On Politics
The Republican Party releases a major report about ways they can compete in 2016. All is join and dandy in print, but in reality, as long as organizations as Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) keeps trotting people like Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, and Donald Trump in front of the cameras, welcome to reality.
Thanks to The Onion: Authorities on alert as hundreds of crazed psychopaths enter Congressional chambers
Most people know that history comes in several forms. For instance, the US Revolutionary War from the US perspective probably differs from the British perspective. Well, when it comes to the US Constitution, we now have the Texas Republican Party perspective, which is also lawmakers are pushing into Texas schools. For evidence, this will introduce you to Texas’ newest senator – ladies and gentlemen – Mr. Ted Cruz.
James Madison, the Father of the US Constitution, had a recent birthday (March 16th). Here’s some interesting tidbits about him.
Republicans criticizing President Obama for waiting so long to visit Israel is funny because they don’t realize the past history of Republican presidents.
I’m not a Bill O’Reilly fan, but cheers to him for blasting Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN).
On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Cruel owner chains bike outside in freezing weather
Groundhog beheaded for inaccurate prediction
FDA relaxes definition of Smoothie
Baseball star David Ortiz listed as season to season
NASA designers release 50 new space skirts
Boss gets on man’s ass about finishing NCAA bracket
Another job interview ruin as sutures popping open during handshake
Interesting Reads
About wine ratings
Are polar bears really disappearing?
Why ballroom beats the treadmill
Respites and autism from M3 Red, someone we see here at times
Darwin’s observations on biogeography
Stephen King (author and gun owner) on gun control
Lina and the Wolf: A book review about a Prokofiev and his soprano wife
Can man survive on beer alone?
On Potpourri
Cheers to Robin (Life in the Bogs) as she moves to a new location – Breezes at Dawn. Besides being a good photographer and one who finds the right words for the photographic moments, I’m confident that she’s also – and most importantly – a good person. Visit her new location and if you are new, tell her I sent you.
This week’s post On a Coin Analogy received interesting comments. On a related note, I appreciate these words by Dennis Vemena:
In common English usage, “theory” means something like “guess” or “hunch”. It means something speculative, uncertain. In science, however, the meaning is almost exactly the opposite. In science, a theory is an idea that has stood the test of time. This difference between the common usage and the scientific usage of the word is a frequent source of confusion for nonscientists. In science, a theory is a well-tested idea – an explanatory framework that makes sense of the current facts available, and continues to make accurate predictions about the natural world.
It’s college basketball March Madness in the US, which means my alma mater continues having the 12th longest streak in the country of not participating. How’s this for a catchy marketing phrase: Bowling Green Falcon Basketball – not since 1968
On the SEC getting only 3 teams in the tournament: “This is a BSC league … that shouldn’t happen! (Tennessee Head Coach Cuonzo Martin). Coach Martin, good job at identifying the problem because the BSC is about football, not basketball.
The University of Kentucky didn’t (and thankfully so) make the tournament. Hey UK – sell yourself to the devil in favor of winning at all costs, things like this happen. How many of your recruits the past four years are on target to graduate? Answer – not many!
I will feature another classic cartoon character on Saturday.
Readers surprised with the amount of praise for last Monday Morning’s Entertainment post of Donald O’Conner. To send you into the weekend, enjoy Gene Kelly’s famous bit from the same movie: Singin’ in the Rain. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
something for everyone in this post — thanks Frank
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LouAnn,
That’s one of my aims in this series … glad to know I hit it this time.
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Goodness the poor groundhog. I’m not happy that spring hasn’t officially arrived, but not for beheading. I didn’t realize it was such a stressful job.
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TBM,
I’ve got the feeling the groundhog had some partying before coming out into the world.
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Ted Cruz….bah, what an idiot. Hard to believe he has an education of any sort, let alone an Ivy League one. Really interesting article. I saw that exchange and wanted to leap through my television and slap the sanctimonious smirk directly off Cruz’s face.
Wonderful article on Wine rating! Personally? I do a regular wine run for the “B” wines, just like was mentioned. I look for buys at my two favorite wine warehouses between $11 – $45, rated between 88-92. I always find some wonderful wines which then become new favorites. It is a wonderful way to shop. I tend to like Wine Spectator more than Wine Advocate.
Nice blog selections, love the dance!
Really liked what Stephen King had to say, interesting it isn’t from a US paper.
Great Friday Post! So nice to have you back Frank.
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Val,
I also saw the exchange, which just caused me to shake my head … thus I yield to this great American orator.
I too watch Wine Spectator looking for the bang-for-the-buck selection …so we’re on the same page!
Glad you were able to find something in the Reads list … 😉 … after all, I know you like to checking them out!
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This phrase, and its counterpart, “ultra-maroon” are staples in my vocabulary.
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Seemingly a fitting description.
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Val, Cruz went to Harvard Law. I worked there for 3 years. While there are some brilliant, wonderful folks there, there are more assholes per square inch than I’ve found in the rest of the world.
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APSI … interesting statistic.
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At HLS there are a whole lot of APSI. I’ve forgotten the exact count. But I really have some wonderful, wonderful friends from those days so you really can’t calculate APSI based on student population data.
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Well, even without the data, the general observation is a good start. Gotta remember APSI!
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The handshake is gross but hilarious Frank!
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GFB,
Perfect for you!
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Exactly!
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I would write a longer comment Frank, but I’m off to pick up a few of those space skirts. Why did I not know about this sooner!!!
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Alex,
Of all people not to know … I’m stunned … but I’m glad you will soon be off with coffee cup in hand to hit the stores.
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Stores? Nah! I don’t do stores. I’ll be shopping online! That way I don’t have to put down my cup. 😉
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Oh that’s right … I forgot that stores are against your personal constitution. 🙂
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LOL! I’m not opposed to stores, I understand their purpose. I’m just opposed to going to them. 😉
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Just shows your “accepting” personality.
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I enjoy reading your posts, Frank. They are enlightening and entertaining. AND, I love Gene Kelly…have a great weekend,
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Rogue,
I’m not the rant type, but I like to be subtle with my wit, and thoughtful but direct with my message. Thanks! … and cheers to Gene Kelly!
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Thank you for the shout out, Frank. I appreciate it. The clip was wonderful and made me want to get out an appropriate pair of shoes for showing my daughter how to do that.
Have a terrific weekend, Frank.
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Red,
As I was reading your post, I immediately tagged it for today … now I hope others stop by to read it! Enjoy dancing with your daughter!
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Thanks for the Stephen King link, I really liked it.
And I agree, I’m far from even tolerating O’Reilly but whenever he would bash Bachman he was like my best friends, for those short minutes that is.
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Doggy,
If we’re cheering O’Reilly because of Bachmann, just shows how pathetic she is.
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i don’t like cruz’s lack of humility. he has reached a level of importance and achievement, but he has no respect for those who have also done so. you can disagree without being condescending. he doesn’t know that and likely never will.
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Rich,
Simply well said!
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thanks to your lead.
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I make a good straight man.
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straight man gets the girls instead of the laughs.
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Yes!
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I like your political commentary the most, Frank. It’s not hostile, just the facts. You tell it like it is. The Republican party needs to lose those three characters, but I guess everyone is in it for themselves. My favorite headline is “Boss gets on man’s ass about finishing NCAA bracket.” Love Singing in the Rain. That’s one of my all time favorites!
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Bumble,
Thanks for the kind words. I try to be fair, but the Republican Party makes itself an easy target … and I’m a register Republican! Meanwhile, I also enjoyed the role-reversal from the boss.
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Was that a political meeting? It looked like a comedy show.
Fun post – enjoy the weekend
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Mouse,
Oh … the committee meeting with Senators Cruz and Feinstein? … Sure wouldn’t know it by watching!
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If only Sen. Cruz would cruz on out of our lives as easily as he came into them.
Thanks for the Gene Kelly clip — it is one of the best movies of all time. A movie that just makes you feel good inside.
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Elyse,
Great point! …. and not condescending!
The love for the Singin’ in the Rain clips has been impressive!
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I tried to find the one where the dubbing doesn’t match the on screen action for “Yes, yes, yes” “No, no, no” but it’s not on YouTube. Sad.
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Thanks for trying!
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lol! Love this: “Cruel owner chains bike outside in freezing weather.” I’m probably just loopy from today’s snow. I also love Gene Kelly, and Singin’ in the Rain is one of my all-time favorite movies so I thoroughly enjoyed the video.
Thanks so much for the plug, Frank. I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
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Robin,
Glad to see there’s someone out there with sympathy for the bike! Cheers to those enjoying Singin’ in the Rain!
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Singin In The Rain is one of the songs I frequently find myself humming.
Did you know that movie was built around the songs as a way to get more royalties off them?
From what I read, Cruz and Feinstein were in the middle of a frosty exchange for that debate.
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Guapo,
You seem to be a Singin’ in the Rain sufficienado! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and stuff I didn’t know!
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My girl is a huuuuuge fan.
(And it’s a great movie.)
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Cheers to your lady!
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That was a very interesting article on the benefits of dancing. You should be just fine for many years to come. 😉 Those sutures popping open, really boggled my mind. 😯 Have a great weekend, Frank.
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Paradise,
Ballroom dance is good exercise, thus one of the reasons we stay with it.
Off topic … Knowing you enjoy our handbell selections, make sure you hear this one.
http://listeninglab.stantons.com/title/compassion/447791/?s=1
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Although I’m glad that no animals were harmed in the writing of this post, I did like this: Groundhog beheaded for inaccurate prediction.
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Lame,
Now here’s the reality of the groundhog.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ohio-prosecutors-indict-punxsutawney-phil-over-early-spring-forecast-seek-death-penalty/2013/03/22/933f092e-92fc-11e2-8e33-9cc6c739d012_story.html
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I love your Opinion in the Shorts, Frank. I see many of your links I’d like to read. Thank you for the introduction to Ted Cruz. He’s representative of a lot of people’s thinking, even those in “high places.” The article was a good one refuting that position. My favorite Onion headline: FDA relaxes definition of Smoothie. I want to read the article on polar bears next…
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Debra,
Because he was elected since past November, I’ve got the feeling this won’t be the last time Sen. Cruz makes these pages. But his exchange with your Sen. Feinstein was condescending. Good choice of the FDA! Have a Smoothie this weekend!
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One of my favourite Classic songs: for the music and the dancing. Perfect choice Frank. 🙂
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Colline,
Unquestionably, a modern-day classic!
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yes the republicans have got a mild loony-bin problem!
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Rose,
They certainly would do much better if they didn’t talk so much.
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I love that Singing in the Rain. MAN, you took me back with that one… That was so joyous.
I think I’ll read Stephen King on gun control. That should be good. Thank you 🙂
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Eyes,
Because you enjoyed the flashback, make sure you see the video is this post. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/on-a-happy-tune/
King’s article is good … but an editorial instead of a short story. 😉
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The word ‘theory’ is being used by some to create doubt. Great to see this clarification. Off to check out Stephen King. Interested in his take.
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Cuttlefish,
Thanks for commenting on theories, especially because nobody else has … and I like your take on doubt. Well done.
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BGSU! BGSU!
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Cyclist,
That’s cruel … but hey, sometimes the truth hurts.
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I was honestly not trying to be cruel! Coming down from Michigan as a kid, BGSU was almost the exact halfway point on the trip to see my grandparents. Very fond memories. So they stink at hoops, you could always start rooting for the Buckeyes!
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That’s OK because hoops is what it is. As for rooting for the Buckeyes, you must remember that I’m also a Bearcat. 🙂
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