Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 228

Announcing a new header – an image from the Herschel Space Observatory of a huge dust and gas cloud called NGC 7538.

On Politics
The political climate is not only saturated with hyperpartisanship, it is also ripe for overreach … thus why I worry about 2016 election results producing a one-party majority.

Here’s an opinion poll regarding both parties …. and since it supports many my disgruntled nature, I say, Throw them all out … every damn one of them …. and then repeat the action with their replacements.

Embed from Getty Images

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Area man pushes self to point of effort
Bored scientists now just sticking random things into large Hadron collider
Few more items knocked off list of desirable traits in partner as women turn year older
45 million gallons of crude blood lost in Red Cross pipeline rupture
Area woman finds strength in Bible or whatever else is around

Interesting Reads
Lincoln’s adversaries: The ex-presidents
US oil production
Octopi caught in the act … of???
Financial literacy of American teens
Chile and World War I
Enjoy this beautiful slideshow of Iceland

On Potpourri
Summer is a special time for ice cream, so the Huffington Post recently listed “The 13 Best Ice Cream Flavors for Summer 2014” …. the fact that Graeter’s made it gives the list credibility. 🙂

I imagine there may be someone reading this who has various positive thoughts about actor George Clooney. Well, he’s from Cincinnati, thus we have privy to numerous photos from his early years. Scroll through the photo gallery at the end of this article, which includes one of a very young George with his parents and sister.

Don Cheadle (a George Clooney buddy) is in town directing and acting (with Ewan McGregor) in a movie about jazz great Miles Davis titled Miles Ahead.

After hearing some of your interest in the Indiana Roof Ballroom, I found this promo video about the facility on YouTube …. just click here.

Next week is shaping up to host the next act of Life: The Musical, so my plan is to announce the act’s theme on the next Monday Morning Entertainment.

I meet with the ophthalmologist on Friday, thus will report on Monday.

Your weekend celebrations

• (Weekend) World Future 2014 Days
• (Fri) Cheer Up the Lonely Day, Rainier Cherries Day, Slurpee Day, World Population Day, Convenience Store Day, Pet Photo Day, Town Criers Day, Blueberry Muffin Day
• (Sat) Bald is In Day, Collector Car Appreciation Day, Grange Day, Simplicity Day, Wayne Chicken Day, Pecan Pie Day, Eat Your Jello Day, Paper Bag Day
• (Sun) Embrace Your Geekness Day, Gruntled Workers Day, French Fries Day, Puzzle Day, Barn Day

Unbelievable news … no kidding … Saturday Morning Classic Cartoons returns this Saturday!

To send you into the weekend, here’s a 1985 hit … Enjoy the Eurythmics with Would I Lie to You. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

On a Clooney Movie

This is the last day in the series of different themes/layouts that I’m considering. I appreciate the feedback and included images of the others below the post (including the original).

Not all that long ago, George Clooney decided to film a movie from the site of his roots: Cincinnati. Ever since the filming, the area has been anticipating its release. Last weekend we saw Ides of March, billed as a political thriller about a Democratic candidate in the Ohio Primary.

A few days after seeing the film, a Letter to the Editor appeared proclaiming the movie as nothing more than political propaganda for the Democratic Party, thus left the movie and sought his money back.

Although George Clooney movies generally have a political edge, Ides of March can’t be near any Michael Moore movie, Citizen United’s Hillary: The Movie, or even Sarah Palin’s self-promotional endeavor, The Undefeated.

I provide some recommendations for those considering Ides of March.

• If you are concerned about this movie being a propaganda prop, don’t go!
• If you can look at the movie’s twisted view of the political arena, go!
• If you can enjoy it as a movie with a story, go!
• If you enjoy close-up views of Clooney and Ryan Gosling, go for your eye candy!

To me, the movie was OK, but could not give it a 10, an A, or whatever top rating. Sure, I was interested in seeing the Cincinnati scenes and keeping a watchful eye for two extras that I know. Nonetheless, it was entertaining – although the credits state, “Filmed on location in Michigan.”

Sample 2 (Chateau)

Sample 1 (iTheme2)

Original (MistyLook)

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol 4

Do you know the ten most common last names in the U.S.? The Census Bureau reported in 2000 these top 10 surnames: Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Jones, Miller, Davis, Garcia, Rodriquez, and Wilson. So that’s why the GOP wants to attract Latinos.

Given Time’s Person of the Year, the Runner’s-Up, ad the People who Mattered, I can’t believe Joe the Plumber wasn’t listed.

Speaking of Time’s Person of the Year list, see the list of interesting personalities who left us in 2008, but still touch us today. (Once there, scroll down to see the list.)

Many people asked movie critic Roger Ebert to review Ben Stein’s documentary Expelled, about defending creationism. For those that didn’t see it, it’s an interesting read.

In a recent NY Times column, Nicholas Kristof uses a “finger in the dike” analogy about the U.S. automakers and their situation … and I continue to maintain that the automaker situation is more complex than many make it to be.

As part of my falling asleep process, I like to listen to Echoes with John Diliberto. I love the music! Sometimes I tune in early and catch the end of Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor. Two sayings stuck me the other night.

• “Never assume the obvious is true.” (William Safire) Think about that one in terms of the Internet.
• “Be well, do good works, and keep in touch.” (Keillor’s signoff). Wow, this is meant for a future post.

Thanks for those giving input on a potential new header, which will be coming soon.

Meanwhile, my Battle Cranberry recipe for Cranberry-Sausage Spaghetti got a lot of reads.

What a tough week for those in the northeast with the ice storm. My prayers and thoughts go out to them; especially to friends like Mo.

Sports
Good for Penn State giving Joe Pa an extension. Whenever I see news about Paterno’s contracts, I keep thinking about legendary Bear Bryant; who suddenly died only a few months after retiring. Similar to General Pattern, his mission was done.

As the Bengals continue their streak of ONE winning season since 1990, and a given tough economic times, a significant majority of season ticket holders will renew.

Entertainment World
Guy Ritchie, who had $25 million when his relationship with Madonna started, get somewhere between $76-95 million in a divorce settlement. Now that’s one good investment.

With NBC’s ER in its final season, how would you end it? I would close the show with the ER staff being introduced to the new chief of staff: Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney).

I still can’t believe the Material Girl entered a relationship without a prenump, but I still believe Sara Palin needs Dancing with the Stars to broaden her base.