Bringin' it.

“History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas. In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry. From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age. In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle-class in history. And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world.”

Boy can that man deliver a speech. And yet it’s more than that; he delivers a lot of different qualities all rolled up into one nice tidy package: confidence and resolve tempered with an intellect that’s informed by a genuine interest in the world around him. Which certainly is a refreshing change from you-know-who.

And jeez, not that I was going to go on about it, but after eight years of all that squinting, smirking,= waiting for answers =and= jaw-jacking,= last night’s foray into the world of the 21st century was an absolute pleasure. Last night our president actually mentioned science and universities. Not just schools that are all too often just parking places for our kids until they’re old enough to flip burgers or carry a gun, mind you, but universities. Universities that are the real foundation from which the next generation of technology and leadership must come if we expect to pick ourselves up and get back in the global race.

Wow, how’s that that for a load of pretentious twaddle? =Yeah well, sometimes I just can’t help myself. =Anyway, have a nice day, and as long as I’m at it, enjoy this little send-off from our former Adolescent In Chief:

Mmmmm... validation

So during any given day how often do you experience a serendipitous moment of perfection that embodies both the grandeur and mystery that is life? You know, one of those moments frozen in time that is as perfectly sublime as it is precious? =Not so often, huh?= Yeah, didn’t think so.

I, however, was lucky enough to have one of those moments just this morning.*= To wit: there I was, sniffing around the tubes minding my own business when I came across this little amuse-gueule that’s wonderful if for no other reason that it so perfectly reflects what my boys and I had already been yelling at the TV for months now.

All of which is to just to say that it’s nice to have one’s views validated and expressed so eloquently. =Sort of. Enjoy:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

*Of course you have to remember that the bar for what I consider a transcendent moment is set really, really low.

That's Some Dream.

This is Lincoln's first inaugural in front of the U.S. Capitol, a building built over the course of some seven decades, primarily by slaves.

And now, today...= well, 'nuf said.
=

Kaaahhhnn !!!!

A Matador? If nothing else it must be an awesome way to get chicks. Or chicas, rather. Chiquitas? =Oh, you know.

Say it with me and don't forget to roll your rrrrrs: ="Rich, Corinthian Leather."

Well, I guess it was a paycheck. Hell, even Micheal Caine made The Swarm.




"Smiles, everybody, smiles!"

No thanks. In fact, I don't think there are any number of special appearances by Charo that can get Herve Villechaize out of my head. Blech.




"From Hell's heart I stab at thee. For hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee."

Ahhh, now that's some good Montalban. R.I.P.

Wordless Wednesday. Sort of.

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Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait...

Mmmmm, ignominy.

Hey, remember that first real big adult event you had to go to against your will when you were a teenager? =You know, the one where you had to dress up and stand around in a room full of grown-ups that not only you didn't know but had nothing in common with?= Or worse, how about that awkward family function when you were thirteen that was full of adults who’s names you couldn’t quite recall, and your worst fear was that one of them would start talking to you when you knew very well you wouldn’t be able to think of anything to say?

Yeah well, I was just reminded yesterday that not everyone grows out of that awful, fear-sweat fueled stage of adolescence. Just look at the hapless boob in the middle of this picture from yesterday’s Tribune:

Jeez, I almost feel bad for the poor dope. Well, not really, but you know. =(Of course Jimmy's not looking too sharp either, but at least he's having a good time.)