No, Michael Moore, Just No.

Here’s what started today’s post.

Saw a repost of this on Facebook and went ballistic in a comment but I figure this is important enough to share with everyone else because of the sheer amount of misinformation packed into two sentences. Anyways, here’s how I would respond to Mr. Moore if I was given the chance:

“Warts and all”

One of the perks about moving is a new commute and my path to and from work takes me past Eastfield Presbyterian Church.  I think the place recently shut down (maybe the preschool is still going?) but still conspicuous outside is an American flag.  A pretty tattered flag, faded and ragged.  One time while a friend and I were driving past I commented someone should take it down so it could be disposed of properly. We talked a little bit about the fact that there is actually a protocol and a ceremony for “putting down” old American flags and my friend made the comment that a flag burning ceremony seems a bit superfluous for what is essentially a symbol.  I didn’t quite agree, having grown up learning about flag etiquette through the Boy Scouts, but I also couldn’t quite put it into words why it would be something more than just a symbol.  It’s just one of those things that you do.  So, I didn’t quite have an answer, but decided to file the question away to think about later. 

That Dweam Within a Dweam

I have a friend who once told me that he believed that there are two things that should not change the public’s perception of a person in political office: military service and marital infidelity.  It was his belief that what a person did or did not do in those two realms shouldn’t have any bearing on how he or she is perceived by the public.  I was reminded of this recently with the news that the governor of South Carolina took off to Argentina for five days to see his mistress.  One of the days he was gone was Father’s Day.  His wife and four kids apparently thought he was on the Appalachian Trail.  As did most of his staff.  Hearing the stories come out of this new scandal reminded me why I pretty much completely disagree with my friend, at least on the marriage part.

The Revolution Will Be Tweeted?

Let me start off with saying that I’m pretty pleased that the Iranian people are off their butts and risking life and limb to participate in the democratic process.  It goes without saying that is impressive, especially from my context: a supposed democracy where barely half the population can drag themselves to a polling station despite a lack of threats.  So, that’s cool in my book.  Way to go, Iran.  What boggles my mind, however, is that Twitter and YouTube are being lauded as the harbingers of revolution as Iranians have been able to plan protests via Twitter and document the proceedings with cell phone video cameras via YouTube. 

Boot Your Get Ons

1978 to 2009.  That’s a dang long time for anything, let alone a band with all of its original members and their 11th studio album.  And the amazing thing is, there’s something worth listening to on every one of those albums.  The newest one is No Line on the Horizon and it’s hitting stores on March 3rd and I intend to be at Best Buy at 10 am.  But, I’ll admit, I’m kind of wary.  All I’ve heard is what everyone else has heard, the new single “Get On Your Boots” and I’ll admit that didn’t thrill me.  Do they have what it takes to not show their age on this one?  I sure hope so. 

Podcasts I Listen To

As one of those fools clinging to a daily hour commute (total, not each way), I found myself quickly tiring of music every day and decided I needed something else to pass the time.  That was just under 3 years ago and that was perfect timing to be part of the podcast boom.  For those not in the know, a podcast is a piece of audio that’s sent out over the Internet and downloaded to a computer or MP3 player (such as an iPod).  It’s basically the audio version of user-created content on the internet.  Categories range far and wide, as does quality and scope and duration and frequency.  I love the idea of podcasts.  I tend to go through a lot of information on the internet (and by information I mean stupid videos) and podcasts save me a lot of time of tracking down research as I can just let it come to me as I drive or walk the dog or do the dishes or take a shower or whatever it is I’m doing.  So, it’s a beautiful thing and I want to plug the podcasts I listen to and give some feedback.  These are all created by folks who want to share what they know and mostly non-profit.  So, they’re labors of love and I think that’s something great that the Internet can give us.

Inaugural Ennui

Inauguration Day 2009 had the dubious distinction of being the new Valentines Day for the unmarried and undating; you know, the day that you hope passes quietly and quickly and leaves you pretty much the heck alone.  However, mother nature had other plans and the great blizzard of aught nine that gripped Charlotte in its icy (it wasn’t icy), snowy (it was hardly snowy) fist meant that Lisa was home and the Inauguration was on TV.  I did my best to avoid it (I even cleaned) but did have to listen to a little bit of it while I opened my can of chicken noodle soup with a P-38 (props if you know what that is–it’s part of my war on convenience now).  The funny thing is that I was met with some surprise last week when I confessed I didn’t care about the Inauguration.  And I was surprised that many people cared.  Lest I be labeled as being something I’m not, let me first explain to you why the heck I just don’t care about the Inauguration of our new President Barack Obama.