No one is quite sure where the saying "politics make strange bedfellows" originated but it has been understood to mean that in order to get elected, politicians would welcome and even seek out support from people who they wouldn't enjoy having dinner with much less (metaphorically) sharing a bed.
Some of us for example can remember 1960 when John F. Kennedy picked his primary rival, Lyndon Johnson (about 180 degrees opposite in personality and background) to be his running mate in order to help win Southern states. Believe it or not, Democrats had a good chance then in the South before Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy ( not so subtle racism) kicked in.
Eventually due to a number of sex scandals, not to mention married (and other) couples such as the Clintons both being active politically the term was sometimes inverted to read "bedfellows make strange politics".
Now however we are about to witness the ultimate in hypocrisy-- Mitt Romney who viciously and continuously attacked Rick Santorum (and vice versa) is already making nice to Santorum just hours after the latter suspended his campaign. This is more than just the two maybe becoming bedfellows (OMG--that term would drive both of them crazy!) it means asking the electorate to just totally ignore every barb, negative ad and surrogate attack each made on the other over the last six months or so.
What's changed from the JFK/LBJ days of 1960 (the era of Mad Men) among other things, is that every word and invective each has hurled at the other (not to mention Newt Gingrich) is preserved on videotape and after careful editing will be used against Romney this Fall thus further exposing the hypocritical side of someone whose real opinions and policies, if any, are subject daily or hourly to the political expediency of the moment (see: Etch-A-Sketch). Early speculation that Santorum will be the VP choice seems farfetched, but...?
To be fair, Mitt Romney is not the first hypocrite seeking high office. Or low office for that matter. If a politician turns out to be relatively decent and honest, we're generally surprised. As another old saying goes "we get the leaders we deserve".
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Technology Gone Wild
It's undisputable that in the last decade or so (i.e. the 21st century) technology has just about totally taken over most everyone's lives. To a large extent, this has been a positive development -- the ubiquitous smartphones, tablets such as I Pads and other new products have made PC's and laptops for example seem somewhat obsolete. Of course, planned obsolescence is the name of the game.
As incredible as many of the new gadgets are (and certainly TNB uses them) there is always a downside. Who could argue that the wanton use of cellphones has gone over the top? Besides talking while driving (banned in many States but poorly enforced), how about talking on these phones just about everywhere such as while crossing streets, in public restroom stalls, etc. Privacy is a forgotten word. Despite admonitions at the start of a program, cellphone ringing is constantly interrupting concerts, plays and even funerals. Manners is another forgotten word.
And then there's texting. Besides likely causing our teenagers to have carpal tunnel syndrome in their thumbs, recent studies express the fear that ultimately we will be raising a group of people who besides not knowing how to write, won't be able to talk properly (with their mouths that is).
TNB has learned to at least abide by all the changes enumerated above. But in one area TNB fervently believes that technology has gone wild with the scourge of today's world--the robocall. There is no way any rational person can accept the constant interruptions by robotically dialed calls, soliciting donations, product purchases and worst of all political support.
TNB might be a little sensitive because today was the Illinois primary and so leading up to it were an incredible number of robocalls for just a few (well-financed) candidates. TNB in the last 2 days was invited to 3 Mitt Romney events (!) so obviously there is no effort to weed out unsuitable recipients. Just blanket everyone--maybe for every 10 people that are annoyed, one MIGHT vote for you. Just wait until the November election.
Never mind the real issues such as the economy, foreign policy or whether a woman seeking an abortion should have a scope put in her vagina (really!). TNB's vote will go to anyone who will ban robocalls.
As incredible as many of the new gadgets are (and certainly TNB uses them) there is always a downside. Who could argue that the wanton use of cellphones has gone over the top? Besides talking while driving (banned in many States but poorly enforced), how about talking on these phones just about everywhere such as while crossing streets, in public restroom stalls, etc. Privacy is a forgotten word. Despite admonitions at the start of a program, cellphone ringing is constantly interrupting concerts, plays and even funerals. Manners is another forgotten word.
And then there's texting. Besides likely causing our teenagers to have carpal tunnel syndrome in their thumbs, recent studies express the fear that ultimately we will be raising a group of people who besides not knowing how to write, won't be able to talk properly (with their mouths that is).
TNB has learned to at least abide by all the changes enumerated above. But in one area TNB fervently believes that technology has gone wild with the scourge of today's world--the robocall. There is no way any rational person can accept the constant interruptions by robotically dialed calls, soliciting donations, product purchases and worst of all political support.
TNB might be a little sensitive because today was the Illinois primary and so leading up to it were an incredible number of robocalls for just a few (well-financed) candidates. TNB in the last 2 days was invited to 3 Mitt Romney events (!) so obviously there is no effort to weed out unsuitable recipients. Just blanket everyone--maybe for every 10 people that are annoyed, one MIGHT vote for you. Just wait until the November election.
Never mind the real issues such as the economy, foreign policy or whether a woman seeking an abortion should have a scope put in her vagina (really!). TNB's vote will go to anyone who will ban robocalls.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap Day
Today, February 29 is of course a very significant day in our calendar, occurring only once every 4th year (exept for turn of the century years). While this "extra day" has some astronomical or perhaps astrological meaning, there are many more personal reasons to celebrate Leap Day.
For example, there used to be a "tradition"of sorts where for one day it was acceptable for women to ask men to get married (remember Sadie Hawkins from L'il Abner?). This appears laughable today where few get married anyway (even expectant parents) and even fewer men get on bended knee to ask for a lady's hand. Not much call for turnabout one day per year.
But for TNB, the best thing about Leap Day is that it always signifies that we're in the middle of a presidential campaign where quality candidates sparkle with ideas and make the average citizen proud of being an American.
Wait a minute--this is hardly happening this Leap Year as far as the contending GOP candidates are concerned. Just in the past week, we've seen Rick Sanctimonius (I mean Santorum) tell a bunch of Tea Party blue collar types that President Obama is an elite snob who wants to force everyone to (gasp!) get a college education so that liberal professors can remake every voter's child in Obama's image. This seems to be a stretch on several fronts, as you can imagine.
Then Mitt Romney tried to connect with ordinary people by disclosing that his wife drove 2 Cadillacs and also that while knowing (or caring) little about Nascar, he was a friend of some team owners. You thought maybe the drivers?
And on and on. It's getting so discouraging that TNB is longing for the next three years, when there's no Leap Day and no presidential race. Truth be told--TNB is quite happy to be an elite snob.
For example, there used to be a "tradition"of sorts where for one day it was acceptable for women to ask men to get married (remember Sadie Hawkins from L'il Abner?). This appears laughable today where few get married anyway (even expectant parents) and even fewer men get on bended knee to ask for a lady's hand. Not much call for turnabout one day per year.
But for TNB, the best thing about Leap Day is that it always signifies that we're in the middle of a presidential campaign where quality candidates sparkle with ideas and make the average citizen proud of being an American.
Wait a minute--this is hardly happening this Leap Year as far as the contending GOP candidates are concerned. Just in the past week, we've seen Rick Sanctimonius (I mean Santorum) tell a bunch of Tea Party blue collar types that President Obama is an elite snob who wants to force everyone to (gasp!) get a college education so that liberal professors can remake every voter's child in Obama's image. This seems to be a stretch on several fronts, as you can imagine.
Then Mitt Romney tried to connect with ordinary people by disclosing that his wife drove 2 Cadillacs and also that while knowing (or caring) little about Nascar, he was a friend of some team owners. You thought maybe the drivers?
And on and on. It's getting so discouraging that TNB is longing for the next three years, when there's no Leap Day and no presidential race. Truth be told--TNB is quite happy to be an elite snob.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Secret Agenda
So now that it's February, it appears that the Republican flavor-of-the-month appears to be, of all people Rick Santorum. This surprising turn of events of course evidences the profound dislike many Republicans feel toward the vapid Mitt Romney, probably the least exciting presidential candidate since Al Gore. In case you hadn't heard, Santorum has unwittingly given his name to the latest urban slang word, which delicately can be defined as relating to certain byproducts of anal sex. Since the former Pennsylvania Senator is well known for his homophobia, it was only "natural" that some people (certainly not TNB) thought this might provide an obscene but accurate depiction of him.
Of much more significance to the campaign, Santorum has claimed that if (the Lord be cursed!) President Obama is reelected to a second term, he will finally roll out the "secret agenda" he was been saving for the time that he no longer will need to worry about running for office. Of course, since Santorum is not allowed (!) to reveal the secret, it is up to TNB to relate just what Sen. Rick fears so much, which no doubt will also frighten you.
Of much more significance to the campaign, Santorum has claimed that if (the Lord be cursed!) President Obama is reelected to a second term, he will finally roll out the "secret agenda" he was been saving for the time that he no longer will need to worry about running for office. Of course, since Santorum is not allowed (!) to reveal the secret, it is up to TNB to relate just what Sen. Rick fears so much, which no doubt will also frighten you.
- All religions except Islam will be abolished
- Kenya will become the 51st state
- The U.S. Capital will move to Chicago (why not--it's more centrally located)
- All Republicans will be forced to practice contraception
Actually, the last point, if heeded, might result in fewer Rick Santorums being produced.
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Personal Note-- TNB bids a sad farewell to Lynda Kramer, who with her husband Marshall, intoduced TNB and Mrs. TNB some 53 years ago. Lynda passed away in Florida recently at the young age of 73. Lynda was one of the most devoted readers of The Normal Blog and actually agreed with TNB 98% of the time. Here's a hope that, wherever she is, Lynda is continuing to enjoy all the blogs and books that she so voraciously read.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Content is Always Free
Today, several of the major free Internet information sites such as Wikipedia temporarily shut down their websites to protest two anti-piracy bills pending in Congress. The piracy at issue is not occurring off the coast of Somalia but rather refers to the constant free accessing of written, filmed and recorded content by just about anyone with a computer, tablet or smartphone. Since this practice (sometimes known as piracy) obviously deprives the content creators of royalties or other payments it is easy to understand why there is a huge controversy. On one side are Facebook, Twitter and the like, claiming of course "free speech" while the legislation is favored by movie and TV studios, publishers of books, magazines and newspapers, record companies, etc. Some newspapers already charge for accessing their online sites-- everything has a price!
No need for you to fear this legislation. If the unthinkable happens and you no longer can get free information on the Internet, you can always depend on The Normal Blog, where content is always free (perhaps because that's all it's worth). Never mind that blog posts appear only sporadically, totally at the whim of the (unpaid) creator. Should the world really need him, TNB might be persuaded to give up everything else to perform a public service by providing pithy descriptions of current events, albeit sometimes tinged with satire.
You might learn, at no cost, for example that the captain of the shipwrecked Italian cruise ship is being not so lovingly described as Pollo di Mer or Chicken of the Sea [this was lifted from the New York Post]. Most would agree that this is adequate reporting on this unfortunate accident.
Or what about the upcoming South Carolina Republican primary? Too bad comedian Stephen Colbert can't get even write-in votes which means that one of the five remaining morons will have to win. OMG. BTW, if you've noticed, Colbert and his buddy Jon Stewart have totally exposed what a fraud super PAC's are. That's enough free info on this matter.
Need to find out about sports? Tonight's NBA scores are 96-89, 101-76, 88-87. The names of the teams might cost you but admit it--we've all been spoiled by the free flow of information, some of which justifiably might cost something in the future. If that thought depresses you, remember where content is always free.
No need for you to fear this legislation. If the unthinkable happens and you no longer can get free information on the Internet, you can always depend on The Normal Blog, where content is always free (perhaps because that's all it's worth). Never mind that blog posts appear only sporadically, totally at the whim of the (unpaid) creator. Should the world really need him, TNB might be persuaded to give up everything else to perform a public service by providing pithy descriptions of current events, albeit sometimes tinged with satire.
You might learn, at no cost, for example that the captain of the shipwrecked Italian cruise ship is being not so lovingly described as Pollo di Mer or Chicken of the Sea [this was lifted from the New York Post]. Most would agree that this is adequate reporting on this unfortunate accident.
Or what about the upcoming South Carolina Republican primary? Too bad comedian Stephen Colbert can't get even write-in votes which means that one of the five remaining morons will have to win. OMG. BTW, if you've noticed, Colbert and his buddy Jon Stewart have totally exposed what a fraud super PAC's are. That's enough free info on this matter.
Need to find out about sports? Tonight's NBA scores are 96-89, 101-76, 88-87. The names of the teams might cost you but admit it--we've all been spoiled by the free flow of information, some of which justifiably might cost something in the future. If that thought depresses you, remember where content is always free.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Was 2011 Really Worse
In a posting on January 4, 2011 entitled "Can 2011 Be Worse" TNB lamented how terrible a year 2010 had been and predicted (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) what might happen in 2011, which of course couldn't possibly be worse than 2010, or could it?
Unlike many other prognosticators who never revisit their predictions TNB is going to "man up" (don't you love those ads?) and expose those forecasts one year later.
Unlike many other prognosticators who never revisit their predictions TNB is going to "man up" (don't you love those ads?) and expose those forecasts one year later.
- Republicans will fail to repeal the Obama health care bill. This was accurate but TMB failed to foresee just how obstructionist the GOP could be, almost totally paralyzing the country on several occasions all with one goal in mind--defeat the President for reelection and to hell with everything else. How delicious would it be if this didn't happen in 2012? Too close to call.
- Clarence Thomas will resign from the Supreme Court. Sadly, this didn't occur but hope springs eternal.
- Rahm Emanuel will be elected Chicago mayor. This was sort of a no-brainer but once Rahm moved into his own house (reclaiming it from his tenant) he also scrapped his plans (?) to move City Hall to Manny's Deli. But he's off to a great start and watch out for him on the 2016 presidential ticket.
- Christine O'Donnell (remember her?) will pay off her campaign debt by autographing Halloween witch hats. Does anybody know if this happened? Delaware is pretty obscure (sorry, VP Biden).
- Colin Firth will stammer through his Oscar acceptance for The King's Speech. He of course did win and spoke perfectly--Brits always do.
- Brett Favre will finally retire from the NFL (he did) and will become a spokesperson for feminine hygiene products (you didn't actually believe this).
- The Chicago Cubs will finish 6th. They tried but "thanks" to the Houston Astros were 5th again. However brighter days appear ahead with the new management team headed by Theo Epstein. No more predictions--don't want to put a curse on them.
All in all, not a bad record. But TNB did fail to predict the tsunami in Japan, NY representative Anthony Weiner showing his on You Tube (that's what it means?), the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi, the rise (and fall) of Herman Cain and worst of all, the very recent passing of North Korea's "Dear Leader" who among other feats reported to his people, bowled a 300 game on his first try, made 11 holes in one on his first round of golf and dunked a basketball while blindfolded and chained (OK, TNB made up the last one).
You be the judge if 2011 was really worse. TNB predicts that 2012 will be better--why not?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Those Commie Muppets
At least once every day TNB is thankful for Fox News, protector of the Real America. Just this week the Fox Business Channel disclosed that Disney's new Muppets movie is nothing but a liberal commie plot to subvert the innocent minds of the unsuspecting kids who will watch it since they're too naive to realize that it contains an insidious anticapitalist message. Huh? It seems that the movie's villain who wants to take away the Muppets somewhat neglected property is an oilman who of course wants to (gasp) drill, baby, drill. Thus this so-called children's "entertainment"portrays an obvious job creator in a somewhat negative light. Must be a left wing conspiracy designed to poison those impressionable minds. Good to know that Fox is alert and on the job 24/7.
Actually Fox News should really be occupied with a far more important matter--how to get the country to elect Newt Gingrich president. Now that the GOP conservative base has lost Herman Cain (to the chagrin of comedians everywhere) it appears that the current flavor du jour is the former House speaker who has more baggage than a Samsonite store. Mainstream Republicans like Karl Rove abhor Gingrich knowing that he is likely to self-destruct sooner or later (didn't he just call for poor 10 year olds to do janitorial work?). Despite his lack of principles, spine, etc. Mitt Romney (ugh) might be the last person standing forcing GOP voters to hold their noses while voting for him, if they care to.
But wait--look who might be re-emerging. None other than the Donald, as in Donald Trump who announced that if the eventual nominee isn't satisfactory to him, he'll just take his ball and go home--sorry, he'll run as an independent. That would be great for President Obama since otherwise GOP votes would be siphoned off--sort of like what Ralph Nader did to Al Gore in 2000. It would also be great for comedians--easily compensation for the departure of Cain.
Yes, Fox News--this is where you should be concentrating and leave TNB's grandchildren to enjoy their popcorn and movies in peace.
Actually Fox News should really be occupied with a far more important matter--how to get the country to elect Newt Gingrich president. Now that the GOP conservative base has lost Herman Cain (to the chagrin of comedians everywhere) it appears that the current flavor du jour is the former House speaker who has more baggage than a Samsonite store. Mainstream Republicans like Karl Rove abhor Gingrich knowing that he is likely to self-destruct sooner or later (didn't he just call for poor 10 year olds to do janitorial work?). Despite his lack of principles, spine, etc. Mitt Romney (ugh) might be the last person standing forcing GOP voters to hold their noses while voting for him, if they care to.
But wait--look who might be re-emerging. None other than the Donald, as in Donald Trump who announced that if the eventual nominee isn't satisfactory to him, he'll just take his ball and go home--sorry, he'll run as an independent. That would be great for President Obama since otherwise GOP votes would be siphoned off--sort of like what Ralph Nader did to Al Gore in 2000. It would also be great for comedians--easily compensation for the departure of Cain.
Yes, Fox News--this is where you should be concentrating and leave TNB's grandchildren to enjoy their popcorn and movies in peace.
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