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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 383

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Act 4 of Pronouns 2: The Musical goes live this weekend featuring songs with Their in the title. Warning: This act will be challenging. Curtain time is Saturday, 1 AM (Eastern US).

Special thanks to Dale for featuring me in one of her Advent posts promoting other bloggers – and cheers to her grand idea of promoting others!

Last week I shamefully forgot to wish Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends. In the spirit of Bohemian Rhapsody, this version for the Festival of Lights made me smile. Chag sameach!

Recently, Ohio (my state) became the first state allowing residents to pay taxes with Bitcoins.

The previous post was about my visit to Auschwitz. If I could take everyone in the world to one place on Earth, Auschwitz may be my choice.

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Last Saturday morning I awoke to the news of the passing of former president George H. W. Bush. It’s been a good week of salutes to a good, decent man who believed in honor public service for the country. A salute to a life well lived.

I stated this before on these pages, and the time is right to repeat it: the elder President Bush had it right about Iraq.

Another thought about Bush 41. He may have been the greatest Presidential Statesman of my lifetime.

The funeral signified a glorious sunset on the Greatest Generation. Cheers to that generation!

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To lead you into this week’s dose of satirical headlines, The Onion celebrates the birthday of the computer mouse.

Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)

Nervous maid of honor just stringing together random Maya Angelou quotes
Experts recommend just putting up with everyone else
Man hates having to wear condoms all day every day
Study finds dogs twitching in sleep are dreaming about tearing owners from limb to limb
Report: Average American spends 25% of life waiting in line at cell phone store

Interesting Reads

The insect apocalypse
Malta’s last knight
Growing as an artist: 33 rules
Einstein and the religion of science
Drink volcanic purple tea
(Interactive) 500 years of urbanization graphed
(Photos) Comedic wildlife
(Photos) Art and architecture

To send you into the weekend, another trip into the time machine – but this time for a bit of soul. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

44 thoughts on “Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 383”

  1. I love the Temptations video! Thanks. And, ya know, in this hectic holiday time, we could do worse than putting up with everyone and spouting random Maya Angelou sayings. Here is SNL’s tribute to dysfunctional families at Christmas. I wish everyone a friendly, happy, peaceful holiday!

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  2. Excellent post, Frank.
    And, it is my utmost pleasure to include you in my Advent Calendar. I just felt like spreading the love this year!
    That Chanukah version of B.H. is outstanding! I kept seeing it posted on FB and kept telling myself I was going to watch it but here is where I did.
    Bush senior was a gentleman and presidential, without a doubt. It didn’t take him long to rejoin his beloved Barbara (ever notice how often that happens?)
    Looking forward to the next act. Again, I am working but that didn’t slow me down none, did it?

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  3. Thanks for sharing that Hanukkah Bohemian Rhapsody, Frank. That was fun! (Love the air guitars.) 🙂
    The Bush story is veering towards hagiography. I wasn’t a fan. Of course, compared to the present occupant of the White House, anyone would look like a saint. That said, I heard some of the tributes on the radio, and I did tear up when George W. choked up at the end of his speech.

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    • Merril,
      Glad you enjoy BH. When I saw it, I laughed – although I’m sure parts I didn’t understand. In terms of GHWB, I too wasn’t always a fan of his presidency, but I recall never doubting the person. After all, I could separate the person and his politics – just like I could separate a good person who was a lousy boss.

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  4. No Onion splats today but I got plenty drenched from Jerry Saltz’s 33 ‘How To Be An Artist’ rules, your statement “If I could take everyone in the world to one place on Earth, Auschwitz may be my choice” (a visit there is now on my Before I Die Bucket List), and the following quote from the read ‘Albert Einstein: A Prophet for a Religion of Science?’:

    “The word God is for me nothing but the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of venerable but still rather primitive legends. No interpretation, no matter how subtle, can (for me) change anything about this . . .” But, when asked if he was irreligious, or even an outright atheist, Einstein denied it, saying: “There are people who say there is no God, but what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support of such views!” 

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  5. I think you’re right, Frank. Bush 41 is probably the greatest Presidential statesman of our lifetime. A true gentleman.
    Great choice with The Temptations…one can never go wrong with them..:)

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    • George,
      As former Canadian PM Mulroney said – “… every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave.” Glad you enjoyed the Temptations. They delivered great music back in the day!

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  8. I wasn’t a fan of GHW Bush but appreciate that there were some good things about the man and appreciate the tribute to him. Interesting articles. I think all the insects must have moved here because we had no shortage of them last summer or well into the fall. Worse than usual, especially the mosquitoes who ride in on tropical storms. (I’m kidding, of course, and I am saddened by the way things are changing, even the loss of insects.)

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  9. A very good OITS!
    Luv Cloud Nine.
    I, too, was moved by the passing, and honouring of Bush 41. The world needs more good people in power.
    It was fab to see you in Dale’s advent calendar. So far, you are the only one we have in common. See you tomorrow!

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    • Resa,
      Dale’s tribute is a wonderful idea. Being an honoree and one appreciating Dale, I’m trying to visit all the honorees. So far, so good – but time will tell. Cheers to good, honorable people! Glad you enjoyed the Temptations!

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  13. The insect apocalypse is a frightening trend and as the article says one which is quietly happening without us even realizing in many instances. I had forgotten those sticky summer windscreens, maybe because I now live in Wales and assumed our climate didn’t allow for them! Humankind cannot go on living in this selfish, consumerist way without there being consequences. Interesting article – thanks for sharing.

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