Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 163

On Politics
The Cincinnati Enquirer hosted a foreign reporter for 10 days regarding the election. During his time here, he attended local speeches by President Obama, Mitt Romney, and the First Lady. The article he wrote following the election is an interesting perspective. Because of where the reporter’s home and given the election results, the comments are also interesting.

Meanwhile, those suffering from Election Distraught Syndrome are signing petitions to get their state to secede, which is the conservative equivalent of a losing liberal saying they are moving to Canada. I’m still waiting on the person to exercise their promise of saying they were moving out of the country if Barack Obama won in 2008. Of course, the people do forget they have the individual right to secede, which means move AND denounce your citizenship.

On a similar theme, here’s an article about 6 bizarre election reactions.

Last week I wondered if winners would shy away from declaring mandates. Two days later, I read this quote from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): We Republicans in the House and Senate think we have a voter mandate not to raise taxes. (Source)

Interesting, but to no surprise, Congressional Republican firm stance on no tax increases for the rich, which (to me) means they prefer to raise taxes on everyone. Although they are in a pickle, which could mean “It’s time to play Kick the Can.”

I like these words from conservative columnist Peggy Noonan: The Republicans worked hard but were less clear-eyed in their survey of the field. America has changed and is changing, culturally, ethnically—we all know this. Republican candidates and professionals will have to put aside their pride, lose their assumptions, and in the future work harder, better, go broader and deeper. (Source)

Gov. Romney’s recent account about blaming his loss serves as good evidence to support Peggy Noonan’s statement. Cheers to some as Gov. Jindal (R-LA) for  saying something sensible.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

  • Needy Nation Breaks Down after First Full Week without being Pandered to by Politicians
  • Report: Majority of Americans Now Eating One Consecutive Meal a Day
  • 5-year-old Girl Feels like She Just Wasted Whole Carousel Ride Waving to Dad
  • Nation Horrified to Learn about War in Afghanistan While Reading Up on Petreaus Sex Scandal
  • Kim Jong-Un Named The Onion’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2012

Interesting Reads

On Potpourri
Thanksgiving is next week in America. My wine recommendations for the Thanksgiving meal are Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer because the flavors from green beans, sweet potatoes, and cranberries screw up wine pairings for this feast.

Cheers to my alma mater for making The Onion this week.

For those noticing the nested dolls in the first St. Petersburg post, this one made me laugh – plus, it could be a potential holiday gift for the hard-to-buy-for person in your life.

Thank you Viveka for this award!

There will be a Saturday Morning Classic Cartoon post this weekend.

More Ginger Ale Reviews
Thomas Kemper Ginger Ale: Smooth; ginger tasting not overpowering, but enough to linger; not spicy; creamy quality with a hint of vanilla to me; honey is an ingredient – I like it!

Blenheim Ginger Ale: With the initial taste, I thought sweetness with low ginger. The ginger taste is delayed and with a touch of spice – and lingered. Another good one!

Here’s a touch of jazz to send you into the weekend. Well, handbells and chimes jazz with a light touch of drums. Believe it or not, it works! Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 161

I invite you to try something different today. The video contains segments of a wonderful orchestra piece: New Beginnings by Peter Boyer – which provides a grand sound that is very me. So, please launch the video to serve as your background music for this edition of Opinions in the Shorts.

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On Politics
A friend of mine wanted the FactChecks from all the Debates. Here ya go, Jim!
Debate 1, VP Debate, Debate 2, Debate 3

FactCheck recently did this campaign summary

I will have an interesting post that will go live Election Day evening.

Senator John McCain declared that the Libyan embassy event is the great incompetence he’s ever seen regarding national security. I have a question for Senator McCain: Greater than 9-11?

Regardless the results of the presidential election and assuming the Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives, it will be interesting to see who they select as Speaker of the House. In case they don’t know, I am Constitutionally qualified and available.

Some pundits are discussing the increased possibility of neither presidential candidate having enough electoral votes to win.

I find it interesting that some newspapers endorsements have been tepid.

The ad from Randall Terry is so bad that stations have disclaimers before showing it.

Each political party is actively fund-raising for legal challenges of the election. Oh boy – better brace for the possibility of no winner come Wednesday morning.

Here are two early states that could spell trouble: If Romney loses Florida, or if Obama loses Pennsylvania. Yet, NY Times columnist Gail Collins focuses on Cincinnati as she writes here something that we already knew – it’s all about Ohio.

Because of the political ads, we’ve limited the local evening news to the weather – thus switched to local classical radio station for dinner music – which is easy the using the Mute button.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

  • New High-Tech Voting Machines Lets Voters Manipulate Candidates
  • Misinformed Man Riding Out Storm in Bathtub Filled with Batteries
  • 20 Idiots Evacuated from Times Square M&M’s Store
  • Man Throws Man at Problem
  • Birthday Card Discretely Passed around Office like Covert CIA Operation
  • Mom Calls to Make Sure Son not Under Dangling Crane
  • Weird Couple has Greatest Sex after Announcement of Disney-LucasFilm Merger

Interesting Reads
A pipe organ builder
Race baiting and the election (by an editor, not a hack)
Benefits of practice
The Rise of Asian-Americans
God and science
Who needs facts
Image: Fibonacci and Hurricane
My past post about Fibonacci

On Potpourri
Strength to all those affected by Superstorm Sandy; thus I encourage those who can to donate time, goods, or money to the relief efforts. Please consider the American Red Cross or the charity of your choice.

Baseball’s World Series is over, so congratulations to the San Francisco Giants and their fans. Meanwhile, the series enjoyed one of the low TV ratings ever, thus another reason to hate Commissioner Bud Selig.

A reminder to the U.S. readers that this weekend we switch from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time – so don’t forget to set the clocks back.

With the cool weather here and cold not far away, it’s flannel sheet season in our house. Is anybody else a fan of flannel sheets?

There will be a Saturday Morning Classic Cartoon post this weekend.

Thanks for everyone for making October 2012 my third best month ever.

Ginger Ale Report

Natural Brew Outrageous Ginger Ale: Good ginger with a hint of spice that lingers – Fits my taste well.

Fresh Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost: This one looks funny with the ginger sediment that one sees in the clear bottle – thus it’s unfiltered. Mild ginger taste, not a lot of carbonation, but there is a lingering spicy kick. This is a pleasant surprise.

Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 160

On Politics
Here are fact checks on the last 2012 presidential debate
Annenberg Fact Check
PolitFact
Washington Post Fact Checker
Associated Press
National Journal

By the way, Pulitzer Prizing winning PolitiFact issued two “Pants on Fire” false-statements ratings in the third debate.

A long-time friend of mine is a disrespectful, clueless, partisan hack. The other day he called, made a ridiculous comment, to which I responded, “Don’t go there.” He kept babbling, so I repeated, “Don’t go there.” Because he ignored my genuine request, I hung up the phone. We haven’t spoken since, I’ve “unfriended” him on Facebook, and I watch Caller ID on my phones.

I cannot justify any reason why law enforcement officials (sheriffs. prosecutors and judges) can run for office under a political party banner and/or endorsement.

The race for one of Ohio’s senate seats involves $30 million of outside-the-campaign money where donors do not have to be identified.

This is interesting: a scorecard of President Obama’s promises and a separate scorecard of promises by GOP Congressional leaders.

This is a wonderful 7-minute video about the Electoral College from CBS Sunday Morning.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

  • Thriving Onion Puts Another Print Edition Out of Business
  • Town Hall Attendees Still Standing Patiently Waiting for Their Questions to be Answered
  • Backup Spatula Always Ready to go in case the Unthinkable Happens
  • Study: Human Imagination Capable of Magnificent Things during masturbation
  • Trump Announces He is a Very Sad Man

Interesting Reads

On Potpourri
It’s World Series time. Anyone asking me about team I want to win, and I will answer, “The Reds.” The questioner will explain that the Reds aren’t playing as the series involves the Tigers and Giants, which leads to my answer, “Then I don’t care!”

Now that Blood of Nincompoop is off Dancing with the Stars, I am happily able to concentrate on watching the show.

With another milestone approaching, I wonder who will be the 100,000th visitor to my little corner of the world.

AFA’s Ginger Ale Report
Gosling’s Ginger Beer – On the sweet side, good ginger that lingers, a light cloudy color

Boylan’s Ginger Ale – Slightly better than the mass producers

Jamaica’s Finest Ginger Beer – Too spicy for my taste, but others may enjoy it

Gus Extra Dry Ginger Ale – Light taste all the way around with a pleasant aftertaste

There will be a Saturday Morning Classic Cartoon post this weekend.

Enjoy the music below of Lindsey Stirling. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.