Ellie Greenwich dead

Famed pop songwriter Ellie Greenwich dead at 68

So many great songs.

Cameraman Vs Wild

Although Bear's exploits are amazing, the cameraman must do the same feats while carrying heavy camera gear.

CCR - Bad Moon Rising

Great stereo. CCR performed at Woodstock.

Too Young to Vote

At last night's Obama town hall meeting, he called on 11-year old Julia Hall to ask her question. But wait, it turns out that Julia's mother is an Obama supporter! I'm shocked! Thanks to investigative blogger Michelle Malkin, the fact that an Obama supporter's child asked a question, has been ferreted out. Can a Pulitzer be far behind?

Republican Vandalism

The best analysis of the town hall demonstrations that I've read:

Republican Town Hall Vandalism

... these behaviors – the eagerness to shut down civil discussion and the willingness to accept untrue claims about the subject to be discussed – both demonstrate the same set of values. It is not a coincidence and it should not be a surprise that the two tendencies travel together among the same group of people. They are both motivated by a lack of interest in truth and reason. A culture that hates truth and reason enough to shut down civil debate is quite likely to also be a culture that does not care whether their reasons for doing so are true or reasonable.

Sarah Palin and her claim of "Death Panels" pops into my head for some reason.

This is the most recent expression of a growing history of intellectual recklessness and vandalism of the political process that has become such an integral part of Republican Culture.

The Republican base is anti-intellectualism. In a reality based on science, reason, and skepticism, the Republican base is no where to be found. Their reality is driven by the primacy of consciousness, whatever they think is true, therefore, must be true. Facts be damned. Their illusion is maintained by Faux News, Rush Limbaugh, and numerous blogs. Critical thinking is not required and even discouraged. The comparisons to religion are obvious and not coincidental.

Worst Person in the World

The gold goes to Keith Olbermann. My favorite news show is (was) Countdown (on MSNBC) and its host has a serious credibility problem. There appears to have been a quid pro quo deal between GE (the parent company of MSNBC) and News Corp. Olbermann was ordered to lay off Bill O'Reilly and he complied. Olbermann's response, that "I am party to no deal" is a classic non-denial denial. Corporate influence is the hallmark of Fox News and now MSNBC, too. Olbermann's stained reputation can only affect other MSNBC shows, such as the Rachel Maddow Show.

Strange Denial

The interwebs are all abuzz about a possible Todd and Sarah Palin divorce. Spokeswoman Meg Stapleton says there's no truth to the rumors:

Yet again, some so-called journalists have decided to make up a story. There is no truth to the recent “story” (and story is the correct term for this type of fiction) that the Palins are divorcing. The Palins remain married, committed to each other and their family, and have not purchased land in Montana (last week it was reported to be Long Island).

The Palins remain married? That's an odd reply, the rumors didn't say they were divorced. The Palins remain committed to each other? This is even more odd. What does that mean? Couples can remain committed to each other and their family, even after a divorce. There is nothing in the "denial" about the couple still being in love. If anything, the rumors are given credence by that odd "denial".