Thursday, April 22, 2010

The South Park Effect

In the immortal words from a legendary Jim Rome soundbite, "Uh Oh!" As the protests and jeers mounted in response to last night's "controversial" airing of South Park, the effects of a previously aired episode became apparent.

A few weeks ago, South Park aired! an episode about FaceBook and how overly addictive and consuming it has become to most Americans. It's like a hot drug! To the point FB recently changed their "Fan" Pages to "Like" Pages. I guess in this overly competitive and capitalistic world, they figured before someone dies as a result of FB (i.e. Myspace), they've better reduce temptation.

Perhaps this is no big deal. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it. Afterall, I don't remember it being a trending topic on Twitter. What else could have prompted them to act in such a manner? I only blog about this b/c I thought it was too coincidental. What do you think?

One thing we know for sure, Animated comedy programs are quite popular and have replaced the standup comic as the social critic and social commentary satirist. I guess it makes since given the broad scope and reach of TV and syndication, but I miss funny old men like Redd Foxx & Richard Pryor who would tell it like it is. Today unfortunately, many of the comics are in it to get a movie deal, or host gig. Often times largely unaware of their true social significance and place in our community at large. Instead we get a lot of regurgitated jokes that are more
worn out than a homeless person's shoes.

A great comedian has the ability to make one see themselves through the comedian. This is no easy feat. It is a natural gift that only a handful of people possess. Our shining comedic beacon of light, shown for just 3 network seasons; (before stepping into a self imposed hiatus) Long enough to galvanize the masses. I need not type any letters of his name, because "If you know, then you already know", If not, "You'd better Ask Somebody!"

In the end, FB is a cool tool, but should not be solely relied upon as one's primary Web "shoe shine box" pulpit. A personalized website works much better! I can recommend several excellent designers whose prices will hopefully fit your budget. Please see the attached links.
http://www.fomapublishing.com/foma_home.html http://www.suuru.com/ http://www.consciouscreative.com/

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Ode to the year that was & ain’t no more

This is a Re-post from last year that never really got published...
Thursday, 01 January 2009 16:44

You will probably read about and hear many things about the year 2008. Afterall this is a time of reflection. We are usually inundated with video tributes and highlights from various media outlets. All showing images of people , place, & things that had aome affect on our lives.

The stories from 2008 will be told for many years to come. A lot of things went down; good & bad. The list is long and I won't even attempt to recount it all, but I shall make mention of a few things that caught my attention and made me sit up and take notice.

In non chronological order, the first thing I think about 2008 was the collapse of major institutions. Whether it was huge investment firms on Wall Street or small mom & pop shops on Main Street, there was an unprecedented large number of business closings. That is never a good sign!

I live in a small town purposely. As I ride through town on my bike, I see first hand the effects the economic slowdown has had on our Main Street businesses. Many, who existed for years, have closed their doors forever. Others have discounted their merchandise up 70% off. That's no way to stay in business.

Please support your local merchants! They really need your help!

America is a capitalist country where the principles of "Survival of the Fittest" apply to just about everything! The biggest will typically eat up the smallest. If you're mortally wounded, you're probably better off dead. When it's your time to go, the vultures are usually circling up above. Head the signs.

This leads me to the next thing that caught my attention...BAILOUT MANIA! $700,000,000,000.00!!!??? I don't even know if that's enough zeros. Yell And please know that that's not all of the money that the Gov't dished out to whomever came asking. My issues are simple. Why give our (taxpayer) dollars to companies that won't give it back to us? Why not give it to us, the taxpayers? And I don't mean that $600 joke of a gift that W sent out this year. A friend of mine & I sat and ran some numbers; we broke it down the other day. If you paid your taxes, you should be entitled to at least a check for $100,000.00. Think about what that would do for the economy. Some would spend it all immediately...that's good for the economy, some would pay bills, save a little, and spend the rest...that's good for the economy, others would invest it in a variety of businesses...that's good for the economy. No matter how you look at it, it's a win for our economy. We as taxpayers are rewarded w/our own dollars and we get to see the money flow through the system. Real transparency.

No what happened instead, the rich got richer and the poor and many others stayed broke! Don't believe me, google end of year Wall street bonuses. I'm simply mad at the system. Not the players. Some of the players are friends of mine. As we say, "Hate the Game, not the Player!"

The surprising number of deaths that caught us by surprise was shocking. We lost many more great legends in the fields of music, dance, sports, comedy, politics, education, literature, science, & history. I won't give a complete list but say the list is long. That is an issue considering as a whole, we aren't making them like we used to. By that I mean the younger generations may have technological advances on their side, but the older generations had a unique sense of strength & fortitude. It's hard to replace an icon!

Many milestones were achieved in 2008. Michael Phelps 8 gold medals was cool to watch! Usain Bolt's domination in the sprints was even more amazing! The Patriots near perfect season! The Lions perfect 0 win season! There were many great sports moments! ESPN will do a much better job than I! Make sure you tune in.

The relentless pursuit of OJ finally came to an end. Obama won! Hillary Lost! We all had to endure the Sarah Palin 15 minutes of fame turn into an never ending hourglass.

The biggest thing to come to an end this year (basically), the end of the Bush regime! I think it is safe to say that I am not the only one happy to see him go! Adios Tex! That was the longest 8 years off my life. We can all look forward to a brighter day which soon will come. Nous ne voulons plus pas ce homme dans la maison blanche! To translate...we don't want that man in the white house anymore!Your time is up; it's time to go! We have another saying, "See ya, when we see ya!"