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.