Take That, Mac!

Since the advent of the Mac vs. PC ads that have turned Macs into the hottest thing since sliced, digital bread (oh, you don't know about it?), Microsoft has been working hard to regain their status as top dawg of the tech world. Their solution: Jerry Seinfeld.





Contrary to popular belief, the ads are mildly amusing. Also, any HBO's The Wire fans recognize the dad in the first video? I'll give you a hint - think Season 5... Full post and comments here...

I Oughta "Organize" You Right In Your "Community"

OK, here's a little refresher video...



And here we have Obama and McCain responding...



And finally a clip from Gov. Palin's recent interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News (thanks to Ben for helping me get the embed code)...



Let me be clear. For all of the wonderful things about them, McCain and Palin are convinced that they exist on an intellectual plane somewhere north of logic. I've discussed the unnecessary shots below the belt the McCain camp has made regarding the "Lipstick" and "Sex Ed for Kindergartners" fake controversies in previous posts. And for those I can understand why there is room for argument, did he or didn't he, back and forth political maneuvering to sway public opinion instead of present actual fact.

But these digs on helping communities as an organizer is frankly beyond the pale. Where in the world do McCain and Palin get the cojones to boldly ignore the gross inconsistencies in their statements? From whence comes the abounding gumption and wherewithal that lead McCain to justify the denigrations made Palin and Guiliani and, in the same sitting, actually claim that "he thinks it's very honorable" that Obama was a communitiy organizer? Give me a break! I think they may have lost some votes.

And Palin....ooooh, she is getting on my last nerve. With the smug, pretentious air of "sass" that we've come to know and expect from her, she confesses to Hannity

Oh, I certainly didn't mean to hurt his feeling. Didn't mean to offend any community organizers either - I have respect for those who have chosen public service...

I'm sorry, what was the line again?

A small town mayor is...sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities. [emphasis added]

I see her point. Obviously the new, hip way to compliment someone is to insult them. Why, just the other day I expressed my respect and admiration for my coworker by calling him a "fat-cat yes-man who has never had an original thought." Funny, he didn't seem to get my meaning either... Full post and comments here...

Troopergate 2008

And yeah, I like to rhyme. I do it all the time.

So I just happened to stumble on an interesting opinion article in the Anchorage Daily News written by a "conservative" radio host in Alaska. The commentary obviously concerns the recent subpoenas in the investigation of whether Sarah Palin, in her position as governor, wrongly fired former commissioner of public safety Walter Monegan. I haven't been following this particular issue very closely because all politicians lie, why would she be any different. I mean, if she was really confident everything she did was on the up-and-up, she would have welcomed the investigation. Imagine how popular she would be (and that guy she's running with, the older one...I can't think of his name just now) if it turned out she had done nothing wrong. The whole thing would be played up as egregious and underhanded attacks by "the left and its elite media cohorts" to besmirge her sterling reputation.

Anyway, for those who aren't going to take the two minutes to click the link and read the article (tsk, tsk...), here's a nice quote to give you a taste of the flavor that is the savory blend of rebuke stew this guy is serving up:

If anyone should be on the hot seat, it's not Monegan, but Palin for her inconsistencies.

The governor has given so many different reasons for firing Monegan I've lost count. From the "we need new direction" and "new energy" to "he wasn't hiring enough cops," to "he wasn't doing enough about alcohol in the bush" to "he lobbied for budget increases" to the latest version, which is a doozy; Monegan displayed "egregious rogue behavior."

The governor also originally said that neither she, Todd nor anyone from her administration pressured Monegan regarding Trooper Wooten. Palin then was forced to admit there was serial contact once the Frank Bailey tape surfaced. But she insisted she was just learning of it. But e-mails have surfaced detailing Palin complaining to Monegan about Wooten.

...

Clearly most Alaskans choose to ignore the facts of the Troopergate scandal. They want Palin to make it to the national stage.

Republicans scold me all the time, "You don't want Obama to win do you? Stop criticizing Palin!"

My question to my conservative friends is simple. Does the truth still matter?

Truth is at the very heart of the conservative movement. Isn't it true that smaller government, self empowerment, and personal responsibility are worth fighting for? Isn't it true that promoting a culture of life and defending marriage will keep us strong as a nation?

But some Republican leaders are abandoning truth and closing ranks to help Palin cover up her scandal by attacking the investigation.

Right from the elephant's mouth. Wow, that was partisan. Full post and comments here...

RE: Dan Craig on One Tree Hill

Thanks to Dan's sister, Ali, for finding this clip on YouTube. Here it is, people! The grand debut ('cause it's new to you) of Dan Craig's hit single "Further to Fall" on One Tree Hill (a kinda weird show).


UPDATE: You can view the scene in its entirety here (starts around 3:40). Thanks again to Ali. Full post and comments here...

Waverly Book Fest

This Saturday was Waverly Library's annual Book Fest - thousands of books and hundreds of videos on sale, balloon artists, storytelling, etc. It's both to raise money for the library's programming and to encourage the community to take another look at their local library.





We had the books sorted into fiction and non-fiction, and then the various non-fiction categories so someone who was looking for history books, for example, would have them all together. It wasn't unusual to have someone ask us for a category or even a particular book. Towards the end, this one guy was browsing the table outside and asked if we had Shawshank Redemption.



"The book or the movie?"

"There was a book?"

I just left that. He kept looking, wandering up and down, and then I heard him say to his friend, "You know, it would be really helpful if they'd have a catalog or something so you could know what was here."

I wonder where one can find a place that has thousands of books, yet offers a listing that shows the exact location of the one you're looking for. You got me, sir, that is indeed a tricky one.

Full post and comments here...

Scarborough Fair

Typically a capella sucks (sorry to all my FM folks, but you know it's true). However, one-man a capella is kind of impressive. Never mind the 8-part harmonies.

The only drawback - his name is Sunshine. Wow.



I am a YouTube fiend on this blog. I think in the future what I'll do is compile them all into a weekly post. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

Thank you for participating in this thought process. Full post and comments here...

I Love Money, Too...

One of the funnier Comcast commericals.




Which ones do you like? Full post and comments here...

Dan Craig on One Tree Hill TONIGHT!

So, taking another break from politics, I have some big news to report. My good friend Dan Craig, singer/songwriter extraordinaire hailing from Denver, CO, will have one of the songs from his newest album, Skin Grows Thin, played on One Tree Hill tonight! The song is called "Further To Fall" and it's a great track. Frankly, any of his songs would fit perfectly under a dramatic scene on the small screen or in the theaters, so hopefully this is just the beginning.

The episode of One Tree Hill starts at 9pm EST on the CW (check your local listings). In tonight's episode Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) returns from Las Vegas to face a tragedy, as Nathan (James Lafferty) and Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) struggle to find a way to help Jamie (Jackson Brundage) understand the death of someone close to them. I don't know what any of that means, but Dan's song will be in there somewhere, so tonight I'll suffer through it.

For those of you who don't know Dan Craig or his music, I'd recommend visiting his website, his myspace, his Facebook Artist Page (I happen to manage this one, so visit it. Hey, just do it. Do it.), and his YouTube page. You can hear the album version of "Further to Fall" on all of those sites.

As a special treat, I'm including in this post a video of Dan playing an acoustic version of "Further to Fall." And ladies, back off - he's got a good woman.

Full post and comments here...

Palin and Clinton Press Conference!

UPDATE: Now that we know Tina Fey can play Sarah Palin (and to a tee, I might add), who, oh who, will play Tom Palin? Hmm... Hey, here's a thought:


Lydia brought this to my attention. Brilliant idea! Full post and comments here...