Where’s the Outrage?

One of my favorite holiday movies of all time.  Sure the plan is retarded.  You did what because you overheard part of a conversation?  Woman, please.  In spite of this I love this movie.  I use to watch this every year with my family.  Back in the day, before DVD’s and VHS, White Christmas came on every year.  We watched it every year.  As we (my sibs and I) got older the best part of the movie wasn’t the movie at all but instead it was our parents watching the movie.  Every year there was “the Conversation”.  It always revolved around Vera Ellen.  Didn’t she die of a drug overdose?  I’m not sure.  She was in West Side Story.  No that was this guy.  Which guy?  This one (George Chakis - does some great dancing in Mandy .  I dont’ think that he even is in the credits for White Christmas but my parents who pick him out every year.)   The conversation was about the same every year.  In the old days, we just smiled.  About 7 - 10 years ago, we were all watching White Christmas and waiting.  Then my father started on cue.  I had my laptop and as they asked questions, I answered them.  We actually got the answers.  That was okay because by the following year everyone had forgotten.

This is what Christmas is also about.  It is about family.  Being together and enjoying the things that make us a family and at the same time enjoying things that make us different.  I hope that you have some time to spend with family this Christmas season.   (oh, Holiday Inn is a better movie with some of the same songs as White Christmas.  I watch it from time to time but it isn’t a part of our holiday tradition.)

 

 White Christmas [1:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: General by ecthompson
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Sweet landing.

 

 Shuttle Returns - safely [2:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: NASA by ecthompson
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Joe Barera, half of Hanna and Barera, died this week at the age of 95.  I really enjoyed Johnny Quest and Scoopy.  Their first creation was Tom and Jerry.  Tom and Jerry were okay but if I was watching them as a kid I was usually waiting for something better to come on like the Flintstones.  Fred, Wilma and the gang, were the first primetime cartoon.  They ran in the early 60’s.  I love(d) the Flintstones and the Jetsons.  It was only as an adult was I able to see that they were really the same cartoon.  Both cartoons were based on the 1950’s TV show The Honeymooners.

I’m not sure how great Hanna or Barera were.  All I can say is that their creations brought me get joy as a child (adult).

 

 Joe Barbera dies [2:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Fun by ecthompson
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As most of your know, I really like Keith Ellison.  He is smart and thoughtful.  He understands what the people really need, in my opinion.  He has weathered a storm by taking the high road and letting others take the low road.  Wolf Blitzer tries to get him to get the gutter with Congressman Goode but Keith does not take the bait.

 

 Keith Ellison in the Situation Room [5:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Race, Religion by ecthompson
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Timeline of events from NPR (Didn’t Sean Hannity call Murtha a liar and a troop hater for saying that something went very wrong in Haditha?)

Haditha first gained widespread notice in the U.S. media after a roadside bomb there killed 14 U.S. Marines in August 2005. But the town is under the spotlight again after U.S. Marines allegedly killed as many as 24 unarmed civilians in a November 2005 attack. Four Marines have been charged with murder and four others were charged with dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, other incidents involving alleged atrocities committed by U.S. forces in other Iraqi cities have also come to light.

Aug. 8, 2005: A roadside bomb kills 14 U.S. Marines in Haditha, a Sunni stronghold 140 miles northwest of Baghdad. It is the site of intense insurgent activity.

Nov. 19, 2005: A Marine and Iraqi civilians are killed in Haditha.

Nov. 20, 2005: The Marines release a preliminary report claiming that an improvised explosive device killed 15 Iraqis and one Marine in Haditha on Nov. 19. (Subsequently, the number of Iraqi civilian casualties is revised to 24, including 11 women and children.) [Read more →]

Tags: Iraq, Mess O'Potamia (Iraq/Iran/Israel/Palestine), Military by ecthompson
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Congressman elect Ellison (D - Mn.) has already made a big splash.  He is a thougthful dynamic Congressman. He has been on my show which says something about him (i’m not sure what but something).  He is a religious Black man.  He is a muslim.  For some reason, folks seem to have a problem with him being a Muslim.  Congressman Goode (R - Va) clearly has some problems. 

The formal ceremony for being sworn into Congress requires that you pledge an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States.  There is no religious book involved.  Keith Ellison has elected to hold another ceremony for family, friends and supporters.  Many congressman do this.  In this ceremony he will have his hand on the Koran.  I’m not sure why this is a big deal for anyone.  Congressman Goode thinks it is a big deal.  I guess racism comes in all forms and flavors. 

 

 Ellison Goode [2:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Race, Religion by ecthompson
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Wow.  Now, this is some snow.

 

 Denver Snow [4:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Environment, General by ecthompson
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