Odds and Sods

BIG FLAP OVER OBAMA’S FLAP
Yet another big media stink this week over nothing, as the right wing conservative pinheads bitched openly all because that impudent Democrap candidate Barack Obama had the temerity to NOT wear an American flag lapel pin on his chest like all the other "patriotic" candidates do.  What the fuck difference does it make whether he wears Old Glory on his lapel or a carnation that squirts water?!?  This is just another diversionary tactic by the GOP to steer voters away from what’s truly important in the campaign—the issues!  Then again, these are the same people who get all wrapped up in symbolism to the point where they think if we pile on enough colored ribbons everywhere, it’ll make everything all better—the war in Iraq, breast cancer, racism, animal cruelty, child abuse, whatever.  And you know damn well it’s just a matter of time before Obama gets "Swift-Boated" by the Bushies too.  Just for the record, I’m not endorsing Obama here—not yet, anyway.  I just think this nit-picky stuff about him is extreme silliness.

I FORGOT TO MENTION…
…in my entry the other night about the band Headz Up’s farewell performance how nice it was to enjoy it in a smoke-free environment.  The bar they played at is located in nearby Independence, which recently enacted their new ban on smoking in public places, including bars and nightclubs, which naturally has the collective panties of all the bar owners and "persecuted smokers" in a gi-normous wad now.  My heart bleeds, but I personally found it rather refreshing to be able to have a few beers and enjoy some loud, rhythmic music in a bar and not come home smelling like the inside of a Hoover Upright for once…

GIVE ‘EM THE BOOT
Saw an article in the paper today about the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigating allegations of abuse and even a death at these so-called "boot camps" for wayward teenagers.  We’re talking about the kind of crap Moron Povich features on his show all the time—these places where they send out-of-control teens off to so they can supposedly be rehabilitated through strict discipline, which I think is a total crock.  While I’m not saying these kids should be coddled or babied, I also fail to see how being screamed at and berated by some schmuck in a military uniform is going to improve anyone’s life, especially a rebellious teenager.  And why aren’t the parents of these kids sent to some sort of boot camp as well?  Seems to me like if the teenager is that messed-up, it’s quite likely that their parental units made a few tactical errors along the way in raising the kid in the first place, and they should be forced to take responsibility for their part in screwing up their child for life.

THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE?
Seems that Coors and Miller have the urge to merge and are joining forces to combine one crappy brewing company with another, thus creating an even crappier beer-maker!  In Rock terms for me, that would be like John Mellencamp and Kid Rock forming a band together.  No thanks, fellas, I’ll stick with Anheuser-Busch…

CANDY GRAM FOR MONGO...
Actual patient name at one of our offices this week:  Candy Gram.  Even I couldn't make up stuff like this!

DEFEATING THE PURPOSE?Speaking of my workplace, we recently had to sit through our annual Sexual Harrassment Video presentation again.  Why is it every time I watch these things, I feel totally violated by the exceedingly bad acting therein?  Come to think of it, our superiors really need to show this damn video to one of our touchy-feely radiologists, a guy we often refer to as "Stanley Groper"…

PAGING AARP QUARTERBACKS!
Things are so bad for the Carolina Panthers that they’ve signed retired 43-year-old QB Vinny Testaverde, who may well start their game this week at Arizona.  Hell, Vincenzo is my age, and he was a rookie when I was still working at the "Mighty 1030" in 1987, so what does that tell ya?  That was like seven employers ago for me!  I hear a few other teams are hurting at QB as well, and a few are even trying to lure 80-year-old George Blanda out of retirement, but the NFL would first have to alter its "no canes or walkers in the backfield" rule.

HOUSE OF GARTH?
I was quite impressed with Country singer Garth Brooks’ heroic attempt at sticking it to TicketBastard and all the "ticket brokers" (i.e. scalpers) this week by offering tickets to his upcoming Sprint Center concert here in K.C. for only around $30, and controlling the doling-out of those tickets as well.  When the first show sold out, GB added another show.  And another one.  And another.  And yet another, until there were nine concerts and 140,000 tickets sold!  I’ve never cared all that much for Garth’s music, but I appreciate his little endeavor here.  I also commend him for not being the money-grubber that most musicians of his stature are, because he could’ve easily charged twice as much for those tickets and gotten it, too.

It’s still weird to say things like "only around $30" for concert tickets, too.  Remember when tickets for The Jacksons' victory tour in 1984 were 30 bucks and how everyone was shitting bricks over such exorbitant prices?  Shit, 30 semolians for a concert is a fucking bargain now…