On Politics
Several years ago, we stood in awe and applauded Egypt’s Arab Spring – but today we stand in shock, horror, and dismay. I recall writing in the past that the part of the Arab world’s transition was an unknown of the product – and that is remains true today.
This statement by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) is good: We (Republicans) have to get beyond being anti-Obama and we have to reconvince people that we can have hope in America. … People have to think you are serious about governing and have positive ideas.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) described many members of Congress having Dinosaur Syndrome – a condition of big hearts and a small brain. If someone does not think Sen. Paul is the smartest on Capitol Hill, just ask him.
On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
- Mom spends beach vacation assuming all household duties in closer proximity to ocean
- Scientists create microscopic Mona Lisa
- Expendable 3 cast to be paid in steroids, meat
- Cat seemed perfectly content right up to moment he bolted from room
- Unpaid internship a great experience for local company
- Boy asks nation not to find his missing little brother
Interesting Reads
- A look at today’s conservatives
- Nazi control of a British island
- The rhythm of wine
- Human Mortality and Chimps
- Rare earth elements and technology
- Faith, Science, and Metaphors
On Potpourri
Friday (Aug. 16th) is the 36th anniversary of Elvis’s death. USA Today treats Elvis fans with this article: Imagine if Elvis Never Left the Building
Friday is National Airborne Day (Army paratroopers), Men’s Grooming Day, and the start of National Aviation Week. The weekend is loaded with celebrations as International Homeless Animals Day, Meaning of Is Day, and National Thrift Shop Day (all Saturday); and Sunday is Bad Poetry Day, Mail Order Catalog Day, Serendipity Day, and World Daffodil Day.
Although I don’t think it was good judgment for a parent to name her child Messiah, I don’t agree with the judge’s ruling that the mother must change the child’s name.
To me, losing pets is one of the tough moments in life. Elyse, we are sorry to hear the news about Cooper.
Get ready for the next rendition of Time: The Musical. Although I’m unsure of the exact day, the next theme features songs with Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, or their plural forms in the title. I’ll announce the day on the upcoming Monday Morning Entertainment post.
It’s not together yet, but I’m planning a Saturday Morning Cartoon post this weekend.
Given the day, it seems that Elvis sending you into the weekend to Las Vegas is appropriate. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
A Frank Angle 
Dear Frank,
Thank you. Loss is never good, but it’s funny how difficult it is to get used to not tripping over a hairy beast…
My favorite of your headlines is near and dear to my heart “Mom spends beach vacation assuming all household duties in closer proximity to ocean” — we have a vacation house where I do far more cleaning than I ever do at our real house. I AM room service!
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Elyse,
I know you’ve been there before, thus you know it’s difficulty. They truly are part of us – and they are there no matter our moods. Meanwhile, you’ve reminded me of this show from long ago.
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Ah yes, I do so miss those days. You know, when we rich folks can let our maids use the convertible and then we meet them cheerfully at the door. Those were the days, my friend.
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Perfect!
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Sunday is bad poetry day, huh? I think I’ll have no problem coming up with something awful! Politics is frustrating. I’ve checked out since I’ve given up cable. Maybe that isn’t wise, but I sure feel more positive.
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Bumble,
The news can beat a person down … and politics even more so. Good luck with the attempt at bad poetry!
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And – thanks for ending the post with ELVIS!
I love when he sings to me. He sings to me a lot in my car – LOL
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RoSy,
After all, it’s Elvis week. Glad you enjoyed it!
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Loved the cheesy Elvis video, Frank! Hey, this is also Madonna’s 55th birthday. I take it you’re not feeling the love for the Material (old) Girl?
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Lame,
To be honest, I don’t track celebrity birthdays, so I didn’t know … but I’ve been seeing various articles about the Elvis anniversary, thus the video … Besides, it’s Elvis Week (and celebrations I do track). Meanwhile, there’s no question that Madonna has had a great career ….. and yes, I like her. Still think Evita was her greatest moment … but heck, I’ll start the day with a Celebration.
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Bang on about Egypt Frank – and we’ve all been there with the cat
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GFB,
Egypt is very sad. Also a good example of be careful what you ask for.
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Sympathies to Elyse.
Elvis was a natural, always in his element. He seemed to have a good time always.
The Onion headline about the cat leaving the room and Elvis not leaving were an odd juxtaposition. (an impressive word for this early in the day)
So many troubles in the Arab World these days. I wish them the best. Democracy isn’t pretty. They have big obstacles to overcome in Egypt, Iraq, etc. I hope they can do it.
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Jim,
Yep – democracy isn’t easy, and transitioning to one is much more than a wave of the magic wand and wishful thinking. Meanwhile, good chuckle on the juxtaposition you mentioned!
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Oh, my! Weekend is here!
Great way to send us, Frank!
🙂
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Marina,
Hooray … is your weather hot?
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Ah, Frank, the weather has been treating us so nice this summer! We only had 3-4 days that were hot. Rest of the days are just beautiful. Warm but with North winds making it very pleasant especially to those of us who didn’t go on vacation and stayed back in the city!
🙂
How’s yours?
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Wow! Very unusual weather for you, but the type of unusual that is good! 🙂 We are in a similar pattern for now, BUT the heat and humidity will return. 😦
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I wish the U.S. would have the guts to cut off military aid to Egypt. Send a message that democracy has nothing to do with killing off your opponents. We could do the right thing so easily, but we choose to practice “diplomacy.”
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SDS,
I keep shaking my head at the “its not a coup”
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Mom spends beach vacation perfectly content right up to moment she bolted from room
What is happening in Egypt today is frightening and sad. What is even more frightening to me is the question, is this a precurser to our state of the Union.
As much as I dislike the Newt, he is a smart man though he all to often hides his intellect under the covers of playing to a base of non-intellectuals. It is unfortunate he doesn’t simply rip the mask off and remind them what happened last time the GOP behaved in this manner.
I loved all the reads you offered up!
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Val,
LOL … good headline combo! 🙂
Egypt is frightening, but I can’t see anything like that happening here in the near term. Well said about Newt.
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Though I never was an Elvis fan, I enjoyed the video Frank (and my mother would LOVE it!). And International Homeless Animals Day? Really? An entire day – aren’t we generous…
😉
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Alex,
I wasn’t much of an Elvis fan either, but i respect his accomplishments … so cheers to your Mom with that video!
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A long time ago, I had two waiters working for me who did a fantastic Elvis/Ann Margaret impression singing and dancing to Viva Las Vegas
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Guapo,
Bummer that was before the days of YouTube!
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Perhaps it is time for us to stop funding other countries for what we think democracy looks like (when we aren’t very good at it ourselves).
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Beagz,
The amount of money we spent on global politics is a lot. On the other hand, as a democracy, we still stand tall … well, at least for now … but I have problems with the elected and those doing the electing.
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And once again the average citizen who just wants to live in peace faces terror….we were talking about Egypt, right? Sadly their economy/ordinary person is suffering from the lack of tourism. Hope the cultural treasures and museums are secure, but doubt it.
Many Latino/Hispanic boys are named Jesus ( not pronounced like English speakers do)and we have the Mohammed’s – but these children are named that as an honor and religious reasons – not named to sound nice with their siblings’ names. I’d have more respect for the judge had she said something about trying to make the kid’s life in school easier – but look at the names celebrities give kids. There’s a kid named Hitler, right? Come on parents – set your kids up for problems.
Elvis. What can I say.
Except – have a great weekend
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Thanks for your article on mining rare earth elements in the U.S. I remember just recently the media warning about the U.S. being in big trouble over China being the only source of Neodymium and Dysprosium Oxide, both critical to hybrid auto batteries.
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Tim,
Contrary to what people may think, the US imports many minerals for countless products. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of others.
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I’m not saying I wouldn’t want people to look for my brother, if he were missing, not quite.
I remember a Hazel episode where Mr. Gottrocks corrected Hazel’s English usage three times in one gossip story, e.g. “little THIN God”, and she uncharacteristically shut up. It was a fun little series. 😀
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Archon,
Hazel “uncharacteristically shut up” … LOL … so true!
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“Shock, horror, and dismay” is exactly right, Frank. What a tragedy is being played out in Egypt. 😦
Love the Elvis clip. He was certainly a one-off. 🙂
There’s just no telling with cats. Such inscrutable creatures. 😀
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Sylvia,
Elvis helps define both classic and legend. We’ve had cats, and they are have their level of aloofness.
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I’ll simply add my appreciation to you for mentioning what a colossal mess Egypt is right now. Implications for the future are truly upsetting–I went for the word “terrifying” but I’m trying not to go there.
I’m a little shocked at it being 36 years since Elvis died. How is that possible! I can at least say I saw him in Vegas before he died…he was a mess…walked off stage forgetting the lyrics multiple times, but at least I saw him? 🙂
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Debra,
You saw Elvis? Wow! … but like you said, it was near the end. That’s sad. As for Egypt, who knows what will happen next. Who knows!
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Thanks for the Elvis – I have been listening to him – when I do, I feel closer to my mom. She loved him So much i like to think she has a front row seat watching him……
My condolences to Elyse.
xx
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Kimberly,
Glad I could deliver some good joys of Mom!
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nice to know Saturday is for thrift shopping – guess that means a trip to the community store without any guilt. don’t ask but i never tire of watching Elvis or Liberace perform. such uber show men 🙂
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Sunshine,
Glad you enjoyed Elvis … hmmm … maybe I should work in Liberace sometime. Hope your shopping went well!
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Liberace – full on drama and bling, but so talented on the piano. 🙂
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Re the onions it has to be between the cat and the boy’s plea to the nation, both produced a laugh.
Re the Arab spring, I was more of an awe naw than an awe!
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Fasab,
I imagine the cat bolted the room as the kid plead the nation.
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laughing heartily – but with guilt – at the little brother non-search.
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RIch,
Did you have a little brother?
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two
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That explains it!
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one is tolerable. barely. big fox news fan. the other couldn’t spell fox news.
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Ah ha … one doesn’t know news and the other isn’t interested in knowing.
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and the uninterested one is trying to be a history teacher.
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Key word is trying, but rowing into a stiff current with a set of toothpicks.
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Pass this post to the appropriate brother. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/on-fair-and-balanced/
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will do
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watching that video you posted with reza aslan about his book on jesus.
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Only one of many examples.
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