MC Baier

I rummage through a variety of websites, including Media Matters. A few days ago I stumbled on FoxNews host of Special Report, Bret Baier performing the 1979 hip hop classic, "Rapper's Delight". He was one of the 52nd Bob Hope Classic charity golf tournament in California. He did Sugarhill Gang proud! Enjoy!

Pomp and Pageantry

Confession: I didn't watch the State of the Union, or Rep. Paul Ryan's Republican response. I know, I know. Here's why: I have been stuck at home with a house full of Influenza A ridden kids for 5 days straight. I had a birthday dinner to go to, and I jumped at the chance. I planned on watching and reading both this morning, but I can't force myself to do it. I've started BOTH videos, and I felt like I was ready to vomit along with my kids, for different reasons obviously. I typically love the time honored traditions of our political process.

But the politically inflated words are falling on deaf and cynical ears. Both parties are desperately trying to repair their image. Republicans made a grandiose gesture of reading the most recent version of the US Constitution at the opening of this congressional session. Nice gesture. We're not fooled. It was a political stunt playing to the cries from the conservatives to return to the correct form of the federal government: limited. (Which is specified in the constitution.) I'll believe it when I see it. Democrats suggested playing musical chairs, removing the dividing aisle between the two quarreling parties. Integrating the party seating. Nice gesture. I'm not buying it either. Especially when you are interviewed on the talking head news shows bad mouthing your political counterparts.

My point: When I feel like I can waste an hour and a half listening to speeches written by someone other than the orator, then I might give my two cents. But as of right now, my two cents is, WHATS THE POINT?!?! Words given at the State of the Union address are just that, words. President, let's see what you actually do to improve the economy instead of throwing hundreds of billions at it. Congress, let's see if you can actually work together to cut spending at all levels, in all sectors, and incentivize business to keep business in the US.

Here is the SOTU address.

Here is Rep. Ryan's response.

Cute and Cuddly STD's

A friend of mine had to make a visit at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and stumbled upon a very informative booth informing the public about Oklahoma's most common STD's.

"You don't look like you have anything. Get tested for everything."

Sure, there is nothing out of the realm of possibility.... but a Priest? Really? I don't think that a man of the cloth is your target audience. Hopefully STD's don't get passed around in the confessional!

Alas, it gets even better! In order to help people understand sexually transmitted diseases even better, they hired a cartoonist to give a fun twist to Oklahoma's most popular STD's. Lets check them out!

Syphilis. Apparently with a nose like that, Syphilis reminds me of Tigger. You know: "Their bottoms made out of a spring, They're bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy; Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!"

Human Papilloma Virus: This gumball gone wrong, still seems to be content in his STD state of being. Watch out kids, this isn't candy!

HIV: This kid friendly caricature seems more inviting than frightening! Like one of those warm fuzzies that your teachers would give you in the 1st grade.

Herpes: Now this cartoon is a little more sinister looking. It might have been a little more frightening if the graphics were a little better!

Gonorrhea: This STD looks like an elderly, overly tanned, surrounded by cigarette smoke granny in a track suit playing the slots at a Casino in Las Vegas. Well, probably more like Reno.

Although this is quite hilarious, I find it slightly disturbing. Either the DHS offices in Oklahoma are targeting kids with cartoon caricatures of STD's, OR (and possibly more likely) they assume their target audience is so intellectually challenged that they had to dumb the truth down. I'm praying that it isn't the first, because the way this disfunctional STD cartoon family has been assembled, coloring pages and puppets aren't much further down the road! In all seriousness, I'm a huge proponent of knowledge and uncomfortable truth. These cuddly STD's are more inviting than a huge crotch shot of an infected genital, but which would be a better deterrant?

So Much for Civility

And this is one reason I love Anderson Cooper...and maybe why I find him somewhat attractive! I typically try not to comment on other people's comments, and instead blog my opinion on current events or political issues. But I thought this was too good, and just shows that there are some reporters who still ask the hard questions to BOTH sides. Anderson Cooper interviews democrat Rep. Steve Cohen from Tennessee, regarding his comments comparing Republican's or any who oppose President Obama's Health Care Reform bill to Goebbel's Nazi propaganda machine. It is a great discussion between the two.

A Mormon Perspective

This article was posted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom website in 2009, that is the "Official resource for news media, opinion leaders, and the public". I found it an absolutely essential read for everyone, not just the members of our Church. As typical with their timing, they are largely ahead of the game, and their words are more needed today than 2009. Without further adieu:

The Mormon Ethic of Civility

What a Miracle!

When I saw this ABC News World Report, I got chills. It is heartbreaking to watch the families of the victims bury their family member or close friend. Yet, it is also an amazing story of survival and strength. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and astronaut husband Mark Kelly the prayers of a country are with you and the other survivors!

Click HERE to watch the report.

Sociopath

Sociopath: A person with an anti-social personality disorder, manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior without empathy or remorse. See also Timothy McVeigh, John Allen Muhammad or "DC Sniper", Charles Manson and recently Jared Loughner.

Good News Wednesday

President Obama spoke at the Memorial Service today for the victims of the assassination attempt on Rep. Gabriella Giffords. A memorial service is not typically good news, but I thought the tributes he gave of the deceased was eloquent and personal. It was encouraging to hear the heroic acts that everyday citizens performed. I won't dissect his speech tonight, not sure if I will. I will only leave it as his words, my future critiques will be in what legislation is proposed to "enable more civil and honest" debate. Or should I say "Fair". However and most importantly, my heart goes out to the families who will have to continue to grieve and cope long after the media circus leaves town.

TEXT here and VIDEO here.

We Are Not the Rest of the World

A genuinely tragic and fatal event occurred in Tuscon, Arizona on Saturday morning, January 10. Jared Loughner, targeting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, opened fire on a crowd gathered at the Congresswoman's "Congress on your Corner" event. After murdering 6, and injuring 20 including Giffords who received one shot to the head, the gunman was tackled to the ground by by-standers until law enforcement could arrive. Congresswoman Gifford is recovering in a local hospital, still in critical condition.

Judge John Roll, a U.S. District Judge appointed by the first Pres. Bush in 1991, was shot and killed. Along with these five others. Gabe Zimmerman was Mrs. Giffords director of public outreach, with a Masters in Social Work, and was engaged to be married in 2012. Phyllis Schneck, 79, was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Not politically active, and typically doesn't shop at the Safeway where the shooting occurred, she was shot and killed leaving 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Dorwan Stoddard was killed when trying to protect his already injured wife by shielding her from the gunman. Dorothy "Dot" Morris was also shot and killed, although her husband tried to do the same as Stoddard, in shielding her from the gunfire. A 9 year old Christina Taylor Green, was the day's youngest victims. She was athletic, being the only girl on her little league baseball team, intelligent, and was apparently an aspiring politician. In a twist of tragic irony, she was born on a tragic day and died on a tragic day. Her birthday was September, 11, 2001.

Of course, the question of the day, who's to blame? The fingers are wagging, and some in the media and politics are salivating at pointing the blame on talk radio, Fox News, popular conservative politicians specifically Sarah Palin. This is just as outrageous as stating that Jared Lee who held the Discovery Channel headquarters hostage was influenced by Al Gore! The only person to blame was the one who pulled the trigger. How is it that more blame has been placed on the typical targets of Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin, than any questioning his parents or those closest to him? He was kicked out of college with suggestions of psychological testing, he was denied enlistment by the U.S. Military, those who were in contact with him said he was deeply disturbed. Has any questions been raised that this might have been an anti-Semitic attack, connecting his apparently favorite book "Mein Kempf" and Mrs. Giffords being Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman? There are infinite possibilities, but one fact is certain, Jared is a mentally unstable extremist. To suggest that our unfettered political discourse, our first amendment right of free speech is to blame, is to resolutely state that we are like the rest of the world.

We are not the rest of the world. The United States political movements are not enacted by violent extremists. The United States has peaceful transitions to power at all levels, seen most recently in Congress. The United States political parties or private corporations do not fund violent upheavals, assassinations, or anarchy. We are not the Ivory Coast, where the incumbent refuses to cede the Presidency to the electoral victor. We are not Pakistan, where a governor and "Advocate of Tolerance" was assassinated by one of his own guards. We are not Tunisia who is suffering from violent protests due to high unemployment. We do not have state sponsored, politically advantageous assassinations in the United States. To suggest that any political party or talk show host or celebrity is to share blame in this inexplicable tragedy, only removes all personal responsibility which eventually destroys the credibility of our government which is established "by the People", relying primarily on self-governance. If we have to silence voices of opposition to "maintain peace", we have lowered ourselves to the anarchist-tyrannical cycle that is largely the rest of the world's political cycle. The United States is above that. We have the Constitution. We are a nation of the rule of law. We believe in justice. We believe in equality. We believe that those, like Jared Loughner, who's solely to blame for those who lost their lives, will be held accountable. If we turn away from the proven formula of the Constitution, rule of law, and our justice system, we will lose our freedoms all together. We would no longer deserve them. But I believe the majority of Americans don't buy into the political spin and blame game when hit with crisis. I believe that we are smarter and stronger and more independently minded than that. We are the United States.

Good News Wednesday

I haven't blogged. In a while. Holiday rush. Sick kids. You know the drill! When I get out of the habit, it usually takes some large scandal or hot topic to get me back on the soapbox. However, this story is an inspiring news story, ones that need to be shared more often! And I think I need to get in the habit of searching for good stories, not just getting fired up with all that is wrong in this world and what needs to be fixed. I love when an issue gets a spotlight, and generous people fill the need. Meet Ted Williams. Ted is a homeless man in Columbus Ohio, who's sign read:

" I have a GOD given gift of voice.

I'm an ex radio announcer who has fallen on hard times.

PLEASE! Any help will be greatfully appreciated. :)

Thank you and God bless/Happy Holidays."

Click on the picture to view the video that has not only made him famous, but possibly given him numerous job offers including one with the Cleveland Cavaliers - which included the bonus of paying off a mortgage on a home for him! This story is only a day old, but it is amazing to see how the internet and the speed of information can be used to completely change someone's life. I hope to keep up the "Good News Wednesday" postings, because midway through the week I need a natural upper!