Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 221

On Politics
For those you think the Tea Party is dead because of its unsuccessful showing in Tuesday’s primary, think again because if nothing else, it has shifted the party to the right.

As Washington examines issues at the Veterans Administration (VA), comments by members of Congress demonstrate to me that they are more interested in political gain than solving the problem.

Speaker Boehner’s (R-OH) new conference came on the radio as I was listening today, and I changed the channel. Later, I returned to find Minority Leader Pelosi’s (D-CA) new conference, so I changed the channel again.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

• Congress reluctant to cut funding for tank that just spins around and self destructs
• Revealing spring attire reminds man he’s nothing more than weak, hormonal ogre
• High school student, teacher applying for same summer waitressing job
• Paleontologists unearth earliest known dinosaur stickers
• Experts recommend breaking down crushing defeats into smaller, more manageable failures
• Ohio replaces lethal injection with human new head-ripping-off machine

Interesting Reads
Leadership lessons from Dancing with the Stars
Columnist Ruth Marcus on politics and money
Interesting interactive sorting state (US) data
Learn to love your doppelgänger
The real Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Interesting infographic on man-made structures
Nutella in America

On Potpourri
Meryl and Maks were very deserving champions of Dancing with the Stars. Although some complained about co-host Erin Andrews in her debut season, but I say bring her back.

Taken April 22, 2014

I took this picture about a month ago after getting some gas.

Thanks for the wonderful music in Act 4 of Life: The Musical. I love getting different genres of music!

With Monday being a national holiday (Memorial Day) in the USA, I will not have a Saturday Morning Cartoon Classic post this weekend. I know … this pattern is too frequent, but I’m still digging out of my hole from the move.

Your weekend celebrations

• (Weekend) Mudbug Madness, Polka Weekend, Old-Time Player Piano Weekend
• (Fri) Taffy Day, Wig Out Day, Turtle Day, Don’t Fry Day, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Day, Heat Awareness Day, Polka Day, Lucky Penny Day
• (Sat) Military Appreciation Day, Brother’s Day, Jazz Day, Morse Code Day, Escargot Day, Scavenger Hunt Day, Mary had a Little Lamb Day
• (Sun) Cookie Monster’s Birthday, Something Day, Wine Day, Tap Dance Day, Towel Day, Nerd Pride-Geek Pride Day

With Saturday being Lucky Penny Day, here’s a question to answer. If you see a penny on the ground with the tails side up, do you pick it up?

To send you into the weekend, let’s celebrate Morse Code Day (Saturday) with this hit from 1967 … Western Union by the Five Americans. (The song starts 1 minute in.) Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 206

On Politics
The holiday was a good break from the goofy world of politics. Even in that setting, microphones have a way of keeping the idiots in the news.

Speaking of goofy, I saw CNN’s interview with Dennis Rodman in North Korea live, and he actually makes Nincompoop seem sensible.

To me, the recent Bridgegate episode involving the New Jersey Governor’s office is an example of abuse of power for political gain.

This week’s preview of Robert Gates’ upcoming book was interesting. Here’s an interesting commentary by a visitor here, so thank you Jim Wheeler.

One way governors (primarily Republican) balance the state budget is by keeping money that would have gone elsewhere in the state. This recent Cincinnati Enquirer editorial is a good read. (Note: Southwestern Ohio is strongly Republican.)

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Mannequin must think he’s pretty hot
Girlfriend overdoses on lotion
Beijing air solidifies
Man unknowingly purchased lifetime supply of condoms
Pizza Hut unveils new cheesed-stuffed delivery guy
Scientists believe hockey players communicate by banging sticks against boards
Man on first date cunningly leaves behind one of his fingers in woman’s house

Interesting Reads
Columnist David Ignatius on a perspective about national despair
About political independents in America
The Odessa (Ukraine) Catacombs
About the inventor of leaded gasoline and chlorofluorocarbons
A bit of Churchill

On Potpourri
Because winter is not yet over, The Onion’s tips for keeping warm are excellent.

Recently, (thanks to a tip from Alex) just below our crescent-shaped moon was a crescent-shaped Venus. See this wonderful image from NASA that I found.

Special thanks to my top five commenters: Elyse @ Fifty-Four and a Half, Rich @ BrainSnorts, Lame @ Lame Adventures, Marina @ Arts Towards a Happy Day, and GingerFightBack @ GingerFightBack. For those interested in annual reports, here’s mine.

For me, it’s been a very busy time, thus why I haven’t been visiting as much as I like.

Sorry – no cartoon post tomorrow because there is simply too much on my plate. However, I will aim for next Saturday.

This week delivered the final act of Time: The Musical. The applause was a roar, but I saw a few tears as guest were leaving. Just for those who stick around for the movie credits and the occasional extra nugget, a prologue is coming soon.

For those wondering, yes – a new musical is on the horizon – but the theme remains TBA (to be announced).

Here are your weekend celebrations

• (Fri) Peculiar People Day, Bittersweet Chocolate Day, Cut Your Energy Costs Day
• (Sat) Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day, Hot Toddy Day, Secret Pal Day, Fruitcake Toss Day (again, but I like them!)
• (Sun) Feast of the Fabulous Wild Men, Marzipan Day

In honor of a Saturday celebration, this song was a hit in 1967 – and yes, I remember it! It’s .– . … – . .-. -. / ..- -. .. — -. / -… -.– / – …. . / ..-. .. …- . / .- — . .-. .. -.-. .- -. … By the way, what’s your name in Morse code? Click here to find out. I’m ..-. .-. .- -. -.-

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