On Politics
No matter the issue, Congress gridlock continues to be a battle between ideological obstinance and inability to make tough decisions, thus kicking the can down the road.
It’s the House bill or nothing on immigration (Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark, title of his Op-Ed in the July 11th Wall Street Journal)
The current Republican brand of obstructionist continues to serve as an example of our Congressional attitude. Robert Reich helps make my point; plus this one from columnist Michael Tomasky adds to the twist.
In a Wednesday speech about immigration, President Bush (an immigration reform supporter) stated, “But we have a problem, the laws governing the immigration system aren’t working. The system is broken.” I understand his point, but I ask this question: Which is ineffective, the law or the implementation?
As different countries offer Edward Snowden asylum, I like this offer: The Onion offers a swift, painless death to Edward Snowden (Click to read it)
On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
- Report: 79% of sincere thoughts played off as jokes
- American Dental Association recommends making your gums hurt really bad once a day
- Area man loses all control of face while thinking
- Lovers lost in fog
- Terrifed Johnny Depp unable to remove Tonto makeup
- CIA interrogator apologizes profusely after asking questions about touchy subject
- Pregnant wife has no idea which Jonas brother she married
Interesting Reads
Obamacare delay: The winners and losers
Infographics: Inside Fireworks
Ohio and the Civil War
An inexpensive summer wines from Portugal
Columnist Peggy Nonnan on writing of a great address
Mountain gorillas of Uganda
Beer-flavored ice cream (for National Ice Cream Month)
On Potpourri
Interesting how the networks are cancelling more television shows not based on ratings, but on demographics that drive marketing. Older demographic groups lost Harry’s Law last year, so this year’s cuts include Body of Proof, Monday Mornings, and Red Widow.
I dislike the way baseball players are selected for the upcoming All-Star Game, which is just another reason to hate MLB Commimssioner Bud Selig.
Our house had quite the rain downpour on Wednesday: 3 inches (7.6 cm) in 30 minutes.
Yesterday was one of the few days I missed a post. Oh well, I just ran out of time, which also means I’m learning not to panic or force a post.
There will be a Saturday Morning Cartoon post this weekend.
Looking at the weekend ahead, don’t forget these celebratory events: Simplicity Day (Friday), National French Fries Day (Saturday), Gruntled Workers Day (Saturday), Bald Is In Day (Saturday), Embrace Your Geekness Day (Saturday), and International Nude Day (Sunday), which happens to be the end of Nude Recreation Week.
In honor of the World Piano Competition in currently in Cincinnati, here are The Piano Guys to send you into the weekend. Have a good weekend. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
A Frank Angle 
So sad about marketing demographics driving the TV shows. It’s all about the money. I’m glad I don’t watch too much TV.
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Angela,
My wife is the television watcher, and I tune in and out of her shows … so yes, the listed shows were some of her shows. An interesting twist to the high ratings-wrong demographics saga is the wrong demographics are the ones with the money.
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Unfortunately, that’s probably true.
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Sad to say … 😦
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I can’t believe you have this one on the day I had to go to the dentist with a broken tooth, Frank. “American Dental Association recommends making your gums hurt really bad once a day” I was just forgetting …
And Disgruntled Workers Day is Saturday? That’s hilarious! If I were disgruntled (and I am not — I’m one of the lucky ones) I would be able to celebrate. Or protest. Or grunt.
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Elyse,
A broken tooth? Ouch …. the whole tooth or a portion?
Oh no … Saturday is not Disgruntled Workers Day, but Gruntled Workers Day – so because you are not disgruntled, you must be gruntled. Enjoy the celebration!
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A piece broke off on 4th of July. I opted for Chibata buns instead of crummy hamburger buns (at my brother’s suggestion, so it’s all his fault). A piece broke off with my first bite, but it didn’t hurt. That was good because there wasn’t a working dentist between Maine (where I was) and VA where I am. Did you know they ALL take the long weekend off?
I’m glad about tomorrow. I’ll let my boss know that I am a Gruntled Worker. I’m sure that’ll get me a raise.
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Blaming it on your brother seems very logical. At least it’s a piece broken off rather than the whole tooth broken. What did your boss say at the news?
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“Go to the dentist”
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Beer flavored ice cream! I think I need to pop a lactaid pill just thinking about that, Frank. Yay, a cartoon post on Saturday! Of course, I’ll probably read it at 11 pm Sunday … Have a great weekend!
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Lame,
I buy my lactaid at Costco (big box) and my wife has some in her purse. Of course, I’m SOL when see changes purses.
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I’ve been very out of touch with the news the past 8 days during our trip thru the high Rockies of Montana and Alberta. Doesn’t seem like we missed anything…same ol’ same ol’. Frank, I think The Onion has nailed the news again.
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Jim,
Welcome back, and hope you had a wonderful trip full of joys. I find it refreshing to be away from the news for extended time. At least the forehead gets a break from hitting the wall.
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I always like following your links to the Onion!
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Rose,
Gotta love The Onion! Oh no … I forgot the name of a good satire site in the UK. Do you know it?
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Your posts never cease to amaze me… your ability to push the boundaries of though provoking content is outstanding… the amount of times after reading your posts I have to sit and contemplate what you have said is so numerous that I often leave your post as the last to be read… so as not to cloud my mind whilst reading others posts… thank you for that…
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Bulldog,
I’m humbled at your high praise. I believe it is important not to try to be who they are not … in other words, I know I’m not a humorist, a writer of fiction, or one with a lot of emotion from the soul, so I write from the head. Simply many, many, many thanks for your kind words.
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I’ve lost control of my entire body from thinking too hard. Of course, it doesn’t take all that much. Might explain the lovers lost in the fog. It depends what they were thinking about. 😉
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Archon,
Oh no …. whole body spasms? Hopefully the thinking spasm doesn’t cause you to uncontrollably urinate or soil your pants.
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Oh, nothing so Isometric as spams. More like an involuntary nap. 😀
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Whew … naps are better than involuntary excretion.
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Immigration is a hot topic here too and both sides of parliament are weighing in to the debate xx
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Spiced,
I didn’t know that. Please tell us more!
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How beautiful this piano video, fascinated me. Thank you dear Frank, have a nice weekend, love, nia
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Nia,
When I saw this video, I just knew I had to use it!
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love the piano guys — got my morning off to a wonderful start!
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LouAnn,
Cheers to The Piano Guys for starting your day on the right foot. 🙂
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or on the right note!
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The CIA one made me Guffaw! Frank!
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GFB,
Guffaw is quite high praise!
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Better than chortle?
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That’s the way I took it!!!
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Hooray!
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It’s National French Fries Day on Saturday?!! Wow…so much to look forward to. Saturday is shaping up to be a banner day! Have a great weekend, Frank!
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Kayjai,
You have raised the expectations I have for you, so given your enthusiasm, I hope for a report about your celebration. 😉 Enjoy!
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I may even have pics!!! It will be an awesome day…AND, it’s D2’s 18th birthday. Sure to be a spectacle of a day!
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Sounds like a post in the making! 🙂 …. BTW … I’m currently in the midst of reading your post.
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Nice to read again Frank!
“Report: 79% of sincere thoughts played off as jokes” So true.
I loved the video and looking forward to Cartoon Saturday.
Have a nice Friday.
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Doggy,
Hey hey … you’ve returned to blogosphere!!! I hope to be over this weekend. Meanwhile, hopefully the cartoon post will be up for your morning.
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They are so good! I love the Piano Guys!
Great mash up of articles and that led to a wonderfully interesting poll, fascinating stuff.
The Onion, how I love it. I am frayed on the edges this moring out of imagination. But several made me giggle out loud. Thank you for that.
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Val,
As one of my faithful readers of the OITS opportunities, glad to here the endorsement! Hooray for The Onion and The Piano Guys.
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The Grand Ol’ White Poopheads are on their way to extinction. I love it. They show no insight or ability to learn from experience. Venezuela will be a scary, lonely place for Snowdon. Boo hoo.
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cut out the first two, and the rest are all winners.
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Rich,
You have a keen eye for good material!
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you too
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It is really a pity when they cut good shows like”Harry’s Law”. Wish they would cut some of the ‘reality’ shows!
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Colline,
Unfortunately, it’s not about viewership or show quality, but actually advertising revenue. 😦
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Woohoo Embrace Your Geekness Day! Woohoo Beer-flavored ice cream! Woohoo Piano Guys! Woohoo the weekend! Woohoo Frank! (Yes, I seriously have to lay off the coffee….)
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Alex,
You are ready to celebrate, and given that it is Friday afternoon, try a Shiner Bock. 🙂
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Area man loses all control of face while thinking is the Onion winner today.
A lot of interesting stuff in there. What happens to the can when they reach the end of the road? As for the ******** bean counters who cancel shows, don’t get me started! Is no one ever going to realize that good TV isn’t about how many brain dead people watch a show????
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Fasab,
Unfortunately, TV is about ad revenue, not show quality or viewer ratings. So sad. Meanwhile, control you face as you search for puns.
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This being Simplicity Day, I’m simply going to say THANKS for the thought, humor, and writing skill you put into your blog entries.
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Tim,
Hey hey … you’re back in town to enjoy Simplicity Day. Thanks for the kind words.
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Surprisingly, I agreed with a lot of McConnells thoughts on filibuster reform.
Pity I so often think he’s a jackass on other things.
Off to read about Ohio and the Civil War.
Have a great weekend, Frank!
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Guapo,
Regarding McConnel, even boneheads can occasionally utter something profound. Meanwhile, the Civil War in Ohio wasn’t much, but the article about Morgan’s Raiders is interesting and our claim to Civil War history.
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Amazing piano guys video! What a terrific way to start the weekend. (not much on TV anytime – so sick of reality shows….there are plenty of writers in blog land who could help create things worth watching)
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Mouse,
Fortunately for me, the only reality shows I watch are Dancing with the Stars and Chopped (Food Network). But I guess that’s what sells to the targeted marketing group.
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Based on demographics – marketing? Wow, really that is interesting to me. It distinctly says the shows are not out to serve the people, but simply to bait you and see what they can get of YOU. Wicked stuff.
Loved the piano playing – and the 79% statistic… hmm indeed.
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Words,
The bottom line about television shows is selling ad time at the best prices. After all, the networks are businesses. On the other hand, glad you enjoy the video!
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Your reads really do look interesting. I’m certain to read the Obamacare article. I’ve been a little too busy this week myself and have really struggled with keeping up. I don’t feel such pressure about my commitment as a performance-based measure, but I feel a a let-down and wonder what I’ve missed. We all need to be kind to ourselves in this regard if we’re going to stay the course! And thanks to you one of my favorite things to do in the evening now is stream The Piano Guys on my television. Once I get started, I can’t stop! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Frank, and recharge your batteries!
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Debra,
As you know, I try to provide a mish-mash of articles – and with you being one of the regulars who looks at these, you keep me going.
Good points about blogging. Both posting and reading shouldn’t feel pressured, but I think bloggers are tougher on themselves than their readers.
BTW – I was unsuccessful on my search for treatment for Addicted to The Piano Guys!
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I loved the piano video. That was dope. I couldn’t believe I recognized the song too… I think that’s a good thing 🙂
This video actually got over 404 million views. Who knew that was a thing?
Anyway, thanks. Happy super hot Monday! 🙂
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Teeny,
Glad you enjoyed the video … and thanks for yours, which is a good way to end my day. 404 million hits? WOW!!!!!! But heck, the kids can sing! Meanwhile, stay cool.
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