Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 173

On Politics
Americans continue to be disgusted with Washington regarding the budget, and there’s no question in my mind that the majority will respond by re-electing the majority of incumbents.

To Speaker Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Ryan (R-WS): Creating legislation that has no chance of passing is a waste of time and taxpayer money.

CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) didn’t invite Gov. Christie (R-NJ and governor with the highest approval rating) to speak because “he had a bad year” – so they invited Mitt Romney (who conservatives don’t like), Sarah Palin (Nincompoop), and Donald Trump (egotistical blowhard).

Regardless of the party occupying the White House, I don’t agree with the opposing party having any airtime after the State of the Union.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

• Shady new Wendy’s deal offering five hamburgers for free, no questions asked
• FBI tracks down elusive picture-disc version of Herb Alpert’s “Whipped Cream and Other Delights”
• Nervous Pope candidate changes wine into Jesus’ urine
• Pea farmers say they alone keep peas from overrunning planet
• Iowa Fashion Week begins

Interesting Reads
First woman in America to earn a medical degree
Enjoy these wonderful pics from Zion National Park
David Ignatius on America’s traditional allies
Hank Greenberg: Baseball’s first Jewish superstar
Pinot Noirs from Oregon
The never-completed Cincinnati subway
Dogs knowing what we’re thinking

On Potpourri
I try to stay informed, but being away from politics and news for my 10 days in Italy was great! Thus, the first news I saw upon my return agitated me.

Wow – getting stats back to normal isn’t very easy.

CNN’s upcoming separation from Soledad O’Brien is a shame because she is a good journalist – and a pleasant for the early morning. If CNN wants to move to the top of ratings, here are two models: GMA (entertainment and fluff) and Fox Morning (biased inaccuracies). Hey CNN, I want to be informed, but those like me are in the minority.

Thanks for those participating in Time: The Musical. It’s quite the music montage, so I invite you to return for the 50+ songs.

Watching Pope Benedict XVI’s last day was interesting. In recognition to him, I love this one from The Onion.

He obviously carried Ohio to be elected, so good luck to Pope Francis I.

Here’s the latest handbell piece our choir played, which was interesting and surreal. Enjoy Compassion by Jason Krug.

There will be a classic cartoon character post on Saturday.

To send you into the weekend, enjoy The Piano Guys with the Charlie Brown song – and gotta love the people in this video. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.