe and Larry could gesture towards him, abuse him verbally, but no touching! A "Stooge" you couldn't hit? That's like a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">gentleman's</span> club without...well, you know.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN_ToWYcDDKzrGk2Inj10rXKqcqcofIOSFtrZ0hG5G6MG7dYgoH_NXKIo8fHl8wGruscyYw_ObowdXdQkqUbiyXMm6VlxoJwIrB776r-0e-6bcWGUcJ2AERP2PT8E7XcwIVI_u2JjnMY/s1600-h/CAKKYF1ZCAIURFUUCABWBY5DCATAXJ4NCAENR037CAUJGZ47CA0YDJ2KCA7DBR1WCAIW2BD4CAECGY57CAK7N13WCAF8O2ETCA1J3Y3GCAO33YS6CATC2ZOQCALWQX2RCAEBSKV4CAYC7FO2CAUOTWA0.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com301tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-73786530089441654512009-05-04T02:22:00.026-04:002009-05-04T04:26:08.948-04:00"He really oozed machismo on that double axle, Dick"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjJFgMrbnjaKEpWIp7LOhmM3Trmt1_u2tbZ6DJnJa-j8ayYMjQGwbOh2cTZ8-xz7yNjHDgR4UkL9GnSqOEcRXDIp5tQnEwFQsDj3EezEjSoMXTtgEdZJpk2zeF4VSMwvumfbOg8WcA6s/s1600-h/f70e8f0cccf8fa82.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331855873482207826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjJFgMrbnjaKEpWIp7LOhmM3Trmt1_u2tbZ6DJnJa-j8ayYMjQGwbOh2cTZ8-xz7yNjHDgR4UkL9GnSqOEcRXDIp5tQnEwFQsDj3EezEjSoMXTtgEdZJpk2zeF4VSMwvumfbOg8WcA6s/s400/f70e8f0cccf8fa82.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">[Long-time followers of professional wrestling will probably remember the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">reference</span> to <strong>Razor Ramon</strong>, one of several <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">personas</span> used by <strong>Scott Hall </strong>during his long and troubled career. As Ramon, he was said to "ooze machismo". Personally, I think he just needed a shampoo with a better pH balance.] But what brings up the allusion to RR is not an examination of such traditionally "manly" pursuits as wrestling [and, please, let's <em>not </em>open up that closet!], but the athletic event known as...</span> <div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">...men's figure skating. Yeah, figure skating. It all started with some discussion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-UQsma_4uQXRN19XpZX64RGv_1goc39GGd2iJbB5rJ4SYhJJKCFbfICcTheYTqGVVPA23uo_2h3sB2lipsG89573QHRKeBg_ZtIFV3JlfEihzr0ri-ELfOelzyx9H8Au3p32V157FlY/s1600-h/11c455aefd90c516.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331860486800052434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-UQsma_4uQXRN19XpZX64RGv_1goc39GGd2iJbB5rJ4SYhJJKCFbfICcTheYTqGVVPA23uo_2h3sB2lipsG89573QHRKeBg_ZtIFV3JlfEihzr0ri-ELfOelzyx9H8Au3p32V157FlY/s400/11c455aefd90c516.jpg" border="0" /></a>s by <a href="http://www.skatecanada.ca/">Skate Canada</a>, which, as the principal figure skating organization north of the 49<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> Parallel, will have some influence over such matters at next year's Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver, BC. Apparently, Canada, unlike most other countries in the world, has seen lower TV ratings for its coverage of men's figure skating. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SkateCanada</span> postulates that the lower ratings are due to the image that male skaters bring to the rink; namely, and both they and I are trying to dance around the shorthand phrases that could cut this paragraph in half, the impression that male skaters may come off as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">effeminate</span> because of their flashy costumes [after all, no one calls what hockey players wear a "costume", do they?]. If I understand their thinking rightly, the less-than-macho look is a real turn-off to manly men who might otherwise watch the athletic moves of the skaters [and if I've offended anyone by this explanation, I am truly sorry. I did the best I could].</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Intrigued by this [it was a slow weekend, people], I did a little research on the matter. For ins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eOdmLUtUfZEyV0GJY62RfGxoymxqQ5SaQ7c8GlSBhg-LSGCwPsKqADxF0p0KJ2TyqWcoii8kOczkag9crqx3mOFQVACFNQjO-J4YoFtWmDMtUiO_j06RFm3XaNhCloLhpAAuo7uJLfI/s1600-h/45667770-19105102.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331865999549603650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eOdmLUtUfZEyV0GJY62RfGxoymxqQ5SaQ7c8GlSBhg-LSGCwPsKqADxF0p0KJ2TyqWcoii8kOczkag9crqx3mOFQVACFNQjO-J4YoFtWmDMtUiO_j06RFm3XaNhCloLhpAAuo7uJLfI/s400/45667770-19105102.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tance</span>, here we have a photo of American figure skating champion Dick Buttons, probably taken some time in the late 1940's - early 1950's. As you can see, he's wearing an outfit something like a "dress" naval uniform. Going on my admittedly weak memory, I seem to remember that most male skaters through the late 1960's wore either this look, or something like a regular business suit [with the jacket shortened, of course, to allow for more ease of movement]. The only "flash" in the costumes were the gold buttons that usually decorated them.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Then, during the 1970's, new fabrics [Spandex, for instance] allowed for more form-fitting designs. In the 80's and 90's, as Andrew Harmon points out in <a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/image/la-ig-menskate22-2009mar22,0,4909622.story?page=1">this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">overv</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs__0TbvPTfAP0EFdks8BlgAF_D2SYicZnXA0vA0wsuItRacB6_fk01Z8uYnRUBZ2aKMwDbD5yDitzVO_xNpglMM-CCfETAQ23TOlTxLQCt-DpHbQawlTW69HIzitMjAJeYq5sdmoxZg/s1600-h/bladesofglory.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331877083177204994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 84px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs__0TbvPTfAP0EFdks8BlgAF_D2SYicZnXA0vA0wsuItRacB6_fk01Z8uYnRUBZ2aKMwDbD5yDitzVO_xNpglMM-CCfETAQ23TOlTxLQCt-DpHbQawlTW69HIzitMjAJeYq5sdmoxZg/s400/bladesofglory.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/image/la-ig-menskate22-2009mar22,0,4909622.story?page=1">i</a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/image/la-ig-menskate22-2009mar22,0,4909622.story?page=1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ew</span> article</a> from the <em>LA Times</em>, things got so out of hand that judges were instructed to deduct points for overly "theatrical" garb. With the new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Millennium</span>, however, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Olympic_Winter_Games_figure_skating_scandal">the scoring scandal that came out of the 2002 Winter Games,</a> "Anything goes" seems to be the only rule [although the scandal had nothing to do with costumes]. Ironically, the garb worn by Will Ferrell and Jon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Heder</span> in <em>Blades Of Glory</em> [at right] comes off as almost "old school" by today's standards.</span></div></div><div> </div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Maybe it's just me, but what I really think would boost men's skating is an infusion of personality, or at least a bit of longevity, among its stars. Michelle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kwan</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Oksana</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Baiul</span>, even little charmer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonya_Harding">Tonya Harding</a> have more reality to them than any men's champion of recent years. Maybe a scandal could boost TV numbers. How about Canadian Elvis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Stojko</span> [who spent the weekend manfully trying to prop up the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">SkateCanada</span> position and, it should be added, usually performs in outfits that aren't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">embarrassing</span> to the male gender as a whole] taking a hockey stick to the kneecap of the American or Russian champ during the run-up to the Vancouver Games? Now <strong>that </strong>would boost the ratings!</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span> </div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-31255041504603848272009-04-29T01:27:00.028-04:002009-04-29T03:12:36.661-04:00Hunger And Hope [BloggersUnite]<ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes the best way to begin is with a fact. Okay, here's one:</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">In the year 2004, it was estimated that farming across the Earth already produces enough food to feed everyone on the planet - six billion, at that time. Indeed, the same statement added that twice that number - 12 billion - could be fed. </span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">-United Nations Food And Agricultural Organization</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Let your head try to wrap around that for a moment<strong>. We already have the resources that, if properly distributed, </strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>would once and for all end world hunger.</strong> Despite this, the UN estimates that 923-million people are hungry worldwide.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Another fact:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">It's estimated that a person dies every second of every day from hunger, or diseases made worse by undernourishment. One in five of those who die is a child. That works out to 4,000 people an hour, 100,000 a day, 36 million people a year. More than half the deaths on Earth in a year can be attributed to hunger.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">- United Nations Food And Agricultural Organization</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Enough information for you? Well, how about a quote:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"...[H]ope comes from just standing up"</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">-Studs Terkel</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It's time to stand up. Stand up and work for those who are hungry. Yes, Big Government must be a part of the ultimate solution. But <em>four thousand people this hour alone </em>can't wait.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /></li></ul><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Below are links to a few groups that are fighting world hunger today. Look them over, then get involved if you wish. But remember that hunger may live up the street from you, or in the next block, or across the street from your best friend [then again, it could <strong>be </strong>your best friend...]. You probably know of groups near you that are helping to deal with hunger in your area. Support them as well, in body or spirit. </span></div><div align="left"></div><ul><li><div align="left"><a href="http://www.heifer.org/"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Heifer Project</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> [Co-sponsoring today's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BloggerUnite</span> project]</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/">Action Against Hunger</a></span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.thehungersite.com/">The Hunger Site</a> [All you have to do here is click on an icon. It's worth about a cup of food. Couldn't be easier...]</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.feedingamerica.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FeedingAmerica</span></a> [formerly known as America's Second Harvest. Co-ordinating food bank resources across the US]</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.thp.org/">The Hunger Project</a></span></div></li></ul><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">There are certainly more groups than these. Find one [or more], then go to work...</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-39508385756637632072009-04-16T01:28:00.020-04:002009-04-16T03:11:48.687-04:0010-Q<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOh0s7NctkoXWcxT8BdihSNSGnyFTEZs1PVnoUKD6KTeUYD-gtvYnAlDt9AJEcrbOOdnAJ9pa_KowanvvPB4Go0nIRYoaWUr4Ub3zIgEcf3yH0djyWNQLtonGLNHP96XQ3jMEqFItNSU/s1600-h/CAZONEX0CAY6LSVQCAZTVHZDCAPYGK9PCAPZOF2FCAXD2RG8CARTTA9XCAT87VEECA06IL7ZCAKFHPCKCA86XY17CAFS7EVJCA6YNI1JCAI2MXGLCADD94IRCAEL74YACARMFT3CCA15SAC1CATTYJ64.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325157211940494610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOh0s7NctkoXWcxT8BdihSNSGnyFTEZs1PVnoUKD6KTeUYD-gtvYnAlDt9AJEcrbOOdnAJ9pa_KowanvvPB4Go0nIRYoaWUr4Ub3zIgEcf3yH0djyWNQLtonGLNHP96XQ3jMEqFItNSU/s400/CAZONEX0CAY6LSVQCAZTVHZDCAPYGK9PCAPZOF2FCAXD2RG8CARTTA9XCAT87VEECA06IL7ZCAKFHPCKCA86XY17CAFS7EVJCA6YNI1JCAI2MXGLCADD94IRCAEL74YACARMFT3CCA15SAC1CATTYJ64.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">One thing that Anybody who's ever looked into such things can tell you, is that every day of the year has one or more events commemorated by it [for instance, according to the Mayan calendar pictured at left, December 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>, 2012 is a day that should be devoted to "serene contemplation of birds - their grace and calmness, even at times of difficult winds". The next day is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Doomsday_prediction">"Run Around like A Chicken Whose Head Has Been Cut Off Day"</a>]. The degree of ridiculousness attached to so many commemorations depends, in part, on how silly you find the event or group being celebrated. Which is an incredibly convoluted way [the only way I do things] to bring up the fact that today, April 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, is Blog Reader Appreciation Day.</span> <div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">To the best of my knowledge, this is the first formal celebration of you at the other end of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blogosphere</span>. Personally, I think it's more than a little overdue. I can only speak for myself, but I'd at least like to think these little observations aren't just being filed away in a particularly dark corner of the Internet, only to be perused when I become President [or, more likely, when I become one of those unknown people who start firing rifles in a mall for no known reason]. The point is, I'd guess every blogger wants his/her words to be read, and enjoyed, by someone, somewhere, in the world. Hopefully, that someone is <strong><em>you.</em></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">While we<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ7XwgfyV2pfrGGrSlvedPa40j9U8QZAqOFuh5lMol720dg6Nvu8REy4VlX_-QjtMehcTNHfhS-A_VdOTzXLltEdDAH76KooNPMu0FT1vRaELOWUcvHjRbVbgGiHZWnwAWLrizB6ZOEg/s1600-h/tyayw.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325172113147346354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ7XwgfyV2pfrGGrSlvedPa40j9U8QZAqOFuh5lMol720dg6Nvu8REy4VlX_-QjtMehcTNHfhS-A_VdOTzXLltEdDAH76KooNPMu0FT1vRaELOWUcvHjRbVbgGiHZWnwAWLrizB6ZOEg/s400/tyayw.jpg" border="0" /></a>'re sharing with each other, Dear Reader, a favor; I don't expect it every time, and it's never a condition of reading this blog, but could you <em>please leave a comment now and then, </em>even if it's of the "You suck worse than anybody" variety? It's nice to be able to put a name, or maybe a face, to the people who actually take the time to stop by [especially helpful when compiling a list of malls to senselessly fire rifles in...].</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://theothermother.typepad.com/">The person who put Blog Reader Appreciation Day together</a> suggests that posts on this day "thank and celebrate readers with special tributes...contests, and give-aways". I'll be brutally honest; I don't have much to give away. But here are a few links to sites that I've enjoyed:</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-<a href="http://freealbums.blogsome.com/"><em>Free Albums Galore</em> </a><em>-</em> A great site to find <strong>free and legal </strong>music to download. You probably won't know most of the artists. But discovering new music is frequently a joy in itself.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>-</em><a href="http://www.allmyfaves.com/"><em>All My Faves </em></a><em>-</em> You could do worse than using this as a start page. Quick links to many of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Internet's</span> favorite stops, along with weekly surprises and new games. A surprisingly good time-waster.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>-</em><a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">makeuseof</span>.com</em></a><em> - </em>Exploring maven <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Aibek</span></strong> looks for cool websites, software, and other unique Internet freebies. Then he posts them daily. Need a particular program? You may just find it here.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Sorry there isn't more. But you're probably aware of the major players in such matters. These are some names you may not know.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Before I go, a special thanks to my "followers". You ladies have put up with a lot, more than most people should have to, and I do appreciate it. If I ever learn how, I'll become your follower, too. Thanks also to my regular readers [as always, you know who you are]. And, if you've just discovered this blog,</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325181775888176850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqvAJau67Qr1g3LLwL_lZV0G19ZyBCNHg83dxESfnHptidemEa1Iy8JWt-oXJhSnxv_R_s2xrjI8y9X79cDSDe3-6BHM7XX6YhxMjm6hBKyC9xBFEd5WSBQELn1n_zDeSZu-kKombpOI/s400/tygraphic.jpg" border="0" /></span></div></div><br /><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley [who also writes <a href="http://the-blog-lab.blogspot.com/">the blog lab</a>, <a href="http://challengingthethunder.blogspot.com/">Challenging The Thunder</a>, and <a href="http://outofthecandystore.blogspot.com/">Coming Out Of The Candy Store</a>. Thanks for reading them, also]</span></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-28170826939716332132009-04-13T00:18:00.032-04:002009-04-13T02:32:11.746-04:00Dog Daze<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ-xFGnp3WIbodYM2DKwbGHievZUOBG-tQ0iDTfDmxAi7Ija5uMXp2aEHUAS3p2Sf5cKhKJYouZfrTaFowxJeuyG03ZY-jDFl2znxVxt9TJSzTsPBCuaHJ-hBD1l6IPDOjHZOF3shcmo/s1600-h/9c1d19e106fed82e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324026103535326274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ-xFGnp3WIbodYM2DKwbGHievZUOBG-tQ0iDTfDmxAi7Ija5uMXp2aEHUAS3p2Sf5cKhKJYouZfrTaFowxJeuyG03ZY-jDFl2znxVxt9TJSzTsPBCuaHJ-hBD1l6IPDOjHZOF3shcmo/s400/9c1d19e106fed82e.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">If there's one thing that drives any resident of the White House <em>absolutely bonkers, </em>it's the fact that there are no secrets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. So, despite the Obama Administration's best efforts, and a planned revelatory press conference scheduled for tomorrow [Tuesday], no one should be surprised that one of the bigger questions about the still-new President's home staff has already been answered, albeit unofficially; namely, <em>the identity of the breed of the White House dog.</em> </span></div><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">A quick review: on Election Night, President-Elect Obama promised in his acceptance speech that First Daughters Malia and Sasha would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">receive</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2hzskWnBJrVDNWs_AabQwwhuHwVgL5MNz4PfOIP3cDq-OVgJIB6CeHp40rB0l7UVu1lDwJb1RbQMU5BU9I9nTSXsURYGKyl-TecEtgqOfbjYnRGejFY2cdKjRDwknu7CKlhS7KVFAsM/s1600-h/CAE9YOX3CAGMG4R0CACTG0PKCADIALKBCAWL9YTVCAQY2QUPCAHBHCB2CAAW38DUCA0I77O9CA2D5EG7CA27GUJBCAMKAPEVCA6216G2CA0I5YU3CALXZL6NCAB91VF9CAHRR5V5CAY7BGWICAE2GW2C.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324036916278490898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 102px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2hzskWnBJrVDNWs_AabQwwhuHwVgL5MNz4PfOIP3cDq-OVgJIB6CeHp40rB0l7UVu1lDwJb1RbQMU5BU9I9nTSXsURYGKyl-TecEtgqOfbjYnRGejFY2cdKjRDwknu7CKlhS7KVFAsM/s400/CAE9YOX3CAGMG4R0CACTG0PKCADIALKBCAWL9YTVCAQY2QUPCAHBHCB2CAAW38DUCA0I77O9CA2D5EG7CA27GUJBCAMKAPEVCA6216G2CA0I5YU3CALXZL6NCAB91VF9CAHRR5V5CAY7BGWICAE2GW2C.jpg" border="0" /></a> a dog when they moved into the Presidential mansion [presumably a reward for good behavior during the campaign. At the time, the promise of another First Dog in the White House drew as many headlines as the oft-repeated rumor that Malia and Sasha would be guest-starring in an episode of <em><a href="http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/hannahmontana/index.html">Hannah Montana</a></em>]. Complicating the choice; one of the Obama children [I honestly forget which one] has allergy issues. This, of course, would limit the number of breeds that could be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">considered</span>.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Public opinion was split on what the national [and international] media quickly named <strong>the Dog Question:</strong> the President said he was leaning towards "a mutt, like [himself]". Critics pointed out that a non-purebred puppy would be beneath the dignity of the nation's highest office. As the debate raged on, the business of America, already crippled by the on-going financial crisis, ground to a virtual halt.Finally, the Administration realized that the Dog Question needed resolution, and fast.It sprang into action.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">The first s<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lcfMNg4CJM2yyKsngUR5YHEvnlrXssNNEtIMQZ87fLjUDM2B8uCZd2Y9dzh498MTDcoNAhD8I0K_wWeu4u6FNMNFa6R1k4mZwJDnlSk6HaRWvkwPX_AYS2_nPUhADckMKrjfAkfMkbU/s1600-h/CAEIXAK3CANF8M4DCARVJD1CCAV5HCNCCANYKA0ACANFT5DTCA15IZYFCALEF46OCANR0TFBCAQ9VCY7CAARM1EWCASJVRT4CA9YI7BECALOPTXBCAUDHXZTCA3NPLSYCAWQ1LKLCAB20ZYGCASR4USM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324040766205534034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 96px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lcfMNg4CJM2yyKsngUR5YHEvnlrXssNNEtIMQZ87fLjUDM2B8uCZd2Y9dzh498MTDcoNAhD8I0K_wWeu4u6FNMNFa6R1k4mZwJDnlSk6HaRWvkwPX_AYS2_nPUhADckMKrjfAkfMkbU/s400/CAEIXAK3CANF8M4DCARVJD1CCAV5HCNCCANYKA0ACANFT5DTCA15IZYFCALEF46OCANR0TFBCAQ9VCY7CAARM1EWCASJVRT4CA9YI7BECALOPTXBCAUDHXZTCA3NPLSYCAWQ1LKLCAB20ZYGCASR4USM.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tep</span> was the creation of an internal think-tank, called the Office of Dog Selection, Vetting [no one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wanted</span> to bring a scandal-ridden canine into the still-popular Obama White House], and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Acquisition</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ODSVA</span>). Following the long-time Washington tradition that the most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">undesirable</span> jobs go to one man, Vice-President Joe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Biden</span> was quickly appointed head of the new office [a Democratic insider noted, "Let's face it, he's got the time"]. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Biden's</span> first appointments to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ODSVA</span> included:</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324041659462013826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 75px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU79cILhwbTskL5OHeGt0Wyh_F19EwmX16aGmbzGJycA7Z4NUlw2KYxDcyuLGDZMulkK6iiGLADWeZoyM3PgRR7DkxTrmNWJxZUo-o2X4qVUSDIbGnVeMwM3iRuoQh_5oI2ZYkquKGU38/s400/daddy_cesar.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Cesar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Millan</span></strong> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TV's</span> "Dog Whisperer"...</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwBSv4ZrFMXT968ouZPbzmTVqeUehYup9zsCZ2VmUJ5KMjO_dMil1gjhILFcSSVPZCgHon_0r_IlrByWpvu1UhXbm8foyyFkZ_ElkPmiTVpx_SHABzTLpBHZKePU7GKZtim4thDB98co/s1600-h/CA8L92ABCAR26HKCCASB7FX2CA7RGWDCCA8TYTEZCAS3LKB2CA2IT0SRCA4D7HNYCATDU0X4CARNQK4ZCAW418OMCA8ACZO1CA8PESKFCAFE28IZCASBUL5RCARUBNHSCAZ34R89CASCK2Z4CAK2J419.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324042398417321410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 94px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwBSv4ZrFMXT968ouZPbzmTVqeUehYup9zsCZ2VmUJ5KMjO_dMil1gjhILFcSSVPZCgHon_0r_IlrByWpvu1UhXbm8foyyFkZ_ElkPmiTVpx_SHABzTLpBHZKePU7GKZtim4thDB98co/s400/CA8L92ABCAR26HKCCASB7FX2CA7RGWDCCA8TYTEZCAS3LKB2CA2IT0SRCA4D7HNYCATDU0X4CARNQK4ZCAW418OMCA8ACZO1CA8PESKFCAFE28IZCASBUL5RCARUBNHSCAZ34R89CASCK2Z4CAK2J419.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Lassie</strong> - America's best-known dog [as well as America's best known female impersonator, since Lassie is always portrayed by a male dog; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Biden</span> received wide praise <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">for</span> this master-stroke, including both Middle America and the transvestite communities in a single choice], and, in a nod to bipartisanship...</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf1XArZGITQgFNZp44Lg6H0fZx8tWsshU3OyttZ59YoU397CRqiyQP-a9pj9PixV3HBJC3-d7D_xiUCaVk0es7DHKA_9uzssibXLs15F0e5MsybVnmIjrqL5jH1goNUvwB5ujSMiSyaU/s1600-h/CA1JRIPJCAD97ASGCAX3PPXOCA6XQ83VCAGXMJ2VCA6MOKTKCAV6FJJZCA9VOZ7WCA17IX23CATLC6FGCAU5GG5TCA543VN5CAH562FCCAVM86SWCA66UQD8CA77ZI7XCAXAVASCCA4R78QFCAG7LRAX.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324044599891101426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 104px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf1XArZGITQgFNZp44Lg6H0fZx8tWsshU3OyttZ59YoU397CRqiyQP-a9pj9PixV3HBJC3-d7D_xiUCaVk0es7DHKA_9uzssibXLs15F0e5MsybVnmIjrqL5jH1goNUvwB5ujSMiSyaU/s400/CA1JRIPJCAD97ASGCAX3PPXOCA6XQ83VCAGXMJ2VCA6MOKTKCAV6FJJZCA9VOZ7WCA17IX23CATLC6FGCAU5GG5TCA543VN5CAH562FCCAVM86SWCA66UQD8CA77ZI7XCAXAVASCCA4R78QFCAG7LRAX.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Ron Paul</strong> - failed Republican candidate for President in the 2008 election ["Let's face it", one GOP insider noted, "he's got the time"].</span></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ODSVA</span> was quickly established in a former <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">missile</span> silo in South Dakota. A series of rapid-fire meetings soon produced a "short list" of candidates [leaked to me by a former high school classmate now working in the State Department; sorry I can't be more specific than that]:</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplL7Xi0vsp1mBovivr8VFkqKtPIpRtQk1H8HZRW9dvfFftVEFMT3p7lVdV5k3HiArZ7VkdL2iOri0P5kBjY3BfjBNv-oI8QoGuIjISt-ryU98ETHUoK7vPqRoK7TaVpH9w5MX4dTWkT0/s1600-h/toypoodle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324050281556820594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplL7Xi0vsp1mBovivr8VFkqKtPIpRtQk1H8HZRW9dvfFftVEFMT3p7lVdV5k3HiArZ7VkdL2iOri0P5kBjY3BfjBNv-oI8QoGuIjISt-ryU98ETHUoK7vPqRoK7TaVpH9w5MX4dTWkT0/s400/toypoodle.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Fifi</strong>- a toy poodle. Met the hypoallergenic problem, but fell short on the "image" issue [reportedly, even Lassie turned "paws down" on her];</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkt5ZNJLUiH516G3EkrfoZec61zx0se8bz-mxbC3m-S4N4XtwP5HCQM6wOG4GSqg6wXCbQTQJKTQOiNftIvu14OTLTpzrWQZXd4wpTUkktBykj4UT1KMx5vgN48kP_6gBgGXZoMiv14s/s1600-h/CARI828RCAU7M0UQCALTFJ0BCAYMP4TKCA3ATK6ACA2HGMKRCAWWIDMSCANHUKJZCAEG2RG1CAJ9G4DWCABV4DTZCAFJ6OIDCAWVG3P0CAUSF2G3CAPZQAYZCASEP7KVCAL8OIKDCAJVLV65CA5C0PE2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324051358213151426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkt5ZNJLUiH516G3EkrfoZec61zx0se8bz-mxbC3m-S4N4XtwP5HCQM6wOG4GSqg6wXCbQTQJKTQOiNftIvu14OTLTpzrWQZXd4wpTUkktBykj4UT1KMx5vgN48kP_6gBgGXZoMiv14s/s400/CARI828RCAU7M0UQCALTFJ0BCAYMP4TKCA3ATK6ACA2HGMKRCAWWIDMSCANHUKJZCAEG2RG1CAJ9G4DWCABV4DTZCAFJ6OIDCAWVG3P0CAUSF2G3CAPZQAYZCASEP7KVCAL8OIKDCAJVLV65CA5C0PE2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Shredder</strong> - a pit bull. Got surprisingly high marks from the Secret Service, but reportedly "unnerved" one of the Obama children;</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1fttHcg-woEJcRbqD35XkTPQmF5Jams_K-NkUTfbeNcRcX_oV_TqwahWQzzkaXCo5w9oYRIrPr-luJ71_CqWQhYBf2C6oBmMBQaBr7pO_iHU0FdLDIinkVhhirJltU5Jk-AYIMkS_cU/s1600-h/sd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324052011879621698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 57px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1fttHcg-woEJcRbqD35XkTPQmF5Jams_K-NkUTfbeNcRcX_oV_TqwahWQzzkaXCo5w9oYRIrPr-luJ71_CqWQhYBf2C6oBmMBQaBr7pO_iHU0FdLDIinkVhhirJltU5Jk-AYIMkS_cU/s400/sd.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Scoobie</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Doo</span> - </strong>iconic cartoon character. Actually went over quite well with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Obamas</span>, but difficulties with the 3-D generation technology [especially outdoors] made his selection problematic, at best. In an effort to save the choice, White House officials reportedly experimented with...</span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkipS-2ghj7rx88btcVeodUqiZKh8ePXp87bhbXJWAGJyQp3PCwZ28Fl8B7cyB9JW9CFLFjrwbVGM9MdsU2cEyxqA6aUg53BdByay_QQo5nLOTrfyGXSwQiHUQM3vekIXh5RiVmyA7iF0/s1600-h/sdsuit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324053338956845202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 72px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkipS-2ghj7rx88btcVeodUqiZKh8ePXp87bhbXJWAGJyQp3PCwZ28Fl8B7cyB9JW9CFLFjrwbVGM9MdsU2cEyxqA6aUg53BdByay_QQo5nLOTrfyGXSwQiHUQM3vekIXh5RiVmyA7iF0/s400/sdsuit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>an actor, dressed as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Scoobie</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Doo</span></strong> - unfortunately, he reportedly "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">creeped</span> out" one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Obamas</span> [<em>not </em>the children, interestingly enough]. Perhaps it was his demand for "cigarette breaks" every two hours?</span><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Finally, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuBdEKNz0QgCG8XwC6UwuszGXngkZvvd1pbhdIwDRCNX8w4RBJBXlVVOWpXtgE4GCicI8oRYUKRGQHTQl8mRmLG_0NimXC_5QhkJL-fEnetoV9UhLyrx4zUTC-Kx7lFf89nY9dKRqnWc/s1600-h/pwd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324054577449788066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 105px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuBdEKNz0QgCG8XwC6UwuszGXngkZvvd1pbhdIwDRCNX8w4RBJBXlVVOWpXtgE4GCicI8oRYUKRGQHTQl8mRmLG_0NimXC_5QhkJL-fEnetoV9UhLyrx4zUTC-Kx7lFf89nY9dKRqnWc/s400/pwd.jpg" border="0" /></a>the committee decided on:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Bo - a <a href="http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/portuguesewaterdog.htm">Portuguese Water Dog</a>. Reportedly offered by ailing Democratic patriarch Edward M. Kennedy [whose switch from supporting Hillary Clinton to Obama in the Presidential election may have helped push the President "over the top" in the campaign. A suggestion by the Secretary of State to gift Kennedy with "Shredder" was rejected as "mean-spirited" by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ODSVA</span>].</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">At any rate, the new First Dog will be officially introduced sometime Tuesday. Don't say this blog didn't try to give you the news before it happened...</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-5094370304243136922009-04-08T00:46:00.024-04:002009-04-08T04:03:32.618-04:00Messing With House's Head<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JUw-259AB3j6QrIx7MLrb5YqGJWYEsxcQX1ARaB8daQRPCTNVZVvyhZYCRrblZvEb16bKFOnP3kjEUgJ7dx93Ohmca6lW0e53T-ImVT5vH5Eyiw-ZT3Gwg10Do-24Rr5FpCXs-8V1JE/s1600-h/CAIKIKAXCAUD6TMZCAIACRWECAHR8LPZCAL40QYICATZ5R1SCAVIBJ6SCASRLMY3CA1OYK2ECAL73PWBCAF3BH3GCA7LAZ2PCA0XIXTLCAPW3396CATWTSDLCABL3JURCAVTJYGECA0X20EACA5RTPTE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322180857197134578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JUw-259AB3j6QrIx7MLrb5YqGJWYEsxcQX1ARaB8daQRPCTNVZVvyhZYCRrblZvEb16bKFOnP3kjEUgJ7dx93Ohmca6lW0e53T-ImVT5vH5Eyiw-ZT3Gwg10Do-24Rr5FpCXs-8V1JE/s400/CAIKIKAXCAUD6TMZCAIACRWECAHR8LPZCAL40QYICATZ5R1SCAVIBJ6SCASRLMY3CA1OYK2ECAL73PWBCAF3BH3GCA7LAZ2PCA0XIXTLCAPW3396CATWTSDLCABL3JURCAVTJYGECA0X20EACA5RTPTE.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Regular visitors to this blog [which reaches its 150<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> post with this entry] know that I am quite the fan of the TV series <em>House M.D.</em> [as opposed to <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doogie_Howser"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Doogie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Howser</span>, MD</a></em>]. <em>House</em> being the kind of show it is, it frequently explores life-and-death issues in dramatic and unexpected ways. This past week, death came in an unexpected way to the doctors' side of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">equation</span>, with <a href="http://www.fox.com/kutner/">the unexpected suicide of series regular "Dr. Lawrence <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kutner</span>" </a>[Kai Penn]. </span><div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, first of all, there had been clues. As someone cagily pointed out in a "Comments" section on one of many blogs to discuss the event, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kutner</span>" was the only member of "House"'s new team <em>not</em> to have his private life examined. Through most of this season, Hugh Laurie has spoken in interviews of a "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">cataclysmic</span>" event that would change the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">show's</span> direction [indeed, in <a href="http://www.parade.com/celebrity/2009/04/hugh-laurie.html?index=2">an article in last Sunday's <em>Parade</em> Magazine</a>, he discussed his own struggle with depression, and mentioned the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">show's</span> association with the <a href="http://www.nami.org/">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>]. Further, Kai Penn's exit isn't for one of the typical reasons that cause TV death [money issues, going on to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hpcHhyphenhyphenJVNM9GmKxZGEFoRkBf3IAiPLRiY9973SYGiut0RWzxEn3oBKctnqAuYL4YaHVIOncX-vqnJqkdWnDkrDOguwWWGkJS7hz_Guay15hz5M9eRLarVL0imLJfJyoOISE7iG_ceAg/s1600-h/kp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322199600239268162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 80px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hpcHhyphenhyphenJVNM9GmKxZGEFoRkBf3IAiPLRiY9973SYGiut0RWzxEn3oBKctnqAuYL4YaHVIOncX-vqnJqkdWnDkrDOguwWWGkJS7hz_Guay15hz5M9eRLarVL0imLJfJyoOISE7iG_ceAg/s400/kp.jpg" border="0" /></a> movies, "creative differences"]. No, he's decided to take a medium-level job in the Obama Administration, working on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">liaisons</span> between the White House and the entertainment community; Penn has been interested in politics for some time, and worked on the Obama election team, when time allowed. He says his stay in DC is of "uncertain" length, but plans an eventual return to acting.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Such unexpected changes on a TV series are sometimes called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark">"jumping the shark"</a> [from an episode of "Happy Days" where Fonzie did just that]; I think it's a bit premature to call <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kutner's</span> suicide another jump. First of all, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">foreshadowed</span> or not, a suicide is always an unexpected, tragic event. Sadly, I would guess most of you reading this have an experience with a friend's or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">relative's</span> suicide [I had a friend from high school kill himself the summer after graduation; one of my uncles also took his own life]. Certainly, it was a dramatic bombshell; such unexpected events were part of the myths and legends of every culture, and remain so to this day. Was the<em> House </em>audience emotionally exploited by it? Of course. By the act of <strong>suspending disbelief, </strong>we set ourselves up for such shocks. It's part of getting involved in an on-going story, caring about the people whose fictional lives we follow. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">For what it's worth, I t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR6jW52m8EZYWA2MR3dFu4qphKwhWQFNoo09eidNQEa5HUlF2Ne7lEg8jl-_AsJySrBjcIcafInWWBWM9RtHLw7h2oZDGV7EuHVUPXwIilHixD1SiePNKzXkdnypgSBSdeGXmRIsBqGk/s1600-h/611f818e8c6cb3cc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322205675377527250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 86px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR6jW52m8EZYWA2MR3dFu4qphKwhWQFNoo09eidNQEa5HUlF2Ne7lEg8jl-_AsJySrBjcIcafInWWBWM9RtHLw7h2oZDGV7EuHVUPXwIilHixD1SiePNKzXkdnypgSBSdeGXmRIsBqGk/s400/611f818e8c6cb3cc.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">hink</span> the real "shark jumping" moment this season is yet to come; the widely-rumored <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">consummation</span> of the House - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Cuddy</span> relationship. Such relieving of sexual tension <em>never </em>works out; anybody old enough to remember <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonlighting_(TV_series)"><em>Moonlighting</em>,</a> a show that was more consistently "out there" than <em>House</em> [or just about any other TV series ever aired on American broadcast TV, for that matter] will tell you they could have struck the sets after "Addie" and "Maddie" did The Big Nasty.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Good Development from all this [and there is one] is the potential for character growth on the part of Dr House: yes, he will no doubt remain the "Sherlock Holmes" of medicine, solving the unsolvable cases. But even Holmes failed on a few occasions [so has House, but not so much lately]. Now he'll be confronted with resolving an act that, most likely, is unresolvable. The man with all the answers has a pounding question in the back of his head, and, unless and until he can find an answer, he won't be able to make it stop. We await future developments...</span> <div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">A final point; after Fonzie jumped that shark on water skis [Fonzie, not the shark], <em>Happy Days</em> went on to a further 100 episodes. Whether they were as good as what <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">preceded</span> them is a matter of opinion, but, if memory serves me right, it remained a top 10 - rated show for most of that time. Will <em>House</em> hold its position as one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">TV's</span> most fascinating hours? Time will tell.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-57682900452818894672009-04-06T00:33:00.020-04:002009-04-06T02:17:08.124-04:00Miss Scarlet, In The Bedroom, With A Tube Of Toothpaste<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyJwLNgbRXty7qb_KilFx3ZOih8ayKQ34HyVBvq3cDtz1vjc7uTE5zgst7PGCJLY_XCn7I7sgiMk5cGQAO4P47O6VScUI3sACX_gqo1aJz5o2G9ATvtMPwNA0orcJkck9300Rpxfp8n4/s1600-h/pottermystery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321434009112510674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyJwLNgbRXty7qb_KilFx3ZOih8ayKQ34HyVBvq3cDtz1vjc7uTE5zgst7PGCJLY_XCn7I7sgiMk5cGQAO4P47O6VScUI3sACX_gqo1aJz5o2G9ATvtMPwNA0orcJkck9300Rpxfp8n4/s400/pottermystery.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Not everyone is good at solving them, but most people seem to enjoy watching, or reading, or acting out, a good mystery. There's a beaut of one currently under investigation in Germany's capitol city, Berlin. A man there was reportedly spotted trying to leave a supermarket with a suspicious bulge under his coat. When a store employee grabbed him, <strong>68 tubes of toothpaste</strong> fell to the floor. The thwarted thief punched the clerk, and in the confusion made his escape. His whereabouts, according to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5324MA20090403">Reuters,</a> remain a mystery. But far from the only one.</span> <div><div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR7DkPOazEQytxnI1W7s3AXbG_9NWGWVmKU6ELu2Vc2WQOydCY9FymuijMdKO5QT5xw8F9zy27_X9MDauWKJfn1-5efkh4XgFIi_cV9s9gkHAWqlX33nDl5byzArQ_IGPxRtkMwbhrbM/s1600-h/toothpaste.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321440382448479890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR7DkPOazEQytxnI1W7s3AXbG_9NWGWVmKU6ELu2Vc2WQOydCY9FymuijMdKO5QT5xw8F9zy27_X9MDauWKJfn1-5efkh4XgFIi_cV9s9gkHAWqlX33nDl5byzArQ_IGPxRtkMwbhrbM/s400/toothpaste.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">For instance, what does someone <em>do</em> with 68 tubes of toothpaste? Is he planning a massive "brushing" party? Could he be a dentist, stocking up to give free tubes to his patients? Or is there some darker purpose to his theft? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Before you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93SG78Krr__7eyl8JBpMDDL0JwrLH1kI5OT_3UapMI3oW_nzYqLLwTKcbKkNXsao6u7upf3ueCMXpokuzwn0oiGHfyUa_QqQoAMe9tRqOLZhM0C9dWjwggFFzyIcKr1ZRY_q2vQxdgMY/s1600-h/csi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321442147527627282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 104px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93SG78Krr__7eyl8JBpMDDL0JwrLH1kI5OT_3UapMI3oW_nzYqLLwTKcbKkNXsao6u7upf3ueCMXpokuzwn0oiGHfyUa_QqQoAMe9tRqOLZhM0C9dWjwggFFzyIcKr1ZRY_q2vQxdgMY/s400/csi.jpg" border="0" /></a> laugh that theory off, consider a recent episode of the frighteningly-popular TV series, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CSI</span>"; while performing an autopsy on a woman who had died of unknown causes, a "minty odor" was discovered in her stomach, along with an unknown green substance. Turned out the green stuff was fluoride toothpaste. The criminologists first theorized that the woman's husband had attempted a fairly clever crime with an unlikely murder weapon. One of the "experts" pointed out that fluoride toothpaste, consumed in large enough <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">quantities</span>, could be fatal [it is known that, before fluoride's tooth-preservation qualities were discovered at the end of World War II, it was principally used in rat poison and other vermin-exterminating products]. It came out during the episode that the woman in question [a former dental assistant] had an ulcer, causing damage to the stomach lining that would somehow increase the risks. It was estimated that two tubes of fluoride toothpaste [14 oz. or so each] would be enough to kill an adult. (For the record, the woman decided to kill herself, and set up an incredibly difficult suicide method that involved her handcuffing herself to the marital bed [it was <a href="http://outofthecandystore.blogspot.com/2009/03/compliance-its-not-just-for-bondage.html">bondage night</a>], swallowing the fatal tubes of toothpaste, then undergoing what was described as an excruciatingly-painful death. All this, we add, to frame her husband for the murder.)</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So, is there anything to this theory? Well, maybe.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp4WTpBd3D0k1FLppPXZT1s8KIEo_VkfsIiiPaIC8FIJfyfQxM35S8Vs2xnu1VurgBbOlL8El2qqI5bMrn8rJt_dQZTkrqVdCRch3uuSXjEiFtotepS3XLaTg6uKShAmXqmfO5ocbr4g/s1600-h/CAXVM9QFCA3GVS1DCA3XKMSXCASHB4Q9CASUA1E4CAR2XCD4CABQKKF6CAPS1QLWCALBXN73CA3ECCQWCA19K0FPCAYVBAWMCAT6R5LNCAUCTHDCCA1IKGKPCA9QOK9CCATVSRT1CAFF2E2SCAQ01N7H.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321454595251740578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 83px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp4WTpBd3D0k1FLppPXZT1s8KIEo_VkfsIiiPaIC8FIJfyfQxM35S8Vs2xnu1VurgBbOlL8El2qqI5bMrn8rJt_dQZTkrqVdCRch3uuSXjEiFtotepS3XLaTg6uKShAmXqmfO5ocbr4g/s400/CAXVM9QFCA3GVS1DCA3XKMSXCASHB4Q9CASUA1E4CAR2XCD4CABQKKF6CAPS1QLWCALBXN73CA3ECCQWCA19K0FPCAYVBAWMCAT6R5LNCAUCTHDCCA1IKGKPCA9QOK9CCATVSRT1CAFF2E2SCAQ01N7H.jpg" border="0" /></a> After running a Google Search [how else would you research it?], the mainstream site <a href="http://www.webmd.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WebMD</span></a> had nothing on the issue, but there were more than a few other sites willing to chime in on the matter. And almost all of them caution their readers to <em>avoid fluoride</em> [admittedly, most of them advised parents to strictly monitor how their children used <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fluoride</span> in toothpaste and drinking water; a few, however, expressed the view that fluoride was unsafe for any one. One site mentioned the "two tubes will kill an adult" ratio used in the TV program]. Don't get me wrong; I respect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WebMD</span>, but I found out about the link between artificial sweeteners and nerve damage on <em>The 700 Club</em>, a good year before it crossed over to mainstream media. If you need a new issue to worry about, I'm glad to help. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSf9g8ghRRL8lzHEI_gVMAy45M0T3qXhyz55eg-OsmWECCal3_de2lfZ1E_sMYceWC7WiTdm3WR1Aq3NGmTZxSpRak2ldNbum1jI0XSqTyj_bxq0Tfjn4iYUjXZszAprONvepFOppZ1A/s1600-h/classiccluebox.jpg"></a> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mike Riley</span> <div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4354566023756514020.post-50726105035336264692009-03-25T01:29:00.042-04:002009-03-25T04:27:06.982-04:00Scent Of A Pharoh<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmop5gw6X-2GxX6i6nrHUOW1p9cnBYTKStDNQst8-ANG_IdqmmP6pd7lJbM1Mc-HtFkKvhUQ5zc1hR5hoODEYscBM17fqKA53Hn16KNf1SPLmm3L00ClU0NcsS7JUzjFZzDU9C2t_CzsU/s1600-h/TN_DSC03513A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316995206241803874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 75px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmop5gw6X-2GxX6i6nrHUOW1p9cnBYTKStDNQst8-ANG_IdqmmP6pd7lJbM1Mc-HtFkKvhUQ5zc1hR5hoODEYscBM17fqKA53Hn16KNf1SPLmm3L00ClU0NcsS7JUzjFZzDU9C2t_CzsU/s400/TN_DSC03513A.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I am no expert when it comes to science. I know from observation [a scientific technique] that it has its limits when it comes to answering the "big questions" [as most scientists will acknowledge]. That said, I am usually amazed by the scope of the questions that science <strong>will </strong>take a shot at. </span><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0ZRgV_i8TCyyCqW8FOhaxGoEASAyMHWzxutTMWVnY_8wcmAtPBtTt0piXXyurMe-NNxT4dTE0BHSRhbAOUejXzSWQggDeU7tXYqavJgzzH38c10e3sn6yccenrYlyKXZdfOWDzpzqvA/s1600-h/CAERBFLHCA2Z2H6JCA410M9KCA3WIYXDCABZ8M7BCAK27YOUCAJH6Y16CA2HG85FCA58IK1DCAIJ21O6CAQ8BSQ0CACV4LJICA43WEF0CA8KA900CAU22TVSCAI5TKIRCA6HV76VCAGKJ4BVCANHXHE8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317037988748409778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 103px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0ZRgV_i8TCyyCqW8FOhaxGoEASAyMHWzxutTMWVnY_8wcmAtPBtTt0piXXyurMe-NNxT4dTE0BHSRhbAOUejXzSWQggDeU7tXYqavJgzzH38c10e3sn6yccenrYlyKXZdfOWDzpzqvA/s400/CAERBFLHCA2Z2H6JCA410M9KCA3WIYXDCABZ8M7BCAK27YOUCAJH6Y16CA2HG85FCA58IK1DCAIJ21O6CAQ8BSQ0CACV4LJICA43WEF0CA8KA900CAU22TVSCAI5TKIRCA6HV76VCAGKJ4BVCANHXHE8.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Consider the woman pictured at right; she was one of the few female <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pharaohs</span> in Egypt's history [the picture is from a statue in her temple]; <a href="http://www.livescience.com/history/070706_hn_hatshepsut.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hatshepsut</span></a> ruled the Egyptian Empire for 22 years, beginning about 1479 BC, after the death of her half-brother and husband [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Euuuwww</span>; I <strong>know</strong> such arrangements weren't that uncommon in the Nile Crescent, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Euuuwww</span>] <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pharaoh</span> Thutmose II. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hatshepsut</span> [oh, let's call her "Hattie" for short, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ok</span>?] was only supposed to be a regent, until her stepson, Thutmose III [imagine the razzing he could have gotten on the way to school...oh, wait, he was a god-in-training...never mind...] reached adulthood [which, if memory serves me right, was, what, 14?]. But Hattie held onto the throne for over 20 years, before dying. (The fate of Thutmose 3, which sounds a little like a bad movie sequel, is not as well known as step-mom's.) For what it's worth, her reign looks like a fairly good one, including:</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-mostly peaceful times [although she's believed to have led at least one military action personally],</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-re-opening trade routes closed by war, </span></div><br /><div>-<span style="font-size:130%;">spearheading several impressive public-works projects [including a rather spectacular tomb for herself],</span> </div><br /><div>-<span style="font-size:130%;">making ancient Egypt safer for transvestites [no, really. It turns out that, to make herself appear more regal to the hide-bound traditionalists of the time, she dressed in male clothing, may have worn a fake beard, and had herself pictured in statuary as male], and</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">-funded a trade expedition that brought, among other things, rare [and highly prized] <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">incense</span> plants to Egypt. It's this last one that has our attention today [Hattie last hit the headlines two years ago, when her mummy was positively identified; she was the first Egyptian royal to be so confirmed since <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNFBbeDSGEY">King Tut</a>, way back in 1922].</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq16pLJuCtQDkJVuijJa8CBIA_9rCOORaFGo-_jwowInJsDrWIL79Zmtyz7dE7A9h_Cj3DuD_zcuCiZoSSDSEts6lYTt864TjPVu1x2zlD4xzGmxIUFK-XsHxf6kxS1IaJtuvDntk5Gvc/s1600-h/090323-hatsupshet-01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317020811398067474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq16pLJuCtQDkJVuijJa8CBIA_9rCOORaFGo-_jwowInJsDrWIL79Zmtyz7dE7A9h_Cj3DuD_zcuCiZoSSDSEts6lYTt864TjPVu1x2zlD4xzGmxIUFK-XsHxf6kxS1IaJtuvDntk5Gvc/s400/090323-hatsupshet-01.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The bottle at left, discovered in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hatshepsut's</span> final resting place [<em>not </em>that spectacular tomb that she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">commissioned</span>; more on that in a minute], contains what scientists believe to be a dried-up fragrance fragment from Hattie's perfume of choice. Now the Bonn University <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Egyptian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Museum</span> in Germany thinks it can re-create her scent, based on the residues in the bottle, and a little educated [after all, it <strong>is </strong>Bonn University] guessing. For instance, the trading expedition that brought incense plants to Egypt was based around present-day Somalia. Combining knowledge of plants common to that region with a deconstruction of the fragrance remnant [x-rays are reportedly involved, but I don't have a clue how], <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">pharmacologists</span> [whom you'd think would be more useful curing the diseases that plague Humanity] believe they can make an approximation of the Royal Aroma. If they succeed, it would be the first such re-creation of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Pharaoh's</span> scent of choice in history [Of course, either way, the whole project calls for a rousing shout of "So what?". I mean, come on; once this perfume is made, we'll never really know if it smells like Hattie's. As for marketing a re-make to the public, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">perfumers</span> say you need a popular spokesperson to make a new scent work. Granted, Hattie <em>was </em>powerful, and likely enlightened, by the standards of her time. But, and let's be honest here, <em>could she move more product than, say, <a href="http://www.britneyspearsbeauty.com/">Britney Spears</a>?</em>]</span><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.livescience.com/history/070706_hn_hatshepsut.html"></a></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZfWKWlc4y8rBRIb19STg52LEgx6LJBsntbAjU3uBX2eHcaFVo1bzQw165NrrRhFkJkj5zQym_OT2CWavZ_5AyIjzjWeF8zefIgdS6ViO4Ro46OsPPMc_1arT_W1E4jZ4SWqBMRraako/s1600-h/hatshesputwbeard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317031122269410994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZfWKWlc4y8rBRIb19STg52LEgx6LJBsntbAjU3uBX2eHcaFVo1bzQw165NrrRhFkJkj5zQym_OT2CWavZ_5AyIjzjWeF8zefIgdS6ViO4Ro46OsPPMc_1arT_W1E4jZ4SWqBMRraako/s400/hatshesputwbeard.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hatshepsut</span> [pictured at right in her "male" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">persona</span>; the object at the base of her chin is a stylized beard] fared badly in her legacy's treatment by the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Pharaohs</span> who followed; many of her statues were destroyed, her reputation in history <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">papyrusus</span> was minimized [same thing happened in the Catholic Church to <a href="http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/Hoaxipedia/Pope_Joan/">Pope Joan</a>, and in the US Government to <a href="http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2423/was-j-edgar-hoover-a-cross-dresser">J. Edgar Hoover</a>], and her mummy ended up in the Egyptian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">equivalent</span> of an unmarked grave, with only the remains of a long-time family retainer [believed to be Hattie's wet-nurse, to show <em>how long</em> she'd been a family retainer] for company. In recent years, though, what with her re-discovery in that dark, dank grave, as well as this new project, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Hatshepsut</span> is in the middle of a new re-evaluation, and restoration. Fake beard and all.</span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">- Mike Riley</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqN5OZSRmPtnB9vzvy-MvopcAWiNb4L2SJJuPX7l6_kIvo8GiE_UeBvXFcUazkdgyxn1n8rWLnwx-9Cg_c4GqY5Ly7VuKR9OVG4auxTEu3OwM6YfCk29BdW_foikE7KEy-Xy8d8iSznE/s1600-h/hatshepsutrecon.jpg"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqN5OZSRmPtnB9vzvy-MvopcAWiNb4L2SJJuPX7l6_kIvo8GiE_UeBvXFcUazkdgyxn1n8rWLnwx-9Cg_c4GqY5Ly7VuKR9OVG4auxTEu3OwM6YfCk29BdW_foikE7KEy-Xy8d8iSznE/s1600-h/hatshepsutrecon.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01404302177748811370noreply@blogger.com13