Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 182

On Politics
With current topics as Benghazi, the IRS, and the AP, our elected officials continue to demonstrate their preference for diversions over finding solutions to primary problems.

The IRS story has activated a burr. I’ve been writing on it other the past several days for this post, but eventually exceeding a short, so it will an upcoming post.

Here’s a good one for Gov. Steve Breshear (D-KY) responding to state Republicans avoiding expanding Medicare at the state level in response to Obamacare: “I say get over it. This law was passed by Congress and it was upheld by the Supreme Court. This is not a political decision, it’s a policy decision.”

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Seedless watermelon coming to grips with facts it will never have kids
New crispy cracker to ease crushing pain from modern life
Man demands to know how many siblings co-worker has
Sea World to discontinue Great White Shark ride
Elf finger found in box of Keebler cookies

Interesting Reads
A conservative economist’s support for Keynes
The Bible is not a science book
Top 10 blown umpire calls
Fred Flintstone’s feet as breaks
Wyatt Earp’s Fourth Wife
How curling stones curl?
A slideshow of Cincinnati’s mosaic murals

On Potpourri
The recent news about Angelina Jolle’s choice of a preventative double mastectomy surprised many. Interestingly, the morning of the Jolle’s news, CNN’s Zoraida Sambolin stepped up to publicize her decision for a double mastectomy after her recent breast cancer diagnosis three weeks ago.

Just finished reading Oracles of Science: Celebrity Scientists versus God and Religion by Karl Giberson and Mariano Artigas (2007). Very interesting profiling six leading scientists who also publish: Richard Dawkins, Stephen Jay Gould, Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, Steven Weinberg, and Edward O. Wilson. I’ll review it later, but a thumbs up. PS: Debra, I haven’t forgot!

I haven’t cooked this recipe in a while, so we just did for a friend. Still, a big thumbs up to Cranberry-Sausage Spaghetti.

Several weeks ago, I mentioned the Cincinnati Ballet doing a production with Peter Frampton to his music. Here’s a review.

Sorry – no Saturday Morning Cartoon feature this weekend.

As my Chocolate and Wine week ends, below are a few short videos fitting for the occasion. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

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Chocolate Covered Jalapenos

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Chocolate in Wine (Rosenblum Desiree)

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On Satire Bits: Vol. 55

After the cool weekend, the first part of the week has been wonderful weather. It appears one more day is possible before the rain clouds move back into the area – which also means get some yard work done!

The classic video of Lucy and the chocolates on the conveyor belt was a big hit. After others commented on the upcoming chocolate and wine event, I decided to declare this week as Chocolate and Wine Week. If you noticed, yesterday was a wine post.

For your midweek dose of satire, I searched The Onion’s archives for past headlines involving chocolate … and a bonus video. Any favorites?

20 idiots evacuated from Times Square M&M’s store

Half of sleeve of Oreos lost in house fire

More Vegetables evolving chocolate-sauce-filled centers as evolutionary imperative

Local resident like a chocoholic, but for booze

Ozzy Osbourne bites head off five-pound chocolate rabbit

Report: Double-stuffed Oreos could raise tolerance to stuff

Blood thirty, undead ghoul advocates chocolate-cereal consumption

Hershey ordered to pay obese Americans $135 billion

U.N. orders Wonka to submit to chocolate factory inspections

Chocolate pudding futures up $2 per barrel

Praise the Lord … and pass the chocolate

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Chocolate and Wine Week continues tomorrow. Meanwhile, here’s a special video for chocolate lovers.

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 181

On Politics
The Republican Party admits to having an image problem – (a Sherlock Award for the statement) – but are their words similar to whitewash? Here’s one a good read for this thought.

The attack of the US Embassy in Benghazi is unquestionably a political football. I heard this quote this week (paraphrased): “If we knew there would be a second attack, we would have prepared to it.” (Yep – another Sherlock Award)

Cheers to The Onion for discovering the real schedule of the recent NRA convention.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

• EPA warns Americans not to breathe
• No one in limo going to prom with the one they wanted
• Malicious focus group convinces marketers Cinnamon Mountain Dew is the next big thing
• Woman places poison in Starbucks orange juice
• Rescue chip sent in to save broken Tostito submerged in 7-layer dip
• Snooze button time traveler sets coordinates for 5 minutes in the future

Interesting Reads
Pope Francis update
Absoluteness of the Bill of Rights
For those who know Bazooka Joe
Speaking ill, with skill: a book review
The criminal mind and the anatomy of violence

On Potpourri
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! Mine passed away in 1987, and I am now older than she was then.

Earlier this week I had this post about Amber (the LD student), Bette (the LD teacher), and me (the science teacher). I heard from Bette, and she appreciated the post.

Last Saturday was an anniversary that isn’t fun to remember – May 4, 1970 – the shootings at Kent State University. Here’s a historical perspective of that day from Kent, and a classic song marking the occasion.

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Cheers to the following bloggers (so far) for meeting the A Frank Angle A-to-Z Challenge: Fasab, Red, and Tom - so, give them a visit.

My wife was off Thursday, so we saw Iron Man 3. Whew …. only 10 people in the theater for this weekday matinée. I imagine it will be a tad more crowded this weekend. Oh yes – it’s a fun movie. By the way, stick around through the lengthy credits. Well, try counting the number of names listed.

Sorry – no Saturday Morning Cartoon feature this weekend.

You may recall that last weekend our handbell choir did our first-ever concert. It was fun and a success for a volunteer group. A friend of our told me that she that rings bells, but we play them. I’ll send you into the weekend with us doing the first song on the program. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

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On Satire Bits: Vol. 54

How’s your week going so far? I’ve got a lot of little things on my plate, so my visits are limited … and I don’t see much changing the rest of the week.

Tuesday night was golf night. Although my wife told me that it was one of her worst games in some time, I had a good one – which was a good bounce-back from last week’s horrible round.

On to the mid-week dose of satire. Do you have any favorites? Can you develop your own headline using any combination of the info below? My combination is at the end. Have a good rest of the week!

Barber just latest in string of humans to find interest in what area man says

Boyfriend forced to express second-hand outrage

Battle of wits with unwieldly burrito nears thrilling end game

Mother considers son “Quite the little Cassanova”

No one in gang has heart to tell his police informant his cover’s blown

Mom calmly emptying dishwasher as if big argument didn’t happen 10 minutes ago

Rigorous battery of tests unable to determine if roommate broke up with girlfriend

Company immediately calls job applicant upon seeing “BA in Communications” on resume

Boyfriend forced to express secondhand outrage

Attorney friends catch up while briskly walking down courthouse steps

Bizarre assemblage of shapes visible through area man’s pockets

Evidence piling up Mom slept with one of her college professors

My Combo: Bizarre girlfriend unable to determine unwieldly burrito in boyfriend’s pockets

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 180

On Politics
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) has introduced the High Quality Research Act. Do I seem like a person who trusts a Tea Party Republican from Texas trying to control National Science Foundation (NSF) funding?

This editorial cartoon explains so much.

Copyright of The Cagle Post: Cartoons and Commentaries

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Couple at point they are comfortable using toilet at the same time
Applebee’s introduces 50 appetizers for $250
Sparrow thinks it might have bird flu after puking seeds all morning
Divorce hard on screen door
Athlete arrested

US Politics Special Edition

• Mitt Romney drops by to see how down-and-out family he met on campaign trail is doing
• Obama order reinvasion of Iraq after illuminating trip through Bush Presidential Library
• Joe Biden publishes 7 techniques for enlarging your member
• Dick Cheney Vice Presidential Library opens in dark, sulfurous, underground cave
• Secretary of State Kerry lost somewhere in the Gobi Desert

Interesting Reads
Chemical weapons: a brief history
NYC Sanitation Workers
Skydiving in New Zealand for El Guapo
Seven facts about hairballs
Whiskey and beer saved baseball

Two Interesting Slideshows
National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest entries
Chernobyl today

On Potpourri
Because I’m seeking help for promoting the A Frank Angle Challenge that I introduced yesterday, feel free to publicize it.

Cheers to NBA player Jason Collins!

Jeers to ESPN the Magazine Senior Writer Chris Broussard for thinking he represents all Christians regarding homosexuality.

I recently mentioned the increase of followers. Here is an interesting read about the issue. Thank you, Alex.

A few value California wine values from Wine Spectator

• Red: Cameron Hughes Syrah (Lot 341 2010), Toad Hollow Merlot (Russian River 2009), Plungerhead Zinfandel (Lodi Old Vine 2011), Bogle Merlot (California 2010), Castle Rock Zinfandel (Lodi 2011)
• Rose: Halter Ranch Rose (Paso Robles 2011)
• White: Husch Chenin Blanc (Mendicino 2011), Bonterra Viognier (Mendicino 2011)

OUCH! Last year, the Cincinnati Reds had 11 players on the Disabled List (DL). This year, after one month of a six-month season, 7 Reds players have visited the DL.

There will be a Saturday Morning Cartoon feature this weekend.

To send you into the weekend, enjoy this musical montage tribute to the Marx Brothers. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

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