Category: Observations

On Patriotism

Here are my thoughts on patriotism – in a time when people think that patriotism equals rabid war-mongering, or blindly following elected officials based on their idealogy. Patriotism != any of those things.

Here is what I have to say about that – some day I will work this into a speech – please feel free to quote me, but please attribute the quote to me:

“Administrations come and go, interpretations wax and wane, but it is to America herself, her promise – her ideals – her very foundation, that you pledge your patriotism.” – Anne P. Mitchell, Esq.

When Something is Copyright-Infected

I heard for the first time today the term – I kid you not – “copyright infected”.

That’s right.

Apparently now copyrighting and attempting to copyright-protect something you have created is so anathematic to some that they have perverted the term to “copyright infected”.

Because, you know, everything should be free and available for the taking, no matter how much blood, sweat, and tears you poured into it.

This was, of course, in the context of whether people should be allowed to download files that are unpermitted duplicates of works which are, you know, copyright protected.. er.. infected… er..something.

Now, the people who think that they are oh-so-clever and cute in coining this perverse term may not like my taking issue with it.

Too bad.

Because fortunately this blog has a First Amendment infection.

I Can’t Believe that “Ice Road Truckers” Got Renewed

When I first heard about the show Ice Road Truckers I thought it was a joke. I mean, c’mon, an entire television show dedicated to people driving on ice??

Then, in moment of charitable suspension of disbelief, I allowed as to how perhaps it could make an interesting documentary. But, a full-on weekly television series? Give me a break.

Well, guess what. Ice Road Truckers has been renewed!

My gawd, people, don’t you have anything better to do?

It not, then let me suggest that you add to your watching line-up:

The Episiotomy Channel
Paint Drying Weekly
Old Win XP Installation Workshop

The Clean Escape – The Most Unsanitary Way to Open a Bathroom Door

In a Whole Foods, of all places, I encountered the most dunder- headed, unsanitary device ever contrived as a way to make opening a bathroom door ‘more sanitary’.

Let me introduce you to the “Clean Escape” foot-operated bathroom door opener.

The idea is to keep you from touching that icky, dirty, germ-infested, disease-bearing door handle when exiting the bathroom.

Instead, as you can see, there is a latch at the bottom of the door – the idea is that you put your foot under it, and press up on the bottom of the device with the top of your foot.

You know, with the part of your foot that, when you’re a man standing and peeing, all the urine droplets land on.

Because walking around with someone else’s urine on the top of your shoe is so sanitary.

Now, if you’re not convinced by that visual – just look at the cleanliness level of the door handle, as compared to the “Clean Escape”.

I think I’ll take my chances on Door Handle #1, Alex.

whole-foods-door.jpg

IMG00554.JPG

The Goat Pez Dispenser

It’s no secret that dogs like to eat goat poop. There’s nothing wrong with it – it’s mostly just pulverized, digested hay, and hey, if you can drink cat poop coffee, there’s no reason that a dog can’t eat goat poop.

But it was very interesting to observe this today:

Goat comes up to near where there is a little bit of goat poop.

Dog sees poop, thinks “Yum!”, samples it, and confirms “Yum!!”

Then goat turns around, with dog watching, and lets out a load of fresh poop.

And, as our dog’s eyes got bigger and bigger I could swear I heard him say

“Wow! Pez dispenser!”